Slate Daily Feed

This week: Warner Brothers and Discovery breakup again. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers examine the undoing of the three-year-old merger. Then, the hosts discuss runaway AI valuations as Meta spends billions on AI and xAI raises equity off a multi-billion dollar valuation. And finally, what effects are Trump’s aggressive immigration policies having on the economy?In the Slate Plus episode: What happened to happy hour?Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Little Richard was rock ‘n’ roll’s flamboyant architect. Lesley Gore sang that no one owned her. Sylvester was a gender-fluid icon who helped define disco. Freddie Mercury made rock operatic, and George Michael demanded freedom.What all of these LGBTQ artists had in common was bold hitmaking—and fear of being fully out of the closet. For decades, queer acts topped the charts while cloaking their true identities and paving the way for today’s more openly queer stars.For Pride Month, join Chris Molanphy as he traces the hidden history of queer hitmakers on the charts—including those that managed to be both out and No. 1, right up through our modern age of Lil Nas X and Chappell Roan. It’s a celebration of these artists’ quest to feel… mighty real.Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk has ridden off into the sunset acrimoniously (maybe), but the Department of Government Efficiency is just getting started. Will DOGE continue wildly cutting or is something even more chaotic coming next? Guest: Makena Kelly, senior writer at WIRED. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Evan Campbell and Patrick Fort. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and guest host Juliette Kayyem discuss the ominous juxtaposition of Trump sending National Guard troops and Marines to quell mostly peaceful protests in LA with his impending military parade in DC, RFK Jr. firing the entire CDC vaccine advisory board and what this means for the future of vaccines, and a unanimous Supreme Court decision that makes it easier to win “reverse discrimination” cases.Here are this week’s chatters: Emily: David Marchese for the New York Times: The Interview: Ocean Vuong Was Ready to Kill. Then a Moment of Grace Changed His Life; Ocean Vuong for the New York Times (Opinion): My Brother’s Keeper. John: The University of Cambridge: Medieval Murder Maps; podcast series: Medieval Murders. Juliette: Graham Dunbar for the Associated Press: What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games; Chelsea Jones for CBS News Miami: Will ICE agents be at Miami’s FIFA Club World Cup games? Sheriff Cordero-Stutz responds after deleted CBP post. Listener chatter from Katie Johnston in Bangor, Northern Ireland: Sophie Hardach for the BBC: How the humble chestnut traced the rise and fall of the Roman Empire For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and guest host Juliette Kayyem discuss favorite dark comedy drama Hacks, which tackles the relationship between two women of differing generations and clashing opinions with witty banter and emotional richness. In the latest Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with author Susan Dominus about her new book, The Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Research by Emily Ditto Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sheilagh Maguiness, a pediatric dermatologist, shares invaluable tips on caring for delicate baby skin, shattering common myths about bathing and moisturizing. Genevieve Rudolph, a sexologist and relationship coach, discusses the intricacies of maintaining a relationship post-baby, emphasizing the need for intentional communication. Andy Meisenheimer, a parenting coach, joins her to explore the challenges new parents face, offering practical tools to strengthen their bond while navigating the joys and hurdles of parenthood.

Jamelle Bouie, a New York Times columnist known for his keen historical insights, discusses Trump's recent actions, including deploying troops to California. He examines the symbolism of military parades, suggesting they signal desperation. The conversation highlights the fragile nature of authority, explores the implications of military presence during protests, and calls for a stronger political opposition. Bouie also stresses the importance of understanding power dynamics and the historical context of authoritarianism in the current political landscape.

Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and author of "Mass Starvation," discusses the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where two million are at risk of starvation. He explores how food is manipulated as a weapon in conflict and the psychological toll of famine on families. The podcast highlights personal stories from individuals coping with hunger and the urgent activism surrounding food scarcity. It also critiques the chaotic aid distribution amidst violence, revealing the erosion of trust within the local population.

Dive into the drama as a millennial CEO's TikTok rant about clock-watching employees sparks uproar. Explore how social media is reshaping workplace culture and the often chaotic dynamics between bosses and workers. Discover the absurdity of high-profile feuds and the disconnect that can arise when executives share their views online. This discussion sheds light on the blend of branding and employee morale in the age of viral moments, questioning whether CEOs should speak out or listen up.

This week, Caity Weaver, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'An Innocent Abroad in Mark Twain’s Paris', joins the hosts to dive into the new documentary 'Pee-wee as Himself'. They explore the complex legacy of Paul Reubens, revealing his dual identity beyond the iconic Pee-wee Herman. The conversation shifts to the quirky charm of 'Pee-wee’s Playhouse' and its subversive themes. Weaver also reflects on her travel piece about American experiences in Paris, linking Twain's humor to modern travel narratives.

This week, Bryan talks with Christina about her new piece for Slate The Conservative Wave Is Having a Very Unexpected Effect on Pride which covers the power and politics of small-town Pride. Then, in the second half, they're joined by Van Knapp, co-founder of Canyon County Pride in Idaho, to talk about building queer joy in unlikely places. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.