This is your brain off books
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A return to orality is frying our politics and our brains. This episode was produced by Peter Balon...
The Trumpiest judge yet
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emil Bove, the president's former lawyer, was just confirmed to the US Court of Appeals for the Thir...
AI is killing the internet
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a first-of-its-kind decision, an AI company wins a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by auth...
Gaza's breaking point
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Israel says it will allow more food aid to reach starving Palestinians, but it’s going to be tough...
The mother of all conspiracies
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Epstein scandal won't go away, but that won't stop President Donald Trump from trying to pivot t...
Is tipping fair?
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From raising the tipped minimum wage to "no tax on tips," we look at the challenges of remaking tipp...
Crashing out
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone from Love Island’s Huda to Hunter Biden is screaming, crying, or throwing up for the came...
Revoking US citizenship
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump wants to ramp up denaturalization — revoking citizenship from Americans who were b...
America’s miraculous murder decline
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last two years, crime rates have been plunging in cities across America. In Baltimore, gun ...
Stop the press!
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Stephen Colbert to Rupert Murdoch, powerful media figures are in President Trump’s crosshairs...
We’re setting fire to food aid
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration is dismantling — or quite literally burning up — both domestic and int...
The summer I turned into a bookworm
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer. Time for pools, BBQs, and the beach read. But why do we read "summer books"? This episode w...
Super mad about Superman
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a bunch of pundits acting like Superman was ever anything but an imm...
How the YIMBYs won
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yes in My Backyard-ers are celebrating reforms to California's landmark environmental laws, which th...
Trump's Epstein problem
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You probably shouldn't expect to see the Epstein Files anytime soon. That's because the Department o...
Trump’s dork philosopher
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Curtis Yarvin began as an anonymous blogger arguing esoteric ideas about how America would be better...
Elon's party in the USA
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk says he wants to launch a new political party. Voters consistently say they want more choi...
Chat BFF
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More and more of us are interacting with chatbots. Can we have real relationships with AI, and can A...
Plastic rain
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about how we were mostly able to get the acid rai...
From Alligator Alcatraz to South Sudan
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration is not happy with their deportation numbers. They're turning to more extrem...
I was told there would be deals
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After pressing pause on the steepest tariffs, the Trump Administration promised 90 tariff deals in 9...
Trump's Nobel Peace Prize
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump he has nominated him for a Nob...
Texas blame game
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dozens of people were swept away by flash floods in Texas this weekend. The finger-pointing has alre...
Our complicated relationship with the flag
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar openly celebrate the American flag. But a lot of Black Americans feel di...
Disney's America
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no shortage of fights over American history right now, but let’s see what we can learn f...
Make America Uninsured Again
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If the Senate's massive tax and immigration bill passes the House it will be the biggest cut to Medi...
Unmasking ICE
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
ICE agents are showing up to immigration raids masked. The Trump administration says it's for the pr...
Porn on the docket
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court has a long history of taking on cases about porn, including one they decided on Fr...
Can we ever know our dogs?
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So many of us believe we understand what our pets are feeling. Are we fooling ourselves? This episo...
Swole Girl Summer
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Weightlifting is the fastest growing sport among women. It's challenging how we think about who is a...
Wars have rules
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The legal architecture that would define and prosecute what’s happening in Gaza is failing. Report...
Burrito now, pay later
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Americans are turning to "buy now, pay later" apps for purchases as small as a burrito—it’s a sy...
Elon Musk presents: Taxis
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk and Tesla launched their long-delayed robotaxi service this weekend in Texas. The Verge's ...
America First (unless Iran...)
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vox's Josh Keating and author Vali Nasr explain what bombing Iran won’t accomplish. This episode ...
Sleepaway camp's nostalgia economy
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Unpacking the American rite of passage that so many children love — but that isn't right for every...
Elon’s Boring town
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about the world's richest man and the company tow...
Five boroughs. One mayor. Mad drama.
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New York Public Radio icon Brian Lehrer breaks down the New York City mayor's race and New York maga...
Iran, Israel, and Trump
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The conflict between Israel and Iran is revealing a deep divide within the MAGA universe over whethe...
America the extreme
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend saw a shocking act of political violence, a military parade in DC, and political protes...
Let's fight over bike lanes
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A caller asks why it's so hard to make biking safe in LA. We bike around different US cities to get ...
The big business of small streamers
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dropout is a smaller streaming platform where improv comedy is king. It might be the blueprint for t...
Palantir has your info
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration wants to merge all of our data across government agencies. And it's asked a...
Elon and Trump need space
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vox’s Joshua Keating explains why the US government can’t have a big, beautiful breakup with Elo...
Trump's other big breakup
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump recently blew up his alliance with the conservative legal group that helped him rema...
Fire and ICE in Los Angeles
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump sent in the National Guard to quell protests caused by ICE raids. LA Times reporter ...
The recession indicator game
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Press-on nails, new music from Katy Perry, and an uptick in Klarna purchases: signs of an economic d...
AI Video Killed the Video Star
Fri, 06 Jun
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Google’s new AI video tool Veo 3 looks freakishly real, but it might take Hollywood to fully harne...
AI Video Killed the Video Star
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Google’s new AI video tool Veo 3 looks freakishly real, but it might take Hollywood to fully harne...
Baby’s first gene edit
Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:15:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
For the first time ever, experimental gene editing technology has been used to treat a baby with a f...
Baby’s first gene edit
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time ever, experimental gene editing technology has been used to treat a baby with a f...
Black schools, red states
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A supporter of President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis was just appointed to lead the historica...
Donald Trump's "Golden Dome"
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump wants to build a "Golden Dome" to protect the US from the threat of nuclear weapons....
The white gold rush
Mon, 02 Jun
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
The US has enormous deposits of critical minerals like lithium right here at home. So why are we loo...
The white gold rush
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The US has enormous deposits of critical minerals like lithium right here at home. So why are we loo...
How Gen Z found religion
Sun, 01 Jun
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
For the first time in decades, American Christianity is not in decline. What are young people lookin...
How Gen Z found religion
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time in decades, American Christianity is not in decline. What are young people lookin...
What Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us
Fri, 30 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
The legendary coach is getting more attention for his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson th...
What Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The legendary coach is getting more attention for his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson th...
All eyes back on Gaza
Thu, 29 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
From podcaster Theo Von to children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel to the new pope to President Trump, a...
All eyes back on Gaza
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From podcaster Theo Von to children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel to the new pope to President Trump, a...
A comedian tries to fix aviation
Wed, 28 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Newark’s crisis is coming soon to an airport near you. Thankfully, comedian Nathan Fielder is dead...
A comedian tries to fix aviation
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Newark’s crisis is coming soon to an airport near you. Thankfully, comedian Nathan Fielder is dead...
The minerals that rule our world
Tue, 27 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
The race to control critical mineral deposits has become a major driver of US foreign policy -- and ...
The minerals that rule our world
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The race to control critical mineral deposits has become a major driver of US foreign policy -- and ...
Methamphetamine: The most misunderstood drug?
Sun, 25 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Methamphetamine is best known as one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs out there. But it's a...
Methamphetamine: The most misunderstood drug?
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Methamphetamine is best known as one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs out there. But it's a...
All the sad young literary men
Fri, 23 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Writer Ross Barkan says young men's voices have vanished from literary fiction. Economist Joel Waldf...
All the sad young literary men
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Ross Barkan says young men's voices have vanished from literary fiction. Economist Joel Waldf...
Should women be in combat?
Thu, 22 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Combat roles have been open to women for a decade, but President Donald Trump's Pentagon still quest...
Should women be in combat?
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Combat roles have been open to women for a decade, but President Donald Trump's Pentagon still quest...
Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
Wed, 21 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
“You are tearing me apart, Congress.” This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz with help fro...
Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You are tearing me apart, Congress.” This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz with help fro...
White genocide Grok
Tue, 20 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
When the Twitter/X chatbot, Grok, started glitching with responses about white genocide to unrelated...
White genocide Grok
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When the Twitter/X chatbot, Grok, started glitching with responses about white genocide to unrelated...
My colleague, the scammer
Mon, 19 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
North Korea has been sending young, tech-savvy operatives to pose as ordinary American job seekers. ...
My colleague, the scammer
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
North Korea has been sending young, tech-savvy operatives to pose as ordinary American job seekers. ...
Why are my allergies getting worse?
Sun, 18 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
It feels like sneezing season lasts longer and takes more victims every year. An allergist and a pub...
Why are my allergies getting worse?
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It feels like sneezing season lasts longer and takes more victims every year. An allergist and a pub...
How to "fix" your face
Fri, 16 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
All that time staring at ourselves on Zoom has led to a rise in procedures like “baby botox.” Th...
How to "fix" your face
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All that time staring at ourselves on Zoom has led to a rise in procedures like “baby botox.” Th...
All the president’s side hustles
Thu, 15 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Ethical concerns abound on the president's first big trip to the Middle East since reentering office...
All the president’s side hustles
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ethical concerns abound on the president's first big trip to the Middle East since reentering office...
Trump’s emergency powers grab
Wed, 14 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
President Donald Trump has declared an unprecedented number of national emergencies. He's used them ...
Trump’s emergency powers grab
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Donald Trump has declared an unprecedented number of national emergencies. He's used them ...
Oops!... I voted for Trump
Tue, 13 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
In the run-up to the election, Donald Trump successfully convinced a historic number of younger, Bla...
Oops!... I voted for Trump
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the run-up to the election, Donald Trump successfully convinced a historic number of younger, Bla...
Is John Fetterman ok?
Mon, 12 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
New York magazine’s Ben Terris talks through his reporting on Sen. John Fetterman’s health and w...
Is John Fetterman ok?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New York magazine’s Ben Terris talks through his reporting on Sen. John Fetterman’s health and w...
The drama and trauma of 23andMe
Sun, 11 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
With the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to all the data mil...
The drama and trauma of 23andMe
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to all the data mil...
Chicago Pope
Fri, 09 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
The first American pope's pro-immigrant views have put him publicly at odds with Vice President JD V...
Chicago Pope
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first American pope's pro-immigrant views have put him publicly at odds with Vice President JD V...
What did Wikipedia do?
Thu, 08 May 2025 18:05:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
The Trump administration is going after the free encyclopedia. Journalist Stephen Harrison explains ...
What did Wikipedia do?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration is going after the free encyclopedia. Journalist Stephen Harrison explains ...
Little Marco’s big portfolio
Wed, 07 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
A former rival of President Donald Trump’s now holds four positions in his administration. How Mar...
Little Marco’s big portfolio
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A former rival of President Donald Trump’s now holds four positions in his administration. How Mar...
The two dolls economy
Tue, 06 May 2025 18:00:00 -0000
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Shortages are on the way. President Trump says children must live with fewer dolls and the rest of u...
The two dolls economy
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shortages are on the way. President Trump says children must live with fewer dolls and the rest of u...
The Harvey Weinstein apologist
Mon, 05 May
Contributed by Lukas • Default Dataset
Candace Owens has found a new audience with her breakdown of the Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively sag...
The Harvey Weinstein apologist
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Candace Owens has found a new audience with her breakdown of the Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively sag...