“Skimm This” is a weekly news program that breaks down important stories from the past week and adds context and clarity to answer the questions on your mind. Every Thursday evening.

Desperado: Formula Shortage and TikTok Healthcare

May 19, 2022 0:35:00 0.0 MB Downloads: 0
  • First: We’ve got some of the biggest headlines this week – an update on the war in Ukraine, Tuesday’s primary elections here in the US, COVID boosters for kids, and a major W for the US women’s soccer team. 
  • Next: The baby formula shortage continues to keep parents up at night. We’ll speak to the US Surgeon General, Dr.Vivek Murthy, about the shortage and hear what the White House, government agencies, and lawmakers are doing to increase supply.
  • ICYMI: After last weekend’s mass shooting in Buffalo, we asked an expert about the rise of racially motivated domestic extremism,, and why politicians are now going after social media platforms in the wake of these attacks.
  • Later: Spirit and Frontier airlines were ready to say, “I do”. Then, JetBlue came along and shouted “I object”. We’ll break down the airline love triangle that has antitrust regulators’ heads spinning…in 60 seconds. 
  • Finally: From hot girls with IBS to late-in-life ADHD diagnoses, TikTok has basically become the new WebMD. We’ll speak to a psychiatrist to learn why TikTok has turned into the new doctor’s office. 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

  • Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General 
  • Faiza Patel, co-director, Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security Program
  • Dr. Adeola Adelayo, psychiatrist, Banner Health Behavioral Hospital 


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Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn, with help from Ko Takasugi-Czernowin. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.