“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.
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Soundtrack to the Summer
First up: We’ve got this week’s biggest headlines, from progress towards a new Iran nuclear deal to border clashes in Northern Ireland and Biden’s latest moves on gun control. (0:46) Then: This week, Arkansas’ Governor vetoed a bill banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors – only for lawmakers to overturn the veto. We’ll break down a rollercoaster week in the state. (5:22) Next: President Biden has some big infrastructure plans, but wants to raise corporate taxes to foot the bill. We’ll dive into the pros and cons of that hotly-debated tax hike. (7:55) ICYMI: Wondering what President Biden’s plan is for student loan forgiveness? We’ve got the deets on what we know so far … in 60 seconds. (13:09) Plus: 4,500+ Skimm'rs recently told us about the pandemic habit they most want to kick. One of the most common answers? ‘Drinking.’ We asked the experts: are we the only ones? And, how can we cut down if that’s something we want to do? (15:30) Finally: If you’re bored of hibernating and feeling ready for summer … so are billions of noisy cicadas. We’ll talk to a nature expert and an event planner about what to expect in the next few months. (24:34) P.S., Here are some of resources we in our show this week: The ACLU has a tracker where you can check up on any legislation affecting the transgender community in your state. If you’re looking for guidance on how to cut down on drinking, check out the National Institute for Alcoholism and Alcohol Addiction. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Joan Tucker, senior behavioral scientist, the RAND Corporation Sherry Price, host, 'Drink Less Lifestyle' podcast Jillian Smith, event planner and owner, One Touch Events Amy Moore, lead Teacher and naturalist, Potomac Valley Audubon Society Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trials and Tribulations: Minneapolis, Myanmar, and Amazon
First up: Derek Chauvin’s trial began this week. He’s the former police officer accused of killing George Floyd. We’re taking a look at what we can expect in the courtroom in the weeks ahead. And we’ll break down why America doesn’t have a strong track record when it comes to convicting police officers. Then: It’s time for headlines. We’re bringing you news from the WHO, Pfizer, Georgia, and New York… and giving you the context on why it all matters. Next: There’s a tiny but historic election going on in Bessemer, Alabama. Amazon warehouse employees there have voted on whether or not to unionize. We’ll tell you why this one small town is really getting under Jeff Bezos’s skin. ICYMI: The situation in Myanmar is only getting more dire. After the military took over in a coup back in February, people are continuing to protest, with many protests turning deadly. We’ll tell you about the global response (hint: barely any) and what’s expected to happen next. Finally: We asked: which quarantine habit are you most trying to shake? And a lot of you said: snacking. Here’s the deal: snacking is good for us. So we asked an expert how we can snack … smarter. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Sharon Fairley, professor, University of Chicago Law School, creator, Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability Rebecca Rainey, labor reporter, Politico Krista Linares, registered dietitian, Nutrition con Sabor Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas, with additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This Is Us Trying: Gun Reform, Reparations, Grounded Ships
First up: Less than a week after a mass shooting in Atlanta, there was another massacre – this time in Colorado. We’re diving in to look at what’s changed – and what hasn’t – about gun violence in the US. Then: From Israel’s elections and a ship stuck in the Suez Canal to Equal Pay Day and Virginia abolishing the death penalty, we’ve got the context on this week’s biggest headlines. Next: As spring breakers crowd the streets in Miami, we ask an epidemiologist: are we gonna see another surge in COVID outbreaks? And what can we start to enjoy safely? Plus: Evanston, Illinois just made history as the first city to approve reparations in the US. We’ll break down what reparations are, and how they could work in practice. Finally: Endometriosis is tricky to diagnose, but it affects at least 10% of women (ages 15-44) in the US. So we asked an expert: what is it, how do we know if we have it, and how can we treat it? On this episode, you’ll hear from: Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, medical director, Special Pathogens Unit, Boston Medical Center Dr. Natalie Crawford, fertility physician Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This Could Be Anywhere in the World
First up: We’ve got the context on this week’s deadly shootings around Atlanta, where a lone gunman murdered 8 people — 6 of them of Asian descent — in a time when attacks against Asian Americans are rising. Then: Last weekend, police in London shut down a vigil for Sarah Everard, who was abducted and murdered while walking home from a friend’s house. We break down why Everard’s death matters — not just in the U.K., but everywhere. Next: We’ve got the context on some of this week’s other big headlines, including big news on same-sex marriage in Japan, a frosty summit in Alaska, and the IRS giving us another month to do our taxes. Plus: This week, some EU countries temporarily paused their rollout of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. We break down how regulators have reacted to concerns over blood clots — in 60 seconds. ICYMI: Is there a “crisis” at the US-Mexico border? We dive into what’s going on, and what’s changed about immigration policy so far in the Biden Administration. Finally: Every week, there’s a new financial acronym to learn. First it was SPACs. Now it’s NFTs. We’ll break down why all these new investment crazes are happening. P.S. Here are some of resources we mentioned if you’re struggling to cope with this week’s news: Stop AAPI Hate National Sexual Assault Online Hotline Mental Health Resources for the AAPI Community Ignoring Your Emotions Is Bad for Your Health. Here's What to Do About It. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Izzy Capelin, London resident Valerie Gonzalez, staff reporter, The Monitor (TX) Kristie De Peña, vice president for policy and director of immigration, the Niskanen Center Rachel Lerman, technology reporter, The Washington Post Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Looking Back, Springing Forward, and Hitting Up Obama
First up: Today, President Biden signed a long-awaited stimulus bill. We’ll break down three of the biggest wishes he granted and look at who’s gonna be affected. (Here’s the rest of theSkimm on the stimulus bill) Then: We’ll explain the CDC’s new guidelines about what we can do once we’ve been vaccinated. Plus: We’ll follow one Skimm HQ’er as she gets her first shot. Remember Me? TheSkimm sat down with former President Obama this week and asked him what it will take for Americans to truly get to a place of racial equality. ICYMI: It’s almost time to “spring forward” this weekend for Daylight Savings. We’ll share some tips to make losing an hour less difficult this year. Finally: A year after the pandemic officially began, we’ll talk to a grief counselor about reckoning with the losses we’ve dealt with — from loved ones to jobs — and how to move forward. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Kat, Skimm HQ’er Carly M., Skimm HQ’er Barack Obama, Former President of the United States, author, “A Promised Land” Dr. Sonya Lott, licensed psychologist Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Doctor's Orders: Talking COVID with the CDC + Beating Zoom Fatigue
First up: We had some questions for the new CDC director, like: if it’s my turn, how do I sign up to get vaccinated? Then: We’ve got the context on some of this week’s big headlines, including the latest on NY Governor Cuomo, why the Capitol is on high alert, and what’s up with Dr. Seuss. Next: We’ll explain the fate of the $15 minimum wage … in 60 seconds. ICYMI: A new report found that political and economic freedoms are declining all around the world, including in the U.S. We’ll tell you why that’s happening — and why we’re still hopeful. Finally: We all know that Zoom fatigue is real, but now scientists are telling us just how real. We’ve got the scoop on why, and what you can do about it. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Amy Slipowitz, research manager, Freedom House Professor Jeremy Bailenson, founding director, Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas, with additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
#VaccineGoals
First up: A few places, including the U.K. and Israel, have successfully rolled out COVID-19 vaccinations. We want to know: how did they do it? And can we copy what they got right? Then: We’ll fill you in on what you need to know about Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, which should get FDA approval this week. Next: We’ve got the context on two of the week’s headlines, involving former President Trump’s taxes and Illinois eliminating cash bail. ICYMI: The racial wealth gap is still a huge obstacle for Black women. We’ll talk to one woman who’s helping make that gap smaller. Finally: A lot of Texans are still without running water after last week’s winter storm. This week, we’re talking to one of the volunteers hoping to fix that — literally. P.S. For more info on the racial wealth gap, check out this handy guide from the Skimm Money team. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Claire Hannan, executive director, Association of Immunization Managers Saskia Popescu, assistant processor, Biodefense Program, George Mason University Jala Eaton, founder, "On My Own Financial" Ryan Gossen, volunteer, Austin Guerilla Plumber Corps Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. theSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The She-cession Crisis: Policy Meets Reality
On this bonus episode of Skimm This, we're following up our interview with Vice President Kamala Harris by diving into a topic that's been on our minds for a while now: the “she-cession,” a.k.a. how women have been impacted by the economic recession caused by the pandemic. First up: We’ll hear how about the difficulties two Skimm’rs are facing juggling parenting and work. Then: Our expert guests put those stories in context and share some of the other experiences they’re hearing about around the country. Next: The panel reacts to the White House’s COVID relief proposal and discusses the difference between “band-aid” solutions and long-term economic reform. Later: We’ll discuss the importance of paid family leave and whether a $15 minimum wage will get women back to work. Finally: Our guests share advice and strategies for changing workplace policies to benefit parents. Want to share your she-cession story? Email us at audio@theskimm.com. Or call and leave us a voicemail at (646) 461-6470. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Cherita Ellens, CEO, Women Employed Kathryn Edwards, labor market economist, the RAND Corporation Skimm'r Faith Skimm'r Bergen Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Out of This World: Extreme Weather and a Mars Expedition
First up: We’ll break down how one of America’s largest states was brought to its knees by a freak winter storm, and why most of the rest of the country has been so cold. Then: We’re bringing you the latest on stories from Australia, Tokyo...and at Walmart...and giving you the context on why they matter. Next: We saw a lot of COVID-related headlines this week. To clear the noise on what’s going on with the pandemic, we phoned a friend. A doctor friend. ICYMI: “Vaccine passports” might be coming to a country near you. We’ll tell you the arguments for and against so you can decide for yourself. Later: We’ll break down WTF Clubhouse is... in 60 seconds. Finally: We’re taking a breaking from these earthly matters to tell you why everyone’s paying attention to Mars. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Stef Cantu, Texas resident Tayhlor Coleman, Texas resident Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, assistant professor of medicine, Medical University of South Carolina Mallory Brooke, owner and chief meteorologist, Nor’easter Weather Consulting Chloe Sackier, EDL systems engineer, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
VP Harris on the She-cession
First up: Women are being pushed out of the workforce at an alarming rate. We interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris to learn how the next COVID relief bill could provide women with some relief. Then: We’re bringing you three headlines – Trump’s Impeachment trial, the rise in hate acts against Asian Americans, and a microchip shortage – and breaking down the context on why they matter. Next: More than a year into the pandemic, COVID long-haulers (aka people who’ve shown symptoms for weeks or months after having COVID) are still struggling to receive adequate medical care. We’ll talk to two long-haulers and a doctor about why this group of patients is having a hard time getting the attention they need. ICYMI: We’ll tell you why a cryptocurrency that started as a joke may have the last laugh...in 60 seconds. Thanks, Elon Musk. Later: Get ready to mark your calendars, because tax season is here. In all seriousness, you’ve gotta do your taxes at some point. Don’t worry, we’ll break down what you need to know??? Finally: We’ll fact-check some pretty uncool statements from the guy running the Tokyo Olympics. If you’ve been impacted by the “she-cession” we talked about on today’s show, we want to hear your story. Click here to share. Or call and leave us a voicemail at (646) 461-6470. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Vice President Kamala Harris Chelsea Alionar, COVID long-hauler Asia Durr, WNBA athlete and COVID long-hauler Dr. Monica L. Lypson, professor, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences Kesha JonTae, The Millennial Tax Expert Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Skimm Special: Mindfulness Over Matter
ICYMI, the last year has been stressful. But we can’t just unplug, wait a few seconds, and hope that everything returns to "normal" again. No matter how much we might want to. That's why today, we're gonna dig into something that’s been generating a lot of buzz over the last few months: mindfulness. First: We’ll hear from a Skimm’r who has used mindfulness to get through some tough moments – at home and in the classroom. Then: It’s time to dig into the science. As in: What even is mindfulness? Why is everyone telling me how great it is? And, is there any actual evidence that it works? Later: We’ll explore how mindfulness can help us stay engaged with the world around us. Finally: What better way to wrap things up than by talking tips, techniques, and ways to apply mindfulness to improve our day-to-day? On this episode, you’ll hear from: Jennifer Hutchins, middle school English teacher and mindfulness practitioner Dr. Tara Brach, clinical psychologist, author, “Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of R.A.I.N.” Bea Arthur, psychotherapist and CEO, The Difference Jaclyn London, MS, RD, Head of Nutrition & Wellness, WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined) Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Skimm'd by Justine Davie, Ciara Long, Elizabeth Smith, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Super Bowl, Superspreader?
First up: We’ll ask an expert about whether we should be picky about which COVID vaccine we get, and break down why the COVID vaccines haven’t been distributed equitably so far. Then: While the NFL is hoping for a safe Super Bowl on the field, doctors are more worried about the fans at home, and are hoping Sunday’s watch parties doesn’t turn into a public health nightmare. Next: We’re bringing you three headlines – from the US-Mexico border, Canada, and India – and breaking down the context on why they matter. ICYMI: Some big changes went down this week in Myanmar. We’ll tell you what happened and what’s next...in 60 seconds. Later: Did the Gamestop madness from last week make you feel like you missed out? We’ll explain the differences between trading and investing. And why you don’t need to make a Reddit account to make money. Finally: Do you miss airplane wine? We’ve got the thing for you! On this episode, you’ll hear from: Rhiannon Walker, NFL reporter, The Athletic Stacy R., finance editor for Skimm Money Sabrina A. Assoumou, attending physician, Boston Medical Center Chasity Cooper, communication strategist and wine journalist (Insta) Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Straining to Make Sense of it All
First up: By now you’ve probably heard about some new strains of COVID-19… that kinda sound like spy names. Meet B117, B1351, and P-1. And some bad news: they’re potentially more harmful. We’ll break down what we know so far about how to protect yourself, and whether the vaccines will still be effective against them. (0:58) Then: This week, all eyes were on...GameStop. And no, that isn’t a typo. We’ll tell you why a lot of people on Reddit have made waves in the stock market. (8:58) ICYMI: Former President Trump’s second impeachment trial kicks off soon. We’ll tell you what to expect. (11:43) Next: President Biden repealed former President Trump’s ban on transgender Americans serving in the military. While that’s happening at the federal level, we’ll tell you why you need to keep your eye on legislation on the local level. (14:07) Later: Protests have broken out all over Russia. We’ll tell you why one man’s return has caused thousands to hit the streets. (18:33) Finally: We’re helping you Skimm your schedule. Because there are a ton of meetings that could have been emails, right? (23:59) On this episode, you’ll hear from: Dr. Amber D’Souza, professor of epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice, the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project Anna Borshchevskaya, senior fellow for Russia, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Dr. Kristen Shockley, associate professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Georgia. Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clocking In: Biden Gets to Work
First up: Before handing over the keys to the White House, President Trump made some final moves in office that could have a lasting impact. We’ll Skimm his final acts, from presidential pardons to foreign policy pivots. Then: President Biden jumped right into the Oval on Wednesday to start rolling out his agenda. We’ll break down what he’s already done in office and what you can keep an eye out for next. ICYMI: If you watched Wednesday's inauguration, you probably noticed thousands of National Guard troops stationed all over DC. We spoke to an expert about whether added security is here to stay and how Biden could take on the domestic terror threat. Finally: We’re helping you Skimm your passwords. Seriously. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Brian J. Gerber, director of the emergency management and homeland security program, Arizona State University Steffanie A.K. Schilling, cybersecurity education and awareness expert Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
New Year, New You, New Impeachment
First up: President Trump is now the first president to be impeached twice. We’ll tell you what happened this week and what to expect from a Senate trial. (:54) Then: It’s been more than a week since the attack on the U.S. Capitol, but the ripple effects are still being felt. We’ll break down last week’s security failure and look at what’s being done to stop something like this from happening again. (4:26) Quickly: The federal government has announced some big changes to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout policy. We’ll skimm what’s new … in 60 seconds. (11:42) ICYMI: 140,000 jobs were lost in the last month, and they were all held by women. We’ll explain how the fallout from this past recession disproportionately affects women. (14:01) Later: Let’s skimm your resume! We spoke to a career expert to break down how to put your best professional self forward on paper. (19:23) Finally: We’ve got a recap of the hottest (and strangest) tech coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show. Any takers for a $1,000 machine that makes margaritas and ice cream?! (29:20) PS: Want to tune up your own resume? Join TopResume's career expert, Amanda Augustine, for a free webinar and Q&A next week to learn the New Resume Rules for the New Year. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Jvette Klausen, professor of politics, Brandeis University Brette Steele, director of prevention and national security, McCain Institute Kathryn Edwards, economist, RAND Corporation Yeerang Jang, Skimm’r Carolyn Nieberding, Skimm’r Amanda Augustine, career expert, TopResume Heather Kelly, technology reporter, The Washington Post Want more Skimm? Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices