“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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How It Ended: Chaos in Congress
Welcome to Skimm This. Here’s what we’re covering this week: First up: In D.C., as Congress gathered to certify President-elect Joe Biden's presidential win, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. We’ll break down what happened on Wednesday. Then: All eyes were on Georgia this week. We’ll tell you what Democrats winning both Senate seats there means for the Biden administration. ICYMI: The COVID-19 vaccine rollout hasn’t been going according to plan. We’ll explain the holdup in getting vaccines into people’s arms. Later: Iran made a major announcement this week: they’re enriching their uranium to 20% purity. We won’t give you a chemistry lesson, but we will tell you why this matters and what this means for U.S. diplomacy moving forward. Finally: Is your fridge a hot mess after the holidays? We’ll speak to an expert to help you Skimm your fridge…so you can finally find your ketchup again. Fun fact: "Betriebsblindheit" is German for "business blindness." Basically, something you do over and over without questioning. Click here to fill out our podcast survey. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Josh Michaud, associate director for global health policy, Kaiser Family Foundation Leah Askarinam, editor-in-chief, National Journal’s The Hotline Holly Dagres, non-resident fellow, the Atlantic Council Rachel Gurjar, chef, recipe developer, and food writer (IG) 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
2020's Big Breakthroughs
We all know 2020 has been a year. And while we may remember it as the year we started matching our facemasks to our sweatpants… it turns out 2020 can be remembered for a lot more than that. This week we’re looking back at the major developments that happened this year in medicine, foreign policy, and entertainment. First up: It turns out COVID vaccines are not just a turning point for ending the pandemic, but also for fighting things like cancer and heart disease. We’ll break down this year’s medical breakthroughs. Then: 2020 has been the year of global protests. Specifically, female-led global protests. We’ll explain the positive changes happening in Belarus, Sudan, and Poland, and why they could be a good sign for the future. Finally: Anyone else miss going to the movies? We sure do. And so does the entertainment industry. We’ll tell you how they’ve pivoted because of the pandemic. And why videogames are making a major comeback. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News chief medical correspondent, author, "The New Normal" Samantha Power, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, author, “The Education of an Idealist” Giovanni Colantonio, video game reporter Rebecca Rubin, film and media reporter, “Variety” Skimm HQ’ers Hadley, Sam N., Maria M., Lindsay, and co-founder Carly Zakin 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
You Asked, We Skimm’d: Russian Hacking, the New COVID Strain...and Aliens
This week, we’re answering your questions about what’s going on in the news right now. Here’s what you wanted to know: First up: What’s the deal with this new strain of COVID that’s been found in the UK? Then: Why did Russia hack the United States again? And what information did they get? Next: What’s in the new stimulus package? And: What’s happening to our alcohol consumption during COVID? And how do we know if it’s a problem? Also: Why am I seeing headlines about a “galactic federation”? Finally: Are robots really coming for our jobs? PS: You can find the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Website, Rethinking Drinking, here. And here is the NIAAA’s Treatment Navigator. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Dr. Amber D’Souza, infectious disease epidemiologist, Johns Hopkins University Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Garrett Kenyon, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Yijing Watkins, Pacific Northwest National 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, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Your COVID Vaccine Q’s, Skimm’d
Welcome to Skimm This. Here’s what we’re covering this week: First up: The first Americans have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Now that it’s here, we know you’ve got questions. So we called in an expert to Skimm the answers. Then: Your holiday package forecast? Expect some delays. We’ll tell you what you need to know if you’re planning to do some last minute shopping. Quickly: This season’s hottest gift? Dry ice. We’ll tell you why…in 60 seconds. HELP US, HELP YOU! Fill our our 2020 year-end podcast survey here. ICYMI: Congress is working on another COVID-19 stimulus bill. But longer-term solutions are required to solve some of the most pressing issues in America: hunger and public transportation. Finally: What better way to kick off the week of Christmas than with...a Christmas star. We’ll explain the once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event that you might spot on the horizon starting December 21st. P.S., Those resources we told you about in the show? Click here if you or someone you know needs help seeking information on how to obtain food. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Julie Fischer, associate research professor, Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science and Security Ramona Hood, president and CEO, FedEx Custom Critical Stacey Nicholas, director of community outreach, Douglass Community Services Joel Berg, CEO, Hunger Free America Sarah Kaufman, associate director, NYU Rudin Center for Transportation 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
Polar Express: From Pfizer’s Labs to You
Welcome to Skimm This. Here’s what we’re covering this week: First up: The Electoral College is meeting Monday to finally put this whole election to bed. We’ll tell you what’s expected to go down. Then: Congress is, once again, deadlocked over whether to pass another Coronavirus relief bill. We’ll explain the holdup. Quickly: Some major companies (think: Airbnb and Doordash) are going public. If that has you wondering WTF is an IPO… we’ll break it down in 60 seconds. ICYMI: It’s been a historic week in the fight against COVID-19. But approving a vaccine and successfully “rolling one out” aren’t the same thing. We’ll tell you what challenges lie ahead. Finally: We’ve got some advice on how to limit your COVID-19 exposure risk if you’re getting into an Uber or Lyft. Pro tip: roll down multiple windows. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow in governance studies, Brookings Institution Wendy Zukerman, host, “Science Vs.” (a podcast from Gimlet, a Spotify Studio) Kenny Breuer, professor of engineering, Brown University 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 Admin, Who 'Dis?: Cabinet Picks and Challenges
We’re all pretty excited for a fresh start in 2021. Before we get there, we’ve got some vaccine news for you and a look at who might get a dose before the end of the year. Then, there’s one person who’s already making his intentions clear for 2021: President-Elect Joe Biden. We’ve got the who’s who on his cabinet picks and how he’s already making some contrasts between his team and President Trump’s. Plus, we’re playing catch-up on two crises in Ethiopia and Iran that could cause headaches for Biden’s incoming team. Finally, there’s a Christmas tree shortage this year, and it’s not the Grinch’s fault. We’ll tell you how to take care of your tree this year - if you can get your hands on one. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Michèle Flournoy, former US undersecretary of defense, co-founder, WestExec Advisors Bronwyn Bruton, director of programs and studies, The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center Ariane Tabatabai, Middle East fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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
Kind of a Big Deal: Black Friday 2020
Once the Thanksgiving table is cleared, it’s shopping season. Black Friday may look a bit different this year, but it still kicks off a crucial period for online and real-world retailers as they try to end 2020 on a high note. This week we’re stepping back from the news and looking at what makes the holiday shopping season so important in 2020 in particular, how marketers are making their sales pitch and why so much is on the line for small businesses. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Anne Roggeveen, professor of retailing and marketing, Babson College Jordyn Holman, retail reporter, Bloomberg News Kalyn Chandler Johnson, owner, “Effie’s Paper, Stationery and Whatnot” Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. Skimm'd by Ciara Long, with additional support from Peter Bonaventure, Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
You Can’t Sit With Us: COVID and Thanksgiving
A dangerous collision between a pandemic and America’s biggest family get-together is just around the corner. Before we get to the main course, we’ve got an update on the presidential transition between President Trump and President-Elect Joe Biden (1:08). Quick Skimm: nothing’s really happened so far. We’ll also tell you about Amazon’s big move this week into the world of prescription drugs (7:50). Then, we’re coming up on the last exit before Thanksgiving. It’s our final chance to rethink our plans as COVID cases in the U-S set new records every day. We’ll give you an update on where things stand and what’s contributing to this latest surge in cases (12:19). Finally, if you find yourself having to be Top Chef at your holiday dinner this year, we’ve got you covered (22:06). Cue: a smaller feast… but the same well-deserved nap. BTW: here’s a one-pan, one-pot Thanksgiving dinner that takes three hours or less to put together. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Kristine Simmons, VP of government affairs, Partnership for Public Service Dr. Fadia Shaya, director of the Center on Drugs and Public Policy, University of Maryland's School of Pharmacy Vanessa Kerry, CEO, Seed Global Health Zack Bruell, Cleveland-based chef and restaurateur Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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
WFH: Is This Going To Be Forever?
In case you missed it last week, the U.S. just left the Paris Agreement on climate change. We’ve got the details on what could happen next. After that, we’ll explain the status of President Trump’s election lawsuits and what to make of Pfizer’s flashy new COVID-19 vaccine. Then, as some major U.S. companies indefinitely delay the return to the office, it might be time to consider WFH our new reality. We’ll ask an expert for advice on how to make remote work productive and sustainable over the long-haul. Finally, we know you’ve already heard about the humans heading to the White House. Well, we’ve got the skinny on the pets-elect headed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Caroline Polisi, legal analyst and an adjunct lecturer in law at Columbia Law School Gigi Kwik Gronvall, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Tsedal Neeley, professor of business, Harvard Business School Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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
Deep Breath: Making Sense of a Crazy Week
It’s been a long week, but it’s not over yet. We’ve got the latest on the Trump campaign’s legal strategy as it tries to stop the vote counts in some states and control which ballots are counted in others. Then, we’ll explain why one state’s 2020 election is likely to spill over into January 2021. Sorry, Georgia! Need a break from staring at the electoral map? We’ll tell you about some of the other history being made this year, because there really is a first for everything. And finally: we’ve got some expert advice for dealing with anxiety. Not that we need it... On this episode, you’ll hear from: Caroline Polisi, legal analyst and adjunct lecturer in law, Columbia Law School Michele Swers, professor of government, Georgetown University Sarah McBride, Democratic candidate-elect, Delaware Senate Lori Gottlieb, psychotherapist and author, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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 This: Election Update
Welcome to a special bonus episode of Skimm This, breaking down what we know – and don’t know – about the election results so far. First, the race for the White House. Spoiler: we still don’t have a winner, but we’ll explain which states hold the keys for an electoral college victory and where the vote-count stands right now. Then, we’ll bring you the latest on who’s likely to have majority control in the Senate and the House. And finally, we’ll spotlight some key state laws that voters changed at the polling booth – from legalizing drugs to changing their flags. 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
Last Call: Election Day Expectations
Up first, we’ve got the latest on three developing stories from this week. Including: Amy Coney Barrett officially joining the Supreme Court, a new study on COVID-19 antibodies, and why tech CEOs faced a grilling on Capitol Hill. And for our main story, you’ve probably seen headlines that, by the end of election night, we might not know who won the presidential race. To prepare you for the different possible election and post-election scenarios, we created a roadmap of different options. Named after…cocktails. Meet: the Old Fashioned, the Spiked Seltzer, and the Long Island Iced Tea. We’ll speak to election experts about how these different scenarios could play out. Then, we’ve got some tips on how to help some of the older folks in your life cast their ballots safely. And finally, we’ve got some ideas for this weekend’s (politics optional!) movie night. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow in governance studies, Brookings Institution Mary McCord, legal director, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, Georgetown University Molly Krakowski, senior director of government affairs, JASA Dawn Porter, director, “The Way I See It” Beandrea July, freelance film and television critic Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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
theSkimm’s Interview with Sen. Kamala Harris
This week, theSkimm sat down with Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, to talk about everything that’s on her mind in the week leading up to Tuesday’s election. From how she and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, to the impact the Supreme Court’s new lineup might have on women, and her message to millennial women to get them out to the polls. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Democratic vice presidential candidate TheSkimm asked both Senator Harris and Vice President Mike Pence to join us in the lead up to election day. And while we haven’t heard back from Pence, we’ve got all the info you need to get to learn more about him, President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at theskimm.com/vote. Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. Skimm'd by Eugenia Cassidy, Justine Davie, and adapted for audio by Peter Bonaventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Awareness, Meet Action: Battling Breast Cancer During COVID-19
This week, we’ve got updates on three developing stories you’ve probably been hearing about. We’ll break down Pope Francis’s recent comments on same-sex civil unions. We’ve got the latest on new COVID-19 lockdowns happening around the world. And then, what’s going on with foreign interference in the home stretch of the election. Then, we’ve got an important message from breast cancer doctors and breast cancer survivors about why COVID cannot be a reason to avoid staying on top of your breast health. Also: there’s already enough focus on the presidential race. But with the Senate up for grabs, we’ll look at the down-ballot races worth paying attention to this November. Finally, we’ve got the story on something you might notice the next time you log on to Disney+. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Gretchen Herrera, breast cancer survivor Dr. Kelly Hunt, surgical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center Dr. Deborah Lindner, chief medical officer, Bright Pink Wendy J. Schiller, professor and chair of the department of political science, Brown University Nathaniel Rakich, elections analyst, FiveThirtyEight Hemant Shah, professor of journalism and mass communication, University of Wisconsin Dr. Yaba Blay, scholar-activist Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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
Are We There Yet? When to Expect a COVID Vaccine
Research teams from around the world have been hard at work on a COVID-19 vaccine for more than six months. But the big question still remains: When are we going to actually have a vaccine? This week, we spoke to the head of the National Institutes of Health and a leading researcher on the global hunt for a cure about what you need to know about where the search for a vaccine stands. One thing we should note: while the race for a vaccine is happening at a historic pace, having a “normal” holiday season is probably off the table until most of us can actually get vaccinated. So, we’ve got some tips about dealing with the challenge of getting through the coming months. Then, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett was in the hot seat this week during her Senate confirmation hearings, where she was grilled on everything from healthcare to her note-taking style. We’ll break down what this week’s hearings did and didn’t reveal about the next potential justice. Finally, if you’re a dog person, we’ve got a piece for you. About the scientifically-proven ways to bond... with a cat. On this episode, you’ll hear from: Dr. Francis Collins, director, National Institutes of Health Kalipso Chalkidou, director of global health policy, Center for Global Development Dr. Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation, American Psychological Association Let us know what questions you have about what’s going on in the news right now. Email us at audio@theskimm.com or call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show. If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign-up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It’s everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox. 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