Stay ConnectedStarting August 2, 2026 all new episodes can be found over in the CNN 5 Things feed. Search “CNN 5 Things” wherever you get your podcasts.
You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what’s worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they’ve learned – and why it matters.
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For new episodes, find us over at CNN 5 Things.
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16-year-old Colt Gray was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole this week for the killing of four people at his Georgia high school in 2024. The emotional hearing offered a sounding board for victims’ family members and a peek into Gray’s possible motivation, which investigators say included a desire to get the attention of a previous school shooter. Can this tragedy teach authorities anything about preventing the next one?
For more: Georgia school shooter Colt Gray sentenced to life in prison without parole
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Guest: Isabel Rosales, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Senior Director of Podcasts: Zach Goldbaum
Photo: Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
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This midterm season, one issue has become something of a litmus test for Democratic candidates: support for Israel. However, some Jewish progressives fear the fine line between policy disagreements and antisemitism is starting to fray, leaving some to ask: should Jewish candidates should even try to run for president?
For more: As Israel becomes Democratic litmus test, Jewish progressives warn about a tilt into antisemitism
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Guest: Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN Senior Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo By: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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The arrests of misogynist influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate in Miami have shaken the so-called manosphere and given hope to many women who say they were abused by the pair (allegations they strongly deny). While it appears Trump administration will not intervene in their extradition fight, there are still questions as to whether their brand of toxic masculinity is too deeply embedded in the culture to remove. We talk to a reporter who uncovered how the brothers allegedly exploited women and leveraged social media to make millions.
Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and violence.
For more: New documents detail rape charges against the Tate brothers in the UK. Here’s what we know
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Guest: Heidi Blake, The New Yorker investigate reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo By: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images
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President Donald Trump gave a primetime speech on Thursday revealing what he said was new information related to foreign efforts to influence US elections. However, experts say the documents he declassified did not back up his claims and that his continued focus on the 2020 election could sow mistrust in the upcoming midterms. We hear from a federal election official recently fired by Trump and take a closer look at the elections security bill Trump is desperate for Congress to pass.
For more: Trump’s speech claiming US election vulnerabilities, annotated
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Guests: Benjamin Hovland & Zachary Wolf, CNN Politics Senior Writer
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Ariel Edwards-Levy
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The killings of two individuals in Houston and Maine in the span of a week are once again putting the tactics of federal immigration agents in the spotlight. In response, ICE is pausing most traffic stops, according to a source familiar with the guidance. On the ground, competing narratives and fights for access to crucial evidence are only increasing tensions. So is this an issue of training, or a push for more arrests? And is true accountability achievable in a department that has become politicized?
For more: Lack of body cameras on ICE agents fuels more uncertainty over fatal shootings
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Guest: Josh Campbell, CNN Senior Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo By: Ryan Murphy/Getty Images
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Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been hospitalized for nearly a month, but it remains unclear why or what his condition is. His prolonged absence comes just after Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) disappeared for over 100 days, for what he later revealed was treatment for depression. These incidents are reigniting a prickly debate over what information lawmakers owe voters, the limits of medical privacy, and if Congress is just too old.
Note: This episode was recorded before McConnell's statement revealing that his hospitalization was due to a fall. Read more here.
It was also recorded before the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham.
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Guest: Casey Burgat, The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo By: Tom Brenner/Reuters
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President Donald Trump’s request for FIFA to review a controversial red card against US striker Folarin Balogun has raised questions about fairness and preferential treatment at the World Cup. But experts say soccer’s governing body has long been open to possible political influence and corruption. We explore how that came to be and why fans continue to love the tournament despite FIFA.
For more: Breaking down 36 disastrous hours for American soccer as World Cup bubble bursts
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Guest: Simon Kuper, Financial Times reporter and co-author, ‘Soccernomics’
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
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The Supreme Court finished its blockbuster term by striking down President Donald Trump’s executive order that would have limited birthright citizenship. But experts say it was not a total loss for Trump and some Republicans still want to push ahead. We break down the implications and examine how future presidents will also benefit from expanded executive authority thanks to this court.
For more: Trump’s audacious bid to end birthright citizenship was not an entire loss at the Supreme Court
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Guest: Joan Biskupic, CNN Chief Supreme Court Analyst
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images
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Ahead of America’s 250th birthday, CNN tracked down multiple descendants of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence to ask: do you feel like we are living up to their vision? Their answers were as complicated as the country itself.
For more: Descendants in a divided America
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Guest: Catherine Shoichet, CNN Senior Writer
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo: Tristen Rouse/CNN
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