Skimm This

Latest Episodes:

Fury Road: Minnesota, Infrastructure, and Scream Science Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

First up: To help understand all of this week’s COVID headlines – including big news about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine – we phoned up a doctor to ask: “Hey did you read that thing?”

Then: We’ve got the latest on the most recent incident of police violence in Minnesota, why Iran is increasing its uranium enrichment, and the latest beef between the U.S. and Russia.

After that: If President Biden has his way, U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021. We’ll break down why ending America’s longest war is so tricky.

Quickly: We’ve got the details on a new plan to slow migration to the U.S. from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

Later: We got a call from the U.S. Commerce Secretary this week. A $2 trillion infrastructure plan is being debated in Congress, and she thinks millennials should be paying attention.

Finally: We’re letting out some steam. And breaking down the science…of screaming.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Dr. Celine Gounder, clinical assistant professor of medicine and infectious diseases, New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine
Gina Raimondo, US Commerce Secretary
Noreen MacDonald, chair, department of city and regional planning, UNC Chapel Hill

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soundtrack to the Summer Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trials and Tribulations: Minneapolis, Myanmar, and Amazon Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Is Us Trying: Gun Reform, Reparations, Grounded Ships Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Could Be Anywhere in the World Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

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:

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking Back, Springing Forward, and Hitting Up Obama Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doctor's Orders: Talking COVID with the CDC + Beating Zoom Fatigue Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

#VaccineGoals Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

The She-cession Crisis: Policy Meets Reality Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out of This World: Extreme Weather and a Mars Expedition Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected