Skimm This

Latest Episodes:

A Tale of Two Housing Markets Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

All eyes were on President Trump this week as he visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Jacob Blake was shot last month. The shooting prompted protests and reignited calls for police reform and racial justice. But the President’s mind was on something else: “domestic terror.” We’ll break down why criminal justice experts say that definition for protests in Kenosha and around the country doesn’t quite fit.

Also: new CDC guidance is causing some people to question the COVID-19 death rate. Now, epidemiologists are trying to separate fact from fiction so that misinformation doesn’t cloud this public health crisis.

And our big story of the week: a tale of two housing markets. On the one hand, mortgage rates are low and big cities are losing residents to the suburbs. But on the other: inventory is down, causing home prices to skyrocket. We’ll explain why this matters, whether or not you’re in the market for a new place.

And finally, we’ve got the latest on summer blockbuster season. Grab your popcorn.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Laura Dugan, professor of criminology, University of Maryland
Mahlissa Martin, first-time homebuyer
Diana C. Minshall, Sotheby's International Realty agent
Michael Neal, senior research associate, Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute
Jonita Davis, film critic, TheBlackCape.com

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 Ellen Burke, Alex Carr, Marion Lozano, and Luke Vargas.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movements Bigger than Fear: Kenosha and Belarus Aug 28, 2020

Show notes

Cellphone video of the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wisconsin police has reignited Black Lives Matter protests around the country. And everyone – from the NBA to the Wisconsin legislature – is considering how to take action.

Also: severe weather is impacting the West Coast and the Gulf Coast, with COVID-19 changing virtually all aspects of emergency response. In California, thousands are being evacuated as wildfires blaze. And in Louisiana and Texas, COVID-19 testing has been suspended as concerns mount that an already-deadly hurricane could become a “super-spreader” event, too.

And our big story of the week: What do you get when you combine COVID-19, social media influencers and girl power? In the Eastern European nation of Belarus, the answer is revolution. We’ll break down what’s driving hundreds of thousands of protesters to call for the removal of “Europe’s Last Dictator.”

We’ve also got some news from the RNC and the latest on a surprise NASA says could come just in time for election day.

To read up on President Trump’s second term agenda, you can check it out here.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Walter Katz, Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures
Hanna Baraban, freelance journalist and international relations and security analyst
Dr. Alla Leukavets, independent political analyst

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, Marion Lozano, and Luke Vargas.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March, March: How The Fight For Suffrage Still Lives On Aug 21, 2020

Show notes

This week’s fastest developing story… is all about snail mail. That’s right. Some controversial new changes at the US Postal Service are causing mail delays and making some people worried about voting by mail this November. But now, the Postmaster General is hitting pause on those new changes until after the election. We’ll explain what happened and why some lawmakers are still concerned.

And our big story of the week: it’s the 100 year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. And we spoke to a few grandmas about their first time exercising that right. But the fight for suffrage… didn’t end with that amendment. That’s because the 19th Amendment didn’tgive all women the right to vote. We’ll break down how the suffrage movement from the 1900s still lives on today.

Also: we’ll tell you about something you may have missed from this week’s Democratic National Convention that has climate activists speaking out. Hint: it’s a good lesson in always hitting “track changes.”

If you want to read more on the Democratic Party Platform, you can check it out here.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Dr. Ida Jones, university archivist at Morgan State University
Skimm’r Grandmothers: Florence Blatt, Arlene Krouner, and Ann German

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, Marion Lozano, Julia Nutter, and Luke Vargas

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skimm Special: Quarantine Memories Worth Keeping Aug 16, 2020

Show notes

Where were you when heard the country was in a national emergency because of COVID-19? If you can remember where you were, down to what Netflix you were binging, there’s a name for that. In today’s Skimm Special, brought to you in partnership with Shutterfly, we’ll speak with an expert who’ll explain why that memory is crystal clear. Then we’ll hear from Skimm’rs all over the U.S. who celebrated big milestones in quarantine, and made great memories regardless.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Linda Levine, Professor of Psychology and Social Behavior at UC-Irvine
Olivia Hall, recently married emergency medicine doctor in San Francisco
Maryan Adan, New Mission High School’s valedictorian ‘20 and incoming Harvard University freshman
Cydney Mitchell, recently pregnant Atlanta-based interior designer

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 Olivia Reingold, Justine Davie, Marion Lozano, and Julia Nutter

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking With Convention: Why This Year’s Democratic And Republican Conventions Are Making History Aug 14, 2020

Show notes

The Democratic and Republican national conventions typically represent a major moment in the lead up to an election. But this year - you guessed it - they’re going to look different. And some attendees might be joining from their couch. In this episode, we’ll break down why conventions matter. And talk to Democratic and Republican party officials about what the challenges are this year.

Also: this week was one for the history books. Because presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced his running mate: Kamala Harris. She’s the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent ever on a major party’s presidential ticket. We’ll tell you what to keep an eye on for the rest of the campaign.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Xochitl Hinojosa, senior advisor and communications director for the Democratic National Committee
Cassie Smedile, deputy communications director for the Republican National Committee

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.

This podcast was Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Marion Lozano, Julia Nutter, and hosted by Justine Davie.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gym, Class...COVID test?: How Colleges Are Getting Students Back To Class Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

It’s August. Which usually means college students are heading back for the fall semester. But this year, back-to-school tailgates and freshman orientation look a little different. Think: hand sanitizer relay races. We’ll break down how some of the biggest campuses in the country are planning to open safely. And what the concerns are from some faculty, parents, and students.

Also: we’re talking about TikTok. The app millions have become addicted to during the pandemic is back in the headlines this week, after President Trump threatened to ban it and US companies try to buy it. So: should you delete it? We’ll explain the privacy concerns surrounding the app.

(For more on the executive orders President Trump signed overnight about TikTok, check out this morning’s Daily Skimm.)

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Art Markman, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the Chair of the Academic Working Group for Fall Planning
Caroline Garrison, a sophomore journalism major at the University of Missouri
Audrey O’Shaughnessy, a sophomore American Studies major at Notre Dame

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, Marion Lozano, and Julia Nutter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Escalation Nation: Federal Troops in Portland Have Other Cities on Edge Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

At the start of July, in an effort to protect federal monuments and buildings, President Trump started deploying federal agents to cities across the country. But in Portland, Oregon, that effort backfired. In a city where protests had started to calm down, thousands of people started turning out against what they saw as a federal occupation. We’ll break down what’s been happening in Portland, how things came to a boiling point this past week, and why the Trump admin is sending agents to more cities.

Also this week: the race for a COVID-19 vaccine reached a new milestone. Biotech company Moderna started its phase three trial in the US. We’ll tell you what this means for the vaccine timeline.

And finally: a record number of Black women are running for Congress this year. We talk to Kimberly Walker, who’s in the race for Florida’s 12th Congressional District, about why she decided to run.

On this episode you’ll hear from:

Esther Krofah, Executive Director of FasterCures at the Milken Institute
Kimberly Walker, candidate for Florida’s 12th Congressional District

If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It has everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox.

This podcast was Skimm’d by Alex Carr, Hadley Malcom, Julia Nutter, Marion Lozano and hosted by Justine Davie.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Against The Clock: What A New Stimulus Package Could Mean For You Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

Congress is back in session. And the major topic up for discussion: another economic stimulus package. Some big deadlines are coming up (think: the $600/week federal unemployment benefit is about to expire). And as new COVID-19 cases continue to spike, states, small businesses, and families are looking for another economic boost. We’ll break down what economists say needs to be included in the next legislation - and why public health and economic health are one in the same right now.

Also: the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis fought for voting rights for decades. We’ll explain why lawmakers say passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act could restore protections for millions of voters – and honor Lewis’s legacy.

And finally: we’ll introduce you to the Radical Monarchs - the subject of a new film on PBS. It’s like the Girl Scouts, but with a twist of social justice. Members earn badges for learning about climate change, and allyship, and other issues that impact their communities. We spoke to the group’s co-founders about why having these conversations with young women is crucial.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Kathryn Edwards, associate economist at the RAND Corporation
Dr. Damon Jones, economist and associate professor at the University of Chicago
Anayvette Martinez, co-founder of the Radical Monarchs
Marilyn Hollinquest, co-founder of the Radical Monarchs

If you want to add theSkimm to your daily routine, sign up for our free newsletter the Daily Skimm. It has everything you need to know to start your day, right in your inbox.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Varsity Blues: Why Everyone’s Talking About 'Back to School' Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

Even though it's the middle of summer, all eyes are on the fall. Specifically, how schools are supposed to reopen in the middle of a global pandemic. And as COVID-19 cases rise in a number of states, parents, teachers, and officials are at odds over how to do it. We’ll break down the debate over getting kids back to class, and what the challenges are to reopen.

Also: one of the biggest sports franchises in the United States announced: it's getting a name change. The Washington NFL team said it will retire its name, the Redskins, as well as its logo. We’ll explain why this name change is a long time coming for activists, and what to look for next in the fight to get rid of racist imagery and logos.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Dr. Sara Bode, pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on School Health
Kathy Gebhardt, Vice President of the Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, CO

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“In The Bubble”: How COVID-19 is Changing Sports Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

Now that you’ve made it through your Netflix queue, you might be wondering when sports are coming back. After sports leagues postponed their seasons back in March, some - like the National Women’s Soccer League - are stepping back onto the field for the first time. We’ll break down the efforts and challenges in keeping players safe. And talk to one league that’s knocking it out of the park: the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (aka: roller derby.)

Also, in case you missed it: the Chinese government has taken its boldest step yet in eliminating freedoms of Hong Kong residents. We’ll tell you how this latest move by China has a global impact.

And finally, we’re talking about getting into 'good trouble.' As in the new documentary "John Lewis: Good Trouble." The film’s producer Erika Alexander shared how lessons from Lewis’s life fighting for social justice starting in the 1960s are just as relevant to social movements today.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Kelley O’Hara, two-time World Cup champion, Utah Royals FC defender and member of the US Women's National Team, and host of the new podcast, Just Women’s Sports
Dr. Jonathan Kim, chief of sports cardiology in the division of cardiology at Emory University
Erica Vanstone, Executive Director of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
Erika Alexander, producer of "John Lewis: Good Trouble"

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices