Skimm This

Latest Episodes:

Voting From Home: How COVID-19 is Changing The Vote Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

In some states, primary voting during COVID-19 has been off to a rocky start. Long lines and crowds at the polls aren’t great for social distancing. And as cases continue to spike across the US, some states are looking to expand their ‘vote by mail’ options ahead of November. We’ll break down what voting for president could look like in a global pandemic and what experts say election officials and lawmakers should start doing now to prepare us.

Also: ahead of the fourth of July, some lawmakers are pushing to add a 51st state to the union. We’ll explain the (long) history of Washington DC’s quest for statehood and why it’s coming up again.

And finally, the new documentary “(In)Visible Portraits” has been described as “a love letter to Black women, from Black women.” We sat down with the filmmaker to discuss how she’s looking to reveal history you may not have learned about in school.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Myrna Pérez, Director, Voting Rights & Elections Program, Brennan Center for Justice
Oge Egbuonu, director of “(In)Visible Portraits”

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.

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

“Mask Girl Summer” Jun 26, 2020

Show notes

As the number of new COVID-19 cases rises in some states, the debate continues about what role the government should play in helping people protect each other. And specifically: whether masks need to be required. We’ll explain why there’s been confusion over masks, what scientists and the CDC are saying now, and why local and state officials are at odds.

Also: a recent Supreme Court ruling has given the LGBTQ+ community something to celebrate during Pride Month. We’ll break down the SCOTUS decision about protecting LGBTQ+ Americans at work. And why activists and politicians are saying: there’s more to be done.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Dr. Jade Pagkas-Bather, infectious diseases attending physician, clinical epidemiologist and Instructor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Department of Medicine

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

Monumental Change: The Fight To Take Down Confederate Symbols In the US Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

In recent weeks, there’s been a renewed push to remove symbols of the Confederacy: including flags, statues and the names of some military bases. Some protestors have been tearing statues down. And local officials are also making moves to remove them. We’ll break down why the debate around getting rid of these statues is really a debate about how we understand history- and the legacy of slavery in the US.

Also: all 50 states have started reopening. But health experts are warning: COVID-19 is still here. And as cases spike, state and local governments are at odds.

And finally, we ‘press pause’ with some sea turtle news. Here are some soothing sea turtles videos to kick off your weekend.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

- LeAndrea Mack, Miss Juneteenth 2019 in Kansas City

- Dr. Jalane Schmidt, associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia, co-founder of the Charlottesville, VA chapter of Black Lives Matter

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

“Different Things To Different People”: How Calls to ‘Defund the Police’ Could Play Out Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

As protests continue in the US, some demonstrators are now calling to ‘defund the police.’ And those calls are already having an impact. Cities like Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles are considering some major changes to their police departments. We’ll break down what it actually means to defund the police, and why some protestors say that doesn’t go far enough.

Also: we’re still in a global pandemic. But many public health experts don’t think protests should stop. We’ll explain why medical professionals say it’s important that demonstrators are still able to protest against racism and police brutality.

And finally, you may have seen that viral video from former NFL athlete Emmanuel Acho, host of the new online series, “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” We spoke to Acho about why these conversations are necessary, and how he plans to grow the series.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Lynda Garcia, Policing Campaign Director for The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, former trial attorney in the Special Litigation Section in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice
Kimberly Burke, research fellow at the Center for Policing Equity
Dr. Jaime Slaughter-Acey, social epidemiologist and Assistant Professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of Minnesota
Emmanuel Acho, former NFL athlete, current NFL analyst and host and creator of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.”

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

“A Stopgap for a Much Larger Problem”: What Police Reform Could Look Like Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

People across the US have flooded into the streets to protest police violence against black Americans. We’ll break down some of the concerns protests are highlighting, including disparities in how law enforcement treats black Americans, as well as police militarization. We’ll also talk to an expert about some potential solutions.

Also: if you’re seeing calls to donate to a bail fund and wondering how those work, we’ll explain.

And finally, we’re ‘pressing pause’ to highlight the creative ways people are documenting their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Kimberly Burke, research fellow at the Center for Policing Equity
Bernadette Rabuy, senior policy analyst at the Prison Policy Initiative

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

‘Female-Led Recession’: How Economists Think Unemployment Will Impact Women and Minorities May 29, 2020

Show notes

As of this week, one in four US workers has filed for unemployment benefits. But economists say the historic numbers don’t tell the whole story. And they’re warning that women, and in particular women of color, are being disproportionately affected. We’ll break down what this record unemployment means, how the situation compares to past recessions, and what the impact is on women and women of color.

Also: now that unemployment is at a record-high, a lot of people are looking for work. We spoke to a career expert to get some tips on how to job search during a pandemic.

And finally, you asked and we Skimm’d: who’s even hiring right now? Not a trick question. Think: anyone who’s seeing an increase in demand. Like food and delivery services.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Kathryn A. Edwards, associate economist at the RAND Corporation
Amanda Augustine, career expert for TopResume

What’s something about the COVID-19 pandemic that you’ve been looking for more answers on? Email us at audio@theskimm.com and call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show and have your question answered.

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

More To Come: What Experts Say Congress Should Focus On May 22, 2020

Show notes

Back in March, Congress passed a historic $2 trillion stimulus bill that reached millions of Americans. You may have received a check in the mail or a boost in unemployment insurance. But researchers and economists are saying the money Congress spent so far may not be enough. We’ll break down what still needs work, and what experts say Congress should prioritize.

Also: you may have seen some headlines this week about some big stores going bankrupt. We’ll tell you why COVID-19 has pushed them into bankruptcy. And why it could impact what your next trip to the mall looks like.

And finally, you asked and we Skimm’d: how is COVID-19 more dangerous than the seasonal flu? We’ll tell you why experts say it’s not a fair comparison. Hint: even though the symptoms are similar, they’re caused by different viruses.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Dr. Jay Shambaugh, director of the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution and former member and chief economist of the White House Council of Economic Advisers
Henrietta Treyz, founder, managing partner and the director of economic policy at Veda Partners
Dr. Gloria Gonzalez-Rivera, professor of economics at University of California-Riverside
Nancy Rapoport, Garman Turner Gordon Professor of Law, William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Vince Tibone, retail sector head at Green Street Advisors

On next week’s episode, we’re devoting our entire show to the topic of unemployment. Have you recently been impacted? If so, we’d love to hear your story and perhaps include it on next week’s show. Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370.

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

Not So Fast: Creating A COVID-19 Vaccine Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint May 15, 2020

Show notes

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine is underway. But don’t hold your breath. This race could take years. We’ll tell you why, and what’s being done to try to speed up the process.

Also: you may have seen some headlines this week about COVID-19 and children. New research shows kids are more at risk of getting sick than realized. On top of that: a mysterious illness that could be linked to COVID-19 is infecting children around the country. We’ll break down what this means for parents on the lookout.

And finally, you asked and we Skimm’d: why is it taking so long to get your stimulus check? Hint: you may need to check your mailbox.

On this episode, you’ll hear from:

Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, co-director of Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and Associate Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Rinke Bos, Principal Scientist at Janssen Vaccines & Prevention in Leiden, the Netherlands
Dr. Roderick Slavcev, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Dr. Lawrence Kleinman, professor and vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and attending physician at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital

What’s something about the COVID-19 pandemic that you’ve been looking for more answers on? Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370. You might hear your message on the show and have your question answered.

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

The Bigger Picture: Beyond The Record Unemployment Rate May 08, 2020

Show notes

The CDC has been working on new guidelines for how states should start to reopen. But the White House is putting them on ice and telling the agency to make some changes. Meanwhile: the unemployment rate is now the highest it’s been since the Great Depression. We’ll tell you why the real picture might be even more bleak. Also on today’s show: Tara Reade’s allegations against former VP Joe Biden make more headlines, and an update on the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery.

Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show.

If you want to add theSkimm to your morning 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

Putting on the Pressure: Ahmaud Arbery’s Death Sparks Public Outcry May 07, 2020

Show notes

The latest unemployment numbers are in, and no surprise: they’re not very good. We’ll explain why -- despite all the bad economic news -- the stock market is doing relatively okay. Meanwhile: some small schools in Montana are among the first to reopen since the pandemic began. But local superintendents are finding ways to enforce social distancing measures in the classroom. Also on today’s show: we’ll dive into why the death of Ahmaud Arbery in February sparked widespread public outcry this week.

Call and leave us a voicemail at: 646-461-6370 to shout-out a loved one or share how you’re helping your community during the pandemic. You might hear your message on the show.

If you want to add theSkimm to your morning 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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected