Skimm This

Latest Episodes:

Going Viral: Measles in Samoa, Uber Safety Data, Yuletide Insults Dec 06, 2019

Show notes

Health officials in the island nation of Samoa are fighting a deadly measles outbreak. We’ll explain why anti-vaxxers in Samoa and in the US could be complicating their efforts. Meanwhile, Uber just released a massive safety report on incidents that occurred during trips in the US. We’ll dig into the company’s latest efforts to make its service safer. Also on today’s show: Airbnb cracks down on party homes, and why you should cut London’s charming Christmas tree some slack.

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

Look Back in Anger: Abuse Claims, Pension Strikes, Talkative Robots Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

A handful of states are passing laws to help victims of child sexual abuse seek justice. We’ll explain why one new law in New Jersey could end up helping victims across the country. Meanwhile, French workers took to the streets to protest a proposed change to the pension system. We’ll connect the dots between France’s recent history of protests and how this new one is playing out. Also on today’s show: the positives and negatives of negative interest rates, and a rebooted robot returns to space.

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

I Fought the Law: Impeachment, Hospital Bills, Salon Chemicals Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

The impeachment inquiry into President Trump jumped to a new House committee today, and it’s starting to feel a bit like law school. We’ll explain where the impeachment process stands and what’s still to come. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration wants hospitals and insurers to share their price lists for medical treatments, but hospitals aren’t having it. We’ll crunch the numbers on why hospitals don’t want to comply. Also on today’s show: a worrisome link between certain beauty products and risk of breast cancer, and an unexpected use for coffee husks.

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

You Get What You Give: Champagne Tariffs, Giving Tuesday, Rapinoe Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

President Trump is handing out tariffs left and right, and countries aren’t psyched about it. The latest target? French champagne, among other things. We’ll explain why tariffs have become the President’s economic weapon of choice. Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee has released its report on the impeachment inquiry. We’ll tell you what happens next. Also on today’s show: how to give back on Giving Tuesday, and a soccer legend wins the gold - again.

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

Feuding: NATO Summit, Gun Rights, Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday Dec 02, 2019

Show notes

The UK is hosting a big NATO summit this week to celebrate the alliance’s 70th birthday. But budget fights and membership debates could kill the festive atmosphere. We’ll break down what to expect when the alliance gathers for tea in the English countryside. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a major case today that could shape the future of gun rights in America. Also on today’s show: how Cyber Monday is giving Black Friday a run for its money, and how one town in Colorado opened its doors to stranded Thanksgiving travelers.

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

What’s Going On: Mass Imprisonment in China, Impeachment Drama, ‘Dear Santa’ Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

Newly-leaked government documents are pulling back the curtain on China’s mass detention of ethnic minorities. We’ll get into how the docs provide important details about China’s crackdown on Uighurs and how the rest of the world is responding. Meanwhile: the impeachment process is far from over, and a federal judge just ordered a key witness to testify before Congress. We’ll explain why the House Judiciary Committee really wants to talk to former White House counsel Don McGahn. Also on today’s show: how bad weather could complicate Thanksgiving, and how to play Santa for kids in need.

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

Following: Navy Secretary Out, Michael Bloomberg, Wild Turkey Nov 25, 2019

Show notes

The Secretary of the Navy is out. We’ll connect the dots between President Trump’s controversial pardons of service members and what they have to do with the Navy Secretary’s sudden departure. Meanwhile, former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg got into the presidential race over the weekend. We’ll explain why some are expressing concerns about his baggage. Also on today’s show: Hong Kong voters show up for democracy, and a Wisconsin turkey is making headlines ahead of Thanksgiving.

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

Can’t Let It Go: Israeli Political Drama, Debating Pot, ‘Let It Go’ 2.0 Nov 22, 2019

Show notes

It was a busy week in Israeli politics, between a US announcement on West Bank settlements and talk of new elections next year. Then: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on multiple corruption charges. We’ll break it all down and explain how all the headlines connect. Meanwhile, members of Congress are pushing ahead on a bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level. We’ll explain where the American people stand on the issue. Also on today’s show: Victoria’s Secret ‘rethinks’ its fashion show, and can the new single from ‘Frozen 2’ rival ‘Let It Go?’

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

Bring Da Ruckus: Impeachment Hearings, Paid Family Leave, Throwback Theme Park Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

Today was the last day of scheduled impeachment hearings, and we heard from two officials who had front row seats to events at the center of the inquiry. We’ll explain what their testimonies mean for the inquiry. Meanwhile, 10 Democrats running for President got together last night and debated last night – again. One new topic that came up? Paid family leave. Also on today’s show: how to navigate the shorter holiday shopping season, and how South Korea’s feeling nostalgic for the nineties.

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

We Hear You: Impeachment, Iran Protests, Grammy Noms Nov 20, 2019

Show notes

The US ambassador to the European Union walked into the impeachment inquiry hearing this morning, and threw just about everybody under the bus. We’ll explain how Gordon Sondland brought President Trump further into the inquiry, and the possible fallout of his testimony. Meanwhile, Iranians have been protesting a hike in gas prices, and the government responded by shutting off the Internet. We’ll explain the conditions that led to these now-deadly protests. Also on today’s show: what to know heading into tonight’s Democratic primary debate, and the new Grammy nominees.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected