SmartHER News

Latest Episodes:

BEHIND BARS IN RUSSIA: A sister speaks out for an imprisoned American journalist Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

American journalist Evan Gershkovich will mark his 32nd birthday locked away in a Russian prison. Russian authorities arrested Evan on March 29, 2023 on charges of espionage, claims vehemently denied by both The Wall Street Journal, Evan's employer and the United States government. Evan worked as an accredited reporter in Russia – a country his family says he loves, and the birthplace of his parents, who immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet Union. With the road ahead riddled with uncertainty, we welcome two guests: Evan's sister, Danielle, who provides a window into her family's plight over the last six months, plus, The Wall Street Journal's Paul Beckett who explains why Evan's case matters to us all.

Thank you for your support of nonpartisan news. We keep our content ad-free and our coverage independent. Consider becoming a SCOOP insider and support a free press! scoop.smarthernews.com

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SCOOP: Escalation In The Middle East Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Did "The Press" change the course of world events?

Just one of the many questions we ask in this week's SCOOP.

Plus ~ The important developments in the war between Israel and Hamas that matter; the latest in the evacuations at U.S. diplomatic outposts; and what do the Hamas tunnels really look like?

Thank you for supporting SmartHER News! If you notice this podcast as AD-FREE, help keep us independent by getting this delivered to your inbox on Mondays: scoop.smarthernews.com

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SCOOP: Untangling the Israel-Hamas War. Plus ~ A Sampling of Stateside Stories Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Monday, October 16, 2023, just after noon Central Time: A time-stamp for our coverage of two developing stories, the Israel-Hamas War and the race for a new House Speaker.

0:00 The Israel-Hamas War: Why is covering this story different and a few recent developments on the war.

10:50 The one thing we shouldn't lose sight of, that is fundamentally at the core of this particular chapter of the story we're looking at: Hamas.

13:57 How this connects to what's happening here at home with the race for a new House Speaker and why it matters.

20:09 How much aid does the United States give to Israel and the Palestinians?

25:57 What is life like in Gaza?

29:31 The people most harmed by Islamic terrorism and why, according to the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.

33:54 Reporter's Notebook: Sharing a personal story from visiting Israel and reflecting on possibility.

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MIDDLE EAST DEBRIEF: Hamas, Israel and What To Watch Next Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

What makes Hamas unique? What is their ultimate goal? Why did Hamas plan this attack now? What should we watch for next? We explore these questions with leading terror expert and author Jonathan Schanzer, Vice President of Research at the nonpartisan think tank - Foundation For The Defense of Democracies. A Hebrew and Arabic speaker, Jonathan has spent his career researching terror groups, terror financing and how terrorism impacts policy around the world, and specifically in the Middle East. His most recent book examined specifically the relationship between Israel and Hamas: Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War. Thank you to Jonathan for sharing his expertise with SmartHER News - You can follow him on social media and through FDD.

A few show notes:

The report I mentioned about the threat of violence has become a more verified story covered by Reuters - Here's the background to it. The full BBC interview with Husam Zomlot Here's a link to Jonathan's latest book ~~~

Thank you for supporting quick, concise, nonpartisan news during this historic news cycle. If you enjoy ad-free interviews like these, please consider joining SCOOP - our insider community that contributes to the success of SmartHER News for less than the price of a latte a month.

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Columbus Day SCOOP: A Forgotten Story Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

A new look at a 100+ year-old holiday. 0:00: Taking a closer look at Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day. 3:40: When did we start celebrating Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day? 6:25: The line that sparked today's Special Report: " In fact, Columbus Day was created by President Harrison in 1892 in response to the anti-Italian motivated lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans in 1891" (President Biden's Proclamation on Columbus Day, 2022). 8:27: Broadly speaking, what was going on in America during this time? 12:01: Zooming in on New Orleans, the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in 1891 and what followed. 21:00: In 2019, the first female Mayor in New Orleans apologizes on behalf of the city to the families impacted by this lynching. 24:00: Sharing a personal story, reflecting on the press, acknowledging different stories at the same time and why it matters. 28:12: Conclusion: "So I stand here with you today, and I issue this formal apology for ugliness that is 128 years old and I ask you to continue to stand with me against anti-immigrant violence, against division, and to stand up for what I've coined, a city of 'Yes,' and for the idea that we have a responsibility to be inclusive, to be intentional and to be the kind of people that our children are not apologizing for 128 years from now. That's what this is about." – New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, April 12, 2019. Message Leah Grainery Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/smarthernews/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

HOUSE SPEAKER OUSTED - What To Know - What's Next - & Why It Matters Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

Unbridled chaos OR creative disruption?

We consider both possibilities during a special live Coffee Talk broadcast on SmartHER News with an overview of the historic house vote that ousted the current speaker. We include: the background to what happened, why it matters and what to watch for next.

"The old days of pounding on the desk and giving people hell are gone. A man's got to lead by persuasion and kindness and the best reason—that's the only way he can lead people." Longest-serving House Speaker Sam Rayburn LINK

As promised: A list of the Republicans who voted to oust Speaker McCarthy **plus every single present member of the Democrat Party**

Andy Biggs of Arizona.
Ken Buck of Colorado.
Tim Burchett of Tennessee.
Eli Crane of Arizona.
Matt Gaetz of Florida.
Bob Good of Virginia.
Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
Matt Rosendale of Montana.

Would you like to join our LIVE broadcasts and support a free press? Consider becoming part of SCOOP for less than the cost of a pumpkin spice latte :)

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SCOOP: Breaking Down The Shutdown, Honoring Those "Tough & Kind" & A Star-Studded Stimulus Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Thank you for your support of SmartHER News! Notice our ad-free broadcast? Consider suppporting us for less than a cup of coffee per month by joining SCOOP

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Our Top Three:

What happened on Capitol Hill that averted the shutdown –

Why the next spending debate will highlight bipartisanship on two BIG issues: Ukraine & the U.S. Border.

And... who to thank for an economic stimulus (Hint: an "Anti-Hero").

~ Your rundown ~

0:00 A tribute to Dianne Feinstein and a challenge for better.

4:00 What actually happened to avert the shutdown and what two big issues remain.

6:00: President Biden, a Democrat, and Senator Graham, a Republican, unite on Ukraine.

11:00: Speaker McCarthy, a Republican, and Governor Hochul, a Democrat, unite on the border.

21:00: Border perspective and a correction on an often made reference to the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island and immigration.

25:00: A potential new Senator faces immediate questions about her state of residency.

30:00: The Beyonce Bump and The Taylor Swift Stimulus – how to look at celebrity news with a smarter angle.

Thank you for your support of SmartHER News! Notice our ad-free broadcast? Consider suppporting us for less than a cup of coffee per month by joining SCOOP

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SCOOP: Emailing A Media Mogul & Breaking Border Numbers Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

A looming government shutdown (and why it's happening), history-making numbers on the U.S. borders (North and South) and an exchange with Rupert Murdoch.

0:00: A lesson from Larry McMurtry's book, "Lonesome Dove": When a critique leads to celebrity.

4:00: What to know about the potential government shutdown.

14:00: A closer look at what's happening at the U.S. border – both the Southern and Northern border.

23:00: Mapping out a case in the Bronx (New York City) and why it matters.

29:00: Sharing a behind-the-scenes perspective: Emailing with Rupert Murdoch.

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SCOOP: "Homecoming" At The United Nations Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

A major annual event at the United Nations, a first-of-its-kind strike and the nearly-missed-it history of the Pumpkin Spice Latte!

0:00: Welcome to Fall: The Fall Equinox happens on Saturday. What is it and why does it matter?

2:00: The origin of the Pumpkin Spice Latte #psl

5:00: Big news at the United Nations and why it matters.

13:00: China sends warplanes to Taiwan.

15:00: Prisoner swap between Iran and America ~ Plus ~ what's going on in the Strait of Hormuz?

20:00: President Washington's Farewell Address from 1796 and his foreign policy thoughts to consider today.

25:00: The UAW strikes from the "Big 3" automakers, General Motors, Ford, and the parent company of Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, etc.

30:00: We'd love to hear from you! Email us your thoughts about SCOOP and receive a free gift: hello@smartHERnews.com

Show notes: The history of Pumpkin Spice Lattes George Washington's Farewell Address

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COFFEE TALK: LIVE REPORT Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

We share our LIVE Coffee Talk broadcast to our SCOOP insiders!

Did you know that critics of the Star Spangle Banner felt the song sounded too close to a song related to a "gentleman's" club? 🇺🇸

We start our LIVE broadcast marking this day in history and move to tackling headlines related to two state sponsors of terrorism, Iran and North Korea, on the veyr same week we mark the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

What should we consider?

Timing in a news cycle can often seem unusual or unexplainable – but the importance of these headlines felt like too much of a coincidence to ignore.

We discuss the timing, what's going on and why it matters.

Listen to the end about how to support SmartHER News! Here's two links: Join us on SCOOP: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/

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If you like this format - let us know! hello@smartHERnews.com

A few items we mention: State Sponsors of Terrorism

Country Report on Terrorism: Iran

The Wall Street Journal Editorial

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