What A Day

Latest Episodes:

1: Georgia: The New Bellwether Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Georgia has become one of the most closely watched states in America, but its story didn't begin with the last election.

Jen, Mitch, and Errin explore the history, communities, and political forces that transformed Georgia into the center of the national conversation.

Through interviews with civic leaders, elected officials, and everyday Georgians, they examine how the state's civil rights legacy, rapid growth, and changing electorate continue to shape both Southern politics and the future of the country.

Guests: Sen. Jon Ossoff, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, LaTosha Brown (Black Voters Matter), Kyle Tibbs-Jones (The Bitter Southerner)

Trump's Presidential Payday Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

About a month ago, the Antwerp World Diamond Center, which deals with a large percentage of the world’s diamonds, made Donald Trump a very special gift purportedly for America’s 250th birthday. Then, just last week, the Trump Administration coincidentally exempted natural diamonds from its new sweeping global tariffs. Not a great look. It’s no secret that the Trump Administration is steeped in deals aimed at getting the President, his family, and his political organizations paid. As the Wall Street Journal reported, Trump is routinely asking for cash from companies and donors so he can build his ballroom or future design projects. The funnel of money aimed at this White House can be almost overwhelming. So what can we do about it? We spoke to Amanda Carpenter, a writer and editor at Protect Democracy, who has some ideas.

And in headlines, July is on track to become the hottest month on record for the entire United States, about 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s tiny Ceuta territory in just 24 hours, and oil companies are profiting from the Iran war and the rising cost of gas.

Show Notes:

Check out Amanda's piece – tinyurl.com/3uk54psp
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

The Battle For Massachusetts' 8th District Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

There are just 96 days until the November midterms — and while the battle between Democrats and Republicans is taking up a lot of headlines, many Democrats are also facing serious challenges from within their own party. Take Massachusetts's Eighth District, which includes parts of the city of Boston. Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch has represented the state in Congress since 2001 – and for much of that time, he hasn’t faced any serious primary challenges.But this year, he’s up against Patrick Roath, a 39-year old attorney who thinks that it’s time for a new generation in Congress. Today, we’re speak with both Patrick Roath and Representative Lynch about what they each think Democrats should do if they win back the House, and why they each are the best candidate for Massachusetts voters to send to Washington.

And in headlines, the Iran war heats back up as United States and Iran continue to fire barrages of missiles, Trump’s approval rating among voters has dropped to 32 percent, and President Trump says he may temporarily pull acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the full-time AG position.

Show Notes:

Check out Rep. Lynch's campaign – www.stephenflynch.com
Check out Patrick Roath's campaign – patrickroath.com
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Senator Raphael Warnock On Where Morality Meets Politics Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

We don’t often talk about what the most moral path forward for the Senate, or Congress, or hell, politics in general might be — but it would probably look more like doing something about ensuring everyday Americans can afford groceries and less like going to war with Iran. Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock gives this a lot of thought in his new book, “The Crooked Places Made Straight: Reflections on the Moral Meaning of America,” where he lays out some of the biggest problems facing our country. We speak with Senator Warnock about his book and how we might move forward together.

And in headlines, the U.S. and Iran trade strikes after days of calm; the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady despite persistently high inflation and a spike in energy prices caused by the Iran war; and Dr. Anthony Fauci pleads the fifth to more than 100 questions posed by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members.

Show Notes:

Check out Sen. Warnock's book – tinyurl.com/583vnpz4
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Trump's Lonely War Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Today marked the start of two days of services for the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, with President Donald Trump joining foreign leaders at Washington National Cathedral for the funeral. Graham was arguably one of the biggest supporters of the Iran war. But now, he's gone – and the war he helped start is becoming increasingly unpopular. The Economist reported earlier this month that the war in Iran is America's least popular conflict since public poll tracking began. And thanks to a virtual Pentagon blackout on information, there's a lot we don't even know about this war in the first place. So, to talk more about the Iran war, we spoke with Tom Bowman. He's the Pentagon correspondent for NPR.

And in headlines, wildfires across France and Spain have driven roughly 330,000 people from their homes and vacation sites; Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sent Kentucky Republican Senator McConnell a letter demanding that he prove that he can do his job; and a conservative activist group released audio tapes that appear to show former President Joe Biden sharing classified information with a biographer.

Show Notes:

Check out Tom's work – npr.org/people/5457129/tom-bowman
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Can Senate Republicans Pass Trump's Agenda? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is trying to get a bunch done ahead of the Senate’s long summer break, from sanctions legislation on Russia to funding the government. But none of that seems to matter to President Trump. He’s focused on the SAVE America Act – a sweeping piece of federal legislation that would dramatically change how Americans vote (and most likely, who gets to vote in the first place). Now, a group of far-right Senators – like Utah Sen. Mike Lee – are demanding Thune cancel vacation and put the SAVE America Act on the floor. So who is in charge in the Senate – John Thune, or Donald Trump? To find out, we spoke to Burgess Everett. He’s the congressional bureau chief at Semafor.

And in headlines, Trump defended his sweeping tariffs during a speech at a General Motors facility in Michigan; a New York Times report revealed that the Trump Administration canceled major grants for clean-energy projects based entirely on politics; and President Trump finally got to perform his stand-up routine at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

Show Notes:

Check out Burgess' work – semafor.com/author/burgess-everett
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

The Terrible Tates Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing extradition to the United Kingdom after their arrest in Miami last weekend. The brothers are facing 59 counts between them in the UK, including rape, sex trafficking, and more. And now, President Trump’s inner circle — including the White House — is backing away from the Tates. For more, we spoke to Madeline Peltz. She’s an independent journalist covering the right-wing media and author of the Substack, Number Two Pencil.

And in headlines, the U.S. is facing its worst year for measles in decades, the DOJ withdraws its subpoenas of three New York Times reporters, and the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner 2.0 takes place tonight.

Show Notes:

Check out Madeline's work – substack.com/@numbertwopencil/posts
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

The Parasite Causing Explosive Diarrhea Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

By now, you've probably heard more than you ever wanted about cyclospora, a parasite that spreads via infected water and food andcauses explosive diarrhea. This has been a very bad year for cyclosporiasis. According to the New York Times, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typically report an average of 2,800 cases of the illness in the U.S. every year. But this year, the CDC reports more than 11,000 cases across 41 states. So, for more on our summer of cyclosporiasis and why you should maybe skip the bagged lettuce, we spoke to Julie Rovner. She's the Chief Washington correspondent and host of the "What the Health?" podcast at KFF Health News.

And in headlines, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, Ukrainian drones are targeting Russia's largest online marketplace, and the FDA reviews seven peptide injections the agency banned three years ago over safety concerns.

Show Notes:

Check out What The Health? – kffhealthnews.org/podcast-series/what-the-health/
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

Trump Opens Utah For Mining Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Last week, President Trump dramatically reduced the size of two national monuments that aren't only beloved by everyday Utahns but contain priceless archeological treasures. But Utah is fighting back – against Trump, and against the Republican legislators letting private industries and a Shark Tank host run roughshod over what most people in the state actually want. To learn more, we spoke to Caroline Gleich. She’s an environmental activist and a professional ski mountaineer based in Park City.

And in headlines, the Trump Administration announces a deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide the country with a civilian nuclear program, Arizona Republican Representative Andy Biggs overwhelmingly wins the GOP nomination for Arizona governor, and the power of the US passport has reportedly declined over the past 20 years.

Show Notes:

Check out Caroline's work – carolinegleich.com
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

A Woman Could Be South Carolina's Next Senator Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Lindsey Graham died a little over a week ago – and last Tuesday, his younger sister, Darline Graham, was sworn in to fill his seat. Given that she has absolutely no experience in politics, pretty much everyone thought that Darline Graham was just going to be filling in her late brother's seat until his term ended. But on Friday, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he wants her to run to be the new Republican nominee in August's special primary election — and on Monday, she generously agreed. But many other Republicans have jumped into the race anyway… and whoever wins the nomination will be facing our guest today: Dr. Annie Andrews. She's a pediatrician who has focused her campaign not on Donald Trump, but on the health of everyday South Carolinians.

And in headlines: Trump imposes new 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, Arizona goes to the polls, and the New York Times reports that Trump denied nearly 6,000 clemency petitions from people who followed the Justice Department's stated policies for requesting pardons.

Show Notes:

Check out Dr. Annie Andrews – https://drannieandrews.com/
Call Congress – 202-224-3121
Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast
Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

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