What A Day

Latest Episodes:

The Tea In Tennessee Jul 01, 2023

Show notes

This week marks the anniversary of the Stonewall riots — the very reason we celebrate Pride in June every year. In honor of the drag queens that have always been on the front lines of the fight for equality before, during, and after Stonewall, we dive deep into the troubling saga of Tennessee’s first-in-the-nation attempt to ban public drag performances.

Memphis-based drag queen and Tennessee native Bella DuBalle joins us to discuss the impact the legislation has had on local performers ever since was introduced, the community’s resilience that ultimately led to the law being overturned, and why the world needs drag.

Show notes:

Bella DuBalle – https://www.instagram.com/belladuballe/?hl=en
PBS: Drag performers on what Tennessee’s ban on public performances means to them – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVmi95tZ8Hk
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Missing In Affirmative Action Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

On Thursday, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. In a decision along ideological lines, the high court ruled that race-based affirmative action programs violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause, and that American colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration for admissions. We’re joined by Jay Willis, editor-in-chief of Balls and Strikes, to talk about this decision and its consequences.

And in headlines: the Supreme Court expanded protections for workers’ religious accommodations, TikTok is funding the lawsuit in Montana against the company’s statewide ban, and federal judges in Kentucky and Tennessee temporarily halted parts of transgender youth care bans.

Show notes:

Balls & Strikes - https://ballsandstrikes.org/
Jay Willis - https://twitter.com/jaywillis
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Betting On Bidenomics Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

President Joe Biden delivered an economic speech in Chicago on Wednesday outlining his vision for what he calls “Bidenomics.” The goal is to create more jobs, lower inflation, increase broadband internet access, and more. We’re joined by Jared Bernstein, President Biden’s top economic advisor, to discuss the details of Bidenomics.

And in headlines: Yusef Salaam is on track to win a Democratic primary for a City Council seat in Harlem, millions of Americans are under air quality alerts due to smoke from Canada’s wildfires, and seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles is back.

Plus, we’re joined by Alisha Humphrey, a Starbucks barista and union organizer, to talk about the ongoing workers strike over the banning of Pride decorations at the coffee chain.

Show Notes:

Starbucks Workers United – https://sbworkersunited.org/
The Progressive: Starbucks’ Decision to End COVID Protections Endangers Me and Other Baristas - https://progressive.org/latest/starbucks-end-covid-protections-humphrey-281022/
Jacobin: Starbucks’s Abortion Promises for Workers Are PR Stunts. We Want a Union Contract – https://jacobin.com/2022/08/starbucks-abortion-transgender-health-care-promises-pr-stunt-union-contract
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

ISL Takes The L Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Moore v. Harper Tuesday, dismissing the “independent state legislature” theory in a case about a GOP-drawn North Carolina congressional map. Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer at Slate Magazine, joins us to talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling, and the theory central to the case.

And in headlines: an audio recording recently made public suggests former President Donald Trump had “highly confidential” documents he did not declassify, the first UN investigator to visit Guantanamo Bay has urged the US to apologize for the treatment of prisoners at the facility, and workers at Starbucks stores are striking this week over the banning of Pride decorations.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Wagner The Dog Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his nation on Monday for the first time since the short-lived military rebellion by the Wagner Group came to an end. During his five minute televised speech, Putin refused to specifically name Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and called the mutiny organizers “traitors.” The Kremlin said that it reached a deal for Prigozhin to move to Belarus and receive amnesty, along with his soldiers.

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual abuse lawsuits against Ohio State University could proceed, and in a separate ruling, unfroze a case that will likely force Louisiana to redraw congressional districts in a way that includes more Black representation. Decisions on key cases involving affirmative action, student debt, independent state legislature and more, are expected in the coming days.

And in headlines: the shooter who killed five people at Club Q last year pleaded guilty to five counts of first degree murder and dozens of counts of attempted murder, Guatemala is headed for a runoff election, and Jesse Watters has been named as Fox News’ new primetime TV host.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Russian To Conclusions Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russia’s most notorious mercenary leader, sent an armed convoy toward Moscow over the weekend after accusing the country’s military of staging an airstrike on his own fighters. Crooked news contributor Max Fisher joins us to break down what happened, and what it could entail for Russia and the war in Ukraine.

And in headlines: Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was re-elected for a second term, the Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration over how it can enforce existing immigration laws, and a federal judge in Orlando blocked the state of Florida from enforcing its recent restrictions on drag performances.

Show Notes:

Crooked Media | Pod Save The World: A Russian Coup Against Putin? – https://crooked.com/podcast/a-russian-coup-against-putin-bonus-pod/
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Titan's Final Salute Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

The days-long search for the tourist submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic came to a tragic end Thursday. A U.S. Coast Guard official said the five people aboard the vessel are presumed dead, after pieces of the craft were found on the ocean floor roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic's bow. It’s believed that the submersible imploded.

This Saturday, June 24th marks one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned, ending the decades-long constitutional right to an abortion. Since then, about half of all states have enacted laws to restrict the procedure, and 14 states have banned the procedure entirely with very limited exceptions.

And in headlines: President Biden welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House Thursday, a Moscow court ruled that a detained American journalist must remain in jail until late August, and we finally know who bailed out Congressman George Santos after he was charged with fraud last month.

Show Notes:

Vote Save America | Fuck Bans Action Plan – https://votesaveamerica.com/bans
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Big Alito Lies Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito failed to disclose a luxury fishing trip he took in 2008 with hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer and did not recuse himself from later cases involving Singer, according to a new report from ProPublica. Instead of responding to ProPublica’s questions directly, Justice Alito penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal ahead of the report’s publication defending his actions. We’re joined by Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan and co-host of Crooked’s Strict Scrutiny podcast, to talk about the ethical violations and possible consequences for Justice Alito.

And in headlines: rescuers were in the final, critical hours of searching for the missing tourist submersible near the wreckage of the Titanic Wednesday, a federal judge struck down Arkansas’ ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, and the Federal Trade Commission is taking Amazon to court.

Show Notes:

ProPublica: Justice Samuel Alito Took Luxury Fishing Vacation With GOP Billionaire Who Later Had Cases Before the Court – https://www.propublica.org/article/samuel-alito-luxury-fishing-trip-paul-singer-scotus-supreme-court
Wall Street Journal (Opinion): Justice Samuel Alito: ProPublica Misleads Its Readers — https://www.wsj.com/articles/propublica-misleads-its-readers-alito-gifts-disclosure-alaska-singer-23b51eda
Tre’vell Anderson at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures — https://tinyurl.com/357cfpx5
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Paris Olympics Are Burning Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

On Tuesday, French financial police raided the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Olympics organizing committee as part of two ongoing investigations into the misuse of public funds. Prosecutors said they’re looking into potential conflicts of interest, embezzlement and favoritism.

President Joe Biden touted his administration’s historic record on combatting climate change during a recent trip to California. He recently won the endorsement of four major environmental groups for his re-election campaign – despite criticism from activists over the approval of new fossil fuel plans.

And in headlines: a federal judge has set a date in August to begin Donald Trump’s classified documents trial, Hunter Biden reached a deal with federal prosecutors to plead guilty to tax charges, and voters cast their ballots in Virginia’s primary election.

Show Notes:

What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Like A Day Without Sunshine Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

SB 1718, Florida’s controversial new immigration law, is set to go into effect in less than two weeks. The law limits social services for undocumented people in the state, makes it harder for businesses to hire them, and earmarks millions to fund DeSantis' relocation of migrants to other states. Paula Muñoz with the Florida Immigrant Coalition tells us just how harmful this measure will be once it goes into effect.

And in headlines: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a deep-sea submersible carrying five people to survey the wreckage of the Titanic went missing in the North Atlantic, and Amazon delivery drivers and dispatchers walked off the job in Palmdale, California.

Show Notes:

Florida Immigrant Coalition – https://floridaimmigrant.org/
What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast

Crooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in medium and dark roasts. Wake up with your own bag at crooked.com/coffee

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday