First up: We’ve got the latest on COVID booster shots, over-the-counter hearing aids, a breakthrough organ transplant, and a high-profile kidnapping in Haiti.  Next: Congress’ January 6th investigation is picking up steam. We’ll break down what info they’re after, and why former Trump advisor Steve Bannon is coming up in all of this.  ICYMI: It’s flu season again, and experts are warning about a “twindemic.” We’ll Skimm what that could look like … in 60 seconds. Then: Netflix employees staged a virtual walkout this week, after the streaming giant defended the release of a controversial Dave Chapelle comedy special. We listened in on Netflix’s earning call to figure out where the company really stands. Plus: Workers are getting ready to walk all over the country, as labor unions prepare to strike for better pay, conditions and hours. We’ll look at why so many strikes are happening that this month has been dubbed “Striketober.”  Finally: We’ve spent the last year craving a vacation. And it seems like Saudi Arabia heard our prayers… although we can’t say hanging out on an oil rig is exactly our speed.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research, Cornell University Alex Press, staff writer, Jacobin Kathryn Dill, early careers reporter, the Wall Street Journal  Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Skimm This

Strike Three: Labor Unions, Netflix, and Twindemics

First up: We’ve got the latest on I.C.E. ending worksite immigration raids, Social Security payments increasing, and the F.D.A.’s first approval of a vape pen.  Then: We’ve spent a lot of time talking about COVID-19 vaccines — but what about treatments? We’ll ask one expert about the difficult work of discovering COVID treatments, Merck’s new pill, and any new treatments we can expect. Next: Texas has made a lot of headlines this year, from restricting voting rights and abortion access to easing up on gun control. We’ll talk to one reporter about why Texas is testing so many hot-button issues right now. ICYMI: Millions of Americans are looking to switch careers, but actually making that switch can be tricky. We’ll explore what’s complicating “The Great Reshuffle,” and how some companies are trying to improve things. Finally: Is the #MeToo movement finally coming for big-league sports? We’ll talk to theSkimm’s own Bridget Armstrong about football’s dirty (and not little) secret, and why the music industry — and hip hop in particular – is also waiting for its #MeToo groundswell. P.S. We’ve got a whole new show dedicated to all things pop culture. Listen and subscribe here. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Dr Judith Currier, professor of medicine, UCLA Renuka Rayasam, Texas correspondent, Politico Kathryn Dill, early careers reporter, Wall Street Journal  Justina Nixon-Saintil, VP and global head of corporate social responsibility, IBM Bridget Armstrong, host, Pop Cultured with theSkimm Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hate on Me: Texas, Football, The Great Reshuffle

First up: We’ve got the latest on a groundbreaking new malaria vaccine, the Facebook whistleblower in front of Congress, the abortion battle in Texas, and how South Dakota became a global tax haven. Next: It might start taking longer — and costing more — to mail a letter. And that’s not all: it’s getting pricier to catch an Uber and heat your home (with natural gas). We’ll break down why. ICYMI: Tech companies are in a war for your attention at work, and Microsoft came to flex … with a lot of notifications. Then: Three coaches from the National Women’s Soccer League have been fired since August over allegations of misconduct, including one bombshell case of sexual coercion. We’ll talk to a former player about how the system leaves women’s soccer players vulnerable, and why that needs to change.  Finally: If you binged ‘Squid Game’ last weekend … us too. We’ll chat with a culture writer about why we’re all so obsessed. P.S., If Squid Game left you craving more, here are a few recs for what to watch next. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Alexandra Samuel, freelance tech correspondent and author, "Remote, Inc." Haley Kopmeyer, former NWSL goalkeeper, integrated partnerships manager, Just Women’s Sports Hanh Nguyen, senior culture editor, Salon Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How the F Is That Legal?! Facebook, South Dakota, NWSL Abuse

First up: We’ve got the latest on a major congressional hearing on Afghanistan, plus why March Madness isn't just for the boys anymore. Next: Congress is running up against a few key deadlines — from a resolution to fund the government and avoid hitting the debt ceiling. We asked a DC reporter: why are reps cutting it so close?   ICYMI: There’s been a lot of buzz (and confusion) about booster shots lately. We’ll break down who’s eligible … in 60 seconds. Then: We’ve got a roundup of this week’s most important tech stories, from Apple’s foray into depression diagnosis to Facebook hitting pause on Instagram for Kids and NYC’s new bill to protect food delivery workers. Plus: Supply chain woes mean it might already be time to start shopping for the holidays. We’ll look at why retailers are struggling to stock their shelves.  Finally: We’ve heard a lot about the importance of “the Latino vote” in 2020. But politicians keep missing the mark when it comes to engaging Latino voters. We’ll talk to two experts about what political campaigns should be doing differently, and why understanding Latino voters is good for all voters. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Kadia Goba, national politics reporter, Buzzfeed News Abha Bhattarai, retail reporter, The Washington Post Lisa García Bedolla, professor, UC Berkeley Stephanie Valencia, co-founder, Equis Labs Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who’s in Charge Here? Congress, IG for Kids, Holiday Shortages

First up: Thousands of Haitian migrants are gathering at the U.S.-Mexico border. We’ll break down why they’re there and why the U.S. government’s response is stirring up controversy. Then: We’ve got the latest on Pfizer’s vaccine for kids under 12, new rules for travelers entering the U.S.., Canada’s elections, and the first legal challenges to the new abortion law in Texas. ICYMI: This week, we listened in on world leaders having a real life reunion at the U.N. General Assembly. We’ve got the details on their discussions. Plus: We’ve heard a lot of warnings lately about the U.S. hitting its “debt ceiling.” We’ll break down what the debt ceiling is, why it exists, and how Congress is responding. Next: The U.S. is facing a childcare shortage. And a nursing shortage. We’ll take a deep dive into both industries and explore why solving these staffing shortages won’t be easy.  Finally: The 2021 Emmys kicked off this year’s awards season. We’ll discuss the highs, lows, and expectations for other awards shows.   To share your story from the front lines of the childcare and nursing industries, leave us a voicemail at (646) 461-6370. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Lindsey Harris, president, Alabama State Nurses Association Heather Long, economics correspondent, The Washington Post Bridget Armstrong, senior audio producer, theSkimm, host of “Pop Cultured with theSkimm” Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Handle with Care: Worker Shortages, Haiti, Debt Ceilings

First up: We’ve got an exclusive interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, where we got the chance to ask about everything from vaccine mandates on airplanes and in schools to his biggest pandemic mistakes. Next: We’ll get into the latest headlines, from explosive revelations about the final days of the Trump administration, to the results of California’s recall election, and why college students are swapping wine for weed. Then: The federal government is trying to stop Texas’s restrictive new abortion law. We quizzed a legal expert on whether that and other legal efforts are likely to succeed. ICYMI: Remember the freakout over Google Glass? Facebook hopes you forgot. It’s launching Ray Bans featuring a hidden camera, and doing so at a time when it’s reputation already isn’t great.  Finally: We’ll look at the chillest new prescription some doctors are starting to write. Hint: there’s no co-pay. (Here’s how to find an outdoor space nearby if you’re itching to get outdoors. P.S., Here’s what happened when Joanna Stern tried out Facebook’s hybrid camera-glasses.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Dr. Anthony Fauci, director, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Caroline Polisi, legal analyst and adjunct lecturer at Columbia Law School Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist, The Wall Street Journal Jennifer D. Roberts, associate professor, kinesiology, University of Maryland Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fauci, Facebook, and Forests

First up: We’ve got the latest on the week’s biggest headlines, from El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin to the removal of Virginia’s most prominent Confederate statue, the newest COVID-19 variant, and Britney’s conservatorship. Next: It’s back to school time… but there’s no vaccine for kids under 12. So, we called up an expert to find out everything we need to know about schools, kids and COVID-19. Then: It’s the 20 year anniversary of 9/11, and even if we were too young to remember all of it, the terrorist attack and our government’s response to it has shaped all of our lives. We’ll look at the legacy of September 11th, two decades later. ICYMI: California governor Gavin Newsom’s in trouble, and facing possible removal from office in an election next week. We’ve got the details you need to know on California’s recall election … in 60 seconds. Plus: We were glued to our gaming consoles growing up… but for kids in China, that might not be so easy any more: China’s banning kids from playing more than 3 hours of video games a week. We’ll explain what’s going on.  Finally: Match Group is going official with the S&P 500, a sign that dating apps are here to stay. But don’t worry, if they still make you nervous, we’ve asked an expert for some dating-app survival tips. P.S. Here’s a map of public symbols of the Confederacy around the U.S., and updates on their status. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Dr. Celine Gounder, clinical assistant professor of medicine and infectious diseases, New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine Laura Dugan, professor of human security, Ohio State University Nastasia Griffioen, doctoral researcher, Games for Emotional and Mental Health Lab Lindsey Metselaar, influencer and host of the "We Met at Acme" podcast Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Peter Bonaventure. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If We Could Turn Back Time: 9/11, California’s Recall, (Offline) Dating

First up: We’ve got the details on Texas’ new abortion law, and what experts say it could mean for abortion rights across the U.S. Next: We’ll take stock of the damage after Hurricane Ida caused damage from the Gulf Coast all the way to the Northeast.  Then: The U.S. has officially left Afghanistan. But what happens to the Afghans who were left behind and are hoping to leave? We get the latest details from PBS NewsHour’s Jane Ferguson. ICYMI: Forget cable news-style business updates. We’re bringing you the latest financial news on three companies that are here to stay: Zoom, IKEA, and Amazon. Plus: SCOTUS has a secret agenda — and it’s being put to use more and more frequently. We’ll dive into the “shadow docket” and some of the big decisions it’s being used to make. Finally: We don’t love breathing in wildfire smoke. We also don’t love drinking it. Luckily, one company has a plan to save California’s wine country from ashy bouquets — using artificial intelligence. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Caroline Kitchener, staff writer, The Lily Jane Ferguson, special correspondent PBS NewsHour and contributor The New Yorker Katerina Axelsson, founder and CEO, Tastry Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Peter Bonaventure. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stormy Weather: Abortion Access in Texas, Hurricane Ida, and Smoky Wine

First up: We’ve got the latest on evacuations from Afghanistan, and the deteriorating security situation around Kabul airport. Next: We’ll break down this week’s biggest headlines, from a report on COVID-19’s origins to school closures — plus a big decision by streaming platform OnlyFans. ICYMI: The F.D.A. and Pfizer made it official this week, in the form of full approval for the pharma company’s COVID-19 vaccine. We’ll break down why that’s different to emergency authorization, and what it could mean for vaccine mandates. Then: Some millennials are living a double life - working two full time jobs while their bosses have no clue. We asked one reporter what’s behind this latest work trend - and why bosses may actually be the ones driving them to double up on Zoom calls.  Finally: COVID-19 has been debilitating for “long haulers”, who’ve suffered symptoms for months on end. We’ll talk to two women dealing with “long COVID” about their experience, and hear from a doctor about what we know now that we didn’t several months ago.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Anna Roberts Gevalt, long COVID patient Chimére L. Smith, long COVID patient and advocate Rachel Feintzeig, work and life columnist, The Wall Street Journal Dr. Hana Akselrod, COVID-19 Lead, GWU Medical Faculty Associates Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Peter Bonaventure. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long Way Home: Chronic COVID and the Afghan Airlift

First up: The week’s biggest story is Afghanistan. We’ll break down how the Taliban took over so quickly, whether more people can get out safely, and what’s next for the country. Next: We’ll bring you the latest on the major earthquake in Haiti and the latest data breach affecting over 40 million people. Hint: if you’re a T-Mobile user, tune in. And click here for tips on how to keep your information safe.  Also: Remember hot girl summer? Enter: shot girl fall, because boosters are coming soon to a pharmacy near you.  Plus: We finally have the latest Census data. We’ll tell you three things you need to know about how America’s changed in the last 10 years.  Finally: We’re trying our hands at true crime, for a story about a mystery that’s stumped the entire U.S. intelligence community for five years. P.S. Here are the orgs we mentioned helping in Afghanistan:  Volunteer to support Afghans being evacuated to the US Become an Airbnb host for resettled Afghans  For lawyers: help process special immigrant visas Donate airline miles with Miles4Migrants Donate to the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee Make your voice heard here at home On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Kelly Kennedy, managing editor, The War Horse  Lina Abirafeh, executive director, the Arab Institute for Women Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sending Out an SOS: The Taliban Return, Booster Shots, Havana Syndrome

First up: We’ve got the latest on Afghanistan, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation and the CDC’s new guidelines on getting vaxxed while pregnant. Next: Kids are heading back to school IRL. We’ll dive into why keeping kids safe is more complicated than it sounds, and is causing some political throwdowns. Also: Fire up your phones. Vaccine passport apps are coming. We’ll skimm the process of signing up for them, to see if it’s as easy as advertised. (Here’s a link to some apps that are started to get used in a lot of places.) Plus: Apple recently it’s gonna work with the U.S. government to stop child abuse. We’ll get into why the move is raising the eyebrows of some privacy advocates. Finally: Lakes, reservoirs, and rivers across the Western U.S. are drying up. We called up two experts to figure out why, and to learn about what the future could hold. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Laura Meckler, national education reporter, The Washington Post Sharon B. Megdal, director, Water Resources Research Center, University of Arizona Becky Bolinger, assistant state climatologist, Colorado Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Best Laid Plans: Afghanistan, Droughts, and Back to School

First up: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from the results of a sexual harassment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to a new federal eviction moratorium, and what selling COVID vaccines means for pharma company profits. Next: We’ve got an exclusive interview with President Biden’s top doc, a.k.a. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Also: We’ve been hearing a lot about COVID-19 vaccine mandates lately, from employers to universities. We’ll talk with a legal expert about who can actually issue mandates, and how. Plus: Have you heard politicians and athletes invoking “HIPAA” to dodge questions on their vaccine status. We’ll bring you up to speed on what really HIPAA means … in 60 seconds. Finally: Happy birthday, MTV. 40 years after its founding, we’ll look back at the history of a channel that revolutionized the music industry and reality TV. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Dr. Vivek Murthy, United States Surgeon General Diane Hoffmann, director, Law and Health Care Program, University of Maryland Carey Law School Amanda Ann Klein, author, "Millennials Killed the Video Star: MTV's Transition to Reality Programming" Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Bridget Armstrong, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Real World: Vax Mandates, Dr. Vivek Murthy and MTV’s 40th

First up: We keep hearing about people getting COVID … who already got the vaccine. We’ll tell you what you need to know about these breakthrough infections, and why health rules around the country are changing fast. Next: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from the first hearing on the January 6th Capitol riot to the possible end of a key pandemic economic lifeline. Also: U.S. troops are leaving Iraq before the end of the year... kinda. We’ve got the context on what’s changing and not changing. Then: Last week, drug distributors and the pharma giant Johnson & Johnson reached a $26 billion dollar settlement related to the opioid epidemic. Is it enough? Plus: There were a ton of new scams during the pandemic. We’ve got the lowdown on the most common consumer complaints of 2020, and how to avoid them. Finally: We’ll chat with a sports reporter about the biggest headline from the first week of a very busy Olympics, on and off the field of competition.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Valerie Bauman, senior investigative reporter, Bloomberg Law Susan Grant, director of consumer protection and privacy, Consumer Federation of America Lindsay Czarniak, host, On Her Turf Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with support from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2020 2.0: Pandemic Woes and Endless Wars

First up: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from COVID cases at the Olympics to chip shortages and Jeff Bezos’ big adventure. Next: COVID cases are soaring again in the U.S. – that is, among the unvaccinated. We’ll talk to a researcher about the factors that have (and haven’t) made hesitant Americans change their minds about the vaccine in recent months. If you want to check out the full study, you can find it here.  Also: What does “back to normal” even look like? We’ll ask one journalist who’s been tracking how far away 50 countries are from pre-pandemic life. Plus: Trying to fit two years worth of weddings into a single Wedding Season is crushing our meticulous budgeting skills. We’ll talk to an expert on how we can stay on track with all the wedding gifts we have to buy. Finally: We’re not seeing ghosts, but we’re hearing them. A new doc featured some deep-faked voice AI to mimic late chef Anthony Bourdain’s voice. Can that ever be ethical? On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Ashley Kirzinger, associate director for public opinion and survey research, Kaiser Family Foundation James Fransham, data journalist, The Economist Bola Sokunbi, founder, Clever Girl Finance Karen Hao, senior AI editor, MIT Technology Review Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carry Me Away: To Tokyo, Space, and All the Weddings

First up: We’ll break down this week’s big stories, from anti-government protests in Cuba to Texas Dems literally fleeing the state. Next: Between booster shots and new side effect warnings, we’ll break down this week’s COVID vaccine news … in 60 seconds. Then: More than 35 million tax returns are MIA. We’ll explain the delays at the IRS, plus what’s going on with Biden’s new Child Tax Credit program. (P.S. If you’re wondering where your tax refund is, this IRS tool might come in handy) ICYMI: Finding an affordable house right now feels impossible. We’ll speak to some experts about why the housing market is so bananas, and how long it’s gonna stay like this. Plus: 100 American cities just got their fitness report cards. We asked an expert to break down what makes a city healthy and how each of us can take control of our health regardless of where we live. Finally: We’ll catch up with a reporter at the Cannes Film Festival about the glitz, glamour and some upcoming releases. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  NiCole Keith, Ph.D., member of the American Fitness Index Advisory Board, American College of Sports Medicine Daryl Fairweather, chief economist, Redfin Tricia Lee, real estate broker (@SoldByTriciaLee) Anicee Gohar, film correspondent Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Déjà Vu: Cuba Protests, Vax Debates, Sky-High Home Prices

In today’s world, context is clarity. "Skimm This" breaks down the most important stories of the day and explains why they matter. All in 10 minutes. Every Monday through Friday. All at 5PM.

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