Who’s Laughing in Trump’s Second Term?

Black women are three times more likely than white women to die of pregnancy-related causes.  CNN anchor Abby Phillip wanted to know why maternal mortality rates for Black women remaining stubbornly high – and who are the people trying to change that.  She joins Audie to talk about her newest report, where she goes to Los Angeles to meet mothers who are opting out of traditional hospital births, and the communities, midwives, doulas, and nurses working to make them feel heard and supported.  “Homebirth Journey: Saving Black Moms” will premiere on The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper on Sunday, December 17 at 9 pm ET/PT.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Des 202330min

Audie talks with journalist and podcaster Tara Palmeri about the tactics, frustrations, and the purpose of political journalism. The stops on Palmeri’s career journey prepared her well for this moment. She covered Brexit for Politico Europe, she was White House correspondent at ABC News, and early in her career, she learned all about former president Trump when she worked for his favorite place to appear in print, Page Six of the New York Post. Today, Palmeri is senior political correspondent at Puck News and she’s the host of one of our favorite podcasts, “Somebody’s Gotta Win,” a collaboration between Puck and The Ringer. We’d love to hear from you. Call and leave us your Assignments: ‪(202) 854-8802‬ or write to theassignment@cnn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Des 202329min

Ken Burns has been called “America’s Storyteller.” Audie spoke with him live on stage about his process, and about trying to get to the truth of a subject, especially in a political and cultural climate that actively challenges the very idea of truth. Their conversation was part of The Connecticut Forum's season of live, unscripted conversations among renowned experts and celebrities.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Des 202334min

The Obama/Biden ticket’s historic victory in 2008 was the result of massive turnout from Black voters, young voters, and college-educated Americans. Audie talks with Ashley Allison, a CNN commentator and former National Coalitions Director for Biden-Harris 2020 campaign, about the challenge Democrats face holding that coalition together. Call and leave us your Assignments: (202) 854-8802 or email TheAssignment@cnn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Des 202333min

The 28th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, begins this week. As global leaders convene to address the urgent challenges of our planet's changing climate, two creative minds join Audie to explore how we process the climate crisis. She explores how these creators infuse hope into their narratives, envisioning a world where art and storytelling inspire action and solutions.  For all of CNN’s COP28 coverage, go to cnn.com/RoadToCop  GUESTS  Sam Alfred is a video game designer from Cape Town, South Africa, who created Terra Nil, a mobile strategy game that challenges players to transform desolate landscapes into flourishing ecosystems.   Sequoia Nagamatsu is an author and professor. His book "How High We Go in the Dark," explores a future shaped by environmental crisis and generational resilience.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Nov 202326min

Mass deportations, a weaponized justice department, purges of civil servants: these are among the plans that former President Trump and his allies are making for a second term in the White House. CNN national correspondent Kristen Holmes has been traveling to Trump’s rallies and she has an analysis of what’s in the works for MAGA 2.0. Call and leave us your Assignments: (202) 854-8802 or email TheAssignment@cnn.com.  Reporting from Kristen Holmes: Trump’s radical second-term agenda would wield executive power in unprecedented ways  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Nov 202329min

The number of Americans who would say that they’re “extremely proud to be American” is at a record low, according to a recent Gallup poll. Perhaps that’s not surprising, given widespread political divisiveness across the country. Today – in time for Thanksgiving – Audie sits down with writer, comedian, and activist Baratunde Thurston to talk about what it means to be patriotic in an age of growing disillusionment. And more importantly — why does it matter?   Baratunde Thurston is the host and executive producer of the PBS television series America Outdoors, creator and host of How To Citizen, and a founding partner of the new media startup Puck. His comedic memoir, How To Be Black, is a New York Times best-seller.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Nov 202337min

New polling shows that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has moved into second place in New Hampshire, behind Donald Trump. Haley's momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed by the anti-Trump fundraisers looking for a horse to back. Audie talks with CNN Political Commentator Kevin Madden about the state of the race, and what Haley needs to do to maintain her momentum. Madden has worked on several Republican campaigns, including Mitt Romney’s 2012 bid for the White House.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Nov 202327min