Delaware Could Elect the Nation’s First Trans State Senator
Sarah McBride made waves at the Democratic National Convention in 2016 as the first transgender person to speak at a major party convention. Three years and many political successes later, McBride is trying to add another win to her résumé. One that would make her the first elected openly transgender state senator in America’s history. Guest: Sarah McBride, candidate for Senate District 1 in Delaware. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
19 Aug 201924min
How to Avoid a Recession
Did your heart skip a beat reading and hearing about all the economic news this week? Today on the show we explain just what’s happening in the markets and try to pin down why things are happening the way they are. Plus, we offer a few possible ways to stave off the worst of an economic downturn. Guest: Jordan Weissmann, Slate’s senior business and economics correspondent Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16 Aug 201919min
Hong Kong’s Protesters Have No Good Options
This week the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong escalated, as activists effectively shut down an airport and beat up suspected imposters. Activists show no sign of letting up, even though the local government has withdrawn the extradition bill that initially sparked outcry. How could this possibly end? Guest: Yvonne Chiu, professor at the U.S. Naval War College. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
15 Aug 201921min
The Iowa State Fair Will Never Make Sense
Another presidential primary means another trip to the Iowa State Fair. But the Democratic Party’s new rules for thinning down the field of candidates means a photo-op with a turkey leg isn’t all it used to be. Guest: Slate’s politics writer Jim Newell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 Aug 201919min
The Gangs and Corruption Fueling the Border Crisis
The demographics of migrants crossing the southern border of the United States have changed over the last several decades. What used to be young Mexican men seeking economic opportunity has turned into families seeking refuge from broken Central American governments. Sonia Nazario has spent decades reporting from Honduras, a country where corruption runs rampant and gangs have become the de facto government. She says that the foreign aid that the Trump administration has cut off to Central America is the very aid that could help solve the crisis at the southern border. Guest: Sonia Nazario, journalist and author of Enrique's Journey: The Story of a Boy's Dangerous Odyssey to Reunite with His Mother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13 Aug 201921min
Can Any School Be Massacre-Proof?
In the absence of new federal laws to address mass shootings, school safety has become a design problem. Guest host Henry Grabar asks: How are architects responding to an era of active shooter drills and bulletproof backpacks? Guest: Jenine Kotob, architectural designer at Hord Coplan Macht. Podcast production by Mary Wilson and Jayson De Leon. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12 Aug 201921min
Ferguson Revisited: A Prosecutor’s Power
Five years ago Wesley Bell watched as protests erupted across Ferguson in the wake of Michael Brown’s death. Bell, the son of a police officer, stood between the protestors and the police as he watched Ferguson descend into chaos. In an effort to make lasting change in the community he decided to run for public office. Seven months ago, he won. In our third and final episode revisiting Ferguson, we talk to Wesley Bell about his new role as St. Louis County’s top prosecutor and how he has decided to use his power. Guest: Wesley Bell, prosecuting attorney, St. Louis County Listen to Parts 1 and 2 of our series, “The Worst Night” and “Questioning the Legend.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 Aug 201921min
Ferguson Revisited: Questioning the Legend
There are two stories of what happened in Ferguson, Missouri, the day Michael Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson: the story we heard immediately after, and the story we came to know months later. In the second part of our three-part series, we ask: If we misremember Michael Brown’s death, does that change Ferguson’s legacy? Guest: John McWhorter, writer, professor, and host of Lexicon Valley. Listen to Part 1 of our series, “The Worst Night” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8 Aug 201921min
