What Next

Is FEMA Heading Towards Disaster?

A smaller agency is better than none at all, right?

ICYMI

Phone Etiquette Is In The Toilet

Culture Gabfest

You’re My Obsession Edition

Decoder Ring

No Pulp: The Killing of the Florida Orange
All Slate Podcasts Check out all of our award-winning shows, past episodes, and more. View All
For questions about subscriptions or your Slate Plus feed, check our FAQ.
Political Gabfest

The “Corruption Never Stops’ Edition

DOJ creates $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” slush fund while Trump gets retroactive IRS immunity; Trump helps defeat his last Republican critics amid his own cratering approval ratings; and Hennepin County charges ICE agent for shooting during Minneapolis crackdown in a test of the limits of federal power.

Bonus: Neil Gorsuch, Uninteresting on Purpose

Slow Burn’s new season explores the rise and repercussions of Justice Gorsuch.
What Next

Is FEMA Heading Towards Disaster?

A smaller agency is better than none at all, right?
Care and Feeding

The End of Hell Week

Lucy’s kids’ plays are finally over, Elizabeth gets in on thrift store action, and Zak has a houseguest. Plus, a dramatic reading.
What Next

Pour One Out for Stephen Colbert

Soft censorship, or simply the overdue end of an era?
Decoder Ring

No Pulp: The Killing of the Florida Orange

The state’s once mighty citrus industry has collapsed. We investigate the culprits.
Culture Gabfest

You’re My Obsession Edition

On this week’s show, our panel gets into the indie horror Obsession, the new series Widow’s Bay, and the internet pile-on du jour over Mac Barnett and the alleged “crud” of children’s literature.

Bonus: Are Book Clubs Actually Great?

The good, bad, and insufferable about book clubs.
ICYMI

Phone Etiquette Is In The Toilet

Phones are invading movie theaters, public transit, and workout classes—and no one cares.
Death, Sex & Money

A Brat Pack Star Remembers How to Have Friends

When actor Andrew McCarthy realized his male friendships were fading, he opted for some radical solutions.
What Next

A Tale of Two Weenies

Politicians weighing the risk-reward of defying the president are erring on the side of giving in.
What Next

ICE Dragged Her from Her Car. She Says, See You In Court.

You broke it, you bought it, ICE.
Care and Feeding

Bribing Kids to Read?

Does your kid hate reading? This challenge may change their mind.

Plus Playground: Summer Reading (for Parents!)

Lucy, Elizabeth and Zak reveal what books they’re loving right now.
What Next: TBD

TBD Tries…Roblox

Is it actually dangerous for kids, or a scapegoat for a larger problem?
Slate Money

We Need to Talk About Kevin (Warsh)

Kevin Warsh is confirmed as Fed Chair, Trump talks tech with Xi, and the chip market rides the AI boom.

Bonus: Subscription Exasperation

Has the subscription model reached critical mass?
Gabfest Reads

Why Liberalism Needs to Reclaim the Center

Adrian Wooldridge discusses how a 250-year-old liberal tradition is under threat from both the far right and far left—and why rescuing it matters for democracy.
Amicus

Return of the Abortion Pill Wars

Mifepristone is back at the Supreme Court. Democrats need to make the stakes clear.

Bonus: Doorbuster Deals in the Judge-Shopping World

The legal establishment is losing patience with the DOJ. Some judges are speaking out.
ICYMI

Right-Wing Creators Are In Their Flop Era

The once-powerful media ecosystem is starting to crumble.

Bonus: The Influencer Caught Snarking On Herself

Followers think Elena Taber is behind a snarky Reddit account.
Hit Parade

Dancing With Himself Edition

Billy Idol reinvented punk for the MTV era, then clawed his way to the top of the charts by trying on multiple genres.
What Next

SchadenFriday: Ben Shapiro’s Short—as in Abrupt—Decline

You can picture his voice so clearly—but it’s probably been a while since you actually heard it.
What Next: TBD

Trump Visits the First World

The president dozes off to China to pass on the global hegemon torch.
Political Gabfest

The “Nevertheless, Xi Persisted” Edition

Trump and his entourage of tech leaders travel to China for a high-stakes summit with Xi; the Trump administration explores declaring victory in Iran to end the war while avoiding admitting defeat; and Republicans win the latest round of gerrymandering.

Bonus: The Vape Escape

FDA chief Makary resigns under pressure from the tobacco industry and anti-abortion groups.