What Next

Daily news and analysis from Slate.

Illustration depicting a female with a microphone

Listen longer

Slate Plus members get ad-free versions of all Slate podcasts, plus extra segments, bonus episodes, and more. Try it free today.

Join Slate Plus
Advertisement

About the Show

The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.

Host

  • Mary Harris is the host and managing editor of What Next, Slate's new daily news podcast. She has reported throughout the public radio system, for NPR, Marketplace, and WNYC.

What if the U.S. Just Didn’t?

America has an opportunity to take a back seat and embrace global collaboration.

What Does the Teachers Union Want?

It’s actually pretty simple.

How the Cherokee Nation Is Beating Back COVID

Pandemic preparation done right.

The NFL vs. COVID-19

A “rub some dirt in it” approach to the pandemic.

Making a Vaccine Go Viral

How do we get people to trust this thing?

Biden’s Window of Opportunity With Iran

A nuclear scientist’s assassination started a ticking clock.

Can Janet Yellen Save the Economy?

The progressivism of Biden’s choice for treasury secretary.

A Contact Tracer on Her Overwhelming Job

“What scares me is what are we going to be left with?”

A Small Business Finds Opportunity in Crisis

One Chicago retailer tries to turn his boutique into a beacon of hope.

A House Democrat Reflects on Her Defeat

“We pounded them on COVID and they pounded us on socialism.”

Georgia Runoffs Put Each Party to the Test

Can Republicans and Democrats turn out their base without Trump on the ballot?

The Perils of Prosecuting Trump

What would accountability look like for the president and his enablers?

What Biden Learned From the Last Crash

Make a deal you can sell. And, when in doubt, send people checks.

El Paso’s COVID Spike Didn’t Have to Happen

Multiple leadership failures paved the way for uncontrollable viral spread.

Worst. Transition. Ever.

Who could have predicted this? Well, a lot of people.

Not All of the Polls Were Wrong

A conversation with the Iowa pollster who called this election right.

Republicans’ Down-Ballot Power Grab

2021 redistricting could entrench Republican gerrymanders for 10 more years.

How Democrats Took Latino Voters for Granted

Latino voters were a mixed bag for Democrats depending on where you looked.

Biden Won. What Now?

Who will the Biden administration have to work with?

What We Know So Far

Joe Biden is knocking on the door of the presidency. If he wins, can his governing style work?