News Nerds

 Hello!

Today will be marked as a historic day in America. Kamala Harris made history by becoming get first woman and person of color to serve as a Vice President. She and Biden were sworn in today. Ezra will give you a report on what happened at the ceremony, and what Biden plans to do with his first few days in office. He's already signed 17 executive orders! President Trump was absent from the ceremony, because of his refusal to acknowledge his loss in the election. I also get a perspective from from a small art museum in Florida called the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. I talk to Emily Sujka who is the director of community relations at the museum. The Morse Museum is known to hold the world's most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's glass creations. We also have new updates in the geographical location challenge. A new country joins the international challenge. And you get to listen to the clarinet! (No, not from a professional player, from ME) I play two Christmas songs even though Christmas was last month. 

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Hello,

On this week's episode Ezra talks about the second impeachment of Donald J. Trump. This time, Democrats are impeaching the president because of his remarks last Wednesday to his supports that would later arrive to the US capital, breach the capital system, and put lawmakers lives at risk. They are also citing his refusal to concede in the presidential election that he lost. Republicans are countering these arguments with their own arguments. Hear this and more on News Nerds episode 32. You will also hear from David Quammen over a 40 minute interview. He is a science writer that has written numerous books including The Twisted Tree, and Spillover, abut animal infection and the next pandemic. He talks to me about Spillover and what this new animal caused pandemic means for humanity. I STRONGLY encourage you to read the book. It's a good one! Also, new countries have joined the geographical location challenge including Switzerland (many more countries were not listed in the challenge, but other countries have visited the website for their first time like South Africa). Thanks for listening to this episode, and don't forget to share it with a friend...

Hello,

On what was a terrible day for many Americans, the US Capital Building has been stormed by rioters from the extreme right. Rioters stormed the building Wednesday, halting the confirmation of the Electoral Votes from the 2020 election. Thousands broke into the capital with guns and Trump signs. Police tried to restrain these moves, and after hours of this, the building was evacuated. Lawmakers abruptly went into recess because of angry rioters that were invading the chamber while the senate and house were in session. One woman died, and more than 7 were hospitalized. Anger arose at the horrific nature of these riots. Many thought that nothing this terrible could have happened. This moment will be remembered as a dark time in American politics. This unnecessary series of events comes as Democrats take control of the senate. Both Democratic candidates declared victory after Tuesday's runoff election. This narrow senate control may make things easier for incoming president Joe Biden. This may make bills easier to pass because of these seats that Democrats picked up in Georgia. Georgia hasn't seen Democratic senators since 2000. I talk to dad and actor Philip Winchester. He talks to me about being a dad, how his acting career took off, and his current acting career. It was great to talk to Philip about acting! And, Debbie! She returns from New York for a third interview, this time with a news quiz at the end. You'll see how she does, and find out what it is like to be a grandma!!!

Thanks,

Ezra

 Hey!

On this week's episode I look back on the most popular items of 2020. These include the Apple AirPods, a avocado kitchen tool, and of course the TUB SHROOM. The TubShroom is a gross little piece of equipment that CNN's Underscored recommended. It's like your drain plug, except you can clean it and be rewarded with a ball of your hair. Also, a certain state that we know well from our geographical location challenge rose 1% (guess which state!). Then, we have a special report on the first case of the new covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 which was identified in Colorado. This is the first case of the B.1.1.7 strain in the United States that was first identified in the UK. Now the UK is smashing it's previous records for new cases. 

This the first episode in the 4th season of News Nerds! As we celebrate a new year, News Nerds is releasing new episodes EVERY week! As we transition to a new year with a 4th season, we need YOUR listener support, as well as YOUR FRIENDS. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or (and most appreciated!) send out a group message with a link to this show.

Thanks,

Ezra

This week: We summarize 2020 in a helpful wrap up segment. Aren't you happy to be rid of 2020?! In the wrap up is the 2020 election, the BLM protests, climate change, and of course, covid-19. We remember a few people that have died from covid-19. Bernice Silver's video can be found here. Also, the John Prine extra is here. Also, congress approves a new covid-19 relief bill. What is actually inside of it? I'll summarize the bill on this week's episode so you don't have to read 6,000 pages of legislation! Our listener challenge winner is Barbara in Montana! Congrats!

As we celebrate a new year, News Nerds is releasing new episodes EVERY week! As we transition to a new year with a 4th season, we need YOUR listener support, as well as YOUR FRIENDS. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or (and most appreciated!) send out a group message with a link to this show.  

Thanks so much!

Episode 28 is out now. On this week's episode I talk to Dr. Brian Von Herzen. He is in Brisbane Australia. He is a climate scientist and has been featured in the 2040 documentary. He belongs to the Climate Foundation and talks to me about this organizations efforts, the issue of climate change and the Marin life in Australia. This 30 minute interview is packed with his expertise. It's a good one! Also Norway joins the geographical location challenge, and a new listener challenge is out now. Please respond via email, website, or voice message. Here it is:

Thanks,

Ezra

Episode 27 is out now. On this week's episode, I interview Peg Mulqueen. She is a yoga instructor, and operates from the website ashtangadispatch.com. She tell me more about the current events at the Ashtanga Dispatch, and more about the style of Ashtanga Yoga. We also have a winner of the listener challenge, a musical segment, the Galapagos tortoise, and a geographical location challenge.

Episode 26 is out now. On this week's episode, I interview Dr. John Swartzberg. He is the clinical professor at the school of public health at UC Berkeley college in California. He talks to me about covid-19, covid-19 testing, vaccines, and the US's handling of this pandemic. In a 50 minute interview, he covers much of what you need to know in the upcoming weeks in the covid-19 pandemic. You may be awestruck by some of this new science that is being put into vaccines. Did you know that AstraZeneca and Oxfords vaccine is made with a sickness found in chimpanzees? Learn more when you listen to John Swartzberg. Also, the News Nerds listener challenge is back with a new prize. Here it is:

This week on News Nerds, President Elect Joe Biden will not be receiving crucial intelligence briefings, office space, and computers for some of his workers. This is because of Donald Trump's refusal to concede. And, Pfizer and Moderna both have released their successful vaccines! Both of these are over 90% affective in stopping mild, and severe cases of covid-19. Senator Lindsey Graham of North Carolina was on a call with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger of Georgia. Raffensperger says that Graham asked if he could potentially make legally cast absentee ballots in the state invalid. Lindsey Graham says he said nothing like this. And, new listeners in Bosnia and Herzegovina! All on this week's episode of News Nerds...

PRESIDENT ELECT JOE BIDEN: WHAT HIS PLANS ARE, AND HOW HE WON ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE