Skimm This

First up: We’ll break down the headlines, including what got settled at a meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and China, why the sports world is on edge after the disappearance of a Chinese tennis star, new consumer spending data, and why the House voted to censure Republican Paul Gosar.

Next: Vladimir Putin is causing headaches for world leaders again. We’ll ask one expert: why is Russia stirring up trouble with Poland and Ukraine, and firing missiles into space? 

Then: We’ve got an exclusive chat with Mayor Pete — or rather, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg — on what the newly-passed infrastructure bill will mean for your town or city.

ICYMI: Elon Musk has been all over the news lately: selling Tesla stocks, insulting politicians, and telling the U.N. he’d help solve world hunger if they showed him a plan. We’ll save you a scroll down his Twitter feed with a breakdown of what he’s been up to … in 60 seconds.

Plus: November is Native American Heritage Month. We’ll speak to one expert about the dark history of American assimilation policies, and what new research is uncovering.

Finally: Ahead of Thanksgiving, we called up a few of our doctor friends to ask what they’re doing to celebrate the holiday safely this year.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Additional support from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: Nine people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival last weekend. We called up one local reporter who was on the scene to explain what happened, whether this tragedy could have been prevented, and what it means for live music. 

Next: Congress finally passed its $1.2 billion infrastructure bill. We’ve got the details on how the money’s gonna be spent.

Then: The U.N.’s climate talks are starting to wrap up. We’ll talk to a climate reporter about what new commitments countries brought to the negotiations, as well as what they didn’t.

ICYMI: We’ve got a roundup of some of this week’s biggest stories, from Nicaragua’s elections and Belarus’ border to how a hand signal learned on TikTok saved a life.

Plus: We’ll break down this week’s top business headlines, including the U.S. welcoming back foreign visitors and why everyone from Amazon to Spectrum is begging you to work for them.

Finally: We’ve got an infrastructure bill, but we’re still waiting on its counterpart: the social spending bill that, at one point, contained paid family leave. We’ve got an update on what’s holding it up.

P.S. Here’s how to do the TikTok hand signal for distress, and here’s the research on why wish-lists for gifts are better for everyone.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: We’ve got a breakdown of what went down in elections all over the country this week, and what it could mean for next year’s midterms. 

Next: We’ll get into this week’s other big stories, from the latest on COVID-19 vaccines for kids to workplace vaccine mandates and Facebook’s retreat from facial recognition.

Then: Texas’ restrictive abortion law wound up in front of the Supreme Court again this week. We listened in on the arguments — and called up two of our lawyer friends to tell us what’s likely to happen next.

Plus: The U.N.’s yearly climate talks around underway — and people keep talking about greenwashing. We’ll explain what it actually is and how you can avoid it.

ICYMI: You might have heard someone say “Let’s Go Brandon!” at some point in the last few weeks. Here’s why it probably isn’t aimed at a Brandon near you.

Finally: New research finds women are better investors than men. We’ll talk to an expert about why that might be.

P.S. Here’s a tool you can use to figure out if your fave clothing company is as sustainable as it says it is, and here’s a tool to help screen your investments.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: So much for paid family leave. Democrats unveiled a more than $1 trillion spending bill this week, but it’s leaving a lot of people disappointed. We’ll catch up with one Capitol Hill reporter to find out why.

Next: We’ve got the latest on Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids under 12, the coup in Sudan, the U.N.’s scary climate report and the U.S. asking passport holders: is your gender M, F or X?

ICYMI: The midterm elections aren’t until 2022, but Election Day next Tuesday could set the tone for next year’s midterms. We’ll break down what to look out for.

Then: October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. We’ll explain what miscarriages are, and we’ll ask two fertility specialists: what are the best things to say to someone who’s going through one?

Let’s talk biz: A bunch of companies announced their Q3 earnings this week, and plenty of them announced more price increases for consumers. We’ll explain what’s driving that.

Plus: Facebook has had so much bad press lately, but the headlines are barely making a dent in the company’s profits. We’ll talk to one reporter about Facebook’s handling of the “Facebook Papers” scandal.

Finally: If the “nature is healing” memes got you through some dark moments last year, now there’s actual science to show you’re not alone. Literally, memes are good for our health. We’ll get into just why that is.

P.S. We’ve got resources for anyone dealing with loss or grief after a miscarriage here.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Additional support from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: We’ve got the latest on COVID booster shots, over-the-counter hearing aids, a breakthrough organ transplant, and a high-profile kidnapping in Haiti. 

Next: Congress’ January 6th investigation is picking up steam. We’ll break down what info they’re after, and why former Trump advisor Steve Bannon is coming up in all of this. 

ICYMI: It’s flu season again, and experts are warning about a “twindemic.” We’ll Skimm what that could look like … in 60 seconds.

Then: Netflix employees staged a virtual walkout this week, after the streaming giant defended the release of a controversial Dave Chapelle comedy special. We listened in on Netflix’s earning call to figure out where the company really stands.

Plus: Workers are getting ready to walk all over the country, as labor unions prepare to strike for better pay, conditions and hours. We’ll look at why so many strikes are happening that this month has been dubbed “Striketober.” 

Finally: We’ve spent the last year craving a vacation. And it seems like Saudi Arabia heard our prayers… although we can’t say hanging out on an oil rig is exactly our speed. 

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: We’ve got the latest on I.C.E. ending worksite immigration raids, Social Security payments increasing, and the F.D.A.’s first approval of a vape pen. 

Then: We’ve spent a lot of time talking about COVID-19 vaccines — but what about treatments? We’ll ask one expert about the difficult work of discovering COVID treatments, Merck’s new pill, and any new treatments we can expect.

Next: Texas has made a lot of headlines this year, from restricting voting rights and abortion access to easing up on gun control. We’ll talk to one reporter about why Texas is testing so many hot-button issues right now.

ICYMI: Millions of Americans are looking to switch careers, but actually making that switch can be tricky. We’ll explore what’s complicating “The Great Reshuffle,” and how some companies are trying to improve things.

Finally: Is the #MeToo movement finally coming for big-league sports? We’ll talk to theSkimm’s own Bridget Armstrong about football’s dirty (and not little) secret, and why the music industry — and hip hop in particular – is also waiting for its #MeToo groundswell.

P.S. We’ve got a whole new show dedicated to all things pop culture. Listen and subscribe here.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: We’ve got the latest on a groundbreaking new malaria vaccine, the Facebook whistleblower in front of Congress, the abortion battle in Texas, and how South Dakota became a global tax haven.

Next: It might start taking longer — and costing more — to mail a letter. And that’s not all: it’s getting pricier to catch an Uber and heat your home (with natural gas). We’ll break down why.

ICYMI: Tech companies are in a war for your attention at work, and Microsoft came to flex … with a lot of notifications.

Then: Three coaches from the National Women’s Soccer League have been fired since August over allegations of misconduct, including one bombshell case of sexual coercion. We’ll talk to a former player about how the system leaves women’s soccer players vulnerable, and why that needs to change. 

Finally: If you binged ‘Squid Game’ last weekend … us too. We’ll chat with a culture writer about why we’re all so obsessed.

P.S., If Squid Game left you craving more, here are a few recs for what to watch next.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: We’ve got the latest on a major congressional hearing on Afghanistan, plus why March Madness isn't just for the boys anymore.

Next: Congress is running up against a few key deadlines — from a resolution to fund the government and avoid hitting the debt ceiling. We asked a DC reporter: why are reps cutting it so close?  

ICYMI: There’s been a lot of buzz (and confusion) about booster shots lately. We’ll break down who’s eligible … in 60 seconds.

Then: We’ve got a roundup of this week’s most important tech stories, from Apple’s foray into depression diagnosis to Facebook hitting pause on Instagram for Kids and NYC’s new bill to protect food delivery workers.

Plus: Supply chain woes mean it might already be time to start shopping for the holidays. We’ll look at why retailers are struggling to stock their shelves. 

Finally: We’ve heard a lot about the importance of “the Latino vote” in 2020. But politicians keep missing the mark when it comes to engaging Latino voters. We’ll talk to two experts about what political campaigns should be doing differently, and why understanding Latino voters is good for all voters.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: Thousands of Haitian migrants are gathering at the U.S.-Mexico border. We’ll break down why they’re there and why the U.S. government’s response is stirring up controversy.

Then: We’ve got the latest on Pfizer’s vaccine for kids under 12, new rules for travelers entering the U.S.., Canada’s elections, and the first legal challenges to the new abortion law in Texas.

ICYMI: This week, we listened in on world leaders having a real life reunion at the U.N. General Assembly. We’ve got the details on their discussions.

Plus: We’ve heard a lot of warnings lately about the U.S. hitting its “debt ceiling.” We’ll break down what the debt ceiling is, why it exists, and how Congress is responding.

Next: The U.S. is facing a childcare shortage. And a nursing shortage. We’ll take a deep dive into both industries and explore why solving these staffing shortages won’t be easy. 

Finally: The 2021 Emmys kicked off this year’s awards season. We’ll discuss the highs, lows, and expectations for other awards shows.  

To share your story from the front lines of the childcare and nursing industries, leave us a voicemail at (646) 461-6370.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up: We’ve got an exclusive interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, where we got the chance to ask about everything from vaccine mandates on airplanes and in schools to his biggest pandemic mistakes.

Next: We’ll get into the latest headlines, from explosive revelations about the final days of the Trump administration, to the results of California’s recall election, and why college students are swapping wine for weed.

Then: The federal government is trying to stop Texas’s restrictive new abortion law. We quizzed a legal expert on whether that and other legal efforts are likely to succeed.

ICYMI: Remember the freakout over Google Glass? Facebook hopes you forgot. It’s launching Ray Bans featuring a hidden camera, and doing so at a time when it’s reputation already isn’t great. 

Finally: We’ll look at the chillest new prescription some doctors are starting to write. Hint: there’s no co-pay. (Here’s how to find an outdoor space nearby if you’re itching to get outdoors.

P.S., Here’s what happened when Joanna Stern tried out Facebook’s hybrid camera-glasses. 

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Want more Skimm? 

Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Luke Vargas, and Ciara Long, with help from Sagine Corrielus. Engineered by Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices