Skimm This

Skimm This

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Skimm This episodes

  • Burning Questions: Jeffrey Epstein, Russian Missiles, Endangered Species

    Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide has left his accusers and the public demanding answers about why he was removed from suicide watch. We’ll explain why the federal facility that held him – and the Justice Department – are under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Russia keeps changing its story about a nuclear-powered rocket explosion that killed seven people last week. We’ll examine how Russia’s mysterious actions fit into a possible new arms race. Also on the show: the Trump administration is limiting protections for endangered species, and a new perfume claims to recreate the scent of Egyptian queen Cleopatra. 

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    13 min
  • SPECIAL EPISODE: A Deep Dive Into Deepfakes

    Imagine a computer downloading footage or photos of you from the internet and using them to create a video of you saying something you’ve never said. Sounds more than a little sinister, right? It might not be a sci-fi thing of the future anymore, thanks to advances in deepfakes. On today’s episode, we take a deep dive into deepfakes – what they are, how they are made, and the headaches they can cause. We’ll look at why lawmakers are concerned about their possible effect on elections, but also how researchers are enlisting other computers in the fight to help us spot - and stop - these videos.

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    13 min
  • Lay Of The Land: Climate Report, Immigration Raids, Iowa State Fair

    The UN’s latest climate change report says the way we are using land is seriously damaging the planet. We dive into the main findings, what problems we are causing, and what we really need to change. Then, ICE agents arrested some 680 workers at food plants in Mississippi, saying they were not allowed to work in the US. We’ll look at what this means for the workers, their families, and the plants. Also on the show, presidential hopefuls are set to descend on the Iowa State Fair, and scientists are creating ‘Atomik’ vodka from rye grown around Chernobyl. 

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    12 min
  • Pressure Points: Venezuela Sanctions, Gun Laws, and "Impeachment"

    The Trump admin still has issues with Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro -- and it’s using new sanctions to try to squeeze him out of office. Venezuela calls it “economic terrorism.” We’ll look at whether these sanctions could have their intended effect. Also: today President Trump visited survivors and first responders of the mass shootings in Dayton, OH and El Paso, TX. We’ll look at gun laws in both states. And finally: Monica Lewinsky is producing a TV show about a certain presidential impeachment, and how toilet paper is going eco-friendly. 

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    13 min
  • Language Matters: Mass Shootings, China Currency, and Toni Morrison

    We’re still learning more about the two mass shootings that took place in Texas and Ohio over the weekend. Lawmakers are placing blame for these acts of violence on a bunch of things: from violent video games, to mental illness, to anti-immigrant hate speech. We’ll explain the arguments being made. Meanwhile: the US is calling China a ‘currency manipulator’. We’ll explain why China weakening its currency is getting people riled up and how it’s connected to the ongoing trade war. Finally, we wrap up with a few words from Toni Morrison – the groundbreaking African American author who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Her books and essays transformed her into an icon of American literature. We will miss her. 

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    12 min
  • No More Words: Mass Shootings in US, Tensions in Kashmir, and Hong Kong Protests

    This weekend in the US, there were two deadly mass shootings: one in Texas, and one in Ohio. They were less than 13 hours apart, and at least 31 people were killed. From increasing background checks, to shutting down websites hosting white supremacist content, to making ‘domestic terrorism’ a federal crime, we’ll explain who is calling for what. Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan are running extremely high, after the Indian government announced a plan to revoke the ‘special status’ of the disputed – and until now, largely autonomous – border region of Kashmir. Also on today’s episode: anti-government protesters block the streets of Hong Kong, and Japan is going back to the future with flying cars. 

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    13 min
  • Dark and Stormy: Nuclear Treaty, Trade, and Happy Hour

    The US officially pulled out of a historic Cold War arms control deal today. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty helped the US and Soviet Union reduce their nuclear stockpiles. But these days, President Trump wants to spend more on new weapons, and so does Russian President Vladimir Putin. We’ll explain why there’s no need to build a bunker just yet. The US has also just made its next move in its trade war with China, and China isn’t thrilled. Also on today’s episode: Saudi women are gaining a bit more freedom, and AI is changing happy hour.

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    13 min
  • Burden of Proof: Criminal Justice Reform, A$AP Rocky, and Robocalls

    Onstage at last night’s democratic debate, candidates went after each other on their criminal justice records. Things got heated -- and personal. We’ll explain the history here. Meanwhile, rapper A$AP Rocky took the stand in Sweden today. He’s accused of being involved in a fight, and was charged with assault. Rocky says: ‘not guilty.’ And now US officials are backing him up. Also on today’s episode: good news for phone-owners everywhere, and Woodstock 50 organizers face the music.

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

    12 min
  • Making The Most Of It: Medicare For All, Interest Rates, and Grasshoppers

    Medicare for All was all the rage at last night’s democratic debate. And not necessarily in a good way. We’ll tell you why Dems are divided over it, and what to expect for the second part of the debate tonight. Meanwhile: today, the Fed cut interest rates for the first time in a decade. If you’re asking yourself, ‘why now?’ -- you’re not alone. But the Fed chair is telling everyone: think global. We’ll tell you what this news means for your wallet. Also on today’s episode: how one restaurant is taking ‘make lemons out of lemonade’ seriously.

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    13 min
  • Keeping Watch: Dems Debate, Capital One Data Breach, and Robot Contacts

    Live from Detroit, it’s round two of the 2020 democratic primary debates. You know the drill: ten candidates tonight, and ten more tomorrow. But the dynamics have shifted since round one. We’ll tell you what to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, a woman has been charged in one of the biggest data breaches ever. She allegedly stole info from over 100 million credit card applications - including things like Social Security numbers. If this rings a bell: that’s because massive data breaches are kind of a thing lately. We’ll tell you what you need to know. Also on today’s episode: why Katy Perry is in hot water over “Dark Horse,” and contact lenses that let you pretend you’re James Bond.

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    12 min

About Skimm This

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“Skimm This” tackles important topics that impact women, and empowers generations of women to live smarter. Listen to our miniseries throughout the year, airing on Thursdays. 

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