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On this week's episode: Elizabeth, Aymann and guest-host Michaela Smith discuss their triumphs and fails for the week. Then they answer a question from a listener whose 4 year old daughter has recently become obsessed with wearing makeup. Should her mother be worried about this new development or just let it play out naturally? Later, they have some advice for a parent whose toddler is dealing with some separation anxiety. What can she do to help support her daughter through these difficult feelings? In Slate Plus: It's almost officially fall! So we're discussing what we're most looking forward to and some of our favorite fall activities to do with the family.  Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends reading Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems with your kids.   Aymann recommends giving out compliments more often! It's been a saving grace for him and his wife during the stressful first few months of parenthood.   Michaela recommends getting ahead of your child's anxiety or other big feelings by consulting your pediatrician about counseling. Learning coping skills early on can really help us later in life! Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts  Elizabeth Newcamp is a co-host of Mom and Dad Are Fighting. She's a traveling mother of three boys who chronicles her misadventures at Dutch, Dutch, Goose. Aymann Ismail is an award winning staff writer at Slate whose work focuses on identity and religion.  Michaela Smith is the mom to her three littles based out of Colorado Springs, CO.  Social @dutchdutchgoose on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dutchdutchgoose/ @aymanndotcom on Twitter https://twitter.com/aymanndotcom Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate staff writers Rebecca Onion and Heather Schwedel dive into girls' and women's magazines. Many outlets like Sassy and CosmoGirl have been shuttered or moved to online-only editions. With the recent resurrection of teen magazine icon Atoosa Rubenstein in the media, Rebecca and Heather talk about what made these types of magazines pop and how problematic they were for their audience​​—especially the young girls. Then they dig into the lasting impact these relics have in the digital age.  Recommendations: Rebecca: The 2016 PBS show Victoria and Nicola Griffith's book Ammonite. Heather: Listening to music, especially if you usually listen to podcasts.    Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last few years and particularly during the pandemic, New York City's delivery workers have become a key part of the food industry's infrastructure, allowing restaurants to do business with customers too stressed to leave their desks or too afraid of catching a dangerous virus to show up themselves. But a growing incidence of violent attacks and bike thefts has laid bare just how vulnerable the people who bring you your takeout are. Why is it that such essential workers have been exploited by the apps that rely on them, abandoned by the police and the city, and forced to band together just to get by? Guest: Josh Dzieza, an investigations editor and feature writer at The Verge covering technology, business, and climate change. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LulaRich, a new documentary from Amazon, tells the story of LulaRoe, a multi-level marketing company on selling leggings to women. On today's episode, Rachelle and Madison discuss their own encounters with MLMs, the importance of Facebook Live videos in this company's rise, and who the documentary chooses to ignore when telling this story. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners of Steve Bannon's “War Room” podcast have mobilized to take over the GOP from the ground up. Convinced the 2020 election was stolen, many far-right Republicans are moving to run elections themselves as precinct officers.  Guest: Isaac Arnsdorf, national politics reporter for ProPublica. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christina, Bryan and Slate Senior Managing Producer June Thomas say farewell to outgoing host Rumaan Alam, then welcome journalist Casey Newton to discuss Grindr's data security problem and its inherent potential for ruining self-esteem. They then delve into Todd Stephens' Swan Song, a beautiful new film about an old queen, his cross-town journey to find hair products fit for styling his dead client, and the closure it brings. Items discussed in the show: Swan Song, directed by Todd Stephens Gay Agenda Christina: Eric Cervini's Queer History 101 June: Olivia on the Record by Ginny Berson Bryan: two-room tents! This podcast was produced by Katya Kumkova. Please send feedback, topic ideas, and advice questions to outwardpodcast@slate.com. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Lavery welcomes Marissa Miller, author of Pretty Weird: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Other Oddly Empowering Lessons (Skyhorse)  Lavery and Miller tackle two letters: First, from a letter writer who is wondering if she should put the energy into exposing her ex-husband's lies. Another letter writer is wondering how to keep their really bad FOMO from upsetting their partner.   Slate Plus members get another episode of Big Mood, Little Mood every Friday: sign up now! Need advice? Send Danny a question here. Email: mood@slate.com Production by Phil Surkis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every kid sneaks a cookie from the cookie jar, but Jamie's 8 year-old daughter Simone has taken it to the next level. If you look under her pillow or in the back of her closet, you'll find stashes of candy wrappers and other illicit items. When confronted, Simone never cracks under pressure. Jamie is worried that if this behavior isn't stopped soon, Simone will grow up to be a “supervillain.” On this episode of How To!, we bring on Christina and Ryan Hillsberg, authors of License to Parent: How my career as a spy helped me raise resourceful, self-sufficient kids. They draw on their years of experience at the CIA to help Jamie figure out how to handle Simone's sly behavior. Is there any way to harness it for good? Christina and Ryan give Jamie a crash course in building trust and influencing people without them realizing it. If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Convince People to Give You Money.”  Do you have a question with no easy answers? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Ben Zimmer tells Nicole Holliday how he's been brushing up his Dutch. They also interview Cindy Blanco, senior learning specialist for the online language-learning app, Duolingo. And finally, we invite a listener to play a quiz that looks at the Dutch roots of some English words. We hope you're ready!! You could win a year's membership to Slate Plus. Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at spectacular@slate.com.   Produced by Jasmine Ellis.  Here are some notes and references from this week's show: Duolingo blog. Subscribe to Slate Plus. It's only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the fall semester begins at U.S. universities, faculty and staff and institutions of higher education are at a breaking point. Widespread feelings of burnout were laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic, but the conditions leading to them were present long before.  Guest: Lindsay Ellis, senior reporter at The Chronicle of Higher Education.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus pandemic has left no part of the world untouched, including global manufacturing supply chains. The complex system that keeps goods moving throughout the world has struggled to catch up ever since it was disrupted in early 2020. Now, 18 months later, product delays aren't going anywhere.  Guest: Austen Hufford, U.S. manufacturing reporter for The Wall Street Journal.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode focuses on a crucial skill for staying relevant as industries change and the world evolves: lifelong learning. Kristen Meinzer's first guest is Guy Kawasaki, Chief Evangelist of Canva, creator of the Remarkable People podcast, and author of fifteen books. Guy's ability to embrace new opportunities for growth has helped him succeed in roles at innovative companies like Apple, Wikipedia, and Mercedes-Benz -- not to mention learning to surf at age 60. Later, Kristen talks to Dylan de Bruin, owner of CENTURY 21 Signature Real Estate. After moving from South Africa to Iowa for college, Dylan got his real estate license. Now, he trains agents to keep looking for new ways to deliver exceptional experiences to their clients, every step of the way.   Guests Guy Kawasaki: Chief evangelist of Canva and Creator of the Remarkable People podcast Dylan de Bruin: Entrepreneur and owner CENTURY 21 Signature Real Estate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, and as the withdrawal from Afghanistan dominates the headlines, so does the conversation about the forever war and its implications. Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Azmy has been challenging the U.S. government repeatedly over the past two decades, litigating matters from the rights of Guantanamo detainees, to discriminatory policing practices, to government surveillance, to the rights of asylum seekers and accountability for victims of torture. In our Slate Plus segment, Dahlia is joined by Mark Joseph Stern to talk about a case concerning religious freedom in the execution chamber, which made it off the shadow docket and into the light of day. They also explore who on earth has standing in Texas' SB 8 anti-abortion law.  Sign up for Slate Plus now to listen and support our show. Podcast production by Sara Burningham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Somebody has been hurling raw eggs at people in Chicago. On today's episode, Rachelle and Madison try to crack the case of these egg attacks, and speak to the man who created the Chicago Egg Hunters Facebook group that has been on the hunt for the culprit ever since. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At any given time, the music world is celebrating some anniversary, but 1971 has received more than its share of commemorations this year. And with good reason: Carole King. Marvin Gaye. Joni Mitchell. Sly Stone. Janis Joplin. The Who. All released their best work a half-century ago. For our 50th episode of Hit Parade, we go back 50 years, celebrating the semicentennial of the year when, critics claim, “music changed everything.” The Quiet Beatle became the Favorite Beatle, when Mick Jagger sang lyrics even he regrets, when Carole King graduated from songwriter to singer-songwriter, and commercial juggernaut, when blaxploitation took over the charts and the Oscars, and when the radio was somehow awash in Osmonds. It wasn't a perfect year—but Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy is fond of '71 for personal reasons.  Podcast production by Asha Saluja with help from Rosemary Belson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Colorado River Basin is experiencing its 22nd year of drought. Its reservoirs are at their lowest-ever levels. The water stored in the system is at just 40 percent of its capacity. How did the situation on the Colorado become so dire? And what does the shortage mean for the 40 million people who rely on its waters? Guest: Abrahm Lustgarten, senior investigative reporter at ProPublica Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth and Aymann discuss their triumphs and fails for the week. Then they answer a question from a listener whose first grader is bored at school. Should her mother have a talk with her daughter's teacher or wait and see if things change in a few weeks?   Later, they have some advice for a parent whose 11-almost-12-year-old son is campaigning hard for a cell phone. Would a phone serve as a helpful tool or a terrible distraction?  In Slate Plus: We're getting into the “why's” of it all! Why? Because it's the favorite and sometimes very annoying question of many young children. What can parents do to answer their kids' endless “why's” without losing their cool?  Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends Wise Owl Hammock & Straps for easy comfort when you're camping with the family.  Aymann recommends the Self Cleaning LARQ Water Bottle for purifying water for you and your baby on the go.  Jamilah recommends making your own bootleg sangria! Using grand marnier and/or rum, wine (red or white), kids fruit cups, fresh fruit, sugar and orange juice. Cheers! Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts  Elizabeth Newcamp is a co-host of Mom and Dad Are Fighting. She's a traveling mother of three boys who chronicles her misadventures at Dutch, Dutch, Goose. Jamilah Lemieux is a writer, cultural critic, and communications strategist based in Brooklyn, New York. Aymann Ismail is an award winning staff writer at Slate whose work focuses on identity and religion.  Social @JamilahLemieux on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamilahLemieux @dutchdutchgoose on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dutchdutchgoose/ @aymanndotcom on Twitter https://twitter.com/aymanndotcom Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate Money co-host Emily Peck and Slate senior editor Shannon Palus talk all things #girlboss. They explore how the concept went from being a sought-after status to a ridiculed slogan. Then they dive into the upcoming trial of possible former (and current?) girlboss Elizabeth Holmes and talk about whether potential trial strategies and defenses are sexist.  Recommendations: Shannon: Jessica Knoll's 2015 novel, The Luckiest Girl Alive.  Emily: The Cathy comic strip podcast, Aack Cast.    Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas.  Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Muslim Americans, the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks marks a full generation of routine Islamophobia. In the years that followed, the war on terror wounded the nation's Muslim communities in ways that still feel fresh today.  Guest: Aymann Ismail, staff writer at Slate.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four conservative talk radio hosts have died of COVID-19 this summer, further revealing the consequences of a politicized pandemic. Why aren't prominent right-wing figures doing more to embrace the coronavirus vaccine?  Guest: Brian Rosenwald, fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Talk Radio's America. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor, Allegra Frank. First, the panel discusses the surprising achievements of Marvel's newest addition, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Next, the panel is joined by Slate senior editor Jeremy Stahl to talk about Spike Lee's docuseries NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½ and 9/11 trutherism on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Finally, the panel discusses the frustrations of the star-studded time-loop video game 12 Minutes. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses big swings—that missed—but, still hold special places in their hearts. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Outro music: "Break the Line" by Coma Svensson Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Endorsements Dana: The indie film Short Term 12 from Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton. Also, an endorsement for flood-proof spatial planning–especially for your precious physical media. Allegra: Upon the release of the famous rapper's newest album, Allegra's curated playlist of Drake Songs That Don't Suck. And a quick shout out to the everlasting enjoyment of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Steve: Christoph Reuter's beautifully reported deep-dive on the Western presence in Afghanistan post-9/11 titled The Entirely Predictable Failure of the West's Mission in Afghanistan for Der Spiegel. Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Rachelle and Madison open up the mailbag to answer a few questions from our listeners. In addition to other things, they explain what acting POV TikToks are, the possibility of going to Chernobyl, and what, if any, meaning the different emoji heart colors have. If you've got questions you want us to answer, send an email to ICYMI@slate.com. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Joel Anderson are joined by Spencer Hall to talk about the opening weekend of the college football season. They also discuss Bishop Sycamore, the fake high school that made its way into an ESPN football showcase. Finally, the CBC's Morgan Campbell joins to assess Canada's series of sporting triumphs.   College football (1:48): Alabama looks like its old self. But what's up with Clemson?   Bishop Sycamore (24:37): Where did it come from? Is it unique or a sign of a larger phenomenon?   Canada (40:44): Soccer, track, tennis. What's behind Canada's run of athletic success?   Afterball (56:35): Josh on Dutch tennis player Botic van de Zandschulp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Lavery welcomes environmental journalist Zack Budryk, and essayist Charlie Stern. Together, Budryk and Stern co-host the relationship podcast Stim4Stim.  Lavery, Budryk and Stern tackle two letters. First, from a letter writer who is wondering why they feel scorn from strangers on a daily basis. Another letter writer who has fallen in love with her therapist. Plus, a deep dive into how the Stim4Stim podcast came to be. Slate Plus members get another episode of Big Mood, Little Mood every Friday: sign up now! Need advice? Send Danny a question here. Email: mood@slate.com Production by Phil Surkis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Usually when something enters Rachel's parents' home, it never leaves. Growing up, Rachel and her siblings tried to clean out the growing piles of junk, but her mom would often dig into the trash to retrieve whatever was tossed. Rachel finally escaped her parent's over-stuffed house but she still worries about their safety and quality of life. On this episode of How To!, we bring on Jessie Sholl, author of Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding. She knows what it's like to spend hours decluttering a house teeming with stuff, only to have it come back with a vengeance. Many of us will eventually have to parent our parents, but how do you handle such an extreme case? Jessie explains that hoarding is a mental illness and advises Rachel on how to find agency in a situation that feels so helpless.  If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Avoid Becoming Your Mother.” Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now at slate.com/howtoplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas has passed a new law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, enforced by citizens launching lawsuits against anyone suspected of “aiding and abetting” the procedures. And the Supreme Court has declined to stop it - effectively ending the precedent set by Roe v. Wade. How are Texas organizations supporting reproductive rights adapting?  Guest: Anna Rupani, Co-Executive Director of Fund Texas Choice. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host June Thomas talks to Shayne Bushfield, aka Thorsten A. Integrity, founder of the online trivia competition LearnedLeague. In the interview, Shayne explains how LearnedLeague works and discusses his efforts to make trivia more inclusive by expanding the “trivia canon.” He also reveals how he's been able to write thousands of unique trivia questions over the years.  After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler talk about their experiences with trivia.  In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June asks Shayne who the new host of Jeopardy! should be.  Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. Podcast production by Cameron Drews.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Big Mood, Little Mood—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this week, musician Jazmine Sullivan took to Instagram and requested her followers to send in secrets, which she then shared anonymously on her page. On today's episode, Rachelle and Madison talk about how what Jazmine did isn't new, secrets sharing as a useful online engagement strategy, and why we've all be sharing our secrets online for so long. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Bernstein of Buzzfeed News joins to talk about his Harper's cover story on antidisinformation, the big OnlyFans porn debacle, and the rise of shoplifted items being sold on Amazon.    In the Plus segment: Renaissance Technologies. Email: slatemoney@slate.com Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Twitter: @felixsalmon, @EmilyRPeck  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail.  This week, Slate's movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Slate contributor Isaac Butler and The New Yorker staff writer Rachel Syme to spoil Mike White's The White Lotus. What happens when a group of extremely privileged and wealthy people arrive at The White Lotus Resort in Hawaii for a week of relaxation in the sun? The answer is nothing good.   Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Email us at spoilers@slate.com. Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts Dana Stevens is a movie critic at Slate. You can hear her talk more about The White Lotus here.  Isaac Butler is the co-host of Slate's Working podcast. You can listen to his interview with the show's composer here. Rachel Syme is a staff writer at The New Yorker. You can read her piece about the show here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A medicine meant to treat parasites is the latest unproven COVID treatment craze. With warnings from the FDA, and prescribers clamping down, some are going to extreme lengths to get their hands on the drug. What's behind Ivermectin's sudden rise? Guest: Brandy Zadrozny, senior reporter for NBC News  Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haiti was already reeling from a presidential assassination when a massive earthquake struck in August. And organizations that have “helped” Haiti in the past have exploited its people, filled their own pockets, and left the country off worse than before. On A Word, Jason Johnson talks about the Haitian crisis with Professor Marlene Daut, a professor of African-American and African Studies at the University of Virginia. She's also the author of Tropics of Haiti: Race and the Literary History of the Haitian Revolution in the Atlantic World.  Guest: Marlene Daut, professor of African-American and African Studies at the University of Virginia Podcast production by Ahyiana Angel and Jasmine Ellis You can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode: Elizabeth and Aymann discuss their triumphs and fails for the week. Then they answer a question from a listener who feels she's being borderline ghosted by other parents after their children's playdates.  Later, they have some advice for a parent whose 12 year old son is very set in his views as they pertain to religion but his mom worries that this may cause problems down the line for one of his new friendships. How can she help her son navigate this potential conflict?  In Slate Plus: Free-range parenting: what is it and is it for you? Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends Perler Bead Craft Bead Sweeper to help you clean up all of those pesky beads in one quick sweep.  Aymann recommends getting a Kodak Photo Printer so that you can join him in instantly printing out all of those adorable photos of your kids that you have stored on your iPhone.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today's show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes.  Podcast produced by Morgan Flannery.  Hosts  Elizabeth Newcamp is a co-host of Mom and Dad Are Fighting. She's a traveling mother of three boys who chronicles her misadventures at Dutch, Dutch, Goose. Jamilah Lemieux is a writer, cultural critic, and communications strategist based in Brooklyn, New York. Aymann Ismail is an award winning staff writer at Slate whose work focuses on identity and religion.  Social @JamilahLemieux on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamilahLemieux @dutchdutchgoose on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dutchdutchgoose/ @aymanndotcom on Twitter https://twitter.com/aymanndotcom Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on MADAF each week, and no ads. Sign up now at slate.com/momanddadplus to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John, Emily and David discuss SCOTUS letting the Texas abortion ban go into effect; the Afghanistan exit; and Dr. Atul Gawande joins the show to explain how Costa Rica has surpassed US life expectancy by getting serious about public health.  Here are some notes and references from this week's show: Atul Gawande for the New Yorker: “Costa Ricans Live Longer Than Us. What's the Secret?” Here's this week's chatter: John: Erin Donaghue for CBS News: “Officers and Paramedics Charged in Death of Elijah McClain”  Emily: Jed Kolko for The New York Times: “The Downtown Decade: U.S. Population Density Rose in the 2010s” David: The Very Nice Box, by Eve Gleichman and Laura Blackett; Nile Cappello for The Atavist: “The Girl In The Picture” Listener chatter from Karl Richter: A compilation of Nanci Griffith's performances on Letterman For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily share their advice for people starting college. If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you'll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work. Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. officials announced the end of the American military presence in Afghanistan this week, but thousands of people desperate to leave — American citizens and Afghans alike — remain in the country. A loose collection of volunteers is working to get them out.  Guest: Matt Pelak, soldier in the Army National Guard and veteran of the war in Iraq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor, Allegra Frank. First, the panel discusses the divisive parables within Candyman. Next, they talk about the Netflix series, The Chair. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate pop critic Jack Hamilton to discuss the legacy of the late, great Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses things they're looking forward to in the rest of 2021. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Outro music is "If Only I Was a Poet" but Steffan Carlen. Endorsements Dana: This eight-minute montage of Charlie Watts's signature warm-up dance before live shows. Jack: The work and legacy of the inimitable Jamaican reggae producer, Lee “Scratch” Perry, who recently passed. Specifically: the 1977 landmark roots reggae album Heart of the Congos by reggae group The Congos—which Perry produced. A highlight: the track “Sodom and Gomorrow.” Allegra: The long-running daily web comic steeped in the culture of “shit posting,” Mr. Boop by Alec Robbins. Steve: This destination pizza evangelizer endorses the pizza at Hearth & Harbor in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Also, the sitcom Arrested Development Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States is the only rich industrialized nation without a universal paid family leave policy. But as child and home care costs balloon, and the pandemic continues to leave families in precarious work situations, many caretakers have hit a wall. Congress might finally be ready to do something about it. Guest: Chabeli Carrazana, economy reporter for the 19th. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The milk crate challenge, an online viral challenge where people attempt to walk up and down a pile of milk crates stacked to resemble steps, has become so popular that it even shut down a highway and two parks in Atlanta. On today's episode, Rachelle and Madison recount how this challenge rose to viral fame, talk to Keith Dorsey who coordinated the Atlanta event, and even try to find some milk crates of their own. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Lavery welcomes Kate Duffy, a licensed clinical social worker who has worked as a therapist in a variety of settings, including shelters, residential group homes, and outpatient clinics.  Lavery and Duffy read two letters: First, from a letter writer who is wondering how to get her dad to stop talking about family she has no interest in. Another letter writer is wondering how to combat loneliness while living on a sparsely populated island. Slate Plus members get another episode of Big Mood, Little Mood every Friday: sign up now! Need advice? Send Danny a question here. Email: mood@slate.com Production by Phil Surkis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole Holliday and Ben Zimmer share their thoughts on Pfizer's official name for its COVID vaccine. They also interview Sam Ezersky, digital puzzles editor for the New York Times, about the popular online game the Spelling Bee. And finally, we invite a listener to play our inspired version of the Spelling Bee. We hope you've been practicing! You could win a year's membership to Slate Plus. Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at spectacular@slate.com.   Produced by Jasmine Ellis.  Subscribe to Slate Plus. It's only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Here are some notes and references from this week's show: Rewordable: https://rewordable.com/ BLABRECS: https://mkremins.github.io/blabrecs/ Lisa Davidson on Comirnaty: https://slate.com/technology/2021/08/comirnaty-pfizer-vaccine-linguistics.html New York Times Spelling Bee: https://www.nytimes.com/puzzles/spelling-bee Spelling Bee Forum: https://www.nytimes.com/spotlight/spelling-bee-forum Laura Lippman on her Spelling Bee obsession: https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/02/spelling-bee-new-york-times-praise.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever had to make an impossible decision? One that doesn't have an obvious “right” answer. One that someone will inevitably hate. John knows this feeling all too well. He's the superintendent for a mid-size school district in California. To say the last school year was difficult is a major understatement… John tried to ensure the safety of his students, teachers, and faculty while balancing the reality of students struggling in their virtual classes. Throughout the school year, John's relationship with his teachers and the teachers union deteriorated. Now, classes are back in session and he's hoping to find common ground as soon as possible. On this episode of How To!, we bring on Gary Friedman, a world-renowned conflict mediator. He has some tips on how all of us can mend a fraught relationship before it's too late.  If you liked this episode, check out “How To Stand Up to Your Terrible Manager—Without Getting Fired.” Do you have a problem you can't get out of your head? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flying has been a drag for years now. But there's an extra level of stress on commercial flights this summer. Why is flying so terrible at this moment? And what's a traveler to do?  Guest: Scott McCartney, the Middle Seat columnist for the Wall Street Journal.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you'll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices