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John, Emily and David discuss Justice Breyer's retirement. They are joined by Anne Applebaum to talk about what global moves may be coming to address threats to Ukraine, and The Gist's Mike Pesca covers a round robin of the week's news. Here are some notes and references from this week's show: The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics, by Stephen Breyer  Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “The Bad Guys Are Winning” The Gist Slow Burn: Watergate Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel  Station Eleven series on HBO Max The Way We Live Now, by Anthony Trollope Here's this week's chatter: Emily: Vauhini Vara for Believer Magazine: “Ghosts”; This American Life: “The Ghost in The Machine” John: Dylan Matthews for Vox: “Can Giving Parents Cash Help With Babies' Brain Development?” David: Tiffany Lukk for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine: “Where to Go Dog Sledding in Minnesota”; Nicole Wetsman for The Verge: “CDC Emails Show That Vaccine Cards Are Supposed To Fit In Your Wallet: The Covid-19 Cards Do Not Fit In Wallets” Listener chatter from Tom McIlroy: Michael Zhang for PetaPixel: “Photographer Finds Polar Bears That Took Over Abandoned Buildings” For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss the screen adaptation of Station Eleven.   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

On this week's episode: Zak, Jamilah, and Elizabeth debate if there's proper etiquette when asking if a kid is vaccinated. Plus, they have some ideas for how to smoothly handle the interaction if the answer is no. Then, they take on the case of the annoying neighbor. Should you tell the kid to buzz off if he can't play nice? On Slate Plus, secrets, secrets are no fun… but are they outright bad?  Recommendations: Jamilah recommends Budsies. Elizabeth recommends the Buddha Board. Zak recommends creating photo albums. 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 Rosemary Belson. 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

For this edition of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas, Isaac Butler, and Karen Han discuss the pomodoro technique, which involves breaking work into timed intervals and taking breaks in between those intervals. In their conversation, they talk about the benefits of taking breaks and using timers, but they also underscore the importance of creative momentum. Could the pomodoro technique actually disrupt the flow of certain tasks? If you have creative techniques or strategies to share, or if you'd like some advice from June, Isaac, and Karen, send us an email at working@slate.com or leave a message 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

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate podcast producer Cheyna Roth is joined by author Danielle Friedman. Friedman's new book Let's Get Physical explores the history of women's exercise, and how some old attitudes still linger. They talk about the double bind women have faced when it comes to exercising, the “uterus myth,” and where we're at with anti-fatness and inclusivity in exercise.   In the Slate Plus segment: Are yoga pants feminist?  Recommendations: Cheyna: YouTube yogi Yoga With Adriene.  Danielle: Watching movies from the 1930s. Especially Jewel Robbery.   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

This week, Justice Stephen G. Breyer is expected to announce his plan to retire from the Supreme Court at the end of its term this summer. Breyer's signal comes after a year-long pressure campaign from the political left and others anxious to ensure that Democrats control who replaces the court's most senior liberal justice.  Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, who covers courts and the law for 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

“We Don't Talk About Bruno,” the hit song from Disney's Encanto, is sitting at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, and that's all thanks to TikTok. On the show today, Madison and Rachelle talk about the songs from Encanto currently dominating the platform, and why people online seem to love to hate Lin-Manuel Miranda. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Correction: This podcast incorrectly stated that TikTok is included in the Billboard Hot 100 chart calculations, misnamed the song “Surface Pressure,” and misstated that it is sung by the oldest daughter (it's sung by the middle daughter). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Slate's TV critic and host of the podcast Decoder Ring, Willa Paskin, and poet, essayist, podcast host, and author, Nichole Perkins, fill in for Dana and Julia. The panel begins by taking a spin with Julian Fellowes' (creator of Downton Abbey) new show The Gilded Age. Then, the panel debates about Kenny G and the installment of the docuseries Music Box: Listening to Kenny G. Finally, the panel ponders Ted Gioia's question: is old music killing new music? In Slate Plus, the panel discusses culture that they've changed their mind about over time—whether they've grown to like it or dislike it. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Willa: The podcast Once Upon a Time… at Bennington College. Nichole: The collection of stories Vampires in the Lemon Grove: And Other Stories by Karen Russell. Steve: Ian MacDonald's essay “Exiled From Heaven: The Unheard Message of Nick Drake.” Pre-order Dana's book and buy a ticket to Dana and Isaac's book event at The Strand (hosted by our very own Stephen Metcalf)! Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Outro music is "Pike Place Market" by Rockin' For Decades. 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 odds of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are increasing, with thousands of Russian troops stationed near the two countries' border. Vladimir Putin is set on ensuring Ukraine gives up its ambitions to join NATO and the European Union, and it's unclear how much he's willing to risk to meet that objective.  How far will the Russian leader go to get what he wants? Is there any way to end the standoff without violence? Guest: Amy Mackinnon, national security and intelligence reporter at Foreign Policy. 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

Danny Lavery welcomes Kyle Lukoff, a pre-tipping point transsexual who used to be a school librarian but now writes children's books full-time. Lavery and Lukoff tackle two two letters. First, from someone who's close friend is shaming them for having a long distance relationship. Another letter writer is overwhelmed with the choices at a sperm bank. Plus, Lukoff talks about publishing his first board book.  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

Over the last few years, a sleepy southern town has seen its arrest rate grow more than 1100%. It's not because of a spike in crime in Brookside, Alabama; instead, the town's law enforcement has adopted a policing-for-profit model that treats citizens as revenue generators and cracks down on them accordingly. In turn, some residents enter debt spirals as the town's police force rakes in more cash, with no signs of stopping anytime soon. Guest: John Archibald, columnist for AL.com and the Birmingham News. 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. Podcast production by Mary Wilson, Danielle Hewitt, Elena Schwartz, and Carmel Delshad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that we, as a society, have fallen off a comedy cliff? No joke. Studies have shown that we largely stop laughing when we enter our mid-twenties, which is a shame because delighting in humor has a ton of health benefits. Plus, being perceived as funny can actually make people think you're more intelligent, more competent, and even better looking! So on this episode of How To!, the first in a two-part series, we bring on Naomi Bagdonas, co-author of Humor, Seriously!, and Michael Terry, an amateur comedian who is working in the funniest of places: high finance. Combined, they have decades of experience harnessing the power humor and applying it to the workplace.  If you liked this episode, check out “How To Confront a Crazy Neighbor” with Tig Notaro.  If you want to discover your own humor style, take the test on Naomi and Jennifer's website.  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

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by the Athletic's Lindsay Jones to discuss the NFL playoffs. Then, Ben Proudfoot joins for a conversation about Lusia Harris, the subject of his documentary short “The Queen of Basketball.” Finally, they speak with Oliver Roeder about his book Seven Games. NFL (2:21): How did the Chiefs-Bills magic happen? Are Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers done?   Lusia Harris (30:12): The life and legacy of a basketball pioneer. Seven Games (50:24): How machines have changed our favorite games.  Afterball (1:09:30): Josh and Stefan on Hang Up listeners' goofy ideas to fix sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stuart Frisch gave security training to the members of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, less than six months before they found themselves under siege and held hostage—a training the rabbi cited when explaining how they managed to escape.  How does Frisch approach protecting spaces that aren't meant to be fortresses? Can faith and security coexist? Guest: Stuart Frisch, advisor for the Secure Community Network. ` 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, Stoya and Rich answer a letter from a woman who has a tricky question about herpes and a new man she's seeing. Then they hear from a man who didn't like the surprise he got in bed. Mentioned in this episode: “How Herpes Became a Sexual Boogeyman,” by L.V. Anderson, Slate, Dec. 2, 2019. Slate Plus members get another episode of the How to Do It podcast every Monday. Sign up for Slate Plus now for just $1. Read the How to Do It column on Slate here. If you're in need of sex advice from Stoya and Rich, write in here or leave a voicemail at ‪(347) 640-4025 and we may use it on the show. Remember, it's anonymous—and nothing is too embarrassing! Production by Chau Tu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host June Thomas talks to author Malinda Lo, whose book Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award. In the interview, Malinda explains that she never intended to write books under the young adult label. She also digs into her writing process, which involves many drafts and inspirational mood music.  After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss Malinda's research process and her willingness to go down rabbit holes.  In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Malinda talks about her use of Chinese languages in Last Night at the Telegraph Club.  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

The name on every TikTokker's lips is “West Elm Caleb,” a New York City twenty-something whose dating practices and history have come under major scrutiny, after women started posting videos about their negative experiences with him. Things quickly got out of control as more and more people got swept up in the gossipy drama. On today's episode, Madison and Rachelle talk to some of the women who shared their own stories about dating Caleb online. Then, they discuss how this is a moment both about the power of women coming together to protect each other and the way that this collective's motives can quickly turn south. Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by economics journalist and author, Peter Goodman. They discuss Goodman's new book “Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World” Microsoft's biggest deal ever, and what's going on with 5G networks and airplanes.  In the Plus segment: Peloton is down, will it survive? Further Reading: “Microsoft Buys Scandal-Tainted Activision in Bet on Metaverse” by Dina Bass and Nate Lanxon  “Xbox CEO Phil Spencer on Reviving Old Activision Games as Microsoft Positions Itself as Tech's Gaming Company” by Gene Park  “Why Airlines Are Worried About 5G” by Andrew Ross Sorkin, Jason Karaian, Sarah Kessler, Stephen Gandel, Michael J. de la Merced, Lauren Hirsch, and Ephrat Livni “Peloton Stock Plunges Following Report It Will Halt Production” by Aaron Gregg “Peloton to Halt Production of its Bikes, Treadmills as Demand Wanes” by Lauren Thomas “A New Take on Voice: The Influence of BlackRock's ‘Dear CEO' Letters” by Andrea Pawliczek, A. Nicole Skinner, and Laura Wellman Sign up for Emily's newsletter here!  Email: slatemoney@slate.com Podcast production by Cheyna Roth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second in a three-part series on monsters in philosophy. We trace the cultural history of zombies from voodoo folklore, George Romero films, and the zombies used in philosophical thought experiments. Folklore, film and philosophy seem to converge on the idea that consciousness above all else is what a creature needs to have to be worthy of moral concern, something a zombie lacks. But we have no idea when something crosses over from being a zombie to being conscious, particularly current AI systems. What happens then? Guest speakers are Christina van Dyke (Columbia), David Chalmers (NYU), and John Edgar Browning (Savannah College of Art and Design), and Eric Schwitzgebel (UC Riverside). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Spoiler Specials, Slate staffers Allegra Frank and Rebecca Onion spoil The Lost Daughter.  Leda Caruso (Olivia Colman) is a college professor on a sunny holiday in Greece. When she meets Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her young daughter on the beach, her observations prompt dark memories of her own early motherhood. Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore. Produced by Asha Saluja and Jasmine Ellis. To listen to Spoiler Specials and other Slate podcasts with zero ads, read unlimited articles on Slate.com, and support Slate's journalism, sign up for Slate Plus now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent advertisement for crypto.com, featuring Matt Damon, was met with widespread mockery online. But Damon's ad is only the most visible example of a much broader—and more insidious—trend of celebrity cryptocurrency endorsements. Is the partnership between crypto and Hollywood really dangerous? And what separates the trend from run-of-the-mill salesmanship? Guests: Jacob Silverman, staff writer for the New Republic and Ben McKenzie, actor, writer, and director. Host: Lizzie O'Leary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In theory, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 outlawed all forms of real estate discrimination. In reality, Black home sellers often see their homes valued much lower than similar homes owned by whites. Andre Perry of the Brookings Instititution joins the show today to talk about the how real estate discrimination has robbed Black Americans billions of dollars in generational wealth, and what can be done to change it.  Guest: Andre Perry, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities Podcast production by Jasmine Ellis and Asha Saluja 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

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Biden's first year, SCOTUS's block of OSHA's vax-or-test rule, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin's busy start. Here are some notes and references from this week's show: John Dickerson for CBS Sunday Morning: “President Joe Biden: The First Year” Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel  Station Eleven series on HBO Max Here's this week's chatter: Emily: Deep Cover, Season 2: Mob Land John: Take Note Podcast; Adam Webb for Take Note: “How to Keep a Notebook” David: Paul Schwartzman for The Washington Post: “Missing Jewels And Art: A Lawsuit Against a Retired Professor Is Ruffling The Well-To-Do From Georgetown to Newport, R.I.” Listener chatter from Alissa Surges: Allison Robicelli for The Washington Post: “I Spent The Night in an Empty Airport. it Was a Dream Come True”; Work at City Cast For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David talk about why to keep a journal.   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

On this week's episode: Elizabeth, Zak, and guest co-host Jaime Green attempt to fix a communication disaster. Our listener received some long-awaited genetic testing results and she was crushed when her partner seemingly couldn't care less. Can she make him care? Then Elizabeth talks with Larissa Maloney of Active Kids 2.0 about how parents and kids can stay active at home. On Slate Plus, Jaime's extremely relatable article about how hard it is to be a parent of a kid under five inspired a cathartic round of screaming into the void.  Recommendations: Zak recommends Le Petit Chef by Opinel.  Jaime recommends Mommastrong.  Elizabeth recommends A Year of Wonder: Classical Music For Everyday by Clemency Burton-Hill.  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 Rosemary Belson. 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

President Biden, unlike his predecessor, was able to spend some time planning his COVID-19 response. One year in, is the plan working? Guest: Dan Diamond, national health reporter for the Washington Post.  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

On this week's episode of The Waves, Slate senior writer Christina Cauterucci looks back to the first Women's March that took place on Jan. 21, 2017. She talks to New York Magazine's Rebecca Traister about what the march accomplished for progressive organizing and the role protests can have going forward. Then she sits down with Angela Peoples, an activist and organizer who went to the march with a sign saying “White Women Voted for Trump”—and went viral.  In Slate Plus, Christina and Angela continue their conversation and talk about the connection between the Women's March and the Black Lives Matter protests during the summer of 2020.    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

Christina Cauterucci and Bryan Lowder welcome our new third co-host, Jules Gill-Peterson, and talk to author Dr. Kevin Guyan about his new book Queer Data. The crew then explores the trans storylines and general weirdness of And Just Like That, the “next chapter” in the Sex and the City universe, before adding more items to the Gay Agenda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AOL Instant Messenger launched 25 years ago, but at the time nobody understood exactly how important it would be in shaping the way we all interact online. On today's show, Rachelle and Madison talk to AIM expert Caroline Moss about the early years of the platform, the playful shenanigans people got up to on there as teens, and how it led us to the world of always being online. Caroline hosts the podcast Gee Thanks, Just Bought It! Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the panel begins by pondering Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut, The Lost Daughter. Then, the panel gushes about the fresh workplace comedy Abbott Elementary. Finally, the panel discusses everyone's latest obsession: the word game Wordle. In Slate Plus, the panel enters spoiler territory as they continue to puzzle out The Lost Daughter. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: An LA related endorsement: The Academy Museum (run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) which is mostly okay, but has a stellar show called The Path to Cinema: Highlights from the Richard Balzer Collection. Julia: Potentially the first worthy piece of pandemic art: the Gary Shteyngart novel Our Country Friends, set in an upstate NY country home as friends gather to wait out the pandemic. Steve: Israeli-born, Paris-based singer Keren Ann's cover of “Hallelujah.” Also: a no longer on-the-fence, solid endorsement for HBO's Succession. Pre-order Dana's book and buy a ticket to Dana and Isaac's book event at The Strand (hosted by our very own Stephen Metcalf)! Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Outro music is "Self Made Woman" by Katharine Appleton 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 Supreme Court heard two challenges to the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccination mandates this month. It blocked one mandate and upheld another, giving some observers whiplash.  How did the court come to such different rulings on similar workplace mandates, and what do the rulings say about how the court views the federal government as a whole? Guest: Mark Joseph Stern, staff writer covering courts and the law for 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

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the NFL's Super Wild Card Weekend. Then they talk about the rise of the Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant. Finally, Defector's Kalyn Kahler joins for a conversation about nepotism in NFL coaching.   NFL (4:50): Do expanded playoffs mean worse games?   Ja Morant (24:55): Was his block the best ever? Is he the NBA's next superstar?   Nepotism (44:54): How big of a problem is it, and can anything be done to fix it?   Afterball (1:08:14): Josh, Joel, and Stefan on goofy ideas to fix sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Lavery welcomes Colette Arrand, a transsexual poet from Athens, Georgia. She is the author of the poetry collection Hold Me Gorilla Monsoon, and is the editor of FanFyte, the wrestling section of Fanbyte Media. Lavery and Arrand take on two letters. First, from someone who can't stop thinking about their partner's dating history. Another letter writer identifies as a lesbian, but is getting push-back from her friends. Plus, Lavery asks Arrand about her lifelong passion for poetry and wrestling. 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 and Ben interview Brooklyn-based software engineer Josh Wardle, the creator of the viral online word game Wordle. They also recap their participation in the American Dialect Society's annual Word of the Year vote, over which Ben presided. And Nicole's shares some on-the-ground interviews from the Linguistic Society of America conference, at which she presented some of her own research. And finally, we bring on a listener for some wordplay. Can you solve our final wordplay clue? 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.   Subscribe to Slate Plus. It's only $1 for the first month. To learn more, go to slate.com/spectacularplus. Produced by Jasmine Ellis and Kevin Bendis 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. This episode originally ran on August 31, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservative talk radio host Dan Bongino sits atop a media ecosystem that is fueling the fervor behind Trump and his big lie.  Guest: Evan Osnos is staff writer at The New Yorker and a fellow at the Brookings Institute. He's also the author of Wildland: The Making of America's Fury. 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, Stoya and Rich answer a letter from a man who's concerned he's cheating on his girlfriend—with his wife. Then they hear from a woman who wonders how bad it is that she kept a secret from a new romantic interest. Slate Plus members get another episode of the How to Do It podcast every Monday. Sign up for Slate Plus now for just $1. Read the How to Do It column on Slate here. If you're in need of sex advice from Stoya and Rich, write in here or leave a voicemail at ‪(347) 640-4025 and we may use it on the show. Remember, it's anonymous—and nothing is too embarrassing! Production by Chau Tu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Fionnuala Murphy, an actor and linguist who invented multiple alien languages for Apple TV Plus's series Foundation. In the interview, Fionnuala explains how she landed the job, which was her first ever foray into language creation. Then she breaks down the process of designing the languages based on information she could gather from the scripts and conversations with the Foundation team.  After the interview, Isaac and co-host Karen Han talk about their own relationships to language and discuss how patterns and structures, like those found in language, are crucial to their creative work.  In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Isaac asks Fionnuala about her translation work. Then Fionnuala offers advice for people who are trying to better understand their own language.  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

Yellowjackets is a new series on Showtime about a team of high school girls who, while on a flight to a soccer game, crash in the Canadian wilderness. It follows their struggle for survival and how that experience shaped those who made it out of the woods alive. On today's show, Madison and Rachelle sing their own personal Yellowjackets praises, explain why it's the latest addition to the Puzzle Box TV canon, and discuss how Reddit is the best place for fandom communities—like the one that's quickly formed around the show. Plus, people think the Queen of England is dead? Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of two major vaccine-mandate decisions at the high court this week, Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Andy Slavitt, former senior adviser to Biden's White House pandemic response team. Slavitt was also the acting administrator of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2015 to 2017. He hosts the In the Bubble podcast, and is the author of Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response. In our Slate Plus segment, Dahlia is joined by Mark Joseph Stern for more analysis of the vaccine cases, plus a look at state efforts to bar participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection from office, several vitally important state Supreme ourt decisions and what they suggest, and the refusal of Neil Gorsuch to mask up at the high court. 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

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Ranjan Roy of Margins talk about the death of ZIRP (a zero-interest rate policy) and what that means for the future; Felix's glee about the sale of Citi Bank's Mexican unit, Banamex; and the puzzle game sweeping the Internet.  In the Plus segment: Ken Griffin's Citadel Securities gets big investment from crypto.  Mentioned In the Episode:  Axios Markets Newsletter “America's labor shortage is bigger than the pandemic” by Emily Peck “Buy ‘Floki': A cryptocurrency inspired by Elon Musk's dog is making an ad push in London” by Carla Mozee    Email: slatemoney@slate.com Podcast production by Cheyna Roth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daryl Hall and John Oates: Their songs were earworms, their videos cheap and goofy. John Oates's mustache and Daryl Hall's mullet are relics of their time. And…for about five years, their crazy streak on the pop charts was comparable to Elvis, the Beatles and the Bee Gees. They were also more cutting-edge than you may realize, essentially inventing their own form of cross-racial new wave after spending the '70s trying everything: rock, R&B, folk, funk, even disco. At their Imperial peak in the early '80s, Hall and Oates commanded the pop, soul and dance charts while still getting played on rock stations. And decades later, when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ignored them, it was Black artists—rappers and soul fans—who pushed them in. Join Chris Molanphy for a dissection of the Philly duo who invented “rock 'n soul” and made their dreams come true. Sign up for Slate Plus now to get episodes in one installment as soon as they're out. You'll also get The Bridge, our trivia show and bonus deep dive. Click here for more info.    Podcast production by Asha Saluja. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden and Vice President Harris made impassioned speeches in Georgia this week, calling voting rights a top political priority. But the grassroots organizers who helped turn Georgia in 2020 want more than words, and many refused to attend the president's event. One of those people is Nsé Ufot, the CEO of the New Georgia Project voting rights group. On today's episode of A Word, Jason Johnson talks with Ufot about dangers to voting rights, frustrations with Biden, and the dire consequences for people of color should voting protection efforts fail. Guest: Nsé Ufot, CEO of the New Georgia Project  Podcast production by 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

Today on What Next TBD: What is going on with little kids' vaccines? Why don't they seem to be a priority for the government or the pharmaceutical companies, while parents are stressed to a breaking point? We discuss with Meg Tirrell, health and science correspondent for CNBC, and co-host of the Readout Loud podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss voting rights, Russia's recent moves, with guest Nina Jankowicz; and the increasing politicization of cable news. Here are some notes and references from this week's show: Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute: Electoral Count Act of 1887 David Becker on Face the Nation: “Elections Expert David Becker Denounces ‘Efforts to Sow Confusion and Chaos' ” Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “Democracy Worked This Year. but It Is Under Threat.” Christina A. Cassidy for AP News: “Far Too Little Vote Fraud to Tip Election to Trump, AP Finds” How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict, by Nina Jankowicz Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “The Science of Making Americans Hurt Their Own Country” Here's this week's chatter: Emily: Jan Ransom for the New York Times: “A Look Inside Rikers: ‘Fight Night' and Gang Rule, Captured on Video” David: Nathanael Johnson thread on Twitter and We Are Lady Parts TV show John: The Mezzanine, by Nicholson Baker and “On Keeping a Notebook,” by Joan Didion Listener chatter from Bea Scott: The History of Democracy Has Yet to Be Written by Thomas Geoghegan For this week's Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David discuss rule-breaking and Novak Djokovic's moves in Australia. 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 Shayna Elliot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode: Jamilah, Elizabeth, and Zak open up their cookbooks and share their favorite kid-friendly vegetarian recipes. They also debate how to help kids form sibling bonds that will last long after childhood. Then, we are joined by Rachelle Hampton and Madison Malone Kircher, hosts of ICYMI, Slate's podcast about internet culture. They explain Elmo's viral feud with a pet rock. If you want to hear even more, check out their episode. Elmo also joined our show if you want to take a listen.  In Slate Plus, the hosts are revealing what games and books they can't live without right now.  Recommendations: Elizabeth recommends writing and submitting poetry. There are additional resources on Poetry Teatime.  Zak recommends using musicals to transition your kids to more grown-up music.  Jamilah recommends checking out her Instagram or Twitter to read her big story that's being published today! 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 Rosemary Belson. 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 senior editor Shannon Palus is joined by author Emily Willingham. Emily's new book The Tailored Brain: Feeling Better and Thinking Smarter is all about how our brains work and whether gender plays a role in brain enhancement. They talk about how to be more empathetic and the ways empathy can boost your brain, the importance of using a feminist lens in brain science, and the old theory that brains are made of sperm.  In the Slate Plus segment, Emily and Shannon talk about Emily's other book, Phallacy: Life Lessons From the Animal Penis and explore why the duck vagina is like a gated community. Recommendations: Shannon: Wearing perfume to turn your mood around.  Emily: Lightly meditating by beholding a tree.    Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Shannon Palus, 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

Welcome to the debut episode of Working Overtime! In these bi-weekly episodes, June, Isaac, and Karen dissect creative advice​​—and sometimes offer it to listeners and each other. This week, they discuss a piece of advice from cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who argues that avoiding the Internet every once in a while can lead to more focus and productivity. In the discussion, the hosts assess whether the internet helps or hurts their creative work and share some strategies for logging off when necessary.  Do you have a piece of creative advice to share? Or maybe you could use some advice from the Working crew. Either way, get in touch at working@slate.com or leave a message 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

For the past year, Democrats have been touting the importance of passing two huge federal voting protections bills. If those plans can't pass, should the party tackle straight-up election subversion?  Guest: Rick Hasen, professor of law and political science at the University of California–Irvine School of Law and author of Election Meltdown: Dirty Tricks, Distrust, and the Threat to American Democracy. 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 first true online diarist got famous for blurring the lines between private and public life. She also paid a price for her radical transparency. This episode of One Year was produced by Evan Chung, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Additional production help from Cheyna Roth. Mixing by Merritt Jacob. Slate Plus members get to hear more about the making of One Year. Get access to extra episodes, listen to the show without any ads, and support One Year by signing up for Slate Plus for just $1 right now. For a behind-the-scenes look into some of the articles we read when we create the show, check out our Pocket collection at http://getpocket.com/slate.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Empaths and the great book exchange pyramid scheme are filling up our feeds again. On the show today, Rachelle and Madison explain why every few months, posts circulate about a book exchange that sounds too good to be true, and why empaths aren't really a thing—unless you're in a science fiction story. Plus, they play Wordle! Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in March, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a couple hundred members of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border to counteract what he called President Biden's “open border policies.” Almost a year later, around 10,000 troops are stationed there at Abbott's command. Many guardsmen have had to upend their lives for a mission that seems to have little purpose.  Guest: Davis Winkie, staff reporter for Army Times. 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, author and co-host of Slate's Working podcast, Isaac Butler fills in for Steve (pre-order Isaac's book!). First, the panel debates the merits of Adam McKay's star-studded cautionary tale Don't Look Up. Then, the panel is joined by film historian and journalist Mark Harris to outline the debt we owe to the late Sidney Poitier—a legend whom he speaks about in his book Pictures at a Revolution. Finally, the panel is joined by author and staff writer for the New Yorker, Kathryn Schulz, to discuss her new memoir Lost & Found. In Slate Plus, the panel lists some reboots and remakes that they actually would like to see. Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements Dana: David Ehrlich's, chief film critic for Indiewire, video montage countdown of the best films of 2021, an annual tradition he's been doing for several years. Julia: The LEGO set “Flower Bouquet” (set #10280) which ingeniously replicates a bouquet using some creative LEGO pieces. Isaac: The novel I Am Not Sidney Poitier by Percival Everett. Pre-order Dana's book and buy a ticket to Dana and Isaac's book event at The Strand (hosted by our very own Stephen Metcalf)! Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe. Outro music "I Want a Change" by The Big Let Down 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