Podcast appearances and mentions of sam bair

Just days before his inauguration, President Donald Trump launched his own meme coin, a novelty cryptocurrency. Since then, the Trump Organization has made millions of dollars off its sale and has invited the top investors to a private dinner, set to happen later this week.Technology reporter Drew Harwell talks to Post Reports co-host Colby Itkowitz about how Trump got involved in cryptocurrency and the foreign investors buying access to Trump via his meme coin. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Lucas Trevor. It was mixed by Sam Bair, and edited by Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Shawn Boburg.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The world can seem like a really scary place right now. Many of us look around and see wars, climate change, economic uncertainty and a lot of overwhelming things we can't control. So today we're going to share a conversation about fear.Elahe Izadi spoke to Tara Brach, a therapist with a PhD in clinical psychology who has also spent years studying Buddhism and mindfulness. She teaches meditation, and she's written several books including one called “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha.”If you're interested in learning more about her work or accessing her podcast and meditations, you can find that here. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Bird flu has been in the headlines for ages, with scientists warning that we could be headed for a pandemic. But we've been hearing about this H5N1 virus for so long that it's kind of starting to feel like the boy who cried wolf. So — what's really going on with H5N1 bird flu? How scary is it, and how likely is it that we're going to end up in a bird flu pandemic? We talk to virologists Dr. Seema Lakdawala and Dr. Richard Webby.  Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/ScienceVsBirdFlu  (00:00) Tons of people are freaked out about H5N1 bird flu (03:38) Why H5N1 bird flu is scary (05:01) Birds are falling out of the sky dead (07:32) Things get weird when bird flu gets into mammals (18:34) What happens when humans start getting this bird flu (23:26) Is bird flu mutating? (29:11) Should I worry about bird flu? (30:50) Do we have anything to fight bird flu? (32:14) We have had some silent cases of bird flu already This episode was produced by Blythe Terrell, with help from Wendy Zukerman, Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler, Meryl Horn and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. We're edited by Blythe Terrell with help from Wendy Zukerman. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord and Sam Bair. Fact checking by Erica Akiko Howard. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, So Wylie, and Bobby Lord. Thanks so much to all the researchers we spoke to for this episode, including Dr. Louise Moncla, Dr. Ted Elsasser, Dr. John Korslund, Victoria Rosado and Lindsey Adams. Thanks to Jeff DelViscio. Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are plenty of ethical and security questions surrounding the Trump administration's plan to accept a gift of an airplane from Qatar. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake talks with White House reporters Cleve R. Wootson Jr. and Natalie Allison about the proposal, and what it says about Trump's evolving foreign policy in the Middle East.Also, how the temporary trade deal between the U.S. and China came together.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff with help from Reena Flores. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The idea of a car that drives itself might feel futuristic. But for an increasing number of Americans, that future is already here. Waymo and other companies have announced plans to expand in cities across the U.S.And the Trump administration has signaled that it wants to pave the way for autonomous vehicle companies to expand. Last month, it loosened rules around driverless cars.Martine Powers talks with Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler and reporter Lisa Bonos about what it's like to live in a city full of driverless cars – and what you should know before getting in one.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Why President Donald Trump's messaging has shifted from economic prosperity to austerity.Will voters tolerate economic pain from Trump's tariffs? Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake talks with The Post's senior political correspondent Naftali Bendavid and White House correspondent Michael Birnbaum about Trump's inconsistent messaging on the economy and foreign policy this week. Beyond tariffs, they discuss how foreign leaders are responding to Trump on Ukraine and immigration. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Sean Sullivan and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Cardinals will gather on Wednesday for the highly secretive process of choosing a new pope, following the death of Pope Francis in late April.In the film “Conclave,” Ralph Fiennes plays a Catholic cardinal presiding over the election of a new pope. In real life, that task falls to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a possible front-runner among papal candidates at this week's conclave at the Vatican.But how accurately does the Oscar-nominated “Conclave” match an actual conclave — the process of electing a pope that will begin May 7? Today on “Post Reports,” style reporter Shane O'Neill joins host Colby Itkowitz to parse fact from fiction. Today's episode was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Ariel Plotnick and Peter Bresnan. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Lucy Perkins. Thanks to Carla Spartos. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War came to an end, as North Vietnamese closed in on the South Vietnamese capital and thousands of American personnel frantically evacuated. The war left a devastating legacy: More than 3 million Vietnamese died and more than 58,000 U.S. troops were killed. The remains of more than 300,000 Vietnamese soldiers and 1,200 U.S. service members are still missing. Over the past five decades, there has been a delicate progress toward peace and reconciliation between the countries, facilitated by trade, U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Under President Donald Trump, that's all being unraveled. On today's show, South East Asia Bureau chief Rebecca Tan shares her reporting from Vietnam on the painful legacies of the war and how U.S.-Vietnam relations are suddenly faltering. This episode was produced by Elana Gordon, and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Peter Finn and Maggie Penman. Thank you to Emma Talkoff. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On May 2, the United States will start charging import fees, also known as tariffs, on small-dollar shipments from China. Those fees fundamentally alter the business model of companies like Shein and Temu, which ship low-cost goods and garments directly from factories in China to consumers.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Washington Post fashion critic Rachel Tashjian to understand what these changes will mean for shoppers and gets advice for how to shop for better quality clothes on any budget.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

David Hogg began his journey as a political activist after surviving the Parkland school shooting in 2018. Today, he's a leader in the Democratic National Committee and co-founder of a group called Leaders We Deserve, which focuses on electing young, progressive candidates. The group's recent announcement that it would spend $20 million to challenge Democratic incumbents in safe seats has stoked controversy within the party – even prompting DNC Chair Ken Martin to propose a rule change that would force Hogg to choose between his two roles. Today, Colby Itkowitz speaks with Hogg about why Democrats' popularity is cratering and how he thinks primarying established Democrats will strengthen the party.This show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Sam Bair, who also mixed the episode. It was edited by Reena Flores and Maggie Penman. And special thanks for the video production to Daniel Mich, David Bruns, Justin Scuiletti, Peter Stevenson and Billy Tucker. Watch Hogg's interview with us on YouTube here.

The world's two largest powers are closer than ever to a full economic break. Why neither the United States nor China want to blink, and what it will take for China to survive the trade war.Read more: A week after President Donald Trump's “Liberation Day” tariffs roiled global markets, his administration put China in its crosshairs, with a 145 percent levy on Chinese imports. China countered by raising tariffs on all U.S. goods to at least 125 percent and by publicly casting the United States as an irresponsible global power. Today on “Post Reports,” The Post's China bureau chief, Lily Kuo, joins guest host Chris Velazco to explain how the trade relationship between the two countries got so hostile, how China plans to weather the storm, and how the rest of the world might feel the consequences of this game of chicken. And China correspondent Christian Shepherd brings us to an e-commerce expo in Shenzhen, China, where sellers are pledging to find a way through the tariffs. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Elana Gordon. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Reena Flores. Thanks to Anna Fifield. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

For the past few weeks, one man has become a focal point for President Donald Trump's war on immigration. Kilmar Abrego García was mistakenly deported and sent to a Salvadoran prison last month. Abrego García's deportation has become a legal battle over the rights of immigrants and the boundaries of executive power.Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti about how Abrego García became collateral damage in Trump's immigration fight.Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Lucas Trevor and Lucy Perkins.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado) speaks with host Colby Itkowitz about why he's seeking to rein in Trump's tariffs authority and restore that power to Congress.This episode was produced by Sam Bair, with help from Peter Bresnan and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman, Reena Flores and Renita Jablonski. Thank you to Emily Anderson and Meryl Kornfield.

What does Bob Woodward think of all this? Colby Itkowitz poses that question to the renowned Washington Post journalist in his first sit-down interview about President Donald Trump since Trump's second inauguration. Over 50 years ago, Woodward's reporting of the break-in at the Watergate with his colleague Carl Bernstein exposed the Nixon administration's plan to spy on and sabotage his political adversaries and the cover-up that followed. After President Richard Nixon's resignation, Congress would go on to enact new limits on presidential power, which Trump is now challenging. In the years since Watergate, Bob Woodward has continued to report on presidents – interviewing Trump and writing three books about him that reveal the president's approach to power.“So much of it is Trump just asserted himself, taking on the role of the courts, taking on the role of Congress,” Woodward told Itkowitz. “So we are entering a moment where there is going to be a clash of those traditions and laws and Trump's will.” You can also watch the interview here on YouTube. Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Today's episode was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Renita Jablonski and Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Additional thanks to Zach Purser Brown, David Bruns, Ross Godwin, Randolph Smith, Dan Mich, Tom LeGro, Lauren Saks and Micah Gelman on our video team. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

President Donald Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act last week kicked off a battle with the courts that's getting more heated by the day. On Tuesday, he called U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg “crooked” and a “radical left lunatic” and suggested he should be impeached. Then, Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issued a rare public rebuke of the president, saying impeachment is “not an appropriate response” to a judicial decision. Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake speaks with Supreme Court reporter Justin Jouvenal and White House reporter Natalie Allison about the legal and political calculus behind Trump's fight with the courts. And they also weigh in on the partial ceasefire deal for Ukraine brokered by the president and his Russian counterpart. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and Rachel Van Dongen. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since Trump's second inauguration, there has been a firehose of news out of the White House – and longtime adviser Steve Bannon says that's all part of the plan. “It looks like chaos, but there's certain internal logic to it,” Bannon told Sarah Ellison, media and democracy reporter for The Post. “It's amazingly compelling content.”Sarah and tech reporter Drew Harwell have been reporting on the White House's new aggressive approach to messaging. Host Colby Itkowitz talks with Sarah about how that strategy involves sidelining legacy media in favor of newer outlets, and with Drew about how the White House is leveraging social media to attack critics and turn policy into meme-worthy moments.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair, with help from Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.Wondering where Martine is?

More than 400 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in Tuesday's attacks, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, making it one of the deadliest days of the 17-month war.Host Colby Itkowitz talks with Miriam Berger, who has been covering the conflict for The Post, about what it's like in Gaza right now and what this means for the possibility of a ceasefire in the future. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Reena Flores, and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Mehmet Oz is President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a massive agency that oversees health coverage for more than 100 million Americans, including older adults, those with low incomes and children. Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon and former professor at Columbia University who became a household name when he started appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2004 and then hosted his own show, “The Dr. Oz Show,” from 2009 to 2022. On Friday, Oz will face federal lawmakers in a Senate hearing as he seeks confirmation to run CMS, an agency that has a more than trillion-dollar budget and could face spending cuts in the budget year ahead. Today on “Post Reports,” health accountability reporter Lauren Weber explains why he may face questions about his past, his investments and possible conflicts of interest.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Maggie Penman and Lynh Bui. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

For weeks, Americans have watched as Elon Musk and the U.S. DOGE Service have slashed at the federal bureaucracy, making drastic cuts to agency budgets and the federal workforce. And while President Donald Trump has made clear that he supports Musk, DOGE's efforts have sparked concern among many senior Trump advisers, civil servants and everyday Americans. That has left DOGE, which stands for Department of Government Efficiency, hunting for wins.Today on “Post Reports,” The Post's DOGE reporter Faiz Siddiqui joins host Colby Itkowitz to discuss how DOGE is responding to external pressure and what Tuesday's White House press conference-turned-sales pitch for Tesla says about other pressures Musk could face. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Mike Madden. Are you a snacker? This week, health columnist Anahad O'Connor published a deep dive into what makes a healthy packaged snack. He analyzed the labels and ingredients on different ultra-processed crackers, jerkies and protein bars and came away with a great guide to the healthiest options. You can find his recommendations at washingtonpost.com/snacks. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil helped organize protests at the university against the Israel-Gaza war last spring. Khalil, who is a legal permanent resident of the United States, according to his lawyers, was detained over the weekend by immigration officers was detained by immigration officers and accused by the Trump administration of sympathizing with Hamas terrorists. So far no evidence of this has been reported.Immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti speaks with host Colby Itkowitz about Khalil's arrest and what it could signal about how this administration will treat activists and immigrants. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Jenna Johnson.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.Where's Martine?

In an interview broadcast on Sunday, President Donald Trump declined to rule out that Americans could see a recession this year as the economy stutters from his efforts to impose tariffs and cut down the size of the federal government. He told Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo, “I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition, because what we're doing is very big. We're bringing wealth back to America. That's a big thing.”Today on “Post Reports,” economics correspondent Abha Bhattarai joins host Colby Itkowitz to talk about the economic indicators informing the Trump administration, how businesses and consumers are handling inflation, and whether we're headed toward a recession. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.Where's Martine?

The National Institutes of Health is a sprawling and complex institution that supports the work of hundreds of thousands of scientists at universities and labs across the country.Since Trump's inauguration that work has been stymied by confusion and uncertainty – potentially delaying or even preventing important medical research. The Post's science reporter Carolyn Johnson has been reporting on the turmoil at NIH and talks to Martine about how it could impact a generation of scientists. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff and Elana Gordon. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Elana Gordon contributed reporting.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake breaks down the speech with senior White House correspondent Naftali Bendavid and Democracy reporter Colby Itkowitz. They fact-check Trump's DOGE claims and explain the political consequences Trump could face for his tariffs. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Rachel Van Dongen and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It was eliminated in the United States 25 years ago because of an effective vaccine. While cases periodically pop up, a growing wave of vaccine skepticism is giving this old virus new traction.Health reporter Fenit Nirappil and “Post Reports” producer Elana Gordon recently traveled to the heart of this growing outbreak, which officials say may take months to get under control. Today, Martine Powers speaks with Fenit about the state of the Texas outbreak; we hear from a mom whose unvaccinated child recently got measles and from a pediatrician who has cared for hospitalized patients. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon, who also contributed to this report. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Reena Flores and Maggie Penman, and mixed by Sam Bair. Thank you to Lenny Bernstein.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On Friday, Zelensky and Trump met for what was expected to be a tense but uneventful meeting before signing a natural resources agreement that was seen as the first step to a peace deal with Russia. Instead, cameras captured a blow-up – Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful and said he was “gambling with the lives of millions of people.” Since then, European leaders have redoubled support for Ukraine – while the Kremlin proclaimed that the Trump administration is “largely aligned” with Moscow's vision. Martine Powers speaks with White House reporter Michael Birnbaum about how the meeting fell apart and where Zelensky might go from here.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Bishop Sand. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This year's Oscar contenders are all over the place, ranging from the adaptation of the popular musical “Wicked” to the Brazilian historical drama “I'm Still Here.” Film and TV reporter Sonia Rao and arts editor Janice Page sit down with host Martine Powers to share which films are rising to the top and explain why some actors may be favored more by the academy than others. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Sabby Robinson and Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair.

Gregg Bafundo worked as a lead wilderness ranger in Washington state and used his basic firefighting training to help contain fires in the parks he worked in. Erin Williamson traveled to rural communities to help them get financing for essential services as part of her job with the U.S. Agriculture Department. Veteran Jared Blockus worked for a VA hospital in North Carolina ordering critical equipment. All of them were probationary workers fired a couple of weeks ago as part of the Trump administration's plan to reduce the size of the federal workforce, along with thousands of others. Host Martine Powers speaks with reporter Kyle Swenson about these former federal workers and what their job loss means personally and for the public. Correction: A previous version of this episode mispronounced a source's name. The error has been corrected.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Host Martine Powers speaks with Supreme Court reporter Justin Jouvenal about Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, which will be heard before the country's highest court on Wednesday. Ames and her attorneys say she was held back at her job because she is straight and White. Her case was rejected by lower courts, in part because reverse discrimination claims require a higher burden of proof than anti-minority discrimination in many parts of the country. But Ames's attorneys argue that this double standard is unconstitutional. And many legal experts say the Supreme Court is poised to agree. They expect that if the court sides with Ames, it could lead to an increase in the number of discrimination lawsuits filed by straight people, White people and men. The decision may also have a chilling effect on corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Peter Bresnan and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Opioid overdoses don't have to be fatal if the person gets help in time.In recent years naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, has become more widely available in the United States. Narcan, a nasal spray version of naloxone, became available without prescription in pharmacies in 2023. That means more people can help reverse overdoses. Despite showing signs of decline, the number of people dying nationwide from overdoses eclipsed 100,000 annually from 2020 to 2023, according to national health data.Host Elahe Izadi talks with producer Elana Gordon about the lifesaving effects of the medication. They walk through the steps of how to use Narcan and what it feels like to experience an opioid overdose reversal. Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Alison MacAdam and mixed by Sam Bair. Download The Post's step-by-step guide for how to administer the naloxone nasal spray here.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Alex Clark stands out on mic and on camera. The 31-year-old wellness influencer and podcaster has nearly half a million followers on YouTube and ranks among the top 10 wellness podcasts on Apple. While wellness has long been associated with liberal hippies, Clark hails from a conservative background. She's part of the new “Make America Healthy Again” movement questioning modern medicine, backing President Donald Trump and supporting anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has started as health and human services secretary. For the last year and a half, reporter Kara Voght has been following Clark's rise, spending time with her in Arizona. Today, Voght speaks with host Martine Powers about Clark's rise as a conservative wellness warrior, what's behind the changing politics of wellness, and what that could mean for the nation's health. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Steve Kolowich.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The United States and Russia have begun talks to end the war in Ukraine. But Ukraine wasn't there.The United States and Russia just completed their first round of diplomatic talks to end the war in Ukraine since the start of Russian invasion in 2022. The exclusion of Ukraine representatives from the talks signals a new approach and new U.S. interests in the region.Host Martine Powers talks with White House correspondent Michael Birnbaum about Trump's conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and why the United States' actions over the past week have alarmed its European allies. Today's show was produced by Bishop Sand. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Elon Musk's U.S. DOGE Service sparked alarm over the weekend, when a senior DOGE official requested access to the Internal Revenue System's detailed database featuring financial information about every taxpayer, business and nonprofit in the country.Host Martine Powers speaks with economics correspondent Jacob Bogage about how this could affect millions of American taxpayers.Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Mike Madden.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Fartlek is a Swedish term for “speed play.” This informal version of interval training is simple, effective and dare we say … enjoyable? And not just because "fartlek" is fun to say.Exercise columnist Gretchen Reynolds is here to vouch for this often-overlooked, decades-old practice. Reynolds, who helped popularize the 7-minute workout, has found that a growing body of research points to the benefits of this approach, even in small doses. According to exercise scientists, it can improve strength, endurance and longevity, and may even lower the risk of dementia. Read more: Don't like to exercise? Try this simple, science-backed trick.Being in shape is better for longevity than being thin, new study showsToday's show was produced by Elana Gordon and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Thanks to Anjuman Ali.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Belinda is one of the few decent people on “The White Lotus,” the sharp satire populated with miserable rich people on vacation. Belinda is back for Season 3, and host Martine Powers knew she wanted to talk to the actress who plays her. Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair.

Today on “Post Reports,” how USAID entered President Donald Trump's crosshairs. And, how his freeze on foreign aid has affected vulnerable people around the world.Read more: On the first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid for 90 days. The suspension was part of the president's effort to slash public spending, remake the federal government and align foreign policy more closely with his “America First” agenda. And it had near-immediate consequences.Today on “Post Reports,” The Post's West Africa bureau chief Rachel Chason relays the fears of a refugee camp coordinator in Mauritania, where more than 115,000 residents rely on American aid. And, host Martine Powers speaks with national security reporter Missy Ryan about why the Trump administration has focused its sights on the U.S. Agency for International Development, the legal roadblocks they may face, and how an aid freeze could impact the United States' standing around the world. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Peter Bresnan, with help from Lucy Perkins, and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Katharine Houreld, Amy Fiscus and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Sarah McBride was elected to the House of Representatives in 2024, representing Delaware's lone congressional district — and becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress. She's become a target for her conservative colleagues — but she's also determined to work with Republicans. She joins Martine Powers to talk about how she makes that work and what she thinks Democrats can do now.Rep. Sarah McBride is part of “Post Next 50,” The Post's project profiling 50 people shaping our society in 2025. The full list can be found here. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Thank you to Lucas Trevor.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Host Martine Powers talks with health reporter Lena Sun about the connection between bird flu and egg prices. She also explains what consumers should know about how bird flu spreads and whether the cost of eggs will drop any time soon. Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks also to Lynh Bui. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake talks with senior national political correspondent Naftali Bendavid and national politics reporter Hannah Knowles about President Donald Trump's proposal to “take over” Gaza, displace Palestinians and remake it as the “riviera” of the Middle East. They also dig into Trump's use of tariffs as bargaining chips and the lack of resistance to Trump policies from both parties.Today's show was produced by Peter Bresnan. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Rachel Van Dongen and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

As the Trump administration ramps up immigration arrests, it's promoting a simple story: They are getting the dangerous criminals out. But to get to the massive numbers of deportations that President Donald Trump has promised, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also arresting people without violent or criminal offenses on their records. Those arrests have spread fear among undocumented immigrants and their family members.Today, a look inside two recent ICE arrests. First, host Martine Powers speaks with immigration reporter Nick Miroff about his recent ride along with ICE in New York City. Then, a visit to Newark, New Jersey, where investigative immigration reporter Silvia Foster-Frau reported on ICE's arrest of three men working at a seafood distributor.Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores with help from Maggie Penman. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Jenna Johnson.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency – a team of 20 or so engineers – now has influence in a number of departments, working to deplete the civil service. But is this legal?Read more: Elon Musk and other unelected officials are working to remake the U.S. government. Faiz Siddiqui has been covering the world's richest man for years, and he says Musk's playbook at DOGE is similar to what he did at X, formerly known as Twitter: Cut first, ask questions later.There are still questions about whether that worked for X and whether it's legal for the U.S. government. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Over the weekend President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would be putting an import tax on goods coming from Mexico, Canada and China. He said he wanted to stop people from bringing fentanyl into the country and prevent migrants from crossing the borders. The leaders of the other countries are working to find alternative solutions with Trump, and on Monday the tariffs against Mexico and Canada were delayed for a month after he had conversations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. But if they take effect later, the steep taxes could push the price of many items up for Americans, like cars and cell phones. Martine Powers speaks with Mexico City correspondent Mary Beth Sheridan about how these tariffs would work and what the impact of them could be on Americans and the globe.Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Sabby Robinson. It was mixed by Sam Bair. And edited by Reena Flores. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

“It was probably out in the middle of the river. I just saw a fireball, and then it was gone.” Today on “Post Reports,” unpacking a deadly collision in the nation's capital.Read more:On Wednesday night, an American Airlines plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair near Reagan National Airport. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River in Washington. D.C. officials believe the three soldiers in the helicopter and all 64 passengers and crew aboard the airplane were killed. Today on “Post Reports,” host Elahe Izadi and transportation reporter Lori Aratani break down what we know about the collision, the close calls faced around Reagan National Airport in the recent past, and President Donald Trump's baseless claims that diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the Federal Aviation Administration were to blame for the crash. Today's show was produced by Bishop Sand and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Reena Flores. Thanks to Teddy Amenabar, Blair Guild, Evan Hill, Jorge Ribas, Chris Rowland, Kyle Swenson and Clarence Williams.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The stock market plummeted this week after a Chinese company showed it could do more with less. Today, we talk about the new AI chatbot DeepSeek, and why people are freaking out about it – from Silicon Valley to Wall Street to Washington.Read more:For two years, American artificial intelligence companies looked unstoppable. Then came DeepSeek. Today on Post Reports, we talk to tech policy reporter Eva Dou about how a scrappy startup became so dominant, and what it means for the AI arms race. Eva has a book out now about one of the world's most controversial tech companies, set against the backdrop of the political, social and economic transformation of China. It's called “House of Huawei: The Secret of China's Most Powerful Company.”Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to James Graff. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s selection has raised red flags among medical experts and public health officials, especially because of his stance on vaccines. Health reporter Lauren Weber and data reporter Caitlin Gilbert examined hundreds of appearances that RFK Jr. has made to understand the extent of his disparaging claims about vaccines. Today on “Post Reports,” Weber discusses what they exclusively unearthed and what it all means for the contentious confirmation battle ahead. Read more: Caroline Kennedy warns senators of ‘predator' RFK Jr. in searing letter10 RFK Jr. conspiracy theories and false claims, in his own wordsPressure builds on RFK Jr. as confirmation hearing remains unscheduledToday's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Stephen Smith and Caitlin Gilbert. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials received instructions from the White House to ramp up deportations, from a few hundred per day to at least 1,200. This came after President Donald Trump expressed disappointment with the results of his mass deportation campaign so far, according to people with knowledge of the briefings.The orders significantly increase the chance that officers will engage in more indiscriminate enforcement tactics or face accusations of civil rights violations as they strain to meet quotas, according to current and former ICE officials.Host Martine Powers speaks with immigration reporter Nick Miroff about what these new deportation quotas mean for the country, and the obstacles the Trump administration could face in making these goals a reality.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Senior political reporter Aaron Blake talks with senior White House reporter Isaac Arnsdorf and national political reporter Marianne LeVine about how Trump's executive actions are already having a tangible impact. They also talk about how Trump's pardon of Jan. 6 rioters was met with a muted response from several prominent Republicans. Today's show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and Rachel Van Dongen and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Historically, many women dropped out of the labor force because of family obligations. Today, women are working longer — in some cases because they feel like they've finally hit their stride in their careers. In other cases, they feel they can't afford to retire. Hannah Ziegler is a business reporter for The Post, and she talks to host Martine Powers about this Big Shift as the workforce becomes older — and more female. Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair.You can also read about the hurdles older women face with investing and how some savers have overcome them. Plus, the women who are sharing their homes as they grow older.Check out a live podcast taping that will be hosted by Martine on Jan. 25 about the enduring legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

On Wednesday, Rupert Murdoch's British media group agreed to pay “substantial damages” and apologized to Prince Harry as part of a settlement agreement over claims that the paper illegally intruded into the prince's life. Harry is one of many celebrities and politicians who have sued Murdoch's papers for illegally obtaining private information – the claims stretch back to 2011, when it was first revealed that journalists at the tabloids might be hacking phones. Martine speaks with democracy reporter Sarah Ellison about why Prince Harry finally decided to settle and what this outcome means for the Murdochs. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

It's not over for TikTok. Or is it? Today on “Post Reports,” why the app went dark in the United States, how it came back and who controls its fate. Read more:Last week, the Supreme Court upheld a federal law banning TikTok in the United States unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sold to an American buyer. On Sunday, the popular video-sharing app went dark, only to come back later that night. And on Monday, Trump signed an executive order to halt the ban. Today on “Post Reports,” tech reporter Drew Harwell digs into the national security arguments that swayed the court's decision, why Trump's opinion on the app has flip-flopped and why users of the platform might still feel like they're in purgatory. And, we hear from Dave Jorgenson, the face of The Washington Post's TikTok team, about how TikTok users are feeling amid the turmoil. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and Bishop Sand. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Lucy Perkins and Monica Campbell. Thanks also to Alexis Fitts.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.Check out a live podcast taping that will be hosted by Martine on Jan. 25 about the enduring legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

After months of negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. But its fate is already in doubt. If the agreement takes effect as planned Sunday, an initial 42-day ceasefire would bring Gaza's residents some relief from Israeli attacks that have killed more than 46,700 people there, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry's toll does not distinguish between civilians and militants.In exchange, Hamas has agreed to release 33 of the hostages it kidnapped during its Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel.The status of the deal is not certain: On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office cast doubt on whether it would be formally approved. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes have killed at least 77 people in the Gaza Strip since the deal was announced, according to Gaza's civil defense spokesman. At least 25 women and 21 children were reported to be among the dead.Today on “Post Reports,” correspondent Claire Parker joins us from Jerusalem to talk about the factors that finally led to a ceasefire agreement – and what the road ahead could look like.Today's show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell with help from Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair.Thanks to Heba Farouk Mahfouz, Miriam Berger, Erin Cunningham and Alan Sipress. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.