Skimm Thi‪s‬ theSkimm

First up: A few places, including the U.K. and Israel, have successfully rolled out COVID-19 vaccinations. We want to know: how did they do it? And can we copy what they got right?
Then: We’ll fill you in on what you need to know about Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, which should get FDA approval this week.
Next: We’ve got the context on two of the week’s headlines, involving former President Trump’s taxes and Illinois eliminating cash bail.
ICYMI: The racial wealth gap is still a huge obstacle for Black women. We’ll talk to one woman who’s helping make that gap smaller. 
Finally: A lot of Texans are still without running water after last week’s winter storm. This week, we’re talking to one of the volunteers hoping to fix that — literally. 

P.S. For more info on the racial wealth gap, check out this handy guide from the Skimm Money team.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Claire Hannan, executive director, Association of Immunization Managers

Saskia Popescu, assistant processor, Biodefense Program, George Mason University

Jala Eaton, founder, "On My Own Financial"

Ryan Gossen, volunteer, Austin Guerilla Plumber Corps


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Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. theSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.
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On this bonus episode of Skimm This, we're following up our interview with Vice President Kamala Harris by diving into a topic that's been on our minds for a while now: the “she-cession,” a.k.a. how women have been impacted by the economic recession caused by the pandemic. 


First up: We’ll hear how about the difficulties two Skimm’rs are facing juggling parenting and work. 

Then: Our expert guests put those stories in context and share some of the other experiences they’re hearing about around the country.

Next: The panel reacts to the White House’s COVID relief proposal and discusses the difference between “band-aid” solutions and long-term economic reform.

Later: We’ll discuss the importance of paid family leave and whether a $15 minimum wage will get women back to work.

Finally: Our guests share advice and strategies for changing workplace policies to benefit parents.


Want to share your she-cession story? Email us at audio@theskimm.com. Or call and leave us a voicemail at (646) 461-6470.

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Cherita Ellens, CEO, Women Employed 



Kathryn Edwards, labor market economist, the RAND Corporation

Skimm'r Faith

Skimm'r Bergen


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Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure. 
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First up: We’ll break down how one of America’s largest states was brought to its knees by a freak winter storm, and why most of the rest of the country has been so cold.

Then: We’re bringing you the latest on stories from Australia, Tokyo...and at Walmart...and giving you the context on why they matter.

Next: We saw a lot of COVID-related headlines this week. To clear the noise on what’s going on with the pandemic, we phoned a friend. A doctor friend. 

ICYMI: “Vaccine passports” might be coming to a country near you. We’ll tell you the arguments for and against so you can decide for yourself. 

Later: We’ll break down WTF Clubhouse is... in 60 seconds. 

Finally: We’re taking a breaking from these earthly matters to tell you why everyone’s paying attention to Mars. 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Stef Cantu, Texas resident

Tayhlor Coleman, Texas resident

Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, assistant professor of medicine, Medical University of South Carolina

Mallory Brooke, owner and chief meteorologist, Nor’easter Weather Consulting 

Chloe Sackier, EDL systems engineer, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory


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Skimm'd by Alex Carr and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. 
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First up: Women are being pushed out of the workforce at an alarming rate. We interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris to learn how the next COVID relief bill could provide women with some relief.
Then: We’re bringing you three headlines – Trump’s Impeachment trial, the rise in hate acts against Asian Americans, and a microchip shortage – and breaking down the context on why they matter. 
Next: More than a year into the pandemic, COVID long-haulers (aka people who’ve shown symptoms for weeks or months after having COVID) are still struggling to receive adequate medical care. We’ll talk to two long-haulers and a doctor about why this group of patients is having a hard time getting the attention they need. 
ICYMI: We’ll tell you why a cryptocurrency that started as a joke may have the last laugh...in 60 seconds. Thanks, Elon Musk. 
Later: Get ready to mark your calendars, because tax season is here. In all seriousness, you’ve gotta do your taxes at some point. Don’t worry, we’ll break down what you need to know???
Finally: We’ll fact-check some pretty uncool statements from the guy running the Tokyo Olympics.

If you’ve been impacted by the “she-cession” we talked about on today’s show, we want to hear your story. Click here to share. Or call and leave us a voicemail at (646) 461-6470. 

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Vice President Kamala Harris 

Chelsea Alionar, COVID long-hauler

Asia Durr, WNBA athlete and COVID long-hauler

Dr. Monica L. Lypson, professor, The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Kesha JonTae, The Millennial Tax Expert


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Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. 
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ICYMI, the last year has been stressful. But we can’t just unplug, wait a few seconds, and hope that everything returns to "normal" again. No matter how much we might want to.

That's why today, we're gonna dig into something that’s been generating a lot of buzz over the last few months: mindfulness.

First: We’ll hear from a Skimm’r who has used mindfulness to get through some tough moments – at home and in the classroom.

Then: It’s time to dig into the science. As in: What even is mindfulness? Why is everyone telling me how great it is? And, is there any actual evidence that it works? 

Later: We’ll explore how mindfulness can help us stay engaged with the world around us. 

Finally: What better way to wrap things up than by talking tips, techniques, and ways to apply mindfulness to improve our day-to-day?

On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Jennifer Hutchins, middle school English teacher and mindfulness practitioner

Dr. Tara Brach, clinical psychologist, author, “Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of R.A.I.N.”

Bea Arthur, psychotherapist and CEO, The Difference



Jaclyn London, MS, RD, Head of Nutrition & Wellness, WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined)


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Skimm'd by Justine Davie, Ciara Long, Elizabeth Smith, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure. 


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First up: We’ll ask an expert about whether we should be picky about which COVID vaccine we get, and break down why the COVID vaccines haven’t been distributed equitably so far. 

Then: While the NFL is hoping for a safe Super Bowl on the field, doctors are more worried about the fans at home, and are hoping Sunday’s watch parties doesn’t turn into a public health nightmare.

Next: We’re bringing you three headlines – from the US-Mexico border, Canada, and India – and breaking down the context on why they matter. 

ICYMI: Some big changes went down this week in Myanmar. We’ll tell you what happened and what’s next...in 60 seconds. 

Later: Did the Gamestop madness from last week make you feel like you missed out? We’ll explain the differences between trading and investing. And why you don’t need to make a Reddit account to make money. 

Finally: Do you miss airplane wine? We’ve got the thing for you! 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 

Rhiannon Walker, NFL reporter, The Athletic

Stacy R., finance editor for Skimm Money 

Sabrina A. Assoumou, attending physician, Boston Medical Center


Chasity Cooper, communication strategist and wine journalist (Insta)


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Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Justine Davie, and Luke Vargas. With additional support from Peter Bonaventure and Ciara Long. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices