SmartHERNews

Jenna Lee
  • 5.0 (8)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Life is too short to waste time filtering through headlines searching for the facts. That’s when we realized the need for a quick, trustworthy news source that makes staying up-to-date easy and interesting. Our Goal is to Clear the Clutter. We’re committed to providing non-partisan news, in small servings, available wherever you are, whenever you want it. And for the Record: We Believe You’re Already Smart. We don’t need to tell you what to think or how to feel or what to believe. We just want to equip you with clear facts so you’re prepared for any conversation, any vote, any choice and never feel like you’re falling behind. Bullet-Points Without The Bias ~ We’re bringing you #SmartHERNews. SmartHER News is created and hosted by journalist Jenna Lee.

  1. 14 HRS AGO

    Alcatraz Uncovered: What It Was Really Like to Live on the Island

    Note: We’re resharing this conversation as Saturday marks the anniversary of Alcatraz Island closing as a federal prison in 1963. This interview originally aired in May 2025, when President Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of reopening the island.Could Alcatraz reopen today? And what was it really like to live there?In this episode of SmartHER News, Jenna sits down with Jolene Babyak — one of the leading experts on Alcatraz Island — who actually grew up on “The Rock.”Jolene shares what most people don’t know about Alcatraz: families lived there, kids took boats to school, and daily life looked very different than the movies suggest.Together, they explore:* How Alcatraz evolved from a military fortress to America’s most infamous federal prison* What life was like for the 75 children who lived on the island* The truth about escape attempts, including the famous 1962 breakout* Why Alcatraz closed—and whether it could ever reopen* The surprising role of mental illness in the prison system* Why Alcatraz should be viewed as a “site of conscience,” not just a tourist attractionJolene also shares how an unexpected job loss led her to become one of the foremost historians on Alcatraz — proof that sometimes, it really does work out.If you’ve ever wondered what really happened on Alcatraz — or why it still captures our attention — this conversation offers a deeper, more nuanced look.00:00 Could Alcatraz Reopen00:36 From Fortress to Prison02:00 How Her Family Moved In05:02 Daily Life on the Rock07:22 Prisoners and Escape Attempts12:10 The 1962 Escape Night14:45 Water Sewage and Supplies18:00 Becoming an Alcatraz Historian20:55 Who Went to Alcatraz23:13 Capone and Famous Inmates25:26 Was Alcatraz Effective26:54 Why It Wont Reopen29:49 Alcatraz as a Site of Conscience31:46 Changing Minds and FarewellJolene Babyak: http://jolenebabyakauthor.com/Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! https://smarthernews.com/shop/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/

    33 min

  2. 3D AGO

    The Supermarket Guru on Why Grocery Prices Aren’t Coming Down: Chocolate, Beef, Coffee, and Dynamic Pricing

    Jenna interviews supermarket expert Phil Lempert, the “Supermarket Guru” on the latest on food prices AND trends in good shopping that may change your next trip to the grocery store.From chocolate, to coffee, to frozen fruits and snacks, we discuss the prices you've been most curious about and unfortunately, Pihl says grocery prices are up nearly 30% since the pandemic and likely won’t fall until agriculture problems are solved, citing tariffs, climate change, and supply disruptions. Jenna and Phil also tackle how recent headlines impact food prices from immigration policy to artificial intelligence - including how AI-driven dynamic pricing may soon include electronic shelf labels and facial recognition. Phil also shares some money-saving shopping tactics, and how GLP-1 drugs may reduce food consumption and reshape grocery retail.00:00 Phil Lempert Returns To SmartHER News 00:30 Supermarket Guru Origin 01:24 Sticker Shock Story 02:14 Why Prices Stay High 02:52 Chocolate Price Surge 04:01 Shrinkflation Tricks 07:21 Finding Chocolate Deals 08:12 Beef Gets Pricier 10:56 Produce and Farm Labor 12:53 Frozen Food Costs 13:56 Snack Prices Rising 15:23 Apples and Storage 17:03 Coffee Price Pressures 19:31 Coffee Fads and Add Ins 21:28 Europe Eats Better 22:09 Quality Over Choice 23:39 Smaller Store Revolution 24:20 Daily Shop Explained 27:18 Regional Shopping Reality 28:14 Tracking Real Prices 31:18 Dynamic Pricing Fears 38:56 AI Shopping Upside 40:08 Save Money Strategies 43:03 HEB Tortilla Magic 44:32 GLP One Grocery Shift SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Shop our gear!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

    48 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Who Is The New Ayatollah? What Every American Should Know

    Benham Ben Taleblu, Senior Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, joins Jenna for a look at Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and what his rise could mean during wartime. Taleblu says the regime is hardening under a national security deep state and has moved closer to a military dictatorship, arguing the most important institution is the armed apparatus rather than the clergy. He outlines Mojtaba’s background, including ties to the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (a designated foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.) and his reported service during the Iran-Iraq war.Benham warns his leadership could be more aggressive and push Iran toward a North Korea-like model. He stresses the need to consider military gains in a broader political strategy, avoid premature victory, and pursue a five-part approach: do no harm, take cues from Iranian protesters, maintain maximum pressure, maximize support for communications and organizing, and fracture the security forces.Plus ~ a personal reflection from Benham who has family ties to Iran, and why he has opposed war in the past but discusses a tipping point when he realized the need for force.00:00 Meet our guest, Iran expert Benham Ben Taleblu00:28 Who Leads Iran Now02:26 Name Pronunciation02:48 Power Structure Shift03:48 Is It A Monarchy05:41 New Leader Background08:24 Will The Regime Survive10:01 Defanging Versus Strategy10:53 Iranian Uprising Momentum13:14 How To Support Protesters16:32 Five Part Pressure Plan18:10 White House Outreach18:50 Personal Toll And Hope20:56 Closing Thanks

    21 min

  4. MAR 11

    China, Crisis & The Global Power Play: Is The Risk of War Rising?

    Is China at the center of all current global conflict? Is the risk of war rising?Whether we take a closer look at Venezuela or Iran, we find roads that lead to China. Why? And what should we know about the state of the largest communist nation in the world?Jenna interviews author and analyst Gordon Chang about China’s growing instability and global posture amid shifting events involving Venezuela, Iran, and potential Trump–Xi talks.Chang argues China appears strong but is structurally weak and increasingly dangerous.He describes China’s deep ties to Venezuela and says recent American actions cost China a key Latin American outpost.He calls Iran similarly dependent on China, noting China buys about 87–90% of Iran’s crude and 45–50% of China’s crude imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with price spikes after attacks.Chang says Xi’s purges, including “disappearing generals,” have damaged China’s military command structure, raising risks of accidental escalation.From U.S.-based Chinese biolabs to the fentanyl/drug war, Chang warns the U.S. must treat China as an enemy in “unrestricted warfare.”00:00 Meet Gordon Chang00:40 From Law to China Watcher01:50 Why China Looks Weak02:36 Stories Converge on China04:18 China and Venezuela Ties07:01 Iran Oil and China08:58 China Economic Shock09:56 Inside the Two Sessions12:09 Why Xi Rules by Fear14:09 Disappearing Generals Purge18:05 What It Means for Taiwan20:45 South China Sea Flashpoints23:56 Red Lines and US Strategy26:09 Exports Signal Weakness29:16 Xi Power Grab Fallout30:08 Trump Xi Summit Stakes31:44 Why Trump Shouldnt Go36:32 China Election Interference39:01 Secret Biolab Raids45:17 Fentanyl As Weapon47:53 TikTok Data And Algorithm49:02 China Russia And Priorities52:34 Unrestricted Warfare Warning54:45 Living With The Threat SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Shop our gear!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

    57 min

  5. MAR 9

    SCOOP: The Untold Impact of Iran's Conflict - From Petroleum To The Press

    01:05 Dignified Transfer Explained 03:23 Media Access and Family Consent 04:54 Steve Witkoff Emotional Moment 07:44 Jobs Report Breakdown 11:02 Oil Prices Surge and Inflation 16:21 Strait of Hormuz Shipping Crunch 18:22 War Risk Insurance Explained 22:07 CENTCOM Warning to Iran 24:39 Ayatollah Succession on X 25:13 Iran Hardliner Continuity 26:10 What Winning Looks Like 27:03 School Strike Claims 27:57 New York Times Evidence 31:26 Civilian Shields Context 35:54 Press Briefing Clash 40:55 Replaying Hegseth Quote 44:17 Media Trust and Messaging 50:31 Wrap Up and Next Week SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Shop our gear!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

    54 min

  6. MAR 4

    How Safe Are We? Iran Conflict Updates, Economic Risks, DHS Shutdown, and Child Exploitation Hearing

    00:00 How Safe Are We 01:49 Economic Ripple Effects 02:22 Strait of Hormuz Map 04:18 Suez Canal Shipping Risks 06:38 Prices and Supply Chains 07:54 Iran Ship Sunk 10:07 Pentagon Strategy Shift 14:11 White House Safety Message 17:41 DHS Shutdown Stakes 21:48 Child Exploitation Hearing 27:24 Refocus on What Matters 28:19 Closing and Next Updates Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/  Get our FREE Weekend Digest! Shop our gear!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

    29 min

  7. MAR 2

    From Iran to Your Backyard: The Global Conflict and Its Reach with War Correspondent Hollie McKay

    War correspondent and writer Hollie McKay joins us to provide unique insight and perspective, to this rapidly developing story in the Middle East. We highlight the latest news, hear from multiple points-of-view and tackle tough-to-report on stories like the Iranian reports of a bombing of a girl's school.00:00 Breaking News Overview 01:08 Meet War Correspondent Holly 02:38 Austin Shooting Fallout 04:29 Pentagon Briefing Details 07:08 Holly Reacts to Objectives 10:11 Why Iran Matters Globally 13:42 Ayatollah Death Stakes 16:24 Why Now Timeline Questions 20:17 Force Posture and Go Order 22:15 Operation Epic Fury Breakdown 27:44 Nuclear Talks and Terror Links 31:19 Iran Foreign Minister Responds 33:09 School Strike Claims Context 36:09 Human Shields and Media Limits 37:34 Interview Challenge on Protests 38:08 Protests Turn Violent 39:00 Blame Game and Infiltration Claims 40:36 Obama Deal and Media Voices 42:00 Ben Rhodes on War Risks 44:21 Legality and Reinforcements 45:30 Reza Pahlavi and Succession 50:59 Inside Iran Public Mood 53:39 Traveling Iran as Journalist 57:45 Spy Plane Story 01:00:35 Regional Spillover and Allies 01:04:46 Worth It and Final MessageSUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Shop our gear!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website: https://smarthernews.com/  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews

    1h 13m

  8. MAR 1

    Rolling Thunder: What We Know and Don’t Know After U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran and the Ayatollah’s Death

    00:00 Breaking News Kickoff 00:58 Rolling Thunder News Cycle 03:17 War Reality Check 04:02 President Announces Strikes 06:31 Who Hit What When 07:36 Ayatollah Death Fallout 10:42 What Victory Looks Like 11:27 Regional Reactions 12:41 Retaliation Proxies Sleeper Cells 14:32 "Why Now?" 16:05 Casualties Info Gap - **including in Iran** 17:08 The President's message To Iranian People 19:34 Wrap Up What Comes Next

    21 min
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Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Life is too short to waste time filtering through headlines searching for the facts. That’s when we realized the need for a quick, trustworthy news source that makes staying up-to-date easy and interesting. Our Goal is to Clear the Clutter. We’re committed to providing non-partisan news, in small servings, available wherever you are, whenever you want it. And for the Record: We Believe You’re Already Smart. We don’t need to tell you what to think or how to feel or what to believe. We just want to equip you with clear facts so you’re prepared for any conversation, any vote, any choice and never feel like you’re falling behind. Bullet-Points Without The Bias ~ We’re bringing you #SmartHERNews. SmartHER News is created and hosted by journalist Jenna Lee.

Information

  • Creator
    Jenna Lee
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    474
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Leep Media 2023©
  • Show Website
    SmartHERNews

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