Skimm This theSkimm

We’re back in your feed after a week off with…some news. But it’s not the news of the week, which we’ve been bringing you since 2019. It’s actually some personal news. After four amazing years, one pandemic, 451 episodes, and hundreds of interviews with some of the biggest newsmakers and experts, we’re reimagining this podcast feed. So we’re going to be taking some time away from the mic while we put that into motion.  
We’ve loved being there for you through the world’s craziest and most confusing moments, and helping you navigate every stage of your life, from taxes to toddlers. And we’re excited to bring you more in the future. So, stay tuned. 

In the meantime, for more Skimm, you can check out: 

theskimm.com 


The Daily Skimm newsletter 

theSkimm on Instagram and TikTok 

First: The GOP can’t seem to get their House in order. Between a fight over who should be Speaker, and a congressman elect’s sketchy past, the 118th Congress got off to a rocky start. We’ll break it down. 

Next: We’ve got the context on the other major stories from the week – including an update on Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin and a major change for abortion pill access. Plus the latest on the atmospheric river turning the West Coast…into a literal river. 

Then: Every year, The Economist releases an issue filled with their biggest predictions for 2023. We sat down with its deputy editor to get an inside look on what to expect from 2023. And PS: it’s not all bad news. 

Finally: We’re taking a look at one New Year’s resolution we can all get behind: being happier. We’re asking an expert to tell us four small changes we can make to actually feel happier. 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Tom Standage, Deputy Editor, The Economist


Dr. Marisa Franco, Psychologist, Professor at the University of Maryland


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Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now 

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Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Alaisha Key. Engineered by Elie McAfee-Hahn and Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

First: We’ve got the context on the week’s biggest headlines – from how to travel safely during this weekend’s bomb cyclone to President Zelensky’s visit on Capitol Hill. Plus, an update on Elon Musk’s future at Twitter.

Then: The January 6th committee dropped its final report, wrapping up a year of hearings and investigations. We’re saving you the reading and skimming the three things you need to know about what they found.

Finally: 2022 was a busy year. From the Russian invasion of Ukraine and an FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago, to Serena Williams retiring and a bombshell royal exposé. We’re listening back to all of it by ending our final show of 2022 with the year in sound. 


Want more Skimm? 


Sign up for our free daily newsletter


Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now 

Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts


Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Alaisha Key. Engineered by Elie McAfee-Hahn and Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

First: We’ve got the context on the week’s biggest headlines – from crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s arrest, to major protests going down in Peru, plus a World Cup wrap up.

Then: We’re sitting down with an expert to get a vibe check on the economy after a big inflation breakthrough this week. The saga isn’t over yet, so we’re asking: what’s 2023 gonna look like for our wallets?

Next: This week, the White House announced we’re one step closer to harnessing the power of nuclear fusion, but what exactly does that mean? We’ll do our best Bill Nye and explain why it’s such a big deal…in 60 seconds. 

Finally: Our team is bringing you the stories that we couldn’t stop thinking about this week. We’re discussing a surprising evolution in the way we date, a tech development that could take your healthcare to the next level, a copycat BeReal, and more. 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Kathryn Edwards, labor economist

Alaisha, Blake, and Will, Skimm HQ’rs


Want more Skimm? 


Sign up for our free daily newsletter


Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now 

Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts


Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Alaisha Key. Engineered by Elie McAfee-Hahn and Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

First: We’ve got the biggest headlines of the week, including Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison, the outcome of Georgia’s runoff election, and the Respect for Marriage Act. Plus, the latest on the Trump Organization’s tax fraud charge, and an update on the protests in Iran. 

Then: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Moore v. Harper, a case that could change how elections are run in the US. We’ll explain the case and why it’s so controversial…in 60 seconds.

Next: Between national security and data privacy concerns, more experts – and even US federal officials – believe we should ctrl-alt-delete TikTok from our lives. So this week, we're asking the tough question: should you remove TikTok from your phone? Two experts help break down the pros and cons of the app, so you can decide for yourself. 

Finally: Our team tried the AI avatar app that’s been flooding your social media feeds. And the results were questionable. We’re breaking down why these fun photos actually show the dark side of AI tech. 


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Emily Baker-White, technology reporter, Forbes


Cleo Abram, video journalist


Ina Fried, chief technology correspondent, Axios 


Want more Skimm? 


Sign up for our free daily newsletter


Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now 

Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts


Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Sarah Collins. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.

First: Some of the biggest protests in decades broke out in China last weekend over the country’s strict COVID guidelines and – in some cases – over the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership. We call an expert to explain the historic protests and their impacts worldwide.  

Then: Democrats in Congress only have a few weeks to pass some major legislation before a new group of lawmakers heads to DC in January. We're breaking down why this “lame duck" session might be anything but lame...in 60 seconds.

Next: Roadway deaths have been rising – and apparently, it's a uniquely American problem. New reporting shows us why we've seen an increase in roadway deaths in the US and what we can learn from other countries about how to prevent them. 

Finally: Merriam Webster declared “gaslighting” as its word of the year. We break out our dictionaries to break down the word’s definition – and why it gets misused.  


On this episode, you’ll hear from: 


Sue-Lin Wong, correspondent, The Economist


Emily Badger, cities and urban policy writer, The Upshot, The New York Times


Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist


Want more Skimm? 


Sign up for our free daily newsletter


Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now 

Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts


Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Sarah Collins. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.