Best Alt Nation Podcasts (2025)

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2025: The Advice of the Year 28:51

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8h ago28:51

28:51

With rising authoritarianism, terrifying speech crackdowns, and violence in the streets, this year we found ourselves turning to our friends over at How To for advice on finding peace and excitement in our lives. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate…

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2025: The Movie(s) of the Year 34:48

1d ago34:48

34:48

If you were to sum up 2025 in a film, which would you pick? The question that nearly wrecked the brain of Slate’s chief movie critic. Guest: Dana Stevens, Slate’s movie critic. Dana’s ten best movies of 2025. Her review of Sinners. And her review of One Battle After Another. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening t…

51
2025: The Game of the Year 28:42

2d ago28:42

28:42

Canada and the United States usually have a pretty good-natured sports rivalry—but from hockey to baseball, that was not the case in 2025. Guest: Alex Kirshner, contributing writer at Slate, co-host of Hang Up and Listen and the Split Zone Duo podcasts. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next …

51
TBD | 2025: The Meme of the Year 26:07

3d ago26:07

26:07

With so much online content, it can be hard for a meme to stay in the collective consciousness for more than a few days. But one meme this year managed to capture seemingly everyone’s attention - and challenge the definition of a meme altogether. Guest: Kate Lindsay, host of Slate’s ICYMI podcast. If you want to support more of this reporting, in 2…

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TBD | Is the A.I. Bubble Bursting? | 2025 in Review 38:28

5d ago38:28

38:28

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode originally aired in September. We’ve been told that artificial intelligence can write, code, generate images—it can…

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A Rabbi’s Plea for Peace | 2025 in Review 34:54

6d ago34:54

34:54

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode is from August. More than a thousand rabbis and Jewish leaders have signed a letter calling for Israel to end “the …

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Gutting Our National Parks | 2025 in Review 31:23

7d ago31:23

31:23

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode is from August. From the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, and places in between like Yellowstone and th…

251
He Wrote About Anti-Fascism—Then Fled the Country | 2025 in Review 37:58

8d ago37:58

37:58

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode is from October. In an executive order, Donald Trump declared “Antifa” a terrorist organization. As it isn’t an org…

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The Flight Attendant Who Wants You to Go on Strike | 2025 in Review 31:28

9d ago31:28

31:28

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode is from April. The Trump administration’s actions on immigration and firing the federal workforce have drawn condem…

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TBD | We Made a Memecoin | 2025 in Review 34:58

10d ago34:58

34:58

All this week, What Next and What Next: TBD are re-airing some of our favorite conversations from throughout the year and checking back with the people in those conversations to see how things have – or haven’t – changed. This episode originally aired in March. Memecoins are a niche type of cryptocurrency with no intrinsic value. But they remain a …

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Bonus: SchadenFriday: Spewing Bile and Susie Wiles 7:28

12d ago7:28

7:28

Is the president falling into the very trap that launched him back into office by telling people the economy is actually great when they say it isn’t? Is this partially ballroom’d White House as chaotic as its detractors—and Trump’s chief of staff—say it is? Guest: Ben Jacobs, political reporter based in Washingon. This episode is member-exclusive.…

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TBD | Data Center Space Race 26:17

12d ago26:17

26:17

While the A.I. boom has created a data center boom, rich guys are turning their computing dreams to the skies. With its impending IPO, SpaceX stands to lead the extraterrestrial data center boom. Will it work out for Elon and company? Guest: Eric Berger, space reporter at Ars Technica Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-fr…

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Why Antisemitism Is Everywhere 30:19

13d ago30:19

30:19

It’s not that antisemitism ever went away, but it’s still jarring to watch people spread its oldest and most vile tropes on social media in a way that would’ve been unthinkable ten years ago. Guest: Isaac Saul, politics reporter in Bucks County, Penn., author of the Tangle newsletter Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free li…

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The Unaffordable Economy 31:57

14d ago31:57

31:57

Even though the economy looks to be slowing down, prices are still rising. And while presidents don’t have a ton of control over the economy, there is something in Donald Trump’s power that could help reverse these trends. Guest: Catherine Rampell, economics editor at The Bulwark and anchor at MS NOW. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to…

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Standout moments and releases by Indiana musicians in 2025 26:34

8d ago26:34

26:34

Listen back to the moments and releases that shaped Indiana music in 2025, from long-overdue archival discoveries to new Hoosier artists breaking out on the national stage. Hear music from the legendary Indianapolis funk band Rapture, Seymour’s CMA-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr., Gary’s critically acclaimed rap icon Freddie Gibbs, B…

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Justin Bland looks back on the history of Made Man Improv 20:43

8d ago20:43

20:43

Justin Bland is the creator and host of Made Man Improv, a popular improv comedy showcase based in Indianapolis. Under his direction, Made Man Improv has built a loyal audience and a recognizable brand within the local arts scene. But after years of sold-out performances, Bland is ending the Made Man Improv series this month. In this conversation w…

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Candace Owens at a Turning Point 27:57

15d ago27:57

27:57

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, the right-wing commentator Candace Owens didn’t simply blame liberals. Her antisemetic conspiracy theories have become so toxic that Kirk’s widow has called for a private summit this week. Guest: Will Sommer, senior reporter for The Bulwark. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listeni…

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The Boot Camps Treating Kids’ Pain 31:17

16d ago31:17

31:17

Are “boot camp” clinics that treat kids and teenagers with chronic pain symptoms helping or inflicting more damage on patients who have trouble advocating for themselves? Guest: Isobel Whitcomb, science journalist based in Portland, Oregon. If you want to support more of this reporting, in 2026 and beyond, consider signing up for Slate Plus. You’ll…

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TBD | Whole Shopping List 24:28

17d ago24:28

24:28

Whole Foods based its brand on a certain standard of quality—but there are some things that shoppers nevertheless want. Amazon believes it has found a way to keep the shelves looking like Whole Foods, while getting you the Tide PODS and Cheez-Its you deeply desire. Guest: Peyton Bigora, staff reporter for Grocery Dive Want more What Next TBD? Subsc…

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TBD | Ready for Chatbot Canvassers? 30:08

19d ago30:08

30:08

The good news is voters are more persuaded by factual claims than emotional appeals or appeals to fear. But the bad news is that A.I. chatbots, trying to convince you, will keep making factual claims long after it runs out of actual facts. Guest: David Rand, professor of information science, marketing and psychology at Cornell University Want more …

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His Mom Got Deported. Then He Went Viral. 31:40

20d ago31:40

31:40

Today’s TikTok influencers share every aspect of their lives: from their morning routines, to getting ready to go out, to their parents being detained and eventually deported by ICE. Guest: Tony Vara, TikTok creator @itonyvara Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your …

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Ricky Skaggs discusses Christmas music, The Grand Ole Opry and the legacy of Bill Monroe 28:47

18d ago28:47

28:47

Listen to a conversation with the virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and bandleader, Ricky Skaggs. Born in Kentucky in 1954, Skaggs has played a central role in shaping modern bluegrass and country music. A child prodigy, he first performed on stage with Bill Monroe at age six, and at age seven he appeared on national television with Lester …

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The Fight Over The Future of Movies 29:27

21d ago29:27

29:27

Last Friday, Netflix announced that they would be acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, a massive megamerger that would let the number one streaming service acquire the third biggest streamer (HBO Max), the entire Warner Bros. film catalog, its cable channels, and the Discovery+ streaming service. But before any shareholders could celebrate, Paramount …

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40 Indiana guitarists every Hoosier should know: Evansville, Indiana’s Jackie Clark 6:07

15d ago6:07

6:07

On this episode of Cultural Manifesto, we’ll hear the first edition of a new segment titled “40 Indiana Guitar Pioneers That Every Hoosier Should Know.” Over the next year, we’ll be sharing the music and history of Indiana guitarists who made notable contributions to music. Some of these musicians are world-famous; some you may not have heard of. T…

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Healthcare Is Expensive. It’s About To Get Worse. 29:41

22d ago29:41

29:41

This week, Senate Democrats will hold a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits to try to prevent health insurance premiums from skyrocketing for millions of Americans. That vote is basically guaranteed to fail. Where did these credits come from, and what’s likely to happen when they (almost) inevitably lapse? Guest: Julie Rovner…

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It’s the Alt-Right’s GOP Now 24:43

23d ago24:43

24:43

Ten years ago, the alt-right’s talking points about immigration used to be too toxic to even post on the internet under your own name. So how did they turn into something President Trump regularly fires off on social media? Guest: Zack Beauchamp, senior correspondent for Vox. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening …

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TBD | ChatGOP? 23:22

24d ago23:22

23:22

Donald Trump—or at least the tech guys who have his ear—is ready to clear the regulatory runway for A.I. but other Republicans aren’t too sure. Can he bring them around? Or will the bubble burst first? Guest: Gerrit De Vynck, tech reporter for the Washington Post. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the w…

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SchadenFriday Plus: Feelin’ Nuzzi 4:07

26d ago4:07

4:07

Olivia Nuzzi’s book, American Canto, is out. Somehow it discloses almost nothing and also way, way too much. Guest: Scaachi Koul, Slate senior writer. This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of What Next —you’ll also access ad-free listening across all …

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TBD | The AI & Crypto Czar’s Conflicts 25:46

26d ago25:46

25:46

A tech mogul who made bank from Paypal with his Stanford buddies and has endeared himself to right-wing politicians and enriched himself the same way? No not him; this one’s South African..no, not him either. Guest: Ryan Mac, reporter for the New York Times. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole W…

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ARCHIVES: A Tribute to Vivian Carter 4:00

24d ago4:00

4:00

This archived episode from 2021 pays tribute to one of the co-founders of the legendary Vee-Jay Records, Vivian Carter. Vee-Jay Records is considered to be the most successful Black-owned record label of the pre-Motown era.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

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The Year of Vaccine Backsliding 30:24

27d ago30:24

30:24

Today, the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee will be meeting to vote on recommendations for childhood vaccinations. But under RFK Jr.’s leadership, this committee looks much different now than it did a year ago.How is the impact from the HHS secretary being seen across America today? Guest: Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center an…

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Pardon Me, Mr. President 30:38

28d ago30:38

30:38

Some presidents use their pardons for large groups of people. Some presidents use them for personal reasons. If you were to sum up Donald Trump’s use of the power of the pardon, the only word for it is “brazen.” Guest: Benjamin Wallace-Wells is a staff writer at The New Yorker. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listenin…

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Indiana composer Landon Caldwell on his explorations in experimental sound 23:41

28d ago23:41

23:41

Landon Caldwell is a multidisciplinary artist and composer based in Indianapolis. His music blends experimental composition, improvisation, and ambient textures to create spaces that invite reflection and deep listening. His installation and sound-based work has been presented at venues including the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indiana State Mu…

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A Textbook Example of an Unlawful Order 28:28

29d ago28:28

28:28

Just after the Trump administration threw a fit over a video reminding the military that they have an obligation to refuse unlawful orders, the Washington Post published reporting alleging the orders to blow up a boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2 were in fact patently unlawful. Guest: Steven J. Lepper, retired Air Force major general and former depu…

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What Kids Aren't Learning About US History 32:29

1M ago32:29

32:29

Conservatives have long complained that teaching American history with slavery and genocide and systemic oppression is just too negative, and the Trump administration has gone as far as attacking the Smithsonian for focusing too much on “how horrible our country is.” But omitting the shameful aspects of America’s past doesn’t just distort history—i…

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TBD | If You Give A.I. a Nuke 28:21

1M ago28:21

28:21

As the U.S. upgrades and updates its defense and military systems, the question isn’t whether A.I. will be integrated, but where, how much, and how much decision-making are we ceding to the machine? Guest: Josh Keating, senior correspondent at Vox and a fellow at the Outrider Foundation where he’s reporting on nuclear weapons and AI. Want more What…

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TBD | Rebroadcast: Dupes! 34:01

1M ago34:01

34:01

Note: This episode was originally published on July 27, 2025. There’s an entire economy devoted to seeing what products are trending—clothing, skin care, even Greek Islands—and delivering you a cheaper knock-off to buy. Guest: Mia Sato, reporter for The Verge Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole …

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Decoder Ring | Cozy Autumn Mysteries 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

While the What Next team works their way from preparingfood to sleeping it off, enjoy this episode on fall’s flavorful favorites fromour friends at Decoder Ring. We’ll be back to regular programming on Sunday. Autumn may have more cozy signifiers than any otherseason—though we all have our own favorites. Maybe for you it’s sweaterweather, football …

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19. Western Goals pt. 2: John K. Singlaub and his Cubitmaxxing Contras - feat. Keith Allen Dennis 2:24:02

1M ago2:24:02

2:24:02

Hooooo boy... Keith Allen Dennis drops by once more to help Fritz tell a darkly fantastical tale about a little weird looking dude who specialized in leaping out of planes to spread democracy via death squad, Major General John K. Singlaub, co-founder of the private intelligence clearinghouse and Contra fundraiser, Western Goals. From Operation Pho…

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Why You Can't Avoid Wicked 29:14

1M ago29:14

29:14

With the release of Wicked: For Good, spectacle is back in theaters and back on the press circuit: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are again “holding space” along with each other’s individual fingers and other quirks they picked up along the way. This is, apparently, how movies are promoted now. Guest: Michael Schulman, staff writer at The New York…

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Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month 43:45

1M ago43:45

43:45

Listen to a special episode celebrating National Native American Heritage Month. Learn how Native American musicians are reinventing traditional culture in the 21st Century, featuring interviews with the experimental pow wow group Medicine Singers, and the hip-hop artist Supaman. Medicine Singers is a Native American musical collective that blends …

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Could We Get Peace In Ukraine? 24:40

1M ago24:40

24:40

The Trump administration has announced a 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine that involves ceding territory, giving up on joining NATO and reducing its military—in essence an extremely, even suspiciously, friendly deal for Russia and Russian demands. How does Ukraine play this without losing a powerful ally or the war? Guest: Fred Kaplan, Slate…

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How Planned Parenthood Got Defunded 32:33

1M ago32:33

32:33

Between the drastic budget cuts and provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill, the Trump administration has found a way to drain Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health centers and cut off access to abortion services—as well as any other health care those clinics provided. Guests: Shefali Luthra, reproductive health reporter at The 19th, author…

1
TBD | The Surveillance Interstate 31:00

1M ago31:00

31:00

Tracking a license plate across the country has never been easier, which is good news if your car has been stolen, but in an era of ICE and Border Patrol raids, these warrantless searches feel increasingly invasive—and unconstitutional. Guest: Joseph Cox, co-founder of 404 Media and host of the 404 Media podcast. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe …

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Bonus: SchadenFriday: Are You Fitter Than an ICE Applicant? 5:30

1M ago5:30

5:30

You can have enough ICE recruits or you can have standards for the shape that they’re in, but you can’t have both—this was just one lesson Donald Trump could have learned this week, in between hosting a summit of McDonald’s franchise owners and calling a reporter “piggie.” Guest: Rebecca Onion, Slate senior staff writer. This episode is member-excl…

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TBD | Crypto Keeps Criming 24:57

1M ago24:57

24:57

Trump promised to stop the “persecution” of the cryptocurrency industry. He did call off the SEC investigations that began under Biden, and pardoned Binance cofounder and ex-CEO Changpeng Zhao. But is the crypto industry ultimately better off because of that? Guest: David Yaffe-Bellany, tech reporter for the New York Times. Want more What Next TBD?…

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5. News Rug: Christ for Nations, the Klan, and the Freaky Faith behind the Minnesota Shooting [trailer] 1:37

1M ago1:37

1:37

Fritz takes a peek under the disgusting rug of the news and finds a long historical chain of apocalyptic lunatics and klansmen crawling underneath the recent shooting in Minnesota of Democratic state representatives. We get to know William Brahnam, his KKKompanions, Gordon and Freda Lindsay, and many more strangebad folks! Like it? Share it! Connec…

1
Who Killed the Penny? She Did. 25:40

1M ago25:40

25:40

People have been talking about how the penny is more trouble than it’s worth for 50 years—so why drop it now? And—other than having nothing to put in our loafers—will it be missed? Guest: Caity Weaver, writer at The Atlantic. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your f…

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ARCHIVE: Felix Contreras, host of NPR's Alt Latino 3:56

1M ago3:56

3:56

Host of NPR's Alt Latino Felix Contreras talks with Kyle Long about Latino identity and what inspires his show on this archived segment from 2016.By [email protected] (WFYI Public Media)

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8. Left Behind Fanzine Issue #1-of-1: Tim LaHaye, the CNP, and the New Right Rapture [trailer] 1:55

1M ago1:55

1:55

For true fans of the over-a-decade-long Christian fiction series, Left Behind, and it's apocalypse addicted author, Tim LaHaye. Follow Timmy's political and cultural rise, evangelical influences, and the birth of the New Right's gray eminence, the Council for National Policy. Then, Fritz reviews Timothius' unfortunately impactful series of books an…