Best Slate Magazine Podcasts (2025)

1
🥃 “Negroni Hotel” — Death & Co’s hotel chain. Costco’s 9am DINK hour. Apple acquires Intel? +Ad-supported Toilet Paper 21:58

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13h ago21:58

21:58

Death & Co. started the craft cocktail movement… and now it’s becoming a hotel chain. Apple’s surprise Made in America power move?... Buy Intel (the whole company). Costco opened 1 hour early for executive members … and it led to a surge in upgrades. Plus, video advertising is coming for your… Toilet Paper. $COST $INTC $AAPL Want more business stor…

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ICYMI | Jimmy Kimmel & The Death Of Free Speech Online 52:27

2d ago52:27

52:27

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Spitfire News writer Kat Tenbarge to discuss how reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death are prompting us to reexamine free speech. In her piece, “Is anyone going to defend free speech online?” she explains how this right has long been under threat. From legal challenges to biased algor…

1
Amicus | “Color-Blind” Admissions Continue to Hurt Us 1:23:43

2d ago1:23:43

1:23:43

The week ended with a Grand Jury Indictment of former FBI Director James Comey for what looks to be a pair of unprovable crimes. Indeed the US Attorney overseeing the case declined to bring the indictment for that very reason. He’s gone and Donald Trump’s personal insurance lawyer brought the case. Mark Joseph Stern and Dahlia Lithwick discuss what…

1
🚛 “Sloppy Soundtracks” — Spotify’s AI purge. NFL’s 3 huge sales. Starbucks’ McDonald moment. + Anthropologie’s $1K rock. 22:56

4d ago22:56

22:56

Starbucks is decaffeinating itself, closing 400 stores… but there’s hope for Starbs at McDonald’s. 3 NFL teams just sold at record prices... They sold to Private Equity, but what about fan shares? Spotify deleted 75M AI songs, while AI slop is slowing your work day… Welcome to the AI Garbage Truck Era. Plus, Anthropologie is selling a rock?… For $1…

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What Next: TBD | How Trump Got Obsessed with Autism 32:22

3d ago32:22

32:22

Why would Donald Trump rush to announce that Tylenol is a potential cause of autism, a claim unsupported by the research? Guest: Dan Diamond, White House reporter for the Washington Post. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today o…

1
Political Gabfest | Tough It Out, Pregnant Ladies! 1:10:35

4d ago1:10:35

1:10:35

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss how Trump is using the powerful machine of government prosecution to reverse-engineer crimes supposedly committed by enemies, his diatribe against Tylenol at the disastrous press conference on autism, and the echoes of past Red Scares in today’s free speech climate with historian Bev…

1
🛵 “Who is Mamadou?” — Uber’s perfect delivery guy. Nvidia’s OpenAI circularity. Exec Assistants-for-All. +Sorority $$$ Surge. 22:53

5d ago22:53

22:53

Who is Mamadou?... The 5.0 perfect delivery mystery is Uber’s big marketing opportunity. Nvidia paid OpenAI $100B, so that OpenAI can pay Nvidia $100B?... It’s circular financing. The new flex at work? Having an Executive Assistant… It’s the “EAs-for-All” Trend Plus, Sororities are cashing in on their viral fame… Sisters are getting paychecks. $NVD…

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ICYMI | Hank Green Started a War With Knitters 45:09

5d ago45:09

45:09

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay break down the drama between Vlogbrothers star Hank Green and the online knitting community. Earlier this month, Green posted an educational SciShow episode about the knitting community’s contribution to physics. What the SciShow team didn’t expect were almost 30-minute long reaction videos and accusations of belittling…

1
🍣 “Capitalism Roll” — Sushi’s US surge. Oura’s $11B Ring. Oklo’s nuclear Trump speech. +Ben Stiller soda. 22:31

5d ago22:31

22:31

Sushi is surging in America, specifically grocery store sushi… because convenience is king. Oura just hit a $11B valuation selling their tech rings… and it’s thanks to women and soldiers. Oklo stock has risen 1,500% in the last year… even though it has zero revenue (it’s nuclear!) Plus, Ben Stiller is launching a soda brand… and Chick-fil-A is too?…

1
Why Do Actors Act Like They Can Sing? 1:01:32

5d ago1:01:32

1:01:32

When an actor opens their mouth to sing in a movie, chances are high that the voice you hear will be their own. Even in music biopics, movie stars without much singing experience regularly go to great lengths to impersonate the most beloved vocalists of our time. Why not simply play Johnny Cash or Bruce Springsteen’s actual recordings, the reasons …

1
How To! | Update: Losing Your ‘Virginity’ at 43 45:52

7d ago45:52

45:52

In this mailbag episode of How To!, we get an update from Elizabeth, the 43-year-old listener who contacted us for advice on her plan to have sex for the first time. Then, co-hosts Courtney Martin and Carvell Wallace get listeners’ takes on our most talked-about episodes of the year—and the staff holds an impromptu idea meeting for upcoming episode…

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How To! | Update: Losing Your ‘Virginity’ at 43 45:52

6d ago45:52

45:52

In this mailbag episode of How To!, we get an update from Elizabeth, the 43-year-old listener who contacted us for advice on her plan to have sex for the first time. Then, co-hosts Courtney Martin and Carvell Wallace get listeners’ takes on our most talked-about episodes of the year—and the staff holds an impromptu idea meeting for upcoming episode…

1
Death, Sex & Money | From Brazilian Butt Lifts to Botox: Your Beauty Confessions 1:03:48

7d ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Over the past few months, we've been asking you to tell us stories about your beauty interventions. You told us about feeling caught between viewing appearance improvements as vanity and recognizing how much looking a certain way affects your relationships, career, and self-worth. In this episode, Anna talks to listeners about their appearance choi…

1
Death, Sex & Money | From Brazilian Butt Lifts to Botox: Your Beauty Confessions 1:03:48

7d ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Over the past few months, we've been asking you to tell us stories about your beauty interventions. You told us about feeling caught between viewing appearance improvements as vanity and recognizing how much looking a certain way affects your relationships, career, and self-worth. In this episode, Anna talks to listeners about their appearance choi…

1
🧸 “Bear Squeeze” — Build-A-Bear’s 2,500% surge. H-1B’s $100K visa fee. Beli’s Yelp-etition. +SNL’s talent accelerator. 22:53

7d ago22:53

22:53

Trump jacked up the fee of H-1B visas to $100K… The economic lens? It’s a tariff on people. Build-A-Bear’s stock is surging this year… because 92% of us still have a childhood teddy bear. Beli is viral restaurant review site challenging Yelp… because stories are better than stars. Plus, Saturday Night Live’s key to success?... The Snicker Bar Strat…

1
Update: Losing Your ‘Virginity’ at 43 45:52

7d ago45:52

45:52

In this mailbag episode of How To!, we get an update from Elizabeth, the 43-year-old listener who contacted us for advice on her plan to have sex for the first time. Then, co-hosts Courtney Martin and Carvell Wallace get listeners’ takes on our most talked-about episodes of the year—and the staff holds an impromptu idea meeting for upcoming episode…

1
💏 “Cuffing Szn” — Raya’s dating club. Olive Garden’s petite parm. TikTok FlipFlop. +September Stock Diss. 22:31

8d ago22:31

22:31

The top dating app right now is a secret: Raya… It’s got a waitlist bigger than Philadelphia. We have TikTok deal, it’s approved, but we don’t know the details?… We’ll explain the TikTok FlipFlop. The Olive Garden is offering petite portions for petite prices… we think they’re starting a trend. Plus, stocks just hit all-time highs… but September is…

1
Amicus | Free Speech Is The Enemy of Free Speech, Apparently 52:59

10d ago52:59

52:59

Dahlia Lithwick talks to First Amendment law professor Mary Anne Franks to explore the inversion of free speech in America this past week, and to trace the ways our assumptions about the First Amendment helped to tip us into this upside-down. Dr. Franks, author of Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment, explains the contradictions …

1
👟 “Air Force Kirkland” — Nike’s Costco sneaker. Amex’s $895 mirror card. Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation. +Kevin Durant’s crypto password. 22:42

11d ago22:42

22:42

Amex just jacked up the fee for its Platinum card to $895… so we used AI to optimize the points. Did Nike just collab with Costco on a shoe?... Could be a deepfake - or an intentional Nike leak. Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show just got canceled… but you can follow the money to a $6B acquisition. Plus, NBA star Kevin Durant forgot his Coinbase passwo…

1
☎️ “No you hang up!” — Landlines’ comeback. SharkNinja’s influencer army. The Fed’s D-Day. +Nike/Nobu Sushi Club. 23:00

12d ago23:00

23:00

Landline phones are making a comeback, led by the brand Tin Can… and it’s because of Millennial parents. SharkNinja sells gadgets in 35 categories… and pays influencers $700M to promote them.. The Federal Reserve announced an interest rate cut… and declared independence. Plus, Nike just launched a Sushi Club?... Welcome to the Nobu Sneaker era. $SN…

1
👁️ “eyePhone” — Zuck’s screen-in-lens glasses. Kodak’s renaissance moment. Quarterly Earnings psych. +Treadmill trends. 23:00

12d ago23:00

23:00

Meta leaked that they’re launching new smart glasses today… with a screen on the lens. Kodak is back with a camera that sold out… thanks to Labubu dolls. Trump wants to end quarterly earnings… So we’ll explain the psychology of long-term thinking. Plus, there is 1 fitness fad that is un-disruptable… The Treadmill. $KODK $META $SPY Want more busines…

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How To! | Use Hypnosis 54:24

14d ago54:24

54:24

Much of our common understanding of hypnosis has been gleaned from mind-control plots in Hollywood movies or hokey on-stage demonstrations. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Stanford University psychiatrist and researcher Dr. David Spiegel to talk about what hypnosis is (and isn’t), as well as its potential to address stress, pa…

1
👢 “ChatGP-She” – AI’s female flip. Robinhood’s VC-for-All. Shake Shack’s Michael Kors burger. +Sony Walkman’s innovation. 22:58

13d ago22:58

22:58

ChatGPT revealed the 1st study on who actually uses it… The power user? High school girls. Shake Shack invented a French Onion Burger… it’s the same affordable luxury strategy as Michael Kors. Robinhood is launching a Venture Capital fund for everyone… but the devil’s in the deals. Plus, the untold origin story of… The Sony Walkman $SHAK $HOOD $MSF…

1
How To Use Hypnosis 54:24

13d ago54:24

54:24

Much of our common understanding of hypnosis has been gleaned from mind-control plots in Hollywood movies or hokey on-stage demonstrations. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on Stanford University psychiatrist and researcher Dr. David Spiegel to talk about what hypnosis is (and isn’t), as well as its potential to address stress, pa…

1
👨 “Performative Male” — Pinterest’s pin dudes. Alo’s ath-luxury bag. Stagflation’s fire flood. 22:07

15d ago22:07

22:07

Alo launched a $3,600 bag, while Aldi launched a free bag… and that explains the economy. The #1 issue this week is stagflation… The Fed has to decide to put out the fire or fix the flood. Pinterest is celebrating the rise of the “Pin Dude”… but in social media and tech, nice guys finish last. $PINS $SPY $LULU Want more business storytelling from u…

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ICYMI | Is #BodyPositivity Over? 51:17

17d ago51:17

51:17

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by writer Virgie Tovar, whose latest podcast, GLP-1 Truth Serum, explores the predatory nature of GLP-1 marketing, and companies’ attempts to target plus-size creators. But #BodyPositivity was getting backlash long before these new weight loss drugs became trendy, and now social medi…

1
Amicus | Dear Justice Kavanaugh, “I’m American, Bro” 51:28

17d ago51:28

51:28

In this week’s episode of Amicus, we delve into the recent Supreme Court shadow docket order in Noem v. Vasquez-Perdomo, which in essence legalized racial profiling by roving ICE patrols, and in practice may have ushered in America’s “show your papers” era for Americans with brown skin, who speak Spanish, and/or go to Home Depot in work clothes. Jo…

1
⚽ “Yellow card” — World Cup’s surge seating. Winklevii Bros’ IPO. Casey’s pizza station. +Zodiac Investing. 22:51

18d ago22:51

22:51

FIFA began selling tickets to the 2026 World Cup in USA yesterday… and it’s messing with StubHub. The Winklevoss twins didn’t get Facebook… but their crypto company Gemini just IPO’d. The 5th biggest pizza chain in America is actually a gas station… Casey’s General Store. Plus, your zodiac sign is wrong… Find out your zodiac through NY Times here: …

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Political Gabfest | Assassination of Charlie Kirk 1:02:54

18d ago1:02:54

1:02:54

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk amid an extremely troubling climate of political violence in America, another Supreme Court order with no majority explanation allowing racial profiling by ICE in LA, and a score-settling excerpt from Kamala Harris’s upcoming memoir 107 Days. For thi…

1
🔮 “New Richest Human” — Oracle’s 40% surge. Ralph Lauren’s AI nepobaby. “Got Milk?” 30th b’day. +Pokemon Card investors. 22:16

19d ago22:16

22:16

Oracle stock jumped 40% yesterday… making Larry Ellison is now the world’s richest person. Ralph Lauren stock is at an all-time high… Because the founder’s son got tech done. Got Milk is now 30 years old… and the world’s most successful ad is making a comeback. Plus, Pokemon Cards are beating the stock market… up 3,000%. $ORCL $RL $SPY Want more bu…

1
🤏 “Ozempic iPhone” — Apple’s iPhone “Air”. Ben & Jerry’s revolt. Sphere’s 4D Wizard of Oz. +Anti-Shoe-Startups. 22:08

20d ago22:08

22:08

Apple just unveiled the iPhone Air… for Apple, it’s survival by a thousand features. Wizard of Oz at the Sphere is basically the metaverse… and the blockbuster of 2025. Ben & Jerry are calling for their namesake brand to be freed from Unilever. Plus, the hot new startup trend… is no shoes allowed in the office. $UL $AAPL $SPHR Want more business st…

1
Jane Fonda’s Workout, Part 2: Hanoi Jane’s VHS Revolution (Encore) 52:59

19d ago52:59

52:59

In part two of our special two-part episode, we return to the 1982 VHS tape that created the at-home video industry: Jane Fonda’s Workout. On this episode, originally released in 2020, we deconstruct the tape itself, how it was made, and why anyone thought it was a good idea in the first place. Then we’ll explore how it was possible for an extremel…

1
🧈 “Costco Gold Digger” — Gold’s all-time-high. OpenAI’s 1st Cannes film. Black Rock Coffee’s IPO. +NYYankee $$$. 22:02

21d ago22:02

22:02

Sam Altman’s newest idea?... OpenAI makes an animated movie to win the Cannes Film Fest. Black Rock Coffee is going public as anti-Starbucks… It’s not “disruption,” it’s “erosion.” One of the 3 top stocks of the year is Numont Mining… because gold just hit an all-time-high. Plus, the New York Yankees aren’t a baseball team… they’re a fashion brand.…

1
How To Quit Your Dream Job 39:18

21d ago39:18

39:18

Alice has an objectively cool job. She programs film festivals and gets to watch documentaries for a living. But that living is also stressful: It’s low-paying, seasonal work that provides some status, sure, but not much stability. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace brings on atheist chaplain and author Vanessa Zoltan, who spent two years …

1
What Next | Can You Get a COVID Vaccine? 28:14

22d ago28:14

28:14

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure as HHS Secretary has meant turmoil for the CDC: thousands of employees have either been let go, or are unclear on their employment status; leadership has been stepping down; and there was a shooting at their Atlanta building in August. The result is RFK being yelled at in the Senate, thousands of CDC employees calling…

1
💰 “$1 Trillion Paycheck” — Elon’s 13-digit incentive. J.Crew’s AI faux pas. US Open’s Cadillac. +Martell baby #2. 23:35

22d ago23:35

23:35

The real winner of the US Open? Cadillac… It used “The Great Gatsby Strategy.” J.Crew just caused the biggest fashion drama of the year… It used AI to knockoff *itself*. Elon may get the biggest pay package in history… The 1st ever $1 Trillion paycheck. Plus, Nick and Molly's second IBO (Initial Baby Offering) has arrived and is trading on the sock…

1
ICYMI | The Gaylor Fandom Is Going Through It 51:37

24d ago51:37

51:37

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Spitfire News writer Kat Tenbarge, who came to the defense of the Gaylor fandom (people who believe Taylor Swift is secretly queer) after they were accused of “crashing out” in light of her engagement to Travis Kelce. But who are the Gaylors, really? And why are they always the bu…

1
Amicus | How To Fix Our Broken Constitution 55:37

24d ago55:37

55:37

There is a “stuckness” to American political life right now, which has become a seemingly inexorable centrifuge of polarization, victimization and power grabbing. The constitution is brandished as sword and shield, and also as though it is the word of God. Americans, it seems, have lost the ability to think creatively and expansively about the cons…

1
Political Gabfest | CDC DOA 1:00:56

25d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss what the spate of legal defeats for the Trump administration portends as cases wind toward the Supreme Court, the real world effects of RFK Jr. gutting the CDC with guest Dr. Josh Sharfstein, and whether Democrats should compel government shutdown or avoid it now that Congress is bac…

1
💰 “The (Ex)Finance Bro’s Guide To $$$” — Nick & Jack interviewed on Wild 'Til 9 1:13:27

26d ago1:13:27

1:13:27

What do I do with my money? And why? And how? And ???????? We hung out with influencer couple Lauren Riihimaki (aka LaurDIY) & Jeremy Lewis to answer those questions. As a couple ex-finance guys turned pop-biz podcasters, we shared everything we know. So while we’re on vacation, we’re playing this interview from the Wild ‘Til 9 podcast. What is a s…

1
ICYMI | Is $55K Enough To Work At Your Favorite Podcast? 43:23

27d ago43:23

43:23

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay talk about the backlash surrounding The Cutting Room Floor, a fashion podcast you may know from its Leandra Medine Cohen episode or its viral Steve Madden interview. Last week, host and creator Recho Omondi went on TikTok to hire a full-time staffer who would be an office administrator, bookings coordinator, and persona…

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PART 2 👜Birkin: The Handbag That Costs More Than Your House 21:30

27d ago21:30

21:30

Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet here: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ When Jane Birkin's boyfriend ran over her beloved wicker basket, she was stuck lugging a messy tote onto a flight to London. As her Hermès planner exploded across the first-class cabin, her mortified seatmate suggested she needed a bag with pockets. "Hermès doesn't ma…

1
Death, Sex & Money | Sex-Positive Parents, Crass Grandparents, and a Weird and Wonderful Childhood 58:02

28d ago58:02

58:02

When comedy writer Tamara Yajia talks about her childhood, she’s sometimes unsure what tone to strike. Her new memoir Cry for Me Argentina: My Life as a Failed Child Star depicts a very fun nuclear family with parents and grandparents who are loud, crass, and sex-positive. There are hilarious moments and situations that seem wildly inappropriate. I…

1
PART 1 👜Birkin: The Handbag That Costs More Than Your House 25:15

28d ago25:15

25:15

Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet here: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ When Jane Birkin's boyfriend ran over her beloved wicker basket, she was stuck lugging a messy tote onto a flight to London. As her Hermès planner exploded across the first-class cabin, her mortified seatmate suggested she needed a bag with pockets. "Hermès doesn't ma…

1
How To Host With Ease 42:53

28d ago42:53

42:53

Krystina used to host gatherings all the time. Then came kids and the pandemic, and the parties ground to a halt. She’s feeling a renewed urge to bring people together—specifically her inspiring, badass female friends—but every time she starts to plan something meaningful, she balks. On this episode: How To!’s Courtney Martin connects Krystina with…

1
Amicus | Is The National Guard Coming To Your City? 57:52

1M ago57:52

57:52

In this episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick discusses the recent deployment of the National Guard in Washington D.C. and its implications for checks and balances in the U.S. legal system. She is joined by Elizabeth “Liza” Goitein from the non-partisan Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, a leading expert on all things Posse Comita…

1
Political Gabfest | Dial M for Mortgage Fraud 1:06:56

1M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s brazen effort to smash Fed independence by wielding allegations of mortgage fraud against Fed governor Lisa Cook, the expanding law enforcement role of the National Guard in DC and other cities, and the inexplicable folly of Trump’s all-out assault on the renewable wind indus…

1
What Next | Could Artificial Blood Save Lives? 27:01

1M ago27:01

27:01

Blood has a very short shelf life, even under the best of conditions—and you can picture the less-than-ideal conditions where blood is frequently needed—which is why scientists have been working on a blood alternative. The results are promising. Guest: Nicky Twilley, host of “Gastropod” podcast and author of Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our…