Best Nerds On Tap Podcasts (2025)

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What Next | A Surgeon in Gaza's "End Game" 33:10

Play Pause

17m ago33:10

33:10

Over three different trips during the war, this doctor saw the chaos of blast injuries in northern Gaza give way to gunshot wounds suffered at aid-distribution sites in the south. Guest: Dr. Mohammed "Adeel" Khaleel, minimally invasive and complex spinal surgeon with Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery. Want more What…

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

6m 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…

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

1h 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 …

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Culture Gabfest: Jimmy Kimmel Is Back—Sort Of— Edition 1:01:42

2h ago1:01:42

1:01:42

On this week’s episode, Julia and Dana are joined by Slate writer (and Philadelphia native) Nadira Goffe for a conversation rooted in Delaware County about Task, HBO’s new gritty crime drama from the creators of Mare of Easttown. Next, the hosts give longtime listeners what they’ve been chirping for: a discussion of birding. Specifically, it’s a di…

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155. Balancing the Third & Fourth Chakras for Healing & Integrity with Cinthia and Michelle 35:27

19h ago35:27

35:27

In this episode of Mind Power Meets Mystic, hosts Cinthia Varkevisser, your unapologetic Spiritual Shit Disturber, and Michelle Walters, hypnotherapist and coach, dive deep into the energy of the third and fourth chakras. 💛 Third Chakra – Personal power, confidence, emotions, and boundaries. How arrogance, low self-esteem, or hurt feelings can show…

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What Next | Trump’s Attack on Visas 31:01

23h ago31:01

31:01

American agriculture relies on foreign workers, and they rely on the H-2A visa program to work legally in the United States. Despite a growing number of people applying for visa spots, the Trump administration has proposed cutting the division of the Department of Labor that enforces H-2A rules, leaving workers to choose between being vulnerable to…

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

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

1d 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…

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Hang Up | The Year Without Caitlin Clark 1:06:52

1d ago1:06:52

1:06:52

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss the WNBA playoffs and the Indiana Fever's surprise success, despite an injured Caitlin Clark. They get into the uptick in long NFL field goals. Then they speak with managing editor of True Blue LA, Eric Stephen, about the career and retirement of Clayton Kershaw. For Afterballs, Ben reca…

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What Next | How Big Media Obeys in Advance 28:36

2d ago28:36

28:36

Media giants like Paramount and Disney have been swift to capitulate to the Trump administration and the tenacious head of the FCC, Brendan Carr. Why new ownership from the likes of the Ellisons is likely to make things worse. Guest: Nitish Pahwa, staff writer for business and tech at Slate. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad…

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Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 1:01:27

2d ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Send us a text This week we talkabout a legacy sequel like no other, as Spinal Tap reunite for a follow up to their 80's documentary, with Marty DiBergi back in the directing chair to follow one of England's loudest rock bands as they gear up for a reunion concert. This is 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues'. Does the film follow in the originals fo…

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Preparing Finances for Fall and How to Help Parents Who Haven’t Saved Enough 30:34

2d ago30:34

30:34

Learn how to prepare your finances for fall and support aging parents who have limited retirement savings. How can you check in on your finances this fall? What’s the best way to help parents with little savings retire? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how you can give yourself a fall financial check-in before they answer a listener’s …

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Care & Feeding | The 25 Best Picture Books of the Last 25 Years 38:34

2d ago38:34

38:34

On this episode: Lucy and Elizabeth are joined by guest host Rebecca Onion to dive into her and Dan Kois’ definitive list of the 25 best picture books of the last quarter century. Which modern stories have staying power? Which books belong beside the classics on your child’s shelf? The hosts debate and delight in the choices. But first, they share …

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Ep.8: The Gorosei Have Arrived!! Episode 1144 Review & More!! 2:09:43

2d ago2:09:43

2:09:43

Send us a text 🔴 Poneglyph Podcast Episode 8 | One Piece Ep. 1144 Review, Anime News & One Piece Lore! Set sail with us for Episode 8 of the Poneglyph Podcast! Today we’re diving deep into: ⚓ One Piece Episode 1144 Review – breaking down the latest episode and sharing our thoughts. 🌍 Anime World News Updates – the biggest headlines and stories from…

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What Next: TBD | Is A.I. Taking Your Job? 31:03

3d ago31:03

31:03

If you’re hunting for a job, the odds are increasingly likely you’ll have an interview with an artificial intelligence “recruiter.” And why not? It’s also increasingly likely you’ll be working with A.I. anyway. Guest: Danielle Abril, technology-in-the-workplace reporter for the Washington Post. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to ac…

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The Friday Pour: Boom & Gloom for Week 3 25:14

4d ago25:14

25:14

It’s time to set those Week 3 lineups, and I’ve got you covered with my studs and duds for every position in Sunday and Monday’s games. I’ll give you two players I’m betting on to go off and two players I think could sink your week at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Whether you’re grinding for an edge in redraft, dynasty, o…

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Slate Money | The Nerds' Last Stand at the Fed 43:02

4d ago43:02

43:02

This week: The Fed announced an expected rate cut with an unexpected dissent. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck are joined by Axios’ Neil Irwin who breaks down why the Fed meeting was so unusual – thanks to the very recent Trump appointee Stephen Miran– and what it means for the future of the central bank. Then, AMEX announced an incre…

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ICYMI | Nobody Wants To Party Anymore 44:50

4d ago44:50

44:50

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by sociologist and content creator Josh Lora, who goes by @tellthebeees on TikTok and Substack. In his viral piece, “The Mainstreaming of Loserdom,” Lora explores how a generation of people is becoming proudly anti-social, often in favor of staying home on their phones. While less and less people may …

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

4d 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 …

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Gabfest Reads | The Recent Past of Prison Punishment 24:19

4d ago24:19

24:19

Emily Bazelon talks with author and Yale professor Judith Resnik about her new book, Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy. They discuss the history of the prison system’s use of punishments like whipping, how the practice came to an end, and more. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]…

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What Next: TBD | A Very Online Shooter 35:58

5d ago35:58

35:58

As the Charlie Kirk murder demonstrated, law enforcement, the government, and media all need more internet fluency. But their reactions in the wake of the murder don’t seem to be moving towards a better understanding. Guest: Ryan Broderick, reporter on online culture, author of the newsletter Garbage Day. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate…

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Boujee Boi | Spinal Tap 2 Review – The Long Walk and The Paper 1:26:06

5d ago1:26:06

1:26:06

Episode 527: Spinal Tap 2 Review – Tyler starts off the episode by discussing the Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk! Pat shares his thoughts on The Office spinoff series The Paper. Tyler leads the discussion of the latest “Nerd News”...including the Emmys! The Nerds review the new legacy sequel Spinal Tap 2 The End Continues! They end the episo…

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Political Gabfest | The Domestic Terrorist 1:06:04

5d ago1:06:04

1:06:04

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the government’s intimidation tactics aimed at chilling free speech after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, why Trump seems intent to provoke armed conflict with Venezuela, and how the president and his Republican allies are upending DC self-governance with guest Michael Schaffer (City C…

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What Next | Trump’s Getting His Economy. Yikes. 26:23

6d ago26:23

26:23

Donald Trump has been calling for the Fed to cut rates to bolster the economy, and yesterday, they announced they would. The bad news is that’s because the economy is going to need a lot more bolstering. Guest: Justin Wolfers, economist and professor at the University of Michigan Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listen…

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The Fed Just Cut Rates — Here’s How to Make the Most of It (Plus: How to Freeze Your Credit) 28:51

6d ago28:51

28:51

Learn how the Fed rate cut impacts loans and savings, then find out when to freeze your credit and how to do it fast. What does a Federal Reserve rate cut mean for your wallet? Should you freeze your credit if an internet provider runs a soft pull? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off this episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski to …

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Care & Feeding | Guiding Kids Through Hard-to-Explain Headlines 35:01

6d ago35:01

35:01

Reporter and former Care & Feeding host Aymann Ismail joins Elizabeth & Lucy to talk about how to approach conversations with kids about violence in the news. The hosts discuss ways to frame scary or divisive headlines, how to balance honesty with reassurance, and how parents can manage their own reactions while guiding kids through uncertain times…

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154. Solar Plexus Power & Ayurveda for Metabolic Health with Ingrid Elise 31:41

7d ago31:41

31:41

What this episode is about Food as medicine meets energy as strategy. Ingrid shares how she reversed severe illness, supports type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance with low-carb, five-ingredient cooking, and uses Ayurveda to balance the solar plexus chakra (personal power + digestion). Michelle adds mind power tools and hypnosis; Cinthia connects …

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Your Tuesday Edge: Week 2 Busts & TNF Keys 23:47

7d ago23:47

23:47

Week 2 brought plenty of fantasy football busts, but should you actually panic? In this episode of Your Tuesday Edge, I break down the biggest letdowns from the week and give each player a worry rating so you know who is safe to keep starting and who might be trending toward your waiver wire. Then we shift to Thursday night as the Bills and Dolphin…

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What Next | Can Kash Patel Survive This? 30:16

7d ago30:16

30:16

What happens to an organization when it purges much of its leadership and ranks irrespective of ability, and hires for sycophantic loyalty instead? The FBI is finding out. Guests: Michael Feinberg, former assistant special agent in charge at the FBI’s field office in Norfolk, VA, now a fellow at Lawfare. Quinta Jurecic, staff writer at The Atlantic…

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ICYMI | The Funniest Guy on Slate's Slack 49:21

7d ago49:21

49:21

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Slate senior writer Ben Mathis-Lilley to say goodbye after eleven years at Slate. Ben was responsible for iconic stories like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice to Get Knocked Out Cold With a Shovel for Exactly Six Weeks and Five Days?”, and is known as the “funniest person in Slack” despite spending his days re…

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Culture Gabfest: Can Spinal Tap Still Go to 11 Edition 1:09:56

7d ago1:09:56

1:09:56

On this week’s show, Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Dan Kois to turn the volume up to… well, how hard Spinal Tap II: The End Continues rocks is the question of the day. They debate the mockumentary sequel which reunites the original Tap gang for a surprisingly tender portrait of aged rock stars. Next, they turn their icy gaze at the POV-sh…

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Weapons 1:09:02

8d ago1:09:02

1:09:02

Send us a text This week we talkabout one of the films from the Summer; a horror that took the world by storm: 'Weapons'. As the children from a classroom in America all ran off in the dead of night, we witness a handful of characters and their involvement to the case. We talkabout the film and it's greatest scenes, we analyse the cast, ranking the…

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What Next | Who’s Winning the War on Higher Education? 33:39

8d ago33:39

33:39

Conservatives have decried higher education as a center of liberal indoctrination for decades, and under the second Trump administration, colleges and universities are watching their federal funding be withheld or frozen, their presidents step down, and professors lose their jobs. What can be done to wrest back academic freedom and independence fro…

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Slate Money | Money Talks: Battle of the AI Bots 37:17

8d ago37:17

37:17

In this Money Talks: Elizabeth Spiers is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Rivlin to discuss his book AI Valley, a deep dive into the Silicon Valley companies that are competing to create the best–and most profitable–AI model. Gary has been covering the tech world for decades and has seen the major players in this arms race evolve ov…

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How To! | Use Hypnosis 54:24

8d 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…

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Death, Sex & Money | Private Equity Blew Up My Life 55:40

8d ago55:40

55:40

When Megan Greenwell was 34 she landed a coveted job in journalism as the editor-in-chief of the sports and culture blog, Deadspin. Just over a year later a post about why she was resigning went viral – a private equity firm had bought Deadspin’s parent company, and was seeking "a quick cash-out rather than the growth that comes from a well-run bus…

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Hang Up: The Chiefs and the Week 2 NFL Panic Button 1:03:56

8d ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Ben Lindbergh, and Lindsay Gibbs discuss the beginning of the NFL season, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ 0-2 record; their worst start since 2014 when they last missed the playoffs. Has their aging lineup started to catch up to them? Plus, the return of tush-push discourse. Next, the 38-year-old Sidney Crosby has played a whopping…

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Tap to Pay, Tap to Overspend? Mobile Wallet Traps and Money Conversations That Pay Off 29:47

9d ago29:47

29:47

Learn if digital wallets make you overspend and how simple habits can help you stay on budget. How do you start money conversations that actually help? Do mobile wallets make you overspend? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss intentional money conversations and the psychology of paying by phone vs. card vs. cash to help you control spendi…

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What Next: Hasan Piker Knew Charlie Kirk 29:25

9d ago29:25

29:25

Hasan Piker was scheduled to debate Charlie Kirk at Dartmouth University later this month, a left-vs-right, Vidal-vs-Buckley for the streaming age. In the wake of Kirk’s shocking death, Piker wants to continue to be clear about who Kirk was, what he stood for, and the reactionary political project he was working to advance. Guest: Hasan Piker, Twit…

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Care & Feeding | When Sharing Doesn’t Come Easy 30:43

9d ago30:43

30:43

A listener writes in about a toddler who loves bringing toys to the playground but rarely wants to share them. The hosts unpack why sharing is so tough at this age, how parents can set expectations, and their own philosophies on how kids—and adults—learn to share. Plus, check-ins: Lucy brings a delightfully funny Italian-American teen romance story…

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Ep. 7: The Message That Changes EVERYTHING!! Episode 1143 Review & More!! 2:11:03

9d ago2:11:03

2:11:03

Send us a text ⛩️ Poneglyph Podcast Episode 7 We’re back with another episode of the Poneglyph Podcast, your go-to place for everything One Piece and anime! Tonight we’ve got a packed show: 🌊 Episode 1143 Review – Breaking down the latest One Piece episode 📰 Anime World News – The biggest updates across the anime community 📖 Manga Chapter 1160 Disc…

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What Next: TBD | Her Daughter Killed Herself. Then She Saw the ChatGPT logs. 34:37

10d ago34:37

34:37

After their daughter committed suicide, they found her ChatGPT log—and where artificial intelligence helped her write her suicide note. Guest: Laura Reiley, writer for the Cornell Chronicle. 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 toda…

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153. Lomi Lomi, Palo & Power: Ancient Healing Tools with Donell Allen 31:05

10d ago31:05

31:05

n this powerful and heart-centered episode of Mind Power Meets Mystic, co-hosts Michelle Walters and Cinthia Varkevisser are joined by the extraordinary Donell Allen, CNMT – a certified neuromuscular massage therapist, Lomi Lomi-inspired bodyworker, and practitioner of Palo and other sacred healing traditions. Donell shares her transformative story…

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Big D*ck Zombie Stuff | The Conjuring Last Rites Review – Bob’s Burgers, IASIP and Relay 1:24:35

11d ago1:24:35

1:24:35

Episode 526: The Conjuring Last Rites Review – Tyler starts off the episode by discussing getting caught up with Bob’s Burgers and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia! Pat shares his thoughts on the new David Mackenzie film Relay. Tyler leads the discussion of the latest “Nerd News”...including a couple of new trailers (Wake up Dead Man, 28 Years Lat…

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Slate Money | The Hyundai ICE Raid 47:12

11d ago47:12

47:12

This week: ICE raided a Hyundai plant in Georgia. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss the somewhat hamfisted raid that detained hundreds of South Korean workers–disrupting both Hyundai’s operations and the local economy–and the potential fallout if foreign companies see this as a reason to avoid investing in the US. Then, Oracle’…

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ICYMI | Is #BodyPositivity Over? 51:17

11d 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…

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Hit Parade | Toppermost of the Poppermost Edition Part 1 54:55

11d ago54:55

54:55

In the rarefied world of smash pop singles, there are No. 1s—and there are No. 1 debuts. Entering Billboard’s Hot 100 at the top is one of the hardest tricks in music. In fact, it wasn’t possible in the U.S. until 1995. That’s when the record labels hacked the Hot 100 and figured out how to send new singles straight into the chart penthouse. But sc…

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

11d 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…

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The Friday Pour: Week 2 Studs & Duds You Can't Miss! 28:24

12d ago28:24

28:24

It’s time to set those Week 2 lineups, and I’ve got you covered with my studs and duds for every position in Sunday and Monday’s games. I’ll give you two players I’m betting on to go off and two players I think could sink your week at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Whether you’re grinding for an edge in redraft, dynasty, o…

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What Next: TBD | You Can't Escape the Charlie Kirk Video 36:04

12d ago36:04

36:04

Graphic, violent videos like the shooting of right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk circulate across social media moments after they happen, finding an audience even among people who have made no effort to seek them out. Guest: Craig Silverman, journalist and cofounder of Indicator. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listeni…