CNN One Thing

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Starting August 2, 2026 all new episodes can be found over in the ⁠CNN 5 Things feed.⁠ Search "CNN 5 Things" wherever you get your podcasts.

You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they've learned – and why it matters.

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369 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes369

Newest first

Nov 17, 2024 · 25 min
The ‘Mind-blowing’ Potential Impacts of Trump’s Border Policy
Immigrants, their employers and advocates are bracing for possible mass deportations once president-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. In this episode, we hear from two Hispanic families with differing views and look at the Trump loyalists he’s picked to execute his immigration agenda. Guest: Rosa Flores, CNN Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 13, 2024 · 18 min
After Trump’s Win, the 4B Movement Goes Viral In the US
As his opponents across the country come to grips with another Donald Trump presidency, some women are exploring a movement that basically swears off romantic relationships with men. In this episode, we explore its origins and the limits of its message. Guest: Harmeet Kaur, CNN Culture Writer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 10, 2024 · 20 min
He Never Voted Republican. Trump 2024 Changed That.
President-elect Donald Trump is claiming a mandate after making inroads with multiple demographics en route to a popular vote victory. In this episode, we hear from a formerly reliable Democratic voter about why he voted for Trump this time around. Guest: Nevin Skalko Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 8, 2024 · 20 min
Do Democrats Need to Rip Up Their Political Playbook?
As Democrats take stock of a definitive Trump victory, the blame game is well underway. But the problems for the party may run deeper than one campaign. Guest: Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN Senior Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 6, 2024 · 16 min
Trump Storms Back to the White House
CNN projects that former President Donald Trump will defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House, completing a historic political comeback after attempting to overturn the 2020 election. In this episode, we examine how Trump was able to build on his base and where Harris fell short. Guest: Daniel Strauss, CNN National Politics Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 3, 2024 · 26 min
Inside the Final Days of the 2024 Campaign
As polls remain tight heading into Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have been blitzing the battlegrounds trying to turn out every vote. A group of CNN reporters tell us what it’s been like tagging along for the ride since the beginning. Guests: Ebony Davis, Katherine Sullivan, Kit Maher, Aaron Pellish – CNN Embeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 30, 2024 · 21 min
Why Philadelphia Fortified Its Vote Counting Center
Victory for both the Harris and Trump campaigns likely runs through Pennsylvania. In the commonwealth’s biggest city, election officials say they’re ready to count the vote – and to beat back a torrent of misinformation that’s already arrived. Guest: Seth Bluestein, Philadelphia City Commissioner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 27, 2024 · 27 min
They Were Prolific Donors. They Also Had Dementia.
A CNN investigation has revealed how Republicans and Democrats are taking millions of dollars in donations from elderly dementia patients to fuel their campaigns. In this episode, we look at how the reporting came together and how the practice could impact political fundraising going forward. Guests: Kyung Lah, CNN Senior Investigative Correspondent & Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Investigative Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 23, 2024 · 22 min
Why Elon Musk Is All In on Donald Trump
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has recently thrown his support behind former President Donald Trump, hitting the campaign trail and pouring tens of millions of dollars into his pro-Trump superPAC. However, he continues to promote election misinformation on his social media platform X. In this episode, we examine what Musk wants out of a second Trump presidency and why his promises to voters in battleground states may violate election laws. Guest: Phil Mattingly, CNN Chief Domestic Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 20, 2024 · 23 min
The Limits of China’s ‘Panda Diplomacy’
China sent two giant pandas to Washington this week for the first time in 24 years as part of its “panda diplomacy” strategy. In this episode, we look at what the arrangement can tell us about relations between the US and China amidst concerns of Beijing’s recent military provocations and alleged foreign influence activities. Guest: David Culver, CNN Senior National Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 16, 2024 · 19 min
Inside Harris’ Pitch to Black Men
Vice President Kamala Harris released a set of policy proposals aimed at Black men earlier this week, as she looks shore up support among the group. Meanwhile, with less than three weeks until Election Day, there is concern amongst some Democrats that Harris’ campaign has plateaued. In this episode, why some Black men may not be motivated to vote for Harris in November – and to what extent misogyny might play a role. Guest: Bakari Sellers, CNN Political Commentator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 13, 2024 · 21 min
Assessing the Damage of Trump-Fueled Hurricane Misinformation
Florida's Gulf Coast continues to clean up from Hurricane Milton, which came ashore as a Category 3 storm battering an area already weary from Hurricane Helene. With less than 4 weeks to Election Day, the response to both disasters is predictably being filtered through a political lens. In this episode, we examine how former President Donald Trump and his allies are leveraging dangerous misinformation and how the storms could impact early voting in key states. Guest: Steve Contorno, CNN Political Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 11, 2024 · 28 min
'The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Wants to Piss Off Both Sides
The new film ‘The Apprentice’, starring Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova, details how a young Donald Trump rose to prominence in New York City as real estate developer in the 1970’s and ‘80’s. However, the filmmakers struggled to secure funding and questioned whether U.S. audiences would ever get to see it. In this episode, the film’s director opens up about how it eventually got made and explains why he isn’t afraid to humanize the former president and his notorious former lawyer and fixer, Roy Cohn. Guest: Ali Abbasi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 9, 2024 · 21 min
Another Hurricane Is Coming. But Helene Is Still Hurting.
As Hurricane Milton roars toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, communities there and across the Southeast are still rebuilding from Hurricane Helene, the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the United States mainland in the past 50 years. In this episode, we hear from a North Carolinian about how she survived and why she doesn’t have much faith in the federal government to help her recover and rebuild. Guest: Olivia Cooner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 6, 2024 · 24 min
How October 7th Paved the Way for a Widening War
In recent weeks, fears of a wider war between Israel and Iran have grown after Israel launched a series of attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran fired a barrage of missiles into Israel. The tense moment comes nearly one year after the brutal Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th and the devastation of Gaza that followed. In this episode, we examine how the last year has fundamentally reshaped the Middle East and whether any kind of peace is possible going forward. Guest: Nic Robertson, CNN International Diplomatic Editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 2, 2024 · 21 min
Midwest Vice: The Vance-Walz Debate
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance largely stuck to policy Tuesday night during the CBS News Vice Presidential debate, in what may be the last marquee event before Election Day. In this episode, we break down the big moments and how they could impact the race. Guest: Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN Senior Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 29, 2024 · 26 min
Understanding the Latino Vote
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are both working to mobilize Latinos, a crucial voting bloc. However, the nuances within the group are playing out in some unexpected ways. In this episode, we examine how both campaigns are crafting their messages and Trump’s (occasionally awkward) embrace of reggaeton stars. Guests: Katelina Eccleston, reggaeton historian & Cristina Beltrán, NYU associate professor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 25, 2024 · 16 min
Three Mile Island Is Reopening. Some Climate Scientists are Thrilled.
Microsoft turned heads recently when it announced it had reached a deal to buy energy from Three Mile Island, the site of the worst nuclear disaster in US history. In this episode, we examine how despite consistent concerns over waste and high costs, nuclear energy is making a comeback as a clean energy source. Guest: Ella Nilsen, CNN Climate Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 22, 2024 · 21 min
The Controversial Measures Fueling El Salvador's 'Reverse Migration'
El Salvador was once dubbed the “murder capital of the world,” causing many to flee north towards the United States. Now, many Salvadorans say they have never felt so safe, and some are even returning to the country after rebuilding their lives in the US. In this episode, we examine the controversial measures behind the turnaround. Guest: David Culver, CNN Senior National Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 18, 2024 · 20 min
The Challenge of Securing an Increasingly Violent Election
The US Secret Service is facing mounting questions in the wake of another apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. In this episode, we break down the latest in the investigation and look at the possible fallout as Election Day approaches. Guest: Zachary Cohen, CNN National Security Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices