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

Jul 14, 2024 · 19 min
Trump Survives Assassination Attempt (Plus, Latest on GOP Platform)
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to get underway on Monday in Milwaukee, despite a shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally on Saturday night that the FBI says was an assassination attempt. While the draft language of the official party platform puts Trump front and center, some say it does not go far enough on key issues. In this episode, we look at what it says and why Trump is distancing himself from a more extreme pro-Trump plan called Project 2025. Guest: Alayna Treene, CNN Politics Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 10, 2024 · 21 min
Airbnb’s Hidden Camera Problem
A new CNN investigation has uncovered that Airbnb has received tens of thousands of customer support tickets about surveillance devices dating back to 2013. Experts say despite knowing about these alleged invasions of privacy, Airbnb has failed to protect its customers and even secured silence through confidentiality agreements. In this episode, we hear from victims about their ordeals and look at how the company says it’s addressing the problem. Guest: Isabelle Chapman, CNN Investigates Producer Read the full investigation here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 7, 2024 · 17 min
The Global Impact of France’s Lurch to the Far Right
French voters are headed back to the polls this weekend in runoff parliamentary elections, one week after a strong showing from the far-right National Rally party. Hundreds of candidates in President Emmanuel Macron’s camp and the left-wing alliance have since dropped out of the race in hopes of blocking the far-right from power. In this episode, we examine what is fueling far-right parties across Europe and look at the 28-year-old who could soon become France’s youngest prime minister. Guest: Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Senior Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 3, 2024 · 18 min
What America’s ‘Best Towns to Visit’ Have in Common
Just in time for summer road trip season, CNN Travel has compiled a list of the best American towns to visit. In this episode, we examine what went into making the list and look at the one pressing issue they all share. Guest: Derek Van Dam, CNN Weather Anchor Read the full list here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 30, 2024 · 16 min
Why SCOTUS Is Saving Trump Immunity for Last
The Supreme Court wraps up its current term on Monday. Justices are finally expected to issue a major decision on presidential immunity as it relates to special counsel Jack Smith's election subversion charges against former President Donald Trump. Another decision limiting obstruction charges for January 6th rioters could also have ramifications in that case. In this episode, we break down what it said and why a separate ruling is sending shockwaves through the federal government. Guest: John Fritze, CNN Supreme Court Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 28, 2024 · 16 min
Some Dems Hit the Panic Button After Biden's Very Bad Night
In the first debate matchup between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, Biden turned in a lackluster performance that has some Democrats wondering if concerns about his age might be valid. In this special episode of One Thing, we break down the moments that mattered from the CNN presidential debate and look at where both campaigns go from here. Guest: Kristen Holmes, CNN Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 26, 2024 · 25 min
Backstage Before the CNN Presidential Debate
On Thursday, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will debate each other live on CNN, the earliest general election debate in US history. The debate is being held at a CNN studio in the key swing state of Georgia, which helped deliver the presidency to Biden in 2020. In this episode, we go inside the debate studio to preview the event and hear from Atlanta-area voters about what they want to hear from the candidates (if they'll even be watching). Guest: David Chalian, CNN Political Director Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 23, 2024 · 15 min
Why a US-Mexico Water War Is Heating Up
As extreme heat blankets large parts of the US, a war is looming between the US and Mexico over water. Under an 80-year-old treaty, both sides are expected to share resources from key rivers. However, extreme drought conditions have put Mexico well behind in delivering its share. In this episode, we examine how the shortfall is impacting American farmers and look at what can be done to factor climate change into future agreements. Guest: Laura Paddison, CNN Senior Climate Writer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 19, 2024 · 17 min
A Plan to Diversify the Workforce: Ditch the Four-Year Degree
A new push from some of America’s top companies are prioritizing skills over college degrees in hopes of diversifying the workforce and narrowing the racial wealth gap. Some young people are choosing shorter periods of specialized training so they can enter the workforce more quickly. In this episode, we hear what’s behind the growing dissatisfaction with the traditional college process and how it could upend the higher education industry. Guest: Athena Jones, CNN Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 16, 2024 · 20 min
What Should Happen to the Detained Children of ISIS?
Five years after the fall of the self-declared caliphate, tens of thousands of ISIS followers and their families are being held in dozens of detention facilities in Syria that human rights groups describe as a ‘legal black hole.’ In this episode, CNN gets unprecedented access to some of these facilities and hears from mothers and children facing dire conditions and uncertain futures. Guest: Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 12, 2024 · 14 min
The Conviction of Hunter Biden
Hunter Biden was found guilty on three federal felony gun charges on Tuesday, becoming the first child of a US president to be convicted of a federal crime. In this episode, we examine how the fallout could impact the presidential race and look ahead to Hunter’s next trial in September. Guest: Marshall Cohen, CNN Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 9, 2024 · 18 min
Your 2024 Election Media Guide
With less than five months until Election Day, coverage of the campaign is about to heat up. In this episode, we explain how candidates are calibrating their media footprints in key swing states. Plus, we have a guide to navigating potential disinformation and AI-generated content on social media. Guest: Hadas Gold, CNN Media Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 2, 2024 · 20 min
Trump is Guilty. Now What?
Donald Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a felony. So, what happens now? Audie Cornish is joined by CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes from outside Trump Tower to walk us through the next steps in the case and the potential impact this verdict could have on the election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 26, 2024 · 20 min
What Diddy’s Downfall Says About the Legacy of #MeToo
Note: This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence. Outrage has rippled through the entertainment industry ever since CNN exclusively obtained disturbing surveillance video showing Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016. After initially denying the incident and others alleged ever happened, Diddy apologized for his actions in the video. In this episode, we explore why many say the apology falls short and look at how the case fits into the wider #MeToo movement. Guest: Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Entertainment Correspondent If you or someone you know is struggling with intimate partner violence, there are resources available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 19, 2024 · 18 min
Will Michael Cohen’s Credibility Swing the Trump Trial?
Donald Trump’s ex-attorney and fixer Michael Cohen took the stand this week in the former President’s New York criminal hush money trial. During cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers appeared to strike a blow against Cohen’s credibility. In this episode, we examine how the testimony could swing the trial as we near the end of the prosecution’s case. Guest: Kara Scannell, CNN Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 12, 2024 · 19 min
RFK Jr. Says He Won’t Be a Spoiler. Is Anyone Buying It?
Earlier this month, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the race, insisting he is the only one who can beat former President Donald Trump. Despite running well behind Biden in the polls, some experts believe he will pull enough support from both candidates to impact the election. In this episode, we explore Kennedy’s controversial candidacy and how voters, Biden and Trump are responding to it. Guest: Aaron Pellish, CNN Campaign Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 5, 2024 · 18 min
The Financial Reality Behind Campus Calls to Divest
In recent weeks, several colleges have called in police to break up pro-Palestinian encampments that have popped up on campuses across the country. While demands from students vary from school to school, one of the most common is for universities to divest from Israel-linked businesses and entities. In this episode, we hear about the history of divestment protests at Columbia University and how these campaigns would play out in practice. Guest: Matt Egan, CNN Business Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 28, 2024 · 17 min
Did #BringBackOurGirls Teach the Wrong Lessons?
10 years ago, hundreds of Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria were abducted and held hostage by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The quest to rescue them captured the world’s attention, aided by pleas from high-profile figures and a viral hashtag online. But a decade later, those who escaped are still dealing with the fallout and others are left wondering if they will ever see their loved ones again. In this episode, we hear the story of one survivor and look at the state of girls’ education in the country. Guest: Stephanie Busari, CNN Senior Editor - Africa Read more here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 21, 2024 · 18 min
Coral Reefs, Cooked: A Climate Change Case Study
Two top scientific bodies recently announced that coral reefs around the world are experiencing a mass bleaching event for just the fourth time. It comes amid surging ocean temperatures over the past year, which has been the warmest on record. In this episode, we examine how a number of extreme climate change-fueled events – including coral bleaching – are on display in Australia and whether they could provide lessons in climate resiliency for the rest of the world. Guest: Ivan Watson, CNN Senior International Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 14, 2024 · 16 min
Your Guide to Trump’s Historic First Criminal Trial
More than a year after being charged, the hush money criminal trial of former President Donald Trump is set to begin this week in New York City. It comes amid numerous delays in his other criminal cases, with time ticking down until the presidential election in November. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In this episode, we examine the challenges of seating a jury in an unprecedented case like this and look at both sides’ legal arguments. Guest: Paula Reid, CNN Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices