CNN One Thing

CNN Podcasts

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 2, 2023 · 18 min
Russia After the Rebellion
More than a week after the aborted Wagner rebellion, it’s unclear what comes next for Russia and President Vladimir Putin. The eventual fate of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is also murky after striking a deal with Belarus to end the insurrection. In today’s episode, we head to Moscow to get a view from the ground and examine what the greatest challenge to Putin’s leadership in decades says about his military’s performance in Ukraine. Guest: Matthew Chance, CNN Senior International Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 25, 2023 · 18 min
A Black Minister, His Trans Daughter and a Family's Journey to Acceptance
A record number of anti-LGBTQ bills have been proposed across the country this year, including a new push to ban access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Beyond the debates and protests, some families are grappling over how to relate to the trans people in their lives. In today’s episode, we hear about a Black minister’s ongoing journey to accept his transgender daughter. Guest: Adrienne Broaddus, CNN Correspondent If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the US. The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 18, 2023 · 19 min
Who Gets to Set the AI Agenda?
Last month, some of the top voices in artificial intelligence put out a warning about the technology, saying “mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority.” How seriously should we take a warning like that? In today’s episode, we examine what’s behind calls for stricter regulation and explore some of the ways AI is already being used in politics and health care. Guest: Donie O’Sullivan, CNN Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 11, 2023 · 19 min
The Federal Indictment of Donald Trump
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on 37 counts in the special counsel's classified documents probe, the first time in American history a former president has faced federal charges. It sets up an unprecedented legal clash between President Joe Biden’s Justice Department and his potential 2024 general election opponent. In today’s episode, we break down what we know about the charges against Trump and his aide Walt Nauta. Guest: Paula Reid, CNN Senior Legal Affairs Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 4, 2023 · 18 min
Should Congress Ditch the Debt Ceiling?
After weeks of intense negotiations, the Senate passed a bill late Thursday evening that will avert a first-ever US default just days ahead of the deadline. In today’s episode, we examine why neither party is particularly thrilled about the deal and why a similar standoff in 2011 could foreshadow struggles for Republicans as they try to implement spending cuts. Guest: Tami Luhby, CNN Senior Writer To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 28, 2023 · 18 min
A Maritime “Me Too” Moment
In 2021, a blog post forced the US Coast Guard to confront a problem that had gone unchecked for years. A 19-year-old woman said she was raped while training to work on commercial ships. Then more sexual assault survivors in the industry came forward. In today’s episode, we hear why these women went public and what’s being done about it. Read more here. Guest: Blake Ellis & Melanie Hicken, CNN Investigates Senior Writers To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 21, 2023 · 18 min
Uvalde Families Get a Glimpse of the Truth
This week marks one year since 19 students and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. In that time, victims’ families say they have not received sufficient answers from authorities as to why they waited 77 minutes before breaching the classroom. In today’s episode, we hear why CNN agreed to show some parents unreleased body camera footage and examine how surviving students are coping. Guest: Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Senior Crime & Justice Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 14, 2023 · 18 min
Does Clearing Homeless Camps Just Extend the Crisis?
Many Western cities are grappling with large encampments on the streets as homeless populations grow. In Phoenix, a judge recently ordered one such encampment to be cleared after local residents sued the city for violating public nuisance laws. In today’s episode, we hear from people living in that camp about what comes next and why advocates fear similar legal strategies could soon be used in other cities. Guest: Gabe Cohen, CNN Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 7, 2023 · 20 min
Inside the Beginning of a Border Surge
The Biden administration is preparing for an influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border when the Covid-era border restriction known as Title 42 expires later this week. Officials in El Paso, Texas say they are already running out of space to house asylum seekers. In today’s episode, we hear from migrants on both sides of the border and look at how the policy shift could be felt in other cities across the country. Guest: Rosa Flores, CNN Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 30, 2023 · 17 min
Voters Don’t Want a Trump-Biden Rematch. They May Get One Anyway.
Last week, President Joe Biden made it official and announced his 2024 re-election bid. Meanwhile, more Republicans are jumping in the race to challenge apparent frontrunner former President Donald Trump. In today’s episode, we examine how Biden is framing his campaign and hear from voters on how they feel about a possible rematch between Trump and Biden. Guest: Jeff Zeleny, CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 23, 2023 · 17 min
Shot Over a Simple Mistake
On April 13, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot when he went to the wrong address to pick up his siblings. Days later, 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed in upstate New York after her and a group of friends turned into the wrong driveway. We explore what these types of incidents say about gun culture in America, and how police across the country are preparing for the worst as gun reform remains stalled in Washington. Guest: Josh Campbell, CNN Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 16, 2023 · 19 min
66 Miles Through the Darién Gap
The Biden administration is expecting an influx of asylum-seekers to arrive at the US-Mexico border next month once Title 42 is lifted. But even before they arrive in Mexico, some migrants must journey through the Darién Gap, a perilous stretch of jungle connecting Central and South America. In today’s episode, we hear from a CNN reporter who made that trek alongside a group of everyday people who were willing to risk treacherous terrain, extortion and violence to get one step closer to America. Guest: Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 9, 2023 · 17 min
A Former Prosecutor on the Novel Case Against Donald Trump
Last week, we got our first look at the case Manhattan prosecutors have brought against former President Donald Trump. However, some legal experts say the novel way Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg laid out the allegations is largely untested – and could be risky. In today’s episode, a former federal and state prosecutor breaks down the legal strategy on both sides and explains what happens next. Guest: Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 2, 2023 · 16 min
Your Trump Indictment Questions, Answered
Donald Trump is expected to be arraigned in New York City this week after a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict the former president, the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges. We break down what we know about the investigation, what the arraignment could look like and why this case could be the least of Trump’s legal concerns as the 2024 presidential election draws closer. Guest: Paula Reid, CNN Senior Legal Affairs Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 26, 2023 · 15 min
Mexico, Beyond the Border with Eva Longoria
In her new CNN series “Searching for Mexico,” actress and activist Eva Longoria goes on a journey across the country to trace her Mexican roots and explore the nation’s identity through its food. In today’s episode, we look back on her favorite moments and examine how the influence of colonization has shaped Mexican cuisine over time. Guest: Eva Longoria To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 19, 2023 · 17 min
Breakdown of a Bank Collapse (and What It Means for You)
The Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet this week for the first time since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The key question: will the largest failure of a US bank since 2008 change its approach to fighting inflation? In today’s episode we look at how we got here, the emergency response, and if the average customer can have faith in their money going forward. Guest: Christine Romans, CNN Chief Business Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 12, 2023 · 16 min
Planes, Trains & Big Mistakes
The FAA is scheduled to hold an industry-wide safety summit this week after a series of aviation safety incidents around the country, including a number of close calls on the runways of our nation’s busiest airports. In today’s episode, we take a closer look at these runway incursions and hear why some pilots say the system is as stressed as it's ever been. Guest: Pete Muntean, CNN Transportation Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 5, 2023 · 17 min
Will the Supreme Court Flunk Biden’s Student Debt Plan?
Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two challenges to President Joe Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan. While we wait for a ruling, millions of eligible borrowers remain in limbo, wondering just how much they will owe when payments resume. We break down how the justices responded and look at why another Biden administration repayment plan could provide even more relief in the long run. Guest: Katie Lobosco, CNN Politics Writer Take our short listener survey here. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 26, 2023 · 19 min
The People Fueling Ukraine’s ‘Will to Win’
It’s been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, setting off the bloodiest land war in Europe since World War II. Since then, the bravery and ingenuity of the Ukrainian people has been on full display while its military has defied the odds and inflicted staggering losses on the Russian army. In today’s episode, we hear some of their stories and look at what comes next as the conflict drags on. Guest: Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent Take our short listener survey here. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 19, 2023 · 17 min
Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Screens & Teens (Including His Own!)
Screens and social media touch nearly every part of our lives. They have also disrupted the ways we interact with each other, work, learn, and even grow up. Like many parents, this topic is personal for Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who has been reporting on this topic in the new season of his podcast, “Chasing Life.” In this episode, he shares personal conversations with his daughters and breaks down what experts say we could all do to have better relationships with our phones. Listen to “Chasing Life” here. Guest: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices