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.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

369 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes369

Newest first

March 15 · 27 min
After DOGE Cuts, The Government Is Hiring Again. Will Anyone Bite?
Last year, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency took a chainsaw to the federal government, slashing jobs and cutting programs in the name of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. While it did not reduce spending, current and former government officials tell CNN that some of the cuts are hampering government readiness amid the Iran war. Now, the government is looking to ramp up hiring again – but only with workers who align with the Trump administration’s priorities. We hear from a former federal worker about how last year’s cuts impacted her, and from an expert who says he's concerned about adding more political appointees to the mix. For more: ‘A shell of our former self’: How Trump and Musk’s spending cuts are hampering US government readiness amid the Iran war --- Guests: Melissa Patsalides & Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service President and CEO Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Tami Luhby Photo: Allison Robbert/AFP/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 11 · 22 min
Why Higher Gas Prices Are More Than a ‘Glitch’
The war in Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for transporting roughly 20% of the world’s oil. As a result, ships are stuck and gas prices are climbing in the US. We look at the Trump administration’s possible solutions, and the key psychological benchmark that could push their political problem to a breaking point. For more: The grim choice facing the Trump administration: Economic or naval collapse? --- Guests: Martín Izaguirre Salgado & David Goldman, CNN Business Senior Reporter Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Vanessa Yurkevich Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 8 · 23 min
The Pentagon vs. AI Power Players: Did Anyone Win?
Anger directed at OpenAI is spreading after it struck a deal with the Pentagon to use its AI models in classified systems, just hours after its rival, Anthropic, refused. OpenAI said it had shared Anthropic’s concerns about mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, so why did they sign? And what does this mean for other companies looking to do business with the Trump administration? For more: Some OpenAI staff are fuming about its Pentagon deal --- Guests: Hadas Gold, CNN AI Correspondent & Dean Ball, Senior Fellow at The Foundation for American Innovation Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo: WH Pool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 4 · 22 min
How Long Can Iran Fight Back?
As Iran continues to retaliate against the US and Israel, civilians in major Gulf countries are caught in the crossfire. Will these nations be forced to respond? And do they have the military firepower needed to keep up? We break down what we can learn from the military operations thus far and look at how an Iranian power vacuum could complicate the endgame. For more: The rationale for striking Iran was already a mess. Trump just made it worse. --- Guests: Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent & Mark Kimmitt, Brigadier General (Ret.) Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Natasha Maguder, Natalie Wright Photo: Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 28 · 17 min
Trump Strikes Iran (Again). How Long Will The Conflict Last?
After months of planning, the US and Israel struck Iran as part of a massive operation aimed at unseating the hardline Iranian regime. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, according to Israeli sources. Iran has retaliated, hitting US military bases and major population centers across the region. So how long will the conflict last? And is regime change even feasible? We break down what we know as of Saturday afternoon. For more: Trump launches the regime-change effort in Iran that he pledged to avoid --- Guest: Natasha Bertrand, CNN Correspondent Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo: AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 25 · 22 min
Why Taking Out a Cartel Boss Probably Won't Stop the Violence (Or The Drugs)
The killing of Mexican cartel boss Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes shocked the country and set off cartel violence in the streets, trapping American tourists in the process. However, experts say the operation could say even more about President Donald Trump’s war on drugs than Mexico’s. For more: The death of ‘El Mencho’ exposed the reach of Mexico’s cartel crisis. Will US tourists stay away? --- Guest: Steven Dudley, InSight Crime co-founder Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo: @morelifediares via REUTERS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 22 · 25 min
Will Epstein Accountability Ever Come to the US?
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein say the historic arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, is a step in the right direction. But high-profile figures in the US still have not faced similar consequences, weeks after the Justice Department released more than 3 million documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender. We hear from a group of survivors who say this feels like the beginning of the story, not the end. For more: ‘This is not over.’ Corporate America’s Epstein reckoning gathers steam --- Guest: MJ Lee, CNN Senior National Enterprise Correspondent Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Nicky Robertson Photo: Kent Nishimura/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 18 · 22 min
What’s Behind The AI Talent Exodus?
A raft of resignations from some of Silicon Valley’s top AI companies came with some dire warnings about user safety and potential impacts on the American workforce. Are these concerns worth paying attention to, or overhyped? We hear from one former safety researcher who says companies are not fully grappling with the implications of advertising within chatbots. For more: AI researchers are sounding the alarm on their way out the door --- Guest: Zoë Hitzig, former OpenAI researcher Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Hadas Gold Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 15 · 20 min
'This Job Sucks’: Prosecuting Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
"I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need." Those words from ICE attorney Julie Le to a federal judge earlier this month underscores the toll the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown in Minneapolis is taking on the Justice Department. But what happens now that the surge is winding down? And will any new prosecutors want to sign up for this work? For more: Trump’s immigration approach is gumming up the courts, frustrating his Justice Department and judges --- Guest: Doug Kelley, former Assistant US Attorney Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Katelyn Polantz Photo: Steve Karnowski/AP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 11 · 22 min
What Olympic Boos Say About America’s ‘Brand’ Under Trump
At the Winter Olympics in Italy, American athletes are speaking out, Vice President JD Vance was booed, and some locals are protesting against ICE. Some are asking if the US has achieved “villain” status. Experts say moments like these underscore the loss of American standing on the world stage under President Donald Trump. But is this a brand problem, or something deeper? For more: Trump’s growing volatility is putting the world on edge --- Guest: Stephen Collinson, CNN Senior Reporter Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo: Amber Searls / Imagn Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 8 · 25 min
Does ICE Know Who You Are?
Critics fear ICE is using a growing slate of facial recognition and surveillance tools to track not only undocumented immigrants, but also protesters opposing operations in Minneapolis and beyond. So with Democrats and Republicans at odds over changes to ICE ahead of a looming deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security, what data is being collected and what does it mean for the average American? For more: ICE shunned body cams in Minnesota. So why are agents using phone cameras? --- Guests: Nicole Cleland & Juliette Kayyem, CNN Senior National Security Analyst Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo: John Moore/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 4 · 25 min
The Brewing Battle for Control of How We Vote
Officials in Georgia are sounding the alarm after the FBI searched an elections office in Fulton County last week in connection with alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election. Now, as President Donald Trump calls on Republicans to “nationalize the voting,” some state officials across the country are wondering if they will be able to run their midterm elections without interference from Washington. Plus: what does Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have to do with all of this? For more: DNI Gabbard put Trump on the phone with FBI agents who searched Fulton County elections office, sources say --- Guests: Robb Pitts & Mo Ivory, Fulton County Board of Commissioners & Marshall Cohen, CNN Senior Reporter Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo Credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
February 1 · 18 min
New TikTok: Different Owners, Fresh Censorship Concerns
TikTok was on the verge of being banned in the US as President Donald Trump took office last year. Now, its US operations are in the hands of new owners after a deal backed by the Trump administration. Since those owners took control, some users on the left claim they’ve been having trouble posting about sensitive topics like ICE or Jeffrey Epstein. So is this a tech hiccup, or a possible sign of political censorship? For more: The Trump-approved US TikTok is off to a rough start --- Guest: Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Tech Editor Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Photo Credit: Brook Joyner/CNN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 28 · 22 min
Banger Meme, Or Neo-Nazi Bullhorn?
We know the Trump administration is extremely online. But experts have started to notice that some of the memes and videos posted by official government accounts have a distinct far-right flavor that draw disturbing parallels with white supremacist and neo-Nazi propaganda. Is this a mistake? Trolling? Or something darker? We hear from an expert who says white nationalist groups are getting the message that "our guys are in control." For more: The US government seems to have a clear message for White nationalists --- Guest: Jon Lewis, Research Fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 25 · 21 min
In Control...Or Out of Touch? Trump Tackles Affordability
The White House says President Donald Trump is going to travel the country starting this week, selling his economic accomplishments ahead of the midterms. But after calling affordability a Democrat-led ‘hoax,’ will anyone buy it? We break down three recent Trump administration proposals about housing, health care, and credit cards and examine whether they could actually bring down prices. For more: Affordability may finally be improving. Trump’s scorched-earth tactics are only part of the reason --- Guest: Tami Luhby, CNN Senior Writer Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 21 · 22 min
Are Federal Agents Allowed to Do That? What About Protesters?
Minneapolis remains on edge two weeks after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good. As the Department of Justice opens criminal investigations into local and state officials and vows to press charges against protesters who disrupted a church service on Sunday, some activists are wondering if it's safe to continue speaking out. We hear from one of them and get an explainer on the legal issues that soon could become relevant in other cities. For more: Trump officials investigate protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service, targeting ICE official --- Guest: Rachel Moran, University of St. Thomas law professor Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Maggie Koerth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 18 · 24 min
‘We Do Not Want to Become Americans’: Greenlanders on Trump’s Threats
President Trump has not backed down on his threats to take control of Greenland, potentially by military force. Danish officials have also not backed down on their insistence that their territory is not for sale. So where does this go from here? How could things play out if Trump does follow through? And how do Greenlanders feel about being caught in the middle? CNN went to the island to find out. For more: Worried Greenlanders fear for future as Trump threatens US takeover --- Guest: Nic Robertson, CNN International Diplomatic Editor Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Caroline Paterson & Benjamin Brown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 14 · 23 min
Is De-Escalation in the Trump Administration’s Dictionary?
Tensions in Minneapolis remain high after an ICE agent killed Renee Nicole Good in her car last week. Despite widespread outrage, the Trump administration is sending in hundreds more law enforcement agents to enforce immigration orders. So what does this mean for activists keeping tabs on ICE? And why are federal agents using such aggressive tactics? For more: New documents shed light on Renee Good’s ties to ICE monitoring efforts in Minneapolis --- Guests: Loretta Capeheart, Héctor Reyes, & Josh Campbell, CNN Senior Correspondent Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 11 · 21 min
The Supreme Court Enters the Debate Over Transgender Athletes
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week in a case that could decide whether states may ban transgender students from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity. It comes as President Donald Trump has moved to punish institutions that are inclusive of trans athletes. We break down the legal case and hear from a transgender former college athlete who says this is about way more than a game. For more: Do transgender women have an athletic advantage? Here’s what the science does – and doesn’t – say --- Guests: Mayumi Berry, former NCAA athlete & John Fritze, CNN Supreme Court Reporter Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
January 7 · 20 min
Trump Wants Venezuela’s Oil. Do The Oil Companies?
After US forces executed the stunning seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Máduro, President Donald Trump said American companies would work to rebuild Venezuela’s crumbling oil industry. But energy experts say that work will be costly, complicated, and dangerous – if any companies want to do it at all. For more: Trump said Venezuela stole America’s oil. Here’s what really happened --- Guest: Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin America Energy Program at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices