CNN One Thing

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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

Aug 10, 2025 · 19 min
How Vaccine Opt-Outs Could Put Classrooms at Risk
As schools start to reopen across the country, new CDC data shows that a record share of US kindergartners missed required vaccinations last school year. It comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to downplay vaccine efficacy and slash funding for research and development. We hear from a county health administrator in Texas who is concerned an ongoing measles outbreak could soon arrive on his doorstep. Guest: Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County Health & Human Services director Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Deirdre McPhillips, Jamie Gumbrecht Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 6, 2025 · 20 min
Trump Thinks the Jobs Numbers are Rigged. Here’s the Reality.
President Donald Trump’s firing of the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has some economic experts on edge just as new tariffs are about to take effect. We examine how Trump’s attempts to control official narratives are out of an authoritarian playbook and look at its potential impact on all Americans. Guest: Phil Mattingly, CNN Chief Domestic Correspondent & Anchor Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 3, 2025 · 20 min
Why Trump’s EPA Wants to Ditch Its Most Powerful Pollution Tool
Climate scientists are sounding the alarm after the Trump administration proposed to repeal a landmark finding that human-caused climate change endangers human health and safety, which has been the basis for several federal rules limiting greenhouse gas pollution. We hear from a former EPA administrator who is worried the move could end up empowering bad actors in the business world. Guest: Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA administrator Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Host/Producer: David Rind Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 30, 2025 · 21 min
Is the Hunger Crisis in Gaza a Tipping Point in the War?
Israel has taken some steps to relax restrictions on aid into Gaza in recent days amid a steady stream of horrific images of starving and emaciated Palestinians emerging from the besieged enclave. We hear from the leader of one aid group who believes much more needs to be done – and why only one man can help make it happen. Guest: Arwa Damon, president/founder of International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance (INARA) Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Host/Producer: David Rind Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 27, 2025 · 20 min
Psychedelics in the Trump Era: From Counterculture...to Conservative?
Former Texas governor and US Energy Secretary Rick Perry is not someone you’d think would be advocating for controversial psychedelic therapies to treat mental illness and PTSD. Yet he is one of a growing number of prominent Republican voices stepping forward to push for more research. In part two of our series, we trace why the politics of psychedelics have shifted over the decades, and whether HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will hurt or help the cause. Guest: Jane C. Hu, science journalist and writer, The Microdose newsletter Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 23, 2025 · 22 min
MAGA Is Hungry for More Epstein Info. Will Trump Feed Them?
While President Donald Trump seems eager to move on from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the loudest MAGA voices don’t seem to be. But will the backlash actually hurt Trump’s presidency? We dig into just how much anger there actually is amongst Republicans and why there is a growing bipartisan push for transparency in Congress. Guest: Aaron Blake, CNN Senior Reporter Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 20, 2025 · 20 min
Psychedelics in the Trump Era: A Veteran’s Road to Recovery
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump officials seem open to embracing psychedelics as treatment for serious conditions trauma, depression and drug addiction. The shift has excited advocates, but some experts worry the hype could be getting ahead of science and safety. In part one of a two-part series, we hear from someone who says a powerful hallucinogen helped kick her drug habit. Guest: Samantha Juan, US Army veteran Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 16, 2025 · 19 min
AI & Antisemitism: Can They Be Separated?
Note: This episode contains descriptions of offensive language. Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI was forced to issue an apology after its chatbot Grok started spewing violent and antisemitic responses to user prompts last week. We examine why Grok isn’t the only chatbot that has an antisemitism problem and why hate speech might actually be part of the solution. Guest: Hadas Gold, CNN Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 13, 2025 · 16 min
Scammers Are in Their ‘FraudGPT’ Era
A recent diplomatic cable revealed that someone has been using artificial intelligence to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a bid to gain access to accounts or information. It comes amid a rise in deepfake scams targeting victims around the world. We look at whether law enforcement is equipped to deal with the problem – and what a different approach might look like. Guest: David Maimon, SentiLink Head of Fraud Insights/Georgia State University Professor of Criminology Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 9, 2025 · 20 min
Should We Rethink Extreme Weather Warnings?
In the days since the catastrophic flooding in central Texas, some have been asking: could more have been done to warn residents? We examine what we know about the communication between federal and local officials and look at how a warming world might necessitate a different approach to emergency notifications. Guest: Bernadette Woods Placky, Climate Central Chief Meteorologist Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 6, 2025 · 18 min
Inside a Rush to Relocate from Trump’s America
More Americans are starting to follow through with threats to leave the country in President Trump’s second term. We hear about what went into one family’s decision and why some are leaning on dual citizenship as a defacto ‘insurance policy.’ Guest: Anna Cooban, CNN Business and Economics Reporter Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode photo: Megan Varner/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 2, 2025 · 19 min
What Trump's Megabill Could Mean for Your Bills
As President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package nears a final vote in Congress, many Americans just want to know how the bill would impact their lives. We explain how it could increase how much you pay for electricity and transportation – no matter where you live. Guest: Ella Nilsen, CNN Climate Reporter See the projection for your state here. Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 29, 2025 · 22 min
His Case Legalized Gay Marriage. Now He Wants to Make Sure it Sticks.
10 years ago, the US Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, changing the lives of millions of Americans. We hear from the lead plaintiff about why he thinks the precedent is under threat from right-wing allies of President Donald Trump. Guest: Jim Obergefell Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo: Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 25, 2025 · 19 min
Trump Wants the Israel-Iran Ceasefire to Stick. It May Not Be Up to Him.
Note: This episode contains strong language. The Middle East remains on edge after President Donald Trump brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. We break down whether recent military moves will deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon and how Trump’s approach to peace could have repercussions in the future. Guests: Kimberly Dozier, CNN Global Affairs Analyst Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 22, 2025 · 20 min
Cuomo on the Cusp of a Comeback in NYC
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was praised by Democrats in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic for his strong and steady leadership. A little more than a year later, he had resigned in disgrace following multiple sexual harassment allegations (he denied wrongdoing). Now, he is attempting an unlikely political comeback in New York City. We break down the June 24 mayoral primary and how it could impact the city’s standing with the Trump administration. Guests: Gloria Pazmino, CNN Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 18, 2025 · 22 min
The Civilian Cost of Israel and Iran’s Conflict
As Israel and Iran strike each other, civilians are caught in the middle. We hear about how people in both countries are coping and get an explainer on why Iran’s nuclear program is so contentious. Guests: Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent & Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 15, 2025 · 20 min
‘It's Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell 2.0.’: Trump’s Trans Service Member Ban
Transgender troops have begun separating from the military under a Pentagon policy dismissing service members who have a diagnosis, history or exhibit symptoms of gender dysphoria. We hear from a transgender service member who says the fallout reminds him of one of the military’s darkest periods. Guest: Benjamin Kibler, US Navy Senior Chief Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 11, 2025 · 21 min
Public Safety and Politics Collide in LA
After President Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to California to stop immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles, other states are wondering: are we next? We hear about how Trump overrode Governor Gavin Newsom and what it could mean for future protests. Guest: Josh Campbell, CNN Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 8, 2025 · 21 min
How Trump’s Coal Cuts Are Hitting His Diehards
President Donald Trump wants coal to be king again – but what about the people who have risked everything to extract it? A CNN investigation has revealed how the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have slashed protections for vulnerable coal miners. Guest: Kyung Lah, CNN Senior Investigative Correspondent Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Episode Photo by: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 4, 2025 · 28 min
A GOP Trump Critic Wants Others to Speak Out. Will They Listen?
A post-Trump GOP Is years away, but some are already planning. In a conversation recorded live at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, we hear from one of Trump’s loudest critics from his first term about whether current Republicans can push back without jeopardizing their political futures. Guest: Jeff Flake, former US Ambassador to Turkey Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices