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What A Day

If you’re looking for hype, fake outrage, and groupthink, kindly keep moving. Our mission at What a Day is simple: to be your guide to what truly matters each morning (and the fun stuff you might have missed) in just 20 minutes. Host Jane Coaston brings you in-depth reporting and substantive analysis on the big stories shaping today and the creeping trends shaping tomorrow—and when she doesn’t know the answers, she asks someone even smarter to fill us all in. Radical, right? New episodes at 5:00 a.m. EST, Monday–Friday in your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Being informed was never this easy.

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Yesterday · 26 min
What's Next For Dems With Rep. Jamie Raskin
Republicans took a shellacking last night as Democrats swept in races across the country. And in January, Democrats will control the House, the Senate, and 75% of Americans will live in states with Democratic governors. So what will they do first? Jane talks to Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, who is poised to become chair of the Judiciary Committee, about how democrats should use their majority. SPECIAL PROMOTION Today ONLY, we're having a flash sale: $30 off your Crooked Con ticket!!! Head to crookedcon.com and use the code CCMIDTERMS26 This promotion ends November 4th and is your last chance to get discounted tickets. See you this weekend in DC! Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
Tuesday · 27 min
Finally! Midterm Election Day
If you're reading this, it's not too late to vote. The midterm elections are finally here! On today's Election Day show, Jane talks with Galen Druke, co-host of Still Counting, about what to watch for in tonight's returns and whether this is the year for the blue wave. Show Notes: Subscribe to Still Counting Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
Monday · 30 min
Twas The Night Before Midterms
Tomorrow is Election Day. Candidates are giving their closing arguments. Poll workers are preparing for a busy day ahead. And millions of people will stand in line tomorrow to cast their votes. Jane talks to Jennifer Palmieri, co-host of Long Play, about how candidates in some of the South's most contentious races are preparing and what, if anything, can happen in the last 24 hours before Election Day that will matter. Show Notes: Subscribe to Long Play Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
Friday · 28 min
Is Corruption the Number 1 Issue For Voters?
On today's show, Jane is joined by Alex Wagner, host of Crooked's Runaway Country. The pair discuss the Trump administration, corruption, and the midterms before digging into Alex's new book, The Steal: Four Right-Wing Hard-Liners, One Republican Presidency, and the Raid on America's Courts. Show Notes: Check out Alex's book – tinyurl.com/4a8hwa6s Subscribe to Runaway Country Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 29 · 33 min
From Kansas Congregation to Constituents: Adam Hamilton's Senate Bid
We’re in the final stretch before Election Day, with early voting underway and new polls still rolling in. The latest CNN poll shows Kansas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton leading Republican Senator Roger Marshall by four points. On today’s show, Jane speaks with Hamilton, a pastor-turned-candidate, about what he would bring to the state, where rural hospitals face some of the highest risks of closure in the country. Show Notes: Check out Adam's campaign – adamhamilton.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 28 · 29 min
The Trump Effect on Elections Abroad
Israel, Brazil, and Serbia recently held elections. Jane talks to Tommy Vietor, co-host of Pod Save the World, about what links all three. And whether a "Trump effect" is at work abroad, or if these three are separate stories about corruption, war, and a local backlash. Show Notes: Check out Pod Save the World – www.youtube.com/podsavetheworld Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 27 · 31 min
Can Abdul El-Sayed Win Michigan's MAGA Voters?
MAGA is getting nervous as polls in the Michigan U.S. Senate race show Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed leading. According to new polling from Detroit News/WDIV-TV, El-Sayed had 51.4% support, compared with Republican candidate Mike Rogers at 45.1%. Of the 600 likely voters, 3.6% were still undecided. Jane talks to Abdul El-Sayed about tariffs, cost of living, and how President Donald Trump and friends are resorting to their Islamophobic playbook to distract Michiganders from the issues. Show Notes: Check out Abdul's campaign – abdulforsenate.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 26 · 25 min
Midterm Shenanigans, Surprises, And The Surreal With Stacey Abrams
Georgia's first day of early voting set a midterm-voting record. But should record turnout reassure us, or can turnout be high and suppression still be real? Jane discusses this, ballot access, and how to secure your vote with Stacey Abrams, former leader of the Georgia House, lead organizer of the 10 Steps campaign, and host of Crooked Media's Assembly Required. Show Notes: Check out 10 Steps – 10stepscampaign.org Subscribe to Assembly Required – youtube.com/@AssemblyRequiredPodcast Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 23 · 28 min
Sen. Schatz Is Cautiously Optimistic Ahead of Midterms
As we know, the Trump administration is working hard to compromise the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections. So on today's episode, Jane speaks with Hawaii Democratic Senator Brian Schatz about how he's staying vigilant, his Election Day expectations, and the importance of voting. Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 22 · 25 min
Fed Election Threats Don't Scare State AGs
A federal judge in California today ordered the Trump administration to halt investigations in nine states into whether noncitizens are registered to vote. The ruling comes as the administration steps up efforts to identify noncitizen voters nationwide in the months leading up to the midterm elections. On today's show, Jane speaks with California Attorney General Rob Bonta about protecting voters' rights and how the state is preparing for Election Day on November 3. Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 21 · 30 min
The Elitism of American Politics
In American politics, candidates often say they care about kitchen-table issues and working-class voters. Yet, if you look at both parties' candidates, you'll find they are more alike than you think: the same five universities and four careers. Jane discusses how American politics keeps folks with a 9-to-5 out of the race with Nicholas Carnes and Noam Lupu, co-authors of "Keeping Workers Off the Ballot: How Democracy Undermines Working-Class Representation." Show Notes: Check out Keeping Workers Off the Ballot – tinyurl.com/yr7pkj2m Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 19 · 25 min
Sentenced To Death in the U.S.
Executions are on the rise in the U.S., even as more Americans oppose the death penalty. An October 2025 Gallup poll found that 44% of Americans oppose capital punishment, the highest level since 1966. Recent headlines, including a proposed public execution by firing squad and the botched execution of Christa Pike, have brought the issue back into focus. Jane discusses the death penalty with Elizabeth Bruenig, a staff writer at The Atlantic who has covered the issue for years. Show Notes: Check out Elizabeth's work – theatlantic.com/author/elizabeth-bruenig/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 19 · 28 min
Florida Voters Concerned With Pocketbooks, Not Party
Nate Silver, statistician and host of Crooked Media's Still Counting, made a bold prediction about the 2026 Senate Midterm races today. Silver argues that Democrats have a 75% chance of winning the Senate, which feels VERY optimistic. Jane talks to Erinn Haines, co-host of Crooked's Long Play, who has been traveling through the South to talk to candidates and voters ahead of the election about whether Democrats can flip some historically red seats. Show Notes: Check out Long Play – crooked.com/podcast-series/longplay/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 16 · 21 min
Angie Nixon's Fight To Uplift Everyday People In Florida
This weekend, Senator Bernie Sanders will rally with Florida Democratic State Representative Angie Nixon, who is challenging Republican Senator Ashley Moody for Florida's U.S. Senate seat. Running on a platform of lowering costs, raising wages, and putting everyday people first, Nixon joins Jane to discuss her campaign. Show Notes: Check out Angie's campaign – https://angienixon.com/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 15 · 21 min
How Dark Money Is Funding The Midterms
The midterms are just around the corner, and that means you’re probably seeing more political ads than ever in your mailbox and on your screens. But who’s funding those ads… and the campaigns they’re supporting? Jane speaks with Judd Legum, a contributor to the The Guardian newsletter How We Win, about dark money and the forces shaping our politics. Show Notes: Subscribe to How We Win — https://www.theguardian.com/hwwjl Check out Judd’s Substack, Popular Information — https://popular.info/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 14 · 23 min
The State That Might Re-Ban Abortion
Abortion is back on the ballot in a handful of states – including Missouri, where voters are being asked to repeal the rights they just instated two years ago. Jane sits down with Carter Sherman, co-host of the Guardian podcast, Stateside with Kai and Carter, to hear more about the states weighing abortion in the midterms. Show Notes: Check out Stateside with Kai and Carter — theguardian.com/us-news/series/stateside Buy your Crooked Con tickets — crookedcon.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – tinyurl.com/… What A Day – YouTube – youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – instagram.com/crookedmedia For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 13 · 31 min
Can We Reform the Court?
The Supreme Court is back in session — and nearly two years into Trump’s presidency, we have more questions than ever about the justices' ethics rules, shadow docket, and more. Jane sat down with Strict Scrutiny co-host Kate Shaw to hear her four ideas to reform the highest court in the land. Show Notes: Check out Kate’s piece – https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/13/opinion/supreme-court-reform-democrats.html Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 12 · 31 min
What’s the Method to the Midterm Madness?
The 2026 midterm elections are anxiety inducing. Will Democrats take back the House? The Senate? Can we believe the polls? 2016 PTSD is getting real, so Jane spoke with POLITICO's Dasha Burns to break down what's really going on this cycle. Show Notes: ‘The Conversation with Dasha Burns’ – https://www.politico.com/podcasts/the-conversation Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 9 · 19 min
Will Voters Flip A Colorado House Seat Back To Blue?
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Republicans are working to keep voters who showed up for President Donald Trump in 2024 engaged in down-ballot races. One key battleground is Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, where freshman Republican Rep. Gabe Evans faces Democratic challenger Manny Rutinel. Rutinel joins Jane to discuss his campaign and why he believes voters should send him to Congress. Show Notes: Check out Manny's campaign – www.mannyforcolorado.com Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com
October 8 · 32 min
Should Anyone Automate Their Life?
New polling out Thursday shows that concerns about artificial intelligence are crossing party lines. According to an AP-NORC survey, 64% of Americans think AI is developing "too fast." But we wanted to hear from someone who sees the opportunities AI presents and how the technology can make our lives better. On today's show, Jane speaks with Axios co-founder and CEO Jim VandeHei about his new book, "Simplify: Do 50 Percent More with 50 Percent Less." Show Notes: Check out Jim's book – https://tinyurl.com/4wjby6a2 Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com

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