Skimm This

theSkimm

“Skimm This” tackles important topics that impact women, and empowers generations of women to live smarter. Listen to our miniseries throughout the year, airing on Thursdays. read less

Our Editor's Take

Women shape the world every day. The Skimm This podcast offers listeners not just highlights from the week's news. It also focuses on stories of inspirational women. Each episode discusses the ideas, policies, and events that shape women's lives.

Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin are the CEOs and cofounders of theSkimm. They started with newsletters in 2012 and followed with a podcast seven years later. The show provides another platform to share what's important to them.

Topics range from pop culture icons to "medical gaslighting." Yes, a doctor may deny or downplay symptoms. It happens to women, elderly patients, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ people. How does someone fight back and get the help they need? The episode on this topic helps listeners learn to advocate for themselves.

The news podcast's episode format generally begins with a brief analysis of current events. It then moves on to the lives of influential women and topics that affect women now. In one episode, Black suffragist, writer, and speaker Ida B. Wells gets the spotlight. She was a Black suffragist and civil rights activist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A civil rights activist, she's famous for her anti-lynching tracts in the 1890s. Her work still resonates in today's racial climate.

In a time where bad news seems to reign, Skimm This also highlights stories that bring joy. A special edition series titled "Seriously Good News" is popular. It shares stories about grandmas in business, recess, and feel-good music. All students deserve access to play, and one school refuses to deny this right to some of its children. Teacher Betsy Julien and her students discuss raising money for their new playground. In another series episode, Dr. Susan Rogers talks about how music shapes one's moods. Other topics include heat waves, the annual White House turkey pardon, and social media.

Skimm This offers listeners inspiring stories and guidance with everyday challenges. Listeners may enjoy this podcast's exciting conversations and news analyses. Despite the title, the show does much more than skimming the news.

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Episodes

Breaking the Cycle: Exposing a Hidden Educational Crisis
Nov 7 2023
Breaking the Cycle: Exposing a Hidden Educational Crisis
1 in 3 students are chronically absent from school.* One surprising reason? A lack of access to clean clothes. We teamed up with Whirlpool to explore this hidden educational crisis.  For the first episode in our three-part series, our host, psychologist and parent educator Dr. Jazmine McCoy, will cover: what chronic absenteeism is and why it matters; what typically causes it; and what Whirlpool is doing to help break the cycle. In this episode you’ll hear from: Dr. Richard Rende, a developmental science psychologist and researcher; Damon Carraby, the director of national corporate partnerships at Teach For America; McKenzie Roney, the managing director of national corporate partnerships at Teach For America; and Nelly Cecila Martinez, senior brand leader at Whirlpool. Sources: *Based on “Monitoring Data Matters Even More: A Review of State Attendance Data Policy and Practice in School Year 2022-23,” updated June 2023. Dr. Jazmine, [2:14 - 2:24] based on “Higher Chronic Absenteeism Threatens Academic Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” updated October 2023. Dr. Jazmine, [2:24 - 2:28] based on NCEO report “Students with Disabilities and Chronic Absenteeism”. Dr. Rende, [2:33 - 3:02], based on Department of Education Report "Chronic Absenteeism in the Nation's Schools," updated 2019. Dr. Rende, [3:31 - 3:38], Based on “Monitoring Data Matters Even More: A Review of State Attendance Data Policy and Practice in School Year 2022-23,” updated June 2023. This miniseries was Skimm’d by Dr. Jazmine McCoy, along with our producers Monica Perry and Lizzy Bryce, and scriptwriter Sarah Title. This episode was created in partnership with Ginni Media.
One Way or Another: Kevin McCarthy, Abortion Pills, Being Happier
Jan 5 2023
One Way or Another: Kevin McCarthy, Abortion Pills, Being Happier
First: The GOP can’t seem to get their House in order. Between a fight over who should be Speaker, and a congressman elect’s sketchy past, the 118th Congress got off to a rocky start. We’ll break it down.  Next: We’ve got the context on the other major stories from the week – including an update on Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin and a major change for abortion pill access. Plus the latest on the atmospheric river turning the West Coast…into a literal river.  Then: Every year, The Economist releases an issue filled with their biggest predictions for 2023. We sat down with its deputy editor to get an inside look on what to expect from 2023. And PS: it’s not all bad news.  Finally: We’re taking a look at one New Year’s resolution we can all get behind: being happier. We’re asking an expert to tell us four small changes we can make to actually feel happier.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Tom Standage, Deputy Editor, The Economist Dr. Marisa Franco, Psychologist, Professor at the University of Maryland Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Alaisha Key. Engineered by Elie McAfee-Hahn and Andrew Callaway. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.
Freedom: Griner’s Release, Future of Elections, Deleting TikTok
Dec 8 2022
Freedom: Griner’s Release, Future of Elections, Deleting TikTok
First: We’ve got the biggest headlines of the week, including Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison, the outcome of Georgia’s runoff election, and the Respect for Marriage Act. Plus, the latest on the Trump Organization’s tax fraud charge, and an update on the protests in Iran.  Then: The Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Moore v. Harper, a case that could change how elections are run in the US. We’ll explain the case and why it’s so controversial…in 60 seconds. Next: Between national security and data privacy concerns, more experts – and even US federal officials – believe we should ctrl-alt-delete TikTok from our lives. So this week, we're asking the tough question: should you remove TikTok from your phone? Two experts help break down the pros and cons of the app, so you can decide for yourself.  Finally: Our team tried the AI avatar app that’s been flooding your social media feeds. And the results were questionable. We’re breaking down why these fun photos actually show the dark side of AI tech.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Emily Baker-White, technology reporter, Forbes Cleo Abram, video journalist Ina Fried, chief technology correspondent, Axios  Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Sarah Collins. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.
Landslide: China Protests, Not-So-Lame Duck Congress, Gaslighting
Dec 1 2022
Landslide: China Protests, Not-So-Lame Duck Congress, Gaslighting
First: Some of the biggest protests in decades broke out in China last weekend over the country’s strict COVID guidelines and – in some cases – over the Chinese Communist Party’s leadership. We call an expert to explain the historic protests and their impacts worldwide.   Then: Democrats in Congress only have a few weeks to pass some major legislation before a new group of lawmakers heads to DC in January. We're breaking down why this “lame duck" session might be anything but lame...in 60 seconds. Next: Roadway deaths have been rising – and apparently, it's a uniquely American problem. New reporting shows us why we've seen an increase in roadway deaths in the US and what we can learn from other countries about how to prevent them.  Finally: Merriam Webster declared “gaslighting” as its word of the year. We break out our dictionaries to break down the word’s definition – and why it gets misused.   On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Sue-Lin Wong, correspondent, The Economist Emily Badger, cities and urban policy writer, The Upshot, The New York Times Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Sarah Collins. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.
Renaissance: FTX Fallout, World Cup Outrage, Setting Boundaries at Holidays
Nov 17 2022
Renaissance: FTX Fallout, World Cup Outrage, Setting Boundaries at Holidays
First: We’re covering the week’s biggest headlines: a roundup of midterm outcomes and political news, the latest on the protests in Iran, and the Artemis I rocket launch.   Then: FTX – one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges – had a pretty abrupt fall from grace. We're talking to an expert about what FTX's demise means for the rest of the crypto world and what potential investors can learn from it.  Next: The World Cup kicks off this weekend, but there’s been a lot of off-the-field drama. We’ll break down why the Cup has become a geopolitical mess…in 60 seconds.  Plus: In partnership with our friends at Slack, we're taking listeners behind the scenes of our digital HQ, and talking about how certain Slack channels help us do our jobs better. Our final channel deep-dive: #parent-life. Finally: Ever been asked “why are you still single?” or “why aren’t you drinking?” at the Thanksgiving table? For many of us, sitting at the Thanksgiving table can make us wanna pull our hair out thanks to nosy family members and political heat. But this year, setting boundaries is in. So we called a therapist who helps us navigate who to set boundaries with, how to actually set them, and how sticking to them can help keep the peace and our sanity.  On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Anita Ramaswamy, senior cryptocurrency reporter, TechCrunch Jana Pollack, senior manager of creative strategy, theSkimm Nedra Tawwab, therapist and author Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin with help from Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.
Pressure Cookin: Midterm Results and Surprises, COP27, Thanksgiving Recipes
Nov 10 2022
Pressure Cookin: Midterm Results and Surprises, COP27, Thanksgiving Recipes
First: Results from the midterm elections are coming in, and it's a mixed bag. We’re breaking down some major takeaways as we wait to see which party will take control of Congress.  Then: There’s a lot of turbulence in Silicon Valley. We’re sorting through all the drama @ Twitter, the historic layoffs at Facebook, and some good news for your winter getaways, in 60 seconds.  Next: The COP27 conference is putting global conversations about climate change in the spotlight. We’re talking to an expert about how these negotiations are playing out in Egypt, and who’s ready to take action. Plus: In partnership with our friends at Slack, we're taking listeners behind the scenes of our digital HQ to show how certain Slack channels help us do our jobs better. Next up: #headline-workshop. Finally: Just in time for Thanksgiving, there's a national turkey shortage. Thanks, bird flu. We’re talking to a chef about two show stopping dishes you can make instead, plus another option that could totally change your Thanksgiving game. You can find the recipes we talked about here and here. On this episode, you’ll hear from:  Juliet Eilperin, Deputy Climate and Environment Editor, The Washington Post Alicia Valenski, Senior Editor, SEO, theSkimm Maria Corpus, Senior Writer, theSkimm Becky Krystal, Food Writer, Voraciously The Washington Post Want more Skimm?  Sign up for our free daily newsletter Email us your questions about what’s going on in the news right now  Subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts Skimm'd by Alex Carr, Will Livingston, and Blake Lew-Merwin. We had additional help from Alaisha Key. Engineered by Andrew Callaway and Elie McAfee-Hahn. TheSkimm’s head of audio is Graelyn Brashear.