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Before 1990, there had never been a documented case of a patient getting HIV from a health care worker. Kimberly Bergalis changed that. Her claim that she’d been infected by her dentist would captivate and terrify the country. And the dentist, David Acer, would be made into a villain without America ever knowing who he really was. This episode was written by Kelly Jones and Josh Levin, One Year’s...

On this episode: Jamilah Lemieux, Zak Rosen, and Elizabeth Newcamp discuss their biggest parenting triumphs and fails of the year and reveal their favorite piece of advice they gave or received this year. Also, in grand holiday party tradition, their kids take the mic to answer your listener questions. In Slate Plus, the hosts look to the future and have a few recommendations for starting 2024 off...

After his character, Kang the Conqueror, was set up to be the big villain of the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jonathan Majors was dismissed from the franchise after being found guilty of reckless assault and harassment.  Guest: Michael Schulman , staff writer for the New Yorker . If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like...

Over the past few months, we’ve been collecting your stories about inheritance, from those who have it and those who don’t. You told us about when inheritance was a surprise, when it felt like a control tactic, a safety net, an expression of love, or an opportunity to redistribute generational wealth.  In this episode, Anna talks to four people about their inheritance experiences: Gwynn, who is gr...

Jules, Bryan, and Outward regular Danny Lavery share year end Prides and Provocations. The hosts cover everything from risk-taking bottoms in government and infamous grifters to powerful organizers who are giving us hope for 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, Candice Lim is joined by Kristen Meinzer ( Daily Fail ,  How to be Fine )  and Tre’vell Anderson ( FANTI ,  What A Day )  to recap the year in celebrity breakups. Lately, it feels like everyone in Hollywood is breaking up, but have there really been that many more celebrity splits than usual? Was  Scandoval  really proof that love is dead or have we been placing celebrity coupl...

In September, Brittany Watts had a miscarriage at her home in Ohio. Prosecutors are now charging her with “abuse of a corpse,” a felony that could result in up to a year in prison.  When does a miscarriage become a felony? And could the anti-abortion movement be using this case as a step towards achieving “fetal personhood”? Guest: Mary Ziegler , law professor at UC Davis and author of Roe: The Hi...

This week, it’s the yearly call-in episode! Steve, Dana, and Julia dive into questions submitted by Culture Gabfest listeners.  Outro music: “Forbidden Love” by OTE Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Kat Hong.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many s...

West Virginia University is wrapping up its first semester following dramatic cuts to undergraduate and graduate programs. Its president calls the “restructuring” an effort to better focus on majors like medicine, nursing, and business – degrees that will lead directly to lucrative jobs. But what is a degree really for? And how do you decide when a diploma is “worth it?” Guest: Michael Powell , st...

Joel Anderson, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Alex Kirshner discuss Draymond Green’s indefinite suspension. They also talk about the Washington Capitals and Wizards reportedly leaving D.C. for Northern Virginia. And finally, they examine why every college quarterback is in the transfer portal.   Draymond (4:43):  What’s next for him and for the Warriors?   Wiz and Caps (26:12):  Are they actually leaving...

On this episode: the best way to show a solo parent you’re here for them—even if you live far away. Jamilah Lemieux, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen also debate what to do if your kid is constantly coming home from school with gifts. Then they discuss How To ‘Un-Spoil’ Your Kid, According To Parenting Experts by Kelsey Borresen.  Join us on Facebook and email us at momanddad@slate.com to ask us n...

In ancient times, hundreds of years before the dawn of history, director Rob Reiner gave the world a band named Spinal Tap. No one knows who they were or what they were doing … except for legendary designer Paula Scher , the mind behind 40 years of music artwork and branding. She chats with Felix Salmon , Emily Peck , and Elizabeth Spiers about the true stories that inspired the classic mockumenta...

“Easy returns” are an essential part of the online shopping experience. But 20-30 percent of online purchases get sent “back,” which is to say, they then enter the labyrinth of third-party return facilities, destined for re-evaluation, restocking—or possibly, the garbage. Guest: Amanda Mull, staff writer at The Atlantic . If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plu...

Going through airport security is a legal requirement. Is it fair for a private company to interject itself in that process—and cut to the front of the line? Guest: David Zipper, visiting Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, focused on mobility, cities and technology. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast,...

This week, Felix Salmon , Emily Peck , and Elizabeth Spiers speculate on the Federal Reserve’s surprising new interest rates, whether Starbucks’ store closings are anti-union, and the financial machinations of Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani. In the Plus segment, Felix and Emily hash it out over the usefulness of the UN’s climate change conference.  If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up...

On today’s episode, Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim are joined by Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe to conclude their list of the top internet moments of the year. In their  previous episode , Rachelle and Candice memorialized Elon-held Twitter, the most famous submersible online and reunions that shouldn’t air live. But no moment superseded the viral drama, cultural legacy and aquatic meme-ifcat...

Earlier this week, the Texas Supreme Court said Kate Cox couldn’t have an abortion. Cox’s doctors had diagnosed the fetus with Trisomy 18, an almost certainly fatal genetic condition. On top of that, there were concerns about whether or not Cox would be able to have children again in the future if she continued with this pregnancy. None of this was enough for nine judges in Texas to allow Cox to h...

In 2023, several hits from years ago—sometimes decades—made it to No. 1 on Billboard’s pop charts after falling short the first time: Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” The Weeknd’s “Die for You.” Miguel’s “Sure Thing.” And, most improbably but delightfully, Brenda Lee’s 65-year-old holiday bop “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” What’s going on here? A lot of it has to do with the ways streaming, Yo...

Fast-fashion titan Shein is preparing for its initial public offering, even as questions of sustainability and labor practices linger.  Guest: Jordyn Holman , business reporter covering the retail industry and consumerism for The New York Times If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of sh...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the free-speech controversies that are roiling college campuses since the war in Gaza began; the questions related to Trump cases that the U.S. Supreme Court will answer; and the latest high-profile abortion case coming out of Texas that has real-life and political consequences.    Here are some notes and references from this week’s...

On this episode: a longtime listener writes in hoping for some bedtime guidance. Their kindergartener is a night owl, and a big reader — but now that sleepless nights are impacting his daytime hours, our listener needs help getting him to sleep. We also go over our week in triumphs and fails, and then, if you’re sticking around for Slate Plus: cooking recommendations for a listener, and their newl...

Kate Cox’s fight to abort her pregnancy and save her fertility in Texas says a lot about America’s post- Roe , fractured approach to reproductive rights. Guest: Selena Simmons-Duffin , health policy correspondent at NPR. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and D...

Robert Mapplethorpe was one of the most famous photographers in the world—and one of the most controversial. When his work came to Cincinnati in 1990, it would be at the center of a vicious fight over obscenity and the First Amendment, one that threatened the future of art in America. This episode of One Year was written by Evan Chung, One Year's senior producer. It was produced by Kelly Jones and...

Meshell Ndegeocello has been a working musician since she was a teenager. She’s probably best known for her biggest hit to date, “ Wild Night, ” a Van Morrison cover she recorded with John Mellancamp back in 1994. Meshell is 55 now and just put out her 11th solo album, “ The Omnichord Real Book ,” her first in five years. The album started as a kind of personal pandemic project before she decided...

This week, Jules and Bryan are joined by advice expert Danny Lavery to talk through some relationship issues. They share their thoughts on expectations around divorce as queer people, low self-esteem, and why shaming someone over hygiene might not be a bad idea.  If you have a question or need some advice, email us: outwardpodcast@slate.com Podcast production by Palace Shaw. Hosted on Acast. See a...