SmartHERNews

Let's roll! We cover a few of this week's key stories - including the rising prices of eggs due to bird flu, a measles outbreak in Texas, and the emergence of a new spy agency in Russia.  Plus ~ our gratitude for you as we mark 7 years of SmartHER News!  SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – h...

Misconceptions and constitutional questions swirl around the role of "DOGE" in light of the latest Trump administration job cuts and cost cutting measures. We cover the lesser known facts about DOGE that may become major factors in future legal battles; Did you know DOGE has no official executive leader? And that it actually replaced another "start up" launched under President Obam...

Pilot and Aviation Expert Scott Pattillo has spent more than 45 years flying, fighter jets to commercial airlines. He joins us to discuss the latest spate of plane incidents, including a plane accident in Toronto that sent a plane sliding to a stop upside down. Is it safe to fly?  SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, no...

*filmed LIVE in front of our insiders ~ CLICK HERE to become an Insider or CLICK HERE to find other ways to support SmartHER News! From the polar vortex to the perils of downhill skiing, we take you on a trip around the world to highlight the major stories of the week, all the while tackling questions like: Why did VP Vance’s speech cause such a reaction in Europe? What does winning look like in U...

Happy George Washington's Birthday (the official federal holiday for Presidents' Day). In less than 6 minutes, we break down a few key facts about America's first president and some lesser known trivia. We'll see you back with more quick, concise, nonpartisan news on Tuesday. SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, inde...

New data on inflation raises concerns about what's next for the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, Republicans coalesce around President Trump's cabinet nominees, including the new Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Plus - what to watch for next, including RFK Jr.'s upcoming Senate confirmation vote AND a major security summit in Germany this Valentine's Day that includes some...

We take you back to the most recent financial crisis. We take you forward to the current debate over the consumer financial protection bureau. And we pause to consider both sides of this story! What will prevent the next financial crisis? You decide! SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here’s how yo...

A spotlight shifts from the actions of the U.S. President to the U.S. courts.   Substantial legal challenges emerge regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as well as competing state abortion laws.   Why both issues have the potential to wind-up before the Supreme Court. SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independ...

Hi Podcast Listeners! We record a live broadcast every Monday for our Insiders - folks who want to help support SmartHER News! For less than the price of a cup of coffee once a month, our insiders receive an invite (and the delivery) of a special Monday broadcast, a cheat sheet for the week ahead, invitation to live events and interviews, and discounts on all our gear. It's our way of staying...

A live interview with an NFL Super Bowl quarterback (aka, the "SmartHER Dad"), my dad, Bob Lee! Stories from a time when the players earned $10 a day ... and sometimes got dressed in college classrooms (yes, at Harvard). Plus ~ What is it like to play in a Super Bowl? What should we consider about young kids playing tackle football?  This interview was filmed LIVE with our insiders - here&...

War correspondent Hollie McKay shares what she learned after digging into the independent watchdog reports about the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, funding. As the news continues to swirl around the agency's spending on everything from media outlets to overseas programs, Hollie breaks down what she found and why it matters. SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d...

A round-up of this week's top stories: President Trump's proposal for Gaza. Why POTUS' latest comments on Iran matter. Quick heads up on the cabinet nominees advancing to a final vote in the Senate, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. Sec. Rubio on foreign aid/update on USAID. Why Barbies may cost you more (and Hot Wheels). Some mixed messages from the U.S. Postal Servic...

One week since the midair collision in Washington DC, we speak to a first responder who was also flying in the sky over our nation’s capital at the very same time of the accident. What he says and why it matters, as investigators look to piece together the clues of what happened. SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like to help support SmartHER News’ mission of a free, independent, non...

Why tariffs really matter (and a breaking development on this story as we record). The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) starts making moves, raising both praise and questions, depending on who you ask and who weighs-in. Plus ~ the latest on the ongoing cabinet nominations. What do you really want from American leaders in style and substance? Curious your thoughts! hello@Smarthernews.com...

An unexpected news story breaks in the middle of an already busy news week. We navigate the latest on the midair collision in Washington D.C., how Pres. Trump’s comments sparked a debate on DEI, the latest on the hearings for both the presidents nominees for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and the head of the FBI, Kash Patel. SUPPORT OUR MISSION   Shop our gear!   If you’d like t...

President Trump's nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., goes before the Senate Finance Committee. What happened  and why it matters. Plus - We highlight a few key exchanges on important topics from vaccines to Big Macs! And ~ why RFK Jr. believes every American can now have concierge medicine. Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice n...

A quick look at the first press briefing of the new administration, led by the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, Karoline Leavitt. Plus ~ how the price of eggs made it into the Q & A and why it matters. Is the topic as critical as it's cracked up to be? (Sorry - couldn't resist) Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SUPPORT...

Perspective on executive actions issued by President Trump - from orders from the Oval Office on immigration to the declassification of files related to the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy. Plus ~ a captivating story about a recent heist in the Netherlands involving a mysterious gold helmet, once used as a water can for chickens ... And ~ who to watch as cabi...

Just a quick "Hello" on a Monday with an equally quick announcement! We have a big news week ahead and look forward to providing quick, concise, nonpartisan news to you! "I love my weekly SCOOP! It is one of the best decisions I made to navigate the crazy news cycle we encounter these days. I feel prepared and ready for the week after the SCOOP live broadcast. And, I love that when lif...

From political to the personal, our Friday “Ask Me Anything”! What does the flu like in America? How long does it take to move a president in-and-out of the White House? Is there a deadline for cabinet nominees to be confirmed? Is this process taking longer than usual? Do former cabinet members get severance? (And ... how much do they make?) Where should we report from this summer? What about Elon...

The first words delivered by the new Secretary of State on his first day on the job. The underreported story of a border patrol agent killed in the line of duty. The backstory to a viral moment of the week: the Reverend who confronted President Trump from the pulpit. What was really said? Curious your thoughts: hello@smartHERNews.com Send a voice note and get a chance to be featured! SUPPORT OUR M...

President Trump, like all presidents before him, has the power of the pen but not a magic wand. We take a a closer look at two of President Trump’s first moves in office: issuing pardons and executive orders – and both the extraordinary reach and extraordinary limitations of a president’s power (in less than 10 minutes!) Key Takeaways: Presidential power is often perceived differently than it is i...

The president did not take the oath of office while drunk ... nor did he deliver a 2-hour speech resisting a coat ... or end the day trying to keep "enthusiastic" supporters from standing on furniture at the White House - that just happened at OTHER inaugurations! A SmartHER take on the historic inauguration of President Trump: What to know and why it matters. SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If yo...

And where is RFK Jr.??? Jenna discusses the upcoming cabinet positions, focusing on the nominees for Attorney General and the head of the CIA. Takeaways: The cabinet can have varying numbers of members, not fixed by the Constitution. There are no specific qualifications required for cabinet members. The post office was once a cabinet-level department until the 1970s. Chapters: 00:00 Quick Intro: D...

The unexpectedly funny, and surprisingly bipartisan hearing of Sec. of State nominee, Senator Marco Rubio.. Takeaways A key focus on China. The Arctic become an increasingly important area of discussion. Personal stories in politics. The stakes of war and peace vs. viral moments. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of the Secretary of State 02:26 Key Takeaways from the Hearing 05:06 Insights on Global E...