Synopsis
This moment demands an explanation. This show is on a mission to find it. Only what you want to know, none of what you dont. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Powered by New York Times journalism. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m.
Episodes
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How a Teenager Found Undiagnosed Brain Injuries in the Military
01/09/2026 Duration: 38minWarning: this episode contains mentions of suicide. New reporting has found that the impact of rough sea waves on rescue-boat crews in the Coast Guard can lead to long-term effects, including traumatic brain injury. Dave Philipps, who reports about veterans for The New York Times, explains the significant blind spot in the Coast Guard and talks about how a teenager helped expose this widespread danger. Guest: Dave Philipps, who reports about war, the military and veterans for The New York Times. Background reading: Rescue-boat crews show signs of brain injuries. After an article by The Times, the Coast Guard vowed to protect crews from brain injuries caused by rough seas. Photo: Ruth Fremson/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.ny
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How Flock Cameras Took Over America
31/08/2026 Duration: 29minThis summer, Fernando Alfonso, the Texas editor for The New York Times, got in a car with a man named Philip. They drove around the suburban streets of Dallas searching for traffic cameras — not for a red-light camera, or a speed-trap camera, but something new, an automatic license-plate reader made by a company called Flock. Law enforcement officials say these cameras are essential to fighting crime, but Phillip and people like him, who have located 100,000 flock cameras all over the country, see them as something else: the beginnings of a surveillance state. Today, Kashmir Hill, a technology and privacy writer at The New York Times, discusses the company behind the cameras and the mounting backlash. Guest: Kashmir Hill, a technology and privacy writer at The New York Times. Background reading: One thing Texan liberals and conservatives agree on: They don’t want cameras trained on their cars. Photo: Desiree Rios for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Trans
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Who Will Rule the 2026 U.S. Open?
30/08/2026 Duration: 38minThe U.S. Open, the final tournament of the tennis season, is getting underway. The world’s best players are heading to the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y., to battle it out for the chance to play a championship match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis arena in the world. The players come freighted with great expectations, previous victories and defeats, aches and pains, personal dramas and professional rivalries, all of which they will carry with them out on the court when they play. Tennis is a game that exposes a lot about its players, which is one of the things that makes it so beloved around the world. In this episode of the “Sunday Daily,” the host Natalie Kitroeff talks with Matthew Futterman, a senior tennis writer for The Athletic and the author of “The Cruelest Game: Chasing Greatness in Professional Tennis,” about this year’s crop of players. They’ll dig into the biggest rivalries and dramas brewing in the tournament ahead. On Today’s Episode: Matthew Futterm
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Ina Garten Says You Can Either Get on Her Train or Get Out of the Way
29/08/2026 Duration: 37minAt 78, the cookbook author and Food Network host knows what she likes, knows what she wants and isn’t stopping anytime soon. Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Lindsay Clancy Is on Trial. So Is Postpartum Psychosis.
28/08/2026 Duration: 32minWarning: this episode mentions suicide. The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a mother who is being tried for the killings of her three young children, has captivated the country for weeks. It has also raised difficult questions about how we treat postpartum women who are in crisis. Ellen Barry, a New York Times reporter who has been covering the trial, takes us inside the courtroom and explains the stakes of the outcome. Guest: Ellen Barry, a reporter covering mental health for The New York Times. Background reading: What we know about the trial of Lindsay Clancy for her children’s deaths. Why the Lindsay Clancy case is dividing Americans. How to understand the wide range of sympathy for a mother on trial for murder. Photo: Pool photo by Greg Derr For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcas
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A Historic Settlement Over Social Media Addiction
27/08/2026 Duration: 28minMeta, the world’s biggest social media company, reached a multibillion-dollar legal settlement on Wednesday over claims that its technology was addictive to children. The company agreed to impose major changes to how minors use its products. Cecilia Kang, a technology reporter for The New York Times, explains why a company that almost never backs down finally cut a deal, and whether this will start a new era of accountability for Big Tech. Guest: Cecilia Kang, a reporter covering technology and regulatory policy for The New York Times. Background reading: Meta will pay up to $17.1 billion over claims of social media addiction. A movement to restrict social media for children has taken hold globally. Photo: Jason Henry for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcas
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The Stunning Rise of the Democratic Socialists of America
26/08/2026 Duration: 50minThis summer, the Democratic Socialists of America have mounted their biggest and most successful attempt yet to redefine the Democratic Party. They have defeated its candidates in primary after primary from coast to coast. As its electoral success grows, the organization is confronting big, unresolved questions about what it stands for and what level of compromise is required to become a lasting political force. Charles Homans, who talked to more than 30 D.S.A. candidates, organizers, members and volunteers across the countries, discusses the rise and limitations of the D.S.A. Guest: Charles Homans writes about national politics for The New York Times and The Times Magazine. Background reading: Moderates see socialists as a threat to the Democratic Party. Socialists agree. Photo: Dave Sanders and Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times; Joe Raedle/Getty Images For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Su
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Canada Is Done With Trump
25/08/2026 Duration: 37minIn a dramatic decision, the prime minister of Canada abruptly cut off negotiations with the United States, delivering the message to President Trump that he would rather engage in an ugly trade war than submit to an unfair deal. Matina Stevis-Gridneff, the Canada bureau chief for The New York Times, explains how the two countries reached a breaking point and describes Canada’s plan to withstand economic warfare. Guest: Matina Stevis-Gridneff, the Canada bureau chief for The New York Times. Background reading: Here’s what to know about the trade war. This is how the U.S.-Canada talks collapsed. The tariffs could price Canadian firms out of the United States and threaten thousands of jobs. Photo: Cole Burston/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your fa
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Natalie Harp’s Devotion to Trump
24/08/2026 Duration: 22minNatalie Harp is a constant presence at President Trump’s side. She’s a 35-year-old gatekeeper, deciding much of what he sees. She stays up late with him to draft his social media posts and even texts with world leaders on his behalf. Today, Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, covers what we know about Trump’s closest aide and why people inside and outside the White House are questioning her devotion to the president. Guest: Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: President Trump’s White House aide Natalie Harp is always by his side. What, exactly, does she do? Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher.
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Think Baseball Is Boring? The Savannah Bananas Are Here to Fix That.
23/08/2026 Duration: 36minJesse and Emily Cole created theSavannah Bananaswith a simple mission in mind: to make baseball as entertaining as possible. They introduced some innovations to America’s pastime, including twerking umpires, stilt-walking pitchers and TikTok-ready choreographed dance numbers. They tinkered with the rules of baseball, making a game that was shorter and faster, with plenty of opportunities for fan engagement. The result? A sports sensation. In the 10 years since its founding, the team has become one of the most popular sports organizations in the world, reaching tens of millions of fans online, with a waiting list of millions of others hoping to see a game in person. For many, the Bananas are the ultimate sports success story, one that shows a path forward for teams and leagues concerned about fan retention in an era of shortened attention spans and endless entertainment options. But others take a less rosy view of the Bananas and their hyper-energetic brand of baseball, seeing them as an existential threat to
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An Expert on Conflict Says Your Relationships Are Doomed Without It
22/08/2026 Duration: 42minThe author Priya Parker says the key to human connection is to lean into the fight. Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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When Private Equity Comes for Your Favorite Team
21/08/2026 Duration: 34minLast week, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers announced he was selling the basketball team for $12.5 billion — the highest price ever paid for a professional sports team. The deal has shocked the sports world and drawn new attention to a growing trend: Big groups of investors have been buying up professional sports teams as the franchises chase skyrocketing valuations. Today, Pablo Torre, the host of “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” explains the deal and how big money is transforming our relationship with the sports we love. Guest: Pablo Torre, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the host of “Pablo Torre Finds Out.” Background reading: The deal for the Los Angeles Lakers valued the team at a record $12.5 billion, eclipsing the $10 billion paid for the franchise just last year. The transaction for the Lakers reflects the huge profit potential of major sports franchises. Photo: The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made avai
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Who Moves Up, and Who's Pushed Out, in Pete Hegseth's Military
20/08/2026 Duration: 30minFor the past 18 months, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has remade the top ranks of the U.S. military — dismissing or sidelining many whose rise he believes was aided by D.E.I. and replacing them with officers who fit his definition of merit. In the process, many argue he’s prioritizing loyalty to him and his ideas over loyalty to the military itself. Today, Greg Jaffe, a New York Times reporter who covers the Pentagon and the U.S. military, takes us inside the hiring and firing for a single job that has become a case study for Hegseth’s approach. Guest: Greg Jaffe, a reporter covering the Pentagon and the U.S. military for The New York Times. Background reading: Before he was picked to lead the Navy, Adm. Daryl Caudle found ways to signal his support for Mr. Hegseth’s anti-diversity goals. Mr. Hegseth fired the Navy’s top officer, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who spent roughly half of her 40-year career at sea, commanding a destroyer, two carrier strike groups and the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The N
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El Niño Is Back. And Worse Than Ever.
19/08/2026 Duration: 23minThe global chaos agent known as El Niño is back, and this year it’s already on track to be, by far, the strongest and most severe on record, wreaking havoc on weather across the world. Today, Chico Harlan, the global climate reporter for The New York Times, goes over El Niño’s history, its inner workings and its increasingly destructive fallout. Guest: Chico Harlan, the global climate correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: El Niño, the Pacific climate shift that comes around once or twice a decade, is back, warming tropical oceans and setting off consequences worldwide. It’s expected to peak later this year but is already causing dry spells and crop failures on three continents. Photo: Bay Ismoyo/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite p
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What Went Wrong on the U.S.S. Lincoln?
18/08/2026 Duration: 28minFor the past two weeks, family members of sailors have been raising alarms about the conditions aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, which has a crew of about 5,000 and has been at sea for almost nine months straight. Today, John Ismay, a New York Times reporter who covers the Pentagon with a focus on armed conflict and the defense industry, discusses what went wrong on the ship and how it could affect the U.S. military’s ability to fight wars. Guest: John Ismay, a New York Times reporter who covers the Pentagon with a focus on armed conflict and the defense industry. Background reading: The U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for nearly nine months. Members of Congress are worried about the crew’s well-being. Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, acknowledged the difficulty of the carrier’s lengthy deployment but said mental health issues were lower than on other vessels. Photo: Jason Waite/Agence France-Presse, via Navy Office of Information For more information on today’s episode,
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Luigi Mangione’s High-Risk Legal Strategy
17/08/2026 Duration: 24minIn the two years since a masked man shot and killed a health care executive, the national spotlight has turned to the primary suspect, Luigi Mangione. The overwhelming evidence has pointed to his guilt, and the question on most minds has been: What might the defense of one of the most famous murder suspects in America look like? At a hearing on Friday, we got our first glimpse at an answer, one that appears to include a full-throated embrace of his guilt. Today, Benjamin Weiser, a reporter covering the justice system for The New York Times, and Hurubie Meko, a criminal justice reporter for The Times, discuss the risky defense strategy and why an admission of guilt might be Mr. Mangione’s best bet. Guests: Benjamin Weiser, a reporter covering the justice system for The New York Times. Hurubie Meko, a criminal justice reporter for The New York Times. Background reading: Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty to federal charges, and still faces a state case. Photo: Pool photo by David Dee Delgado For more informatio
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What Makes a Killer Thriller?
16/08/2026 Duration: 42minThe New York Times Book Review recently released its list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century. To put it together, the team asked almost 300 authors and other experts to vote for the best heart-thumping, page-turning, white knuckle reads published since 2000. In this episode of “The Sunday Daily,” Natalie Kitroeff talks with the Times thrillers columnist, Sarah Lyall, about how the list came together. Then, Natalie speaks with one of the greatest thriller writers of this century — with four books featured on the list — the author Tana French. On Today’s Episode: Sarah Lyall writes a monthly thrillers column for The New York Times. Tana French is the author of many best-selling books, including “In the Woods,” “The Searcher,” “The Likeness” and “The Witch Elm.” Background Reading: The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century Photo credit: Naila Ruechel Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.co
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The Charming, Amusing, Surprisingly Low-Confidence Matthew Rhys
15/08/2026 Duration: 47minThe “Widow’s Bay” star on his two Emmy nominations, his penchant for going dark and his wobbly self-esteem. Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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The Secret Spy Network Feeding Russia’s War Machine
14/08/2026 Duration: 31minUkraine is running desperately low on interceptor missiles, leaving its cities and people nearly defenseless against Russian missile and drone attacks. How Russia has been able to sustain those attacks has been a mystery — until now. Today, Jane Bradley, a Britain-based investigative reporter for The New York Times, explains her investigation into the spy network that has allowed the Kremlin to keep this war going. Guest: Jane Bradley, a Britain-based investigative reporter for The New York Times. Background reading: A Russian spy who used the Aeroflot office in Tokyo to smuggle high-tech weapon components into Russia has left Japan after a Times report. Operating out of a Tokyo high-rise, a military intelligence unit takes advantage of Japan’s weak espionage laws to find the high-tech equipment that Russia needs to wage war. Photo: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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Are The Democratic Socialists Winning or Losing?
13/08/2026 Duration: 29minThis week, Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist running for governor in Wisconsin, suffered an upset after a double-digit lead in the polls. Last week, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive, pulled off a stunning victory in Michigan against his well-funded opponent. Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times, makes sense of what happened in Wisconsin and Michigan, and what it might tell us about the future of the Democratic Party. Guest: Nate Cohn, the chief political analyst for The New York Times. Background reading: Dr. El-Sayed’s triumph against an establishment-backed candidate in Michigan was a big win for the left. Ms. Hong’s defeat in Wisconsin defied expectations and may have shown that the democratic socialist wave cannot reach beyond urban centers. Photo: Nick Hagen for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on App