The CBS Mornings Podcast

Hours before today's public impeachment hearings, there are new revelations from an official who overheard a call to President Trump -- in a restaurant. Two hostages, including an American, were freed overnight in a rare prisoner swap with the Taliban. The men had been held captive for more than three years. The White House is dismissing skepticism surrounding President Trump's health after a recent, and unannounced hospital visit. A Colorado man, Patrick Frazee, will spend the rest of his life behind bars for murdering his fiancee, Kelsey Berreth. This morning, around a hundred pro-democracy protesters are barricaded inside a Hong Kong university, in a tense standoff with police. CBS News has confirmed charges could come as soon as today against two of Jeffrey Epstein's guards at a jail in New York City. There are new signs today of the avalanche of backlash following Prince Andrew's BBC interview about Jeffrey Epstein.

Only on the "CBS This Morning" podcast, Khan Academy founder Sal Khan joins co-host Tony Dokoupil to discuss his organization's mission of providing a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere through the use of videos and software. Khan acknowledges the benefits of America offering free, mass public education but also points to some of the downfalls of the American educational system. He explains why it's important for students to learn at their own pace with a goal of mastering the content, rather than needing to move on to the next lesson while still having gaps in understanding.

The government whistleblower who triggered the House impeachment inquiry is now offering to answer questions from GOP lawmakers. The 2020 presidential election is now less than a year away, and for the Democratic nomination, the race is still wide open. A manhunt is underway for two accused murderers who escaped from a central California jail. Texas police are expected to release new information today about the investigation into a double murder and a possible international hunt for suspects. McDonald's is under new leadership after ousting its CEO for having a relationship with an employee. The death of another horse at California's Santa Anita Racetrack is raising new safety concerns about the sport.

Only on the "CBS This Morning" podcast, hear co-host Anthony Mason’s full interview with Flea, one of the founding members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, about his new memoir, "Acid For the Children" and why he decided to reflect on his vulnerable childhood. Flea discusses his original dream of becoming a jazz musician and how he ultimately ended up becoming the #2 bass player of all time, according to "Rolling Stone." He explains why it wasn't difficult for him to write about being a "lonely kid," but why he struggled to describe his complicated, longtime friendship with Chili Peppers' frontman Anthony Kiedis.

Crews in California are battling a new fire that exploded overnight in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. More than 400,000 customers across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast are without power, after severe storms slammed the regions overnight. Congress has formally approved the first-ever impeachment investigation of a president running for re-election. While the impeachment inquiry dominates national headlines, 2020 Democratic hopefuls are in Des Moines for one of the most important events before the Iowa caucuses.