DiscoverVox's The WeedsThe many scandals of Michael Cohen
The many scandals of Michael Cohen

The many scandals of Michael Cohen

Update: 2018-05-112
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Vox.com senior political reporter Andrew Prokop joins Dara and Matt to explain the strange tale of Donald Trump’s lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, who now seems to be in serious legal hot water.

References and further reading:

Andrew's piece on the corporations that hired Michael Cohen

Andrew's piece on the Cohen's ties to Russia

Andrew's Stormy Daniels explainer
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In Channel
Emergency Weeds
Dara, Sarah, and Matt explain the border security deal and Trump’s plan to bypass Congress.Dara's articleMatt's article on non-legislative priorities

Emergency Weeds

2019-02-1501:02:193

What’s the best way to help the poor?
Dylan Matthews joins Sarah, Ezra, and Matt to discuss five new plans on poverty from leading Democrats.Dylan's ArticleSarah's Article on Childhood WealthElizabeth Warren's Housing BillCory Booker's HOME Act

What’s the best way to help the poor?

2019-02-1200:58:472

WTF, VA?
Virginia is embroiled in multiple blackface scandals — and Jane Coaston, Sarah Kliff, and Dylan Scott are here to talk about it.Video about Slavery in the US Medical SystemJane's Article

WTF, VA?

2019-02-0800:46:504

Do we need private insurance?
Sarah, Ezra, and Matt break down the latest twist in the Medicare-for-all debate — plus rigorous new research on Facebook.White Paper

Do we need private insurance?

2019-02-0500:51:111

House Democrats’ plan to save democracy
Jane, Dara, and Matt break down HR 1 — the first bill from the new Democratic majority.

House Democrats’ plan to save democracy

2019-02-0100:58:27

Elizabeth Warren and the Two-Income Trap
Sarah, Ezra, and Matt analyze the presidential candidate’s first popular book and review new evidence on the dangers of opioid marketing.Ezra's ArticleMatt's ArticleWhite Paper

Elizabeth Warren and the Two-Income Trap

2019-01-2900:58:311

The end of the shutdown
Jane, Ezra, and Matt have a slightly ill-timed discussion about the Pelosi-Trump showdown and the politics of the wall.

The end of the shutdown

2019-01-2501:03:26

Investigating ER bills and SNAP fraud
Sarah, Dara, and Matt discuss Trump's latest proposal, suspicious ER billing practices, and SNAP investigationsSarah's articles about hospital ER feesWhite Paper

Investigating ER bills and SNAP fraud

2019-01-2200:54:00

You can't eat your principles for dinner
Sarah, Dara, and Matt analyze the prolonged shutdown's impact on the future of the federal workforceReference Articles:The shutdown threatens the promise of government jobs — and a way of lifeFBI, federal agents see cases hampered, lives rattled as shutdown continuesThe American Action Forum explainer on the Anti-Deficiency ActHow the Border Patrol union became Trump’s closest shutdown alliesby Dara LindWhy Don’t Unpaid Federal Workers Walk Off the Job? 

You can't eat your principles for dinner

2019-01-1800:55:291

Taxing the rich
Jane, Ezra, and Matt consider the ethics and economics of a 70 percent top marginal rateAmericans misperceive racial economic equality

Taxing the rich

2019-01-1500:59:14

Tucker Carlson vs the free market
Jane, Dara, and Matt explain the argument over economic populism that’s roiling the conservative world

Tucker Carlson vs the free market

2019-01-1100:59:401

Tucker Carlson vs the free market
Jane, Dara, and Matt explain the argument over economic populism that’s roiling the conservative world

Tucker Carlson vs the free market

2019-01-1100:59:401

Ask Weeds Anything
Matt, Sarah, and Dara take questions from our audienceBook Recommendations:The Field of Blood by Joanne B. FreemanTheodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life by Kathleen DaltonBad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John CarreyrouStories:The 17 saddest moments of Jeb Bush’s very sad campaign by Dara LindDespite congressional pressure, Amtrak can’t get its story straight on train-boarding rules by Matthew YglesiasDo No Harm by Sarah Kliff

Ask Weeds Anything

2019-01-0800:58:20

Function with Anil Dash: Why Are Outdated Voting Machines Still Running U.S. Elections?
The 2018 midterm elections have wrapped up here in the U.S., and issues with voting machines are back in the news cycle. It's not a hanging chad situation like the 2000 presidential election recount in Florida, but malfunctions, outdated tech, and talk of interference from foreign powers has tanked voter confidence. With the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign season about to kickoff, how do you rock the vote when you're not even sure it's being properly counted? And how do you put trust in a voting system that's full of weak links?On Function this week, we're looking at voting machines and election security. Anil talks with Verified Voting data consultant Matt Bernhard about the history of voting machines and the broad social implications of technology and privacy. We also talk to Maurice Turner, a former poll worker and senior technologist at the Center for Democracy and Technology, who gives practical advice for individual voters who are worried about the trustworthiness of their local precincts.

Function with Anil Dash: Why Are Outdated Voting Machines Still Running U.S. Elections?

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New year, no government
Dara, Jane, and Matt explain why a shutdown is not The Purge and delve into the all-important difference between slats, bollards, and walls

New year, no government

2019-01-0401:01:181

Classic Weeds: The great white panic
Jane Coaston joins Dara, Ezra, and Matt to talk about the racial panic tearing America apart and also salt.References and further reading: Ezra's piece on the changing demographics in America Identity Crisis book mentioned by Ezra Salt white paper This episode is a rebroadcast from July of 2018.

Classic Weeds: The great white panic

2019-01-0101:06:171

The Weeds Year-End Spectacular
Sarah, Ezra, and Matt share what they learned in 2018, predictions for 2019, and their favorite research of the year.Links:Matt's white paper pickSarah's white paper pickEzra's white paper pickSarah’s ER opusEzra on white threat

The Weeds Year-End Spectacular

2018-12-2800:56:212

Congress actually did something important
Jane, Dara, and Matt analyze the substance and political context of the big bipartisan criminal justice reform bill.References and further reading:German Lopez explains the First Step ActJane’s piece on Kanye West’s meeting with President TrumpJames Forman Jr. examines why many African American leaders supported the war on crime

Congress actually did something important

2018-12-2100:58:20

Bernie and Biden and Beto, oh my!
Sarah, Ezra, and Matt decide it’s not too soon to start talking about the 2020 election. Plus — Obamacare litigation forever!References and further reading:Matt’s explainer on the Democratic field for 2020Matt’s piece on Joe Biden’s policy ideasA previous episode of The Weeds on the Obamacare lawsuitEzra’s piece on the Texas ruling against Obamacare

Bernie and Biden and Beto, oh my!

2018-12-1800:49:36

A big, beautiful podcast about the border wall
Matt, Dara, and Jane discuss what happens when engineering crushes dreams.Links:For an in-depth read on the border wall, here's a great explainer.The GAO report Dara cited can be found here.And here's the Atlantic article that Matt mentioned about the ICE crackdown

A big, beautiful podcast about the border wall

2018-12-1400:55:42

A Weeds farewell to Paul Ryan
Jane, Ezra, and Matt consider Paul Ryan’s legacy and new research on crime and the minimum wage.References and further reading:Ezra’s piece on House Speaker Paul Ryan’s legacyMatt’s essay following the announcement of Paul Ryan’s retirement Ted Cruz’s confusing tweet of Beto O’Rourke speaking on the shooting of Botham JeanA white paper examines the effects on criminal recidivism when states increase minimum wagesAnnie Lowrey’s piece in the Atlantic on a jobs guarantee

A Weeds farewell to Paul Ryan

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Pod Save the US-Saudi alliance?
Special guest Tommy Vietor of Crooked Media’s Pod Save the World joins Dara and Matt to break down the anti-Saudi backlash sweeping Washington.

Pod Save the US-Saudi alliance?

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Midwest Republicans lost in 2018 — but they’re not giving up power

2018-12-0400:51:351

Mexico was the wall all along
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The many flavors of Medicare-for-all
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The future of conservatism is being forged in California

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Facebook is bad, please join our Facebook group
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Jeff Sessions is gone but not forgotten
Dara, Jane, and Matt talk about the endgame for the attorney general Trump loved to hate.References and further reading:Dara reports on Trump’s asylum banDara defines Jeff Sessions’s legacy through immigration crackdowns and deportationHeather Mac Donald’s “The War on Cops”The Trump administration enters its Leeroy Jenkins phaseA piece from Politico on the magical powers of TrumpJane’s essay from National Review on TrumpismMcKay Coppins’s Atlantic article on the GOP’s adoption of Trumpism

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Operation Win the Midterms
Defense correspondent Alex Ward joins Dara and Matt to analyze Trump’s dispatch of thousands of US soldiers to the border.References and further reading:Alex’s piece on the role of troops at the US-Mexico borderAn article from Reuters on the clashes at the Mexico-Guatemala borderDara explains the migrant caravanDara’s piece on the shrinking caravanDara reports on a new “travel ban” that the Trump administration is considering

Operation Win the Midterms

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Republicans’ health care message: Lie a lot
Sarah, Ezra, and Matt break down rhetoric and reality on preexisting conditions.References and further reading:Sarah outlines the position of Republicans on preexisting conditionsSarah’s piece from 2016 on the future of ObamacareRobert Draper’s article on Priorities USA and its campaign against Mitt RomneyEzra makes the case that Trump is a moderate

Republicans’ health care message: Lie a lot

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Our elections are being hacked
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Ella Nilsen and Dylan Scott join Matt Yglesias to talk about Democrats' midterm message and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's future.References and further reading:Ella’s piece on the priorities of House Democrats if they take the House in November.Ella breaks down the fight for leadership over House DemocratsDylan outlines the 2018 midterms using an ad from Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)Dylan explains the role of health care in the Missouri Senate race

What's next for House Democrats?

2018-10-2400:46:31

Cory Booker’s plan to close the racial wealth gap
Dara, Sarah, and Matt talk about a new "baby bonds" proposal and new research that explores perceptions of illegal immigrants.References and further reading:Sarah’s piece on Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-NJ) plan for baby bondsA report on the racial wealth gapAn article on unclaimed cash from baby bonds in the United KingdomIra Katznelson on racial inequality in “When Affirmative Action Was White”A white paper on the social construction of illegality

Cory Booker’s plan to close the racial wealth gap

2018-10-2300:55:274

Introducing Future Perfect
A sneak peek at Vox’s newest show, about provocative ideas with the potential to radically improve the world. Host Dylan Matthews tackles big questions about the most effective ways to save lives, reform prisons, fight global warming, and end world poverty, from decisions in Congress to choices in our everyday lives.Find Future Perfect on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | ART19

Introducing Future Perfect

2018-10-2000:22:12

Trump versus the Caravan
Jane, Dara, and Matt explain the reality behind the migrant caravan fueling the latest MAGA conspiracy theories.References and further reading:Trump’s first campaign adRep. Matt Gaetz’s tweet claiming to share footage relating to the caravan

Trump versus the Caravan

2018-10-1901:00:332

Republicans run everything, and they’re mad as hell
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Republicans run everything, and they’re mad as hell

2018-10-1700:46:252

America’s moral failure on climate
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America’s moral failure on climate

2018-10-1601:02:321

I’mma let you finish
Jane, Dara, and Matt talk about Kanye West, Taylor Swift, the black conservative political tradition, and the shifting politics of the Trump era.References and further reading:Jane dissects Trump’s meeting with Kanye WestJemele Hill’s article on black men and Brett Kavanaugh Hoteps, explainedJane’s piece on racism within the Republican PartyVann Newkirk’s piece on black civic engagement in the Trump era Vox's Constance Grady analyzes the Taylor Swift voter registration bump

I’mma let you finish

2018-10-1201:03:063

As tough as Texas
Tara Golshan and Ella Nilsen join Matt to talk about the critical midterm races in the Lone Star State.References and further reading:Ella’s piece on Democrats running in Texas Tara outlines key themes in the race between Ted Cruz and Beto O’RourkeTara’s piece on a potential blue wave in the stateTara details more on the battle between Cruz and O’Rourke

As tough as Texas

2018-10-1000:38:311

The craziest Obamacare lawsuit yet
Sarah, Ezra, and Matt talk about Obamacare (again!), waning democratic legitimacy, and why retaking the SAT drives class and racial gaps in college enrollment.References and further reading:Josh Blackman’s piece on the ACA lawsuitAmicus brief from the pro- and anti-ACA law professors Katie Keith’s article on oral argumentsJohn Harris’s piece on the ruthlessness of the Republican PartyDavid Farris's book on fighting dirtyJennifer Victor's pinned tweet on the meaning of democracyA white paper on how retaking the SAT affects college admissions

The craziest Obamacare lawsuit yet

2018-10-0901:04:096

Alexa, raise the minimum wage
Jane, Dara, and Matt talk about Amazon's pay raise, Sen. Bernie Sanders’s Stop BEZOS Act, and the new politics of big tech.References and further reading:Alexia Fernández Campbell’s piece on Vox about Amazon’s pay raisesSarah Butler of the Guardian lays out the pay raise versus bonus situationMatt’s piece in Slate on Jeff Bezos’s relationship with Wall StreetDylan Scott explains Medicare-for-allKevin Roose’s daily Twitter updates on sources of the top-performing Facebook posts about Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Alexa, raise the minimum wage

2018-10-0500:52:554

When women run
Congressional reporter Ella Nilsen joins Sarah and Matt to explain the unprecedented surge in women running for Congress this year.References and further reading:Michele Swers’s paper that highlights how women representatives bring back more funding to their districtSarah’s piece on how electing women changes the way the government functionsJennifer Palmieri’s book that examines the criticisms of Hillary Clinton

When women run

2018-10-0300:40:541

Death to NAFTA! Long live USMCA!
Ezra, Sarah, and Matt dive into the latest on the Kavanaugh nomination — and why USMCA is great for Canadians who drink milk.References and further reading:Alvin Chang charts every question the Senate asked KavanaughEzra’s piece on the Republicans’ strategy to save KavanaughCatherine Rampell compares Trump’s new trade deal to the oldA white paper on “College Party Culture and Sexual Assault”

Death to NAFTA! Long live USMCA!

2018-10-0200:55:19

Do Republicans even care if Kavanaugh is guilty?
Sarah, Jane, and Matt break down an excruciating day in American politics.References and further reading:Laura McGann’s piece on sexual harassment claims against Glenn Thrush of the New York TimesConstance Grady explains rape culture of the 1980sA poll found evangelicals would support Kavanaugh even if allegations against him were trueEric Erickson argues Trump will escalate matters if Kavanaugh is rejected

Do Republicans even care if Kavanaugh is guilty?

2018-09-2800:49:156

What Sarah learned on parental leave
Sarah, Matt, and Ezra dive into how other countries design parental leave policies — and what the US could do better. Plus: a white paper on subways, and outer space!References and further reading:RAND review on child care allowancePew research finds birthrates are down while the desire to have kids is notProPublica relates mothers to candy wrappersHenrik Levin charts attitudes toward working mothers with school-age childrenWhite paper on subways and pollution in urban centers

What Sarah learned on parental leave

2018-09-2500:57:361

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The many scandals of Michael Cohen

The many scandals of Michael Cohen

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