The Daily
This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams and Natalie Kitroeff. Twenty minutes a day, six days a week, ready by 6 a.m. 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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Recent Episodes
A Flood of New, Deadlier Drugs
May 26, 2026As America is beginning to wrap its arms around the fentanyl crisis, a new kind of drug epidemic is emerging. It is faster, more addictive, more lethal and powered by synthetic drugs — substances that...
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The Daily examines the emerging synthetic drug crisis that's surpassing fentanyl in lethality and complexity. New York Times correspondent Azam Ahmed reveals how synthetic drugs like nitazines are 20-40 times more potent than fentanyl, easily manufactured, and constantly evolving to evade regulation. Through an investigation of Chicago's Cook County Jail, the episode exposes how these drugs are being smuggled on paper and why traditional drug war enforcement strategies are failing against this new threat.
- The Evolution Beyond Fentanyl
- Nitazines: The Next Generation Threat
Andy Isaacson is a writer and photographer. His work for The Times has taken him to every corner of the world, and he has transmitted what he’s experienced through his images. But recently, Isaacson...
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Andy Isaacson, a New York Times travel journalist and photographer, shares his transformative experience traveling through India with a group of blind and visually impaired travelers through a company called Travelize. The journey challenged his lifelong reliance on visual experience and revealed deeper, multi-sensory layers of travel through sound, touch, smell, and spatial awareness. By serving as a guide and descriptor for his blind companions while learning from their unique perspectives, Isaacson discovered that no single viewpoint captures the full picture of a place, much like the Hindu parable of the blind men and the elephant.
- Andy Isaacson's Visual Journey and Career
- Discovering Multi-Sensory Travel Experiences
The iconic actor on his thrillingly risky choices, on screen and off, and becoming a meme. Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodca...
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Nicolas Cage discusses his unique approach to acting, describing his philosophy of taking creative risks and importing elements from other art forms into his performances. He reflects on his career trajectory, from early films like Raising Arizona and Vampire's Kiss to recent projects like Spider-Noir, while addressing the memification of his work and his current focus on family life. The conversation explores his artistic influences, unconventional choices, and evolution as both an artist and person.
- The Philosophy of Artistic Risk-Taking
- Embracing Negative Reactions and Taking Creative Risks
Trump’s National Support Is Cratering
May 22, 2026A new major poll from The Times/Siena suggests that despite his seemingly unchecked power over the federal government and his own party, President Trump’s national support is crumbling to record lows ...
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In this episode of The Daily, Chief Political Analyst Nate Cohn discusses a major New York Times poll revealing President Trump's approval rating has hit record lows at 37%, with particularly dramatic declines among young and non-white voters who helped elect him in 2024. The poll shows Democrats now leading by 10 points for the midterm elections, positioning them to potentially retake both the House and Senate. Despite Trump's unchecked power within the Republican Party, his national support is crumbling due to unpopular positions on the cost of living, the Iran conflict, and other key issues.
- Trump's Approval Rating Hits Historic Lows
- Collapse of Trump's Coalition Among Young and Non-White Voters
Why the U.S. Just Indicted Cuba’s Former President
May 21, 2026The U.S. charged Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former leader and Communist general, with murder on Wednesday. It was the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign to force political change on the...
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This episode of The Daily examines the Trump administration's charges against Cuba's former leader Raul Castro for the 1996 downing of civilian planes that killed four people, including three Americans. The charges represent the latest escalation in a broader pressure campaign against Cuba that includes economic sanctions, oil cutoffs, and demands to remove Chinese and Russian intelligence installations from the island.
- The Symbolic Announcement of Charges Against Raul Castro
- The 1996 Brothers to the Rescue Tragedy
Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Plan
May 20, 2026The Trump administration announced the creation of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate those who claim they were targeted by the Biden Justice Department and Democrats. Andrew Duehren, who covers tax ...
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The Daily examines President Trump's controversial decision to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and instead create an unprecedented $1.776 billion fund to compensate alleged victims of 'weaponization and lawfare.' The episode explores the tangled web of conflicts of interest, the potential beneficiaries including January 6th rioters, and the bipartisan outrage this move has sparked in Congress.
- The Origins of Trump's IRS Lawsuit
- The Unprecedented Conflict of Interest
A Trump Dissenter Fights for His Political Life
May 19, 2026In Kentucky today, amid record-low approval ratings, President Trump is asking Republican primary voters to reject Representative Thomas Massie, who has broken with Mr. Trump on a handful of votes. ...
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The Daily examines President Trump's effort to unseat seven-term Republican Congressman Thomas Massey in Kentucky's primary election, exploring the tension between party loyalty and independence in Trump's Republican Party. With polls showing the race as a toss-up despite Massey's previous landslide victories, the episode reveals how Trump's demand for absolute loyalty is being tested in a moment of economic turmoil and presidential unpopularity.
- The Most Expensive Primary Battle in House History
- Thomas Massey: The Republican Party's Maverick
For the last three weeks, a messy, dramatic battle has played out between two of the most powerful titans of tech in the world: Elon Musk and Sam Altman. As jury deliberations begin today, the techn...
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This episode of The Daily examines the high-stakes legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over OpenAI's transformation from nonprofit to for-profit entity. Reporter Mike Isaac provides extensive courtroom coverage from Oakland, detailing three weeks of testimony that revealed a dramatic falling out between former partners over control, money, and the future of artificial intelligence.
- The Circus Atmosphere Outside the Courthouse
- The Massive Stakes of Musk's Lawsuit
Can We Reverse Aging?
May 17, 2026The quest for a “cure” for aging — a way to remain youthful, even as we get older — is a project as old as humanity. It’s also a big business; products, therapies and treatments intended to moderate o...
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This episode explores the cutting-edge science of cellular rejuvenation and longevity research, examining how scientists are attempting to reverse aging at the cellular level. The conversation covers major breakthroughs from Nobel Prize-winning research to billionaire-funded biotech companies, while also addressing the ethical, economic, and societal implications of potentially extending human lifespan.
- The Foundation: Understanding Cellular Rejuvenation
- The Yamanaka Breakthrough and Its Fatal Flaw
The presumptive Democratic Senate nominee from Maine on his controversies, contradictions and pitch for radical change. Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] Watch our show on YouTube: y...
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Graham Plattner, an oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran, discusses his unlikely journey to becoming the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine. He shares his working-class background, combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, struggles with PTSD, and vision for wielding power to create revolutionary change in American politics. The interview explores controversies around his tattoo and past social media posts, his anti-establishment campaign that defeated the Democratic establishment's preferred candidate, and his plans to challenge Susan Collins while building a grassroots movement focused on economic justice and resistance to corporate power.
- An Unlikely Candidate Emerges from Maine
- Masculinity and Working-Class Identity
Lessons From the Hantavirus Outbreak
May 15, 2026Inside a hospital in Nebraska, 16 Americans who may have been exposed to the hantavirus have begun an unusually long quarantine. In some cases, it will last up to 42 days. Apoorva Mandavilli, who co...
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The Daily examines a Hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship that has resulted in 11 confirmed cases and three deaths, with 16 Americans now in quarantine in Nebraska. While health officials emphasize this is not the next pandemic, the episode reveals important nuances about the virus's transmission that have been glossed over in public communications, and raises questions about the CDC's response in the post-COVID era.
- The Outbreak Begins on a Cruise Ship
- Understanding the Virus and Its Risks
A New Leader — and a New Showdown — at the Fed
May 14, 2026After a year of harassing and threatening Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, President Trump replaced him on Wednesday. Colby Smith, who covers the Fed, explains how the president e...
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Two Superpowers Across the Table
May 13, 2026Here’s what to expect from the summit between President Trump and China’s top leader, Xi Jinping. For the first time in nearly a decade, President Trump will meet with President Xi Jinping of China...
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President Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for the first time in nearly a decade, arriving weakened by the ongoing Iran conflict. While the summit will likely focus on trade deals and commodities, deeper issues like nuclear proliferation, Taiwan, AI governance, and the struggle for global dominance remain largely unresolved. The meeting occurs against the backdrop of fundamental questions about which country will be the dominant power in the coming decades.
- Trump's Weakened Position and the Shadow of Iran
- The Low-Hanging Fruit: Beef, Beans, and Boeing
Why More Americans Are Seeking Religion
May 12, 2026After decades of declining church attendance and a profound rise in secularism, religion is having a moment in America. Lauren Jackson, the host of the Believing newsletter, talks to Asthaa Chaturve...
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Is China Winning the A.I. Race?
May 11, 2026President Trump is preparing to make a crucial trip to China this week to meet with its leader, Xi Jinping. A key issue hanging over the meeting is artificial intelligence, and whether the global A.I....
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The New York Times explores China's distinctive approach to artificial intelligence, examining how the country is prioritizing practical, real-world AI applications throughout its economy rather than pursuing artificial general intelligence (AGI). The episode analyzes China's advantages in widespread AI deployment, the political constraints it faces, and what this means for the global AI competition with the United States.
- China's Practical AI Strategy vs. America's AGI Ambitions
- Xi Jinping's 2014 Vision and National AI Development Plan
For Mother’s Day, Classic Mom-isms
May 10, 2026For Mother’s Day, we asked you about your “Mom mantras”: the oft-repeated mottos or go-to expressions that your moms have said over the years. In partnership with the Well desk, we received thousands ...
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A special Mother's Day episode of The Daily featuring voice memos from listeners sharing memorable expressions, mantras, and wisdom from their mothers. The episode celebrates the diverse, often humorous, and deeply meaningful sayings that mothers use to impart life lessons, ranging from practical advice to profound philosophical insights. Host Rachel Abrams bookends the episode with conversations with her own mother, Alice Chesler Abrams, creating an intimate celebration of maternal wisdom across generations.
- Introduction: The Good Old Days
- Cautionary Mom Wisdom
Ramit Sethi wants everyone to have a healthier relationship to money, and thinks he knows how to get us there. Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] Watch our show on YouTube: youtube....
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Ramit Sethi, author of 'I Will Teach You to Be Rich' and host of Netflix's 'How to Get Rich,' discusses his philosophy of personal finance that emphasizes spending intentionally on what brings joy while cutting ruthlessly on what doesn't. He shares insights from his work counseling couples on money issues, critiques the personal finance industry's approach, and addresses the structural challenges facing younger generations in building wealth.
- Redefining What It Means to Be Rich
- The Psychology of Spending: Permission and Priorities
The Resurrection of Michael Jackson
May 08, 2026The new biopic about Michael Jackson has been a record-shattering box office success. The subsequent outpouring of love for the musician was the result of a painstaking, yearslong effort to resurrec...
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This Daily episode examines the remarkable business story behind the blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael,' exploring how his estate orchestrated a years-long campaign to rehabilitate his severely damaged reputation and transform him from a toxic asset into highly profitable intellectual property, culminating in a film that strategically avoids the sexual abuse allegations that dominated his later life.
- The Toxic Legacy: Jackson's Reputation at Death
- The Rehabilitation Playbook: Separating Music from Man
When Spirit Airlines shut down over the weekend, it brought an end to a company that had revolutionized air travel in the United States with its ultra-low-cost approach. Niraj Chokshi, who covers av...
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This episode examines the collapse of Spirit Airlines, which shut down operations in early May after revolutionizing air travel with its ultra-low-cost model. The episode explores how Spirit democratized air travel for working-class Americans, the pressures that led to its demise, and what the airline's failure means for the future of affordable travel in the United States.
- Spirit's Revolutionary Business Model
- The Spirit Effect on Air Travel
Last month, the astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, bringing their journey around the moon to a close. “The Daily” asked children to send in questions for the...
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The Artemis II astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Cook, and Jeremy Hansen—answer questions from children about their historic 10-day mission to orbit the moon. The crew discusses their experience traveling farther from Earth than any humans before, the profound perspective gained from seeing Earth from space, the technical challenges they faced, and the deeply personal moments that bonded them as a team.
- What It Takes to Become an Astronaut
- Journey to the Far Side of the Moon