News and Happenings

Americans are having a hard time getting in to see a doctor, and burnout among heathcare workers is a leading reason why. The stressors of the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated a burnout crisis among physicians and nurses. But even before the pandemic, burnout was already a rampant problem for physicians and other health workers. Dr. Bob Wachter sits in for Andy and talks with AMA vice president and burnout expert Christine Sinsky about the root causes of burnout and what it will mean for all of us.

Democrats defied expectations in this year’s midterm elections, maintaining control of the Senate and keeping the GOP from gaining ground in the House. Former U.S. Housing Secretary Julián Castro unpacks the midterm election results with Time magazine’s national political correspondent, Molly Ball. Just how much did issues like abortion, the Jan. 6 insurrection, and the economic crisis shape the results? Also, the two dive into what Congress’ legislative agenda may look like, and whether the GOP will alter its strategy following their midterm meltdown. Plus, Molly recounts being at Trump’s campaign announcement on Tuesday night.

Some pediatric units are reaching capacity already and experts are warning of a possible “Tripledemic” of respiratory viruses this winter. With an early surge in RSV cases, the upcoming flu season and the possibility of a COVID-19 surge, emergency rooms are preparing for a flood of visits in the coming month. Dr Bob Wachter sits in for Andy and talks with Dr Caitlin Rivers, an Infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins about how to protect you and your family this Thanksgiving.

Trump is expected to formally announce his run for president any day now. His reputation was tarnished after the predicted red wave in the midterms didn’t surface, but as New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman reminds guest host Gloria Riviera in this episode, Trump has survived political vulnerability many times before. Maggie talks about who is taking a step back from Trump after the midterms, who’s still supporting him, and those who are walking a very fine line. Plus, she shares an anecdote that she left out of her new book.

With a potentially split legislature on the horizon, passing climate policy could become a lot more difficult. We revisit a recent show on one piece of policy President Biden was able to get passed: the Inflation Reduction Act. Andy speaks with public policy expert Leah Stokes, who helped craft The IRA’s climate provisions. She explains how the law will transition the economy from fossil fuels to clean energy and get us closer to cutting pollution in half. NASA climatologist Gavin Schmidt tells Andy what actions are needed to prevent further global warming, and how the law could achieve that.

Republicans expected to celebrate a red wave this morning. Instead, we’re all left wondering who will control the Senate, and what’s next for Congress. Guest Host, Steve Nelson calls on former US Senator, Al Franken and “The Political Junkie”, Ken Rudin to get their early reactions to the 2022 Midterms and what it means for both parties going forward. Plus, Sen. Franken recounts what it’s like to wait for results on election night… and beyond, much like what the candidates in Georgia are experiencing.

Leading up to Election Day, we’re revisiting a favorite episode with lawyer and journalist Dahlia Lithwick. Dahlia explains in detail the consequences of the Dobbs ruling and whether they’ll drive people out to the midterms. How does your vote impact the makeup of the highest court and the decisions it makes? This episode is for everyone who cares about the future of reproductive rights.

For most of us, our mental health took a hit during the pandemic. Gary Gulman knows a little something about severe depression. His HBO special, “The Great Depresh,” goes deep into his experience being hospitalized, getting treatment, and the ongoing road called recovery. Guest host Stephanie Wittels Wachs talks with Gary about her own bout of severe depression after losing her brother Harris Wittels, making art out of struggles with mental health, and what specific treatments helped Gary find hope and joy again.

MAGA Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene will hold major influence in the House if the GOP takes back the majority in the midterms. What impact will that have on the priorities set by Congress and the way our government functions? Andy speaks with journalist Robert Draper, whose new book, “Weapons of Mass Delusion,” details how a new breed of Republicans have taken the politics of hysteria to even greater extremes. He forecasts a potential future where Greene becomes House speaker, an impeachment inquiry gets announced on Biden, and a government shutdown is used as leverage to pass conservative priorities supported by the MAGA base.

Abortion access is on the midterm ballot in more ways than one, from state measures restricting and expanding rights to federal races that will decide the future of nationwide legislation like Senator Lindsey Graham’s abortion ban bill. Andy talks with reproductive rights lawyer Fatima Goss Graves and activist Kimberly Inez McGuire about what’s at stake this November and how your vote impacts the future of body autonomy.