Care and Feeding | The World Is On Fire. How Do We Tell the Kids?

Care and Feeding | The World Is On Fire. How Do We Tell the Kids?

Author: Slate Podcasts January 20, 2026 Duration: 30:30

While the What Next team takes the holiday, enjoy this episode from our colleagues at Care and Feeding, featuring a familiar voice. What Next will be back with a new episode tomorrow.


On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen have been trying to stay on top of the news…but they’re getting bogged down and worried about it impacting their kids. Luckily What Next host Mary Harris’s literal job is keeping up on the news, and she’s got kids of her own. So, they all sit down to talk about how much to share with the kids, how to stay informed but still show up for the kids, ways to moderate your own anxiety, and so much more.


But first, they share their latest triumphs and fails. Mary comes in with a win during the college admission process; Lucy almost crashes a birthday party (but she DOESN’T…so it’s a win); Zak takes his daughter to roller derby; and Elizabeth says yes to a choral concert.


Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Video production by Micah Phillips.


Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.


If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get to hang out with us on the Plus Playground every week for a whole additional grab-bag of content — and you’ll get an ad-free experience across the network. And you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus – or try it out on Apple Podcasts.


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Each day’s news cycle can feel like a flood, leaving us adrift in a stream of headlines without much understanding of what they truly mean or where they might lead. What Next | Daily News and Analysis, from Slate Podcasts, cuts through that noise with clarity and purpose. Instead of just recounting events, this daily podcast focuses on the crucial question that follows any major story: what happens now? The hosts delve into a single pressing issue-whether it’s a political shift, a cultural moment, or a policy change-and unpack its implications with expert interviews and thoughtful commentary. You’ll hear analysis that goes beyond the initial shock or spectacle, exploring the real-world consequences and the potential paths forward. Released each weekday morning, the episodes are concise and designed to fit into your routine, offering a meaningful pause for reflection amid the chaos. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to move past mindless scrolling and toward genuine comprehension. For listeners who want even more, Slate Plus offers ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content, deepening the engagement with the day’s most important topics. This isn’t just another news recap; it’s a guide for navigating the aftermath and understanding what comes next.
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