Slate Daily Feed

We’re kicking off this week with some listener feedback on good problem to have – adjusting to earning enough money for more than just the essentials of life! And then, professional trans lesbian Elizabeth Mills joins to respond to your letters! First up: My sister is asking for cash for Christmas, but I’m afraid I’d be enabling destructive habits. What’s the right gift? My fiance doesn’t want me to stay friends with someone I hooked up with once. Help! My ailing sister moved home after a life of ignoring me and expects me to see to her every need! Help! And finally: How can I let go of my worries about being “too feminine” to be trans? Hear more Prudence by joining Slate Plus: Slate.com/Prudiepod.

How a folksy segregationist senator, a team of young investigators, and a few whistleblowers staged the hearings that made Watergate must-see TV.Slate Plus members get a bonus episode of Slow Burn every week. Find out more at slate.com/slowburn.

Katy Waldman, Parul Seghal, and Meghan O'Rourke discuss Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey by Homer. Next month's book will be Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado.

Jacob Weisberg chats with economist Jason Furman about the impending GOP tax bill and its economic impact.

On the Gist, why we shouldn’t fret every time companies like Netflix show how they’re using our personal data.   In the interview, Maria Konnikova runs us through the foods that can turn your skin orange, blue, and red, and whether that’s even a bad thing. Konnikova is the author of The Confidence Game.  In the Spiel, what the latest Star Wars movie has in common with Donald Trump.

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin are joined by Andrew Brandt to discuss the allegations against Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson; by Chris Nowinski to talk about the NFL concussion protocol; and by Deadspin to assess the rise of fake sports news. Jerry Richardson (1:41): Former Green Bay Packers vice president Andrew Brandt discusses the allegations that the Carolina Panthers owner engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior, and Richardson’s announcement that he’s going to put the team up for sale.  NFL concussion protocol (22:04): Chris Nowinski of the Concussion Legacy Foundation joins for a conversation about the recent spate of high-profile head injuries in pro football, and how to get fans and players and teams and the league to care about the dangers of big hits.  Fake sports news (39:41): Deadspin’s David Roth talks about fake sports news stories populating websites like viralusa.org, as well as the online hoax that had some people convinced that the Washington football team had changed its name to the Redhawks. Afterballs (58:52):

No one knows the legal implications of global expansion better than a global law firm like Withersworldwide. Hear Chairman, Ivan Sacks, describe how to get your legal ducks in a row before continuing grand expansion plans, and explain how he decides if a company is ready to make the international leap. Disclosure:These podcasts are intended solely for informational purposes. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise this podcast. The information, analysis and opinions contained herein constitute our present judgment which is subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing contained herein should be construed as tax, investment, accounting or legal advice. In all cases, you should conduct your own investigation and analysis of each potential transaction, and you should consider the advice of your legal, accounting, tax and other business advisors and such other factors that you consider appropriate. This is not a recommendation, offer, endorsement or solicitation to purchase or sell product or service.HSBC Bank USA, N.A. 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Member FDIC.

Josh Voorhees with the rundown: a new CNN report suggests Donald Trump is confused about the FBI investigation; a former Fox News host speaks out; and Twitter cracks down on hate speech.

On this season of Working, Jacob sits down with people whose jobs touch on LGBTQ life. On this episode, Jacob sits down with science fiction author Samuel Delany, author of Trouble on Triton, Babel-17, Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders, and many more fiction and non-fiction books. He talks about his writing process, the place of sexuality and the body in fiction, how his sexual interests have shaped his life and work, and more. Note, there are some descriptions of sex in this episode and may not be appropriate for everyone.  

Felix Salmon of Fusion, Slate Moneybox columnist Jordan Weissmann, and political risk consultant Anna Szymanski discuss:Disney acquiring 21st Century FoxApple buying ShazamBitcoin futuresIn Slate Plus: More bitcoin discussionCheck out other Panoply podcasts at panoply.fm.Email: slatemoney@slate.comTwitter:@felixsalmon, @Three_Guineas, @JHWeissmannProduction by Daniel Schroeder

Virginia Heffernan is joined by Dahlia Lithwick and Jacob Weisberg to discuss all the sexual misconduct accusations against the President and what can be done about them.

On The Gist, President Trump’s judicial nominations are starting to look ridiculous. In the interview, comedian Jeff Ross got a little tired of his shtick as a go-to roast guy for Comedy Central’s famous Friars Club sendups. So he started skewering not people, but places, ideas, and institutions. His latest special, ­­Jeff Ross Roasts the Border, takes viewers to Brownsville, Texas, a city along the U.S.-Mexico border where a huge steel fence is meant to keep migrants from crossing into the United States.    In the Spiel, bidding farewell to the legendary sports radio host, Mike Francesa.

On this week's episode, Forrest Wickman and Sam Adams join Dana Stevens in spoiling Star Wars: The Last Jedi. They tackle who Rey's parents are, the real abilities of a Jedi, and porgs.

Josh Voorhees with the rundown: Marco Rubio gets want he wants, a Trump nominee gets humiliated, and Oxford Dictionaries gets creative—maybe a little too creative.

Amid all the recent allegations of sexual harassment, June Thomas takes a look at how the issue is depicted on TV. “Watching television is something that millions of Americans do every night,” she says, “so storylines about sexual harassment can set a tone for our shared ideas on the subject.” How do the writers of Mad Men, Great News, and The Office tackle the issue and mine it for laughs? Have these depictions evolved since the days of The Mary Tyler Moore Show?