Slate Daily Feed

Mary Wilson with today’s rundown: Catalonia campaigns for independence, New Jersey mulls a ban on releasing balloons, and for stress-free exercise, don’t hike with Mike Cernovich.

Jamelle Bouie talks to Carolyn Fiddler, Political Editor at Daily Kos, about the Virginia gubernatorial race and why things on the Republican side were too close for comfort (to say the least).

David Plotz, John Dickerson and Slate's Jamelle Bouie discuss the Virginia shooting, Senate health bill, Russia investigation, and Virginia gubernatorial primaries.Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/gabfestplus.Twitter: @SlateGabfestFacebook: facebook.com/GabfestEmail: gabfest@slate.comShow notes at slate.com/gabfest

Rebecca Lavoie and Carvell Wallace are joined by actual teenager and Carvell's son, Ezra Wallace. They discuss what life is like for a biracial teen, plus triumphs and fails, recommendations and an Ezra lightning round.

Mary Wilson with today’s rundown: Vladimir Putin says he’s ready to be friends with the U.S. The NSA says last month’s big cyberattack came from North Korea. Reading the FBI file on D&D creator Gary Gygax. 

Raúl Grijalva is a Democratic Congressman from Arizona’s Third Congressional district. He sits down with Isaac Chotiner to discuss the unrelenting fear in immigrant communities, the divisions that threaten the Democratic Party, and whether the Trump administration is “unhinged.”

Hanna Rosin, June Thomas, and Noreen Malone discuss the unexpected fellowship between Comey and victims of sexual harassment, if Wonder Woman is our new feminist icon, and the fall of Theresa May.

Virginia Heffernan talks to Matthew Miller, formerly of the Department of Justice, about the testimony of Jeff Sessions in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee and just what Bob Mueller could be up to behind the scenes after hearing the verbal gymnastics of the former Senator. Plus, Don Jr. gives us the real meaning of "hope," finally.

Bill Schutt says no one from his childhood is surprised to find out he’s been studying cannibalism—after all, he was into vampire bats as a kid. For his new book, he’s investigated the (natural) history of people eating one another and why it’s only been taboo in some countries, like China, for a short time.  In the Spiel, how we talk about domestic terrorism. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

In the first episode of Slate's Trumpcare Tracker, congressional reporter Jim Newell and Moneybox columnist Jordan Weissmann discuss the secrecy surrounding  the Senate health-care bill. Is this a sign of the Republicans’ legislative genius—or is it pure arrogance?

This episode of Whistlestop revisits Sunday September 8, 1974 when President Ford announced his pardon of Richard Nixon.Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by political correspondent and Political Gabfest panelist John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable (or even forgotten) moments from America's Presidential carnival.Podcast production and edit by Jocelyn Frank.Research by Brian Rosenwald.Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.Email: whistlestop@slate.com

Mary Wilson with today’s rundown: The investigation of the Flint water crisis has ensnared Michigan’s health chief, and more of The Trump Organization’s property sales have been going to secret buyers.

Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf, and Isaac Butler discuss the HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest with journalist Michelle Dean, the Julius Caesar controversy at Shakespeare in the Park, and the philosophy storytelling podcast Hi-Phi Nation.The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by I’M DYING UP HERE on Showtime, the new drama series from Jim Carrey that centers around a group of young comedians hoping to make it big in the 1970s L.A. comedy scene. Don’t miss new episodes Sundays at 10/9 Central only on SHOWTIME. Download the SHOWTIME App now to start your free trial.And by Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans. They give you confidence when it comes to refinancing your existing mortgage or buying a home. Go to RocketMortgage dot com/Culture to get started.And by The Black Tux. For high-quality rental suits and tuxedos delivered right to your door, go to TheBlackTux.com/Culture and you’ll receive free shipping, plus 20 dollars off your purchase.

The Bachelorette recap (episode 1-3) with Slate producer Veralyn Williams and Doctor Robin M. Boylorn, Associate Professor at The University of Alabama and member of the Crunk Feminist Collective.For links on what we discuss check out our show page. Tell a friend to subscribe! Share this link: megaphone.link/representEmail: represent@slate.comFacebook: Slate RepresentTwitter: @SlateRepresent, @craftingmystyleProduction by Veralyn WilliamsSocial media: Marissa Martinelli

You’re awkward, but maybe not in the way you think. Psychologist Ty Tashiro explains the hallmarks of social awkwardness, why we’re sensitive to it, and why it’s not such a bad thing. Tashiro is the author of Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome. In the Spiel, more on Donald Trump’s ‘dear leader’ cabinet meeting. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.