Podcasts · The Daily

The Daily — episode summaries

Every new episode of The Daily, distilled: the one-line TLDR, key takeaways, notable quotes, and whether it's worth the full listen. 16 episodes summarized so far.

• The World Cup Final Is Here
  Sun, 19 Jul 2026

  Spain's possession-based system faces Argentina's Messi-led passion in a World Cup final that pits tactical perfection against emotional resilience.

• Zohran Mamdani Knows He Has Political Capital. And He Intends to Spend It.
  Sat, 18 Jul 2026

  NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani leverages his political capital by endorsing progressive congressional candidates, taking strong stances on Gaza, and positioning himself as a national voice for democratic socialism.

• The President, His Plane and the Press
  Fri, 17 Jul 2026

  Trump's new Qatar-gifted Air Force One lacks critical safety features, sparking Times reporting and unprecedented FBI subpoenas of journalists.

• ICE Ramps Back Up, With Deadly Results
  Thu, 16 Jul 2026

  ICE ramps up deportations with new officer ranks and aggressive arrest quotas, killing two civilians in recent shootings despite public outcry.

• From Trump’s Attorney to Attorney General: The Rise of Todd Blanche
  Wed, 15 Jul 2026

  Todd Blanche, Trump's former defense attorney now seeking confirmation as Attorney General, faces skeptical Senate Republicans who question whether his loyalty to Trump compromises the Justice Department's independence.

• Why the Cease-Fire With Iran Keeps Crumbling
  Tue, 14 Jul 2026

  A hastily negotiated US-Iran ceasefire collapses over ambiguous wording about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, leaving both sides escalating militarily with no clear path to resolution.

• Why Are Grocery Store Prices So High
  Mon, 13 Jul 2026

  Grocery prices have surged nearly 30% since 2020 due to climate change, supply chain disruptions, war, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade, with little relief expected soon.

• What’s Epic About the ‘Odyssey’? Everything.
  Sun, 12 Jul 2026

  Christopher Nolan's "Odyssey" movie arrives Friday, prompting classicists Emily Wilson and Madeline Miller to explore why Homer's 3,000-year-old epic remains universally resonant.

• Mick Jagger Knows He May Have Played His Last Rolling Stones Show
  Sat, 11 Jul 2026

  Mick Jagger reflects on the Rolling Stones' creative resurgence, aging as a performer, and whether the band will tour again, acknowledging he may have already played his final show.

• Cuba Under Siege
  Fri, 10 Jul 2026

  The Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign has pushed Cuba into a humanitarian catastrophe, with shortages of fuel, food, water, and medicine making daily survival a struggle for ordinary Cubans.

• The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.
  Sun, 5 Jul 2026

  New York Times critics explore what's most American across culture, from Aaron Copland's music to Survivor and M&Ms, revealing both idealistic and uncomfortable truths about the nation.

• The Last 12 Weeks
  Sun, 28 Jun 2026

  Capital defense lawyer Greg Warchuk has 87 days to convince courts that David Wood, a death row inmate scheduled for execution in Texas, may be innocent of the six murders he was convicted of decades ago.

• Can a Bad Man Be a Good Father?
  Sun, 21 Jun 2026

  A writer reconciles with his philandering, charismatic father by uncovering his secret life—including a hidden sister—and learning that flawed men can still profoundly shape their children.

• Do Aliens Exist? Steven Spielberg Believes They Do
  Sun, 14 Jun 2026

  Steven Spielberg discusses his new film "Disclosure Day" about government UFO secrecy and argues that belief in aliens, community-building cinema, and human empathy are essential to bridging societal divisions.

• Sunday Special: The Best Movies of 2025
  Sun, 28 Dec 2025

  Warner Brothers had an extraordinary 2025 with multiple original blockbusters like Superman and Sinners, but faces uncertain future as Netflix and Paramount compete to acquire it.

• Sunday Special: The Best TV of 2025
  Sun, 21 Dec 2025

  2025 was a year of mild improvement for television, with shows excelling at mixing humor with serious themes, reviving romantic comedies, and exploring conspiracies in fresh ways.