podcast
CNN One Thing
You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they've learned – and why it matters. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown and flying a fighter jet dumping what appears to be waste on peaceful protestors. While experts say this kind of online trolling is not out of the norm for some politicians in 2025, the continued coarsening of political dialogue could have profound consequences for all Americans.
Guests: Steve Heimler & Nicole Hemmer, Associate Professor of History, Vanderbilt University
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 22, 2025
President Donald Trump publicly admitted he has authorized he authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to crack down on flows of illegal drugs and migrants to the US. It comes as Trump continues to authorize deadly strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. But is this really about drugs – or regime change?
Guests: Natasha Bertrand, CNN Correspondent & Steven Dudley, co-director, InSight Crime
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Dan Bloom
Oct 19, 2025
President Donald Trump hailed the “historic dawn of a new Middle East” after Hamas freed all living hostages from Gaza and Israel released Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal. But while many have commended his peace efforts, critics say it’s unlikely he will take the same approach with his domestic moves. We break down what might be coming next and whether he has a chance at winning the Nobel Peace Prize next year.
Guest: Stephen Collinson, CNN Politics Senior Reporter
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 15, 2025
As the appetite for artificial intelligence rises, so does the need for power-hungry data centers. While residents who live near them complain of the noise and pollution, data suggests they could spike utility bills far and wide. We hear from an electricity law expert on why regulators are thinking of reforms – but will it be too late?
Guest: Elizabeth Martorana & Ari Peksoe, Director, Harvard Law School Electricity Law Initiative
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 12, 2025
President Donald Trump’s move to deploy National Guard troops to Portland and Chicago has been met with outrage from locals and pushback from judges. We hear what’s really happening on the ground in Chicago and why community leaders say the ingredients for dangerous escalation are already in place.
Guests: Rev. Dr. Michael Woolf, Senior Minister, Lake Street Church of Evanston & Omar Jimenez, CNN Anchor & Correspondent
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Whitney Wild
Oct 8, 2025
The announcement that Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February has angered some right-wing voices due to his LGTBQ advocacy and criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. It comes amid another SNL appearance and an upcoming world tour that will skip the continental US. We explore why he is so beloved in Puerto Rico and how the NFL is banking on his star power as it looks to grow.
Guest: Vanessa Diaz, Professor of Chicana...Show more/o and Latina/o Studies, Loyola Marymount University
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Sofía Hanalei Sanchez
Oct 5, 2025
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth summoned US generals and admirals from around the world for an extraordinary meeting in Virginia on Tuesday, where he railed against ‘woke’ policies and stressed the need for stricter physical fitness standards. But what kind of ‘warriors’ does he actually want in uniform?
Guest: Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, US Army (Ret.)
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Oct 1, 2025
The Trump administration’s surprise announcement that it will boost H-1B visa application fees to $100,000 has caused widespread fear and confusion among foreign workers. The proposed changes are also sparking concerns for American businesses that won’t be able to foot the bill. Is American innovation at risk?
Guest: Aizada Marat, Alma CEO
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 28, 2025
Major medical groups are speaking out against claims made by President Donald Trump linking Tylenol use to autism. So where should pregnant people and parents of autistic children turn for guidance? We hear why a search for answers could lead vulnerable parents to blame themselves.
Guests: Meg Tirrell, CNN Medical Correspondent & Shannon Rosa, senior editor of Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 24, 2025
Disney’s decision to yank ABC host Jimmy Kimmel off the air following FCC pressure has outraged fans, performers and Democratic politicians. Will other prominent anti-Trump voices be next? We hear from someone who used to be in charge of the FCC who says the regulator is going overboard.
Guest: Tom Wheeler, former FCC Chairman
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Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Sep 21, 2025







