How Is This Better?

Why have Democrats recently struggled to connect with working-class and rural voters – and what would it take to change that? Akilah Hughes talks with journalist John Russell about class politics in America, the rise of Trump, and the missed opportunities that reshaped the political landscape. Drawing on his reporting in Appalachia and across the country, Russell explains how economic frustration gets redirected into culture war battles, and why a focus on material issues could still unite voters across deep divides. They discuss: The Democratic Party's shift away from working class messaging. How Trump capitalized on that gap The real story behind “redneck” and labor history in Appalachia Why economic issues still resonate across political lines And whether change will come from within the system—or outside it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mormonism is having a pop culture glow-up. But did it happen by accident? In this episode, Akilah Hughes digs into the rise of Mormon influencers, the explosion of “MomTok,” and the broader cultural moment putting LDS aesthetics front and center. With reporting from New York Magazine’s Bridget Read, we explore how Mormon women helped shape modern influencer culture, and why that’s now paying off in a massive way. Ex-Mormon podcaster Shelise Ann Sola joins to unpack what life inside a high-control religion can actually look like, and what gets lost when that experience is repackaged as aspirational content. From the church’s controversial history to its quiet influence on tech and media, this episode asks a bigger question: What happens when a belief system becomes a brand and we all start buying in? If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at https://www.mintmobile.com/courier Follow How Is This Better? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out Bridget's work including her story about this second "Mormon moment" Check Shelise's Cults to Consciousness show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As younger generations continue to turn towards the internet for their content, what fate awaits for Hollywood? Last Sunday, celebrities and renowned members of the Academy gathered together to celebrate the Oscars. The awards show is considered one of the touchstones of modern-day media culture, but how much impact does it really have? And what messages are the films we’re praising really sending? In this episode of How Is This Better?, Akilah Hughes is joined by journalist and podcaster Ryan Broderick, who has dug deep into the myriad of ways in which the internet has been shaping the awards landscape, rather than the other way around. Together, they discuss: How viral marketing, “brain rot” trends, and inexperienced influencers disguised as journalists are leaking out of online spaces and into Oscar campaigns. The increased struggle for actors and filmmakers trying to take traditional paths, and how the web is turning into a more viable career launchpad. How many of the favored nominees, even at their most political, reflected warped versions of cultural fears, while those left snubbed were too close to our current moment to be properly celebrated. Hollywood’s notable shift away from outspoken, political statements during red carpets and acceptance speeches, and whether they were driven by bowing to fascism, career instability, or apathy? The media landscape is shifting before our very eyes, into a version of itself that’s more chronically online, more desperate, and more disconnected from the people who are supposed to be watching it. And if Hollywood continues this transformation…is it time to roll the credits? You can get more from Ryan at his podcast @panicworldpod here on YouTube, or anywhere you listen to pods. You can also find him at @ryanhatesthis on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI-generated war footage is spreading across the internet faster than the truth. As conflict escalates in Iran, social media platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok are being flooded with AI-generated missile strikes, fake battlefield footage, and fabricated videos of captured soldiers. Some posts rack up millions of views before anyone can confirm whether they’re real. In this episode of How Is This Better?, Akilah Hughes speaks with WIRED reporter David Gilbert, who has been tracking how generative AI is reshaping the disinformation landscape during breaking conflicts. Check out his recent piece, "Fake AI Content About the Iran War Is All Over X." Subscribe or follow How Is This Better? wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we at war or not? According to Trump, he's scoring a 15 out of 10 "on the war front," and Department of War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, says the fighting in Iran has "just begun." Yet House Speaker Mike Johnson insists "we're not at war." Instead of debating the political spin, Akilah wanted to sit down with the people who've been asked to fight American battles. On this episode of How Is This Better?, Akilah sits down with five veterans across four generations – from baby boomers who fought in Vietnam to an Iraq War veteran and a Gen Z and Millennial veteran who filed for conscientious objector discharges based on their objections to the war in Gaza. Some enlisted out of patriotism. Some out of faith. Some just wanted the uniform, or way to pay for student loans. But all of them describe a moment when America’s wars stopped making sense to them. Across fifty years of military experience, they all come back to the same question: Are young Americans about to be asked to die for something no one can clearly explain? Get unlimited premium wireless from Mint Mobile for just $15 a month at https://www.mintmobile.com/courier Show Notes: Check out Veterans for Peace, Common Defense, and Friends of Fisher House, Phoenix. Thanks to Joy Metzler, Juan Betancourt, Ben Feibleman, David Lucier, and Ed Anderson for sharing their stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People keep comparing ICE to the Gestapo. But is that the right historical analogy? We we talk with public historian Ashley Baron aka @ashleytheebarroness who went viral making the argument that the comparison overlooks a home-grown analogy. We also speak with Claire Aubin who is a Nazi-era historian and host of the podcast, This Guy Sucked, to break down what the Gestapo actually was — and why the ideology behind it matters more than any one-to-one comparison people point to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homeownership used to be a starter pack for adulthood. Now it feels like a luxury good. This week, Akilah asks a question most of us have yelled at Zillow at least once: when did buying a house become a fantasy? Business Insider's James Rodriguez joins to help explain how we got here and why the future might be… single-family homes you can never actually own. Get unlimited premium wireless from Mint Mobile for just $15 a month at https://www.mintmobile.com/courier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your conservative uncle is wrong about Bad Bunny. So are Trump, all of MAGA, and the angry drunk guys who watch the NFL. They're mad because Bad Bunny will be performing the half time show at the Superbowl this Sunday, and he'll be singing in Spanish - you know, the language the songs are written in - and believe that that makes him fundamentally un-american. Unfortunately, this is not a unique experience. Puerto Rico, where Bad Bunny is from, has faced this same rejection and discrimination for years. But why? What did Puerto Rico ever do to them? Becca Ramos and I are going to find out. SUBSCRIBE to How Is This Better wherever you get your podcasts including YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is our last unedited bonus before we're back with a brand new episode next week! This week, we bring you the entirety of my conversation with Josephine Riesman who authored Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America. We talked about the parallels between wrestling and modern politics and had a blast doing it. Please enjoy and stay tuned for a new episode next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it DEI to honor one of the greatest baseball players of all time? Our president seems to think so. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. weighs in on Trump's crusade to end diversity initiatives and tarnish Jackie Robinson's legacy. Before we get back to new content, we thought we'd release some of our favorite conversations from 2025 in all their unedited glory. For the full, edited episode featuring more conversations (and more of my commentary), click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember that conversation we had last year? The one with Adam Mockler, about the nightmare that is modern masculinity? Well, we have more where that came from. Before we get back to new content, we thought we'd release some of our favorite conversations from 2025 in all their unedited glory. To watch the original cut down version of this video, you can click here: https://tinyurl.com/32e7xvnj More bonuses in the coming weeks and brand new, fully edited and produced episodes coming soon. Subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we all know, 2025 was the best year that any of us have ever had. Nothing went wrong, no evil was done, and things were generally really, really chill. In reality, Akilah is joined this week by Ryan Broderick, host of COURIER’s Panic World, in order to review all of the political and pop culture chaos that went down over the past twelve months. Together they’ll try to answer the fateful question: was anything about this year better? The answer might surprise you. You can find Ryan at @ryanhatesthis on IG, and you can listen to Panic World at @panicworldpod or on your favorite listening platforms. SUBSCRIBE to @howisthisbetter How Is This Better? is a @COURIERHQ production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a second-term Trump economy obsessed with the word “meritocracy,” Black women are being pushed out of the workforce at alarming rates — while the least qualified men fail upward. Akilah Hughes sits down with economist and author Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman to unpack her book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid. You can find Anna and her book at www.annagifty.com CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 00:54 Black women & the workforce 07:07 What is the Double Tax? 11:41 How much does Anna’s life show up in the book? 13:58 The DEI crackdown’s impact 17:49 How do we fight for an equitable future? 24:55 This is not better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have heard a lot about boycotting this year, especially when talking about Target or Amazon. Organized actions like these have been happening year-round, but are reaching peak intensity now that we’re well within the holiday season. One such boycott, called We Ain’t Buying It, aimed to draw attention to how giant retailers are using our money against our own interests: funding candidates like Trump and policies that endanger our communities, civil rights and economic interests. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter who helped organize the campaign, joined the podcast this week to talk about what the campaign hoped to achieve, the history of boycotting as a political tool in the US, and why where you spend this holiday season actually matters. You can find Latosha at @mslatoshabrown on IG, and learn more about the boycott at weaintbuyingit.com. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 01:13 We Ain’t Buying It 09:27 How corporations are funding Trump 14:17 Why are boycotts effective? 17:54 Where should people redirect their money? 19:37 Your money talks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a president decides America is done with space? This week on How Is This Better?, Akilah Hughes digs into the Trump administration’s unprecedented plans to slash NASA’s budget. Akilah sits down with Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society to unpack how America went from bipartisan support for space exploration to a full-blown dismantling of the country’s most beloved science agency—and why turning over the future of space to billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos is both dangerous and undemocratic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hollywood (as we once knew it) may have collapsed, but a new form of “storytelling” is thriving in the rubble. This week on How Is This Better? Akilah Hughes investigates the rise of clipping—the 30–90 second chunks of movies and TV that Gen Z and Gen Alpha increasingly treat as the entire art form. With The Ankler's newsroom coordinator, Matthew Frank, we dig into how studios, independent clippers, and even teenagers are monetizing sliced-up IP, why these clips rarely convert to actual viewership, and what that means for the survival of traditional shows. Then we look at the next evolution: vertical dramas—60-to-90-second cliffhanger “episodes” produced for TikTok-native audiences, now attracting major investment from companies like Disney. Kill Switch podcast host, Dexter Thomas, walks us through the booming non-union economy around these soap-opera-meets-micro-content series, the surprising demographics powering their success, and why middle-aged women—not teens—are the earliest adopters. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 00:20 - Clipping 01:23 - Matthew Frank 9:49 - Dexter Thomas 11:28 - Vertical Dramas 17:20 - Who is Watching Micro Dramas? 26:24 - Is It Better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The First Amendment established the separation of church and state in America — but is that principle truly being upheld today? A powerful contingent on the right is working to erase that line entirely, pushing policies that fuse religion and government to advance a Christian nationalist agenda — from efforts to mandate the Ten Commandments in classrooms to reshaping laws around their ideology. This week, host Akilah Hughes is joined by Heather Weaver of the ACLU, professor Matthew Gabriele, and journalist Talia Lavin to unpack the rise of Christian nationalism in American politics and culture — and its deep ties to authoritarianism and the alt-right. This episode is sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. To learn more and get involved, visit ⁠⁠au.org/COURIER⁠⁠. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Americans United 01:15 How is Christian Nationalism better? 02:35 The history of American separation of church and state 04:32 The start of the American Christian narrative 07:00 What is Christian Nationalism? 09:44 AU 10:14 How has religious extremism crept into our culture? 14:30 Christian Nationalism & Authoritarianism 19:01 The far right, fascism, and more 22:26 Trump’s authoritarian slide 24:36 Priming Christians for fascism 27:49 Christian Nationalism is not better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to run for office when you don’t have a billionaire on speed dial? Akilah Hughes talks with Kat Abughazaleh, the journalist-turned-candidate trying to fund and operate her congressional campaign than what is typical in 2025. Akilah also catches up with New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, days before the election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United unleashed chaos with their decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In that ruling, they declared that corporations are people and money is speech. Fifteen years later, billionaires and dark money groups dominate campaign spending, leaving ordinary voters wondering if their $20 donations matter. Featuring Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, and Brian Derrick, co-founder and CEO of Oath, this episode explores how one court decision rewired American democracy—and what (if anything) can done to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on How Is This Better? – Akilah Hughes talks with civil rights attorney and conversion therapy survivor Ryan Kendall, as the Supreme Court takes up Chiles v. Salazar—a case that could reopen the door to "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ minors. Ryan shares his story of surviving so-called “therapy” as a teenager in Colorado Springs, what it cost him, and why the Court’s decision could legalize a new era of psychological abuse under the guise of “free speech.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From companions, to lovers, to suicide note co-authors, people are relying on AI more than ever to help them navigate life’s ups and downs. So far, AI’s digital connection, or rather disconnection, to our humanity is having…mixed results. Our guest this week is Parker Molloy who writes the newsletter The Present Age. Follow How Is This Better? wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting just announced it will shut down after Congress –under pressure from Trump – eliminated $1.1 billion in funding through 2027. It’s a devastating blow to the future of public media. But this isn’t just about budget cuts—it’s about fear, control, and silencing dissent. Akilah Hughes breaks down the chilling wave of corporate capitulation to Trump, including CBS and ABC’s multimillion-dollar settlements, the abrupt cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show – part of Paramount being on their “best behavior” ahead of a now-approved (by Trump’s FCC) major merger. COURIER founder and publisher, Tara McGowan and longtime journalist Mark Jacob, join this episode that explores the failures of corporate media to stand up to Trump and why Americans are increasingly split into the informed and the manipulated. Subscribe now and follow us on YouTube for more new content before we release brand new full episodes in the fall. Guests: Mark Jacob, author of Stop the PressesTara McGowan, Founder and Publisher of COURIER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akilah Hughes breaks down the immigration policies of Trump's second term, from mass deportations to family separations and the rollback of birthright citizenship. Joined by guests Justino Mora, the discussion highlights the damage ICE has caused so far and the future of US immigration. GUEST Justino Mora, Immigrant Rights Activist CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction 01:13 - The Reality of Trump’s Immigration Crackdown 02:14 - Interview w/ Immigrant Rights Activist Justino Mora 04:00 - The Impact of ICE Raids and Community Response 09:05 - What is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’? 13:34 - The Man Shaping Trump's Immigration Policy 14:55 - What is their Endgame? 16:45 - The Big Ugly Bill and Its Implications 17:26 - Community Defense and Hope 19:55 - Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akila Hughes explores the dangerous online pipelines that lure men seeking advice into radical ideologies. Joined by guests Denny Carter, Adam Mockler, and EJ Dickson, the episode delves into the manipulative tactics used by figures like Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan to push hyper-masculine agendas. The discussion highlights the detrimental effects of these ideologies on mental health, relationships, and societal norms. Guests: Adam Mockler, YouTube Creator Denny Carter, author at Bad Faith Times EJ Dickson, senior writer at The Cut CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction to "Male Dominance" and Alpha "Ideals" 00:33 - The Manosphere's Influence on Men 01:56 - Social Media's Role in Shaping Masculinity 03:46 - The Alpha Male Archetype: Rogan vs. Tate 05:16 - The Pipeline 07:14 - The Impact of Algorithms on Content Consumption 08:46 - The Rise of Male Optimization Culture11:11 Critique of Modern Masculinity Ideals 18:14 -The Left's Struggle in Online Spaces 20:58 - Conclusion: The State of Modern Manhood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new flavor of conservative content is targeting women online—and it’s going viral. This week, Akilah Hughes explores the rise of the "tradwife" aesthetic, the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement, and how a wellness pipeline is pulling women to the political right. We talk to experts and journalists who’ve tracked this trend firsthand, from TikTok to Turning Point USA’s wellness-themed women’s conference. Guests: - Madeline Peltz, independent journalist - EJ Dickson, senior writer at The Cut Chapters: 0:00 - Open 1:38 - How did we get here? 3:07- EJ Dickson 3:51 - How the Right has framed health and wellness 7:09 - Madeline Peltz 8:30 - Turning Point USA women's conference 10:53 - The shift from COVID 12:39 - Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA 17:56 - The grift 19:57 - Are trad wives real? 20:25 - Nara Smith 21:45 - Ballerina Farm, poverty cosplay 23:02 - Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Akilah Hughes steps into the ring with "The Progressive Liberal"—yes, that’s his real wrestling persona—alongside author Josie Riesman and journalist and former WWE writer, Dave Schilling, to explore why politics today feels more like WWE than C-SPAN, We dive into the personas, the crowd work, the heels and the faces (iykyk)—and how both wrestling and politics rely on performance, polarization, and pandering to win over the crowd. If you’ve ever wondered why politics feels more like a reality show than real life… this is the episode for you. GUESTS: Dave Schilling, LA Times Columnist and former writer for WWE Josie Riesman, author of RingMaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America Daniel Harnsberger aka “The Progressive Liberal” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baseball legend Jackie Robinson broke barriers on the field, but his legacy off the field is under attack. In this episode, Akilah Hughes explores how the Trump administration is trying to rewrite history in its crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Guests Roy Wood Jr., Jeremy Taché, and The Nation’s Kali Holloway unpack why it’s important to defend history and what DEI efforts are designed to achieve. Guests: Roy Wood, Jr., actor and comedian Kali Holloway, columnist, The Nation Jeremy Taché, Miami-based sports reporter and host CHAPTERS: 00:00 - OPEN 00:22 - INTRO 03:00 - THE PUSH TO REWRITE HISTORY 04:02 - KALI HOLLOWAY 07:35 - DEI HIRE, JACKIE ROBINSON 09:14 - JEREMY TACHÉ 14:52 - ROY WOOD JR. 19:28 - WHY ARE THEY SCRUBBING HISTORY? 23:47 - HOW IS IT BETTER? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America’s relationship with Canada has always been close — like cousins who share a border, celebrities and culture, and a love for maple syrup. But lately, that closeness has taken a weird turn. In this episode, we explore how Donald Trump has soured the relationship with our once closest ally – referring to Canada as the “51st state.” Host Akilah Hughes talks with Noor Azrieh, host and producer of the podcast Canadaland, and Silke Labson – Akilah’s friend who fled north after Trump took office the first time. Guests: Noor Azrieh, host and producer of the podcast Canadaland. Silke Labson, owner of Hen Dog Marketing (and Akilah’s friend) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once a hoodie-wearing coder preaching openness and connection, Mark Zuckerberg is now a gold chain wearing, jiu jitsu obsessed metaverse warlord who is vibing with Trump-adjacent influencers. What happened? Host Akilah Hughes digs into Zuckerberg’s transformation — from the early Facebook years through his big metaverse bet and into his (chicken nugget eating?) macho phase. Ryan Broderick, host of Panic World and author of Garbage Day; and tech reporter Steven Levy, journalist and author of Facebook: The Inside Story, join to break down this evolution. And as always, Akilah is asking the question “how is this better?” and wondering if Zuckerberg still cares about making the world “more connected,” or if he ever really did. Guests: Ryan Broderick, host of the podcast Panic World and author of the Garbage Day newsletterSteven Levy, journalist and author of “Facebook: The Inside Story" Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - Does Mark Zuckerberg only eat chicken nuggets? 02:18- Ryan Broderick, Panic Word + Garbage Day 04:48 - Steven Levy, Wired + Facebook: The Inside Story 06:21 - Digital Gentrification – Myspace vs. Facebook 08:03 - Zuckerberg's Public Perception by Era 09:53 - Metaverse 15:04 - Zuckerberg's Midlife Crisis? 15:38 - The New Mark Zuckerberg 18:02 - AI Slop 23:51 - Does He Still Have a "Greater Good" Mission? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 14th, 2025 Donald Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sent a letter to 1000 probationary National Parks staff – firing them – only to reinstate them weeks later. Pretty INefficient… But that wasn’t just a distraction. It wasn’t just a fumble. It was the opening salvo for a plan, laid out in Project 2025, to dismantle protections for National Parks. It’s all got Akilah Hughes wondering – if she wants to cross going to Yosemite off her bucket list…is it now or never? Guests: Kristen Brengel, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association Steven Beissinger, Professor of Conservation Biology and A. Starker Leopold Professor of Wildlife Ecology, UC Berkeley Adam Auerbach, conservation non-profit leader, former RMNP Ranger Follow this show wherever you get your podcasts. Apple | Spotify | COURIER YouTube CHAPTERS: 00:00 - INTRO 01:47 - PROJECT 2025/TRUMP ADMIN PLAN 02:12 - BACKGROUND ON THE US NATIONAL PARKS 03:32 - PROJECT 2025/TRUMP ADMIN PLAN 04:22 - PARK RANGERS 09:03 - PRIVATIZATION AGENDA 10:33 - WILL I GET TO SEE YOSEMITE? 11:00 - CLIMATE CHANGE 15:43 - UNDERSTANDING THE NETWORK OF AGENCIES (NOT JUST PARKS) 18:39 - FINAL THOUGHTS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has been campaigning to “make America great again” for a decade. Tech bro oligarchs swear they’re “making the world a better place.” But here we are – in 2025 – with planes falling from the damn sky, senseless trade wars driving higher prices and economic instability, and so-called “social” media and AI making everyone more isolated and lonelier than ever. It’s time to ask: How is this better? Akilah Hughes is here to provide that much needed reality check. Covering everything from politics to entertainment to tech and late-stage capitalism, How Is This Better? challenges the grifters who are controlling our government, our attention, and so much of our daily lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices