Ed Yong: Birding for a fulfilled life

Catastrophic wildfires across Maui have left at least 53 people dead, at least one thousand others are unaccounted for, hundreds of structures destroyed and thousands homeless. President Biden approved federal disaster relief for Hawaii yesterday, and Governor John Green said it's the largest natural disaster in the state's history. Plus, another trial date has been announced for former President Trump. And, what you can expect to pay at the gas pump this weekend. Guests: Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Sophia Cai; Hawaii Public Radio's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Aug 202311min

Zoom has a lot of people worried this week over its use of customer data to train artificial intelligence. The company's CEO Eric Yuan said Zoom's March update to its terms of service — which started the backlash — was a mistake. The big picture: Distrust for the companies creating AI technology is growing. 82% of American voters said they don't trust tech executives to regulate AI, according to a recent YouGov poll. We take a look at what all of this means for the next stages of artificial intelligence. Biden restricts high-tech investments in China And, more health care workers face violence on the job Guests: Axios' Ryan Heath and Tina Reed. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Aug 202311min

The push for electric vehicles to become more mainstream has gained serious momentum in recent years, with climate change, fluctuations in gas prices, and tax incentives. But the broader transition to EVs looks like it will be longer and bumpier than expected. The big picture: General Motors announced on Tuesday it plans to equip all its electric cars and trucks with two-way charging technology, so the vehicles can supply backup power during blackouts. We take a deeper look at what companies are doing to adapt their EV plans for the future. Plus, a new national monument in Arizona. U.S. credit card debt reaches a record high. And, a new summer reading recommendation. Guests: Axios' Joann Muller, Hope King and Felix Salmon. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Aug 202311min

Ohio is holding a special election on Tuesday for voters to decide how easy it should be to amend the state constitution. It is the only item on the ballot and it's called Issue 1. Supporters of the proposal want to make it more difficult for an abortion rights amendment to pass in the state's general election in November. The big picture: Issue 1 is getting national attention because of what it could mean for abortion rights in Ohio as well as its impact on special interests in that state and beyond. Plus, a renewed push to get felons the right to vote in 2024. And, the video game Fortnite will be the setting for an unofficial Holocaust museum. Guests: Axios' Troy Smith and Eugene Scott. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Aug 202311min

The FDA approved the first pill for postpartum depression on Friday. The drug is called zuranolone, and unlike other antidepressants, it's specifically designated for postpartum depression, a condition that affects around 1 in 7 new mothers. The big picture: Zuranolone is taken daily for two weeks. Clinical trials showed that the drug could ease depression in as little as three days. Plus, young workers are redefining the American dream. And, Spanglish is making a comeback. Guests: Axios' Felix Salmon, Arielle Dreher and Marina Franco. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Erica Pandey, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Robin Linn and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Aug 202311min

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal charges that he plotted to overturn the 2020 elections. Trump is the GOP presidential frontrunner and has been indicted three times since launching his 2024 campaign. The former president is spending big on legal fees and that's one reason he's burning campaign cash fast. The big picture: Trump isn't the only one blowing through money. Other Republican candidates have an even higher so-called "burn rate." We take a closer look at the numbers and why they matter for this phase of the campaign. Plus, checking back on the health of America's downtowns. And, the Hollywood strikes' economic impact – by the numbers. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight and Alex Fitzpatrick. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Aug 202311min

A federal jury on Wednesday sentenced to death the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooter. The gunman murdered 11 people in 2018, in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The big picture: Since then, antisemitism has been on the rise. A report from the Anti-Defamation League found that antisemitic incidents increased by 36% in 2022 to the highest level since 1979. We dig deeper with American University's Director of Jewish Studies. Plus, the U.S. and Europe's $300 billion Russian problem. And, the scope of mental health disorders worldwide. Axios Today Listener Survey Guests: Axios' Kate Marino and American University's Pamela Nadell. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Aug 202311min

Former President Trump was indicted yet again on Tuesday. This time, it is over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The former president is expected to make an appearance in federal court in D.C. on Thursday. Plus, a settlement for one Black family over one of medicine's most famous cells. And, why Birkenstocks are back in style for investors. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Russell Contreras, Adriel Bettelheim and Dan Primack. Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi, Lydia McMullen-Laird and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893. Go deeper: Trump indicted for the third time Henrietta Lacks' estate settles lawsuit over use of her cells Birkenstock Owner Plans September IPO at $8 Billion Value Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Aug 202311min