Here & Now Anytime

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, President Trump is moving closer to Russia, rattling the United States' relationship with Europe and NATO. Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen joins us to discuss. And, Elon Musk sent an email to federal workers on Saturday demanding they detail their weekly accomplishments or be fired. The Washington Post's Carol Leonnig details what's to come. Then, the Trump administration is trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What does that mean for you? Jill Schlesinger, CBS News business analyst, explains. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The United States is in an "epidemic of loneliness," according to the former U.S. surgeon general. The internet and social media have played a part in Americans suffering from isolation and mental health declines. But technology isn't all bad. We hear about apps that can help people make friends. Then, in her book "Do You Still Talk To Grandma?," Brit Barron explores what to do when the people we love have views and opinions that might be hurtful to us. She talks about empathy, the problems with social media and the hope for learning, open conversation and transformation. And, then nothing brings people together like food. Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst has been easing back into the kitchen after a tennis court fall sidelined her for over a month. She shares insights and a couple of simple recipes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump this week signed an executive order aimed at expanding access and reducing costs for people seeking in vitro fertilization treatments. The 19th's Shefali Luthra explains what that means. And, some Republicans are talking about cutting Medicaid access to pay for President Trump's proposed tax cuts. Former Ohio Medicaid director Barbara Sears Roshon details what that could mean for people who rely on the program. Then, a slew of recent plane crashes has escalated flying anxiety for many people. Psychologist Andrew Rosen offers some tips for dealing with stress around flying. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says President Trump is spreading disinformation after Trump falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia. The comments come as the United States begins talks with Ukraine to end the war. Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges joins us from the former Soviet republic of Lithuania to talk about the shift in U.S. policy towards Russia. Then, one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in this country is the federal government. Now, disability advocates are worried the Trump administration's downsizing of this workforce will have a negative impact that could take decades to make up for. Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, joins us. And, we're marking Black History Month by looking at the impact of Black artists on popular music over four decades. As we rewind to the 2000s, it seems only proper to focus on Missy Elliott. Author Clover Hope talks about Elliott's impact. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The Trump administration has fired thousands of federal workers in recent days. We speak to one of them: Nina Emlemdi, who worked in a division of the Department of Education. And, Lizz Wright always dreamed of performing at the Kennedy Center. But just as she was about to take the stage this week, she learned of President Trump's takeover of the famed arts institution. She explains how she approached the performance. Then, a poll shows that for about 30% of Americans, voice notes are a crucial and intimate way of connecting with other people. Colorado State University's Natalie Pennington joins us to explain the allure of the voice note. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Thousands of federal workers have lost their jobs in recent days. The Washington Post's Lisa Rein talks about the impact of the Trump administration's big cuts to the federal workforce. Then, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine will not recognize any peace agreements made without its participation, as top Russian and American officials arrive in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the war in his country. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, joins us to discuss. And, the January fires in the Los Angeles area devastated communities across Southern California. Among the worst hit was the historic Black community of Altadena. Residents Adonis Jones Jr. and his daughter Rochele Jones discuss their community's history and loss. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A recent Gallup Poll showed that 1 in 5 American adults reports feeling lonely every single day. It's something that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called a "national epidemic of loneliness and isolation." We hear from Murthy about the broader impact of loneliness. Then, experts say that loneliness and social isolation carry the same health risks as smoking. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychology and neuroscience professor, joins us to discuss how to break the cycle of loneliness and build more social connections in our lives. And, the longest scientific study of happiness has found that strong relationships stand out as the key. Dr. Robert Waldinger talks about what the study shows about the importance of relationships, how they benefit overall health, and how we can improve our own personal connections at any stage of life. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump says Russia has agreed to negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Ukraine's European allies insist any peace talks must include Ukraine. Ukrainian security analyst Maria Avdeeva joins us. And, after the devastating wildfires in Southern California torched thousands of homes, experts are worried that already-high real estate prices will skyrocket. Los Angeles County real estate agent Richard Schulman shares a picture of what the post-fire real estate market might look like. Then, employers are increasingly using personality tests in their hiring processes. Wall Street Journal columnist Callum Borchers explains the trend. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The idea that running the federal government like a business would improve how it functions has been around for many decades. Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former Clinton administration who worked on government efficiency efforts, talks about President Trump and Elon Musk's efforts to streamline the government. The U.S. Department of Education is the latest federal agency to wind up on Trump's chopping block. Jon Valant, director of the Brookings Institution's Brown Center on Education Policy, joins us to explain what this means for schools around the country. Then, Trump has made numerous claims about taking control of Gaza over the past week, referring to it as "a big real estate site" and putting forth plans to redevelop it under U.S. ownership. Khaled Elgindy, visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, joins us. And, Trump says he's directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies. Jeff Gore, founder of the group Citizens to Retire the U.S. Penny, explains why it might make 'cents' to retire the coin. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Minority Whip Katherine Clark explains what the Democratic Party is doing to push back on President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress. And, After President Trump signed an executive order for 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, many U.S. trade partners threatened retaliation. Roben Farzad of the podcast "Full Disclosure" discusses what the impact of these tariffs could be. Then, some American foreign service workers abroad have been ordered to report home as Trump moves to reduce the scope of the federal government. Thomas Yazdgerdi — president of the American Foreign Service Association — shares what he's been hearing from workers abroad. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Federal judges have paused some Trump administration efforts to slash government programs and fire federal workers, but cases are piling up. Politico's Kyle Cheney tells us more. Then, the National Institutes of Health just announced a funding cap for universities, research hospitals and other scientific institutions. Biomedical researchers have criticized the move and warned that it would damage the development of life-saving technologies. We discuss the impact with Ars Technica's John Timmer. And amid data purges by the Trump administration, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, the interim CEO of the American Cancer Society, talks about the risks of inadequate access to federal health data. Plus, Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway, a Democrat, disagrees with the immigration and trade policies that have emerged in the early days of the second Trump administration. He tells us why. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump is set to put all but a few hundred USAID employees on leave, prompting lawsuits from unions that represent foreign service officers. Politico's Nahal Toosi joins us to discuss. And, produce importers in the border city of Nogales, Arizona, are feeling spooked by Trump's lingering threat of tariffs on goods from Mexico. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports. Then, a discovery in southern Arizona could potentially be the oldest firearms ever found in the U.S. Research archeologist Deni Seymour, who dug up the canons, shares more about what she found. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Ten migrants have been sent from the U.S. to Guantánamo Bay to be held in a military prison that has housed al-Qaida members. NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks about the first people sent there and the legal challenges that loom around President Trump's plans for the migrants. Then, many Nicaraguan farmworkers in Wisconsin are staying home, keeping a low profile in anticipation of mass deportations promised by Trump. ProPublica's Melissa Sanchez tells us more. And, Trump's decision to put most staffers on leave from the U.S. Agency for International Development is impacting farmers in the U.S. who grow food that is distributed as part of the Food for Peace program. Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, joins us. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

During his meeting with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump suggested the U.S. take over the Gaza Strip after displaced Palestinians are relocated. Palestinian American journalist Rami Khouri joins us. And, the Trump administration gave federal employees a Feb. 6 deadline to quit their jobs in exchange for pay and benefits through September. But the terms of the deal keep changing. Law professor Nick Bednar explains the uncertainty and legal questions. Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced concerns about Chinese influence over the Panama Canal during a recent trip to Panama. Bloomberg's Eric Martin breaks down the history of China's relationship to the Panama Canal. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In the past few days, Elon Musk has been very busy with his unpaid, part-time job as a special government employee. Law professor Richard Painter talks about the limits of Musk's power to eliminate entire agencies and their employees. Then, we unpack the latest moves in Trump's second administration through a historical lens, with Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer. And, then a global view of President Trump's threatened trade war. First, the U.S. has imposed new 10% tariffs on goods from China, and China responded by imposing 15% tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas from the U.S. NPR's John Ruwitch joins us from Beijing. Then, tariffs on goods from Mexico are on hold for now. Washington Post reporter Mary Beth Sheridan tells us more. And, after Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on Monday, the U.S. also has held off on imposing tariffs on all goods from Canada. We hear from the University of Toronto's Peter Morrow. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. and Mexico agree to put tariffs on hold for the next month, averting for now a trade war with one of the U.S.'s largest trading partners. Tariffs on goods from China and Canada are still set to take effect. Yale University's Amit Khandelwal joins us to discuss the economic impact of tariffs. Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appointed himself the acting director of U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID after Trump adviser Elon Musk said he was shutting down the agency. NPR's Franco Ordoñez breaks down what's happening. And, The Grammys saw the crowning of Beyoncé in a first Best Album and Best Country Album win. We get the latest with Jill Mapes of Hearing Things. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat from Maryland, was one of several lawmakers who warned months ago about the dangers of the crowded airspace above Reagan National Airport. Van Hollen joins us. And, 14 members of the figure skating community died in the crash. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, shares how the skating community is mourning. Then, NPR games correspondent James Perkins Mastromarino unpacks the indie hit "Citizen Sleeper 2" with the video game's developer. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Americans throw out a lot of trash every year, with much of it ending up in landfills, contributing to climate change. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd and Chris Bentley report on what people across the country are doing to tackle the problem. First, construction creates more than 600 million tons of trash in the U.S. every year. But deconstructing buildings instead of tearing them down can help change that. Then, almost all the clothes we wear wind up in a landfill, but companies are now working to build a "circular economy" that gives new life to old textiles. And, Dave and Erin Sheffield run a lucrative business scavenging and reselling goods they find dumpster diving. We tell you how the couple found love and a living by combing through trash. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

An American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in mid-air on Wednesday, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Retired pilot Richard Levy explains what might have gone wrong. And, Israel's order to cease UNRWA operations on Israeli soil takes effect Thursday. The ban effectively cuts off the UN agency from delivering aid to Gaza. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma explains what the ban means for Palestinians who depend on the organization. Then, Dave Sheffield has been dumpster diving for 15 years. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports on how he and his wife — who he met through dumpster diving — reuse and upcycle their finds. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Construction creates more than 600 million tons of trash in the U.S. every year. Now, some cities are making big changes to the way buildings are demolished. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports. Then, the Trump administration has reversed an order freezing federal grants after it faced a court challenge from nonprofit organizations. Richard Trent, executive director of the Main Street Alliance, talks about how the order sparked confusion. And, results from the Nation's Report Card show that students still haven't recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chalkbeat's Erica Meltzer joins us. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy