Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy's so-called assault on medical science is putting Americans at grave risk. Measles has resurfaced, HHS is losing tens of thousands of staff, and medical research at the National Institutes of Health is being cut. Stacey is joined by infectious disease researcher and science communicator Laurel Bristow, along with associate professor and infectious disease expert Ghady Haidar, to break down the immediate and long-term impacts of the Trump administration’s dismantling of health infrastructure and skepticism of critical vaccines. They also share how we can protect ourselves and our communities from medical misinformation and disinformation.

Learn & Do More:

1. Don't spread misinformation: Be mindful of what you share on social media. It’s tempting to post a meme or video mocking conspiracy theories, but don’t be a spreader. Share the truth. Find content that debunks misinformation without amplifying it. Be a viral truth-teller.
2. Use your resources: Vaccines are your best protection in this uncertain health climate. Free and low-cost vaccines are available, even without insurance. The HHS provides a list of state and local health departments to help you find them—visit hhs.gov/immunization. For example, if you're in Los Angeles, check publichealth.lacounty.gov for clinics offering free or low-cost vaccines for kids 18 and under.
3. Stay informed: For health advice, trust medical professionals. Get information from doctors and scientists, and read research-backed articles. Social media isn’t always reliable—so seek out experts with real credentials. To stay informed and up to date on the latest scientific news check out the WHO newsletter at who.int/news-room/newsletters and for the latest science reporting check out STAT news at statnews.com and Scientific America at https://www.scientificamerican.com.

The Trump Administration is openly defying the courts, racking up over 100 federal lawsuits due to its tyrannical actions. Trump and his allies have continuously sidestepped and ignored federal judges issuing multiple injunctions to reign in his power. From flouting a judge’s order to reverse the deportation of 250 Venezuelan immigrants without due process to unlawfully detaining and attempting to deport green card holders, this administration is pushing the boundaries of executive overreach. Stacey is joined by Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, to examine the state of our legal system and break down some of Trump’s most significant legal battles. Then, Stacey sits down with Mandela Barnes, President of Power to the Polls, to discuss the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race—an election that could be the most pivotal of 2025.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Sharing another podcast we can’t get enough of: Your Mama’s Kitchen. It’s a show about cuisine and culture, ingredients and identities, and the meals and memories that make us who we are. Host Michele Norris talks to Michelle Obama, Glennon Doyle, Gayle King and so many other guests about the complexities of family life and how their earliest culinary experiences helped shape their personal and professional lives. And of course, each guest shares a recipe for a favorite dish from their youth so you can taste a bit of their story. In this episode, singer John Legend takes us back to his roots in Springfield, Ohio, where he was an academic overachiever and a musical prodigy. John opens up about his early rocky relationship with his mother and how, over time, they came together to nurture one beautiful family. Plus, we learn how to make his mama's special mac & cheese. Listen to Your Mama’s Kitchen wherever you get your podcasts.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.