A solution to the child care shortage is hiding in plain sight
Only 6 percent of the child care workforce is male — and just 3 percent of the preschool workforce. With severe worker shortages in child care across the country, why aren’t there efforts to recruit more men into the field? Rachel Cohen Booth explores the reasons why men don’t go into the field, talks to some who have, and explains some of the benefits of having more men in the industry, including for the kids themselves. The result is a smart piece that’ll make you think about the issue in a new way.
📹 Is this the future of thrifting?
I knew livestream shopping on TikTok and Instagram was growing in popularity, but I didn’t appreciate the way some small businesses — from secondhand fashion to vintage record stores — had embraced it. In some cases, it’s helped them keep their brick-and-mortar store open. In others, it’s become a more efficient alternative.
🎧 “Roving mobs of wild youth”
Trump says he’s taking over DC’s police to save the city from crime. On this episode of Today, Explained, our daily news podcast, the team breaks down what’s really happening in the city and what’s really behind Trump’s move. (Spoiler: It’s another way to demonstrate power and generate headlines). I always appreciate how the Today, Explained team brings clarity (and a bit of fun) to a news cycle that often feels overwhelming.
The Joe Rogan Experience is a mirror for America
I’ve read stories about the host of America’s most popular podcast and listened to occasional episodes, but Christian Paz’s analysis in this story for our 25 pieces of culture package gave me a deeper understanding of Rogan’s role in our culture. As Christian writes, Rogan’s show is a mirror for a country that’s grown more anxious and distrustful over the last five years — and his influence remains as strong as ever. “There is no monoculture in 2025; but for a huge part of America, the realm Rogan pioneered and steers is as close as we might get.”
🎧 Life in plastic — not fantastic?
Much of our modern world is made of plastic, but as more signs point to its dangers to human health, what can we even do about it? This conversation left me feeling more informed about what I might be able to do and also more reassured that, frankly, a lot of it is out of my control.
