The killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, and the arrest of his alleged killer, has been met with online memes, TikTok songs, and even celebration. So how does the response to this brazen murder reflect a wider cultural phenomenon? Audie talks with journalist Samantha Cole, the co-founder of 404 Media, to understand how the reaction to the killing is e ... Show More
Jun 12
'Obsession' Fever, 'The Republic of Wasia,' and Why Tan Lines Are Hot Again
"Obsession" and "Backrooms" are breaking box office records. Audie and Ari dissect both films' YouTube origins, the secrets of their success, and why the whole horror genre is killing it right now. Then, friend of the show Elise Hu helps break down how the "Republic of Wasia" bec ... Show More
40m 39s
Jun 10
Audie & Ari on Ambition, Purpose, Poetry (from The Sam Sanders Show)
What are the pieces of pop culture — movies, music, TV, books, speeches — that you return to over and over again? Sam Sanders calls them “Modern Scriptures,” and on the latest episode of his podcast, he joins his longtime friends and fellow NPR colleagues Ari Shapiro and Audie Co ... Show More
50m 32s
Jun 2025
'Is this who we are?' Reaction to political shootings in Minnesota, plus the latest on how the killing spree unfolded
A detailed 20-page complaint filed by federal prosecutors reveals chilling details about the actions by Vance Boelter, the suspect in targeted, political shootings that left former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead, and State Senator John Ho ... Show More
39m 5s
Dec 2024
The Manhunt, the Manifesto and the Murder Charge
<p>Last week, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare was shot and killed in Manhattan. A five-day search for the gunman ensued.</p><p>On Monday, a 26-year-old suspect, Luigi Mangione, was arrested in Pennsylvania after an employee at a McDonald’s recognized him and called the po ... Show More
22m 10s
Jul 2024
The Trump Assassination Attempt: What Now?
<p>Trevor and Christiana are joined by Jody Avirgan, one of What Now?’s Executive Producers. In the wake of the July 13th assassination attempt on Donald Trump, they discuss people’s fascination with how the event “moves the plot forward,” the impact of the media’s need to feed t ... Show More
45m 55s