Hollywood (as we once knew it) may have collapsed, but a new form of “storytelling” is thriving in the rubble. This week on How Is This Better? Akilah Hughes investigates the rise of clipping—the 30–90 second chunks of movies and TV that Gen Z and Gen Alpha increasingly treat as the entire art form. With The Ankler's newsroom coordinator, Matthew Frank, we dig into how studios, independent clippers, and even teenagers are monetizing sliced-up IP, why these clips rarely convert to actual viewership, and what that means for the survival of traditional shows. Then we look at the next evolution: vertical dramas—60-to-90-second cliffhanger “episodes” produced for TikTok-native audiences, now attracting major investment from companies like Disney. Kill Switch podcast host, Dexter Thomas, walks us through the booming non-union economy around these soap-opera-meets-micro-content series, the surprising demographics powering their success, and why middle-aged women—not teens—are the earliest adopters. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 00:20 - Clipping 01:23 - Matthew Frank 9:49 - Dexter Thomas 11:28 - Vertical Dramas 17:20 - Who is Watching Micro Dramas? 26:24 - Is It Better? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The First Amendment established the separation of church and state in America — but is that principle truly being upheld today? A powerful contingent on the right is working to erase that line entirely, pushing policies that fuse religion and government to advance a Christian nationalist agenda — from efforts to mandate the Ten Commandments in classrooms to reshaping laws around their ideology. This week, host Akilah Hughes is joined by Heather Weaver of the ACLU, professor Matthew Gabriele, and journalist Talia Lavin to unpack the rise of Christian nationalism in American politics and culture — and its deep ties to authoritarianism and the alt-right. This episode is sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. To learn more and get involved, visit ⁠⁠au.org/COURIER⁠⁠. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Americans United 01:15 How is Christian Nationalism better? 02:35 The history of American separation of church and state 04:32 The start of the American Christian narrative 07:00 What is Christian Nationalism? 09:44 AU 10:14 How has religious extremism crept into our culture? 14:30 Christian Nationalism & Authoritarianism 19:01 The far right, fascism, and more 22:26 Trump’s authoritarian slide 24:36 Priming Christians for fascism 27:49 Christian Nationalism is not better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to run for office when you don’t have a billionaire on speed dial? Akilah Hughes talks with Kat Abughazaleh, the journalist-turned-candidate trying to fund and operate her congressional campaign than what is typical in 2025. Akilah also catches up with New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, days before the election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United unleashed chaos with their decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In that ruling, they declared that corporations are people and money is speech. Fifteen years later, billionaires and dark money groups dominate campaign spending, leaving ordinary voters wondering if their $20 donations matter. Featuring Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United, and Brian Derrick, co-founder and CEO of Oath, this episode explores how one court decision rewired American democracy—and what (if anything) can done to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on How Is This Better? – Akilah Hughes talks with civil rights attorney and conversion therapy survivor Ryan Kendall, as the Supreme Court takes up Chiles v. Salazar—a case that could reopen the door to "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ minors. Ryan shares his story of surviving so-called “therapy” as a teenager in Colorado Springs, what it cost him, and why the Court’s decision could legalize a new era of psychological abuse under the guise of “free speech.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From companions, to lovers, to suicide note co-authors, people are relying on AI more than ever to help them navigate life’s ups and downs. So far, AI’s digital connection, or rather disconnection, to our humanity is having…mixed results.  Our guest this week is Parker Molloy who writes the newsletter The Present Age. Follow How Is This Better? wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting just announced it will shut down after Congress –under pressure from Trump – eliminated $1.1 billion in funding through 2027. It’s a devastating blow to the future of public media. But this isn’t just about budget cuts—it’s about fear, control, and silencing dissent. Akilah Hughes breaks down the chilling wave of corporate capitulation to Trump, including CBS and ABC’s multimillion-dollar settlements, the abrupt cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show – part of Paramount being on their “best behavior” ahead of a now-approved (by Trump’s FCC) major merger. COURIER founder and publisher, Tara McGowan and longtime journalist Mark Jacob, join this episode that explores the failures of corporate media to stand up to Trump and why Americans are increasingly split into the informed and the manipulated. Subscribe now and follow us on YouTube for more new content before we release brand new full episodes in the fall. Guests: Mark Jacob, author of Stop the PressesTara McGowan, Founder and Publisher of COURIER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akilah Hughes breaks down the immigration policies of Trump's second term, from mass deportations to family separations and the rollback of birthright citizenship.  Joined by guests Justino Mora, the discussion highlights the damage ICE has caused so far and the future of US immigration.  GUEST Justino Mora, Immigrant Rights Activist CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction 01:13 - The Reality of Trump’s Immigration Crackdown 02:14 - Interview w/ Immigrant Rights Activist Justino Mora 04:00 - The Impact of ICE Raids and Community Response 09:05 -  What is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’? 13:34 - The Man Shaping Trump's Immigration Policy 14:55 - What is their Endgame? 16:45 - The Big Ugly Bill and Its Implications 17:26 - Community Defense and Hope 19:55 - Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Akila Hughes explores the dangerous online pipelines that lure men seeking advice into radical ideologies.  Joined by guests Denny Carter, Adam Mockler, and EJ Dickson, the episode delves into the manipulative tactics used by figures like Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan to push hyper-masculine agendas.  The discussion highlights the detrimental effects of these ideologies on mental health, relationships, and societal norms. Guests: Adam Mockler, YouTube Creator Denny Carter, author at Bad Faith Times EJ Dickson, senior writer at The Cut CHAPTERS: 00:00 -  Introduction to "Male Dominance" and Alpha "Ideals" 00:33 - The Manosphere's Influence on Men 01:56 - Social Media's Role in Shaping Masculinity 03:46 - The Alpha Male Archetype: Rogan vs. Tate 05:16 - The Pipeline 07:14 - The Impact of Algorithms on Content Consumption 08:46 - The Rise of Male Optimization Culture11:11 Critique of Modern Masculinity Ideals 18:14 -The Left's Struggle in Online Spaces 20:58 - Conclusion: The State of Modern Manhood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new flavor of conservative content is targeting women online—and it’s going viral. This week, Akilah Hughes explores the rise of the "tradwife" aesthetic, the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement, and how a wellness pipeline is pulling women to the political right. We talk to experts and journalists who’ve tracked this trend firsthand, from TikTok to Turning Point USA’s wellness-themed women’s conference.  Guests: - Madeline Peltz, independent journalist - EJ Dickson, senior writer at The Cut Chapters: 0:00 - Open 1:38 - How did we get here? 3:07- EJ Dickson 3:51 - How the Right has framed health and wellness 7:09 - Madeline Peltz 8:30 - Turning Point USA women's conference 10:53 - The shift from COVID 12:39 - Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA 17:56 - The grift 19:57 - Are trad wives real? 20:25 - Nara Smith 21:45 - Ballerina Farm, poverty cosplay 23:02 - Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Akilah Hughes steps into the ring with "The Progressive Liberal"—yes, that’s his real wrestling persona—alongside author Josie Riesman and journalist and former WWE writer, Dave Schilling, to explore why politics today feels more like WWE than C-SPAN, We dive into the personas, the crowd work, the heels and the faces (iykyk)—and how both wrestling and politics rely on performance, polarization, and pandering to win over the crowd.  If you’ve ever wondered why politics feels more like a reality show than real life… this is the episode for you. GUESTS: Dave Schilling, LA Times Columnist and former writer for WWE Josie Riesman, author of RingMaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America Daniel Harnsberger aka “The Progressive Liberal” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baseball legend Jackie Robinson broke barriers on the field, but his legacy off the field is under attack.   In this episode, Akilah Hughes explores how the Trump administration is trying to rewrite history in its crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Guests Roy Wood Jr., Jeremy Taché, and The Nation’s Kali Holloway unpack why it’s important to defend history and what DEI efforts are designed to achieve. Guests: Roy Wood, Jr., actor and comedian Kali Holloway, columnist, The Nation Jeremy Taché, Miami-based sports reporter and host CHAPTERS: 00:00 - OPEN 00:22 - INTRO 03:00 - THE PUSH TO REWRITE HISTORY 04:02 - KALI HOLLOWAY 07:35 - DEI HIRE, JACKIE ROBINSON 09:14 - JEREMY TACHÉ 14:52 - ROY WOOD JR. 19:28 - WHY ARE THEY SCRUBBING HISTORY? 23:47 - HOW IS IT BETTER? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America’s relationship with Canada has always been close — like cousins who share a border, celebrities and culture, and a love for maple syrup. But lately, that closeness has taken a weird turn. In this episode, we explore how Donald Trump has soured the relationship with our once closest ally – referring to Canada as the “51st state.” Host Akilah Hughes talks with Noor Azrieh, host and producer of the podcast Canadaland, and Silke Labson – Akilah’s friend who fled north after Trump took office the first time. Guests: Noor Azrieh, host and producer of the podcast Canadaland. Silke Labson, owner of Hen Dog Marketing (and Akilah’s friend) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once a hoodie-wearing coder preaching openness and connection, Mark Zuckerberg is now a gold chain wearing, jiu jitsu obsessed metaverse warlord who is vibing with Trump-adjacent influencers. What happened? Host Akilah Hughes digs into Zuckerberg’s transformation — from the early Facebook years through his big metaverse bet and into his (chicken nugget eating?) macho phase. Ryan Broderick, host of Panic World and author of Garbage Day; and tech reporter Steven Levy, journalist and author of Facebook: The Inside Story, join to break down this evolution. And as always, Akilah is asking the question “how is this better?” and wondering if Zuckerberg still cares about making the world “more connected,” or if he ever really did. Guests: Ryan Broderick, host of the podcast Panic World and author of the Garbage Day newsletterSteven Levy, journalist and author of “Facebook: The Inside Story" Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - Does Mark Zuckerberg only eat chicken nuggets? 02:18- Ryan Broderick, Panic Word + Garbage Day 04:48 - Steven Levy, Wired + Facebook: The Inside Story 06:21 - Digital Gentrification – Myspace vs. Facebook 08:03 - Zuckerberg's Public Perception by Era 09:53 - Metaverse 15:04 - Zuckerberg's Midlife Crisis? 15:38 - The New Mark Zuckerberg 18:02 - AI Slop 23:51 - Does He Still Have a "Greater Good" Mission? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 14th, 2025 Donald Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sent a letter to 1000 probationary National Parks staff – firing them – only to reinstate them weeks later. Pretty INefficient…   But that wasn’t just a distraction. It wasn’t just a fumble. It was the opening salvo for a plan, laid out in Project 2025, to dismantle protections for National Parks.  It’s all got Akilah Hughes wondering – if she wants to cross going to Yosemite off her bucket list…is it now or never? Guests: Kristen Brengel, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association  Steven Beissinger, Professor of Conservation Biology and A. Starker Leopold Professor of Wildlife Ecology, UC Berkeley Adam Auerbach, conservation non-profit leader, former RMNP Ranger Follow this show wherever you get your podcasts. Apple | Spotify | COURIER YouTube CHAPTERS: 00:00 - INTRO 01:47 - PROJECT 2025/TRUMP ADMIN PLAN 02:12 - BACKGROUND ON THE US NATIONAL PARKS 03:32 - PROJECT 2025/TRUMP ADMIN PLAN 04:22 - PARK RANGERS 09:03 - PRIVATIZATION AGENDA 10:33 - WILL I GET TO SEE YOSEMITE? 11:00 - CLIMATE CHANGE 15:43 - UNDERSTANDING THE NETWORK OF AGENCIES (NOT JUST PARKS) 18:39 - FINAL THOUGHTS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump has been campaigning to “make America great again” for a decade. Tech bro oligarchs swear they’re “making the world a better place.” But here we are – in 2025 – with planes falling from the damn sky, senseless trade wars driving higher prices and economic instability, and so-called “social” media and AI making everyone more isolated and lonelier than ever. It’s time to ask: How is this better?  Akilah Hughes is here to provide that much needed reality check. Covering everything from politics to entertainment to tech and late-stage capitalism, How Is This Better? challenges the grifters who are controlling our government, our attention, and so much of our daily lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices