Spotlight

Finding America: Mt. Rushmore

A special report on what's going on and why it matters!

THIS WEEK'S SCOOP

A special report on where we've been, where we are going and why it matters. Founder Jenna Lee provides the inside 

 on a brand new chapter for SmartHER News! Thank you for constantly inspiring us to deliver a solution in news - It's a privilege to serve you during these historic times and we look forward to having you join our newsroom.

A special report on where we've been, where we are going and why it matters. 

GET THE SCOOP!

He's been called Afghanistan's first media mogul: Our conversation with Saad Mohseni, one of the founders of 

 - a leading 24-hours news organization in Afghanistan - on the development of the network and what news gathering is like under the Taliban.

A conversation with Afghanistan's "first media mogul."

News Under Taliban Rule 

We filmed this interview for the 20-year anniversary of 9/11, but wanted to repost this year because we love Richard so much and his work is now a part of historic record.

"That's what I do everyday. I record history."

Photojournalist Richard Drew has spent more than five decades with The Associated Press. On the morning of September 11th, 2001, while on assignment for Fashion Week in New York City, a call from his editor sent Richard racing to downtown Manhattan with only a brief description — "A plane has hit the World Trade Center." Finding himself at the base of the Twin Towers, Richard captured the impact of the deadliest terror attack in American history (and the single deadliest terror attack ever). Amongst the many historical photos he took that day, Richard captured a moment now known around the world as "The Falling Man." In this interview, Richard weaves us through the streets of New York City, sharing the moments before and after an unexpected assignment, and why he believes we shouldn't look away from this photo.

: Richard and I knew each other for years before I learned of his contributions to the historical record of September 11th, 2001. During our first meeting, we discovered that he had worked with my grandfather at The Associated Press bureau in San Francisco in the 1970s! What are the chances? From that point on, I always felt a special bond with Richard, as if he knew a part of my own story that no else does — especially since my grandfather passed away long before I could pepper him with questions about his journalism career. As you'll see in this interview, I press Richard on why he thinks he has found himself steps from so many significant historical moments. And like any good photojournalist, Richard leaves this up to you to come to your own conclusions.

A Conversation With Photojournalist Richard Drew On His Historic 9/11 Photo.

Repost: Capturing The Falling Man

Close calls averted, adventures shared, and what life is like in Afghanistan one year after the Taliban takeover with veteran journalist Hollie McKay and her fixer, Ahmad Naweed.

Watch video directly from YouTube or listen on 

A special conversation that takes you behind the scenes as a war reporter. 

The Fixer 

On August 15, 2021, veteran war reporter/writer Hollie McKay found herself effectively trapped as the country fell under Taliban control. We pick up the conversation a year later and hear new, previously untold details about her experience escaping the city, and then later returning to continue her reporting as most journalists fled the country.

Here's our conversation with Hollie McKay on this day one year ago: 

Coffee Talk

Inside A Fallen City With Veteran War Reporter/ Writer Hollie McKay 

One Year Later:

Last year on August 15th, we conducted an interview with war reporter/writer Hollie McKay, who found herself effectively trapped inside a large city in Afghanistan that fell to under Taliban control. This week, as we mark a year since the Taliban takeover, we reflect on this conversation and thought you'd enjoy seeing it again. More to come...

A first-hand account of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Reflection: A Fallen City

0:00 - 1:22 On August 8, 2022, the FBI raided the personal residence of former President Donald Trump. 

1:22 - 4:15 What we don't know about the FBI raid on Pres. Trump's estate. 

4:15 - 9:56 What's the backstory to this raid? 

9:56 - 13:46 What is the law about what a president can keep and cannot keep when they leave office? 

13:46 - 16:20 What we'll be watching for next... Will we hear anything from the Department of Justice or the White House? 

SmartHER Take:

Let’s take a beat away from the hyper-partisan environment and talk inflation: What’s going on, why it matters, why BOTH parties have a hand in the current economic situation and why it’s tough to solve. More coverage coming but we didn’t want a day to pass without a short discussion on the basics! 🙌🏻 . In what ways has inflation impacted you?

Inflation Reduction Act

The most important data point on the economy is one that’s hardest to measure! 

Remember all economic data is reflecting the PAST … how you feel NOW determines how you shop, invest, behave! And YOU matter to the U.S. economy. 

“We don’t think we’re in a recession just yet. But the bigger point here is that the underlying trend in domestic demand is weakening.” 

Senior economist at Bank of America, Aditya Bhave, on 

new GDP numbers that show the U.S. economy contracting

The most important data point on the economy is one that's hardest to measure! 

Are we in a recession? Your cheat sheet! 

0:00 - 2:02 News broke Thursday morning that 

United States President Biden (79) tested positive for Covid-19

2:02 - 9:45 Bringing in pulmonologist Dr. Rutland to talk about this news & Covid treatments. 

9:45 - 13:35 In light of recent news regarding Pres. Biden's health and previous non-melanoma skin cancers: How do doctor's treat Covid patients who have or have had cancer? 

13:35 - 19:52 More on Covid treatments Dr. Rutland suggests. 

19:52 - 33:24 What Dr. Rutland is watching for over the next several days in regards to Pres. Biden's Covid case & more thoughts on monoclonal antibodies. 

33:24 Final thoughts. Questions? Comments? Let us know in the comment section on our 

 accounts, or by emailing us at hello@smarthernews.com!

President Biden Tests Positive for Covid-19

Talking with pulmonologist Dr. Rutland on what to know, why it matters, and what's the one treatment you should ask about!

President Biden Tests Positive For Covid-19

Three data points help us break down three of the week's biggest stories including a new investigative report on the Uvalde school shooting, new insight on how red flag laws apply (or not) in Illinois, and why economists waver on the direction of the U.S. economy as we get new jobs data. 

 to listen to our debrief on Apple Podcasts. 

0:00 - 2:49 Welcome to the first edition of our summer debriefs! This week's theme: Letting the data be our guide. 

new investigative report from Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training

 (ALERRT) — the leading organization for active shooter training in the nation — was published on the school shooting in Uvalde this week.

13:51 - 21:51 Taking a look at one facet of the Highland Park shooting on Independence Day: New insight on how red flag laws apply (or not) in the state of Illinois. 

21:51 - 29:27 Final data point to know this week regarding the job market in the United States & three things to know for next week: 1) We will get a new reading on inflation and retail sales, 2) What's happening in Ukraine? and 3) President Biden will be visiting Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia.

we covered a new study out of Harvard University on optimism and what it can do for your health

Three data points help us break down three of this week's biggest stories. Plus ~ three stories to watch in the week ahead and why optimism may be just as good for you as exercise! 

Debrief: What Does The Data Tell Us?

Did Betsy Ross really sew the first American flag? In a fast-paced conversation with Lisa Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House, we learn about an "ordinary woman" who navigated terrible loss, confronted potential treason, and fought near destitution with her weapon of choice: a needle and thread. Was Betsy THE ONE who sewed the first-ever American flag? Hear her incredible story and decide for yourself whether we should consider her a colorful part of American folklore or a true American legend.

Did Betsy Ross really sew the first American flag?

An American Legend

Listen on Apple Podcasts or on podcasting platforms everywhere - 

here's a link if your unsure what works best for you! 

An interview with one of the few federally-licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guides, Rob Abbott.

The Battle That Changed America

A SmartHER take on the landmark abortion case decided by the Supreme Court. What to know. Why It Matters. What's Next & What To Watch. 

Plus: A lingering question: Are you truly free? What or who defines our liberty remains at the heart of this case and so many of our news stories. We don't avoid this topic — we drive through it and look forward to your thoughts.

Here's a link to the Supreme Court's recent decision, 

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf

https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/usrep/usrep410/usrep410113/usrep410113.pdf

Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey

https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/usrep/usrep505/usrep505833/usrep505833.pdf

A SmartHER take on the landmark abortion case decided by the Supreme Court. What To Know. Why It Matters. What's Next & What To Watch. 

Debrief: The Abortion Ruling

Three of your most requested stories this week share a common thread — references, allegations or claims of "

" in action! Whether that's warranted or not ... is 

P.S. Our SmartHER Shop is back in action. Shop with "Heart15" for a 15% discount on our sweet patriotic items before July 4th! 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316346624/?ref=idea_lv_dp_ov_d

President Biden proposes gas tax holiday: 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/06/22/remarks-by-president-biden-on-gas-prices-and-putins-price-hike/

8:46 - 17:50 Talking a little bit about the House Select Committee investigating January 6.

17:50 - 24:07 This week, President Biden proposed a gas tax holiday. 

Our weekly report on the news you request.

Debrief: Political Stunts?

, we spoke with a leading voice on American oil and gas, Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy, on why gas prices are so high, what a federal gas tax holiday would potentially mean (or not) and why it all matters. Plus - Hear how high Patrick believes fuel prices may go this year.

Quick Hit: How High Will Gas Prices Go?

Something to think about: Co-president of Morgan Stanley Ted Pick recently 

: "It's an extraordinary moment; we have our first pandemic in 100 years. We have our first invasion in Europe in 75 years. And we have our first inflation around the world in 40 years. When you look at the combination, the intersection of the pandemic, of the war, of the inflation, it signals paradigm shift, the end of 15 years of financial repression and the next era to come." 

0:00 - 7:34 Introduction & sharing a personal story (and SmartHER Tip!). 

12:05 - 22:17 What's next for the U.S. economy? Important to Note: The U.S. consumer is responsible for 2/3 of economic activity. 

22:17 - 31:33 What's next for politics — specifically voting behavior? 

31:33 Stories SmartHER News is watching for in the weeks ahead.

Exploring the question of "What's next?" in three big stories: Foreign policy, the U.S. economy and politics.

Debrief: What's Next

The top stories of the week: Inflation, immigration and the latest on the investigation into the school shooting in Uvalde. Plus — we preview the House Select Committee's prime time hearing on the investigation into January 6th and then fast-forward 24-hours to what we learned. Your key takeaways and cheat sheet for the week!

Debrief! 

If you'd like to take a look at your active shooter acumen - 

The Executive Director of ALERRT (a national leader in active shooter training), Pete Blair, Ph.D., on what it takes to stay safe.

How To Stay Safe?

Context for courage and our present news cycle.

Start Your Week SmartHER

More than 20 stories claim to have inspired Memorial Day, so which one is the "right" one? We take a closer look at the holiday honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the remarkable journey to our shared traditions.

What If All The Stories Are True?

Below is the audio only version on YouTube.

Some important updates from presser AFTER this recording — 

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0:00 - 10:00 Big Picture: 24 hours post Uvalde school shooting here’s what we know and what we don’t.
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10:00 - 16:00 Lessons learned reporting on historic school shootings.
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16:00 - 24:00 Insight into reporting from Israel on school shootings.
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A quick tip on data.
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A quick guidepost for 

 : Faith is not absent from the news — faith is absent from the press. We’ll be seeking more voices to add to this national conversation.

Insight and Context: Uvalde, Texas School Shooting

Quick. Concise. Nonpartisan.

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