"Our men and women in uniform should not be paying for the weapons being designed to kill them." Just one of many revelations from author and analyst Gordon Chang in this wide-ranging interview on America's current state of affairs with China, including how Gordon says some investment funds for U.S. government workers are actually going to support Chinese companies working against America. 

Hear why Gordon believes the world has never been closer to a nuclear exchange than now ... and what we can all do to stop it. 

BTW - follow Gordon on Twitter - Gordon "G" Chang: @GordonGChang 

If you want to be part of the next live audience for interviews like this, join SCOOP - for less than a price of a latte, you get the SCOOP on this week's news and become part of getting the SCOOP on a whole range of issues, like China: scoop.smarthernews.com

Listen to this interview on podcasting platforms everywhere - SmartHER News - or 

Spotlight

SmartHER With Gordon Chang: Beyond China's Spy Balloon

What we learned about the latest jobs report.

How Are Layoffs Counted? 

A once “high-valued” detainee was released from Gitmo this week. 

Will Gitmo finally close? Is it an example of the American justice system “working” or its ineffectiveness? 

Writer & war correspondent Hollie McKay joins us to talk about her recent trip to the home of infamous prison… and shares a very unique interaction with one of Gitmo’s most famous former prisoners.

A once "high value" detainee "resettled" - Will the notorious prison finally close?

Inside Gitmo with Hollie McKay

What Is Happening At The Northern Border?

SmartHER with author Nicole Modic of "Kale Junkie"

We start a new series - "SmartHER With ..." and Nicole Modic is our first guest! The food blogger, recipe developer and author left a successful career in law to follow her passion, innovating better, easier, and smarter ways for us to enjoy food. Nicole honestly shares her backstory, and the many challenges she confronted on her path to this chapter. You will LOVE her tips and tricks!

SmartHER With ...

Available on podcasting platforms everywhere or this 

Coffee Talk

REPORT ON SUPREME COURT LEAK

a glossary of important terms, places, people to know (we flag the stories to know so you’re never caught off guard) 

first looks and special discounts on our partnerships and gear!

And this exclusive report -This is the YouTube version (audio/podcast is also available)

Sneak Peek At SCOOP

For GOP, Speaker’s Battle Mirrors National Disagreement Over Trump-Style Leadership: 

“I don’t know if I have health care, I don’t know if my staff get paid. We’re looking at all of that now because this hasn’t happened for 100 years.”

The 12th vote for House speaker looks different... Here's the important info! 

House Speaker Vote: Progress or "Progress" 

Historic Vote for House Speaker

The Historic Vote for Speaker of the House

**This interview was recorded in 2021 but still very much focuses on the history of the moment**

Here's the link for podcast on Apple Itunes

 (also can be found on other podcasting platforms like 

By Christmas 1776, General Washington finds himself in a desperate position. Only a few months into the Revolutionary War, he has experienced a string of crushing defeats and privately admits the cause for liberty may be all but lost. Despite duress and great uncertainty, Gen. Washington makes a fateful decision to go on the offense, driving his troops through snow and ice for a surprise attack that changes the course of history. Historian Clay Craighead of Washington Crossing State Park joins us to share his 30+ year knowledge on the "game saving" decision in America's quest for independence.

An interview that brings fresh perspective to the holiday.

America's Christmas Miracle

Two months after the death of a young woman in government custody, Iran remains aflame with protests. The best information available points to hundreds dead and thousands under arrest as those in power attempt to secure their positions through brutal force and violence; an individual detained in connection to the demonstrations (that the government calls "riots" ignited by the West) was just sentenced to death. Will this set the precedent for mass executions? What's next?

Senior Fellow for nonpartisan think tank, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, 

, joins us with what to watch, why it matters and how Iran fits into a modern "axis of evil."

Podcast available on platforms everywhere including 

If you like interviews like this and you would like to support a free press, 

 – a special report with a balanced serving of headlines that provides a cheat sheet for the week ahead (and previews of interviews just like this). Can't wait to see you there! 

Two months after the death of a young woman in govt. custody, Iran remains aflame with protests. 

Iran: What's Next

The big question from the Midterms – What does effective American leadership really look like? And who TRULY has a mandate from the American people? Looking forward to your responses to this Instagram live we filmed 12 hours into the day after the Midterms. While results continue to trickle in, here are three big takeaways from the 2022 elections and a few races we're watching.

Listen on podcasting platforms everywhere under 

Big Picture: Thinking about the language we use on the news...
.


 The #1 takeaway from the midterms right now: We don't have final answers; things are changing constantly.
.


 "The Red Wave Was More Like a Pink Splash" ~ Time Magazine. What is a "red wave"?
.


 So far, there's no clear directive or clear mandate for whoever got into office ... There's very little data to be able to say to someone, "You have the key for really galvanizing voters!"
.


Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida: Why his race matters.
.


 What happened in Maricopa County, Arizona?
.


 The governor's race in New York: Lee Zeldin (R) vs. Kathy Hochul (D).
.


A question for you, what we're watching, and closing thoughts. 

Thank you for your support of SmartHER News!

Is America More Divided Or More Balanced? 

The Midterms 

A live interview on RSV, flu, and protecting yourself and your family. Flu season arrived early this year, along with heightened concern about RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – a virus that can impact young children. With doctors issuing warnings about what's on the horizon and hospitals setting up additional resources, what should we know? Pulmonologist and critical care physician Dr. Rutland takes your questions and provides invaluable perspective for how to stay healthy this winter. 

BTW – as we recorded this interview, officials in Orange County, California, declared a public health emergency due to a spike in respiratory illnesses for children.

RSV, flu, and protecting yourself and your family.

Dr. Rutland Takes Your Questions: 

 remains one of the most famous battles between the Plain Indians and the U.S. government. 

 for the Lakota and Cheyenne Indians, who rejected the U.S. government’s orders to retreat to reservations. In total, 210 U.S. soldiers were killed and as did an estimated 50 of Sitting Bull’s followers - the exact number is unknown. 

As you’ll hear in our interview with professor, artist and historian Michael Donahue, the phrase “The Last Stand” resonates on both sides - the last stand for those who died that day as well as the last stand for a way of life.

Just a personal note - this battlefield is a somber, beautiful, sacred place where you feel the weight of the history. I feel like I only have more questions about that fateful day and the chapters before and after. 

Have you visited? Where should we go next?

Finding America: The Last Stand

As the weather cools stateside, the second week of October brings with it new heat – the stories we've watched for several weeks suddenly carry more urgency. 

We provide historical context because it expands our perspective. But sometimes the intersection between the past and the present can leave us in deep reflection – how events separated by decades seem to have similarities – and this week is no exception. 

We cover a lot of ground here – talk of "Armageddon" coming from the U.S. President, Russian attacks in Ukraine, North Korea marking a national day with increasingly aggressive rhetoric, a little discussed attack at a U.S. base in Syria (believed to be tied to Iran), and inflation data arriving on the same day Congress resumes the January 6th Committee Hearings. Here's the SCOOP!

SCOOP 2!

 Hear from lead author, Texas Tech Professor Bryan McLaughlin, on why he decided to study this topic, what he learned and why he says this matters, not just for our own well-being, but the health of our nation.

An interview about YOUR health and the health of the nation.

Is The News Making Us Sick?

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: 

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

Quick. Concise. Nonpartisan.

All Video Posts