Trump’s unhinged, unpredictable global trade war is causing chaos and confusion. In just one week, the President announced tariffs on the entire world, then paused some, upped others, and announced exemptions for certain goods. This capriciousness has sparked fears that another economic recession may be looming. In this episode, Stacey is joined by Dean Baker, economist and cofounder of the Center for Economic Policy and Research to break down how tariffs affect the broader economy. Then, she hears from Beth Benike, founder of Busy Baby, and Richard R. Oswald, Vice President of the Missouri Farmers Union, about how these tariffs and the environment of uncertainty are already impacting their livelihoods.

Learn & Do More:

1. Be curious: Visit your local library, get a library card if you don’t have one, and check out a book from the banned books list. Fight back with curiosity. Want to do more? Check out Book Riot or PEN America’s guides on how to help fight book bans.
2. Solve Problems: call your representatives and senators, no matter their party. But don’t stop there. Local elected officials have power too—sometimes more than we realize. Visit USA.gov/elected-officials to find your federal, state, and local reps. Let them know how you feel about the rise in book bans, tariffs, and how these issues are affecting your community.
3. Do Good: If you have the means, support small businesses in your area—and encourage friends and family to do the same. Shop local, spend local. We're good with the clips.

Whether your instinct now is fight or flight, many of us are searching for the way to navigate these turbulent times. In this episode, Stacey shares her practice of stoicism: an ancient philosophy built to make us more resilient, knowledgeable and grounded in the face of adversity. She’s joined by author, entrepreneur, and host of The Daily Stoic podcast, Ryan Holiday, to explore how we can apply the art of stoicism to this political moment —and use it as a tool to build our capacity and organize action. They talk about everything from lessons from past freedom fighters to smart media consumption, as well identifying the small ways we can make a difference and regain a sense of power and stability.

Learn & Do More:

1. BE CURIOUS: Check out our guest Ryan Holiday’s podcast The Daily Stoic for more ways we can harness stoicism to find stability and resilience.
2. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Make sure to think about your news diet. Focus on constructive consumption of the news that helps you stay informed instead of being a consumer of endless information. Seek out other sources like historical biographies that can better help you understand the current moment.

1. DO GOOD: In addition to trying to do big, audacious things to change the world, remember that small things can also make a difference. Picking up trash in your community, showing up to a city council meeting, or providing comfort to a friend who's having a hard time is all worthwhile.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy's so-called assault on medical science is putting Americans at grave risk. Measles has resurfaced, HHS is losing tens of thousands of staff, and medical research at the National Institutes of Health is being cut. Stacey is joined by infectious disease researcher and science communicator Laurel Bristow, along with associate professor and infectious disease expert Ghady Haidar, to break down the immediate and long-term impacts of the Trump administration’s dismantling of health infrastructure and skepticism of critical vaccines. They also share how we can protect ourselves and our communities from medical misinformation and disinformation.

Learn & Do More:

1. Don't spread misinformation: Be mindful of what you share on social media. It’s tempting to post a meme or video mocking conspiracy theories, but don’t be a spreader. Share the truth. Find content that debunks misinformation without amplifying it. Be a viral truth-teller.
2. Use your resources: Vaccines are your best protection in this uncertain health climate. Free and low-cost vaccines are available, even without insurance. The HHS provides a list of state and local health departments to help you find them—visit hhs.gov/immunization. For example, if you're in Los Angeles, check publichealth.lacounty.gov for clinics offering free or low-cost vaccines for kids 18 and under.
3. Stay informed: For health advice, trust medical professionals. Get information from doctors and scientists, and read research-backed articles. Social media isn’t always reliable—so seek out experts with real credentials. To stay informed and up to date on the latest scientific news check out the WHO newsletter at who.int/news-room/newsletters and for the latest science reporting check out STAT news at statnews.com and Scientific America at https://www.scientificamerican.com.