podcast
CNN One Thing
You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what's worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they've learned – and why it matters. New episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Thursday in a case involving President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship order. We examine how the outcome could impact other Trump court cases and hear from immigrant parents of a new baby who are worried their child could be branded an ‘outcast.’
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
May 14, 2025
The Department of Transportation announced it will build a “brand new air traffic control system” by 2029. It follows more than a week of massive delays and cancellations at Newark Liberty International Airport sparked by a frightening communications blackout. We look at the plan for the new system and hear from a former air traffic controller who says government funding is at the heart of the problem.
Guest: Michael McCormick, Air Traffic Management Program Coordinator at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University & Alexandra Skores, CNN Transportation Reporter
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
May 11, 2025
Interest in the 2024 Oscar-winning film “Conclave” skyrocketed as Cardinals gathered in Rome this week and elected Pope Leo XIV. We talk with the author of the book that inspired the movie, who shares why he thinks the story has resonated with Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Guest: “Conclave” author Robert Harris
May 9, 2025
We have a pope – and he’s an American! Cardinal Robert Prevost has been selected as the next pope, the first American pontiff in history. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. We break down the significance of this unprecedented moment and what challenges the Catholic Church's new leader will face as he takes over.
Guest: Christopher Lamb, CNN Vatican Correspondent
May 8, 2025
Spoiler alert: we don't have a new pope – yet. While we wait, we get an update from St. Peter’s Square as the conclave begins and dig into the political ramifications of the job.
Guests: Christopher Lamb, CNN Vatican Correspondent & Massimo Faggioli, Villanova University theology professor
May 8, 2025
Catholic cardinals in Rome are preparing to pick a new leader following the death of Pope Francis. We break down what to expect from the private ritual and look at why questions about the church’s future will persist no matter who is selected.
Guest: Christopher Lamb, CNN Vatican Correspondent
Have a question about the news? Have a story you think we should cover? Call us at 202-240-2895.
May 7, 2025
Conspiracy theories are not new. They’re as old as time itself. But if you feel like they’re everywhere right now, you’re not alone. So, what do you do when somebody you love has fallen down a rabbit hole? CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan has been covering the world of misinformation for more than a decade, but now he's less interested in what people believe than why they believe it. So, he’s trying to find out.
Listen to ‘Persuadable’ here.
May 4, 2025
New CNN polling shows historically low approval ratings for President Donald Trump as he moves past his 100th day in office. We hear from a first-time Trump voter how he feels about his vote now and look at how the Trump administration may approach the next 100 days.
Guest: Alayna Treene, CNN White House Reporter
Have a tip or question about the new Trump administration? Call us at 202-240-2895.
Apr 30, 2025
Ahead of this year’s Kentucky Derby, horse racing critics are asking familiar questions about animal safety and care in an industry fueled by gambling. We examine how high-profile horse deaths and an FBI investigation into doping allegations have pushed the sport towards reforms.
Guest: Katie Bo Lillis, CNN Senior Reporter & Author, “Death of a Racehorse: An American Story”
Apr 27, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire following revelations that he shared detailed military plans on a second Signal group chat. It comes amid infighting with his closest advisers. We examine the unfolding drama at the Pentagon and how it could impact military operations.
Guest: Haley Britzky, CNN National Security Reporter
Have a tip or question about the new Trump administration? Call us at 202-240-2895.
Apr 23, 2025