Diane Rehm: On My Mind

WAMU 88.5

Diane Rehm’s weekly podcast features newsmakers, writers, artists and thinkers on the issues she cares about most: what’s going on in Washington, ideas that inform, and the latest on living well as we live longer.

7hr 6min

Thumbnail for "How RFK could change public health in America".

Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been tapped to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Celine Gounder of KFF Health News on the impact RFK could have on public health in America.

November 21, 202432min 54sec31.59 MB

Thumbnail for "What's with Donald Trump and Greenland?".

Donald Trump says he wants to buy Greenland. Greenlanders say it's not for sale. The Wilson Center's Sherrie Goodman explains what's behind the president-elect's interest in the icy island.

January 16, 202532min 54sec31.6 MB

Thumbnail for "How private insurers made billions off Medicare Advantage".

The Medicare Advantage program was meant to make healthcare for seniors and the disabled more efficient, a new Wall Street Journal investigation shows private insurers bilked the system for billions.

January 9, 202542min 52sec41.16 MB

Thumbnail for "BONUS EPISODE: Remembering President Jimmy Carter".

Over the years, Diane Rehm interviewed Jimmy Carter 12 times. On this day before Carter's funeral in Washington D.C., we share with you excerpts of those conversations.

January 8, 202551min48.99 MB

Thumbnail for "Joe Biden's presidential legacy".

January 20 will mark the end of Joe Biden's presidency. Susan Page of USA Today reflects on his legacy as commander in chief.

January 2, 202537min 1sec35.54 MB

Thumbnail for "Understanding Earth as "Planet Aqua"".

Jeremy Rifkin says understanding Earth as a water planet is key to addressing climate change. He joins Diane to talk about his new book, "Planet Aqua."

December 26, 202451min 15sec49.2 MB

Thumbnail for "Best books of 2024 ... and beyond".

Diane discusses the best books of 2024 with Ann Patchett, novelist and owner of Parnassus Books, Maureen Corrigan, book critic for N-P-R's Fresh Air, and Eddie Glaude Jr., author and professor of African American studies at Princeton University.

December 19, 202454min 34sec52.39 MB

Thumbnail for "How much can Elon Musk cut? The promise and reality of DOGE".

Elon Musk has promised to use the new Department of Government Efficiency to slash a third of the federal budget. David Fahrenthold of The New York Times explains why DOGE's goals are likely out of reach.

December 12, 202430min 27sec29.24 MB

Thumbnail for "Trump, Social Security and the future of retirement in America".

During the campaign Donald Trump promised not to touch Social Security benefits. But his policies could lead to deep cuts. Economist Teresa Ghilarducci explains why.

December 5, 202445min 44sec43.92 MB

Thumbnail for "A conversation with folk legend Joan Baez".

For decades legendary folk singer Joan Baez wrote poems on scraps of paper, tucked away in old notebooks. Now 83, she's sharing them in her first poetry collection, "When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance." Baez joined Diane for her August 2024 book club event.

November 27, 202447min 19sec45.44 MB

How RFK could change public health in America

November 21, 202432min 54sec

Donald Trump has tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services. It’s an appointment that has many public health experts more than a little concerned.

For years Kennedy has spread misinformation about vaccines, calling into question their safety and efficacy. He has promoted controversial or debunked medical treatments. He has falsely linked antidepressants to school shootings. And he has accused the federal agencies he will oversee as having an interest in “mass poisoning the American public.”

Dr. Céline Gounder is an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and currently the editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. She joins Diane to separate the facts from falsehoods and outline just how much power Kennedy might have over our healthcare system.