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Three big stories. Plenty of questions. And a few laughs, because otherwise… we might all become doomsday preppers. Sonni is joined by Brian from OneBurgh to unpack the midterm home stretch, questions about what comes next with Iran, and Israel’s election—and why these stories matter even if you’re nowhere near the action. We get into: What control of Congress means for Trump’s agenda—and why early voting numbers can’t tell us who wins. Michigan’s Senate race, campaign rhetoric, and the line between legitimate scrutiny and religious stereotyping. The debate over possible further strikes on Iran, including the political calculations and human stakes. How Israel forms a government—and why winning the most seats doesn’t automatically mean winning power. Plus: Brian’s reporting on accessibility at Pittsburgh International Airport, and whether Sonni’s recording closet is actually a panic room. Jump to a topic: 1:00 — The midterm home stretch 3:28 — Michigan’s Senate race 17:21 — Iran: What comes next? 26:03 — Israel’s election, explained 33:44 — OneBurgh’s airport accessibility investigation

The news is serious--we reserve the right to have a little fun talking about it. Brian Carothers of OneBurgh is back for another edition of News for Normies, where we break down three big stories, ask why they matter, and leave room for a few tangents—including why Dancing with the Stars has entered our conversation about election integrity. This week, we discuss: The unrest in France: How protests over school conditions became part of a larger fight over economic frustration and government spending—and how violence can overshadow the people and problems behind a movement. California versus the Trump administration: The dispute over voter rolls, the tension between state and federal authority, and Brian’s experience working at the polls. Trump’s approach to Russia: The debate over sanctions, Russian energy, and whether economic incentives can help end the war in Ukraine—or give Putin more leverage. Along the way, we debate how much grace a White House press secretary deserves, take an unexpected detour into blouse terminology, and revisit the high school student council campaign that never was. Yes, there’s a backstory. Through it all, we keep coming back to one question: Are we paying attention to the actual issues—or getting swept up in the political theater? Come for the context. Stay for the commentary. Read News for Normies, including sources and more context, at sonniabatta.substack.com, and find Brian at OneBurgh.

Three news stories, two old friends, and an unsolicited discussion of my forehead. This week, I’m joined by my high school friend Brian Carothers of OneBurgh for a little news, a little Pittsburgh nostalgia, and a lot of conversation about why everyone online needs to know which “team” you’re on. First, we walk through this week’s News for Normies--the Russian diesel deal and proposed energy ceasefire, the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and their connection to the Iran war, and the Senate races to watch as the midterms approach. Then we get into the conversation behind the headlines--things like how political money shapes what we see, why complicated stories deserve more than an instant reaction, and whether social media has made being “right” more important than being informed. Also discussed: Western Pennsylvania’s data center debate, suspiciously unmarked Amazon deliveries, Botox, Brian’s mustache, and whether we’ve turned Idiocracy into a documentary. Come for the news. Stay for two former media professionals figuring out how to hit “record.” In this episode: • This week’s three big stories—and why they matter at home• What Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania can tell us about voters• Data centers, campaign money, and local politics• The pressure to pick a side before you have all the facts• Why curiosity is still worth practicing, even in the comment section Read News for Normies and subscribe: https://sonniabatta.substack.com Check out OneBurgh for Pittsburgh news, sports, pop culture, and a healthy amount of snark.

The Lindsay Clancy trial ended with a hung jury—but the public is still fiercely divided. In this episode, I’m joined by Orlando trial attorney Whitney Boan of The Payne Law Firm to unpack what happened inside the courtroom, why the case inspired such an intensely emotional response, and what the law actually requires when a defendant pleads not guilty by reason of insanity. We talk about the reported 11–1 jury split, the controversy surrounding the holdout juror, and whether acknowledging reasonable doubt while refusing to acquit is legally consistent. Whitney also explains what a successful insanity defense would actually mean for Clancy—and why “not guilty” would not necessarily mean walking free. We also get into: • What the defense did so effectively—and where the prosecution may have fallen short• Why an insanity defense is far more difficult to prove than many people realize• Whether criticism of Patrick Clancy has any relevance to the legal case• The conspiracy theories that flourished online—and why people may be so desperate to believe them• What each side might do differently in a second trial• Why Whitney does not believe the case will ultimately be tried again• The possible resolutions prosecutors and the defense could reach instead• What this case has revealed about postpartum mental health—and how much suffering women can hide from the people closest to them This is a conversation about justice, mental illness, motherhood, media narratives, and the challenge of separating what we feel from what the evidence can prove. Whitney Boan is a trial attorney based in Orlando, Florida, with The Payne Law Firm.

Hi all, this week's podcast is an audio reading of a Substack post I put up today, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It's a piece both personal and forward-looking, reflecting on who we were as Americans 25 years ago, and wondering where we are headed next. Click HERE to read the post and subscribe to my Substack.

What does our skin actually need after 40—and how much of what we’ve been told about aging is just really good marketing? In this episode, I’m talking with celebrity esthetician and skincare founder Angela Caglia, who has spent 30 years working hands-on with women’s skin, including some very famous faces. Her client list has included Barbra Streisand, Amal Clooney, Helena Christensen, Alexandra Daddario and more. Angela has a refreshingly simple philosophy when it comes to aging--less is more. We talk about what physically changes in the skin during our 40s and beyond, why she thinks women are overdoing it with skincare, and the rise of regenerative beauty—including the science behind her human stem cell-derived skincare line. Angela also shares some advice that may make you rethink your entire routine: why many women over 40 should consider not washing their face in the morning, what she recommends instead, and why she believes we don't necessarily need the long lineup of retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and peptide serums we've been conditioned to buy. But this conversation goes much deeper than skincare. Angela opens up about being told by a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon—at just 52—that she needed a facelift, and why that experience made her question the increasingly aggressive way cosmetic procedures are being marketed to younger women. We talk about the pressure to look perpetually young, the influence of social media, and why sometimes the most powerful anti-aging advice is simply learning to look in the mirror and appreciate the face staring back at you. We talk: What actually happens to our skin after 40 Why shifting hormones, collagen, elastin and sebum matter The biggest mistakes Angela sees women making with skincare Why she believes many routines contain too many actives What “regenerative skincare” actually means Exosomes, growth factors and human stem cell-derived skincare Whether regenerative products can replace retinol and vitamin C Angela’s surprisingly minimal morning skincare routine Why she tells many women over 40 to skip the morning cleanse Her preferred approach to sunscreen—and the SPF she personally uses Why she recommends oil cleansing at night The beauty treatments and trends she thinks women should approach cautiously The push toward younger facelifts—and Angela’s own experience being told she needed one Why she thinks fillers may be falling out of favor The danger of chasing unregulated beauty and wellness treatments abroad “Skin listening” and learning to stop comparing your face to everyone else’s Weight training, walking and the wellness habits Angela prioritizes at 54 Starting her company at 45 and building it into a multimillion-dollar business Why she believes it’s never too late to start something new I tried--and LOVED--the Angela Caglia Cell Forté Serum, which you can find here!

Antisemitism is often treated as something that belongs to another time and place—Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, or centuries-old persecution in Europe. Moreover, it's also often framed as something only Jews should worry about. But historian Pamela S. Nadell argues that antisemitism has a much longer—and much more American—history than many of us realize... and history shows us that its poison often bleeds into other communities, as well. Pamela is an award-winning historian, professor and the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History at American University, and author of Antisemitism, an American Tradition. In this episode, we trace antisemitism from its centuries-old roots to its evolution in America—and ask what that history can teach us about the moment we're living through now. We talk: How antisemitism evolved from medieval Europe to early America The Rothschilds, Henry Ford and the rise of antisemitic conspiracy theories How antisemitism became embedded in American institutions and culture Why post-WWII America became a relative “golden age” for American Jews—and what changed The Tree of Life massacre, October 7 and today’s “high tide” of antisemitism What Zionism actually means—and when anti-Zionism crosses into antisemitism Antisemitism on college campuses and across the political right and left How social media gives centuries-old antisemitic ideas new life Why antisemitism is never just about Jews—and what its rise can tell us about a society You can find Antisemitism, an American Tradition—winner of the 2025 National Jewish Book Award for American Jewish Studies—HERE.

Today, we’re stepping away from the heavy news cycle and talking about something just as important: your relationships, your intimacy, and what actually makes a sex life better over time. I’m joined by Susan Bratton, who’s spent decades helping people build deeper connection and more fulfilling relationships. Her approach goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into understanding your body, your partner, and how communication shapes everything. We get into why so many couples feel stuck, how cultural messaging has shaped what we expect from sex, and why curiosity and honesty are the real game changers. We talk: + What is the “sexual soulmate pact?” + Why you should have a sex life bucket list + Why communication is the foundation of great intimacy + The difference between “sex” and orgasmic intimacy + Why desire changes in long-term relationships—and what to do about it+ The power of a “sex life bucket list”+ How radical honesty strengthens connection+ Why intimacy can improve with age Connect with Susan at the links below: BetterLover.com SusanBratton.com Instagram Twitter Facebook YouTube Linkedin

What if the biggest threat we’re facing right now… isn’t physical, but mental? In this episode, I sat down with cyber intelligence analyst Travis Hawley to talk about something called cognitive warfare—and once you understand it, you won’t be able to unsee it. We get into how narratives are shaped online, how bots and fake accounts actually work, and why even real information is now being dismissed as fake if it doesn’t fit someone’s worldview. It’s a conversation about the internet, yes—but also about human nature. Why we want to be right. Why we cling to our beliefs. And why doing the work to think critically has never been more important. We talk: + How information is used to shape public opinion in real time + The difference between misinformation and disinformation (and why intent matters) + What’s actually happening behind the scenes on social media. Travis also explains how to spot fake accounts, bots, and AI-generated content, and we dig into why people reject truth—even when it’s right in front of them. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what’s real, this episode is for you.

The headlines feel relentless right now—political upheaval, cultural polarization, global uncertainty. What if we zoomed out and asked, What do the stars say about America in this moment? In this episode, I sit down with astrologer and former NASA research scientist Jill Brown to explore whether there’s a larger pattern unfolding, and what astrology might offer as a framework for understanding this moment. We talk about America’s "Pluto Return," free will, civic engagement, polarization, discipline, and how to stay grounded in chaotic times. We also cover: What a “Pluto Return” actually means for the U.S. Why 2026 could feel like a cultural turning point The difference between rebellion and reform How technology fuels polarization Why local civic engagement may matter more than national outrage What your birth chart (beyond your sun sign) can reveal about you How “Chiron” represents wounds that can become wisdom The intersection of science, spirituality, and personal agency

In this episode, I sit down with journalist Stella Inger-Escobedo to unpack the growing divide between independent media and traditional institutions. Drawing on her background as a former TV news anchor and a Soviet Jewish refugee, Stella explains how lived experience shapes the questions journalists ask — and the stories they’re willing to tell. We talk about trust, objectivity, propaganda, and why so many audiences are turning away from legacy outlets in search of something more honest. This is a conversation about who journalism is really for — and who holds power now. Find Stella on Instagram HERE.

This week I talk with Nikki Namdar--a member of the Iranian diaspora and the daughter of parents who fled Iran around the 1979 revolution--about what it feels like to watch Iran’s unrest from an ocean away. Nikki shares her family’s story of escape, grief, and longing for a homeland they may never be able to return to, and explains why so many in the diaspora feel erased in Western conversations about the region. We also discuss how social media shapes what Americans believe about global conflicts, why nuance feels “punished” online, and what “best case” scenario could look like for Iran--a future where the country remains intact, but free.

Courtney Boyer and her husband were married for 17 years when she had a wild idea--what if they had a threesome? When her husband rejects the idea, the conversation takes a turn and they end up in totally new territory, with the agreement that Courtney can have relations--and relationships--with other men. Years after making a decision that opens her up to a whole new world, she sits down with me to talk about what polyamory really is, and how it's made her life better. Check out Courtney's book, "Opened," HERE, and connect with her coaching services and more info about her HERE.

Do you ever feel like the more effort you put into your goals, the farther away they feel? Author and coach Nithya Karia is here to talk about how not just creating habits--but creating the precise ones for you--may be the key to breaking through. In this episode Nithya and I talk about how to identify the habits and routines that aren't working, and replace them with ones that speak to your soul, and help you feel more productive than ever. Check out Nithya's book, "High Vibe Habits," on Amazon HERE.

You don't have time to track news daily. This weekly roundup of three big stories presented with context, background, and tips on what to follow, helps you be a little smarter and a little more informed, without spending hours tracking the headlines. This week we're talking: * The Supreme Court will weigh in on birthright citizenship * Who leads Gaza now? Opposition leader killed * New recommendations from the CDC on the Hepatitis B vaccine Sign up ⁠HERE⁠ to get my Substack to have this weekly news update emailed to you every Monday!