How prison staffing shortages are driving away mental health staff

Correctional officers are leaving their jobs at federal prisons. 

And when these prisons are understaffed – psychologists and other staff are asked to act as guards. 

Recent reporting from The Marshall Project says it’s pushing mental health professionals out of prisons. 

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This episode was produced by Jason Fuller and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.

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Gavin Newsom says the Democratic party “must fight fire with fire”

Gavin Newsom is in his final year as governor of California. He’s also widely considered a potential presidential candidate for 2028—a possibility he has not ruled out—and he sees himself as a leader of Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump, often mocking his brash style on social media. 

The governor sat down with NPR for an interview ahead of the release of his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry. He talks about his early life as a kid in the San Francisco Bay Area, his strategy of simultaneously engaging with right-wing voices and ridiculing the president, and he explains why he refuses “to be a bystander to this moment.”

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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Jonaki Mehta. It was edited by Christopher Intagliata. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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How long until AI takes your job?

AI CEOs talk a lot about the enormous potential of AI to cure diseases, generate enormous wealth and solve some of humanity’s most vexing problems.

But they are surprisingly direct in talking about the potential downsides.

A big one that we’re suddenly hearing a lot more about is what it could mean for our jobs. We’ll unpack whether and how much you should be worried.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Connor Donevan. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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With the fight to preserve voting rights, Jesse Jackson’s message still resonates

As congress debates voter ID laws, and the Supreme Court reconsiders provisions of the Voting Rights Act, Senator Raphael Warnock talks about where the movement Reverend Jesse Jackson helped build goes from here.

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This episode was produced by Kai McNamee. It was edited by John Ketchum and Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Why did NPR build an archive of January 6th documents?

NPR investigative reporter Tom Dreisbach talks about how and why he led an ambitious team effort to preserve a comprehensive record of the events of January 6th, 2021.


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This episode was produced by Linah Mohammad and Daniel Ofman. It was edited by Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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What the Supreme Court’s tariff decision means for small businesses

Nearly a year ago, Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs, slapping high import taxes on goods from countries around the world. The sweeping tariffs hurt the New York-based wine importer VOS Selections, one of several plaintiffs that challenged the Trump administration in court, arguing the president lacked the ability to impose the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Today, the Supreme Court agreed, ruling that many of President Trump’s tariffs are unconstitutional. NPR’s Scott Detrow talks with NPR Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley and NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg about the court’s decision and what it means for businesses and consumers.


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This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam, with audio engineering from Ted Mebane. It was edited by Christopher Intagliata, Courtney Dorning, Scott Horsley and Krishnadev Calamur. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Ex-Prince Andrew is arrested. What now?

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor turns 66 today.

He’s also been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

For the first time in four centuries a member of the royal family has been arrested. What could this mean for the former Prince and the women and girls abused by Epstein and his associates?

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This episode was produced by Mia Venkat.

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Who gets to decide when the President sues his own government?

Of all the ways President Trump has pushed the bounds of executive power one stands out to lawyers and watchdogs.

He wants the government he leads to pay him billions of dollars.

Trump has filed multiple claims arguing he’s been hurt by Justice Department investigations and the leak of his tax returns years ago.

What does that mean to be on both sides of these legal claims? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Erika Ryan with audio engineering by Damian Herring.

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How the Rev. Jesse Jackson transformed American politics

The Rev. Jesse Jackson died this week at the age of 84. The civil rights leader, minister, and protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped shape the modern Democratic Party.

Abby Phillip is an anchor at CNN and the author of A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. She says Jackson’s impact on politics can be traced back to his 1984 and 1988 failed presidential bids.

The top of this episode features additional reporting from NPR’s Cheryl Corley.

This episode was produced by Erika Ryan and Connor Donevan with audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna and Ted Mebane. It was edited by John Ketchum. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Transgender troops speak up as they’re forced out

President Trump banned transgender people from the military during his first term.

But at the time, service members could continue with their service if they had received an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Citing military excellence and readiness, the second Trump administration is now forcibly removing nearly all remaining openly transgender troops – identifying them by their previous diagnoses of gender dysphoria.

In their parting messages, they and their allies say it’s only hurting, not helping military readiness.

NPR’s Lauren Hodges reports.

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Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Lauren Hodges and Mia Venkat, with audio engineering by Neisha Heinis. It was edited by Andrew Sussman and Patrick Jarenwattananon. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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