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The Gist - Conor Heffernan on Why “Ego Is A Transhistorical Phenomenon”

Today on the Gist, contextualizing Donald Trump's "wrong and crazy" proposal to nationalize elections, arguing that while the rhetoric is alarming, the Constitution makes it impossible to execute. Then Conor Heffernan, author of When Fitness Went Global, joins the show to discuss the history of "physical culture," explaining why he lifts heavy stones in graveyards and how the first fitness influencer, Eugen Sandow, shifted the world from functional strength to pure aesthetics—while selling a few bogus dumbbells along the way. And in the Spiel, Mike analyzes the recent FBI raid in Georgia, arguing that Trump's attempt to weaponize the DOJ to prove a stolen election will likely backfire by highlighting his biggest political liability.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

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Consider This from NPR - AI chatbots upended their lives. Then they turned to each other

Some people who say AI chatbots upended their lives and the lives of their loved ones, are now turning to each other for support. 


Around the world, people are talking to AI chatbots, and these chats can sometimes lead to unhealthy emotional attachments or even breaks with reality.

OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, is facing several lawsuits alleging the chatbot contributed to mental health crises and even multiple suicides.

An OpenAI spokesperson told NPR that they are “continuing to improve” ChatGPT’s training to quote “recognize and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support.”

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This episode was produced by Audrey Nguyen and Karen Zamora.

It was edited by Brett Neely and Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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The Source - How Trump’s EPA rollback impacts Texas

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump moves to unwind or delay a range of air- and climate-related rules, public-health and environmental advocates warn the shift could hit Texas especially hard.array(3) { [0]=> string(38) "https://www.tpr.org/podcast/the-source" [1]=> string(0) "" [2]=> string(1) "0" }
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Newshour - Ukraine describes first day of talks with Russia as ‘substantive’

Ukrainian representatives at the talks with Russia on a possible end of the war have described the first day of negotiations as "substantive and productive". Newshour hears from injured Ukrainian soldiers and gauges public opinion inside the country.

Also in the programme: the New START nuclear treaty expires; and iguanas on the menu in Miami.

(Picture: An elderly woman pulls a sled with her belongings during the distribution of humanitarian aid brought by volunteers to a church amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, near the town of Popasna (Popasnaya) in the Luhansk region, a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine, February 4, 2026. Credit: Reuters)

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CBS News Roundup - 02/04/2026 | Evening Update

New information about the movements of Nancy Guthrie before her disappearance from her Tucson home.

President Trump's border czar says 700 immigration officers will leave Minneapolis, but 2,000 will remain.

The last nuclear treaty between the U.S. and Russia expires today.

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WSJ What’s News - Democrats Face GOP Resistance on Reining In ICE

P.M. Edition for Feb. 4. In Congress, Democrats are pushing for new limits on immigration-enforcement agents, but they’re running into resistance from Republicans. Journal reporter Siobhan Hughes joins from the Capitol to discuss the likelihood that lawmakers will meet the February 13 deadline to fund the Homeland Security Department. Plus, another tech selloff weighs on Wall Street. Markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang discusses the AI worries gripping investors. And as Iran and the U.S. plan diplomatic talks, Iran is playing hardball. WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin says it’s a playbook negotiators have seen before. Alex Ossola hosts.


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WSJ Minute Briefing - Nasdaq Sinks on Continued AI Concerns

Chip stocks, including AMD, saw a broad selloff. Plus: Eli Lilly shares jump on the strength of its GLP-1 drugs. Katherine Sullivan hosts.


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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.

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State of the World from NPR - Will the U.S. withdraw military forces from Syria?

The United States has been conducting military operations in Syria for more than a decade. Their mission has been to attack ISIS militants and to protect Syrian oil fields. With ISIS weakened and a new government in Syria, the U.S. may pull out the troops it has stationed in Syria. But doing so might hurt some U.S. allies. We hear from NPR reporters who cover the Pentagon and the Middle East about what the move could mean.

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