The Daily

'The Wirecutter Show': The True Cost of Recovering from the L.A. Wildfires, Part 1

On January 7, 2025, the Palisades and Eaton Fires erupted, eventually burning down more than 16,000 structures and killing at least 31 people [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/los-angeles-fires-victim.html], becoming among the most destructive and deadly wildfires in California’s history.    Two Wirecutter writers, Gregory Han and Mike Cohen, lived through the Eaton fire. Both lived in Altadena, just outside Los Angeles. Gregory’s home was damaged, while Mike’s burned to the ground. They collaborated on an article sharing their biggest lessons of recovery [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/la-wildfire-recovery/], which Wirecutter published last July, as part of our emergency preparation coverage [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/emergency-preparedness/].    Now, in a special podcast series, they are sharing the biggest lessons they’ve learned from the past year–—and what they can teach you about how to prepare for a disaster.    Unfortunately, climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent, more intense, and more unpredictable. In the last year alone, we’ve seen cataclysmic floods in the Texas Hill Country, deadly tornadoes in many parts of the U.S., and increasing flash floods across the country, just to name a few. No one is completely insulated from these types of events.    In this first episode, we’ll introduce you to Gregory and Mike, and why they think it’s imperative to invest in your community before a disaster.    You can listen to parts two and three of this series here [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/the-wirecutter-show-podcast/]. Part three will be published on Jan. 12.   Actionable steps you can take from this episode: * Invest in your community before a disaster. Information can be hard to come by during and in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. This is when knowing your neighbors can be invaluable. Both Gregory and Mike relied on neighbors and others in their community for information before, during, and after the fires. They’ve continued to share resources with this community as they’ve worked toward recovery over the past year. * Create an easy way to communicate with your neighbors. This could be a text chain or a group chat–through something like WhatsApp or GroupMe. Maybe you’re already involved with a group that may eventually help in an emergency. Mike’s neighborhood thread started as a group of local dog owners before the fire. * Join a volunteer organization in your community. After the fires, Gregory joined a group to do brush cleanup, which has helped deepen his connection with the people who live close to him.   You can find out more about Gregory Han on his website [http://gregoryhan.com/] and on Instagram @typefiend   Additional reading: * The LA Wildfires Devastated the Homes of Two Wirecutter Writers. Here’s What They Learned While Recovering. [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/la-wildfire-recovery/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_74] * Build Your Own Disaster-Prep Kit [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/interactives/emergency-preparedness-kit-builder/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_74] * How to Prepare Your Pantry for an Emergency [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/emergency-pantry-preparation/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_74] * 9 Extreme Weather Survivors Share the Tools That Helped Them Get Through Disaster [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/disaster-recovery-products/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_74]   We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/about/]   Wirecutter Social and Website Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWo0WHBrM0otOUpoVzFndFB1bDc5VGF1YUZLUXxBQ3Jtc0tsVGkyeUNibUNDSExWb1I5Ym1SblVrdUNMTmdvNU5FS3g1VlNIV0VvX0FTQzk4akVKV0hEZUkwTFNFUVBtS0JxMHZsc2QxME5STVEwcnhrMGlXc2Q3Ylg2TWhrNGNBeXkyRHZzcVRyYnFVSGJVUXUyMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fhubermanlab&v=pZX8ikmWvEU/wirecutter [https://www.instagram.com/wirecutter/?hl=en] Threads: /@wirecutter [https://www.threads.com/@wirecutter] Twitter: /wirecutter [https://x.com/wirecutter?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] Facebook: /thewirecutter [https://www.facebook.com/thewirecutter/] TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFNoeGFxUUM0alRMMWdKWVBjNWZOdmtKc0kwUXxBQ3Jtc0tteXQ0R1BtZW0waVdQTzkwSm9MSGFFcHNsT3NQYnlFWEtUZ2YxU3FwSUZmZmhlcWpwVkJoZDdZTmY4M2R4VmlTZnZ1U05EdVFWWnNlUnFGQjVCRHhiS3hsY0pra2hEa18tTXJ5UjdLVGNwcEd1STktaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40hubermanlab&v=pZX8ikmWvEU/wirecutter [https://www.tiktok.com/@wirecutter?lang=en] LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyt-wirecutter/posts/?feedView=all] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3ZQOHRqd1NoR19pZ0Q0ODl1MXl5Njl6UWlFQXxBQ3Jtc0ttd2ExXzFoVVRCaEw2dXR1NldCUE5EX0dYNUstbXNZR2xOMVAySzRfR1V2LUF1ZzlzUFdEQ0UzSFJRRVZEM1NRSkljOFE4VVNnMnQzXzY3QnZYcVk4Q0hlWUZURTl4SENQbWNkU0pKWGFlWHF5YUlZWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hubermanlab.com%2F&v=pZX8ikmWvEUhttps://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/ [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/] Newsletter: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazdXS3J1S1FOYTZfSmIzVFN3WVgweE5zVHZhUXxBQ3Jtc0ttRzdrQ2J4OGFSdDE4ZllBaXV5S0J4U3RFaUdzN1dYWG9WdzRMRlNZd3NXVkdjSmRyR0p4VUxzenE4RHBraUZyVm9kRGpUbVpGWVZ5Y2IzMlMwTTJOVWh1SUpQY1d5Sk1NVkxyeFQ2aTVaV1k1cWtFaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hubermanlab.com%2Fnewsletter&v=pZX8ikmWvEUhttps://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/]   The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset. Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast [https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/the-wirecutter-show-podcast/] Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

'The Interview': George Saunders Says Ditching These Three Delusions Can Save You

The celebrated author on the challenges of being kind, the benefits of meditation and the reality check of death. * Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com * Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewpodcast] * For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview [https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-interview]   Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

An Interview With the President

Four White House reporters from The New York Times sat down with President Trump on Wednesday for an extended interview in the Oval Office. David E. Sanger, one of the reporters, walks us through their conversation. Guest: David E. Sanger, [https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-e-sanger] a White House and National Security Correspondent for The New York Times Background reading:  * The many faces of Mr. Trump: what we saw when we interviewed the president [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-oval-office-interview-scene.html]. * On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-interview-power-morality.html], not international law or treaties. Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The R.F.K. Jr. Era of Childhood Vaccines

Warning: This episode contains strong language. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday released new guidelines that dramaticaly cut down the number of childhood vaccines recommended by the federal government. Apoorva Mandavilli and Benjamin Mueller, who cover health, explain what is being cut and how it fits into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader agenda. Guest: * Apoorva Mandavilli [https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli], a science and global health reporter at The New York Times. * Benjamin Mueller [https://www.nytimes.com/by/benjamin-mueller], a reporter covering health and medicine for The New York Times. Background reading:  * Mr. Kennedy on Monday scaled back the number of vaccines recommended for children [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/health/children-vaccines-cdc-kennedy.html]. * Here’s what to know [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/well/childhood-vaccine-schedule-cdc-changes.html] about the new childhood vaccine schedule. Photo: Annie Rice/EPA, via Shutterstock For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The 2026 Battle for Control of Congress

This year, the 2026 midterm elections will decide which party controls Congress, and whether Republicans can hold on to every lever of influence in Washington. Annie Karni and Shane Goldmacher, who cover politics, discuss the opportunities and perils for both parties. Guest: * Annie Karni [https://www.nytimes.com/by/annie-karni], a congressional correspondent at The New York Times. * Shane Goldmacher [https://www.nytimes.com/by/shane-goldmacher], a national political correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading:  * Both President Trump and the Democrats are floating unusual midterm conventions [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/us/politics/trump-democrats-midterm-conventions.html]. * Here are six big political questions [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/trump-democrats-gop-midterms-venezuela-economy.html] for the new year. * And here are the latest polls for the 2026 elections [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/congressional-vote-2026.html]. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.