SmartHERNews

What do the cases of Lindsay Clancy, Nolan Wells and Cornell have in common? They highlight the importance of a legal procedure often forgotten in our justice system that's critical to whether or not a case heads to court: a grand jury. Join a wide-ranging conversation with attorney and founder of Unbiased, Jordan Berman, who uses her legal expertise to explain the importance of the grand jury process, why it matters and what it means in these 3 stories. 00:00 The Missing Link in Three Legal Cases 00:57 Finding Common Ground in Nonpartisan News 03:20 Meet Jordan Berman, Founder of Unbiased 06:12 What Gets Lost in the Headlines 08:37 Why Grand Juries Matter 09:45 Inside the Grand Jury Process 14:15 Nolan Wells: What No Indictment Means 18:29 Lindsay Clancy: Indictment vs. Trial 22:32 Cornell: The Decision Not to Pursue Charges 30:07 How Media Coverage Shapes Public Opinion 33:04 Ilhan Omar: Questions About the Search Warrant 37:17 What We Don't See Behind the Headlines

What does justice look like—and who decides? Jenna and podcast host Mary Katharine Ham discuss Christa Pike's case in Tennessee and the broader questions it raises about the death penalty, including the time between sentencing and execution. They also reflect on three years since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the changing Middle East and the words news organizations use to tell these stories. Along the way: the court of public opinion, a brief look at media coverage of the Cornell case, and how the information we receive shapes our understanding. Plus, parenting styles, a favorite hydration drink and making more time to read with our kids. Want to go beyond the headline? Become a SmartHER News Insider and join the conversation — with our private community, exclusive podcast feed and more. In this episode: 00:00 Welcome to SmartHER News 01:03 Real Life, Parenting & Consequences 04:34 What Does Justice Look Like? 07:01 Christa Pike & the Death Penalty 12:21 Fort Hood & the Execution Debate 14:45 The Eighth Amendment: Cruel & Unusual Punishment 16:29 Public Opinion, Cornell & Media Coverage 19:57 Three Years After Oct. 7 23:49 How the Media Describes Hamas 26:51 Israeli Politics & the Language of War 28:52 The Nova Exhibition & Remembering the Victims 32:01 Marco Rubio's Speech in Greece 35:24 Iran & the Ripple Effects Across the Middle East 37:08 Something SmartHER: Hydration 39:49 Less Scrolling, More Reading 43:11 Wrap-Up Show Notes: Jocko Fuel Hydrate (commissionable link)

Jenna hosts the SmartHER Podcast with political commentator, podcast host Mary Katharine Ham and war correspondent, writer Holly McKay to discuss a smarter take on this week's major news stories AND share SmartHER Tips! They examine a disturbing Cornell University incident from October 2024 now highlighted by a recent civil lawsuit alleging an overlooked, under-investigated assault. A new twist to the story raises more questions and Jenna shares some insight on the challenges reporting on stories like this one. Hollie adds to our reporting on a surrogacy custody case the Supreme Court declined to hear and shares broader concerns about largely unregulated U.S. commercial surrogacy, including vetting gaps and birthright citizenship questions. Mary Katharine offers a midterm "cheat sheet" on competitive House and Senate seats, turnout, and money. They close with product tips: Naked Sundays SPF, Trader Joe's skincare, and Merit makeup. Our SmartHER Recommendation: Hollie's SmartHER Rec: Naked Sundays Jenna's SmartHER Rec: Merit Makeup (Fall Kit) 00:00 Welcome to SmartHER Podcast 00:41 Cornell Case Overview 02:41 Conflicting Accounts Explained 03:53 How Lawsuits Shape Narratives 07:15 Journalism and Due Process 12:05 What to Watch Next 14:29 Parenting Lessons from Tragedy 16:08 Surrogacy Case Headlines 17:14 Commercial Surrogacy Risks 22:04 Regulation and Political Crosscurrents 25:17 Midterms Cheat Sheet Tease 25:48 What a Wave Year Means 27:23 House Battlefield Math 29:04 Senate Map and Trump Seats 30:18 Key Question for 2024 32:14 Money and Party Funding 33:57 Yard Signs and Enthusiasm 35:46 SmartHER Tips Skincare Picks 36:21 Sunscreen Over Makeup 38:11 Budget Skincare at Trader Joes 39:43 Merit Makeup Fall Reset 41:12 Wrap Up and Farewell

What don't we know about the ICE-involved shooting in Austin? Why is the 9/11 case still awaiting trial? And what happens when a parent's beliefs about education collide with her child's experience? Jenna welcomes journalist and war correspondent Holly McKay and political commentator Mary Katharine Ham for a new SmartHER Roundtable: three women, three stories, and something SmartHER to take into your week. On the table: Austin's ICE shooting: What's known, what remains unanswered, and how to follow developing news when competing accounts emerge. The 9/11 prosecution: Holly shares her firsthand experience reporting from Guantanamo Bay and discusses why the case has yet to reach trial. Parents and public schools: Mary Katharine shares her take on Nikole Hannah-Jones' personal New York Times Magazine essay about her daughter's education, sparking a conversation about school choice, accountability, and parental involvement. Plus, motherhood, a thought-provoking book, a favorite sweater, and a home organization idea: the little things helping us live SmartHER. Enjoy this SmartHER Roundtable? Share it with a friend and tell us: What helped YOU live SmartHER this week? Email [email protected]. Show Notes: Nikole Hannah-Jones: In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own? (New York Times Gift Link) Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick by Maya Dusenbery Perelel Collagen+ Defense Zara Basic Knit Sweater Arch Magnetic Wall Decal SmartHER News may earn a small commission from purchases made through our links. Thank you for supporting a free press!

On September 11, 2001, Linda started her morning like many others. As a 23-year-old equity research associate on Wall Street, she headed to work on the 89th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower for the boutique investment firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW). What unfolded in the early hours of that workday would change Linda's life forever and alter the course of American history. Twenty-five years later, Linda shares her sweeping firsthand account with SmartHER News about what happened inside the building as al-Qaeda terrorists intentionally crashed a passenger plane into the South Tower, instantly severing her elevator's cables. Linda describes what followed: a miraculous development, near-death escapes, the heroes who helped her, and the coworkers she wants the world to remember: Dean Eberling, Russell Keene, Sean Lugano, and Greg Trost. She reflects on rebuilding her life, how that day changed her priorities, and why she chose to share her story now. As we commemorate 250 years since the founding of our nation, we honor 25 years since the deadliest terrorist attack in American history. Linda's primary-source account forever ensures that America, and the world, will never forget. 0:00 How This Interview Came Together 6:36 A Morning That Changed Everything 9:33 Inside the World Trade Center Culture 12:03 The First Signs of Trouble 15:44 Trapped in the Elevator Shaft 23:24 Escaping the Collapsing Towers 31:04 Rebuilding and Remembering Executive Producer/Reporter: Jenna Lee, Journalist and Founder of SmartHER News Associate Producer / Researcher: Stephanie Wagner Associate Producer / Researcher: Courtney Stein Lesskis Audio Engineer: Kaleb Muñoz Field Producer/Production Manager: Buddy Quaid Hair & Makeup: Leah Trogan Black Editor: Joel Knoop Motion Graphics: Michael Wilfong Audio Post: Jason Kuehn