Stephen Explains the News │U.S. & World News and current events│Humor with heart
99 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 6 years ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsStephen explains what's going on to Kayla, hilarity ensues. A weekly audio download. The news cycles is complicated, we'll figure it out together. Covering U.S. and World news, music, pop culture and weird stories, it's a current events chat show that looks at the world with humor and compassion. Stephen's been paying attention, Kayla hasn't; one of them has something to say that you'll like (it's probably Kayla).
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Episodes
SETN S03E28 - It'll be Alright in the End
May 18, 2018 05:08 - 30 minutes - 34.1 MBIt’s our final episode and we’re having a stew party! Stephen takes one last crack at sketching out a theory of everything. It’s basically things are bad, it takes a lot of work, then they get better. Also, Kayla is going on vacation and Stephen has one last story about his kids.
SETN S03E27 - NORM!
May 11, 2018 04:57 - 32 minutes - 36.9 MBFor the most part, the way the government runs isn't set in laws, but rather is governed by norms of behavior. What happens when we have an abnormal president? The short answer is, things don't run. There's a longer answer though. Also, Kayla's got some hot Katy Perry gossip, and Stephen's got good news and bad news.
SETN S03E26 - E P NO-WAY!
May 04, 2018 05:04 - 30 minutes - 35.1 MBIn any other administration the scandals at the EPA would have dominated the news cycle for weeks on end. But, this one's... different. So, what's the EPA? What does it do? Who's running it? And what are the scandals? Also, Kayla's been spring cleaning, and Stephen is doesn't know who is he is anymore (it's a dad, he's a dad).
SETN S03E25 - Re-capt'n America
April 27, 2018 05:03 - 31 minutes - 37.1 MBWe follow back up on a bunch of stories from this season: Catalonia Independence, Kurdish Independence, the FCC and Net Neutrality, and Puerto Rico. Basically things are either the same, or worse. Also, Kayla getting ready for vacation and Stephen's phone is spying on him.
SETN S03E24 - Pooblic EduKashun
April 20, 2018 05:39 - 33 minutes - 37.4 MBTeachers are striking all over the country, especially in states that voted for President Trump. So, how do schools get funded in America, and what do these strikes mean? Also, Kayla's got the hot celebrity goss, and Stephen's big breakfast reminds him of his own mortality.
SETN S03E23- They're TARIFF-ic
April 13, 2018 04:55 - 25 minutes - 30.1 MBTrump slaps a YUGE tariff on steel and aluminum imports and China fights back. But, China's also gone running to the WTO. What are tariffs? What's the WTO? What does ANY OF THIS MEAN?! Also, Kayla goes to hot yoga, and Stephen gets work done on the house.
SETN S03E22 - Sudan from 30,000 ft.
March 30, 2018 06:59 - 32 minutes - 38.2 MBWe take a rip roaring tour of Sudanese history, starting in about oh, 2000 BC! You have to listen to the early albums to really get their recent stuff. So, yeah, it's a whole lot of genocide and war crimes. Also, Kayla is starting to get her family, and Stephen doesn't understand the tooth fairy.
SETN S03E21 - Scam-bridge Sham-alytica
March 23, 2018 05:07 - 30 minutes - 33.5 MBWe're going back to the 2016 election as a dog returns to his vomit. This time looking at the Big Data firm Cambridge Analytica. They've been... well pretty naughty. Just bad bad bad. Also Kayla loves parties someone else throws, and Stephen can't quit sugar.
SETN S03E20 -Rubles and Dopes (Russia Part II)
March 16, 2018 05:22 - 28 minutes - 44.9 MBFollow the Money! We try to do just that between Russia and everyone Trump has ever known. It's collusion-o'clock, Collusion-palooza, collusion-mageddeon. COLLUSION! Also, Stephen might just flee the country and Kayla is got married, it's official now.
SETN 03E19 - Russians Crushin' the Voting Mushin'
March 09, 2018 05:21 - 31 minutes - 36.1 MBDid the Russians meddle in the 2016 election? YES! A billion times yes! We look at what we know about their tactics and their successes. Also Kayla's been to the movies and Stephen's kid is a regular little Yogi.
SETN S03E18 - We Have Clearance Clarence
March 02, 2018 08:12 - 37 minutes - 42.3 MBA whole bunch of people have had some trouble getting security clearances. No big deal, except they only work in the WHITE HOUSE! Oh, do I have you attention now? Good, contribute to the show's Pateron account. Also, Kayla's got a new diet, and Stephen see a dystopian future. It is us.
SETN S03E17 - Is Gerrymandering Right for you
February 23, 2018 08:35 - 33 minutes - 37.8 MBWhat if the election rigging starts before it even begins? We look at why there have been some pretty fundamental changes that may blow up old school gerrymandering efforts. Ok, what is gerrymandering? How did we get here, where are we going? We do it up like only SETN can. Also, Kayla's cold (big surprise), and Stephen's kids have reached a new phase in pop culture.
SETN S03E16 What about the Econo-WE, huh?
February 09, 2018 07:29 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBPresident Trump has been bragging about the economy lately. So, what's an economy? How do we measure it? How do we know it's doing well? How do we know, like, anything? Also Kayla watched the Half Time show, and Stephen tells you about last week's episode that wasn't.
SETN S03E15 - Sausage Making
January 26, 2018 14:48 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBGermany had an election. It's still being worked out. So, we look into what the German government is like. It's complicated. Also, Kayla gets her car washed and Stephen takes the kids to Disneyland.
SETN S03E14 - Stranger in a strange land
January 19, 2018 05:35 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBThe status of 800,000 resident in the U.S. is teetering on a precipice and the slightest breeze could tip this thing one way or the other. So, what's DACA; who are the Dreamers, how does the budget factor into this? It's.... it's just chaos. Also, Kayla STILL hates the cold, and Stephen has a late Christmas present for Kayla.
SETN S03E13 - Iran ran ran doo-ran Iran
January 12, 2018 22:27 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBIran had about a week of protests that ended just as abruptly. Ok. What's the deal with Iran, the Shah, the Ayatollah the whole deal. We take a peak at the Iran Nuclear deal as well. Also, Co-host Kerry gets a fit bit, we can't quote the president, and Stephen has a raging party with his kids.
SETN S03E12 - Christmas Episode
December 22, 2017 05:13 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBWe take a look at the weird news about UFOs coming out of the Pentagon. Then, we take a trip around the world looking at Christmas traditions and few other fun surprises. Also, Stephen goes to his kids preschool concert and Kayla has a new favorite Christmas song.
SETN S03E11 - Giant Mouse eats Fox
December 15, 2017 19:33 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBThe FCC has dismantled Net Neutrality; Disney just bought Fox and AT&T are trying to buy Time Warner. Pretty soon, corporate America will just beam your dreams directly to your subconscious. We take apart the three main ares of media conglomerates. Producers, Providers and ISPs. If none of that makes sense, I don't know if this episode will help. Also, Stephen wrestles the copier and Kayla overwhelmed with the spirit of Christmas giving.
SETN S03E10 - Point/Counterpoint/Countercounter Pointpoint
December 08, 2017 22:06 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBTrump's claims of Fake News come from a long line of Conservative mistrust of the media. Brilliant political strategy, or fundamental undermining of our liberal democracy? Why not both? Also, Kayla see a movie and Stephen has had enough of kid's birthday parties.
SETN S03E09 - One for you 19 for me
November 10, 2017 19:21 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBWe take on the major changes in the tax code being proposed by the Republicans in Congress. Why do we even have taxes though? Also, Kayla needs to change her name (cause she's married, did you hear), and Stephen's kids are violent even when don't seem like it.
SETN S03E08 - Kurds Away
November 03, 2017 20:32 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBIraqi Kurdistan just held an independence referendum. It didn't take. What if you held a Nation and no one showed up? Also, we take a peek at the Mueller Special Investigation, Stephen hates Halloween (just like everything) and Kayla's found a new podcast that she likes.
SETN S03E07 - Everything Sucks (Except for Women)
October 27, 2017 23:09 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBCo-host Kerry takes us back over some of last week's stories and shows us how women are making a positive impact in otherwise bleak situations. Myanmar, Dakota Access Pipeline and the Flint Michigan water crisis all have examples of women stepping up to meet the challenge. Also, Kerry is suffering from work anxiety and Stephen's mom probably loves heaven.
SETN S03E06 - Everything Sucks
October 20, 2017 04:45 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MBWe follow up on a BUNCH of stories from the past seasons. Puerto Rico hurricane, Flint Water crisis, the Independence vote in Spain, the Myanmar genocide, Dakota Access Pipeline and elections in Venezuela. Whew. You know, if you stop paying attention to a news story, it doesn't always get better. In fact, everything sucks.
SETN S03E05 - Spanish Fly on the Wall
October 06, 2017 04:37 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBAn autonomous region of Spain, Catalonia, may try to declare independence. We define all the words in that sentence. And think about the future of Spain and the EU. Also, we talk about the media and narrative, especially with the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Also, Kayla (wrongly) loves candy corn and Stephen takes a shower.
SETN S03E04 - A PR Disaster
September 29, 2017 03:46 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBPuerto Rico has had a humongous disaster and also a hurricane. Their debt crisis had been strip mining the country for years, now hurricane Maria is an unfathomably worse. Also we take a look at one reason why the earthquake in Mexico was so bad. Also, Kayla takes us back to 90s pop, and Stephen checks in on the whole NFL protest thing.
SETN S03E03 - Genocide, Juggalos and War, Oh My!
September 22, 2017 18:19 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBMyanmar, also known as Burma, is persecuting the Rohingya people who are fleeing in droves. No this isn't some Lord of the Rings fan fiction, this is a for reals genocide happening right now. Also big president Trump gave a big boy speech in front of the UN. He was mighty grumpy! And, Juggalos a poppin'! It's a packed show.
SETN S03E02 - The Deep State, But not too deep
September 15, 2017 05:29 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBWe take a look at the Deep State. Is it a hidden cabal of sunglasses wearing X-files types, or a conspiracy of powerful forces happening right under our nose. Trump can't, won't, shan't staff the whole government. What does that mean if there are not enough government employees? Also Kayla goes to Sea World and we talk about the new iPhone.
SETN S03E01 - Free Speech, It'll Cost Ya
September 08, 2017 06:37 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBNazi's (LITERAL NAZIS!!) marched in Virginia shouting antisemitic slogans and a bunch of other terrible stuff. Can... can they do that? Well, yes. What can you do? We talk about Free Speech and its limits. Also, Kayla's still married! and Stephen gets a needle in the eye. #SETN #phens
SETN Best of Season 2
August 02, 2017 05:41 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MBIt's a smorgasbord of news, snark and personal embarrassment. It must be Stephen's attempts to explain what's going on to Kayla. We talk Russian Protests, Toxic Masculinity, Wedding and Horses. It's been an... odd year.
SETN Episode 68 06-23-17
June 23, 2017 06:23 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBEpisode 68 - Playing Qatar like a Fiddle Four other Arabic nations just cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. Qatar. It's a country. In the middle east. It's just, it's one of the small ones. Just listen to the episode. Also, special co-host Ellie has a mind-blowing hobby and Stephen just straight hates doctors now. That's it for Season 2, thanks for listening.
SETN Episode 67 06-16-17
June 16, 2017 06:30 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBEpisode 67 - Breaks-It The UK voted, then voted again. And now they're in a bit of a kerfuffle. A spot of bother. Co-host John helps us sort out what the UK general election means for Brexit. Also John brings sports on the show for the first-time ever, and Stephen has some fun with his kid's school project.
SETN Episode 66 06-09-17
June 10, 2017 06:20 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBEpisode 66 - Who Cares? Congress has been taking on American healthcare. Who knew it was so complicated? We tackle Obamacare with co-host Kerry. Also, Kerry had a great time at Kayla's wedding and Stephen takes listener emails.
SETN Episode 65 05-26-17
May 26, 2017 06:00 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBEpisode 65 - Islamic State of Mind We look at ISIS and Al Qaeda: terror bros. How did they start, how do they work what do they want? Also, Kayla is just about over all this wedding planning non-sense, and Stephen goes to the dentist.
SETN Episode 64 05-19-17
May 19, 2017 06:54 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBEpisode 64 - From Russia with Love We go back over the whole Russia interfering in our election thing. Also, Chelsea Manning was released from prison. What was the deal with her? A bunch of classified information was leaked, that's what. Plus too, did you know that Kayla is getting married? It's true!
SETN Episode 63 05-12-17
May 12, 2017 07:18 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBEpisode 63 - Time to Panic: Trump just fired the director of the FBI. Ok - A, he's allowed to do that. But, is it smart? Nope. It's not. Also, Kayla is still getting married and Stephen isn't bringing his kids.
SETN Episode 62 04-28-17
April 28, 2017 05:48 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBEpisode 62 - Death Panels: Kooky high jinx in highest court over a little issue with capital punishment. It seems good drugs are hard to find. How's a state supposed to kill a guy, amIright? Also, Kayla's been tanning and Stephen has some prepared remarks.
SETN Episode 61 04-21-17
April 21, 2017 05:46 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBEpisode 61 - Kim Jong Which One? Tensions with North Korea are running high. So, what's the deal with North Korea? Plus too, Venezuela is being torn apart. So, what's up with that? Also, Kayla just wants to dance and Stephen is sick.... of kids.
SETN Episode 60 04-14-17
April 14, 2017 07:28 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBEpisode 60 - Another Theory Another Pod: Stephen is going to try to condense complex international relations into a simple either/or theory. This will work flawlessly. FIGHT ME! Also Kayla discovers the lost Japanese art of Karaoke and Stephen can't stop thinking about horses.
SETN Episode 59 03-31-17
March 31, 2017 06:12 - 38 minutes - 35 MBEpisode 59 - Wish Upon a Tzar: Yuuuge protest in Russia. Let's take a look at Russian history to find out why. Also, Kayla's dealing with the after effects of dental surgery, and Stephen has a totally real and true medical condition.
SETN Episode 58 03 - 24 - 17
March 24, 2017 06:15 - 29 minutes - 26.5 MBEpisode 58 - F.B. Eye Spy: The House Intelligence Committee is looking into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The FBI drops a bombshell! Also Kayla has her wisdom teeth out and Stephen is OLD.
SETN Episode 57 03-15-17
March 17, 2017 06:56 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBEpisode 57 - SETN World Tour: We take a trip around the world news scene with guest co-host Listener Abby. We look at Yemen, Mosul, South Korea and France and try to figure out where those places are. Also Abby is sups preggers and Stephen thinks we have too much choice.
SETN Episode 56 03-10-17
March 10, 2017 06:59 - 30 minutes - 27.5 MBEpisode 56 - I'll Take My Answer off the Air: So the current president accused the previous one of a felony over twitter. You know, normal stuff. We take a look at Wiretaps, what are they, how do they work. Also, Kayla is getting her wisdom teeth out, and Stephen reassures her with his own story.
SETN Episode 55 03-02-17
March 03, 2017 07:16 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MBEpisode 55 - Executive Action Adventure: Executive Actions are coming out of the Trump fact and furious! Um, actually, it's kinda average. Their content is still pretty new. So, what are executive orders? Let's go on a journey! Also, Kayla loves sunshine and Stephen discovers white privilege.
SETN Episode 54 02-24-17
February 24, 2017 06:23 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MBEpisode 54 - My crane? Ukraine had a little war not too long ago. It never really ended. So, yeah, just huge sections of the country are still in rebellion. We're not talking about this? Also, Kayla LOVES three day weekends, and Stephen proposes to his wife (13 years ago).
SETN Episode 53 02 - 17 - 17
February 17, 2017 06:22 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBEpisode 53 - So Much Winning: Michael Flynn stepped down as head of the NSA after only 24 days (a record!) Why'd he do it? What is the NSA? WHAT THAT BEHIND YOU!! Also, Kayla's wedding planning is going... ok, and Stephen is excited to meet a kindred spirit on the freeway.
SETN 52 02-10-17
February 10, 2017 08:35 - 39 minutes - 35.7 MBEpisode 52 - News Clues Fake news is a real thing and it's making money off your gullibility. Also, it's not just news Trump disagrees with. Also, Kayla thinks all of professional sports are rigged and Stephen is suffering from a fresh neurosis. You won't believe what happens at minute 10!
SETN Episode 51 02 - 03 - 17
February 03, 2017 07:15 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBEpisode 51 - Chaos Theory: Chaos seems to follow Trump wherever he goes: the campaign trail, the transition, the string of executive orders. Maybe it's on purpose. Stephen has a theory. But, SHUT UP Beyonce is pregnant! Also Kayla and Stephen take a day off, it's better than working.
SETN Episode 50 01 - 27 - 17
January 27, 2017 07:48 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBEpisode 50 - E-Mall-You-Mints: Who would have thought a business man with deals all over the world might also have some conflicts of interest as the head of state. EVERYONE!! Stephen risks it all to finally explain the Illuminati and Kayla and Stephen celebrate their 50th episode.
SETN Episode 49 01-19-17
January 20, 2017 23:42 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBEpisode 49 - Presidents a poppin' South Korea impeached their president. The Gambia can't get rid of theirs. The USA is getting ready for a new one. It's presidents a go go. Also, Kayla wants mandatory 3 day weekends and Stephen has some issues getting in shape.
SETN Episode 48 01-13-17
January 13, 2017 07:19 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBThe UN security council declared that Israels settlements in the West Bank are illegal. We define basically every single one of the terms in the last sentence. Also, Kayla has big news, and Stephen's mother is still giving him chores - from beyond the grave.