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How Is This Better?

COURIER
Donald Trump
ICE
Hollywood
Project 2025
Jackie Robinson
Clipping
Gun Violence
Tiktok
Trump Administration
Alligator Alcatraz
Social Media
Gen Z
Vertical Dramas
Artificial Intelligence
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Facebook
American History
National Parks
Racial Profiling
White Supremacy

We're constantly bombarded by grifters who claim to have all the solutions. From Donald Trump promising to "make America great" to tech bros who say they're making the world a "better place." Akilah Hughes has had enough. She's finally asking...How Is This Better?

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes49Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for How Is This Better?

Latest Episodes

Since Trump took office (again) in January 2025, pretty much EVERYTHING has gone downhill. And it seems like the administration even knows it. "Give us another chance, or give us another couple of years," Vice President JD Vance pleaded during an app... more

Akilah Hughes sits down with Cassie Willson to unpack the (media manufactured?) controversy over Zohran Mamdani’s influencer strategy,. Akilah and Cassie were both mentioned by different NY outlets, The New York Times and The New York Post respectiv... more

Denny Carter joins me to break down the wave of gambling in sports – from the scores, to the stats, to the moment-to-moment plays. We also talk about prediction markets and celebrities who are getting in on the action. We're looking at you Lebron Jam... more

What happens when AI starts to feel like something you can talk to... confide in even?

Akilah Hughes talks to tech and culture podcaster Bridget Todd about the surprisingly common phenomenon of AI intimacy, and why laughing at people with AI boyfrie... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Justino Mora
Immigrant rights organizer
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Claire Aubin
Historian
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
David Lussier
Green Beret who served in Vietnam
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Anna Gifty
Economist
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
James Rodriguez
Real estate reporter at Business Insider
Business Insider
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Denny Carter
Football analyst
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Heather Weaver
Senior counsel at the ACLU
ACLU
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Kristen Bringle
Representative of the National Parks Conservation Association
National Parks Conservation Association
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Justin Pearson
Tennessee state representative running for Congress in Memphis
Episode: 10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0

Hosts

Akilah Hughes
Host of the show; noted for insightful analysis, wit, and empathy in political and cultural discourse.
Bob the Drag Queen
Guest host with a background in entertainment and culture commentary.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 566 ratings
  • Love it

    Love the most recent episode about weight loss. We DO need to be talking about this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Knit ware
    United States2 months ago
  • Sponsored by Anthropic?!

    How are you going to have a podcast dedicated to the literacy crisis yet take money from a company exacerbating the literacy crisis?! Disgusting.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    elleinprocess
    United States3 months ago
  • LOVE

    Thank you for being you. Your voice is made for audio and love hearing your perspective. Also, more Dr. Abdul El-Sayed pleease. I miss his podcast so much

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E Espinoza
    United States7 months ago
  • English

    I listened to the episode featuring Oscar review. Why are you using the word (like) all the time? It doesn’t need to be in your sentence 99% of the time and please stop ending your sentence with (right). Do any podcasters have any degrees that relate to journalism or English?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    johnfivethousand
    United States8 months ago
  • A MUST LISTEN!!!!

    So excited to see How Is This Better in my feed again after the new year! I’ve been desperately waiting this is THE podcast of 2025 for me and I can’t wait to se where she takes the show this year! 6 stars!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Enby Del
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel episode lengths could be longer for deeper dives.
A mix of praise and criticism around host style and pacing.
Thoughtful, engaging interviews with credible guests.
Relevant, timely topics presented with nuance and empathy.

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Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Q: Why should I care?
Anna Gifty explains that Black women are taxpayers, workers, and providers for families and communities, so their lost income affects a wider economic ecosystem.
10 Things That are DEFINITELY Worse Since Trump 2.0
Q: What is the second thing?
Justin Pearson says people who do not vote let those who do vote determine their interests and community's future.
Inside the Mamdani Influencer Army (lol)
Q: What is the difference between knocking on some doors and knocking on some metaphorical doors online?
Wilson says both are ways of telling people about a politician's policies, with online content reaching people differently and on a larger scale.
Inside the Mamdani Influencer Army (lol)
Q: What was your response when the story about Zohran working with influencers came out?
Wilson says she first heard about it during a work meeting and thought the story was silly because creators working with politicians was not new. She was amused to appear on the New York Post cover, but said the article's speculation about talking points was unsupported.
Gambling took over sports. Now what?
Q: Where do you think this goes, whether it is majorly successful or if there's a world with less of it?
The panel suggests that real regulation at both state and federal levels will shape the future, potentially limiting or restructuring how these markets operate, with the ultimate goal of protecting consumers and maintaining sport integrity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About How Is This Better?

What is How Is This Better? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, culturally aware interview show that probes systemic issues at the intersection of media, politics, technology, and culture. Episodes regularly feature researchers, journalists, educators, and activists who unpack complex topics—from the US literacy crisis and AI governance to gun-violence activism, DEI debates, and the economics of fashion and media. The host pairs analytical rigor with accessible storytelling, often highlighting personal experiences and practical solutions, and frequently centers marginalized voices to challenge status-quo narratives. Noteworthy is the show's ability to translate dense policy or cultural debates into actionable takeaways for listeners, while maintaining a human, empathetic lens toward difficult t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to How Is This Better??

These podcasts share a similar audience with How Is This Better?:

1. Hysteria
2. Panic World
3. Lovett or Leave It
4. What A Day
5. Offline with Jon Favreau

How many episodes of How Is This Better? are there?

How Is This Better? launched a year ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on How Is This Better??

Recent guests on How Is This Better? include:

1. Justino Mora
2. Claire Aubin
3. David Lussier
4. Anna Gifty
5. James Rodriguez
6. Denny Carter
7. Heather Weaver
8. Kristen Bringle

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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