Podcast Summary: The 7 (Feb. 17, 2026)

Host: Hannah Jewell (The Washington Post)
Episode Title: Jesse Jackson dies at 84; Epstein files fallout; why you should sleep on a problem; and more

Episode Overview

This episode of "The 7" quickly recaps seven major stories shaping the day’s news, from the passing of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson to scientific insights on the value of "sleeping on" a problem. Host Hannah Jewell navigates listeners through significant updates in politics, science, and culture with succinct reporting and notable audio clips.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Passing of Jesse Jackson (00:29–02:08)

• Civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson has died at age 84.
• Born in South Carolina in 1941, Jackson rose to prominence during the civil rights movement, including leading student protests in Greensboro and marching in Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• After King's assassination, Jackson became a leading voice in Black American aspirations and was known for his empowering chants, “I am somebody.”
  • Notable Quote (00:29):
    Jesse Jackson: “I may be poor, but I am somebody. I may be on welfare, but I am somebody.”
  • Notable Quote (01:50):
    Jesse Jackson: “I am black, beautiful, proud. I must be respected. I must be protected.”
• Jackson made history by running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, becoming the most successful Black presidential candidate until that time.
• His family released a statement, with no cause of death provided.

2. U.S.–Iran Nuclear Talks Resume (02:08–03:24)

• Negotiations underway in Geneva seek to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reduce the risk of regional war.
• The U.S. (under President Trump) increases military posture in the Middle East and threatens force if talks fail.
  • Notable Quote (03:16):
    Donald Trump: “I think they want to make a deal. I don't think they want the consequences of not making a deal. They want to make a deal.”
• Iran seeks sanctions relief while projecting strength domestically amid ongoing crackdowns on protests that have resulted in thousands killed, missing, or detained.
• Inflation and economic grievances continue to stoke unrest in Iran.

3. Fallout from the Epstein Files (03:24–04:38)

• Recent release of millions of documents by the Justice Department details Jeffrey Epstein’s network, implicating global elites.
• Europe sees numerous resignations and criminal probes, but the response in the U.S. is more muted with few high-profile departures (e.g., Kathy Ruemmler of Goldman Sachs, ex-Obama official).
• The episode directs listeners to the newsletter for full lists of resignations and investigations.

4. Judge Orders Restoration of Slavery Exhibit (04:38–05:57)

• A federal judge mandates the reinstallation of a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
• The exhibit, consisting of 34 panels, had been removed at the direction of the Trump administration, citing an executive order against “divisive” content.
• Judge Cynthia Roof likens the removal to censorship depicted in Orwell’s 1984, emphasizing historical accountability.

5. Obama’s UFO Comments Walked Back (05:57–06:48)

• Former President Barack Obama, appearing on Brian Tyler Cohen’s podcast, is asked, “Are aliens real?”
  • Notable Quote (06:30):
    Barack Obama: “They're real, but I haven't seen them. And they're not being kept in. What is it…Area 51?...There's no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”
• Social media seizes on the offhand remark, but Obama later clarifies on Instagram: he referenced the statistical likelihood of extraterrestrial life, not any government cover-up, and saw no evidence of alien contact during his presidency.

6. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Keto Diet Claim (06:48–08:35)

• Since becoming Trump’s health secretary, Kennedy is scrutinized for making misleading scientific claims, most recently that the keto diet "cures" schizophrenia.
• Experts and the psychiatrist cited by Kennedy clarify: Improvements seen are better described as “remission,” and large-scale trials do not support the claim that the keto diet outperforms medication.
• Kennedy and allies often demand strong evidence for vaccines but do not apply the same standards to their nutritional claims.

7. Sleep, Dreams, and Problem Solving (08:35–09:35)

• New research suggests sleeping on a problem may genuinely help solve it.
• Neuroscientist Karen Konkoly and colleagues found that 40% of participants who dreamed about a puzzle solved it the next day—double the rate of those who didn’t.
• Jeweled advice: "If you’ve got a big challenge ahead today and you don’t know what to do, your best bet might be going back to sleep.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jesse Jackson (00:29): “I may be poor, but I am somebody. I may be on welfare, but I am somebody.”
• Jesse Jackson (01:50): “I am black, beautiful, proud. I must be respected. I must be protected.”
• Donald Trump (03:16): “I think they want to make a deal. I don't think they want the consequences of not making a deal. They want to make a deal.”
• Barack Obama (06:30): “They're real, but I haven't seen them ... There's no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:29 | Jesse Jackson’s legacy and death | | 01:50 | Historic audio: Jackson’s chant | | 02:08 | U.S.–Iran nuclear talks, unrest in Iran | | 03:24 | Epstein files: resignations and investigations | | 04:38 | Federal judge orders restoration of slavery exhibit | | 05:57 | Obama’s UFO/aliens comments and social media reaction | | 06:48 | Kennedy Jr. and keto diet claims for schizophrenia | | 08:35 | Neuroscience study: “sleeping on a problem” boosts insight|

Episode Tone and Style

Hannah Jewell keeps the delivery crisp and matter-of-fact, with moments of wry humor—especially in recapping political oddities and pop culture (e.g., Obama’s “aliens” remark). The episode balances urgent headlines with lighter, scientific insights, making for a swift, informative listen.

Summary prepared for readers seeking a complete and engaging overview of the news without time for the full episode.