Podcast Summary: The 7 — December 9, 2025

Host: Hannah Jewell (The Washington Post)
Episode Focus: Seven key stories dominating news and culture, from global conflict to scientific discovery.

Episode Overview

Hannah Jewell guides listeners through the seven most important headlines this morning, offering sharp insight into global politics, judicial battles, media megadeals, public health concerns, pop culture events, and groundbreaking neuroscience.

1. Ukraine Stands Firm Against Russia Demands (00:17–01:38)

• Key Points:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a central Russian demand to end the war, stating Ukraine would not surrender any territory.
  • Former President Trump has incorporated the same Russian territorial demands into his latest peace proposal.
  • After consultations with European leaders, Zelenskyy said under Ukrainian, international, and moral law, “we have no right to give anything away.”
  • Trump’s continued pressure and Russia’s battlefield gains have led to fear that Ukraine’s negotiating leverage is eroding, especially with Zelenskyy’s government facing a corruption scandal.
  • Critics say Trump's plan essentially agrees to Putin’s demands, causing further unease among those hoping for a just end to the conflict.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Under our laws, under international law, and under moral law, we have no right to give anything away.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy (reported by Hannah Jewell, 00:53)

2. Supreme Court Considers Presidential Power Over Agencies (01:38–03:01)

• Key Points:

  • The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Trump should be able to fire a Democratic member of the FTC, potentially overturning a 90-year precedent protecting the independence of agency leadership.
  • The conservative majority appeared open to expanding presidential power; a decision is expected by summer.
  • The case could dramatically alter how much control presidents hold over independent federal agencies.
  • Justice Sonia Sotomayor raised pointed concerns about undermining Congress’s design of government.

• Notable Quote:

  • “You’re asking us to destroy the structure of government and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent.” — Justice Sonia Sotomayor (02:24)

3. Rep. Nancy Mace Faulted in Airport Tirade (03:01–04:13)

• Key Points:
  • Rep. Nancy Mace, now running for governor of South Carolina, was found by police to have berated airport staff with profanity following a mix-up regarding her police escort’s vehicle.
  • The incident escalated over a color mix-up (white vs. silver BMW), and the internal report stated staff were “visibly upset.”
  • Police noted that while airport staff bore some responsibility for the initial mistake, Mace’s reaction was inappropriate and worsened the situation.

4. Netflix’s Warner Bros. Deal Faces Rival All-Cash Bid (04:13–05:15)

• Key Points:
  • Netflix’s $83 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery is now challenged by an all-cash offer from Paramount Skydance, which is going directly to shareholders.
  • Backers of the Paramount bid include Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law); Skydance CEO David Ellison (son of Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder and Trump ally).
  • Either acquisition would raise antitrust concerns, further consolidating major media power.

5. ‘Forever Chemicals’ Linked to More Infant Deaths (05:15–06:18)

• Key Points:
  • PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” found in common consumer products, are associated with increased cancer, birth defects, and organ damage.
  • A new study in New Hampshire found mothers downstream of contaminated sites experienced three times the rate of infant deaths and higher rates of preterm or low-birthweight babies—even among high-income households.
  • This suggests environmental exposure can outweigh socio-economic advantages for birth outcomes.

6. 2026 Golden Globe Nominations: ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads (06:18–07:31)

• Key Points:

  • Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” scored nine nominations, the most of any film.
  • “Sentimental Value” and “Sinners” also received multiple nominations.
  • The hit musical “Wicked for Good” missed a Best Picture nod but fared well in acting and song categories.
  • TV nominees led by “White Lotus,” “Adolescence,” and “Only Murders in the Building.” Only one landed in the Post’s top 10 for 2025.
  • The host playfully references a colorful moment from “One Battle After Another.”

• Memorable Moment:

  • [06:45] “I got a tongue.” / “I need a weapon, man. All you got is goddamn nunchucks here. You know where I can get a gun?” (Dialogue excerpt from “One Battle After Another”)

7. Your Brain’s Adolescence Lasts into Your 30s (07:31–08:39)

• Key Points:

  • New neuroscience research based on 4,000 brain scans, spanning ages 0–90, identified four pivotal shifts in brain structure at ages 9, 32, 66, and 83.
  • The period from age 9–32 involves crucial brain rewiring, meaning people are still in ‘adolescence’ neurologically in their late 20s and even early 30s.
  • The research underscores that brain development is lifelong—and offers comic reassurance to anyone feeling “grumpy” in their early thirties.

• Notable Quote:

  • “If you’re in your early 30s and feeling a little grumpy today, you can just tell people that you’re basically still a teenager.” — Hannah Jewell (08:27)

Listen-Back Guide (Timestamps)

• Ukraine war and Zelenskyy’s stance: 00:17–01:38
• Supreme Court/presidential power: 01:38–03:01
• Rep. Nancy Mace airport incident: 03:01–04:13
• Netflix/Warner Bros. megadeal: 04:13–05:15
• Chemicals and infant health: 05:15–06:18
• Golden Globes nominations: 06:18–07:31
• Brain adolescence into 30s: 07:31–08:39

Hannah’s tone remains brisk, insightful, and lightly humorous throughout, making complex news accessible within a compact format.