Consider This from NPR

PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has saved 26 million lives since President George W. Bush launched the program in 2003. 

But the Trump administration has made major changes to the way the U.S. distributes foreign aid, disrupting HIV care — and leaving many health workers uncertain about the future of PEPFAR.

What do those changes to foreign assistance mean for the fight against HIV and AIDS around the world?

Host Juana Summers speaks with Dr. Deborah Birx, who once was the U.S. global AIDS coordinator in charge of PEPFAR.

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This episode was produced by Vincent Acovino and Karen Zamora.

It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Courtney Dorning. 

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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The FIFA 2026 World Cup kicks off in June and 11 American host cities are getting ready for an influx of fans. Juliette Kayyem, a national security expert and former DHS official, examines how the partial government shutdown has impacted preparedness for the mega event.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Henry Larson and Jeffrey Pierre. 

It was edited by Sarah Robbins. 

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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President Trump has called the affordability crisis a hoax, but the data shows the burden of rising costs really matters to Americans. NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks about covering affordability issues and meeting people who struggle to find secure housing - or enough food to eat. 

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Henry Larson. 

It was edited by Sarah Robbins. 

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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The Strait of Hormuz is one of the global economy’s major arteries. It had been closed to most commercial traffic for about 6 weeks up to today.

The reopening is good news for hundreds of ships that have been stuck. 

But questions remain about the safety of the passage. Questions, like how many underwater mines are still out there? Or what happens if the ceasefire falls apart? 

And those questions are crucial for the people who insure these vessels. 

Hundreds of ships have been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz for weeks. Even though it’s now open, safety concerns remain. 

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Avery Keatley and Karen Zamora.

It was edited by Barrie Hardymon and Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Almost a decade after the height of the #MeToo movement, intimacy coordinators are a fixture on film sets. As of this year, the job is now covered by SAG-AFTRA, the labor union that represents actors.

Their growing presence on set has led to more demand for intimacy coordinator training programs. NPR visited one of those programs in downtown Los Angeles, and met an assistant director  and a porn actor both training for the job.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected].

This episode was produced by Kathryn Fink and Karen Zamora.
It was edited by Christopher Intagliata.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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