CNN One Thing

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday aimed at beefing up research of psychedelic drugs like ibogaine that could be used in mental health treatments. Some veterans and people who have struggled with addiction who have used ibogaine say this could be a breakthrough that could lead to wider access, but some medical experts are warning approvals shouldn’t be rushed. We hear why a leading advocate group says while it’s a good start – much more has to be done. 

For more: Trump accelerates research on psychedelic treatments and asks, ‘Can I have some?’ 

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Guests: Samantha Juan & Melissa Lavasani, Psychedelic Medicine Coalition Founder/CEO 

Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin 

Editorial Support: Katherine Dillinger

Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
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Roughly 95,000 employees left federal science agencies between September 2024 and December 2025, according to the Partnership for Public Service. Former NASA climate scientist Kate Marvel recently joined that group, citing the administration’s funding cuts and attacks on climate and environmental regulations in her resignation letter. However, she remains hopeful about the future of the study of climate change – if her fellow scientists are willing to get angry about it. 

For more: Trump admin is pulling supercomputers out of key weather and climate research center 

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Guest: Kate Marvel, former NASA climate scientist 

Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin 

Editorial Support: Andrew Freedman

Photo: Reid Wiseman/NASA
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Last week, US Vice President JD Vance was dispatched abroad for a pair of high-profile assignments. But after stumping for Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian prime minister suffered a huge election loss and marathon talks Vance led to end the war with Iran wrapped up without a deal. So what does this say about the political power of the MAGA movement’s heir apparent? And how does someone shaped by Catholicism feel about President Donald Trump’s beef with the Pope? 

For more: How Vance is navigating peace talks with Iran — and his own political future 

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Guest: Alayna Treene, CNN White House Correspondent  

Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin

Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/AP
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The Trump administration’s effort to build a national citizen database is running into roadblocks in court and alarming some election officials on both sides of the aisle. But what is this data for? And how could it be used? We hear from one election official about why he’s pushing back, and look at how election integrity concerns are playing out in other parts of the country. 

For more: Trump is trying to build a massive voter database. Election officials are afraid of what he’ll do with it 

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Guests: David Yates, Jefferson County (KY) Clerk & Tierney Sneed, CNN Reporter 

Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin 

Photo: Carlos Osorio/Reuters/File
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The firing of the US Army chief of staff and two other generals is just the latest personnel shakeup under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. But why do this during wartime? We examine whether disagreements between Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll are behind the move, and how Hegseth’s ongoing fixation on so-called “culture wars” and loyalty could impact service members. 

For more: Trump and Hegseth on Iran war: ‘God is good’ 

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Guest: Haley Britzky, CNN National Security Reporter 

Host: David Rind 

Producer: Paola Ortiz 

Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin

Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
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