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The Friday Brief with Phoenix Ricks

The Friday Brief with Phoenix Ricks

By: Girl Friday
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About this listen

The Friday Brief is a calm news podcast by Girl Friday, a boutique global affairs firm in Washington, D.C. We believe awareness impels action for a world of good.

© 2025 The Friday Brief with Phoenix Ricks Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Vanity Scare

    Vanity Scare
    Dec 19 2025

    While the U.S. debates the merits of close-up photography in Vanity Fair's piece on Donald Trump's circle, we noticed something else in Vanity Fair's coverage. They've teased a curious conversation with Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff, on Venezuela. The timing is interesting because of this week's U.S. military strikes against alleged narco-terrorists and Donald Trump's decision to designate Venezuela's government as a foreign terrorist organization. What is the "dark fleet" of oil tankers Trump is targeting? Will this alter the global oil market? How are Russia, Iran, and China involved? We cover all of this in under 8 minutes.

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    Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

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    8 mins
  • The Last Sunrise Dance

    The Last Sunrise Dance
    Dec 16 2025

    The Apache have performed the Sunrise Dance at Oak Flat in Arizona for centuries, but the ceremony that The Washington Post documented might be the last one before their sacred land becomes a copper mine. Why did Congress hand our public land over to Resolution Copper, a foreign mining company? Will the copper mine boost the U.S. economy? Will Resolution Copper adequately compensate the Indigenous tribes that will be affected? We have one request after you hear this episode: please speak up for our public lands and Indigenous neighbors.

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    Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

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    7 mins
  • The Terrorist Attack on Bondi Beach

    The Terrorist Attack on Bondi Beach
    Dec 15 2025

    President Lukashenko of Belarus might be "Europe's Last Dictator," but this weekend, U.S. and European leaders negotiated for the release of 123 prisoners in Belarus, including Maria Kalesnikava, a beloved political figure. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, some of the recently-kidnapped Catholic school students were reunited with their families. Who took them, and where are the other children and school staffers? Plus: we're covering the special U.S. military operation in the Indian Ocean, the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach, rising antisemitism in Australia, and the mass shooting at Brown University.

    Send us a message

    Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thefridaybrief and sign up for The Friday Brief newsletter on thefridaybrief.com.

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    12 mins
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