Alcatraz Uncovered: What It Was Really Like to Live on the Island

Note: We’re resharing this conversation as Saturday marks the anniversary of Alcatraz Island closing as a federal prison in 1963. This interview originally aired in May 2025, when President Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of reopening the island.Could Alcatraz reopen today? And what was it really like to live there?In this episode of SmartHER News, Jenna sits down with Jolene Babyak — one of the leading experts on Alcatraz Island — who actually grew up on “The Rock.”Jolene shares what most people don’t know about Alcatraz: families lived there, kids took boats to school, and daily life looked very different than the movies suggest.Together, they explore:* How Alcatraz evolved from a military fortress to America’s most infamous federal prison* What life was like for the 75 children who lived on the island* The truth about escape attempts, including the famous 1962 breakout* Why Alcatraz closed—and whether it could ever reopen* The surprising role of mental illness in the prison system* Why Alcatraz should be viewed as a “site of conscience,” not just a tourist attractionJolene also shares how an unexpected job loss led her to become one of the foremost historians on Alcatraz — proof that sometimes, it really does work out.If you’ve ever wondered what really happened on Alcatraz — or why it still captures our attention — this conversation offers a deeper, more nuanced look.00:00 Could Alcatraz Reopen00:36 From Fortress to Prison02:00 How Her Family Moved In05:02 Daily Life on the Rock07:22 Prisoners and Escape Attempts12:10 The 1962 Escape Night14:45 Water Sewage and Supplies18:00 Becoming an Alcatraz Historian20:55 Who Went to Alcatraz23:13 Capone and Famous Inmates25:26 Was Alcatraz Effective26:54 Why It Wont Reopen29:49 Alcatraz as a Site of Conscience31:46 Changing Minds and FarewellJolene Babyak: http://jolenebabyakauthor.com/Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! https://smarthernews.com/shop/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/

Jenna interviews supermarket expert Phil Lempert, the “Supermarket Guru” on the latest on food prices AND trends in good shopping that may change your next trip to the grocery store.From chocolate, to coffee, to frozen fruits and snacks, we discuss the prices you've been most curious about and unfortunately, Pihl says grocery prices are up nearly 30% since the pandemic and likely won’t fall until agriculture problems are solved, citing tariffs, climate change, and supply disruptions. Jenna and Phil also tackle how recent headlines impact food prices from immigration policy to artificial intelligence - including how AI-driven dynamic pricing may soon include electronic shelf labels and facial recognition.Phil also shares some money-saving shopping tactics, and how GLP-1 drugs may reduce food consumption and reshape grocery retail.00:00 Phil Lempert Returns To SmartHER News00:30 Supermarket Guru Origin01:24 Sticker Shock Story02:14 Why Prices Stay High02:52 Chocolate Price Surge04:01 Shrinkflation Tricks07:21 Finding Chocolate Deals08:12 Beef Gets Pricier10:56 Produce and Farm Labor12:53 Frozen Food Costs13:56 Snack Prices Rising15:23 Apples and Storage17:03 Coffee Price Pressures19:31 Coffee Fads and Add Ins21:28 Europe Eats Better22:09 Quality Over Choice23:39 Smaller Store Revolution24:20 Daily Shop Explained27:18 Regional Shopping Reality28:14 Tracking Real Prices31:18 Dynamic Pricing Fears38:56 AI Shopping Upside40:08 Save Money Strategies43:03 HEB Tortilla Magic44:32 GLP One Grocery ShiftSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

Benham Ben Taleblu, Senior Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, joins Jenna for a look at Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and what his rise could mean during wartime. Taleblu says the regime is hardening under a national security deep state and has moved closer to a military dictatorship, arguing the most important institution is the armed apparatus rather than the clergy. He outlines Mojtaba’s background, including ties to the elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (a designated foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.) and his reported service during the Iran-Iraq war.Benham warns his leadership could be more aggressive and push Iran toward a North Korea-like model. He stresses the need to consider military gains in a broader political strategy, avoid premature victory, and pursue a five-part approach: do no harm, take cues from Iranian protesters, maintain maximum pressure, maximize support for communications and organizing, and fracture the security forces.Plus ~ a personal reflection from Benham who has family ties to Iran, and why he has opposed war in the past but discusses a tipping point when he realized the need for force.00:00 Meet our guest, Iran expert Benham Ben Taleblu00:28 Who Leads Iran Now02:26 Name Pronunciation02:48 Power Structure Shift03:48 Is It A Monarchy05:41 New Leader Background08:24 Will The Regime Survive10:01 Defanging Versus Strategy10:53 Iranian Uprising Momentum13:14 How To Support Protesters16:32 Five Part Pressure Plan18:10 White House Outreach18:50 Personal Toll And Hope20:56 Closing Thanks

Is China at the center of all current global conflict? Is the risk of war rising?Whether we take a closer look at Venezuela or Iran, we find roads that lead to China. Why? And what should we know about the state of the largest communist nation in the world?Jenna interviews author and analyst Gordon Chang about China’s growing instability and global posture amid shifting events involving Venezuela, Iran, and potential Trump–Xi talks.Chang argues China appears strong but is structurally weak and increasingly dangerous.He describes China’s deep ties to Venezuela and says recent American actions cost China a key Latin American outpost.He calls Iran similarly dependent on China, noting China buys about 87–90% of Iran’s crude and 45–50% of China’s crude imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with price spikes after attacks.Chang says Xi’s purges, including “disappearing generals,” have damaged China’s military command structure, raising risks of accidental escalation.From U.S.-based Chinese biolabs to the fentanyl/drug war, Chang warns the U.S. must treat China as an enemy in “unrestricted warfare.”00:00 Meet Gordon Chang00:40 From Law to China Watcher01:50 Why China Looks Weak02:36 Stories Converge on China04:18 China and Venezuela Ties07:01 Iran Oil and China08:58 China Economic Shock09:56 Inside the Two Sessions12:09 Why Xi Rules by Fear14:09 Disappearing Generals Purge18:05 What It Means for Taiwan20:45 South China Sea Flashpoints23:56 Red Lines and US Strategy26:09 Exports Signal Weakness29:16 Xi Power Grab Fallout30:08 Trump Xi Summit Stakes31:44 Why Trump Shouldnt Go36:32 China Election Interference39:01 Secret Biolab Raids45:17 Fentanyl As Weapon47:53 TikTok Data And Algorithm49:02 China Russia And Priorities52:34 Unrestricted Warfare Warning54:45 Living With The ThreatSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

01:05 Dignified Transfer Explained03:23 Media Access and Family Consent04:54 Steve Witkoff Emotional Moment07:44 Jobs Report Breakdown11:02 Oil Prices Surge and Inflation16:21 Strait of Hormuz Shipping Crunch18:22 War Risk Insurance Explained22:07 CENTCOM Warning to Iran24:39 Ayatollah Succession on X25:13 Iran Hardliner Continuity26:10 What Winning Looks Like27:03 School Strike Claims27:57 New York Times Evidence31:26 Civilian Shields Context35:54 Press Briefing Clash40:55 Replaying Hegseth Quote44:17 Media Trust and Messaging50:31 Wrap Up and Next WeekSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

00:00 How Safe Are We01:49 Economic Ripple Effects02:22 Strait of Hormuz Map04:18 Suez Canal Shipping Risks06:38 Prices and Supply Chains07:54 Iran Ship Sunk10:07 Pentagon Strategy Shift14:11 White House Safety Message17:41 DHS Shutdown Stakes21:48 Child Exploitation Hearing27:24 Refocus on What Matters28:19 Closing and Next UpdatesLove nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/  Get our FREE Weekend Digest!Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

War correspondent and writer Hollie McKay joins us to provide unique insight and perspective, to this rapidly developing story in the Middle East. We highlight the latest news, hear from multiple points-of-view and tackle tough-to-report on stories like the Iranian reports of a bombing of a girl's school.00:00 Breaking News Overview01:08 Meet War Correspondent Holly02:38 Austin Shooting Fallout04:29 Pentagon Briefing Details07:08 Holly Reacts to Objectives10:11 Why Iran Matters Globally13:42 Ayatollah Death Stakes16:24 Why Now Timeline Questions20:17 Force Posture and Go Order22:15 Operation Epic Fury Breakdown27:44 Nuclear Talks and Terror Links31:19 Iran Foreign Minister Responds33:09 School Strike Claims Context36:09 Human Shields and Media Limits37:34 Interview Challenge on Protests38:08 Protests Turn Violent39:00 Blame Game and Infiltration Claims40:36 Obama Deal and Media Voices42:00 Ben Rhodes on War Risks44:21 Legality and Reinforcements45:30 Reza Pahlavi and Succession50:59 Inside Iran Public Mood53:39 Traveling Iran as Journalist57:45 Spy Plane Story01:00:35 Regional Spillover and Allies01:04:46 Worth It and Final MessageSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

 00:00 Breaking News Kickoff00:58 Rolling Thunder News Cycle03:17 War Reality Check04:02 President Announces Strikes06:31 Who Hit What When07:36 Ayatollah Death Fallout10:42 What Victory Looks Like11:27 Regional Reactions12:41 Retaliation Proxies Sleeper Cells14:32 "Why Now?"16:05 Casualties Info Gap - **including in Iran**17:08 The President's message To Iranian People19:34 Wrap Up What Comes Next

00:00 Showtime Setup00:32 Why Our Report Delivers Something Different.01:54 SOTU History Primer04:54 Media Optics Explained - How Does How You Watch Impact How You Feel?07:58 Opening Golden Age09:15 Speech Style Breakdown12:10 Cartel Kingpin Claim15:04 War on Fraud17:08 BRAND NEW: Venezuela Raid Details26:51 The Most Combustible Political Moment.31:17 What Was Missing33:04 Time Capsule ClosingSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/   Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews 

00:00 Olympic Hockey Gold00:59 Jack Hughes Interview03:34 Hughes Family Backstory05:38 Gaudreau Tribute07:52 Drunk Driving Reminder09:34 From Olympics to Politics12:24 Mar-a-Lago Security Shooting16:15 DHS Funding Shutdown17:56 Cartel Boss Killed21:54 Epstein and Prince Andrew24:24 GDP and Tariffs Tease24:52 GDP Growth Slows26:04 Tariffs Explained27:59 Supreme Court Blocks IEEPA31:31 Trump Reacts and Pivots37:36 What Happens Next39:00 Refunds and Economic Fallout45:00 Washington Farewell Address Tradition In the SenateSUPPORT OUR MISSION:Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines? Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/  Shop our gear! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/ Website: https://smarthernews.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/smarthernews