Unpacking a Crisis

A batch of important interviews you can't miss. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( April 6, 2024 Good morning. We're observing tomorrow's six-month anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 attack in Israel by catching up with [the parents of a hostage who still hasn't come home](, then a WSJ editor explains [what you should know about where the war stands](. Later, we'll share some [good news for grandparents](, tip you off about [a secret hiding in plain sight on Amazon](, and tell you how to join [a wonderful conversation I'm hosting tonight](. Let's dig in.   "Hope Is Mandatory" [Hersh Goldberg-Polin, left, who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, is pictured here with his parents Rachel and Jon]( Hersh Goldberg-Polin, left, who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, is pictured here with his parents Rachel and Jon. (Courtesy of the Goldberg-Polin family) Tomorrow marks six months since the horrific Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas, and I'm observing this grim occasion with two essential interviews about what's happened, what's ahead, and what it all means as this complex conflict continues to unfold. More than 1,200 Israelis were murdered that day, with thousands more injured and 240 taken hostage by Hamas. One of those hostages is 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who's still held captive today. [I spoke to his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg](, who bravely described what they call "an unimaginable, excruciating, ongoing, slow-motion trauma" that they're living with every day. Then we'll zoom out for [an illuminating conversation with Shayndi Raice](, The Wall Street Journal's deputy bureau chief for the Middle East, who's based in Tel Aviv. She shares learnings from her reporting on this ongoing war, along with insights about how Israelis feel about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and what the country's political future looks like.   More Stories [A grandparent holding the hand of their grandchild]( Getty Images Quality time: If you're a grandparent who's ever been stuck at your desk while daydreaming about holding your family's newest bundle of joy, you'll be fascinated by this story about [whether "grandternity leave" could become a common workplace perk](. (And for more stories about what's on the horizon in our professional world, [subscribe here for]([Wake-Up Call at Work]( our biweekly LinkedIn newsletter.) Behind the scenes: If you still think about [Prince Andrew's headline-grabbing Newsnight interview]( from 2019, in which he discussed his controversial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, you'll love Scoop, the new Netflix movie that dramatizes how it all went down. I talked with Sam McAlister, the real-life producer who made it happen, about [how she landed this blockbuster booking](. Scrambled: You've probably heard about recent spikes in cases of bird flu, which has affected cows across the country and even one human so far (a farm worker in Texas). As we remain on the lookout for developments, we're investigating [what these outbreaks mean for the eggs in your refrigerator](. Closing the gap: When NYC's Mount Sinai Health System realized far too many patients were missing the final step of a life-changing (and incredibly simple) at-home colon cancer test, they decided to address it. We've got more on [the hospital's innovative solution to this complicated problem](.   Katie's Corner [Katie Couric and Emily Whitehead]( Posing with Emily Whitehead (to my left) at a Stand Up to Cancer event (Getty Images) Earlier this week, we told you about Of Medicine and Miracles, a fascinating new documentary about the brilliant cancer scientist Carl June, who pioneered CAR T-cell therapy, and the modern miracle he pulled off with a remarkable patient named Emily Whitehead. [You can see the movie right now on Jolt.film](, and this evening at 6 p.m. Eastern, I'm moderating a must-see panel about this incredible story with the people who lived it. [Click here to join us!](   Saturday Spotlight [Illustration of a human head with a brain inside, surrounded by vegetables and lightning bolts]( Defensive Dishes An experienced oncology dietitian shares advice about the best foods for lowering your risk of cancer — and what you should avoid, too. [Read More »]( [Ryan Cooper]( Lift the Fog Master the art of jump-starting your day with this invigorating morning routine from our favorite fitness pro, Ryan Cooper. [Read More »]( [Illustration of a woman offering an umbrella to a friend in the rain]( Helping Hands When is it appropriate to ask a friend for a favor — and when are you crossing a boundary? We're taking a closer look at this debate. [Read More »](   A Hairy Situation If you're hoping to thicken up your mane before the fun in the sun that awaits this summer, the time to act is now. We've got [wisdom about how to address thinning hair]( from our expert partners at Hers. [READ MORE]( [Sponsored by Hers](   Treasure Trove [Collage of products from Amazon]( KCM You may have heard about Amazon Warehouse, where you can find refurbished and open-box items at a discount. But did you know there's another under-the-radar part of the site to get brand-new items at a fraction of the usual price? We'll tell you [how to access Amazon Outlet]( — and share the best deals we found there. [START SAVING](   Listen Up! Maybe not quite as earth-shaking as yesterday’s 4.8 quake in NYC, but pretty close: The trailer for the new season of my podcast dropped this week! [Take a listen right here](, and make sure to check out the Next Question feed this Thursday to see the A-list guest we booked for the very first episode...   One More Thing [Louise Plowright, Siobhan McCarthy, and Jenny Galloway perform at the opening night of Mamma Mia! in 1999. (Getty Images)]( Louise Plowright, Siobhan McCarthy, and Jenny Galloway perform at the opening night of Mamma Mia! in 1999. (Getty Images) If you needed an excuse to listen to some ABBA this weekend, here it is! Believe it or not, today marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic stage musical Mamma Mia!, which had its world premiere on April 6, 1999, at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. The show, which is based on the music of the Swedish pop supergroup, has since come to Broadway, been adapted into two hit feature films, and taken up permanent residence in our hearts.   [Ripple Effect by Katie Couric Media ](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you next week! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.