Romancer in Chief

A peek at presidential love letters. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( February 24, 2024 Good morning. On the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, [I'm chatting with a foreign relations expert]( about where the conflict stands. We've also got plenty of your usual weekend reads, including these surprisingly spicy letters from a former president](. Then we'll share [my complete vacation itinerary]( from Argentina and give you the scoop on [the social media post going majorly viral](. Let's get started!   Romancer in Chief [The White House with handwriting overlaid in the sky above]( KCM/Getty Images "There will never be any relief until I take a long, deep, wild draught on your lips." If we asked you who wrote that, you probably wouldn't guess that it came from a president of the United States. But a new book is lifting the curtain on our former leaders' most intimate communications, and we've got a look at [an eye-popping set of love letters]( that'll make you think very differently about the figures in our history books. [READ MORE](   More Stories [Vladimir Putin]( Getty Images "Putin is winning": Today marks two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine — and the anniversary comes a week after the shocking death of Alexei Navalny, a notable foe of Vladimir Putin. I spoke to Puck's Julia Ioffe about [the frightening reality of what's happening in the region](, and today at noon Eastern, I'll be discussing the story further with Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, on [my Instagram page](. On the lookout: Donald Trump and Nikki Haley are facing off today in South Carolina's Republican primary. Though the contest takes place in the state where Haley was governor for six years, analysis from FiveThirtyEight shows Trump with a comfortable lead — he's polling at 64%, compared to Haley's 33%. We're keeping an eye on the results (and whether Haley stays in the race after a winner is declared). A stunning saga: We can't stop thinking about [this dramatic TikTok series]( in which a woman tells the captivating story of how she "met, dated, married, and divorced a real pathological liar.” If you haven't seen it yet, grab some popcorn (and maybe even plan a watch party, as many already have). Closing the gap: So many major innovations happen in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but we still haven't reached a satisfactory level of parity for women who work in these fields. We're examining [what we can do to change that](.   Katie's Corner [Katie Couric and John Molner in Argentina]( KCM Ask and you shall receive! After I shared my favorite memories of the trip Molner and I took to Patagonia, we got so many emails wanting to know more. So here it is: [Our complete, 10-day Argentina itinerary]( will help you recreate our hikes, cultural encounters, and magnificent meals. [LET'S GET STARTED](   The Grand Adventure [Four generations of a family sit on a couch together]( Photo courtesy of Mary Agnant We talk a lot about how having a child changes a mom's life, but a new addition also dramatically shifts the dynamic between that mom and her own mother. Katie Couric Media senior producer Mary Agnant shares [what new grandparents should know]( about their relationships with their children and their grandchildren. [READ MORE](   Coming Soon! [Woman hugging a tree]( KCM/Getty Images This Tuesday, we're launching a brand-new newsletter! Ripple Effect will bring the wonders of nature straight to your inbox every other week, and you don't want to miss it. [Subscribe here (for free!)]( to make sure you get the first edition, which includes a riveting conversation with Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, noted wildlife photographers and co-founders of the nonprofit SeaLegacy. [SIGN UP HERE](   Snug and Secure Granny panties? We don't know her. Meet Bloomers, a brand that's making leakproof underwear actually chic. Their [delicate lace panties]( use a built-in gusset to catch any possible leaks, and they're as sexy as they are comfortable. [Lingerie from Bloomers]( [TRY THEM FOR YOURSELF]( P.S.: If you'd like to peruse a few other options, we've got even more picks for [the best mature lingerie on the market](.   One More Thing If you're longing for the pillow trifecta — comfortable, eco-friendly, and mission-driven — look no further than Sheets & Giggles. This brand creates sustainably-sourced products like [this adjustable pillow made with natural fill]( (of 90% Dunlop latex from rubber tree sap and 10% Kapok fiber from seed pods, to be exact). Every pillow is made by hand in Denver at the Mile High WorkShop, a center that provides jobs and training for those who've experienced addiction, homelessness, and incarceration. [SHOP HERE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   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.