October 3, 2025  |  Read Online  |  Send Feedback

Good morning. Here’s your Friday playlist:

What could make your listening experience better? Send us a line at podcasts@epochtimes.us

New to our newsletter? Subscribe here to listen to our reporters on the ground.

Prefer a different podcast platform? Pick one here.

The nation’s pressing topics deciphered by our journalists from the podcast desk.

CROSSROADS

The U.S. government shutdown is now official, after Congress failed to pass its latest spending bill. Only essential services will continue until Congress can agree on a new bill.

FACTS MATTER

On Sept. 29, court documents were filed showing that YouTube had agreed to pay nearly $25 million in order to settle its lawsuit with President Donald Trump and others. Let’s go through the details of the case, as well as the where the money will go.

Our latest conversations with experts on politics, tech, health, and culture.

AMERICAN THOUGHT LEADERS

The Chinese communist regime has “created a market in the organs of their political enemies,” says Matthew Robertson, a researcher who has been investigating China’s organ transplant system for more than a decade.

Today’s newsletter was put together by Ivan Pentchoukov, Lina Skorbach and Kenzi Li. Send them your feedback at podcasts@epochtimes.us.

📅 Podcast Schedule:

☝ Click on the links above to pick your favorite podcast platform.

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe here.

Copyright © 2025 The Epoch Times, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: The Epoch Times. 229 W. 28 St. Fl. 7 New York, NY 10001 | Contact Us

The Audio Room newsletter is one of the best ways to receive the most up-to-date information. Manage your email preferences here or unsubscribe from The Audio Room here.