Episode 27: Elaina Plott

“It seemed like everyone knew what to think but me.” Elaina Plott landed not one but two stories in the Sunday Long Read newsletter last week. The first was a cover story for Pacific Standard magazine about the residents of Tangier Island, Virginia, and their unique relationship with God, Trump, and climate change, which scientists say is likely to wipe their island from the map within the next 25 years. Her second story was a personal reflection on gun violence for The Atlantic, where she is a staff writer. In this week's episode, Elaina and Jacob discuss the details of both stories, the intersections of personal and political discourse, the way Elaina (an Alabaman who went to Yale and works in D.C.) approaches her work, and more. [1:35]: The Country's First Climate Change Casualties -- Pacific Standard [18:00]: Bullet in My Arm -- The Atlantic [28:20]: A Love Letter to the Upper West Side essay/A Teenage Ann Coulter Fangirl essay [43:20]: Elaina breaks news on Scott Pruitt -- The Atlantic