Shannon Palus
@shanpalus.bsky.social
Features editor at Slate with a special interest in science and health. Writer and runner.
Pinned
Shannon Palus
@shanpalus.bsky.social
· Nov 10
👋I’m a features editor at Slate and sometimes writer and MAYBE this attempt to leave Twitter will stick but who knows?
this is a really good piece defending something I initially bristled at slate.com/technology/2...
Everyone Is Mad About James Van Der Beek’s GoFundMe. I Donated to It.
The backlash says a lot about our attitudes around money and illness.
slate.com
February 19, 2026 at 5:03 PM
this is a really good piece defending something I initially bristled at slate.com/technology/2...
sometimes i look at the spam in my inbox and am like ... yes, same
February 16, 2026 at 2:11 PM
sometimes i look at the spam in my inbox and am like ... yes, same
we moved to an apartment in the suburbs this spring when i was 6 months pregnant -- not a house bc have you seen the prices? -- and it has accidentally worked out wonderfully. not as communal as the set up in this piece, but almost!
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/o...
Opinion | The Secret to Parenting Is a Baby Monitor and 18 Friends
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:41 PM
we moved to an apartment in the suburbs this spring when i was 6 months pregnant -- not a house bc have you seen the prices? -- and it has accidentally worked out wonderfully. not as communal as the set up in this piece, but almost!
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/o...
Reposted by Shannon Palus
My latest: A look inside the secretive immigration prisons at Guantanamo—and the ethical questions that doctors and nurses face to treat those inside.
Doctors, nurses, and other officers are increasingly being deployed to ICE detention centers. Some have resigned in protest, while others offer a rare look into bleak conditions.
Public Health Workers Are Quitting Over Assignments to Guantánamo
Doctors, nurses, and other officers are increasingly being deployed to ICE detention centers. Some have resigned in protest, while others offer a rare look into bleak conditions.
wrd.cm
February 6, 2026 at 11:21 AM
My latest: A look inside the secretive immigration prisons at Guantanamo—and the ethical questions that doctors and nurses face to treat those inside.
Reposted by Shannon Palus
I consider 2025 my finest professional year. The Post just laid me off.
February 4, 2026 at 3:06 PM
I consider 2025 my finest professional year. The Post just laid me off.
Reposted by Shannon Palus
it can’t all just be substack, it simply cannot
February 4, 2026 at 5:13 PM
it can’t all just be substack, it simply cannot
Reposted by Shannon Palus
Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙
what if the healing powers of psychedelics are "just" the placebo effect?
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Her Fiancé Died in an Avalanche. She Found a Miraculous Cure for Her Grief. Then She Learned the Truth.
It could be the next blockbuster drug. There’s one problem.
slate.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:34 AM
what if the healing powers of psychedelics are "just" the placebo effect?
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
it's hard to comprehend the damage that is being done to families right now slate.com/technology/2...
It’s Perhaps the Most Special Kind of Bond Between Human Beings. Well, Not if ICE Has Its Way.
The damage will last for years—and years.
slate.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:08 PM
it's hard to comprehend the damage that is being done to families right now slate.com/technology/2...
our health leader seems to be under the mistaken impression that whole milk is more "natural". by @gidmk.bsky.social
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
One of RFK Jr.’s Weirdest Obsessions Is Based on a Funny Misunderstanding—and You Might’ve Fallen for It, Too.
That has not stopped him from charging ahead with guidelines.
slate.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:15 PM
our health leader seems to be under the mistaken impression that whole milk is more "natural". by @gidmk.bsky.social
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Shannon Palus
Looking for sources for a @nature.com story about how researchers are coping in the midst of current events: If you're a PhD or other academic who's struggling to focus with everything that's happening in the world and would like to be interviewed for this story, please get in touch ASAP!
January 26, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Looking for sources for a @nature.com story about how researchers are coping in the midst of current events: If you're a PhD or other academic who's struggling to focus with everything that's happening in the world and would like to be interviewed for this story, please get in touch ASAP!
it's time to seriously ask: what's going on with trump's health?
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
Is Trump Losing It?
He’s always been odd. But this seems possibly worse.
slate.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:06 PM
it's time to seriously ask: what's going on with trump's health?
slate.com/technology/2...
slate.com/technology/2...
I went on @lizzieohreally.bsky.social's podcast to talk about my piece on RFK Jr.'s war on women
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
The Discourse | Does MAHA Just Hate Women?
As if being a mom wasn't difficult enough already.
slate.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:59 PM
I went on @lizzieohreally.bsky.social's podcast to talk about my piece on RFK Jr.'s war on women
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
slate.com/podcasts/wha...
Reposted by Shannon Palus
This is important journalism, actually
January 22, 2026 at 4:30 PM
This is important journalism, actually
yes I will be taking my friend and mentor @lizzieohreally.bsky.social’s advice slate.com/life/2026/01...
This Year, Let’s Embrace Being a Tiny—Tiny!—Bit High
I’m a mom. I need to tune out the world, and also be a functioning adult.
slate.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:12 PM
yes I will be taking my friend and mentor @lizzieohreally.bsky.social’s advice slate.com/life/2026/01...
I won’t, but now seems like an amazing time to take up smoking slate.com/human-intere...
In 2020, Skip Your Resolutions—Embrace a Vice
Remove yourself from the tyranny of endless self-improvement.
slate.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:08 PM
I won’t, but now seems like an amazing time to take up smoking slate.com/human-intere...
I wrote about RFK Jr.'s war on moms slate.com/technology/2...
RFK Jr. Is Waging a War on Women
And on moms in particular.
slate.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:27 PM
I wrote about RFK Jr.'s war on moms slate.com/technology/2...
what's with Kristi Noem's hoop earrings? in which @pdvarona.bsky.social files a complaint about ICE Barbie's favorite fashion accessory:
slate.com/life/2026/01...
slate.com/life/2026/01...
Kristi Noem, for the Love of All That Is Good, Please Take Off Your Hoop Earrings
I do not want us to have this in common.
slate.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:03 PM
what's with Kristi Noem's hoop earrings? in which @pdvarona.bsky.social files a complaint about ICE Barbie's favorite fashion accessory:
slate.com/life/2026/01...
slate.com/life/2026/01...
I wrote about @dpcarrington.bsky.social's Guardian report on microplastics research, and what i think is the real problem with these kinds of studies slate.com/technology/2...
Good News: You Probably Don’t Have a Spoon’s Worth of Plastic in Your Brain After All
You don’t have to throw away that plastic spatula, either.
slate.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:53 PM
I wrote about @dpcarrington.bsky.social's Guardian report on microplastics research, and what i think is the real problem with these kinds of studies slate.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Shannon Palus
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
hello! if you are an expert who would like to write for Slate, here are a few formats that work well for us: 🧵
you can pitch me at shannon.palus@slate.com. with yoru pitch or submission, please include links to other work/your linkedin/a faculty page/etc so I can verify who you are!
you can pitch me at shannon.palus@slate.com. with yoru pitch or submission, please include links to other work/your linkedin/a faculty page/etc so I can verify who you are!
January 13, 2026 at 1:59 PM
hello! if you are an expert who would like to write for Slate, here are a few formats that work well for us: 🧵
you can pitch me at shannon.palus@slate.com. with yoru pitch or submission, please include links to other work/your linkedin/a faculty page/etc so I can verify who you are!
you can pitch me at shannon.palus@slate.com. with yoru pitch or submission, please include links to other work/your linkedin/a faculty page/etc so I can verify who you are!
Reposted by Shannon Palus
I wrote about one of the many thoughts about Renee Good that’s been keeping me up at night https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/01/renee-good-killing-ice-watch-mom.html
January 10, 2026 at 5:29 PM
I wrote about one of the many thoughts about Renee Good that’s been keeping me up at night https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/01/renee-good-killing-ice-watch-mom.html
Reposted by Shannon Palus
I hear from a lot of people who think there's no way to make freelancing work, but it's easily the most sustainable and stable job I've ever had. If you're freelance-curious, consider signing up for the class @charleylocke.bsky.social and I are teaching on how to pull it off.
Flying Solo
How to Freelance
flyingsolofreelancing.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:21 PM
I hear from a lot of people who think there's no way to make freelancing work, but it's easily the most sustainable and stable job I've ever had. If you're freelance-curious, consider signing up for the class @charleylocke.bsky.social and I are teaching on how to pull it off.
“I don’t know exactly what I should be doing right now, as a person who lives in the United States in 2026 and cares about others. But I know I’m falling short.“ slate.com/news-and-pol...
Renee Good Was the Kind of Person I Should Be
I have to face that being a mom isn’t an excuse.
slate.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:58 PM
“I don’t know exactly what I should be doing right now, as a person who lives in the United States in 2026 and cares about others. But I know I’m falling short.“ slate.com/news-and-pol...
hm I hate to say it but it's actually very helpful when writers include the LinkedIn in their email signature these days. very easy way to help me tell that you are a human not a bot and a journalist/freelance writer not a comms person.
January 5, 2026 at 5:15 PM
hm I hate to say it but it's actually very helpful when writers include the LinkedIn in their email signature these days. very easy way to help me tell that you are a human not a bot and a journalist/freelance writer not a comms person.