I'm trying to create a list that shows an item, then I want to talk about it, and then want a "check" to appear next to it. Then I go to the next item, talk about it, then a check appears, and so on for each item on the list.

Is there an easy way to do this within one slide?

My suggestion is to write your list with a bulleted format and make the bullets check boxes. Next make your animation it will display an animation for each bullet. Now I would make a freeform checkmark and use the "Wipe" animation (left to right) arrange your animations so it does what you need. If you have trouble creating a checkmark let me know and I can make one for you.

Thanks