Getting to know "The Stranger In The Woods" Marcie Sillman talks to author Michael Finkel about the story of Christopher Knight, a man who lived the life of a hermit for 27 years before he was... Amina Al-Sadi Play AudioListen 15 mins
A fox in socks but the basis is racist. Falling out of love with Dr. Seuss Eighth-grader Beezus Murphy has always loved Dr. Seuss. Ann Dornfeld Play AudioListen 8 mins
Unwinding the shadowy backstory of the war in Afghanistan Steve Coll is a staff writer for The New Yorker. His new book, a sequel to his Pulitzer Prize-winner “Ghost Wars,” is “Directorate S: The C.I.A. and... John O'Brien Play AudioListen 47 mins
Tara Westover, author of 'Educated, A Memoir' on being raised by religious radicals Tara Westover grew up in Idaho in a family that practiced a radical form of Mormonism. She never went to school, never saw a doctor, and studied her way into Brigham Young University at 17. Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong Play AudioListen 18 mins
Why this psychologist is bullish on human progress As crazy as the world seems sometimes, author Steven Pinker argues our ancestors would most certainly envy us. From life expectancy and standards of... John O'Brien Play AudioListen 53 mins
Gardyloo! The lovable, hateable, fascinating English language "Moist." Did you get a little grossed out reading that? If so, you're not alone. Moist is one of the most hated words in the American English language.... Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong Play AudioListen 24 mins
With 'Bernadette' follow-up, Maria Semple makes up with Seattle There’s a line in “Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” by Maria Semple, that triggers pained recognition among locals. “The drivers here are horrible,” she... Bill Radke Play AudioListen 11 mins
Stop acting like the planet is doomed, says this Harvard prof If you follow the news, you might get the impression that things are pretty bad. Not just "why bother" bad. It's "throw your hands up" bad. Or even "eat... Jason Pagano Play AudioListen 21 mins
Robert Reich reflects on the better angels of 'The Common Good' Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich is famously small in stature—and has a penchant for short jokes about himself — but he has big ideas about democracy... John O'Brien Play AudioListen 54 mins
Sugar-Man Steve Almond ponders 'Bad Stories' If you’re familiar with the Dear Sugar advice column, you know who Steve Almond is. For the uninitiated, he was the first “Sugar” — a purportedly female... John O'Brien Play AudioListen 53 mins
