Imagine finding out at 54-years-old that the father who raised you wasn’t actually your biological dad. Novelist Dani Shapiro found herself in this position after she and her husband sent in an at-home DNA test to Ancestry.com and it came back with some unexpected results.
Culture Crash 19-38: Noah Hawley’s Novel “Before the Fall”
Noah Hawley is the man behind the TV shows “Fargo” and “Legion.” He also writes novels and his latest, “Before the Fall,” is a mystery thriller that has been winning awards and demands to be read.
Culture Crash 19-37: Unlocking The Popularity of Netflix’s Mindhunter
The Netflix original “Mindhunter” is finally back for season two, and to celebrate its return we talk about what sets this true crime and thriller series apart from all of the others.
Culture Crash 18-47: Amazon Prime’s Homecoming
Director Sam Esmail has taken Gimlet’s hit podcast Homecoming and infused it with a whole lot of cinematic flair in his new Amazon Prime series that serves as a throwback to classic thrillers and a trailblazer for the brave new world of 30-minute dramas.
Culture Crash 18-44: Serial, the podcast that captivated America, returns for its most important season yet
While seasons one and two told the stories of specific, extraordinary cases, season three sets its sights on the mundane. This time, the team at This American Life and Serial took on telling the story of criminal justice in Cleveland over the course of a year. The reporters follow little cases: a bar fight, a drug bust, individuals who break parole. It tells the story of a fractured system: a system where the community doesn’t trust the police. A system where prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges alike are overtaxed and overly reliant on plea deals. A system that determines years of people's lives, and could affect any of us at any time.
18-39 Segment 1: Hank Green on the Internet, Fame, and Our Reaction Culture
Hank Green has a massive internet presence as a podcaster, vlogger, tweeter, and more. Now, he’s become an author. His new book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, deals with internet fame and our reactionary culture head-on. He joins the show to discuss these issues, and whether is the internet is good.
17-49 Segment 1: Making an Impact as a Citizen Scientist
We talk to two experts about the need for average citizens to be the eyes and ears of big data collecting projects.
17-49 Segment 2: Author Jack London’s Writings and Social Activism
We discover how Jack London’s own journey informed his writing, and how his books reflect the plight of exploited workers and impoverished women and children.
17-48 Segment 1: Giving Back This Holiday Season
We talk to a mom and an author who together have created a children’s book and game designed to make giving back to others a fun pursuit.
17-48 Segment 2: W.E.B. Du Bois’s Lasting Impact in Sociology
We talk to a scholar about what exactly W.E.B. Du Bois did to improve the study of sociology and what his impact truly was.
17-47 Segment 1: Terrorism in America, 1920
Americans pride themselves on never forgetting the attacks and terrorism of our history, but somehow a 1920 attack on New York City has slipped through the cracks.
17-47 Segment 2: Developing Forensic Technology: New solutions for tracking and convicting criminals
We talk to two leading experts about the software and hardware helping police and lawyers find the right criminals and get them convicted.
17-46 Segment 1: How To Make Learning Math Simpler
Our guests have suggestions for kids- and adults- struggling to master mathematics.
17-46 Segment 2: Sleeping Soundly: How getting quality sleep can enhance our health
Sleep is the single biggest thing we can do to help our physical and mental health both in the short-term and long-term.
17-45 Segment 1: Bumper Sticker Philosophy
We talk to a teacher and philosopher about the deeper meanings of popular bumper stickers.
17-45 Segment 2: Gardening Differently
We think of gardens as a place meant to look nice or grow some vegetables, but author Benjamin Vogt says gardens can be about cultivating a better environment and reconnecting humans with nature
17-44 Segment 1: Stutters, Stammers, and Vocal Blunders
If you’ve had to speak in public, you know the nerves that come with public speaking. We explore where vocal blunders come from and what they might mean.
17-44 Segment 2: American Borders: How our states got their shapes
There are 48 states in the continental United States some have borders that make a lot of sense while many others do not. We talk to writer Mark Stein about how that came to be.
17-43 Segment 1: Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease
As we get older, we all will suffer from some memory loss. The question becomes what memory loss is a normal byproduct of getting older and when is it a sign of a larger problem
17-43 Segment 2: Narcissism: The manipulative, selfish disorder
We talk about narcissism and tips for people who feel they’re drowning in the orbit of a true narcissist.
