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All Songs Considered from NPR
The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Guest DJ (Tuesday, April 09, 2013) — “I absolutely get up every day and think, ‘let’s make some cool music.” — Flaming Lips’ Frontman Wayne Coyne. On this edition of All Songs Considered, Wayne Coyne, singer and creative force for The Flaming Lips, joins hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton to share songs and events that shaped his childhood, including the eery effect of a classic from The Beatles.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, April 12, 2013) — This week, Sam Tanenhaus signs off as host, handing over the reins to Pamela Paul, the new editor of the Book Review, and hearing from past contributors.
Books Podcast from NPR
NPR: 04-11-2013 Books (Thursday, April 11, 2013) — Stories: 1) How Twitter Star Kelly Oxford Makes Everything ‘Perfect’ 2) In Somalia, Mother And Daughter Are ‘Keeping Hope Alive’ 3) ‘It’s Pat’ Creator Muses On Motherhood And Family Life 4) J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ring On Display At Estate’s Exhibit 5) Does Poetry Still Matter? Yes Indeed, Says NPR NewsPoet
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
What would happen if you fired a gun on a moving train? (Friday, April 12, 2013) — If you fired a gun from a train moving at the speed of a bullet, what would happen? It depends on your frame of reference. Learn more about reference frames and physics in this episode of BrainStuff.
How do they make fortune cookies? (Wednesday, April 10, 2013) — You’ve probably had countless fortune cookies after Chinese meals, but have you ever wondered how they’re made? Discover the “food technology” behind those prescient little cookies in this episode of BrainStuff.
What are dissolvable stitches? (Monday, April 08, 2013) — Stitches have been used for centuries, but dissolvable ones are the most common these days. Why would you want stitches to dissolve, and how do they work? In this episode, Marshall discusses the benefits and features of absorbable sutures.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
Romantic Road Trip: The Pacific Coast Highway (Friday, April 12, 2013) — Summer’s almost here and it’s time for a road trip! We’re heading down the Pacific Coast Highway in California. We’ll stop at Monterrey, Carmel, and Big Sur, check out the magnificent scenery and discover other landmarks along the way.
Culturetopia from NPR
Mad Men, Madmen, And A Fond Farewell (Friday, April 12, 2013) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See’s Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon and special guest Barrie Hardymon talk about the two-hour season opener of ‘Mad Men.’ They’ll discuss how the show is changing as they move into the late Sixties and why they love Peggy. Next, they take a moment to bid the fondest of farewells to one of their pop-culture heroes, Roger Ebert. Finally, they tackle the topic of the unreliable narrator. From classic novels to modern films, they’ll talk about the unique delights of people who can’t really be trusted to tell their own stories. All that, plus What’s Making Us Happy This Week, with a surprise visit by Pop Culture Happy Hour’s number one fan.
Film Junk
Episode 412: Evil Dead and Olympus Has Fallen (Monday, April 08, 2013) — We survive the Evil Dead and review Olympus Has Fallen, plus we also discuss new trailers for Only God Forgives and The Purge, Defending Your Life, Trinity and Beyond, The Day After, Cellular, Hercules and Vice.
Freakonomics Radio
How Much Does Your Name Matter? (Monday, April 08, 2013) — A kid’s name can tell us something about his parents — their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny?
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Greatest Hits: The Culture of Running (Wednesday, April 10, 2013) — Running continues to grow in popularity, but are all runners happy about that? Holly and Tracy talk about their experiences at races, their training, their gear and yes, their injuries, all while debating the merits of this hobby/sport/fitness regimen.
Greatest Hits: Bugs vs. Mickey (Monday, April 08, 2013) — One’s a wisecracking rabbit and the other’s a giggling mouse. Both have devoted fans. How did these famous animated rodents get their starts and nestle into their niches, and why has only one reached juggernaut status?
Science Talk
Start Talking: Synthetic Biology and Conservation Biology Meet, Part 2 (Wednesday, April 03, 2013) — Conservation biologist Kent Redford talks about the issues facing the intersection of synthetic biology and conservation biology and a conference that starts April 9th called “How will synthetic biology and conservation shape the future of nature?”
Start Talking: Synthetic Biology and Conservation Biology Meet, Part 1 (Tuesday, April 02, 2013) — Conservation biologist Kent Redford talks about the issues facing the intersection of synthetic biology and conservation biology and a conference that starts April 9th called “How will synthetic biology and conservation shape the future of nature?”
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions with Emeli Sande (Sunday, April 07, 2013) — She played the Olympics opening ceremony, now Emeli Sande takes her soulful pop to the Sound Opinions studio. Jim and Greg talk to the UK songwriter about breaking it big in the U.S. And later in the show, Jim and Greg review the new Jeff Tweedy-produced album from Low.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
Human Lightning Rods (Thursday, April 11, 2013) — Some folk claim to attract undue attention from electrical storms. But what does science have to say about people who incur the wrath of Thor upwards of six or seven times? In this episode, Robert and Julie explore the world of human lightning rods.
Watch Stoppers (Tuesday, April 09, 2013) — We’ve all heard tales of individuals who simply cannot wear wrist watches. The time pieces simply stop working, time and time again. So what’s happening? In this episode, Robert and Julie discuss personal magnetism and why your watches keep breaking.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
The Story of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ (Wednesday, April 10, 2013) — When teachers Mildred and Patty Hill’s song “Good Morning to All” was published in 1893, there was no public performance right for songs. After the tune was paired with the birthday lyrics, its popularity soared and sparked a tremendous copyright battle.
The Origin of Cheeses (Monday, April 08, 2013) — Cheese has been around for more than 9,000 years. But how did humans learn to make it? Journey with Tracy and Holly to ancient Anatolia, where, people had begun to store milk in pottery and take other steps that set the stage for this delicious invention.
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
Do men and women have different brains? (Thursday, April 11, 2013) — It’s a touchy subject – if you find gender-based differences between brains, does that mean there are differences in intellect? Surprisingly, though there are demonstrable differences, men and women use their brains differently to achieve the same ends.
What’s the deal with duckbill platypuses? (Tuesday, April 09, 2013) — It’s pretty much impossible to describe duckbill platypuses without using the word “hodgepodge”. These mammals share features with birds, reptiles and even sharks. Learn about these peculiar little creatures in this episode.
WNYC’s Radiolab
Shorts: Radiolab Presents: TJ & Dave (Tuesday, April 02, 2013) — Improv comedy puts uncertainty on center stage — performers usually start by asking the audience for a prompt, then they make up the details as they go. But two actors in Chicago are taking this idea to its absolute limit, and finding ways to navigate the unknown.