Audio

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

The most popular baby names in the US last year were Noah and Emma.  We know that because 20 years ago, Michael Shackleford wrote a computer program to track the annual popularity of baby names.  Expectant parents everywhere should thank him.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Sjon is the Icelandic trickster, drawing on Icelandic sagas and surrealism to write his mythic stories.  He tells Steve Paulson why we need to re-enchant the world.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Scientists are combing the universe for signs of exoplanets -- planets that orbit a star other than our sun.  They're finding them in record numbers.  Most believe it's only a matter of time before they find an exoplanet that can -- and perhaps does -- suppport life.  Sara Seager is a planetary scientist at M.I.T. and one of the pioneers of the field. 

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

It's not just the movies that offer sequels. Susan Heyboer O'Keefe's new novel is called "Frankenstein's Monster"...

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

William Langewiesche tells Anne Strainchamps about the underground rivers at Ground Zero and the extraordinary courage and leadership shown by all the volunteers who participated in the clean up, even as the firemen rejected the heroic language used in the media.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Temple Grandin has autism and designs livestock-handling facilities.  She talks with Jim Fleming about how her autism helps her in her career.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Imagine the government has sealed off part of Florida after people start dying there and strange new life forms pop up. Just what is happening in Area X? That's the premise of Jeff Vandermeer's mind-bending Southern Reach Trilogy.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Jesse Ball's new novel is called "How to Set a Fire and Why." The protagonist is a teenage girl who joins a secret Arson Club at her new school.

Pages

Subscribe to Audio