John Matthews talks with Anne Strainchamps about the sacred pre-Christian origins of many of our secular Christmas traditions.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Lucy Jago tells Steve Paulson about the life and work of the Norwegian scientist who figured out what really causes the Northern Lights.
Less than 30 percent of Americans have filled out an advanced directive for end-of-life care, but 90 percent of the people in La Crosse, Wisconsin have one. Rehman Tungekar reports on Gundersen Health's remarkable effort to get an entire city talking about death and dying.
David Harrison travels to some of the most remote places in the world, documenting endangered languages. He tells us about the language warriors: the last speakers of ancestral languages. Many of them are trying to preserve and revive their native tongues.
Poet and writer Kenneth Goldsmith talks about his "Uncreative Writing" course in which students are penalized for showing any originality and creativity. Goldsmith is the author of "Uncreative Writing: Managing Language in the Digital Age."
Miranda Carter is the author of the biography “Anthony Blunt.” She talks about how Blunt became involved in the Cambridge spy ring and why he decided not to defect to the Soviet Union.
Phyllis Curott is a Wiccan high priestess or a practicing witch. She talks about what Wicca is all about and talks about casting spells for practical purposes.
Paul Collins describes his experience as an antiquarian bookseller in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye in his book “Sixpence House.”
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