Rachel Kushner's new novel, Creation Lake, has all the makings of a great spy thriller: a cool and unknowable secret agent, a mysterious figure who communicates only by email and a radical commune of French eco-activists. Kushner has said that some of these elements were, in fact, inspired by real-world stories of espionage and her own access to the social and political worlds of activist communes. In today's episode, Kushner speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about the murky boundaries of being an undercover agent–and a writer.
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What Next | Daily News and Analysis - The Kamala Endorsement (Taylor’s Version)
When Taylor Swift stated she was voting for Kamala Harris, a large segment of Swifties breathed a sigh of relief. How did Swift’s politics become so important—and will her endorsement make a difference in November?
Guest: Brian Donovan, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas who teaches a college course called “The Sociology of Taylor Swift.”
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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
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The Daily Signal - News Flash: Bias In Media Is Not New, Seasoned Journalist Says
John Miller entered the field of journalism in Washington D.C. in the early 1990s. There were only a handful of outlets staffing conservative commentary writers at the time, and, even then, Miller says he remembers being frustrated by the liberal bias in the media.
“This notion that, you know, a generation ago we used to have objective reporters at The New York Times is nonsense,” Miller, executive director of The College Fix, says. “I mean, they were doing the same thing back then, also pretending they were something they were not. They were putting their finger on the scale constantly when they were covering elections, and candidates, and debates, and Congress, and so forth.”
Today, Miller argues that conservative have “a louder voice today than they've ever had before in the media.” But the challenge now, according to Miller, “is populating this media with good writers, with good talkers, people who can make podcasts and so on. And lots of folks are doing it, obviously, but we need more people coming in and more talented people coming in.”
In addition to leading The College Fix, Miller also serves as director of the journalism program at Hillsdale College, where he daily takes part in training young conservative journalists. He is a board member of The Daily Signal.
Miller joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss what has, and has not, changed in the field of journalism, and how he is actively working to train young conservative journalists.
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Planet Money - 99 Percent Invisible: The White Castle System of Eating Houses
Today we have a guest episode from 99 Percent Invisible.
It is about White Castle, the burger chain. Even if you haven't visited, you have tasted its influence because, as we will learn in this episode, White Castle is really the proto-burger chain.
Our friends at the excellent podcast 99 Percent Invisible bring us the origin story of White Castle and trace its influence on the business of fast food, and on American eating habits. The story is about one man who had an idea for a world where you could get a slider anywhere in the country and get the same tasty, onion-y quality each time. Think of this as a forebear of the modern global economy of sameness.
This episode is hosted by Roman Mars and reported by Mackenzie Martin. It was produced by Jeyca Maldonado-Medina, and edited by Joe Rosenberg. Mix and sound design by Martín Gonzalez. Music by Swan Real with additional music by Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Neufeld. Fact-checking by Graham Hacia. Kathy Tu is 99 Percent Invisible's executive producer. Kurt Kohlstedt is their digital director, and Delaney Hall is their senior editor.
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It is about White Castle, the burger chain. Even if you haven't visited, you have tasted its influence because, as we will learn in this episode, White Castle is really the proto-burger chain.
Our friends at the excellent podcast 99 Percent Invisible bring us the origin story of White Castle and trace its influence on the business of fast food, and on American eating habits. The story is about one man who had an idea for a world where you could get a slider anywhere in the country and get the same tasty, onion-y quality each time. Think of this as a forebear of the modern global economy of sameness.
This episode is hosted by Roman Mars and reported by Mackenzie Martin. It was produced by Jeyca Maldonado-Medina, and edited by Joe Rosenberg. Mix and sound design by Martín Gonzalez. Music by Swan Real with additional music by Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Neufeld. Fact-checking by Graham Hacia. Kathy Tu is 99 Percent Invisible's executive producer. Kurt Kohlstedt is their digital director, and Delaney Hall is their senior editor.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester - 155: The One with the Breaking the Standard Host
Aubrey Gainfort, Host of the podcast, Breaking the Standard, joins the show to talk about the best ways for companies to be successful at the end of the Federal fiscal year. We also discuss common mistakes she sees companies make during the procurement process, she explains the dynamics between contracting officers and program leaders, and we deep dive into ways companies can stand out in this crowded marketplace.
*The opinions and views expressed by the guest on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, or policies of the podcast host, production team, or any affiliated organizations. The guest is speaking in their personal capacity, and their statements should not be attributed to their employer or any other entity with which they are associated.
It Could Happen Here - The UAW Staff Purge
Mia talks with Alex Chan, an organizer for the UAW, about the union's attempts to break her staff union and how it hurts both UAW organizers and the workers they organize.
Follow the UAW on socials: @UAWstaffunited
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
array(3) { [0]=> string(150) "https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/78d30acb-8463-4c40-a5ae-ae2d0145c9ff/image.jpg?t=1749835422&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }Good Bad Billionaire - Zhang Yiming: TikTok’s tech boss
How did an unassuming software engineer become one of the richest people on the planet? This is the story of how Zhang Yiming transformed social media by creating TikTok, and how the Chinese tech company ByteDance became a multi-billion dollar business. BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng explore Yiming’s various successes with different apps before he hit the jackpot with TikTok. Then they decide whether they think he’s good, bad, or just another billionaire.
We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176.
To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire
The Economics of Everyday Things - 63. Botox
Why do millions of people pay to have one of the world’s deadliest toxins injected into their faces? Zachary Crockett looks surprised.
- SOURCES:
- Dana Berkowitz, sociologist and author.
- Jean Carruthers, pioneer of cosmetic Botox, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia, and owner of Carruthers Cosmetic.
- Steven Williams, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and owner of Tri Valley Plastic Surgery.
- RESOURCES:
- "Botox Is More Affordable Than Ever. Is That A Good Thing?" by Krista Bennett DeMaio (Women's Health, 2024).
- "Early Development History of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)," by Alan B. Scott, Dennis Honeychurch, and Mitchell F. Brin (Medicine, 2023).
- "How Barely-There Botox Became the Norm," by Jessica Schiffer (The New York Times, 2021).
- Botox Nation: Changing the Face of America, by Dana Berkowitz (2017).
- "Billions and Billions for Botox," by Vauhini Vara (The New Yorker, 2014).
- "Botox is Destroying Hollywood Acting," by Johann Hari (HuffPost, 2011).
- "The Botox Boom," by David Noonan (Newsweek, 2002).
Audio Poem of the Day - immediately motionless likeness
By Kirsten Ihns
Motley Fool Money - Stocks for the Road
If you’re looking for a stock that’s been a multi-bagger over the past five years, then check the gas station next to a Walmart.
Mary Long caught up with Motley Fool Canada’s Jim Gillies for a look at three companies you can find on your next road trip. They discuss:
- An industry where investors can ignore sales growth.
- What shifting consumer tastes mean for convenience stores.
- One company “taking over a mountain no one else wants”.
Companies mentioned: TSE: ATD, OTCMKTS: SVNDY, CASY, TKO, WMT, MUSA
Host: Mary Long
Guest: Jim Gillies
Producer: Ricky Mulvey
Engineer: Tim Sparks
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