We've moved past the shortest day of the year – Dec. 21 – and, now, the days are getting longer. For more than 40 years, people have read and performed Susan Cooper's poem "The Shortest Day" to commemorate the winter solstice. In 2019, that poem was turned into a children's book, illustrated by Carson Ellis. In their collaboration, the two hoped to convey a story about light's triumph over darkness year after year. In today's episode, Cooper and Ellis join NPR's Scott Simon for a conversation about how the project came together, including the inspiration they took from their communication via letters – and from Pieter Brugel's paintings.
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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2406: The Pigeonhole Principle
Episode: 2406 The Pigeonhole Principle. Today, pigeons and pigeonholes.
Everything Everywhere Daily - Fractals
Some of the most beautiful things in the world of mathematics are fractals.
Fractals are unique geometric objects that are both easy to comprehend and have complicated mathematics.
Moreover, fractals are not just a theoretical mathematical construction. Fractals can be found everywhere in nature, including trees, beaches, and even your own body.
Learn more about fractals, what they are, and how they work in this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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Audio Poem of the Day - Untitled 1975–86 [“What sweet death I wish”]
By jason b. crawford
Curious City - What was Chicago’s most consequential year? It may not be what you think.
Historians say it’s an impossible question to answer. Major events have shaped Chicago from its very start in 1837, but one year stands out.
60 Songs That Explain the '90s - “Yeah!”—Usher
Rob examines the crossroads of Usher’s pop star persona and Lil Jon’s unique vocal and musical genius this week when taking a look back at the smash hit “Yeah!” (1:00). Then, he is joined by Clover Hope to talk about the construction of Usher’s career, the imagery and storytelling that went into making him more interesting to audiences, his staying power, and more (59:00).
Host: Rob Harvilla
Guest: Clover Hope
Producers: Jonathan Kermah, Justin Sayles, and Bobby Wagner
Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie
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The Indicator from Planet Money - What’s a moneyline bet anyway?
The online financial website Investopedia compiles an annual list of the top ten financial terms that drew the most interest from their audience. The 2024 list covers familiar concepts like inflation and tariffs, as well as more niche terms like moneyline bets and stock splits. Today, we visit the highlights of 2024 in economic terms.
The 2024 Investopedia Terms of the Year
Related episodes:
The Indicator's bet on the Super Bowl
How Trump's tariffs plan might work
The tower of NVIDIA
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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The 2024 Investopedia Terms of the Year
Related episodes:
The Indicator's bet on the Super Bowl
How Trump's tariffs plan might work
The tower of NVIDIA
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
NPR's Book of the Day - ‘Small Things Like These’ draws from the true story of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries
Small Things Like These is a novella by Claire Keegan that centers around Bill Furlong, an Irish coal merchant who discovers exploitation at a local convent. The story is based on the real-life history of the Magdalene Laundries, workhouses where Irish girls and women were forced into unpaid labor. Keegan's book, originally published in 2021, was adapted to film in the fall of 2024. In today's episode, we revisit a conversation between Keegan and Here & Now's Deborah Becker. They discuss the author's interest in the novella form and why she chose to write a women-centered story with a male protagonist.
To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2364: The Longest Year in History
Episode: 2364 46 BC: In which Julius Caesar creates the longest year. Today, UH scholar Richard Armstrong tells us about the longest year in history.
Everything Everywhere Daily - Hosting the Olympics
In July 2017, the International Olympic Committee did something unprecedented. It awarded not one, but two cities Olympic games at the same time.
The 2024 games to Paris and the 2028 games to Los Angeles.
However, this decision wasn’t a stroke of genius. It was an act of desperation.
That is because no one really wants to host an Olympics anymore.
Learn more about the economics and politics of hosting the Olympic games and how it has radically changed over time on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
Sponsors
- Mint Mobile
- Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed
- MasterClass
- Get up to 50% off at MASTERCLASS.COM/EVERYWHERE
- Quince
- Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
- ButcherBox
- New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive 2 lbs of grass-fed ground beef in every box for the lifetime of their subscription + $20 off your first box when you use code daily at checkout!
Subscribe to the podcast!
https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/
--------------------------------
Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
Associate Producers: Ben Long & Cameron Kieffer
Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere
Update your podcast app at newpodcastapps.com
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/UkRUJFh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily
Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip
Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/
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