NBN Book of the Day - Alan Strathern, “Converting Rulers: Global Patterns, 1450-1850” (Cambridge UP, 2024)

Why did so many rulers throughout history risk converting to a new religion brought by outsiders? In his award-winning Unearthly Powers (2019), Dr. Alan Strathern set out a theoretical framework for understanding the relation between religion and political authority based on a distinction between two kinds of religion - immanentism and transcendentalism - and the different ways they made monarchy sacred. Please listen to his interview on that book on the New Books Network!

This ambitious and innovative companion volume Converting Rulers: Global Patterns, 1450–1850 (Cambridge University Press, 2024) tests and substantiates this approach using case studies from Kongo (1480–1530), Japan (1560–1614), Ayutthaya (Thailand, 1660–1690) and Hawaii (1800–1830). Through in-depth analysis of key turning points in the careers of warlords, chiefs and kings, a tapestry of unique characters and stories is brought to light. However, these examples ultimately demonstrate that global patterns of conversion can be established to illuminate the religious geography of the world today.

This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda’s interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.

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Strict Scrutiny - Will the Courts Let Trump End Birthright Citizenship?

May is supposed to be the calm before June’s opinion storm in SCOTUS-land, but not in Trump’s America. Melissa, Kate, and Leah kick off the show with the latest news, including Stephen Miller’s habeas suspension fantasies and the president’s blatant disregard of the emoluments clause when it comes to free jumbo jets. Then, the hosts are joined by professor Elora Mukherjee of Columbia Law School to break down last week’s oral arguments in the Court’s blockbuster birthright citizenship case. 

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What A Day - Why One Yale Professor Chose To Leave The U.S.

The New York Times recently published a video op-ed by a group of Yale University professors who say they’re leaving the U.S. for jobs at the University of Toronto in the wake of President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. While their decisions are all complex and personal, the three professors — Marci Shore; her husband, Timothy Snyder; and their colleague, Jason Stanley — all study authoritarianism, and all warn the U.S. isn’t immune from the democratic backsliding seen elsewhere and throughout history. Professor Shore, an expert on the history of authoritarianism in Central and Eastern Europe, joins us to talk about how she and her family came to the decision they did.

And in headlines: Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the Supreme Court blocked the White House from reviving deportations using a rarely used war-time law, and the Israeli military said its forces had started “extensive ground operations” in Gaza.

Show Notes:

The NewsWorthy - Biden’s Diagnosis, Tornado Outbreak & Alzheimer’s Blood Test – Monday, May 19, 2025

The news to know for Monday, May 19, 2025!

What to know about former President Biden’s new cancer diagnosis, and what President Trump has to say about it.

Also, we’ll tell you about the destruction from severe storms across the South and Midwest, as the risk continues today.

Plus, the motive behind a bombing at a fertility clinic, a major development in the fight against Alzheimer’s, and the winners of two high-profile sporting events, with their sights already set on their next big challenges.

Those stories and even more news to know in about 10 minutes! 

 

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The Best One Yet - 🧘 “Unicorn Pants” — Lulu’s leggings turn 10. Chime is the McD’s of Money. Cava’s hummus surge.

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Lululemon’s Align Leggings just turned 10 years old… And they actually invented athleisure.

Chime, the online banking app, just filed to IPO… Because they’re the McDonalds of money.

Cava is beating Chipotle and Sweetgreen… We’ve got the apples-to-apples numbers to prove it.

Plus, the most profitable graduation gift in history is… Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go”


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About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today’s top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, TBOY Lite is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.


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Short Wave - Could Wormholes Exist?

In science fiction, wormholes are hyperspace subway tubes linking one part of a galaxy directly to another, distant point. But could they actually exist? To find out, we talk to theoretical physicist Ron Gamble, who says wormholes aren't just a matter of science fiction — and they have big implications about the shape of space itself.

Want to hear about more hypotheticals physicists have to confront in their work? Email us at shortwave@nprg.org — we might turn your idea into a whole episode!

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The Indicator from Planet Money - The Art of the deal ft. Beyoncé

All of us negotiate — whether it's accepting a job offer, buying a house or working out who does the dishes. Economist Daryl Fairweather has a new book out: Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work. It's all about the negotiation lessons she's learned through the research, her own career and Destiny's Child.

Related episodes:
What women want (to invest in)
A conversation with Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin (Update)

Summer School 7: Negotiating and the empathetic nibble

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What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Is Immigration Still Trump’s Strongest Issue?

As Donald Trump strives to deliver on his harsh immigration enforcement campaign promises, the president’s approval rating on the issue has dropped. But very public mistakes—with very real consequences—and dipping polls don’t seem to be slowing the administration down yet.

Guests:

Adrian Carrasquillo, author of the Huddled Masses newsletter from The Bulwark

Primitiva Hernandez, executive director of 805Undocufund, a central California non-profit providing legal and financial assistance to immigrants  

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Podcast production by Ethan Oberman, Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther.


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It Could Happen Here - Anarchism In Mexico feat. Andrew, Pt. 1 

Andrew is joined by Garrison to conclude his series on Latin American anarchism by talking about the spread of radical ideas in Mexico throughout the 19th century.  

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