NPR's Book of the Day - A new novel from Karen Russell is a sprawling story set during the Dust Bowl

The Antidote opens on what seems like an ordinary Sunday in a fictional town in 1930s Nebraska. But by 3 p.m., apocalyptic clouds cover the sun and make the afternoon look like midnight. Karen Russell's latest novel is set during the Dust Bowl – a period when poor farming practices and drought led to a wave of severe and damaging dust storms. In this bleak setting, we're introduced to a cast of characters, including a woman who stores other people's memories and a photographer tasked with documenting the crisis. In today's episode, Russell speaks with NPR's Scott Simon about the inspiration behind The Antitode's core characters, including the work of photographer Gordon Parks and an image that came to Russell as she finished her first novel.

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

Everything Everywhere Daily - The Invention of the Telephone

The 19th century was one of rapid technological advancement. 


Of all of the innovations to come out of this century, and there were many, perhaps none was more important than that of the telephone. 


The telephone radically changed communications, allowing personal communications over long distances. 


Despite what many people are often told, this invention wasn’t simply the genius of one man, but was rather something developed over decades. 


Learn more about the invention of the telephone and the controversial story surrounding it on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.



Sponsors


Subscribe to the podcast! 

https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/

--------------------------------

Executive Producer: Charles Daniel

Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & 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/ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything Everywhere Daily - Betamax vs. VHS (Encore)

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a war erupted in the world of video technology.


Two competing video tape formats fought to gain supremacy in the market. In the end, one format crushed the other and was left as the victor.


However, legend holds that the inferior format was actually the victorious one. 


Learn more about Betamax vs. VHS videotape wars and if the worse technology actually won on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.



Sponsors


Subscribe to the podcast! 

https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/

--------------------------------

Executive Producer: Charles Daniel

Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & 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/ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything Everywhere Daily - The Cardiff Giant

In 1869, the world was shocked by a discovery that was made outside of the town of Cardiff, New York. 


Two workers discovered what was claimed to be the remains of a 10 foot tall, petrified human being. 


The claim set off a fiery debate between those who thought it was proof of the Bible and those who just thought it was a long lost statue. 


It turned out, neither group was correct. 


Learn more about the Cardiff Giant and one of the biggest hoaxes of the 19th century on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.




Sponsors


Subscribe to the podcast! 

https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/

--------------------------------

Executive Producer: Charles Daniel

Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & 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/ 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indicator from Planet Money - Southwest surprises, tariff guac shock, and fraud flourishes

It's Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at interesting numbers from the news.

On today's show, we have Southwest Airlines changing course on their free checked bag policy, skyrocketing fraud, and Americans' insatiable appetite for avocados.

Related episodes:
More fraud, higher bond yields, and faster airline boarding

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