Frank Herbert’s 1965 epic Dune was once the domain of sci-fi diehards. But in recent years, the book has crossed over into the mainstream. In today’s Books We’ve Loved, Andrew Limbong and B.A. Parker are joined by Throughline’s Ramtin Arablouei, who makes a personal case for the story’s appeal – despite its density. Then, special guest, author Pierce Brown, shares whether he thinks Dune has reached Star Wars levels of cultural saturation.
Ramtin’s Recommendation: ‘Rendezvous with Rama’ by Arthur C. Clarke
Parker’s Recommendation: ‘The Left Hand of Darkness’ by Ursula K. Le Guin
Andrew’s Recommendation: ‘Saga’ by Brian K. Vaughn
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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1483: Gibbs and Visualization
Episode: 1483 In which J. Willard Gibbs pictures gear teeth. Today, a glimpse into the mind of J. Willard Gibbs.
More or Less - Is RFK right about US sperm counts?
Around the world, many countries are concerned about tackling the decline in birth rates and total fertility rates. The US is no exception. To tackle this issue the US government announced that it would provide subsidies for Americans seeking IVF treatment. The announcement was accompanied by one suspect sounding stat from US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "Today the average teenager in this country has 50% of the sperm count, 50% of the testosterone as a 65-year-old man," he said. We speak to Professor Allan Pacey, Professor of Andrology at the University of Manchester, and Adith Arun, a researcher at Yale University to find out whether this statement is accurate. Producer/Presenter: Lizzy McNeill Series Producer: Tom Colls Editor: Richard Vadon Sound Mix: James Beard
The World in Brief from The Economist - America lambasts European allies; Warner Bros Discovery sells to Netflix, and more
American officials reacted angrily to a decision by the European Commission to fine X, Elon Musk’s social-media platform, €120m ($140m)
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Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova - Introducing: Odd Lots with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway
Here’s a preview of another podcast we enjoy, Odd Lots with Tracy Alloway and Joe Weisenthal.
Odd Lots has some of the most interesting conversations in finance, markets and economics, and every episode has the “perfect guest” – from truckers and bakers to portfolio managers and CEOs. As longtime financial journalists with a wide breadth of experience, Joe and Tracy dive into everything from poultry farming to AI valuations, as well as big questions about manufacturing, geopolitics, central banking and much more. New episodes drop on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
array(3) { [0]=> string(184) "https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/951120d9-cf6e-4224-93d7-b15c014dcea5/cc86a0a8-d4ee-4839-92e9-b39a0107652f/image.jpg?t=1763568285&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }It Could Happen Here - It Could Happen Here Weekly 211
All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.
- Darién Gap: One Year Later | Part One: After The Jungle
- Darién Gap: One Year Later | Part Two: To Be Called By No Name
- Darién Gap: One Year Later | Part Three: The American Nightmare
- Darién Gap: One Year Later | Part Four: When Someone Needs Help
- Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #44
You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today!
Sources/Links:
Darién Gap: One Year Later
Primrose’s Legal Aid Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/immigration-lawyer-for-primrose
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/world/americas/trump-us-mexico-border.html
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/article299272524.html
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/
http://www.toddmillerwriter.com/border-patrol-nation/
https://timzhernandez.com/all-they-will-call-you/
Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #44
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/business/economy/trump-north-american-trade-deal.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/business/supreme-court-tariff-ruling-refunds.html
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-deepens-tariff-cut-brazilian-224041283.html
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/violent-crime
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/violent-crime
https://compstat.nypdonline.org/
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-5445
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckglx77mplgo
https://www.cato.org/blog/fbis-crosshairs-socialist-rifle-association
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115625429081411360
https://x.com/ReichlinMelnick/status/1992048335876772353
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/airman-texas-haiti-coup-plot/
https://nypost.com/2025/12/04/us-news/fbi-makes-arrest-in-jan-6-pipe-bomb-investigation-after-nearly-5-years/
https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/afghan-national-charged-murder-national-guard-soldier-sarah-beckstrom
https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/lakanwal-national-guard-shooting-mpd-detectice-affidavit.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/us/rahmanullah-lakanwal-national-guard-shooting-dc.html
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/nyc-detainer-laws.pdf
https://time.com/7337578/ice-raid-new-york-mamdani/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dvs1d2mlFUostowEZzfr0CoCrbUQw99a/view
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doi/reports/pdf/2025/38DOC.Release.Rpt.09.25.2025.pdf
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRj_NZHjeRK/?hl=en&img_index=
https://x.com/UofOklahoma/status/1995186884704690262?s=20
https://news.kalshi.com/p/kalshi-cnn-prediction-market-partnership
https://www.businessinsider.com/kalshi-cnbc-deal-cnn-data-integration-partnership-2025-12
https://x.com/ForecasterEnten/status/1978469463415755117
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=1751824393&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }Global News Podcast - Trump awarded Fifa peace prize at World Cup draw
Fifa President Gianni Infantino awarded Donald Trump with the football federation's first-ever peace prize, at a lavish ceremony to select the groups for the 2026 men's World Cup. The tournament will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. But why does President Trump care about football? Also: Colombia signs a peace deal with the criminal drugs gang Clan del Golfo. Violent clashes jeopardise a ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the celebrity architect Frank Gehry has died at the age of 96.
1A - The News Roundup For December 5, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was under the spotlight this week. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding video and audio of a “double-tap” strike he ordered on a boat allegedly carrying drugs into the U.S.
The Trump administration has halted immigration applications from 19 countries. This comes after the shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan national in Washington D.C.
The city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against food manufacturers over ultra processed products. It’s the first of its kind and argues that cities and states have been burdened with treating the diseases the food causes.
Meanwhile, graphic depictions of at least two survivors being killed by a second U.S. military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat sparked outrage on Capitol Hill. This comes as tensions between Caracas and Washington reach a fever pitch.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that he did speak with President Donald Trump in a phone call that he described as “cordial.”
An American delegation attended talks in Moscow, hoping to end the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to compromise during negotiations.
And the Israeli government announces it will reopen the Rafah border crossing, but only to for Palestinians to leave Gaza.
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
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The Trump administration has halted immigration applications from 19 countries. This comes after the shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan national in Washington D.C.
The city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against food manufacturers over ultra processed products. It’s the first of its kind and argues that cities and states have been burdened with treating the diseases the food causes.
Meanwhile, graphic depictions of at least two survivors being killed by a second U.S. military strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat sparked outrage on Capitol Hill. This comes as tensions between Caracas and Washington reach a fever pitch.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that he did speak with President Donald Trump in a phone call that he described as “cordial.”
An American delegation attended talks in Moscow, hoping to end the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to compromise during negotiations.
And the Israeli government announces it will reopen the Rafah border crossing, but only to for Palestinians to leave Gaza.
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
the memory palace - Episode 239: Blank Pages
Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm.
The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate.
Music
- The Lady With the Golden Stockings from the Sun Ra Arkestra
- The Sage from the Chico Hamilton Quintet
- Falling in Love with a New York Pigeon by Birb
- Bocherini's fourth quintet as performed by the Ensemble of St. Martin of the Fields
- From a Dream by Oregon
- Jaybird from the great Charlie Parr
- Pool of Love by Les Baxter
- And House Tuner Theme from Will Bates' gorgeous score to The Sound of Silence.
CBS News Roundup - 12/05/2025 | World News Roundup Late Edition
Supreme Court is set to to hear arguments concerning the constitutionality of President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship. CDC vaccine advisory committee recommends babies get their first hepatitis B shot at two months of age, rather than at birth. Virginia man makes first court appearance - one day after Justice Department charges him with planting two pipe bombs in Washington - on the eve of the Capitol riots.
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