What's behind the 'pronatalist' movement to boost the birth rate?
A once-fringe movement claims having more babies is the only way to save civilization. NPR reporter Lisa Hagen and sociologist Karen Guzzo explain who's empowering pronatalism today.
From 'F-Bomb' To 'Photobomb,' How The Dictionary Keeps Up With English
New words that enter the dictionary must meet three criteria, says Merriam-Webster lexicographer Kory Stamper: widespread use, sustained use and meaningful use. Originally broadcast April 19, 2017.
Amy Rigby Maintains Her Punk Mischievousness On 'The Old Guys'
Rigby's new album, which features jangly guitars and thumping drums, sounds like an old-fashioned rock 'n' roll album. But critic Ken Tucker says that The Old Guy is definitely not "a nostalgia item."
Robots Are Now 'Creating New Robots,' Tech Reporter Says
The evolution of artificial intelligence has exploded over the past five years, leading to computers that can drive and talk. New York Times' Cade Metz explains how machines are learning on their own.
The Kronos Quartet Explodes Its Range On Two New Collaborations
Two new records showcase the quartet's recent collaborations with Laurie Anderson and a group from Mali. Critic Milo Miles says it's evident how much time and care went into Landfall and Ladilikan.
Humor Blends With Tragedy In The Farcical 'Death of Stalin'
Armando Iannucci's new film satirizes the days in 1953 when the Soviet Union lost its totalitarian leader and members of his inner circle argued, plotted and killed while selecting a successor.
From The 'Fresh Air' Archives: Eddie Bunker, Who Honed His Writing Craft In Prison
Bunker, who died in 2005, spent 18 years in prison before becoming a successful writer. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1985 film Runaway Train, which helped launch the career of actor Danny Trejo.
Blacklisted From Syria, A Journalist Says: 'I Couldn't Imagine Staying Away'
Rania Abouzeid has been covering Syria since 2011 — despite the fact that she's been called a spy, placed on wanted lists by Syrian intelligence and banned from entering the country.
'The Sparsholt Affair' Confirms Alan Hollinghurst's Status As A Literary Master
Hollinghurst's new domestic epic leapfrogs across seven decades to examine how the laws of social propriety shape the destinies of a father and son. Critic John Powers says the novel is fascinating.