The Mystery Of The Missing Brains
For decades, a rare collection of human remains sat in a basement closet at the University of Texas. A new book tells the story of that collection — and the enduring mysteries that surround it.
Arts
Diversity On 'The Walking Dead' Wasn't Always Handled Well
AMC's hit zombie drama The Walking Dead airs its midseason finale Sunday. It's now one of TV's most diverse shows, but critic Eric Deggans says it hasn't always served non-white characters well.
'New Yorker' Cover Shows A Divided St. Louis
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Bob Staake, illustrator of the controversial cover of The New Yorker, which depicts the St. Louis skyline divided in half by the colors black and white.
After The Ferguson Decision, A Poem That Gives Name To The Hurt
This week, a Missouri grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Michael Brown. Writer Syreeta McFadden turns to Audre Lorde's poetry to make sense of this decision.
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Kid Stuff And Leftover Outtakes
On this week's show, Guy Raz of NPR's TED Radio Hour joins us to talk about kids' movies and the cultural fascination with outtakes.
Swing your way through the holidays with Carolina Winter Music Festival
The Carolina Winter Music Festival presents Swingle Bells in the Triad with the mighty Giannini Brass, singer Martha Bassett, and the Christmas Jazz All Stars with bassist Matt Kendrick and friends.
Gold-Plated Gowns And 8-inch Pumps: The Stuff That Made Starlets Shimmer
Actress Mae West was petite, but on screen — thanks to a pair of platform shoes — she looked larger than life. A show in Boston examines the fashion and jewelry of Hollywood's golden age.
Mega-Rich Invest In Works By Living Artists
Renee Montagne talks to art sociologist and writer Sarah Thornton about how the habits of the 1 percent reverberate across the art world. She is the author of 33 Artists in 3 Acts.
The Holiday Films Are Coming, From 'Moses' To 'Annie'
Bob Mondello offers a selective preview of what Hollywood has in store for the holidays. There are musicals, there are biopics, and the seas literally will part.