Episodes

  • What makes a true Christmas movie?

    What makes a true Christmas movie?
    Dec 25 2024
    What makes a movie a Christmas movie?

    When the movie Die Hard was released on Blu Ray a few years back, the studio called it "the greatest Christmas story ever told!"

    It does take place at an office Christmas party, but is that fact enough to make it a Christmas movie?

    What about "Elf," "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Eyes Wide Shut" are those Christmas movies? Yes, right? NPR producer Marc Rivers says, "not so fast."

    Just what makes any Christmas movie a true Christmas movie?

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    10 mins
  • What makes a holiday song a lasting hit?

    What makes a holiday song a lasting hit?
    Dec 24 2024
    Whether you play it on loop or whether it drives you crazy, there's no question Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," song has become a permanent fixture of the Christmas song canon.

    But the holiday song canon is big, and a number of other pop artists have made their own Yuletide jingles since 1994 including John Legend, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.

    But not even the woman who shattered records with her Eras tour has given us a holiday song that has had staying power worthy of The Canon.

    For 30 years Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" has dominated the holiday music charts. NPR's Stephen Thompson explains what makes it a lasting hit?

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    13 mins
  • The numbers were good, but feelings were bad: The US economy in 2024

    The numbers were good, but feelings were bad: The US economy in 2024
    Dec 23 2024
    By most objective measures, the US economy is in good shape. Employers added about 2 million jobs this year. Unemployment is low. In much of the country, gasoline is now selling for less than $3 a gallon.

    The Economist has called the United States' performance "the envy of the world."

    But even as the U.S. is outperforming most other countries, many Americans remain frustrated by the high cost of living. And that's fueled a lot of unhappiness, and a political comeback for President-elect Donald Trump.

    Trump will soon take the reins of an economy that's bounced back strongly during the four years he was out of office. For many families, though, that rebound was overshadowed by soaring prices for food, housing, and other necessities.

    Will his policies bring costs down? Or rekindle inflation?

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    9 mins
  • In a year of global elections, what did we learn about the state of democracy?

    In a year of global elections, what did we learn about the state of democracy?
    Dec 22 2024
    It was a hectic election season in America, to put it lightly, and we're not alone. What do this year's elections across the world say about the state of democracy at large? Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR correspondents about some of the most consequential global elections of 2024.

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    12 mins
  • Is "The Godfather: Part II," the perfect sequel?

    Is "The Godfather: Part II," the perfect sequel?
    Dec 20 2024
    Given the fact that it seems like Hollywood churns out nothing but sequels, you would think the industry would have perfected the genre by now.

    Some sequels are pretty darn good, but many believe the perfect movie sequel came out 50 years ago this month.

    Of course, we're talking about Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather: Part II. It's not only considered the greatest sequel of all time, it's also considered one of the greatest movies of all time.

    So why does Godfather II work, and where so many other sequels fall short?

    NPR producer Marc Rivers weighs in.

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    11 mins
  • How Netanyahu survived another tumultuous year

    How Netanyahu survived another tumultuous year
    Dec 19 2024
    At the start of this year Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was facing a crisis. Just a few months before, Hamas had breached Israel's border with Gaza, killing some 1200 people in Israel on October 7th.

    As the year ends, Netanyahu is spending some of it in a courtroom to fight corruption charges that have dogged him since 2019. The Israeli Prime Minister has called the charges absurd.

    You might think that would be detrimental to his political career, but instead Netanyahu looks stronger than he has since the war began.

    This — despite that trial, an international arrest warrant and a grinding war.

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    7 mins
  • It's never too late to get fit

    It's never too late to get fit
    Dec 18 2024
    How does fitness and movement change across the lifespan?

    According to NPR's Allison Aubrey, who covers health and wellness, the official recommendation is to aim for more than 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity. That could be running, walking, biking, swimming, or weightlifting.

    We meet a group of active older people, who show it's never too late to find movement and exercise that works for you.

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    11 mins
  • Holidays shopping brings out the scammers. Here's how to stay safe

    Holidays shopping brings out the scammers. Here's how to stay safe
    Dec 17 2024
    With just a handful of shopping days until Christmas, millions are making last minute online purchases. Unfortunately 'tis also the season for financial and identity theft. We ask an expert how you can avoid the scams.

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    8 mins