Under the spell of Hildegard: A new album reboots ancient music
The 12th century abbess, scientist and composer inspires new interpretations of her music, and new works, on an album spotlighting soprano Barbara Hannigan.
Arts
Americans still dream about factory jobs. Can they be brought back?
Trump's administration said they want tariffs to boost US manufacturing, and most Americans want more factory jobs here. But what makes us nostalgic for factory work?
A conversation with R. Crumb, the king of underground comics
Crumb's comics were staples of 1960s counterculture. He's now the subject of a new biography. Crumb spoke to Fresh Air in 2005, and again, with his wife, fellow comic Aline Kominsky Crumb, in 2007.
'Thunderbolts*' is an unwieldy jumble, and also the best Marvel film in a while
Thunderbolts* is unapologetically formulaic. And yet, Florence Pugh is terrific; the action is coherent; and the character dynamics strike the right balance of earnest sincerity and glib humor.
Where does the ginseng in your tea come from? A new graphic memoir explains the trade
Craig Thompson, author of the award-winning graphic memoir Blankets returns with its spiritual successor. It's a look at his childhood growing up on ginseng farms, and the intricate balance of the global ginseng trade.
What should I sing? How to pick the perfect karaoke song
It can be hard to pick a good karaoke song. You want it to be something you know well enough to pull off onstage, but also something you actually like. Here's how to narrow down your options.
Katie Gavin: Tiny Desk Concert
Katie Gavin is the kind of performer whose dynamism knows no bounds. Whether she's performing with her pop band MUNA or solo, Gavin is a captivating presence.
Joy Harjo explores a daughter's grief in 'Washing My Mother's Body'
NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with former U.S. poet laureate, Joy Harjo, about her book "Washing My Mother's Body" where she explores the complexity of a daughter's grief as she reflects on her mother's life.
President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
Hayden, who became the first woman and the first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress when she was appointed in 2016, was abruptly fired via email late Thursday.
From apps to gadgets, 'Second Life' considers how tech is changing having a baby
When Amanda Hess learned her unborn child had a genetic condition, she turned to the internet — but didn't find reassurance. "My relationship with technology became so much more intense," she says.