Episodes

  • Open enrollment is coming. How much will your health insurance cost?

    Open enrollment is coming. How much will your health insurance cost?
    Oct 21 2025
    Premiums for people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to jump by thousands of dollars when open enrollment begins in a couple of weeks. Cynthia Cox, vice president at independent health policy organization KFF, joins us.

    Then, the Israeli-occupied West Bank has seen an increase in violence against Palestinians by both Israeli settlers and the military in the two years since Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza began. Journalist Dalia Hatuqa talks about how the past couple of years of violence in Gaza have impacted Palestinians living in the West Bank.

    And, have you heard of the grue jay? Study author Brian R. Stokes talks about the rare hybrid offspring of a blue jay and green jay, seen for likely the first time in the wild.

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    20 mins
  • Former ICE director on why immigration raids are making U.S. less safe

    Former ICE director on why immigration raids are making U.S. less safe
    Oct 20 2025
    Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director John Sandweg weighs in on the agency’s policing tactics and surveillance technology being used to conduct mass deportations and monitor those who are protesting the Trump administration's immigration policies.

    And, as the government shutdown enters its third week, confusion abounds around national parks like Joshua Tree. Kenji Haroutunian, executive director of Friends of Joshua Tree, explains more about the safety and environmental concerns the park is facing.

    Then, President Trump campaigned on a promise to make in vitro fertilization free to all Americans who want to build their families. But that hasn’t happened. Danielle Melfi, CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, weighs in on a recent White House announcement to lower the cost of IVF.

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    18 mins
  • Hidden Levels: Mr. Boomshakalaka

    Hidden Levels: Mr. Boomshakalaka
    Oct 18 2025
    “NBA Jam” was beloved by players and served as an introduction to basketball for many of them. The game didn’t mirror the sport, though, allowing users to do crazy moves and trick shots. But what really helped capture audiences was the game’s sound design. Commentator Tim Kitzrow became iconic with catch phrases like “He’s on Fire!” and “Boom Shakalaka.”

    This episode of “Hidden Levels,” a podcast from 99 Percent Invisible and Endless Thread, explores the importance of game sound design and how Kitzrow helped define the sports game subgenre.

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    38 mins
  • The Cars' decade of hits

    The Cars' decade of hits
    Oct 17 2025
    Starting in 1978, the Boston-based band The Cars had a series of hit songs and videos before breaking up 10 years later. Now, musician and author Bill Janovitz tells their story in the new book "The Cars: Let the Stories be Told."

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    16 mins
  • 'An unnecessary act of force': ICE agents tear-gas Chicago neighborhood

    'An unnecessary act of force': ICE agents tear-gas Chicago neighborhood
    Oct 16 2025
    Chicago resident and environmental activist Gina Ramirez explains what's happening in the city’s Southeast Side as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents try to take more people into custody.

    And, analysis by ProPublica found that immigration agents have detained at least 170 U.S. citizens in recent months, though that’s predicted to be an undercount. ProPublica's Nicole Foy shares more details about the cases.

    Then, 16-year-old American Mohammed Ibrahim has been detained in Israel for eight months. His family says he’s developed scabies, and they’re pleading for his release. Ibrahim’s uncle, Zeyad Kadur, details what the family has heard about Ibrahim’s condition in prison.

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    22 mins
  • Federal worker worries about making November rent if shutdown drags on

    Federal worker worries about making November rent if shutdown drags on
    Oct 15 2025
    Furloughed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worker Peter Farruggia talks about how he will pay his bills if the government shutdown continues much longer. His last paycheck was last Friday.

    Then, the Supreme Court is hearing a case that could further erode the Voting Rights Act. George Washington University professor Spencer Overton tells us more.

    And, R&B singer D'Angelo died on Tuesday. He had pancreatic cancer and was just 51. Writer, producer and filmmaker Nelson George talks about D'Angelo's music and legacy.

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    21 mins
  • What's next for Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

    What's next for Israel-Hamas ceasefire?
    Oct 14 2025
    While a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza resulted in celebrations on both sides, the hard work required to maintain it is now getting underway. Hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin was involved in backchannel discussions over the deal. He explains more.

    And, 20 Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were released as part of the ceasefire deal. Palestinian American journalist Rami Khouri joins us to unpack what’s next for the region.

    Then, silica dust is causing coal miners in their 30s and 40s to come down with black lung disease. Black lung clinic leader Lisa Emery joins us to discuss how coal miners are protesting a federal delay in enforcing silica dust rules.

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    23 mins
  • The real story of Sacagawea

    The real story of Sacagawea
    Oct 13 2025
    The story of Sacagawea that most of us know is incomplete and not entirely correct. The Hidatsa tribe and other tribes have a long oral history that tells a different story of her life, including that her name was not pronounced the way many of us were taught, she lived 50 years longer than the history books say and she had more children than the traditional written history tells. We speak with Christopher Cox, who wrote the article "What if Everything We Know About Sacagawea Is Wrong?" in the New York Times Magazine.

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    14 mins