Arts & Life

Serial focuses on Adnan Syed, who was a teenager when he was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, despite big question marks in the case. (But you almost certainly knew that already.)

Arts

Serial Isn't About Ferguson. (But It's Kind Of About Ferguson.)

5:16pm December 18, 2014

by Gene Demby

In Part 2 of a roundtable on the Podcast Everyone's Talking About, Code Switch's Gene Demby says that a lot of Serial's themes echo news stories that focus attention on how our justice system works.

Sarah Koenig will, on Thursday, host the final episode of the first season of Serial.

Arts

Yes, Serial Is True Crime — And That's OK

5:11pm December 18, 2014

by Linda Holmes

Our continuing discussion of Serial turns to a consideration of the true crime genre, its tendency to reveal the oddities of human behavior, and what can be taken away from this series.

Mathieu Amalric and Emmanuelle Devos in If You Don't, I Will.

Arts

A Married Couple In Decline

5:03pm December 18, 2014

by Tomas Hachard

The film If You Don't, I Will has some strong dialogue and performances, but its tale of a marriage in peril sags too often in its recounting of the journey.

Sarah Koenig and producer Dana Chivvis in the studio.

The Many Rabbit Holes (Or Should We Say Labyrinths) Of Serial

5:01pm December 18, 2014

by Kat Chow

No matter how you view the podcast, there's an endless supply of avenues you can explore and different conversations you can have.

Tourtiere is a savory, spiced meat pie, which both French- and English-speaking Canadians love to serve around the holidays.

Tourtiere: A French-Canadian Twist On Christmas Pie

4:21pm December 18, 2014

by Lynn Neary

On Christmas Eve, many French-Canadians will gather after midnight Mass for reveillon, a lavish dinner party that lasts into the wee hours. The traditional centerpiece is a savory, spiced meat pie.

In Jerusalem, Syrian Orthodox Christian Nadia Ishaq prepares her burbara porridge with boiled what kernels, raisins, dried plums and dried apricots, topped with ground coconut in the shape of a cross. The holiday honors St. Barbara, an early convert to Ch

A Holy Land Christmas Porridge Honors A Damsel In Distress

4:19pm December 18, 2014

by Daniella Cheslow

Some Christians in Israel and the West Bank celebrate Eid el-Burbara on Dec. 17. The feast honors St. Barbara, an early convert to Christianity whose story is echoed in the Rapunzel tale.

Stephen Colbert will host his final episode of The Colbert Report Thursday after nine years on air.

Arts

A Tribute To Stephen Colbert, A Self-Proclaimed 'Junkie For Exhaustion'

3:24pm December 18, 2014

Ahead of The Colbert Report's last episode, Fresh Air listens back to interviews with Colbert. "I didn't realize quite how liberal I was until I was asked to make passionate comedic choices," he said.

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Arts

Tinsel Tales 3: NPR Christmas Stories

2:56pm December 18, 2014

Lynn Neary hosts an hour-long collection of extraordinary Christmas stories that will transport you to unexpected places.

Browse More Than 250 Standout Titles From 2014 Selected By NPR Staff And Critics — Including Maureen Corrigan

Books
Arts

Sometimes You Can't Pick Just 10: Maureen Corrigan's Favorite Books Of 2014

1:12pm December 18, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

This year, Fresh Air's book critic rejects the tyranny of the decimal system and picks 12 titles published in 2014 — all with characters, scenes and voices that linger long past the last page.

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You'll want to send these TED Radio Hour stories to everyone you know.

Arts

Playlist: Inspiring Stories You'll Want To Share

10:03am December 18, 2014

by NPR/TED Staff

This playlist includes some blockbuster TED talks that have already inspired millions.

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