Colonizing Mars or more distant planets seems like science fiction. But becoming a spacefaring species may be in our near future. This hour, TED speakers on living beyond Earth--and whether we should. Guests include NASA Chief Scientist James Green, science writer Stephen Petranek, MIT Media Lab researcher Lisa Nip, and astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is stepping down after a slow freeze-out by President Trump. The federal government inches closer to a shutdown after President Trump refused to sign a spending bill from Congress. Trump announced his intention to pull American forces out of Syria despite being advised against it. And a new NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist poll finds that the majority of Americans think the country is too politically correct. This episode: political reporter Asma Khalid, Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, Congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, political editor Domenico Montanaro, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, and national security editor Phil Ewing. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

A federal judge delayed sentencing former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about his talks with Russia's ambassador. Plus, the New York Attorney General announced that the Trump Foundation will dissolve after an investigation into misconduct. This episode: Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

A federal judge in Texas issued a ruling Friday declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, apparently setting the stage for another hearing on the health care law by the U.S. Supreme Court. Plus, President Trump names Mick Mulvaney as his Interim Chief of Staff, and Ryan Zinke will step down as Secretary of the Interior amidst allegations of ethics violations. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Scott Horsley, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Get ready for a bonanza of holiday cheer from Bullseye this week! Micky Dolenz of The Monkees taking about the band's new album "Christmas Party." The group recorded it with a cavalcade of hit-makers like Rivers Cuomo, Peter Buck of REM and more. You'll hear from Christmas movie expert Alonso Duralde - he'll tell you why and how to watch the 37 Christmas movies that the Hallmark Channel produced this year. 37! And that's not all! We also get some advice from the McElroy Brothers (hosts of My Brother, My Brother and Me and The Adventure Zone) about holiday conundrums, and last, but certainly not least, soul singer Sy Smith tells us about the holiday song that changed her life.

Falling off the exercise wagon more than you'd like? These strategies, based on economics and the science of habit formation, can help. Plus, you get to binge-watch TV.

Just thinking differently about moving your body can help make all those excuses disappear — and we have science to back it up.

A lot of us love to hate exercise. In these episodes, we talk to the experts about how to think differently about exercise so that it fits right into your life, for good.

(Original broadcast date: December 12, 2014) What does it mean to be courageous? Is it an automatic response or a conscious choice? This hour, TED speakers examine the nature of courage and what it takes to risk everything to do the right thing. Guests include entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan, reporter Janine di Giovanni, lawyer Kimberley Motley, and president of Planned Parenthood Dr. Leana Wen.

Congress accomplished a lot of work on bipartisanship legislation this week. First they passed a bill to address sexual harassment in the House and Senate, and they moved closer to passing a bill dealing with criminal justice. Plus, after a confrontation with President Trump, Nancy Pelosi secured the votes she needs for the speakership and demonstrated she can take on Trump. This episode: This episode: Congressional correspondent Scott Detrow, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, Congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.