Beauty surrounds us, draws us in, gives joy and creates conflict. In this hour, TED speakers conjure up beauty both ancient and modern, and suggest reasons why humans are hardwired to crave and respond to beauty. Guests include the late philosopher Denis Dutton, psychologist Nancy Etcoff, fashion model Cameron Russell, community activist Bill Strickland, and designer Richard Seymour. (Original broadcast date: April 19, 2013)

The year that started with President Trump's inauguration and saw the firing of FBI director James Comey, the beginning of the Mueller probe, the rise of so-called fake news and alternative facts, and the Me Too movement is coming a close. This episode, host/White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Scott Horsley, justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and political editor Domenico Montanaro take stock of the top political stories of 2017. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Our approach to treating disease is, in many ways, narrow and rooted in the past. Is it time for a new paradigm? This hour, TED speakers share their visions for new ways to understand medicine. Guests include cancer physician and writer Siddhartha Mukherjee, surgeon and writer Atul Gawande, neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch, and internist Joseph Ravenell.

Republicans are celebrating their first major legislative accomplishment since President Trump took office - the tax bill. Congress is pushing other big questions - including how to address the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and fund the government long-term - until the new year. More women are running for Congress in 2018 than ever before. And, can't let it go. This episode: host/congressional reporter Scott Detrow, congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Congress is aiming to vote on a massive tax bill this week. Who wins and who loses if it passes? Also, the political rhetoric around the Russia investigation is heating up on both sides. This episode, host/White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, justice reporter Ryan Lucas and editor correspondent Ron Elving. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

Are deception and secrecy categorically wrong? Or can they be a necessary means to an end? This hour, TED speakers share stories of going undercover to explore unknown territory, and find the truth. Guests include poet and activist Theo E.J. Wilson, journalist Jamie Bartlett, counter-terrorism expert Mubin Shaikh, and educator Shabana Basij-Rasikh.

Congressional Republicans are stepping up their attacks on the team investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. The House and Senate say they have come together on a final tax bill, and they plan to vote on it next week. A Texas Republican who's under ethics investigation in the House for sexual harassment says he won't seek reelection. And, can't let it go. This episode, host/White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Kelsey Snell, justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

For the first time in 25 years, Alabama has elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate. Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore, who had been dogged by accusations of sexual misconduct, in the state's special election yesterday. This episode: host/congressional reporter Scott Detrow, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, political editor Domenico Montanaro and national correspondent Debbie Elliott in Alabama. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

After weeks of intense national attention, the special election in Alabama is here. Voters go to the polls tomorrow to decide whether Republican Roy Moore or Democrat Doug Jones will be their next senator. And the race is too close to call. This episode: host/congressional reporter Scott Detrow, political editor Domenico Montanaro and national correspondent Debbie Elliott in Alabama. Email the show at [email protected]. Find and support your local public radio station at npr.org/stations.

The brain can seem as mysterious as a distant galaxy, but scientists are starting to map and manipulate its many regions. In this hour, TED speakers take us on a trip through the human brain. Guests include neuroanatomist Jill Bolte-Taylor, neuroscientists Suzana Herculano-Houzel and Nancy Kanwisher, cognitive neuroscientist Rebecca Saxe, and philosopher David Chalmers. (Original broadcast date: February 20, 2015)