As a fun as a birthday party can be for a child, the event can be just as stressful for a parent. There are many ways to throw a kid's birthday party, with varying levels of expense, different themes, and activities. Anna Fader, founder of the family activity website Mommy Poppins, and Jody Mercier, Mommy Poppins NYC regional editor, discuss how to throw the right birthday party as a parent, and listeners share their party planning successes and questions.

Film editor Andy Jurgensen had a lot to contend with when working on Paul Thomas Anderson's acclaimed film 'One Battle After Another.' He had to edit chase scenes, make sure the comedy of the story came through, and showcase many powerhouse performances. His work earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Editing. Jurgensen speaks about putting the movie together as part of our ongoing series "The Big Picture," spotlighting Oscar nominees who work behind the camera.

When people think of America's war for independence, they often think of "the shot heard 'round the world" in Concord. But just weeks after the Declaration was signed, British forces clashed with the Continental army in Brooklyn, and New York City became a battleground, and subsequently wound up under British control for several years. Dominique Jean-Louis, chief historian at the Center for Brooklyn History, talks about their new exhibit "The Battle of Brooklyn: Fought and Remembered," on display at the CBH through the end of 2026.

[REBROADCAST FROM September 22, 2025] A new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art spotlights the work of John Wilson, a Boston-born artist who dedicated his career to creating art about the Black American experience. Curators Jennifer Farrell and Leslie King Hammond discuss "Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson," which is showing at the Met through February 8, 2026.

The exhibit "Noguchi's New York" explores how Isamu Noguchi relationship with New York transformed the city even when thwarted by Robert Moses. It displays a survey of 50 of his works and animations of projects that were never realized. Noguchi Museum curator Kate Wiener & museum director Amy Hau discuss the exhibit, and the historical impact of the groundbreaking designer.

In 2023, NYC musician and venue owner Jesse Malin suffered a spinal stroke that paralyzed him below the waist. Through physical therapy, he can now cover short distances with the help of a walker. And starting later this month, he'll take the stage and share the story of his recovery in a new off-Broadway show called "Silver Manhattan." He previews the show and performs live in studio.

The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off this Friday. Matt Futterman, New York Times sports reporter shares the latest news as the city of Milan prepares for the events, which world-class athletes he'll be watching closely, and more. Plus, listeners call in to talk about their relationship with the Olympics, and what events they're most looking forward to watching. 

Protein bars, shakes, and snacks now line grocery shelves, turning a basic nutrient into a booming food trend. Alice Callahan, a nutrition and health reporter for The New York Times and and Dr. Rekha Kumar, an associate professor of Clinical Medicine and Attending Endocrinologist at Weill Cornell Medicine explains why protein matters for the body, how much people actually need, and how food companies transformed it into big business.

While most people know Roald Dahl from his beloved books like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and BFG, not as much is known about his life away from writing. A new documentary podcast looks at his history as a fighter pilot, intelligence officer and his work in science. Host and creator Aaron Tracy discusses "The Secret Life of Roald Dahl."

Growing up provides natural environments for friendship: school, summer camp, sports teams or other extracurricular activities. But adulthood provides a different challenge for making friends. Writer Laura Regensdorf is the author of a new article in The New York Times Style Magazine, 'How to Make Friends as an Adult,' with tips for finding meaningful relationships and expanding your social circle. Regensdorf speaks more about her own experience and what she's learned, and listeners share their keys to adult friendship.