On Second Thought

The U.S. ranks worst among economically developed countries in maternal deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, at least 700 mothers die every year; and black women face the greatest risk. A recent investigation by ProPublica and NPR examines racial disparity in maternal deaths. We talk with NPR Special Correspondent Renee Montagne, who has reported in Atlanta for this series. Henry Rollins is a man who wears many hats. Perhaps best known as the frontman

A show featuring producer Trevor Young’s favorite OST segments of 2017. Hosted by Celeste Headlee: This summer, more than sixty bands flocked to Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta for the fifth annual Shaky Knees Music Festival. Producer Trevor Young caught up with many musicians there, including rocker Ron Gallo. Gallo is best known for his philosophical musings and a care-free attitude. Trevor also spoke with Fantastic Negrito. The soulful artist was the first ever winner of NPR’s Tiny Desk

Mass shootings, volatile protests and major policy changes. Hurricane, after hurricane, after hurricane. And a solar eclipse that brought us together like never before in any living person’s lifetime. Yep, 2017 was a doozy. We take stock of the biggest news stories of the year, and the deeper conversations they sparked. The last year was sadly marked by repeated acts of mass gun violence, including two of the five deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. These events fuel a debate about

The Georgia film industry is big business - $9.5 billion big in 2017. We spent the hour meeting the people who work on film and television projects that are produced in the state . “My Cousin Vinny” premiered 25 years ago to critical and popular acclaim. Filmed mostly in Monticello, Georgia, it tells the story of an inexperienced New York attorney who takes on the biggest case of his career --- a murder trial. We looked back on the film’s legacy with its director, Jonathan Lynn. One of the most

If you want to see theater in one of its most nerve-racking forms, look no further than actor Colin Mochrie. The comedian is best known for his role on the short-form improvisational comedy show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Mochrie has a richly deserved reputation for his skill at improvisation. We talked with him about his craft. Christopher Kimball is one the biggest names in cooking. Best known as the longtime host of the popular TV and radio show, “America’s Test Kitchen,” he also published

A show featuring OST’s best music segments of 2017. Hosted by Celeste Headlee: We talk with singer and songwriter Rhiannon Giddens, who is best known as the lead vocalist for the folk band the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Her new solo album, “Freedom Highway,” tells the stories of oppressed African-Americans. We caught up with her ahead of a performance at the Variety Playhouse in May. Most clowns are cheerful, right? Well, one clown in Atlanta is awfully sad. Puddles the Clown is a persona created

We spent the hour talking about what makes Southern food Southern, how collard greens played a role in the civil rights movement, and the politics of barbecue.

For the first time, Atlanta has a police officer dedicated to cases of animal cruelty. The position was created in October. And the first cop to fill the post is Senior Patrol Officer Amy Soelder. She’s a 22 year veteran of the force, and joins us in the studio. During December of 1914, something remarkable happened. For a week before Christmas Day, French, British and German soldiers laid down their arms. They talked, sang carols, and wished each other Merry Christmas. This was known as the

For the first time, Atlanta has a police officer dedicated to cases of animal cruelty . The position was created in October. And the first cop to fill the post is Senior Patrol Officer Amy Soelder. She’s a 22 year veteran of the force, and joins us in the studio.

Millions of American Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas, but what about those who don’t celebrate? It’s a federal holiday, and most businesses are closed. What is Christmas like for the non-Christian? We heard from three of them: Noah Lugeons of the Scathing Atheist podcast , Georgia State University professor Abbas Barzegar , and Rabbi Brian Glusman with the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta .