Short Wave

Today's episode is about how you're never alone.

That's because there are tiny mites that live on your skin — including your face. They come out at night and mate. And we're not totally sure what they eat. See? Don't you feel better already?

Researcher Megan Thoemmes tells us about the lives of these eight-legged creatures — and what they can tell us about ourselves.

Also, if you can believe it, Short Wave launched a year ago today. Happy anniversary to us! And thanks for listening!

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As President Trump returns to the campaign trail after his hospitalization, he's campaigning in states that he won comfortably in 2016. Meanwhile, Joe Biden looks to be expanding his map. And, highlights from day three of Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court confirmation hearing.

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This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campaign correspondent Scott Detrow, congressional correspondent Susan Davis, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.

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Amy Coney Barrett didn't give direct answers to many questions, as expected. Like past nominees, she refused to deal in hypotheticals. But Democrats looked to her past writing and scholarship to make the case that she is hostile to abortion access and healthcare access. Republicans said she is qualified to serve.

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Claudia Grisales, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.

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Back in December, we brought you two episodes on the MOSAiC expedition. With hundreds of scientists from 20 countries, the German-led polar research mission is the largest in history. But the mission has also been marked by reports of gender discrimination and harassment.

So today, we're turning away from the research and talking to Chelsea Harvey, an E&E News reporter who joined MOSAiC for several weeks. We talk about her recent story and her own experiences on the expedition.

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Republican Lindsey Graham said even though views were set, the hearings for Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination are important. Republicans pushed back against attacks on her faith that have yet to materialize, while Democrats suggested that Barrett would be the end of the Affordable Care Act in the United States.

This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.

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Adriana Briscoe, a professor of biology and ecology at UC Irvine, studies vision in butterflies. As part of her research, she's trained them to detect light of a certain color. She also explains why they bask in the sunlight, and why some of them have 'hearts' in their wings. Plus, you'll never guess where their photoreceptors are.

She's written about the importance of teachers and mentors in diversifying the STEM fields.

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In an ongoing series congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell looks under the hood at campaigns. From how they raise money to what they do once they have it.

This episode, Kelsey looks at political advertising. She talks with two of the most respected political ad makers in the business. One argues that the best ad is the one that goes viral; the other believes the best ad is the one with the clearest message.

This episode: campaign correspondent Asma Khalid and congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell

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The Federal Reserve exists to lessen the severity of economic crises and its chair has been calling for more stimulus money for months. But Senate Republicans aren't likely to coalesce around a deal and mercurial negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin drag on.

And, what to expect from next week's Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

This episode: campaign correspondent Asma Khalid, congressional reporter Claudia Grisales, chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.

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Environmental scientist Heidi Appel explains how plants detect sound — and whether talking to yours could help them grow big and strong.

Plus, a bit of listener mail from you! Which you can always send by emailing [email protected].

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Conspirators began training for a potential attack on Whitmer's vacation home or the governor's official summer residence over the summer, according to a criminal complaint released Thursday. After abducting Whitmer, Fox allegedly said, the governor would be taken a secure location in Wisconsin for "trial," according to the complaint.

And, President Trump throws next debate into doubt and levies a bigoted attack against Kamala Harris.

This episode: campaign correspondent Asma Khalid, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe.

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