Short Wave

In which we metaphorically enter the UCLA Language Acquisistion Lab's recording castle, guided by linguistics researcher Dr. Megha Sundara. NPR science correspondent Sydney Lupkin temporarily takes over the host chair to talk to Sundara about all things baby babble. Along the way, we learn why babies babble, how that babbling can change with exposure to new languages — and if there are any lessons for adults.

Questions about other ways we develop? Email us at [email protected] and we might answer it in a future episode!

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. Defense Department said troops spared civilians during a celebrated 2019 raid against the leader of ISIS, but NPR has uncovered new details that challenge the U.S. claims.

Read the full investigation.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, international correspondent Daniel Estrin, and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman.

The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Additional editorial assistance from from Andrew Sussman. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Connect:
Email the show at [email protected]
Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.
Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The group No Labels has raised tens of millions of dollars as it mulls running a third party "unity" candidate in the 2024 presidential election — the latest in a long line of notable third party bids in American presidential politics.

This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political correspondent Susan Davis, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving.

The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Connect:
Email the show at [email protected]
Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.
Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Scorpions: They're found pretty much everywhere, and new species are being identified all the time. Arachnologist Lauren Esposito says there's a lot to love about this oft-misunderstood creature. Most are harmless — they can't even jump — and they play a critical role in their diverse ecosystems as a top invertebrate predator. (encore)

Want to hear us talk about other newly identified animal species? We'd love to know! We're at [email protected].

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s embrace of conspiracy theories and famous last name have made him a guest in the contrarian podcast space. His bid has been boosted by the likes of Elon Musk and Steve Bannon.

And the lead actor of a breakout Christian thriller — based on the dubious claims of an anti-sex trafficking organization — has spread a number of conspiracy theories as he's promoted the movie, which has been embraced and promoted by a host of establishment conservatives.

Why are malignant conspiracies finding such purchase in the American public — and what does it say about the health of our democracy?

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving, and disinformation correspondent Shanon Bond.

The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Connect:
Email the show at [email protected]
Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.
Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Christopher Nolan's new film 'Oppenheimer' chronicles the life and legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the first director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and so-called "Father of the Atomic Bomb." The movie does not shy away from science — and neither do we. We talked to current scientists at Los Alamos about the past and present science of nuclear weapons like the atomic bomb.

Read more about the Manhattan Project.

Want us to cover other historical science or science in pop culture? Email us at [email protected] — we'd love to hear from you!

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Despite concerns that the end of pandemic-era restrictions would lead to a big increase in the number of asylum seekers crossing into the U.S. over the country's southern border, the numbers have remained relatively low.

The Biden administration points to a mobile app called CBP One that migrants must use to request appointments — and a change in rules about in-country asylum requests. Immigrant advocates and immigration hardliners both have objections to the administration's policies.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and immigration correspondent Joel Rose.

The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Connect:
Email the show at [email protected]
Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.
Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Michigan's attorney general has announced charges against 16 people for serving as so-called fake electors following the 2020 presidential election. The electors signed documents falsely attesting that Donald Trump won the state in the election.

And a look inside American right-wing domestic extremism — and how groups are capitalizing on the Republican anti-LGBT rights agenda to further their ideology.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, Michigan Public Radio Network reporter Colin Jackson, and domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef.

This episode was produced by Lexie Schapitl. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Connect:
Email the show at [email protected]
Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.
Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

For people with endometriosis—a mysterious disease where endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus—medical visits can be especially frustrating. It takes some patients years (on average, ten years) to get a diagnosis and treatment options are limited. There are currently no cures. One researcher, Dr. Kate Lawrenson, is trying to change that. She and her team of researchers have created a cellular atlas of the disease and hope this cell-by-cell approach will open up doors for faster diagnosis options and better ways of managing it. In the meantime, she hopes that more people will learn about the disease in the first place.

Want us to break down the science underpinning your health? Email us at [email protected]!

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

In a post on his social media site, he indicated that he has received word from the Department of Justice that he's a target of the grand jury probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. An indictment could come quickly.

And a fight over abortion care provisions is likely to delay a pay raise for military service members.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and congressional reporter Barbara Sprunt.

This episode was produced by Lexie Schapitl. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.

Unlock access to this and other bonus content by supporting The NPR Politics Podcast+. Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Connect:
Email the show at [email protected]
Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.
Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.


Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy