What happens when you put friendship at the center of your life?

NPR's Rhaina Cohen has been thinking about this question for years. It started when she met someone. This someone was not a lover, but a friend. As their relationship deepened, Cohen began to wonder why there wasn't a special term for a platonic relationship that felt romantic, or an understanding of partnerships that went beyond the status of "best friend."

In today's episode of The Sunday Story, host Ayesha Rascoe sits down with Rhaina Cohen to talk about her forthcoming book, The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center.

You can listen to the song, "Dear Friend," by Rings of Maple here.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of the southern end of Gaza. The failure of a border control measures shows the waning power of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. The Kansas City Chiefs are poised to win their second consecutive NFL championship.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

A special counsel report says President Joe Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his tenure as vice president, but stopped short of recommending charges. Ukraine is replacing it's top general amidst stalled progress in the war with Russia. And, federal authorities seize former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's passport as he faces allegations of plotting a coup.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Ally Schweitzer, Tara Neill and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock.
We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.
And our executive producer is Erika Aguilar.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

The Supreme Court is set to rule on Colorado's controversial decision to disqualify Donald Trump from the primary ballot, a case with significant implications for the 2024 presidential election. A U.S. drone strike in Baghdad targets a senior commander of an Iran-backed militia, raising questions of escalation in the Middle East. Pakistan is on edge as a contentious election is underway amidst an economic and political crisis.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Miguel Macias, and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

Secretary of State Antony Blinken lands in Israel with Hamas' first public response to a ceasefire deal, which Qatari negotiators describe as "generally positive." Democrats blame former President Donald Trump for sinking a bipartisan Senate bill meant to address the crisis at the border. And, there's more attention on the legal responsibilities of parents with guns after a Michigan jury found the mother of the 2021 Oxford Highschool shooter guilty of manslaughter.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Gerry Holmes, Kelsey Snell, Catherine Laidlaw, and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

Widespread flooding in southern California is turning hillsides into rivers of mud, as a slow-moving storm brings life threatening conditions to the Los Angles area. Both Democrats and Republicans will head to the polls in Nevada on Tuesday to vote for their party's presidential nominee, but many Republicans won't have all the choices on the ballot. And Dartmouth college is reinstating standardized testing requirements in admissions, citing research that shows it might help disadvantaged students.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Sadie Babits, Nichole Cohen and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock.
We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. carried out more strikes on Iranian-backed groups as Secretary Antony Blinken heads to the Middle East to try and avoid further escalation. The Senate unveiled a $118 billion bipartisan Immigration bill meant to address national security at home and abroad, but House Republicans say it's dead on arrival. And, torrential rainfall in Los Angles, California didn't stop Taylor Swift from making history winning her 4th Album of the Year Grammy Award.

Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Gerry Holmes, Sadie Babits, Bilal Qureshi and Mohamad El Bardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Ana Perez.
We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent.
And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

Since its debut in 2008, NPR's Tiny Desk has become a must-stop destination for music superstars like Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys but also for lesser-known musicians, including those who compete in the annual Tiny Desk contest.

Today on The Sunday Story host Ayesha Rascoe talks to senior producer Bobby Carter about the Tiny Desk series, how it has evolved over time and how the Tiny Desk contest has opened the door to the music industry for many artists.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. attacked 85 targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the deaths of three American servicemembers last weekend. Tech executives were grilled at a Capitol Hearing. And the scene at a park in Eagle Pass, Texas, where federal and state authorities are each seeking control over the border.

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

NPR Privacy Policy

President Biden sanctions Israelis for violence in the West Bank. What can turnout in today's South Carolina Democratic primary tell us about the general election in November? One year after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine Ohio, some residents are still putting their lives back together.

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

NPR Privacy Policy