To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Sebastian Junger, an acclaimed journalist and author, shares his reflections on mortality and the afterlife, stemming from his own near-death experiences. Sam Parnia, an intensive care doctor at NYU, reveals groundbreaking research on near-death phenomena and how science is reshaping our understanding of life and death. They explore harrowing personal stories, the implications of consciousness during dying, and the transformative insights gained from encounters with deceased loved ones, prompting us to rethink our existential beliefs.

Stephanie Land, author of 'Made', shares gripping insights into the struggles of single motherhood, emphasizing resilience against economic hardships. Jacqueline Plumez, a psychologist and author of 'Mother Power', delves into the profound impact of motherhood on personal and political levels. Ayelet Waldman discusses her controversial essay, challenging societal expectations and advocating for mothers' own needs. Together, they highlight the balance of love, struggle, and community support in the journey of motherhood, offering empowering narratives of courage and connection.

Sharing an episode of “What It’s Like to Be…” from author Dan Heath. On the podcast, Dan explores the world of work, one profession at a time, and interviews people who love what they do. He finds out: What does a couples therapist think when a friend asks for relationship advice? Is a Secret Service Agent supposed to pretend like they’re not there when they’re around the president? What are the 3 clocks that govern the life of a long-haul truck driver? If you’ve ever met someone whose work you were curious about, and you had 100 nosy questions but were too polite to ask… this is the show for you. In this preview, Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa [kee-NYO-nes EE no ho sah] (“Dr. Q”), a brain surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, describes his work: zapping parts of the brain to know where to cut, operating a mouth-controlled microscope, and carrying the weight of life-or-death decisions. How do you preserve a mathematician's expertise when removing tumors? And how did Dr. Q go from picking tomatoes to performing brain surgery?You can listen to more episodes of What It’s Like to Be at https://link.mgln.ai/ttbookdanheath

It can be hard to enjoy the natural world these days without anxiety. You notice a butterfly on a flower and wonder why you don’t see more. How’s the monarch population doing this year? And shouldn’t there be more bees? The challenge is to live in this time of climate change – but still find joy and refuge in it. Original Air Date: July 27, 2024Interviews In This Hour: Ecologies of love: Heather Swan’s stories of insects and the web of life — Becoming edible: Philosopher Andreas Weber’s mystical biologyGuests: Heather Swan, Andreas WeberNever want to miss an episode? Subscribe to the podcast.Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Rooted in reality, written with a keen observer’s eye, and shaped with a sense of song, documentary poetry tells the truth in an artist’s voice. For generations, through wars, crisis, and political upheaval, documentary poets have helped make sense of some of our most difficult moments – by expressing what might otherwise be impossible to say. So what are they writing about today?This episode was produced in partnership with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.Original Air Date: January 13, 2024Interviews In This Hour: The gospel of Suncere Ali Shakur — This is how I drew you — The poetry that bears witness to the everydayGuests: Philip Metres, Suncere Ali Shakur, Kaia Sand, Camille DungyNever want to miss an episode? Subscribe to the podcast.Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? Subscribe to our newsletter.

How does someone become an official saint?  Meet Dorothy Day — journalist, radical activist, mother and lay minister to the poor who died in 1980 — who is being considered for sainthood by the Catholic Church. Shannon Henry Kleiber walks in her footsteps through New York City, where she lived and worked, looking for miracles, talking with people whose lives were changed by her, and wondering how and why saints matter today.We are grateful for additional music for this show from Tom Chapin, Si Kahn and the Chapin Sisters. Thanks also to the Dorothy Day Guild, and The Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Marquette University Archives, which houses Dorothy Day’s papers and photos.Original Air Date: April 19, 2025Interviews In This Hour: In search of miracles, favors and graces — Inside the ‘agony and ecstasy’ of Maryhouse — We are all ‘called to be saints’Guests: Robert Ellsberg, Martha Hennessy, Fr. James MartinNever want to miss an episode? Subscribe to the podcast.Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, a Samoan journalist, shares her poignant experiences documenting climate change's impact on Pacific islands. Bill Limpisathian, a cartography professor, explains how our brains interact with maps and the shift from paper to digital navigation. Uzbekistani electronic musician Andrew Pekler introduces his innovative project featuring a sonic atlas of phantom islands, blending music with geography. Together, they discuss the cultural, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of mapping in the face of environmental challenges.

Peter Tse, a Dartmouth neuroscientist, discusses the unique role of human imagination as both a gift and a potential threat. Marcelo Gleiser, an astrobiologist, shares insights on the Big Bang and emphasizes humanity's urgent need to rethink our impact on the planet. Adam Frank, an astrophysicist, explores the concept of planetary intelligence and the interconnectedness of life. Together, they highlight the necessity of transformative discussions and a shift in our understanding of intelligence, urging a more empathetic relationship with nature.

Shane Gero, a marine biologist dedicated to understanding sperm whale communication through Project CETI, joins Carl Zimmer, a New York Times science reporter known for his insights into whale science, and Mere Takoko, an Indigenous ocean and climate conservationist advocating for whale personhood. They discuss groundbreaking AI technologies that decode whale vocalizations, the deep social bonds within sperm whale families, and Indigenous perspectives on giving these majestic creatures rights. This engaging conversation highlights the urgent need for conservation and understanding our connection to marine life.

In this engaging discussion, theoretical physicist Marcelo Gleiser, poet Marjolijn van Heemstra, and physicist Carlo Rovelli explore the intricate tapestry of time and existence. They reflect on the personal and cosmic implications of time, sharing insights about the Big Bang and black holes. The conversation dives into the overview effect experienced by astronauts and how it alters perspectives on interconnectedness. They also tackle mortality's acceptance, emphasizing a serene approach to life and our vast universe.