We unpack the week that was, including ‘Zola,’ heat waves, and the Delta variant, with Priska Neely and Anna Rubanova. Then, Abby Browde, co-creator of ‘A Thousand Ways,’ tells us what inspired this delightfully strange... play? (You’ll have to listen to the interview for a better description!) AND we hear from the first ever editorial director of the New York Times Games section Everdeen Mason, who says she’s got big plans for crossword land...

We discuss the week that was with the hosts of ‘The Cut’ podcast, Jazmin Aguilera and B.A. Parker. That means, of course, Britney Spears’ latest statement on her conservatorship, the case of the cursing cheerleader, and online dating! Plus, Michael Greyeyes stops by to tell us all the reasons why ‘Rutherford Falls’ should be on your watch list. It’s a pretty great time!

It’s that time again! This month, we discuss Maggie Shipstead’s ‘Great Circle’ with book critic Bethanne Patrick and Kirkus fiction reviewer Laurie Muchnick. We talk about scale, art, and the Arctic. Plus, we hear from some of you!

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the beaches are packed. Whether you’re working or basking, we have some recommendations for books to read and jams to hang to this summer.

Writers Heather Havrilesky and Daniel Lavery join to unpack the week that was, including FOMO, vaccine incentives, and Simone Biles. We also hear from Dr. Carl Hart, a drug researcher at Columbia University who thinks drugs should be legal again! And last but not least, author Martha Wells tells us about her surprisingly delightful series 'Murderbot Diaries.'

Welcome back to the Nerdette Book Club! It’s just like a regular book club only we never have to know if you actually read the book! This month our pick is ‘Great Circle’ by Maggie Shipstead. At just over 600 pages, it’s a hefty read but SO worth it. The story follows Marian Graves, a 20th century aviatrix who disappears during an attempt at circumnavigating the Earth, and Hadley Baxter, a modern day movie star who ends up playing Marian in a movie. It’s also about planes, WWII, bootlegging, untouched places, fame, celebrity gossip, love, Alaska, and so much more. Listen to this spoiler-free discussion with the author, and if you’re reading along make sure to send us your thoughts before our panel chat later this month! Just record yourself on your smartphone and send the file to nerdettepodcast@gmail.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Relevant links include: Why The Ransomware Crisis Suddenly Feels So Relentless (via MIT Technology Review)Naomi Osaka And The Power Of ‘Nope’ (via New York Times)Viral Video Of Teen Pushing Bear Off Fence (via Instagram user @bakedlikepie)“Help Da Bear” Mystikal Freestyle (via YouTube)Sex Points by Bat Sheva MarcusNine Nasty Words by John McWhorter Nerdette’s Virtual Book Society Event!!! Join us!

This week we checked back in with Dr. Emily Landon, an epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago, to get all of your latest COVID questions answered! We talked about the CDC’s new masking guidelines -- which she calls a “mistake” -- how to navigate reopening with unvaccinated kids, and the future of the pandemic. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions this week!

It’s that time again! This month, we discuss Susie Yang’s best selling debut novel ‘White Ivy’ with author Leland Cheuk (‘No Good Very Bad Asian’) and Barathi Nakkeeran, a New Delhi-based researcher and contributor to the Chicago Review of Books. We talk about class anxiety, anti heroes, and unhappy endings. Plus, we hear from a bunch of you! It’s a pretty good time!

This week we’re joined by ‘1A’ senior producer Jonquilyn Hill and Danielle Kurtzleben, co-host of ‘The NPR Politics Podcast.’ Together, we unpack the week that was, including societal reopening, UFOs, and the latest escalation in the unending generation wars. Plus, romance novelists Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, who have written more than a dozen novels together under the pen name Christina Lauren. They dish about their new book, how they became BFFs, and why they love the romance genre. AND science writer Olga Khazan explains why it’s never too late for you to change your personality. (But only if you want! We think you’re great just as you are.)