Best-selling writer Elizabeth Gilbert brings an intrepid 19th century woman botanist to life in her latest novel, "The Signature of All Things." In this conversation, she introduces us to the wonder of moss, Darwin's correspondance with "lady scientists" and the 16th century mystic, Jacob Boehme.
How do you make music from plants? Here's a recent article about the artist Mileece.
Nina Simone's powerful voice and turbulent life are the subjects of an Oscar-nominated documentary, a new biography and a forthcoming Hollywood biopic. But it's her politics that speaks most forcefully to a new generation of African American activists. Biographer Alan Light talks about the incandescent soul singer and Black Power icon.
Jedediah Berry imagines a future where science can unlock buried thoughts.
Wendy Shanker is the author of “The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life.” She tells Anne Strainchamps that she prefers “fat” to the euphemisms and says that she is healthy and happy despite her size.
As the reigning Women's Bantamweight Champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Ronda Rousey just might be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. In this extended interview, she reflects on some pivotal fights throughout her career, and the people who helped her get to the top.
Will Friedwald, author of “Stardust Melodies,” tells Steve Paulson about Billy Strayhorn’s Song “Lush Life.”
Stephen Braude chairs the Philosophy Department at the University of Maryland, but he's long been interested in parapsychology, especially psycho-kinesis.
Anne Strainchamps sat down with the great Turkish writer Elif Shafak. Her latest novel, “The Architect’s Apprentice,” is an epic tale set in the height of the Ottoman Empire. It has bloodshed. It was palace intrigue. It has romance. And, yes, it has architecture.
Shafak’s tale centers around a 16th century mosque architect named Mimar Sinan. Though a character in her novel, Sinan was also a real person – considered to be the greatest architect in the Islamic World.
