2024.03.14: Fellow Kids

In the latest laughter-loaded episode of "Fly on the Wall," hosts David Spade and Dana Carvey welcome acclaimed director Jake Szymanski, digging into the fertile ground of comedy from his Milwaukee roots to Hollywood heights. Known for his sharp wit and skillful direction in hits like "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates," Szymanski joins the congenial duo to unpack the intricacies of sketch comedy and the art of the mockumentary.

Listeners are treated to a comedic journey as Spade, Carvey, and Szymanski explore the transformative landscape of humor—from the bustling sets of "Saturday Night Live" to the authentic deception on "Jury Duty." Delving into the evolving mechanics of the film industry and the innovative use of new media for promotion, this episode is not only a masterclass in industry savvy but also a heartfelt homage to the relentless pursuit of fresh comedic formats. The camaraderie among the trio and their collective wisdom shines a spotlight on what it takes to stay novel and engaging in a rapidly shifting entertainment realm.

In this offbeat installment of "Last Podcast On The Left," hosts Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel, and Marcus Parks delve into the dark and often bizarre world of true crime. From the mystery behind the Melbourne Mushroom Murders to the tale of a Canadian police station with its very own bar, this "Relaxed Fit" episode offers a plethora of riveting stories wrapped in the show's signature mix of irreverent humor and insightful commentary.

As usual, the trio balances the grim with the light, sharing personal anecdotes about self-care and retrospection on quirky kitchen gadgets from yesteryears. Listen to the chemistry of Zebrowski, Kissel, and Parks as they tackle everything from celebrity scandals to philosophical musings on mortality and fidelity. This episode is not just a true crime digest; it's an examination of societal quirks, an homage to comedy, and an exploration of life behind bars, all while maintaining a deep appreciation for their listeners' unwavering support.

In the latest laugh riot of "Bad Friends," comedians Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino, along with their eclectic crew including Andrés Rosende, Rudy Jules, and Carlos Herrera, expertly tread the thin line that separates hilarious from offensive. They revisit a haunting Halloween gag involving a shock collar that left Lee feeling more tricked than treated. The tension from the prank lingers in the air, yet is sweetly undercut by an impromptu candy tasting session that showcases the lighter, more playful side of their comedic ensemble.

The episode then playfully bounces from the frivolous to the philosophical, touching upon diverse topics in their signature style. Hear them riff on Rudy's "One Piece" anime binge, mockingly craft live-action adaptations, and candidly discuss personal matters ranging from birth control to the intimate preferences of young adults. True to the unpredictable spirit of "Bad Friends," Lee and Santino lead their motley crew through the murky waters of youthful romance, fashion trends during the pandemic, and education systems, all while offering up blunt and funny reviews on trending products like HelloFresh meals and Displate posters. Don't miss their irreverent take on the concept of $50 'oxygenated' water and modern-day consumerism.

In a society troubled by overconsumption and disconnection, what are plants, Anishinaabe Indigenous worldviews, and science all trying to teach us about restoring balance? In Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer explains how these three sources of knowledge show us how to flourish through a practice of mutual care with other people and the natural world.

As our industrial society puts increasing stress on ecosystems and climate change threatens the well-being of us all, we must shift from a consumption and competition mindset to one recognizing our interdependence. Then we can practice mutual care to enable all living beings to thrive. In this guide, we’ll explore models of mutual care evident in plants, Indigenous culture, and science. We’ll also examine how mutual care phenomena in the natural world translate to the human world, and we’ll update Kimmerer’s examples.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan explores how we answer the question, “What should we eat.” It traces four types of food chains from a food’s origin to the dinner table. He focuses on how food production in the U.S. has evolved from small farms to a mass production system of huge corn and animal farms operated on factory-based principles. This system has produced cheap, tasty but less healthy foods, while making it difficult for us to make better choices by obscuring our food’s origins and ingredients.

We have a viable alternative in true organic food, but to make better choices and influence change we must do the work of educating ourselves and giving up our addiction to convenience and unhealthy foods.

Are trees competitive or cooperative? In Finding the Mother Tree, ecologist Suzanne Simard delves into this question. Scientists and foresters have typically thought of trees as competing for water, sunlight, and nutrients, and they’ve favored growing marketable species while eliminating presumed competitors. However, ecologist Suzanne Simard explains in Finding the Mother Tree that trees in a forest are interconnected—they communicate and share resources through a complex underground network of fungi.

In this guide, we’ll show how Simard’s research has led to a shift in thinking about ecological relationships. We’ll explain how fungi work to connect the plant life in the forests, how “Mother Trees” take care of their communities and their offspring, and why the prevailing competition paradigm is shortsighted. Throughout, we’ll look at other research that supports or challenges Simard’s findings and discuss how this “new” paradigm of cooperation is not new at all—it’s been the prevailing model for understanding nature among indigenous peoples throughout history.

In recent months, the White House, Congress, US armed forces, and more than half of US states have banned the Chinese-owned social media app, TikTok, from government-issued devices. There’s broad concern that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could share Americans’ personal data with the Chinese government, or push Chinese propaganda and misinformation. Some experts say the US should treat TikTok the way it wants other countries to treat American social media platforms—and use moderate measures to protect national security and citizens’ personal data. But Congress may not heed this advice.

In a vital update from NPR News Now, correspondents including Korva Coleman, Eleanor Beardsley, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Bobby Allyn take us through the latest on global and domestic fronts. The battle for peace in the Middle East hits yet another snag, as Korva Coleman delivers a succinct breakdown of the collapsed cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, including the heavy implications and the subsequent surge in hostilities that have disrupted the region's pursuit of tranquility. Eleanor Beardsley delves into the nuances behind the allegations from Israel's Prime Minister's office, while grappling with the sobering reality of increasing casualties in Gaza.

On U.S. soil, Coleman brings the spotlight back home with the account of a tragic shooting of college students in Burlington, shedding light on the victims' Palestinian heritage and underlining the breached sense of security in academic institutions. The episode also covers the involvement of the FBI in a possible hate crime investigation, signifying a rise in concerns about gun violence and its underlying motives. Meanwhile, political ethics take center stage as the case of Congressman George Santos unfolds, examining the balance between allegations of federal corruption and the legal processes within the House of Representatives. Finally, Bobby Allyn explores free speech debates, centering on Montana's legal skirmishes over TikTok bans and data security, which paints a broader picture of the digital landscape and its regulatory challenges. Each segment underscores NPR News Now's commitment to delivering comprehensive, on-the-ground reporting.

Tech platforms and the U.S government have increased their surveillance and censorship of the Internet over the past decade, sharply so during the COVID-19 pandemic. Will the Internet ever be truly “free” again?