Month: December 2024

Every year, more and more Americans embark on Dry January – a whole month of giving up alcohol.

It’s easy to imagine the benefits: no hangovers, better sleep, happier wallet. But like with any resolution for the new year, staying committed can be hard.

Today, we’re bringing you an episode from our friends at the “Life Kit” podcast that’s all about how to get through Dry January – and reexamine your relationship with alcohol.

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Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100.

He was the nation’s 39th president, in office from 1977 to 1981.

He will of course be remembered for his accomplishments in office. But also for all that he accomplished in the four decades after he left the White House.

Host Andrew Limbong speaks about Jimmy Carter’s legacy with two NPR journalists who have covered the White House for years: national political correspondent Mara Liasson and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith.

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When Syria’s dictatorship fell in early December, celebrations broke out around the world – including nearly 6,000 miles away, in Toledo, Ohio.

That’s where Mohammed al-Refai, a refugee from Syria, lives now. NPR has followed his story for nearly a decade.

In 2015, millions of Syrians fled the civil war in their country. al-Refai got a visa to come to the U.S. His parents and siblings, who fled to Jordan, did not. So, he moved on his own to Toledo, where built a new life for himself.

He long dreamed of visiting his family and maybe, one day, returning to Syria.

With the Syrian civil war now over, we talked to al-Refai about what comes next.

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The holiday season is joyous – and also expensive.

From steep flight prices to a laundry list of presents to buy, when January 1st rolls around, you might feel like your bank account is hurting.

Luckily, our friends at the “Life Kit” podcast have an answer for everything – including what they call “financial self-care.”

Today, we’re bringing you one of their episodes that’s all about creating routines for a healthy bank account in 2025 and beyond.

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It can be hard to resist jumping on the whole “New Year, New You” bandwagon. But if you’ve decided 2025 is your year to make some changes, we have tips to help you succeed.

“Life Kit” host Marielle Segarra joins us to share the best ways to approach New Year’s resolutions.

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What makes a movie a Christmas movie?

When the movie Die Hard was released on Blu Ray a few years back, the studio called it “the greatest Christmas story ever told!”

It does take place at an office Christmas party, but is that fact enough to make it a Christmas movie?

What about “Elf,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Eyes Wide Shut” are those Christmas movies? Yes, right? NPR producer Marc Rivers says, “not so fast.”

Just what makes any Christmas movie a true Christmas movie?

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Whether you play it on loop or whether it drives you crazy, there’s no question Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” song has become a permanent fixture of the Christmas song canon.

But the holiday song canon is big, and a number of other pop artists have made their own Yuletide jingles since 1994 including John Legend, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift.

But not even the woman who shattered records with her Eras tour has given us a holiday song that has had staying power worthy of The Canon.

For 30 years Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” has dominated the holiday music charts. NPR’s Stephen Thompson explains what makes it a lasting hit?

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By most objective measures, the US economy is in good shape. Employers added about 2 million jobs this year. Unemployment is low. In much of the country, gasoline is now selling for less than $3 a gallon.

The Economist has called the United States’ performance “the envy of the world.”

But even as the U.S. is outperforming most other countries, many Americans remain frustrated by the high cost of living. And that’s fueled a lot of unhappiness, and a political comeback for President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump will soon take the reins of an economy that’s bounced back strongly during the four years he was out of office. For many families, though, that rebound was overshadowed by soaring prices for food, housing, and other necessities.

Will his policies bring costs down? Or rekindle inflation?

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It was a hectic election season in America, to put it lightly, and we’re not alone. What do this year’s elections across the world say about the state of democracy at large? Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR correspondents about some of the most consequential global elections of 2024.

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Given the fact that it seems like Hollywood churns out nothing but sequels, you would think the industry would have perfected the genre by now.

Some sequels are pretty darn good, but many believe the perfect movie sequel came out 50 years ago this month.

Of course, we’re talking about Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather: Part II. It’s not only considered the greatest sequel of all time, it’s also considered one of the greatest movies of all time.

So why does Godfather II work, and where so many other sequels fall short?

NPR producer Marc Rivers weighs in.

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