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Reena Advani Reena Advani is an editor for NPR's Morning Edition and NPR's news podcast Up First.
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Reena Advani

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Reena Advani
Wanyu Zhang/NPR

Reena Advani

Editor, Morning Edition

Reena Advani is an editor for NPR's Morning Edition and NPR's news podcast Up First.

She also oversees Morning Edition's books coverage, accepting pitches from anyone with a compelling story to tell.

Advani was part of the team that covered China's 2019 Belt & Road forum in Beijing, showcasing China's global ambitions and its complex relationship with the United States.

In 2018, Advani edited Morning Edition's live coverage from Memphis, marking 50 years since Martin Luther King Junior's assassination.

In 2016, she was the lead editor on NPR's special documentary looking back at President Obama's eight years in office.

Among Advani's highlights at NPR: bringing Dominique Crenn, Matt Damon, King Abdullah II, Andre Agassi, and Serena Williams to air.

Prior to joining Morning Edition, Advani was a producer for NPR's foreign desk for ten years.

Advani is an East West Center fellow and participated in their first Korea-United States Journalists Exchange. She has also traveled to China, Nepal, and Belgium on journalism fellowships.

Story Archive

Friday

Talking Heads on making sense, together

The members of Talking Heads — Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and David Byrne — today and as they appeared in 1983 with their live band, for the concerts that would become the film Stop Making Sense. Sire Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/Illustration by Jackie Lay hide caption

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Sire Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images/Illustration by Jackie Lay

Music Interviews

Talking Heads on making sense, together

The New York icons whose songs pulled rock inside out (and whose breakup was nearly as legendary) gather for the first time in years to discuss their rereleased concert film, Stop Making Sense.

Talking Heads on making sense, together

Listen · 6:58
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Thursday

Africa

Libyan poet Mustafa al-Trabelsi, who warned of flood risks, died in Derna flood

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Libyan writer Khaled Mattawa. He translated a poem by Mustafa al-Trabelsi, who wrote about the flood risks in Libya before he died in them.

Libyan poet Mustafa al-Trabelsi, who warned of flood risks, died in Derna flood

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Tuesday

Matthew McConaughey's book 'Just Because' is judgment-free

Matthew McConaughey hopes his new book, Just Because, will spark thoughtful conversations among families and connect people of all generations. Penguin Random House hide caption

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Penguin Random House

Author Interviews

Matthew McConaughey's book 'Just Because' is judgment-free

NPR's A Martinez speaks with actor Matthew McConaughey about his new children's book, Just Because, which offers life lessons in couplets.

Matthew McConaughey's book 'Just Because' is judgment-free

Listen · 6:12
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Tuesday

Pidgeon Pagonis reveals a long held secret in 'Nobody Needs to Know'

Author Pidgeon Pagonis was raised a girl but was born with both female and male sexual organs. They tell their story of discovering who they really in a memoir released August 15, 2023. Sarah Joyce/Courtesy of TOPPLE/Little A hide caption

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Sarah Joyce/Courtesy of TOPPLE/Little A

Author Interviews

Pidgeon Pagonis reveals a long held secret in 'Nobody Needs to Know'

Author Pidgeon Pagonis discovered the truth about their gender identity when they were in college. Now they tell their story hoping to help others.

Pidgeon Pagonis reveals a long held secret in 'Nobody Needs to Know'

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Thursday

Madhur Jaffrey's no fuss introduction to Indian cooking

Madhur Jaffrey, Indian-American actress, chef and author, poses for a portrait leading up to the release of "An Invitation to Indian Cooking: 50th Anniversary Edition" at her home in Hillsdale, New York, US, on Friday, June 23, 2023. Gabriela Bhaskar for NPR hide caption

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Gabriela Bhaskar for NPR

Food

Madhur Jaffrey's no fuss introduction to Indian cooking

Madhur Jaffrey says she never took cooking seriously, and it may be her secret to her success: "I love to eat and when you do, you think of all the possibilities."

Madhur Jaffrey's no fuss introduction to Indian cooking

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Thursday

The creator of luxury brand Brother Vellies is fighting for justice in fashion

Wildflower is the new memoir from Aurora James, founder of the luxury accessories brand Brother Vellies as well as the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Penguin Random House hide caption

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Penguin Random House

Culture

The creator of luxury brand Brother Vellies is fighting for justice in fashion

Shoes and accessories designed by Aurora James sell for hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. In Wildflower, James details how hard it was to get here and the imbalanced economics of high fashion.

The creator of luxury brand Brother Vellies is fighting for justice in fashion

Listen · 7:03
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Wednesday

A new documentary on the band Wham! shows the 'temporal nature of youth'

English singer-songwriters George Michael (1963 - 2016) and Andrew Ridgeley of pop duo Wham! at the Ivor Novello Awards, UK, 14th March 1985. D. Morrison/Getty Images hide caption

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D. Morrison/Getty Images

Music

A new documentary on the band Wham! shows the 'temporal nature of youth'

The pop duo Wham! was only around for four years, but its songs have lasted decades. Chris Smith's Netflix documentary tells its history from the viewpoints of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.

A new documentary on the band Wham! shows the 'temporal nature of youth'

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Monday

VP Kamala Harris says the Supreme Court took rights from the people of America

Vice President Harris told NPR's Michel Martin, "I think about my role as vice president of the United States and what that means both in terms of the bully pulpit that I have and the responsibility that comes with that to hopefully inform folks of things I might be aware of, but also to elevate public discourse and hopefully cut through the misinformation." Abdul Aziz for NPR hide caption

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Abdul Aziz for NPR

Politics

VP Kamala Harris says the Supreme Court took rights from the people of America

Vice President Harris tells voters at Essence Fest to elect people to Congress who can address policy that cannot be done through executive action.

VP Kamala Harris says the Supreme Court took rights from the people of America

Listen · 11:16
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Wednesday

Virginia Johnson on her time at Dance Theatre of Harlem: 'It was love'

Virginia Johnson, 73, the outgoing artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem poses in one of the company's ballet studios at 466 West 152nd street in New York City, N.Y. on Thursday, June 22, 2023. She joined the company in 1969 as a founding member and prima ballerina, returning to it as the Artistic Director from 2009-2023. Nicky Qumaina-Woo for NPR hide caption

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Nicky Qumaina-Woo for NPR

Dance

Virginia Johnson on her time at Dance Theatre of Harlem: 'It was love'

When Virginia Johnson joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem, it was often confused with the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. This week Johnson retires as artistic director of the pioneering company.

Virginia Johnson on her time at Dance Theatre of Harlem: 'It was love'

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Saturday

The Tulsa Race Massacre is recounted through family memories in 'Built from the Fire'

The Goodwin family, including Regina Goodwin, in a 1970s photo. Broadside PR hide caption

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Broadside PR

Books

The Tulsa Race Massacre is recounted through family memories in 'Built from the Fire'

One family, the Goodwins, was forever changed by the attacks in Oklahoma more than a century ago and worked to ensure Tulsa acknowledged the truth about what happened.

The Tulsa Race Massacre is recounted through family memories in 'Built from the Fire'

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Thursday

'Never Have I Ever' star Ramakrishnan says anyone can relate to Devi's growth

Netflix's Never Have I Ever wraps up its fourth and final season. The show stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who plays Devi Vishwakumar. Lara Solanki/Netflix hide caption

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Lara Solanki/Netflix

Television

'Never Have I Ever' star Ramakrishnan says anyone can relate to Devi's growth

NPR's Asma Khalid speaks with actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan about the final season of Never Have I Ever. Over the last three seasons, viewers have watched her character Devi Vishwakumar evolve.

'Never Have I Ever' star Ramakrishnan says anyone can relate to Devi's growth

Listen · 7:58
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Monday

Ethnic and religious divisions fuel Sudanese film 'Goodbye Julia'

'Goodbye Julia' is a 2023 Sudanese film directed by Mohamed Kordofani. Kordofani shared his personal journey and reflections with Morning Edition. Courtesy of Station Films and Ambient Light hide caption

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Courtesy of Station Films and Ambient Light

Movies

Ethnic and religious divisions fuel Sudanese film 'Goodbye Julia'

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Mohamed Kordofani about his film Goodbye Julia. It's about two very different Sudanese women who form a friendship against the backdrop of a civil war.

Ethnic and religious divisions fuel Sudanese film 'Goodbye Julia'

Listen · 7:00
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Wednesday

Kwame Alexander's memoir began as a book of love poems but morphed into so much more

Kwame Alexander says his new memoir reflects what he has learned about love from parenting. Harlin Miller hide caption

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Harlin Miller

Author Interviews

Kwame Alexander's memoir began as a book of love poems but morphed into so much more

Author Kwame Alexander reflects on healing and the power of writing in his new memoir, "Why Fathers Cry at Night," released on May 23.

Kwame Alexander's memoir began as a book of love poems but morphed into so much more

Listen · 7:05
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Monday

Author Interviews

Advice from a recovering workaholic: break free

How to achieve that hard-to-hit goal of work/life balance? NPR's A Martinez asks Bryan Robinson, author of Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World.

Advice from a recovering workaholic: break free

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Wednesday

'Biting the Hand': Korean American author calls for weaponizing invisibility

The author Julia Lee. Tara Pixley/Henry Holt hide caption

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Tara Pixley/Henry Holt

Author Interviews

'Biting the Hand': Korean American author calls for weaponizing invisibility

Korean American author Julia Lee pulls no punches about the experience of being Asian in the U.S. today, in her memoir Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America.

'Biting the Hand': Korean American author calls for weaponizing invisibility

Listen · 7:19
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Tuesday

In her new stories, Atwood has characters modeled after herself and her partner

Writer Margaret Atwood attends the 2019 NYWIFT Muse Awards at the New York Hilton Midtown on December 10, 2019 in New York City. Lars Niki/Getty Images for New York Women hide caption

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Lars Niki/Getty Images for New York Women

Author Interviews

In her new stories, Atwood has characters modeled after herself and her partner

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with author Margaret Atwood about her new short story collection, Old Babes in the Wood.

In her new stories, Atwood has characters modeled after herself and her partner

Listen · 7:01
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Friday

Poetry Challenge: Tell us how naps restore you

A spectator sleeps during IRONMAN Ireland, Cork on August 14, 2022 in Cork, Ireland. Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN hide caption

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Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Culture

Poetry Challenge: Tell us how naps restore you

Kwame Alexander, our poet-in-residence, loves power naps. Write a poem about how a nap helps you restore, and it may be read on Morning Edition.

Poetry Challenge: Tell us how naps restore you

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Friday

Let It Be Morning shines light on Palestinians' unease with the status quo in Israel

'Let it Be Morning' is the story of Sami (Alex Bakri), a Palestinian citizen of Israel living in Jerusalem who receives an invitation to his brother's wedding forcing him to return to the village where he grew up. Cohen Media Group hide caption

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Cohen Media Group

Movie Interviews

Let It Be Morning shines light on Palestinians' unease with the status quo in Israel

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Israeli filmmaker Eran Kolirin and Palestinian actor Alex Bakri about the film 'Let it Be Morning'.

Let It Be Morning shines light on Palestinians' unease with the status quo in Israel

Listen · 7:17
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Tuesday

Ilyon Woo's new book explores the relentless pursuit of freedom

"Master Slave Husband Wife" reconstructs the dramatic escape of a couple from slavery in 1848. Simon & Schuster hide caption

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Simon & Schuster

Author Interviews

Ilyon Woo's new book explores the relentless pursuit of freedom

In "Master Slave Husband Wife," Ilyon Woo describes the story of Ellen and William Craft escaping slavery.

Ilyon Woo's new book explores the relentless pursuit of freedom

Listen · 7:14
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Wednesday

Banned Books: Maia Kobabe explores gender identity in 'Gender Queer'
Oni Press

Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S.

Banned Books: Maia Kobabe explores gender identity in 'Gender Queer'

Maia Kobabe set out to express an experience with gender identity. The graphic memoir Gender Queer is now the most banned book in the United States, according to the American Library Association.

Banned Books: Maia Kobabe explores gender identity in 'Gender Queer'

Listen · 7:15
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Wednesday

Banned Books: Author Jerry Craft on telling stories all kids can identify with
Quill Tree Books

Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S.

Banned Books: Author Jerry Craft on telling stories all kids can identify with

Jerry Craft published the Newbury award-winning graphic novel New Kid in 2019. The novel focuses on the experience of being Black and the "new kid" at a predominantly white school.

Banned Books: Author Jerry Craft on telling stories all kids can identify with

Listen · 7:19
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Wednesday

Banned Books: Author Susan Kuklin on telling stories that inform understanding
Candlewick Press

Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S.

Banned Books: Author Susan Kuklin on telling stories that inform understanding

Susan Kuklin published the award-winning Beyond Magenta in 2014. The collection of images and interviews with transgender and nonbinary teens and young adults centers their experiences and identities.

Banned Books: Author Susan Kuklin on telling stories that inform understanding

Listen · 7:06
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Wednesday

Banned Books: Author Ashley Hope Pérez on finding humanity in the 'darkness'
Carolrhoda Lab

Banned and Challenged: Restricting access to books in the U.S.

Banned Books: Author Ashley Hope Pérez on finding humanity in the 'darkness'

Ashley Hope Pérez published Out of Darkness in 2015 to critical acclaim. The novel re-contextualized contemporary issues of race providing a historical framework in a not-so-post-racial America.

Banned Books: Author Ashley Hope Pérez on finding humanity in the 'darkness'

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Monday

According to your pet: share a poem

Share a poem in the voice of your pet Jess Eng/NPR hide caption

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Jess Eng/NPR

Culture

According to your pet: share a poem

One thing that's nice about having pets, they give you unconditional love. Poet-in-residence Kwame Alexander is asking you to share a poem in the voice of your pet.

According to your pet: share a poem

Listen · 2:41
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