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The New Words and Ideas We Need

The team behind the Oxford English Dictionary recently announced a list of new words to be included in 2005, but commentator Bill Langworthy believes the words we get aren't always the words we need.

The New Words and Ideas We Need

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The Power of Love to Transform and to Heal

Four years ago, Jackie Lantry found herself in a Chinese hotel room with a terrified young boy. Today, her adopted son Luke is a happy member of her Massachusetts family, thanks to the power of love.

The Power of Love to Transform and to Heal

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April Fool's: New England Suffers Maple Woes

A downturn in the maple syrup market is having harmful side effects for trees in northern New England. For the first time in decades, the maples are remaining untapped, with sometimes-dangerous results.

April Fool's: New England Suffers Maple Woes

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Heard Any Good Books Lately? An Industry Booms

Audio book sales are increasing at a double-digit rate, making up a healthy chunk of a title's revenue. As Lynn Neary reports, popular books like the Harry Potter series have done well — and expanded consumer awareness of audio books in the process.

Heard Any Good Books Lately? An Industry Booms

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Kaki King, Queen of the Acoustic Guitar

NPR's Liane Hansen speaks with acoustic guitarist Kaki King, who performs selections for us in our studio. The 25-year-old guitar whiz honed her unusual fingerstyle technique playing in New York City subway stations. Her new CD is Legs to Make Us Longer.

Kaki King, Queen of the Acoustic Guitar

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Music by the 'Numbers Stations'

Akin Fernandez's obsession with "numbers stations" — broadcasts of seemingly random numbers sequences that still remain officially a mystery — led to a CD set compiling off-air recordings. It's become a cult hit. Matt Cowan reports.

Music by the 'Numbers Stations'

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'Hidden Kitchens' Calling

A few months back, we asked NPR listeners to submit their tales of how communities come together through food. From chickens roasted in a shipyard welding-rod oven, to pralines made in a prison cell, we air your stories to mark the start of the new series Hidden Kitchens.

'Hidden Kitchens' Calling

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Father Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries

Fresh Air

Father Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest, has worked to find jobs for former gang members in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years. A book about Boyle's work, G-Dog and the Homeboys, is just out in paperback. This interview was originally broadcast on Feb. 17, 2004. We speak with Boyle by phone for an update.

Father Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries

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'John Henry:' Drummer vs. Drum Machine

A fable by music historian Mitch Myers imagines a modern day John Henry taking part in a battle of man against machine. In the story, the owner of the Spotlight Lounge is getting ready to fire the house band in favor of "the Kid", a DJ who is outdrawing the John Henry trio. Drummer John Henry calls for a battle of the bands, man vs. machine, drummer vs. DJ. The spectacle unfolds.

'John Henry:' Drummer vs. Drum Machine

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