Are you one of those people who live in the future? I know all the health gurus and therapists tell us to live in the moment. Be present. Touch grass. Well, I’m gonna be honest, I have never been one of those people. I’m trying, I swear, but sometimes it is pure bliss to fantasize about a fantastic, science-fiction-fueled future. I love Star Trek, I love space and I have always loved the idea of flying cars!
As a host of NPR’s science podcast — Short Wave — I actually get to daydream for a living and learn which of those sci-fi fantasies are closer to reality than I thought. This summer on Short Wave we’ve been taking you all to Tech Camp. It’s a special series of episodes that cover the breakthroughs, experiments, and innovations that could change your life.
A story that I pitched and reported kicked the series off — flying TAXIS! They are real and honestly… right around the corner. You could be ordering a sky Uber within a year. So if you’re like me and want a break from the day-to-day reality that is sometimes jarring, check out that story here.
Most of our episodes are filled with hope, curiosity, science and… plus a couple about pooping which are hilarious and could help you avoid colon cancer.
Your sci-fi gal,
🚀 Regina
The week’s best episodes
…to share with your favorite colleague
💫 My dream workplace? Easy. The Starship Enterprise
Have you ever thought, “Yeah, I could work there!” when watching a TV series? Well our friends at Pop Culture Happy Hour discuss their top picks. Some of them really want to work with Ted Lasso at FC Richmond. (Not me, not enough science.) Fun Fact: Pop Culture Happy Hour was the podcast I listened to the most before I started working at NPR.
🤨 “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life?”
As a solidly middle-aged woman of color who is doing something she loves every day, I can tell you… that is not true. It is important to learn boundaries, make friends outside of work and not fall for the trap of being your whole self at work. This Code Switch episode dives into that exact struggle, and it's a must-listen for anyone who wears their heart on their sleeve. Code Switch is a podcast I turn to when I want to feel seen.
💅 Tiny pep talks for everyday problems
Looking to give someone you love (or yourself!) a big-time morale boost? Listen to this episode of Life Kit. It’ll help you encourage your friend who’s obsessed with old clothes that don’t fit or give you the motivation you need to make dinner at home tonight. Life Kit always lays out the dos and don’ts in the most accessible way.
➕ Ask An Economist: Housing Edition
How did we end up with a housing shortage? Is real estate still a good investment? What policies might free up the housing inventory owned by baby boomers? Planet Money asked Redfin’s chief economist, Daryl Fairweather for answers. Get access to this episode (and sponsor-free listening) by signing up for NPR+.
One to Watch
Count Binface is a character, sorry, candidate, who runs in various elections in the United Kingdom. He’s hilarious to make a political point, which feels very NPR to me.
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