Podcast · 320 episodes
1A, page 2
by NPR · English
Listening to the news can feel like a journey. But 1A guides you beyond the headlines – and cuts through the noise. Let's get to the heart of the story, together – on 1A. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for 1A.
All episodes, page 2
Music: Dolly Parton's LegacyThis 1A Record Club episode revisits Dolly Parton’s legacy after her death (Aug. 25, age 80, Nashville) by replaying and expanding on a 2023 discussion of her music and cultural impact.26 Aug 2026 · 47 min · 17 chapters
Tech: Is Technology Setting Us Free?The 1A episode argues that modern technology is shifting governments from “government by consent” to “government by machines,” weakening democratic citizenship.26 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 21 chapters
Health: The DRC Ebola Outbreak Is Spreading At A Rapid Pace. Why?The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak (Bundibugyo species), why it’s hard to contain, what care and community response are needed, and how U.S.25 Aug 2026 · 46 min · 18 chapters
'If You Can Keep It': The World Tech Billionaires WantMotivations of America’s tech billionaires and how they seek to weaken or replace liberal democracy—possibly by treating the country like a corporation and disrupting democratic institutions through…24 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 20 chapters
The News Roundup For August 21, 2026The 1A Friday News Roundup (Aug. 21, 2026) covers U.S. debt and bond-market turmoil, domestic politics and primaries, DOJ election-related lawsuits, a White House access controversy involving Natalie…21 Aug 2026 · 1 h 28 min · 39 chapters
The History And Legacy Of Hurricane HeleneA nearly two-year check-in on Hurricane Helene’s history and ongoing recovery in Western North Carolina, including the storm’s devastation, rebuilding progress, FEMA/state aid delays, and the role of…20 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 16 chapters
Medicine: The Problems And Possibilities Of PeptidesThe episode examines the surge in synthetic “peptides” (often injected amino-acid chains) for weight loss, sleep, muscle growth, and “longevity,” and the regulatory fight over whether some peptides…19 Aug 2026 · 43 min · 17 chapters
In Good Health: Finding A Primary Care PhysicianThe state of U.S. primary care and why about a third of Americans lack a regular primary care doctor; what primary care does, barriers to access, and policy/solution ideas for “finding a primary care…18 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 20 chapters
'If You Can Keep It': How Trump’s Getting Rich As PresidentThe scale of Donald Trump’s personal enrichment in his second term and how crypto, real estate, and Truth Social monetization may create conflicts of interest while he controls U.S. policy.17 Aug 2026 · 45 min · 21 chapters
The News Roundup for August 14, 20261A Friday News Roundup (Aug 14, 2026) covering the Trump administration, especially the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians; ICE tactics; immigration-related videos; primary election…14 Aug 2026 · 1 h 26 min · 36 chapters
Policy: The Trump Administration Wants To Make Big Changes To Head StartThe 1A Podcast episode examines proposed Trump administration changes to Head Start—cutting over 1,400 federal regulations and shifting decisions to local programs/states—plus a fact-check and…13 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 18 chapters
In Good Health: Why Measles Numbers Are On The RiseThe episode explains why measles cases are rising in the U.S. and how a recent federal executive order on vaccines could affect public messaging and state school requirements.12 Aug 2026 · 43 min · 22 chapters
Book: What The Wealthy Want With AmericaThe 1A episode argues the U.S. is becoming an oligarchy—rule by a tiny, ultra-wealthy class—driven by massive billionaire wealth, weakened campaign-finance rules, and tech-linked power.11 Aug 2026 · 34 min · 16 chapters
'If You Can Keep It': The Direct Impact Of Local ElectionsLocal elections’ real-world impact, and how low turnout and declining local media weaken democratic accountability; includes examples like Dallas municipal elections (8% turnout) and coal miners’…10 Aug 2026 · 32 min · 16 chapters
The News Roundup for August 7, 2026U.S. and international news roundup (Aug 7, 2026). Main U.S. focus: Michigan Democratic Senate primary (Abdul El-Sayed vs.7 Aug 2026 · 1 h 26 min · 34 chapters
AI: What AI Means For The Future Of American EducationHow artificial intelligence is already being used in K-12 education (and by teachers and students), what it means for academic integrity and trust, and what policies/AI literacy should look like amid…6 Aug 2026 · 42 min · 17 chapters
Economy: Rising Grocery Prices Are Changing How Americans ShopRising grocery prices and how they’re reshaping shopping, diets, and household finances, including increased use of credit cards, buy now/pay later, payday loans, and charitable food; policy debate…5 Aug 2026 · 44 min · 25 chapters
AI: The Data Center Debate, Part TwoPart two of 1A’s “AI: The Data Center Debate,” focusing on why data centers have become a fast-moving political flashpoint, how public opinion shifted, and what lawmakers are proposing to regulate…4 Aug 2026 · 45 min · 17 chapters
'If You Can Keep It': Should Judges Be Elected?Kansas voters consider a constitutional amendment to replace the state’s 68-year merit-based judicial selection system with direct elections for judges, starting with the Kansas Supreme Court.4 Aug 2026 · 43 min · 18 chapters
The News Roundup For July 31, 2026This episode of 1A’s Friday News Roundup covers: (1) U.S. Senate chaos over President Trump’s attorney general nominee Todd Blanche, tied to an IRS “immunity”/scrutiny deal; (2) the stalled “SAVE…31 Jul 2026 · 1 h 27 min · 51 chapters
AI: The AI Detection Tool Arms RaceThe episode explores how AI-generated and AI-edited media is undermining public trust, and whether detection tools can keep up.30 Jul 2026 · 45 min · 19 chapters
Music: Glen Hansard On Making MusicInterview with Irish musician Glen Hansard about his career, the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly,” and his new two-part live album, “Don’t Settle, Transmissions East and West,” recorded during two…29 Jul 2026 · 35 min · 18 chapters
Pending: Navigating Uncertainty With FaithThe “Pending” episode on uncertainty explores how faith (religious, humanist, or values-based) can help people face the unknown, and where it may fail—especially during illness, grief, and major life…28 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 19 chapters
'If You Can Keep It': The Pentagon And TransparencyThe Pentagon and Trump administration transparency during the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, focusing on shifting stated goals, casualty reporting, press access, and Congress’s ability to constrain war…27 Jul 2026 · 45 min · 26 chapters