Daily Schedule

Investigative filmmaker Michael Kirk reveals the inside story of how the government came to spy on millions of Americans since September 11, 2001, and the lengths the government has gone to to keep the program a secret. Kara Walker talks about her new public sculpture at the old Domino Sugar factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Director Nabil Ayouch tells us about his film “Horses of God,” which is set in the slums of the outskirts of Casablanca and is based on a horrific 2003 bombing. Ron Capps, who served as a military intelligence officer and as a diplomat for the U.S. Department of State, explains how witnessing war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and genocide caused him to develop PTSD.

Your morning companion from NPR and the WNYC Newsroom, with world news, local features, and weather updates.

Freakonomics co-hosts Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt explain how to retrain the brain - specifically how thinking like a child can help solve adult problems. Plus: A Bangladeshi immigrant practices mercy and forgiveness toward the man who tried to kill him; and Michael Pollan on how cooking changes more than just the physical makeup of food.

The Peabody Award-winning program features Terry Gross’ fearless and insightful interviews with big names in pop culture, politics and the arts.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

In this episode: Dan Ozzi, the editor for VICE’s music site, Noisey, talks about his article “How To Ruin Your Band Name;” -- and argues that he shouldn’t have to know the secret history behind a name like SUNN O))) in order to pronounce it.

Then: Last week, it was widely reported that Apple -- the home of iPads, iPhones, and iTunes -- might soon have a new product line under its wing: Beats Electronics, the company known for its Beats by Dre headphones and Beats Music subscription music service. Soundcheck speaks with The New York Times' arts reporter Ben Sisario about the implications of this historic deal. 

And: For his latest album, The Ambassador, Gabriel Kahane turns toward a place that his family has sometimes called home, Los Angeles. Watch the pianist and composer plays some of his L.A.-centric chamber pop songs live in the Soundcheck studio.

This New Sounds program is the first of a three-part series of music dealing with paintings and/or painters.  Inspired by (electric) violinist Tracy Silverman, and his most recent release, “Between the Kiss and the Chaos,” where each part of a suite was titled after painters and their specific paintings. Listen to Silverman’s “O'Keeffe: Red Poppy” along with his “Picasso: Guernica.” Also, hear music by and about Kurt Schwitters from Brian Eno and then from the duo Ellis Island Sound.  There’s music from Caroline Shaw and Roomful of Teeth, with her self-described “wacked-out homage to Sol LeWitt” as part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning work, “Partita,” and more.