Talk of the Nation

Neil Conan

Each day, Talk of the Nation combines the award-winning resources of NPR News with the vital participation of listeners. The result is a spirited and productive exchange of knowledge and insight that delves deeply into the news and ideas of the day.

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Oscar's Top Documentaries
1:12 pm
Mon February 11, 2013

Beyond The Battlefield, Soldiers Fight An 'Invisible War'

Credit Cinedigm/Docurama Films
Kori Cioca, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard, and her husband Rob in an emotional interview for The Invisible War.

Originally published on Wed February 20, 2013 3:35 pm

Next up in an ongoing series of Talk of the Nation conversations with filmmakers nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category at the Oscars: NPR's Neal Conan talks to the filmmakers behind The Invisible War, which investigates the extent of sexual assault in the military.

Through a series of in-depth interviews with victims, the film documents the repercussions of reporting sexual assault and makes an argument for changes in the military adjudication system.

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NPR Story
12:57 pm
Fri February 8, 2013

Tracking Privacy and Ownership In An On-Line World

Originally published on Mon February 11, 2013 1:03 pm

Transcript

JOE PALCA, HOST:

This is SCIENCE FRIDAY; I'm Joe Palca. Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched? These days if you're not careful, your phone knows where you are, and there's a good chance somebody else does, too. Or you've noticed that the ads on sites you visit are starting to look a little too personalized, like how did they know I was planning a vacation to New Orleans.

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NPR Story
12:57 pm
Fri February 8, 2013

Researchers Point To The Demise of the Dinosaurs

Originally published on Fri February 8, 2013 1:35 pm

Transcript

JOE PALCA, HOST:

This is SCIENCE FRIDAY. I'm Joe Palca.

You know the theory that a big collision, a comet or an asteroid, something like that, helped kill off the dinosaurs? The idea has been around for a while. But this week, new research published in journal Science provides more accurate dates for the giant impact and the dino demise.

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NPR Story
12:57 pm
Fri February 8, 2013

Science of Slumber: How Sleep Affects Your Memory

Originally published on Fri February 8, 2013 3:55 pm

We spend a lot of time sleeping (roughly one-third of our lives, according to the National Institutes of Health). But how much downtime do our brains really need? Experts discuss the links between sleep, memory and cognition, and why our sleep patterns change as we age.

NPR Story
1:23 pm
Thu February 7, 2013

While Studying Ice, Scientists Discover Huge Penguin Colony

Originally published on Fri February 8, 2013 8:55 pm

In 2009, a team of researchers from the British Antarctic Survey were studying satellite images of the Antarctic when they noticed something interesting: trails of penguin poop. That showed signs of a huge emperor penguin colony.

The existence of the colony was unconfirmed until a team of researchers from the International Polar Foundation visited in December 2012.

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NPR Story
1:22 pm
Thu February 7, 2013

A Preview Of Brennan's Confirmation Hearings

Originally published on Thu February 7, 2013 3:12 pm

John Brennan, the CIA director nominee, faces questions about the use of drone strikes and torture during his confirmation hearings. In particular, questions will focus on how the U.S. justifies targeted killings in countries where we're not engaged in warfare.

NPR Story
1:22 pm
Thu February 7, 2013

With Pot Legalized, States Enter Uncharted Waters

Originally published on Thu February 7, 2013 3:14 pm

When electorates in Colorado and Washington State voted to legalize recreational marijuana, they thrust their states into uncharted territories. While it's one thing to say pot is legal, it's another to set up regulatory, law enforcement and business practices that work for the industry.

Politics
1:23 pm
Wed February 6, 2013

Shifting Strategy: Narrowing Down The GOP Field

Originally published on Wed February 6, 2013 1:58 pm

NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin discuss the week in politics from Ed Koch's passing to Ashley Judd's political future. John Collegio, communications director for American Crossroads, discusses the group's new campaign to beat far right candidates in Republican primaries.

Law
1:23 pm
Wed February 6, 2013

Detector Dogs And The Law: The Right To Sniff And Seize

Originally published on Wed February 6, 2013 2:39 pm

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on two cases involving detector dogs and the limits of reasonable search and seizure. Surrounding the cases are larger questions about the effectiveness of detector dogs and the legal questions that arise when they are used for law enforcement.

NPR Story
1:23 pm
Wed February 6, 2013

The TV Bad Guys We Hate To Love

Originally published on Thu February 7, 2013 2:37 pm

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

Elizabeth and Phillip Jennings, two kids, split level in the Virginia suburbs. They're on a travel agency and drive a big boxy Oldsmobile - a typical American family in Ronald Reagan's America, except for their other job as Soviet spies.

Last Wednesday night, when "The Americans" debuted on FX, an FBI agent moved in next door, which prompted Phillip, played Matthew Rhys, to suggests to Kerri Russell's Elizabeth it might be a good time to defect.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "THE AMERICANS")

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