CultureCast

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Christmas foods from Christmas songs; How to make GOOD fruit cake

Dec 22, 2017

Christmas time brings us scores of familiar songs. Many of them include references to foods and drinks that we may not really know much about in our modern times.

We explore the myths surrounding the origins of candy canes, the reason figgy pudding is actually an example of GOOD British food, the wassail drink, and how...

Women finding their voice

Nov 30, 2017

Our culture - from the artistic to the political - has been rocked in the last couple of months. We’ve had many allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment — mostly on the part of powerful men.

A striking theme in much of the last few weeks has been that women, who most often were the targets of abuse, often...

Until recently, James Comey's twitter handle was "Reinhold Niebuhr." Not exactly a household name, but a significant figure in American culture and political thought throughout World War II and the Cold War.

And what Niebuhr had to say gives us insight into Comey's thinking, how he handled Trump and the investigation...

Pumpkin pie's shocking secret REVEALED!

Oct 23, 2017

'Tis the season for pumpkin pies, and pumpkin spice flavored lattes, cookies, bread... and so many more. We break down a dirty little secret about pumpkin pies, and tell you a great way, which you may not have thought of, to make the delicious holiday treat.

We also explore the origins of pumpkin spice mix. And what's...

A gripping book about terrorism, and a raging sci-fi debate

Sep 24, 2017

CultureCast book editor Loretta Williams offers a listener challenge with a $25 prize! And we discuss the gripping novel The Association of Small Bombs, as well as a raging online debate over two sci-fi books.

Nova Safo

Nova is the host of CultureCast. He has worked on NPR's Arts Desk and public radio's business show Marketplace -- not to mention CNN, Yahoo! News, and, currently, Agence France-Presse. He has covered everything from the economics of emojis to Hollywood awards shows. He is also a trained musician, who spent his childhood practicing while his friends were out riding their bikes.

Loretta Williams

Loretta Williams is CultureCast's book editor. She's won a bunch of awards, including the prestigious duPont-Columbia Silver Baton and a Peabody. Loretta spent years being deluged with books as books editor at NPR, which as a voracious reader, was akin to manna from heaven. She believes fiction can be just as enlightening as news (sometimes more so), and as an independent editor and producer, she still reads voraciously, while occasionally editing novels.

Sasa Woodruff

Sasa (pronounced Sasha) Woodruff is CultureCast's food editor. She is a food correspondent and a producer at LA's prestigious public radio station KCRW. Sasa's six-second Vine films won her Viner of the Year at the Taste Awards. With more than two decades in broadcast news, Sasa has worked for major news outlets including NPR, Public Radio International and American Public Media. She is an avid cook and baker, and when not shooting video or editing audio, you’ll probably find her digging in the garden or figuring out how to make vinegar from scratch.

Kate Concannon

Kate Concannon is CultureCast's music editor, and just like the rest of the crew - she's an overachiever. Kate's won numerous journalism awards including a prestigious Gracie from the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television. A 25-year veteran of public radio, she was NPR’s Western Bureau Chief until 2010. Kate also worked as a reporter, producer and researcher with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and as a reporter, show producer and editor with the local public radio station in San Diego KPBS-FM.