The ‘choose-your-own adventure’ podcast we’ve been waiting for

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View this email online LAUREN GONZALEZ  SR. PODCAST EVANGELISTA When I was a kid my imagination ran absolutely wild over a good book. My childhood room could transform into… a treehouse in Bear Country! The Metropolitan Museum of Art! The Gryffindor common room! I got to tap into that adventurous spirit with WBUR’s new fictional show, The Midnight Rebellion.  This ain’t your average storytime pod. The show’s rambunctious heroine, Joule, discovers a time machine that transports her to the near future. Turns out it’s kinda bleak – Boston is a watery wasteland that Joule and her friends need to navigate. Every episode ends with a choice: you get to decide what she does next. Should Joules chase the mysterious kid who zooms by her? Jump to Chapter Four. Should she get to the helicopter instead? Skip ahead to Chapter Seven.  This choose-your-own-adventure format isn’t just a fun gimmick. The Midnight Rebellion helps teach kids about climate change and the impacts of individual choice. Co-creator Dean Russell says, “One thing that a lot of us struggle with regarding the climate is feeling too small to change the story. This is a chance to let kids create their own hope by taking charge.” Little Lauren would definitely join the midnight rebellion. As for adult me, it’s a nice reminder to make time for big adventures and little ways to make a difference.  Choose your path wisely!  🦸Lauren  The week’s best episodes …to share with your adventure buddy  🌏 Brave new world  Billionaires from Silicon Valley are hopeful that technology like AI and space travel can help us design a better world. But is the perfect society they imagine possible? Throughline treks to a Honduran city and an Arctic archipelago in search of real-life (venture capitalist) utopia GIVE IT A LISTEN 🩺 Go with your gut  For years this Maori family thought they were cursed, but it turned out to be a genetic mutation that’s linked to a rare stomach cancer. On Short Wave, hear about how it’s being treated, including a surgery to remove your entire stomach.  GIVE IT A LISTEN 💅 Treat yo’self My self care is usually a weekly yoga class or my second latte of the day. But this episode of Life Kit reminded me that taking a look at my finances counts as TLC too. Tune if you’re looking for a financial routine that’ll keep your bank account in tip top shape!   GIVE IT A LISTEN ➕ Florals… for spring?  I honestly don’t know if I’m excited about or dreading The Devil Wears Prada 2. Regardless, I’ll be at the theatre this weekend. To gear up, I’m diving into this Fresh Air interview with actor Stanley “the Tooch” Tucci. Get access to this episode (and sponsor-free listening) by signing up for NPR+. One to Watch The latest viral internet theory involves swapping out your kitchen sponges with… a slice of bread. Wait Wait correspondent Emma Choi tests it out so you don’t have to!   @waitwaitnpr/Instagram Who do you know that LOVES podcasts? Forward them this email, as a treat! Sign up here. Got something on your mind? We'd love to hear from you: podclub@npr.org NPR has so! many! great! newsletters! Politics, culture, identity... we've got you covered. You received this message because you're subscribed to Pod Club emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy