For Pearl S. Buck, writing wasn’t just something she was going to try: it was her path to independence. Today’s poem, a sonnet.Listen HEREJune 26th, Wednesday | Pearl Buck’s brush with death

The author of the dystopian novel 1984 celebrates a birthday – but who was George Orwell really? Today’s poem, a sonnet from Shakespeare.Listen HEREJune 25th, Tuesday | Who was George Orwell?

Today marks the first widely publicized UFO sighting and the birthday of the shoe-salesman you’ve definitely heard of. Can you guess his name?Listen HEREJune 24th, Monday | The first UFO ‘sighting’

Happy Summer Solstice! “Boxers” rebel in China and the global powers learn a lesson. “A Lazy Day” poem to kick off your summer!Listen HEREJune 21st, Friday | Boxers rebel!

An African American writer and the biochemist who discovered vitamins share a birthday. In today’s poem, a child’s thoughts on their superior perspective.Listen HEREJune 20th, Thursday | Vitamins & Rationing

It’s Juneteenth, an important day for the freedom of all Americans. A South American icon has a birthday. Plus a free-verse love poem.Listen HEREJune 19th, Wednesday | What is Juneteenth?

A heavily mythologized Grand Duchess and a modern American financial writer share a birthday. A bite-sized poem by Robert Frost for your Tuesday.Listen HEREJune 18th, Tuesday | Anastasia & an Economist

Father’s Day has a dark past. A quick bit on birthday author Harriet Beecher Stowe and an absolutely darling poem for Father’s Day!Listen HEREJune 14th, Friday | Father’s Day’s dark past

Judy Garland endured serious mistreatment from studio executives during her adolescence. But at 32 she came back singing. What was her comeback movie?Listen HEREJune 10th, Monday | Judy Garland’s Comeback

A deep dive into the French artist Paul Gauguin, and a small bit on American poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Plus, a bite-sized love poem.Listen HEREJune 7th, Friday | Travelin’ Gauguin