Rachel Martin is getting spiritual

Plus, Americans are losing confidence in the Supreme Court.

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen July 2, 2023 This week, the Supreme Court handed down a flurry of rulings, scientists discovered new gravitational waves and actor Julian Sands' remains were found at California's Mount Baldy. Best of NPR NPR's Rachel Martin has spent over two decades in news, covering a wide range of topics from wars to recessions to shootings. She tells NPR Extra she wanted to step away from the grim side of news and focus on more existential questions: "Why are we here? What happens after we die? How do we navigate our way through life?" She finds the answers in her new series, Enlighten Me. André Chung/The Washington Post via Getty Images Martin credits her parents for building her "spiritual scaffolding" and would lean on them for a "dose of spiritual nourishment." After their deaths, she felt nothing made sense anymore. In her new series, she tries to figure out the extent to which people apply religious and spiritual principles in their lives.  Check out a few highlights from the series so far. You can listen to new episodes on Weekend All Things Considered.  💡 Roland Griffiths is the scientist that proved psychedelics can help cancer patients alleviate depression. His work became much more personal when he received his own cancer diagnosis. 💡 Jeff Hiller plays Joel in HBO's Somebody Somewhere. He talks about being raised in the church, how he almost became a pastor, and how the show gently held the spiritual identity of his character. 💡 Do you believe in ghosts? John Blake's memoir, More Than I Imagined, is about growing up as a Black kid in West Baltimore, learning painful secrets about his white mother, and how the ghost of his racist grandfather helped him heal. 💡 Sarah Hurwitz grew up in what she would describe as a culturally Jewish home. But it wasn't until she was in her 30s that she really connected with the spiritual identity she was raised with. Newsletter continues after sponsor message The Week That Was Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images  The Supreme Court wrapped up several highly anticipated decisions this week. But while affirmative action and student loans have been top of mind, polls show Americans are still increasingly troubled by the court's lack of an ethics code. Reports on lavish trips Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas have taken add to the steady decline in confidence in the court. Actor Laura Dern and her mother Diane Ladd have always shared a profession. When Diane was diagnosed with lung disease nearly four years ago, they began to share more. Laura recorded conversations she had with her mother on their daily walks. They're now featured in a new book, Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love (and Banana Pudding). After World War II, American Jewish leaders worried that their culture might not have a future. The solution? Summer sleepaway camps. These days, the immersive camp experience can still be life-changing for American Jews, who are often used to being in a cultural minority. NPR critic and Fresh Air guest host David Bianculli is concerned about the recent layoffs at Turner Classic Movies, and he thinks you should be too if you love film. He writes that the network has offered a well-curated film selection for decades and didn't need fixing. Large brands have historically played the role of activists and helped play a role in social change in America. But the recent backlash against brands like Bud Light, Target, Disney and Chick-fil-A for supporting LGBTQ+ communities has caused companies to question if they should use their voice or shut up. Podcast Picks Jacquelyn Martin/AP Throughline: Every headline has a history, and to understand the present, hosts Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei must dive into the past.  🎧 In this episode, the hosts explore the origins of federal student loans, the promises the government made, and how an idealistic vision transformed into what some have called a monster. Embodied, from North Carolina Public Radio: Sex and relationships are sometimes intimidating to talk about. Host Anita Rao explores our brains and bodies, sometimes touching on taboo territory. 🎧 Anita goes to her first drag show in this episode and looks at the history and evolution of the art form with a drag scholar-turned-performer. Almost There, from the Emerson Collective: How do we create healthy communities? How do we build a fairer immigration system? How can we protect our planet? Almost There tackles what it takes to make transformative social change. 🎧 Walking is the single most powerful thing a Black woman can do for her health. Take a walk with the hosts as they discuss the joy of building community through movement. A People's History of Kansas City, from KCUR: Hear about the everyday heroes, renegades and visionaries who shaped Kansas City and the surrounding region.. 🎧 This episode centers on Lea Hopkins, who spearheaded Kansas City's first Pride parade in 1977. Scott Simon is on vacation. He will return after July 5. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). This newsletter was edited by Avie Schneider. Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Up First emails. 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