Best Weekend Edition Saturday Podcasts (2025)

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Mushroom enthusiasts are looking for a way to farm the morel- an elusive foraged delicacy 3:57

Play Pause

2d ago3:57

3:57

The morel (MORE-rell) mushroom is traditionally an elusive foraged delicacy. Now, some mushroom enthusiasts say they're close to unlocking the mysterious life cycle of the morel and are looking for a way to farm it in the U.S.By Kate Grumke

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Part 2 - The Character of a Christian 30:00

2d ago30:00

30:00

Mark 12:38-44 KJV 38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. 41 A…

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Opinion: Farewell, equid program 2:34

2d ago2:34

2:34

The U.S. Army announced that 141 of its 236 horses, donkeys, and mules will be put up for adoption, in a move it says will save about $2 million dollars.By Scott Simon

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Encore: Religion and AI, what does it mean when the word of God comes from a chatbot? 4:36

2d ago4:36

4:36

How would you feel if you found out that the sermon at your church was written by artificial intelligence? What does it means when the word of God comes from a chatbot?By Deena Prichep

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How will details on Epstein's case help quell conspiracy theories? 4:04

2d ago4:04

4:04

President Trump says he wants a judge to release more sealed information about the case of Jeffrey Epstein. But will more information do anything to tamp down speculation and conspiracy theories?By Scott Simon

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Saturday Sports: The NFL players union head resigns, second half of baseball season 5:32

2d ago5:32

5:32

NPR's Scott Simon and ESPN's Michele Steele discuss the resignation of the head of the NFL players union, and the beginning of the second half of baseball season.By Scott Simon

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A history of fictional bands from movies with hit tunes 6:02

2d ago6:02

6:02

The movie "KPop Demon Hunters" has not only received critical acclaim, its soundtrack by a fictional K-pop group is a hit. We explore the history of fake movie bands making great music.By Scott Simon

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California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna calls for releasing all files in the Epstein case 5:44

2d ago5:44

5:44

NPR's Scott Simon asks Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., about the Democratic Party's push for more information on the crimes and death of Jeffrey Epstein.By Scott Simon

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An NPR member station manager assesses the future after Congress cuts federal funding 5:41

2d ago5:41

5:41

NPR's Scott Simon talks to North Country Public Radio General Manager Mitch Teich about the recently approved federal funding cuts to public media and what they mean for his station.By Scott Simon

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The rescission package will pull money from UN peacekeeping work. What does this mean? 3:38

2d ago3:38

3:38

Congress has approved a rescission package that claws back about a billion dollars intended for the United Nations — affecting peacekeeping missions, UNICEF, and more.By Michele Kelemen

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Remembering Mississippi Mass Choir's singer, Mama Mosie Burks, who died at 92 3:57

2d ago3:57

3:57

Former lead vocalist of the Mississippi Mass Choir, Mosie Burks, passed away recently. We have a remembrance of the gospel singer.By Joseph King

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Here's why is it's so hard to have good cell service in certain areas of the U.S. 4:59

2d ago4:59

4:59

After devastating flooding in Texas, NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Curtis Knobloch of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative about problems with rural coverage and possible solutions.By Scott Simon

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Part 1 - The Character of a Christian 30:00

3d ago30:00

30:00

Mark 12:38-44 KJV 38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. 41 A…

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Wildfires across Canada are taking a toll on the tourism industry 54:17

4d ago54:17

54:17

PLUS: What 'Crypto Week' means for Canada's financial system; why Clueless endures 30 years after its release; Guy Delisle delivers a comic about pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge; From Ground Zero, a collection of short films made by Gazans; and Riffed from the Headlines, our weekly musical news quiz.…

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Likely Stories - When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi 3:30

4d ago3:30

3:30

If you have ever wondered what it would be like if Star Trek The Next Generation and Monty Python had a baby, I expect that reading a John Scalzi novel is as close as you can get to experiencing it. I’m Gia Chevis with this week’s installment of Likely Stories.By Gia Chevis

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A federal judge in LA ordered immigration agents to stop arresting people illegally 4:25

9d ago4:25

4:25

A federal judge in Los Angeles finds "a mountain of evidence" to support the claim that federal agents are arresting Southern Californians based on their race, accents, or the work they're engaged in.By Scott Simon

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Former U.S. ambassador to NATO discusses downsizing in the State Department 6:46

9d ago6:46

6:46

NPR's Scott Simon asks veteran career diplomat Nicholas Burns about the Trump administration's plans to downsize the State Department.By Scott Simon

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Trump and Brazilian leader exchange barbs as relations strain between the 2 countries 4:55

9d ago4:55

4:55

President Trump and President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil have been trading undiplomatic barbs after Trump's tariff threat this week.By Carrie Kahn

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Saturday sports: Wimbledon finals, NFL Players Association controversy 4:55

9d ago4:55

4:55

NPR's Scott Simon and sportswriter Howard Bryant talk about the women's and men's tennis finals at Wimbledon and a controversial report alleging corruption in the NFL players' union.By Scott Simon

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A controversial amendment cut from Trump's tax bill is to be reintroduced 4:31

9d ago4:31

4:31

A plan to force the sale of federal public lands was taken out of President Trump's tax and spending bill but the fight appears far from over.By Kirk Siegler

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How the band Hotline TNT's new album 'Raspberry Moon' evolved from a solo project 5:51

9d ago5:51

5:51

With the new album "Raspberry Moon," Hotline TNT evolves from a solo project by Will Anderson into a full band.By Danny Hensel

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Award-winning food writer Mark Kurlansky discusses his new novel 'Cheesecake' 5:19

9d ago5:19

5:19

NPR's Scott Simon talks with Mark Kurlansky about his new novel, "Cheesecake." It's a story of New York's restaurant and real estate scenes in the 1980s and, of course, that delectable dessert.By Scott Simon

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Part 2 - Witness - 1 Peter 3:15 30:00

9d ago30:00

30:00

1 Peter 3:15 KJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:By Clark Covington

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President Trump visits Kerrville, Texas as residents lay their loved ones to rest 3:54

9d ago3:54

3:54

Trump arrived amid ongoing disaster relief efforts. The area is on edge as more rain is expected this weekend and the first funerals are to be held Saturday.By Scott Simon

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Does listening to an audiobook count as reading? 2:40

9d ago2:40

2:40

One debate that's sure to draw a lot of strong opinions and hot takes — does listening to an audiobook count as reading? (This story originally aired on July 7 on All Things Considered.)By Andrew Limbong

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A new study shows promise in a new method to vaccinate vampire bats 3:55

9d ago3:55

3:55

Vaccinating vampire bats against rabies can help prevent the spread of the disease to livestock and humans. NPR's Scott Simon talks with epidemiologist Tonie Rocke about a new way to vaccinate bats.By Scott Simon

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What the federal ruling that blocked Trump's policy on birthright citizenship means 4:26

9d ago4:26

4:26

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Vanderbilt University law professor Brian T. Fitzpatrick about class action lawsuits attempting to block Trump administration's policies on birthright citizenship and other issues.By Scott Simon