Best Stephen Bentley Podcasts (2025)

1
An inside look at the men Trump sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison 23:28

8h ago23:28

23:28

A new investigation from ProPublica sheds light on some of the Venezuelan men President Trump sent to an infamous prison in El Salvador. Melissa Sanchez, a member of the team that reported on the prison, explains why the men are now being set free. And, the Associated Press' Eric Tucker shares the latest on the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffr…

1
Is the cancelation of Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' the end of late-night TV? 20:58

20h ago20:58

20:58

CBS is canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Parent company Paramount is in the middle of a multibillion-dollar merger with the studio Skydance. The deal needs approval from the Trump administration, and Colbert has been a harsh critic of the president. CNN's Brian Stelter joins us why CBS canceled the show. Then, historian Julian Zelizer…

1
“Reimagining Church as a Ministry Center” featuring Beth and Nelson Neil 26:39

1d ago26:39

26:39

Podcast Episode 172 How can a struggling congregation be transformed into a thriving multicultural ministry center? In this episode co-pastors Beth and Nelson Neil share how Culmore Church was transformed through shared space, mutual respect, creative collaboration, and intentional relationships. Their story demonstrates how transparency, flexibili…

1
What changes at the Department of Education mean for the new school year 23:25

2d ago23:25

23:25

As the Trump administration moves to dismantle the Department of Education, parents, students and teachers are wondering what it all means for them. Chalkbeat's Erica Meltzer explains how layoffs and funding changes could affect the new school year. And, with a median wage of $14 per hour, child care workers struggle to make ends meet as the cost o…

1
Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media 2:01

5d ago2:01

2:01

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Tony Hawk on the evolution of skateboarding 16:57

5d ago16:57

16:57

Tony Hawk's "Pro Skater" video games helped define the skateboarding world. Now, with "Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4," the franchise is getting an update. Hawk joins us to share the evolution of skateboarding over the past two decades and how the games are updated to reflect that. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NP…

1
Public radio cuts could decimate stations in Appalachia 19:43

6d ago19:43

19:43

The Senate voted to claw back $1.1 billion that Congress allocated for public broadcasting. That is expected to decimate particularly rural public radio stations. We hear from Scott Smith, general manager for Allegheny Mountain Radio. Then, reporter and author Zeke Faux talks about how Republicans in Congress and the White House want to regulate cr…

1
The flood insurance market, explained 21:48

7d ago21:48

21:48

Nearly every county in the U.S. experiences flooding, yet few homeowners have flood insurance policies. The Insurance Information Institution's Mark Friedlander explains the market. And, fires in the Grand Canyon have scorched more than 60,000 acres along the North Rim, and dozens of National Park Service facilities burned to the ground. Michel Mar…

1
SCOTUS greenlights plan to gut Department of Education 18:42

8d ago18:42

18:42

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that mass layoffs at the Department of Education can move forward for now. Law professor Kate Shaw joins us to discuss what this means for President Trump's plan to dismantle the department. Then, Florida lawmaker Anna Eskamani talks about her recent visit to 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a controversial detention center i…

1
MAGA outcry as attorney general says Jeffrey Epstein had no 'client list' 21:20

9d ago21:20

21:20

Attorney General Pam Bondi released a two-page memo stating that convicted sex offender Jefferey Epstein did not have an incriminating "client list." After Epstein's death in 2019, he became the subject of conspiracy theories, bolstered by conservative leaders including Trump himself. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan explains more. And, a U.S. citizen was ki…

1
Barbara Kingsolver on the history of addiction and poverty in Appalachia 16:01

12d ago16:01

16:01

In her novel "Demon Copperhead," author Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of poverty and addiction in contemporary Appalachia. Here & Now's Scott Tong spoke with her back in 2022 when the book came out. Tong caught up with Kingsolver in western Virginia to talk about the power of home, poverty and addiction. Learn more about sponsor message choice…

1
Houses of worship can now endorse candidates. What are the implications? 26:00

13d ago26:00

26:00

Prominent evangelical Christian thinker Ed Stetzer talks about a legal settlement reached this week between the Internal Revenue Service and the National Religious Broadcasters organization that allows houses of worship and other nonprofits to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status. Then, Ricky Pruitt of the Kerrville C…

1
How emergency warning systems work 19:58

14d ago19:58

19:58

Flooding in central Texas turned deadly in a matter of minutes. Erik Nielsen, assistant professor at Texas A&M University, explains how warning systems can make a difference in extreme weather events. And, the Trump administration's new spending bill includes changes to Medicaid that will play out over the next few years. Todd Eppler, the CEO of a …

1
Breaking down Trump's latest tariff threat 20:10

15d ago20:10

20:10

Katie Wagner, the supply chain director of an Iowa-based computer hardware maker, talks about how her company expects its bottom line to be affected if the U.S. follows through on threats to impose retaliatory tariffs on trading partners starting Aug. 1. Then, we speak with NPR's Anthony Kuhn about what the leaders of Asian nations are saying about…

1
Introducing Album Archives - Opening the Vault of Music History 15:42

16d ago15:42

15:42

As we take a breather between seasons of Music Rewind, I’m beyond excited to share a fresh project that’s been simmering in my mind for a while now: the Album Archives Podcast. This micro-podcast is a love letter to the albums that have shaped our lives, and I’m thrilled to dive into this new adventure with all of you — our incredible Music Rewind …

1
Why the Texas floods were so deadly 20:53

16d ago20:53

20:53

The Guadalupe River in Central Texas rose more than two feet in less than an hour, according to state officials. We speak to Rice University professor Avantika Gori about why the storm was so intense and what can be done to better warn people ahead of such intense weather. And, the sweeping domestic policy bill that President Trump signed into law …

1
What does it mean to be an American? 29:21

20d ago29:21

29:21

Being an American means something different to everyone. We hear from listeners across the U.S. on what patriotism means to them. And, ALS hasn't stopped John Driskell Hopkins from making or performing music. Hopkins — a founding member of the Zac Brown Band — explains why singing is like breathing. Then, this year's Poetry Out Loud winner, Isavel …

1
A swing-district Republican on why he supports Trump's sweeping policy bill 19:17

20d ago19:17

19:17

House Republicans approved President Trump's tax and spending bill. It now heads to Trump's desk. Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican representing Colorado's 8th District, joins us to explain why he supports it. Then, KFF's Larry Levitt talks about how the bill will result in the biggest rollback in federal support for health coverage ever. And, the Trum…

1
How's Trump's big bill could affect you 18:49

21d ago18:49

18:49

Congress is racing to pass President Trump's big domestic policy bill by July 4. Yale Budget Lab Martha Gimbel explains the potential long-term impacts of the tax cuts and spending provisions. And, the bill includes roughly $150 billion for immigration enforcement, a third of it for new detention centers. The Intercept's Matt Sledge joins us to tal…

1
Doctor calls Gaza aid sites 'hell on Earth' 26:47

22d ago26:47

26:47

Dr. Adil Husain, an American emergency medicine physician, talks about what sorts of injuries he treated while volunteering in Gaza. He described the scenes he witnessed as "apocalyptic." Then, the U.S. is in the middle of hurricane season, but key data used to track the intensity of these storms may soon go offline. We hear from climate scientist …

1
Republicans move closer to passing Trump's massive tax and spending bill 26:01

23d ago26:01

26:01

Andrew Desiderio of Punchbowl News explains where things stand as Senate Republicans race to pass President Trump's tax and spending bill by July 4. And, the Supreme Court's ruling last week on birthright citizenship is causing confusion as Trump's ban is expected to take effect in some parts of the country in less than 30 days. Martha Jones, a his…

1
Reverse Course: Life after the levee breach in Dogtooth Bend, Illinois 31:31

27d ago31:31

31:31

In 2016, the Mississippi River punched a hole in the Len Small levee, built to protect farmland along an S-shaped curve in the river known as Dogtooth Bend. That hole was never repaired. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports on how some farmers in the area have had to give up their land. And, John Ruskey calls the Mississippi River "a creative force" …

1
Reverse Course: Can massive pumps tame Mississippi River flooding? 27:48

28d ago27:48

27:48

In 2019, an unrelenting flood swamped more than half a million acres in the Mississippi Delta's Yazoo Backwater. It took more than six months to recede. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports on a pumping station project that could protect against destruction from future floods. And, after a yearslong journey, Anderson Jones is back at home. The sandbag…

1
The democratic socialist who could be the next NYC mayor 22:17

28d ago22:17

22:17

Progressive state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani stunned the political world after he defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday's hotly contested Democratic primary for NYC mayor. Errol Louis, host of NY1's Inside City Hall, joins us to discuss what it means for New York and the rest of the country. And, when California Rep. Jimmy Gomez tried to visit …

1
“Thriving in Bivocational Ministry” featuring Kris Bentley 28:53

29d ago28:53

28:53

Podcast Episode 171 How can bivocational ministers and the congregations they serve thrive? In this conversation, Kris Bentley redefines bivocational ministry beyond traditional models, emphasizing shared leadership, congregational adaptability, and spiritual sustainability. She encourages both pastors and congregations to embrace bivocational mini…

1
Is there room for diplomacy to keep Iran's nuclear program in check? 29:09

29d ago29:09

29:09

Ernest Moniz, former energy secretary under President Obama and lead negotiator on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, talks about what comes next now that a shaky ceasefire is underway between Iran and Israel. Then, new research highlights that indoor air quality can have a powerful impact on the health and development of babies and young children. D…

1
'A really bad mistake': U.S. strikes spark protests, patriotism in Tehran 21:40

1M ago21:40

21:40

We get the view from inside Iran with former news editor Ali Safari, a resident of Tehran who unpacks how Iranians are responding to the conflict. And, Here & Now's security analyst Jim Walsh joins us to explain what the U.S.'s strikes and Iran's response mean for national security. Then, in the wake of escalating conflict in Iran, Republican senat…

1
The U.S. and Iran used to be allies. What happened? 12:40

1M ago12:40

12:40

Though the U.S. and Iran were once allies, their relationship has since turned tense in the last 40 years. Now, President Trump is weighing U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Historian and author John Ghazvinian joins us to unpack decades of history in U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: pod…

1
Trump's former surgeon general on RFK Jr.'s vaccine panel purge 25:29

1M ago25:29

25:29

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently fired all members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's independent vaccine panel, prompting criticism from health experts. One of those experts is Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general in the first Trump administration. And, New York City's mayoral race is coming down to the w…

1
Sen. Tim Kaine on why he wants to limit Trump's war powers 20:43

1M ago20:43

20:43

President Trump said on Wednesday that he hasn't decided whether the U.S. will strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine joins us to discuss a resolution he introduced that would require approval from Congress before the U.S. military could get involved in Iran. And, as Ukraine continues to endure deadly air strikes, the G7 confer…

1
Middle East crisis tests Trump's 'art of the deal' 23:45

1M ago23:45

23:45

President Trump is calling for a "real end" to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Vali Nasr, a professor of Middle East studies and international affairs at Johns Hopkins University, joins us to talk about how Trump is navigating the crisis. And, the Trump administration's immigration raids have targeted farm workers. California farme…

1
Why Israel's attacks might not stop Iran's nuclear program 19:45

1M ago19:45

19:45

As Iran and Israel continue to lob airstrikes at each other, civilian casualties are climbing in both countries. Negar Mortazavi from the Center for International Policy shares how Iran sees the escalating conflict. And, authorities in Minnesota have arrested a suspect in the killing of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the shoot…

1
How Apple helped China become a world leader in electronics 26:24

1M ago26:24

26:24

Apple sent engineers to China to make its sophisticated products cheaply. The company sent engineers to train workers and paid for expensive specialized equipment at factories there. This helped push China to become the world's leader in high-tech electronics manufacturing and helped Apple create the iPhone, one of the most iconic products of the 2…

1
LA reverend on the 'emotional terror' driving protestors to the streets 28:34

1M ago28:34

28:34

Rev. Zachary Hoover explains what's motivating protesters to go out and oppose the Trump administration's immigration raids in Los Angeles. And, in 2016, the Mississippi River punched a hole in the Len Small levee, built in 1943 to protect farmland along an S-shaped curve in the river known as Dogtooth Bend. That hole was never repaired. Here & Now…

1
'We don't do police work': Retired general on LA military presence 25:46

1M ago25:46

25:46

The Trump administration has deployed a military presence to Los Angeles amid protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Retired 4-star General Barry McCaffrey explains his concerns about how Trump is using the armed forces in an American city. And, as Trump's tax bill makes its way through the Senate, the food assistance program S…

1
'Do what you have to do': Behind the ICE tactics in LA raids 26:33

1M ago26:33

26:33

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles started after immigration raids and workplace arrests in the city. The Wall Street Journal's Michelle Hackman explores the decision-making that led the Trump administration to carry out recent immigration actions. And, hundreds of scientists with the National Institutes of Health have signed a letter calling to p…

1
Legal questions abound as Trump deploys National Guard on LA protestors 24:13

1M ago24:13

24:13

President Trump ordered the Pentagon to send around 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids in the city. Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, explains the legal implications. Trump ignored California Gov. Gavin Newsom's…

1
The trial of Sean Combs: 4th week reveals more details of alleged abuse 19:17

2M ago19:17

19:17

The federal trial of media mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is ending its fourth week. Combs faces charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. We get the latest from the Washington Post's Samantha Chery. Then, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, the Kenyan writer who is considered to be one of the founders of African literature, died last week at the age of 87.…

1
What Trump's travel ban means for Afghans who helped the U.S. fight 20-year war 20:24

2M ago20:24

20:24

President Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday to ban nationals of 12 countries from entering the U.S. One of those countries is Afghanistan, where thousands of Afghans helped the U.S. military fight its 20-year war there. Zia Ghafoori, a former interpreter for the U.S. military, and Shawn Van Diver, founder and president of AfghanEvac, a group th…

1
The Rise of the Hybrid Author: A New Publishing Era? 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

Traditional publishing is supposedly dying, but what if the real story is how authors are building million-dollar empires by breaking all the old rules? That's such an interesting perspective - especially with this case we're looking at where an indie author just landed a major Penguin deal while running multiple successful self-published series. T…

1
Ms. Rachel on why advocating for children in Gaza is worth the career risk 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

Ms. Rachel became a YouTube star with her educational videos for toddlers. Now, she's getting attention and some pushback over her advocacy for children in Gaza.Ms. Rachel, whose full name is Rachel Accurso, tells us why she's willing to risk her career to stand up for children in war-torn Gaza. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoi…

1
Why ICE arrested a teenager with no criminal record 20:26

2M ago20:26

20:26

Nearly 1,500 migrants in Massachusetts have been arrested by immigration officials over the past month. Federal agents say most were criminals, but many were not, including 18-year-old high school student Marcelo Gomes Da Silva. WBUR's Simón Rios explains more. And, Ukraine launched a major drone attack on airbases in Russian territory over the wee…

1
Inside Badar Khan Suri's 2-month 'nightmare' ICE detainment 20:56

2M ago20:56

20:56

Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri was arrested in March by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while walking toward his Virginia home. The Trump administration has called him a threat to foreign policy, but Suri has not been charged with a crime and ICE agents never showed him a warrant. Suri speaks with Asma Khalid about his …

1
These scientists were fired by DOGE. What are they doing now? 27:39

2M ago27:39

27:39

Tens of thousands of researchers are out of work amid President Trump's ongoing purge of the federal workforce. One of those workers is Peggy Hall, a biologist who worked at the National Institutes of Health. Hall joins us with freelance reporter Virginia Gewin, who recently wrote about fired workers for Nature. And, a study from the Rochester Inst…

1
Trump administration to 'aggressively' revoke visas from Chinese students 30:59

2M ago30:59

30:59

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Wednesday that the State Department "will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." NPR's Emily Feng joins us to explain what it means. Then, Presi…

1
Why proposed Medicaid cuts could decimate rural hospitals 18:20

2M ago18:20

18:20

Rural hospital CEO Kevin Stansbury talks about what the Medicaid cuts being debated by lawmakers could mean to his 25-bed county-owned hospital in Hugo, Colorado. Then, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that the CDC would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children or healthy pregnant women. OBGYN Dr. Lin…

1
“Church Giving and Worship Attendance Trends” featuring Joe Park 34:10

2M ago34:10

34:10

Podcast Episode 170 What are the current church giving and worship attendance trends? In this conversation, Joe Park unpacks key trends in worship attendance and giving from Horizons Stewardship’s Church Giving and Worship Report: Key Findings from 2024. He emphasizes digital engagement, discipleship, and strategic ministry planning, while highligh…

1
NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sue Trump administration 23:43

2M ago23:43

23:43

NPR and three Colorado public radio stations filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Trump's executive order to bar federal funding from going to NPR and PBS. NPR's David Folkenflik explains more. And, the Trump administration on Tuesday ordered federal agencies to unwind all federal funding to Harvard University. Trump claims the university …

1
Meet the new teacher of the year 28:33

2M ago28:33

28:33

This year's National Teacher of the Year is wrapping up classes with her students and getting ready to embark on a yearlong tour to inspire fellow teachers around the country. Ashlie Crosson, an English teacher from Pennsylvania, joins us. Then, if you are feeling stressed about speaking in front of others, you can transform that pressure by playin…

1
The state of civil rights in the United States 31:26

2M ago31:26

31:26

The year 1963 was a watershed moment for civil rights, with Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Medgar Evers leading the movement. But rollbacks of civil rights and racial justice ideals abound in 2025. Author Peniel Joseph unpacks the progress made in 1963 and the political climate in the U.S. now that is undoing some of that progress. And, the …

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