CBS Audio Network Specials

Every summer for the past seven decades, 50 high school seniors—one from every state—descend on Mobile, Alabama to take part in one of the country’s most lucrative scholarship competitions for teen girls. 

The Competition takes you behind the scenes of the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) program, and follows seven girls as they experience the highs and lows of competing for two weeks, away from home and under the most high-stress circumstances. Some girls enter for the money, some for prestige. All of them are used to being the best and the brightest. But only one will walk away with the top prize.

Host Shima Oliaee (Dolly Parton’s America, Pink Card) was Nevada’s contestant in 2001. More than 20 years later, she returns to Alabama as a judge. What can two weeks with 50 of the country’s most ambitious teens tell us about girlhood in America?

Listen to The Competition on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting Wondery.fm/The_Competition now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here is CBS News Radio's 2-hour longform coverage of the 2024 New Hampshire Primary.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CBS News Radio's three-hour, long-form coverage of the 2024 Iowa caucuses.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most beloved Christmas observances in the world is a 9-day re-enactment of Mary and Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem. Award-winning singer and actor Carlos Medina joins host Gil Gross to share the song-filled tradition of Las Posadas. Louis Bayard, New York Time Best Selling author of My Timothy, discusses the global popularity of the inspiration for his book, Charles Dickens’ beloved A Christmas Carol. Notre Dame’s Grant Mathews explains the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem combining his religious faith with his scientific training as an astrophysicist, and reveals the likely identity of the Three Wise Men. And while we are looking up at the sky, Astronomer Andrew Fraknoi, explains the cause of one of the oldest holidays in the world, The Winter Solstice. CBS News’ Mark Strassman details how an obscure plant from Mexico came to dominate holiday households across the United States in the legacy of the colorful and curiously-named Poinsettia.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professor Bruce David Forbes, an ordained minister, wrote Christmas: A Candid History to chronicle the many transformations of the beloved holiday over 2,000 years. He speaks with host Gil Gross about the genesis of Christmas from its pre-Christian roots in winter holiday traditions, through the birth of Jesus, to its emergence as a global phenomenon of gift-giving and media extravaganzas. And, musicologist Joe Bennet explains the art and science behind why we are so enamored by Christmas music.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Winter Holiday Season used to be the make-or-break month for holiday blockbusters and critically-acclaimed awards contenders. Washington Chief Film Critic Ann Hornaday joins host Gil Gross for a look at how Hollywood approaches the season as the industry copes in the post-pandemic world of video streaming and reviews some of the best movies of Christmastime. Gil does a deep dive into the origin of Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer, an underdog who not only guided Santa’s sleigh but also dominated books, movies, television, and music. The Brandeis University Professor Jonathan Sarna chronicles the transformation of Hanukkah from obscure Jewish Holy Day to one of the most public and widely celebrated Hebrew holidays. And CBS Sunday Morning host Jane Pauley tells the story of the most famous Letter to the Editor ever written, which asks the question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The human body is a miracle. But when it’s not working, it can be the stuff of nightmares. On this new series from master storyteller MrBallen, we’re sharing medical horror stories and diagnostic mysteries that are surgically calibrated to make your blood run cold. 

From bizarre, unheard-of diseases and miraculous recoveries to strange medical mishaps and unexplainable deaths — you’ll never hear the phrase “heart-stopping” in the same way again. MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries is a first of its kind collaboration between MrBallen and Wondery, the award-winning company behind Dr. Death.

Follow MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries wherever you get your podcasts. Prime members can binge episodes 9-16 early and ad-free on Amazon Music.

Listen Now: http://wondery.fm/MBMM

MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries is a Wondery production.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The most famous woman in America in the 1800's created the national holiday of Thanksgiving. But somehow we have lost our knowledge of her many contributions to American culture from Mary Had a Little Lamb to the Christmas Tree. Biographer Melani Kirkpatrick shares the story of Sarah Josepha Hale. And, you think you know of our Thanksgiving traditions but actually they have morphed over the decades. And what we hold most dear might actually be a recent innovation. Historian Matthew Dennis explains. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The iconic vessel that carried the Pilgrims to Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, also carried the rich history of the creation of our nation's favorite holiday. Celebrated historian and best selling author Nathaniel Philbrick shares his deep research in to the ship that brought to America the tradition of Thanksgiving. And, CBS News Travel Correspondent Peter Greenberg shares how you can save money, time and your sanity when traveling over the holiday season.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pilgrims and Puritans: Our Thanksgiving Day Story has mashed up these very different groups of founding mothers and fathers. Who were they and how were they different? Professor  Abram Van Engen from Washington University in St. Louis sorts this thorny Thanksgiving genealogy for us. Then, we hear from Paula Peters from the Wampanoag Nation and Nichelle Garcia from the Smithsonian Institution about the very important role Native Americans played in the story of the founding of our nation.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.