Here & Now Anytime

Sparky Stensos, founder of Friends of Sax Zim Bog and local birding guide, talks about winter birding at a famed Minnesota bog. He describes owl and rare boreal bird sightings. Conversations cover using acoustic recorders and AI to detect elusive species. They also highlight peatland ecology, sphagnum's carbon storage, and efforts to re-wet and restore the bog to help wildlife and climate.

Gabriela Farfan, curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, introduces America's rare homegrown diamonds and how they came to the National Gem Collection. Short segments explore the Uncle Sam and Freedom diamonds, public digging at Crater of Diamonds State Park, and why U.S. commercial diamond mining faded out.

As the U.S. and Israel hit Iranian targets from the air, some Iranian Kurdish groups are reportedly discussing whether to launch an incursion from Iraq, potentially opening a new front in the conflict. Al-Monitor correspondent Amberin Zaman discusses the conversations happening behind the scenes. Then, retired Adm. Mark Montgomery supports the war but has concerns the Trump administration hasn't planned for what comes next. He tells us why. And, former Iranian news editor and Tehran resident Ali Safari talks about what the mood is in Iran's capital city during U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Last year, Safari told us bombings by the U.S. made some Iranians rally around the government.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Susan DelBene, DCCC chair working to flip competitive House seats. Jeh Johnson, former DHS secretary and homeland security analyst. They discuss escalating U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, civilian dangers and internet blackouts in Iran. They also cover homeland threat assessments, risks of retaliatory attacks, de-escalation training, and strategies to win purple districts with local messaging.

Beth Sanner, former deputy director of national intelligence, offers legal and intelligence perspective. Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. senator and senior foreign policy lawmaker, discusses congressional levers and funding choices. Emily Rose, Reuters correspondent in Jerusalem, reports on Israeli politics and on-the-ground reactions. They explore timing, shifting rationales, political consequences, and congressional options.

Shirin Nariman, Iranian-American human rights activist and former political prisoner, shares diaspora views and organized resistance inside Iran. Mark Hertling, retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, explains military limits of air campaigns and occupation challenges. Jim Walsh, MIT security analyst, analyzes U.S. objectives, timelines, and conflicting messages about goals in Iran.

Tara Harris, conservation director at the Phoenix Zoo, shares hands-on breeding and recovery work for imperiled species. Ryan Phelan, co-founder of Revive & Restore, explains cloning and genetic tools being tried to boost diversity. They discuss cloning black-footed ferrets, cryopreservation, tracking juvenile moose, and rebuilding Mount Graham red squirrel habitat.

Daron Acemoglu, MIT economist and 2024 Nobel laureate, weighs in on AI, automation, and labor markets. John Finer, former principal deputy national security advisor, discusses U.S. negotiations with Iran and a deadly Cuba-related maritime incident. Flavor Flav, Public Enemy founding member and sports supporter, celebrates U.S. women medalists and his ties to the Olympics and music.

Jonathan Weil, Wall Street Journal reporter covering finance and AI-linked market risks. Justin Wolfers, University of Michigan economist who studies labor and policy. They talk about inflation’s true shape and how it hits middle-income families. They discuss who gained from recent tax changes. They unpack circular AI financing, its risks, and what it means for investors and transparency.

Dmitry Veselov, a former business analyst turned Ukrainian drone operator, describes frontline drone tactics. Toma Istomina, deputy chief editor at The Kyiv Independent, discusses public mood, negotiations, and how Ukraine has held the line. Joanna Kakissis, an NPR correspondent, shares firsthand reporting on civilian hardship, winter attacks on infrastructure, and human stories from Kyiv and the front.