WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Kojo Nnamdi Show Podcast

SHIFTING CULTURAL NORMS, FROM "DUCK DYNASTY" TO "HAPPY HOLIDAYS": The star of the reality TV show "Duck Dynasty" makes anti-gay comments off the air and is suspended, then returned to his show. A Fox News host declares victory in his fight against the "War on Christmas." And Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder insists he won't change his team's name. Diversity consultant Howard Ross joins Kojo to explore how each of these proclamations reflects shifting cultural values and the public's reaction to them. (52 min.)

PREVIEWING VIRGINIA'S 2014 LEGISLATIVE SESSION : Terry McAuliffe will become Virginia's 72nd governor later this week. His inauguration coincides with the opening of a legislative session where lawmakers are likely to focus on everything from mental health to ethics. But the story isn't settled just yet for the man McAuliffe will replace, as rumors continue to swirl about whether federal prosecutors are preparing to press corruption charges against outgoing Gov. Bob McDonnell. (16 min.) HISTORY OF THE FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY: This year, Shakespeare fans the world over will be marking 450 years since the birth of the "Bard of Avon." Some may even plan a trip to visit the world's largest collection of materials by and about him. They won't find it in the U.K., but rather right here in D.C. We talk to the director of the Folger Shakespeare Library about the history of the institution, how they're marking this banner year and why the work of England's preeminent poet and playwright continues to resonate with modern American readers. (34 min.)

THE POLITICS HOUR - JAN. 3, 2014: D.C. mayoral candidates begin a mad dash to the Democratic primary on April 1. Virginia prepares to swear in a new governor. And Maryland's gubernatorial hopefuls dig in for a long year of campaigning. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. (52 min.)

THE FUTURE OF D.C.'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HORN OF AFRICA: Official Washington has strategic relationships in East Africa - relationships built on economic and security interests. But many people who live in the D.C. area are tied to countries like Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia by something more personal - they're part of the large diaspora communities that now call the Washington area home. We explore how these personal and political relationships are evolving and how they shape the face of the Washington. (52 min.)

EDWIDGE DANTICAT: "CLAIRE OF THE SEA LIGHT" (REBROADCAST): Haiti typically makes international headlines for stories about natural disasters, disease and poverty, but Haitian-born writer Edwidge Danticat continually challenges her audience to take a closer look. In her latest novel, "Claire of the Sea Light," she leads readers through several interconnected stories of individuals in one Haitian community. The book explores the strength of familial bonds, the challenges of raising a child and the weight of death through their tales. Danticat joins Kojo to talk about her first work of fiction since the 2010 earthquake. (52 min.)

ANCIENT GRAINS AND WILD GREENS (REBROADCAST): The modern American diet is worlds away from the foods our ancestors ate. Even basic ingredients like rice, flour, fruits and vegetable are now processed, bleached and bred for taste and attractiveness rather than nutritional value. We neglect nutrient-packed options like farro, arugula and multicolored corn because they tend to be more bitter and tougher to cook. But these ancient dietary staples are making a comeback in modern recipes that combine flavor and nutrition. We consider the benefits and the industry behind these foods. (52 min.)

REMEMBERING THOSE LOST IN 2013 (REBROADCAST): The list of those who passed away in 2013 includes giants from the worlds of politics and popular culture. The world also said goodbye this year to many people who may have been less noticeable, but whose subtle influences affected our everyday lives — from the inventor of the computer mouse to a legendary "door man" at a prominent Washington music venue. We reflect on the stories of those lost in 2013. (52 min.)

THE NEXT GENERATION OF ONLINE MAPS (REBROADCAST): The 7-year-old Google Maps is getting a bold re-design as online mapping becomes more personalized, interactive and mobile. We examine the different ways mapping data is generated and explore the move toward 3-D, real-time maps that track your location and push out information before you ask for it. (52 min.)

THE FUTURE OF THE PAST: MUSEUMS DIGITIZING COLLECTIONS (REBROADCAST): Museums have collected and preserved artifacts of the past for millennia. Now rapidly evolving technologies like 3-D scanners are presenting institutions with new tools for preserving, interpreting and sharing the past. Kojo talks with thought leaders at the Smithsonian Institution about the future of museums and the practical challenges of digitizing the past. This is a special WAMU 88.5 broadcast in partnership with the Future of Information Alliance. (52 min.)

THE FUTURE OF THE PAST: NEW FRONTIERS IN EXPLORATION (REBROADCAST): Explorers of the past spent years investigating sites in far flung corners of the world. Today's archaeologists and oceanographers use new digital tools — from satellite images to sonar — to locate and explore new sites, often without ever having to turn a spade or plunge into the sea. Kojo talks with National Geographic Explorers about the innovative tools they're using and what they're finding. This is a special WAMU 88.5 broadcast in partnership with the Future of Information Alliance. (52 min.)

THE POLITICS HOUR: The political year 2014 will feature the inauguration of a new governor in Virginia - and elections for the top political jobs in the District and in Maryland. We take an early look at what stories and which people will shape the year ahead. Join us for our weekly review of the politics, policies, and personalities of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. (52 min.)

AN INDIAN DIPLOMAT'S ARREST AND THE ROLE OF DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY: The arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York triggered a diplomatic rift between the United States and India. American officials arrested the diplomat after finding she had been paying her domestic help close to $3 per hour. The case has caused an uproar among Indian government officials because they say it violates terms of diplomatic immunity in international law. We explore the legal foundation of diplomatic immunity and understand why it can open the door for abuse. (51 min.)

WHAT'S NEXT FOR D.C. BUDGET AUTONOMY: This past April, D.C. voters approved a referendum that would give the District autonomy over its budget starting in January 2014. But eight months later, the legality of the referendum is still in question. The debate centers on whether the city government has any power to change the relationship between Congress and D.C. that's stipulated by federal law. We discuss the referendum's status, reflect on gains for D.C. autonomy in 2013 and consider what's ahead in the new year. (24 min.) TARGET DATA BREACH EXPOSES 40M CUSTOMERS: On Thursday, retail giant Target acknowledged a massive data breach that exposed as many as 40 million customers to credit card fraud. Target says it has heard "very few" reports of fraud, which is being described as the second largest credit card breach in U.S. history. But reporter Brian Krebs-- who first broke the story-- says that batches of credit card and banking accounts have been flooding underground black markets in recent weeks. (28 min.)

THE SCIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONAL FITNESS: 'Tis the season to make resolutions to get in shape, but our resolve often fades as the holidays pass. Research on the science and psychology of exercise can help us pick a workout that shows results and keeps us moving. We explore the fitness trends sweeping the region — from The Bar Method to CrossFit — and learn why strength training may trump a trot on the treadmill to keep us in shape. (52 min.)

SHAPING THE CITY: TRANSPORTATION TRANSFORMATION IN 2014: The new year will bring the launch of a streetcar line on D.C.'s H Street and the opening of the long-awaited Metro Silver Line in Northern Virginia. Around the region, transportation projects reflect a desire for less auto-centric living, both in the city and the suburbs. Veteran architect and planner Roger Lewis and local legislator Chris Zimmerman examine how the region will grow and change as our transportation network expands in 2014. (52 min.)