All Of It

A new book about puzzles claims 36 million Americans solve crosswords once a week or more, and nearly 23 million solve them daily. Natan Last, a researcher, policy advisor, writer, and crossword constructor in New York City, joins us to discuss his book, Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle.

Recently, vocalist Kate Kortum won NJPAC's Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, a prestigious award for Jazz vocalists that includes previous winners like Samara Joy. Kortum is originally from Houston, now embarking on her early career in New York. She discusses her emotions around winning the competition, and performs live from her latest album, Wild Woman. You can also see her perform at Big Band Holidays with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra through December 21.

Actor Carol Kane, known for her roles in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the Princess Bride and Taxi, lives with her 98 year old mother in Manhattan. A new documentary short called "Carol & Joy" spotlights a day in the life of two singular talents as well as touches on the demands of caregiving. Carol and Joy Kane discuss their lives together, along with director Nathan Silver.

Penn Station is one of the busiest transport hubs in NYC and has had its share of problems. New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman and transit hub economics reporter Patrick McGeehan discuss ideal solutions, and practical ones, as well as the obstacles to getting them implemented. Plus, listeners call in with their questions.

Through her Instagram and TikTok account, ghostlyarchive, Rosie Grant documents recipes she finds on gravestones and her own process trying to recreate them. She talks about her recently published the book, To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes, and take calls from listeners who family recipes from their (deceased) loved ones.