• Catching Up with Granny D
    As part of the Public Radio Collaboration "Who's Democracy Is It?", Humankind presents a lively, hour-long profile of "Granny D," (Mrs. Doris Haddock of Dublin, New Hampshire). Famous for her 14-month walk across the United States to promote campaign finance reform, she is a fascinating American original.
  • A Union of Citizens
    Hear our documentary including David's interview with John Lewis, remarkable civil rights leader and "the conscience of Congress." Mr . Lewis died at age 80 on July 17, 2020. In a country founded of the people, by the people and for the people: What does it mean to be an actively engaged citizen? How can…
  • The Green Economy
    As environmental visionaries see it, the future of energy is not in greenhouse gas-emitting fuels like oil and coal—whose supply is running out—but in sustainable, non-global warming sources like wind and sun and waves from the ocean and in the enormous storehouse of heat that naturally occurs deep underground. For a limited time, this show…
  • The Right to Vote
    This broadcast explores one of the most basic questions facing our democracy: who may participate?
  • Resilient Nurses
    A no-holds-barred look at the stressful conditions in which many nurses work: the long hours, the emotional toll, the rapid pace, and the way that technology and institutional practices can make it hard to form a caring bond with patients.
  • Passengers
    Most people in metropolitan areas face choices when we travel: to go by car or to use public transit? These decisions have a huge impact on our wallets, on the environment and on our quality of life. Free download of this two-hour series.
  • Simple Relaxation Exercise
    A 15-minute stress reduction session to calm the body and mind.
  • The Search for Well-Being
    We examine a fascinating new model of health care: integrative medicine.
  • Libraries Reimagined
    In 2019 Americans visited the library more often than they went to a movie or attended a sporting event. But far from institutions of the past, libraries today are rapidly evolving, ensuring free access to knowledge and protecting democracy.
  • The Medicine Garden
    Herbal remedies: Do they work? Are they safe? Of course the answers vary depending on the ailment and the proposed cure. But in The Medicine Garden, a special series drawn from our archives, you’ll take a fascinating tour of this relatively low-cost form of health care. It’s an approach to healing that has become enormously popular…
  • Ida B. Wells’ Battle to Uncover the Truth
    Born to enslaved parents, Ida B. Wells emerged as a powerful investigative journalist. She overcame death threats and published widely in her quest to document domestic terrorism against African Americans.
  • John Lewis’ Mission
    Known as the “conscience of Congress” and a civil rights icon, John Lewis died in July 2020 at age 80. The son of humble Alabama sharecroppers, John Lewis spoke from the stage on live national television at the massive March on Washington by the Lincoln Memorial in August 1963 – the day Rev. Martin Luther…
  • The Power of Nonviolence
    The Power of Nonviolence seeks deep solutions to this vexing problem. We turn to wisdom teachings across our great spiritual traditions for guidance—and inspiration—on how the lasting wounds can be healed.
  • Judicial Independence
    In the wake of blockbuster Supreme Court rulings, some Americans are asking if today’s judges are mere “politicians in robes”. How can we insulate our courts from political influence? This audio documentary examines the options for reforming the US judiciary.
  • Aging in Community
    70 million Baby Boomers are now entering their retirement years. For the first time in history, there will be more older adults than children. On this special project from Humankind public radio, you’ll hear stories of transition and dignity — and meet people who are showing the way.
  • Constant Emergency
    Have we entered an age of unrelenting chaos? As we grope for a “new normal”, has humanity reached a kind of turning point? Hear inspiring stories of survivors, along with specific guidance to help people navigate these choppy waters.
  • The Lost Cause (Pts 1 & 2)
    Are we still living with the racial divide left over from the Civil War? Has it resurfaced today in the rise of white supremacism and election denialism?
  • Living on the Edge
    Over a third of Americans lack sufficient savings to handle a $400 emergency. We consider the plight of tens of millions living on the edge of poverty in the United States.
  • Helping Prisoners to Heal
    More than a million Americans are locked in jails and prisons. Helping them recover from earlier trauma can safeguard society. Hear the stories of ex-prisoners who've begun to heal, through the inspired work of Robin Casarjian.
  • The Diet-Climate Connection
    Agriculture is a huge emitter of greenhouse gases associated with climate change. Medical experts recommend that our diets emphasize many of the same tasty foods that scientists regard as most climate-friendly.
  • The Rights of Civilians
    Can the rule of law protect innocent men, women and children? Learn about the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The prosecutor seeks indictments of both Hamas and Israeli leaders. And hear the history of war crimes tribunals.
  • Protecting the Public
    This is the intriguing story of how, in some venues, public safety is being expanded to include not just police and fire services but also social workers and other professionals.