A Bookworm Celebration Series

After three decades of Bookworm, host Michael SIlverblatt and KCRW producers began developing a special series — one that could bring 30 years of the show to a new generation of listeners and readers. In 2022, Micheal placed the show on hiatus for health reasons, and the Bookworm team, headed by founding editor Alan Howard, shifted focus to this celebration series, which showcases some of Bookworm’s best. Episodes feature insights from Bookworm guests — who are, of course, some of the literary world's brightest stars. Sign up to be alerted when these thoughtfully produced episodes grouped by theme, topic, and tone are released this summer. Thanks to Lannan Foundation’s unwavering support of 33 years of Bookworm.

If you’re a fan of the show, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call or record a voice memo. You can share an anecdote, express gratitude to Michael SIlverblatt, or share your thoughts and feelings about reading — we’ll pass your message along to the whole Bookworm team and may include it in future episodes of our Bookworm retrospective. Call the KCRW voicemail line: 877-789-TELL (8355), or record a voice memo and email it to listenervox@kcrw.org.

Child-Free Not Childless

Bodies is taking a break this week, but host Allison Behringer shares an episode of one of her favorite podcasts. From the Embodied podcast, she brings you “Decided: Child-Free not Childless.” Embodied host Anita Rao has interrogated many aspects of parenthood. But how about the decision to become a parent at all? She talks with three women about making their child-free decisions and meets a psychotherapist who's devoted her career to helping people find clarity in that choice.    

US Updates Mammogram Guidance

Women should be receiving mammograms starting at age 40, instead of waiting until 50, according to new draft guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The recommendation comes amid rising breast cancer cases in younger women and persistently high mortality rates in Black women. An estimated 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. The draft guidance is open to public comment until June 6. Listen or read on for more on the risk factors for developing breast cancer and what breast density has to do with the new guidelines.

Navigating the Challenges of Dementia Care and Support

Dementia diagnoses are becoming increasingly common and getting the proper support and care has become challenging. In 2021, more than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 16 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The work is exhausting, overwhelming, and with relatively little societal support. Jonathan Bastian talks with occupational therapist and dementia care advocate Teepa Snow about what it means to have a dementia diagnosis and what the latest research and potential cures are. In her book, Understanding the Changing Brain: A Positive Approach to Dementia Care, Snow explains why experienced care is so crucial — not just for the patient, but for the caregiver — and shares some best practices and approaches.

17 of the Best Croissant Spots in LA

Bakers in greater Los Angeles are making stellar croissants, from classic versions and pain au chocolat to vegan variations and pistachio-filled marvels. And there's room to innovate: We still haven't hit Peak Croissant, according to the New York Times (Let's hope that's true!). Where do you find these flaky marvels? Here are 17 of the best croissant spots in LA.