Life in a Christian Commune

As a young woman, Kate Riley’s search for meaning led her to a Christian commune. She lived there for a year and embraced collective life – everyone dressed the same and no one owned any private property. Kids growing up there didn’t have contact with cell phones or money. In this week’s conversation, Riley sits down with Ayesha Rascoe to explore what it means to be an individual in a communal place. And she shares what she learned about her own identity. These experiences informed her first novel, Ruth.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Members of Tyler Robinson's community say they are shocked he is accused of killing Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Colleges are questioning how open their campuses should be to the public. Missouri lawmakers have answered President Trump's call to help maintain the Republican majority in Congress by redrawing the state's voting map for the midterm election next year.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Police have released video and pictures of a suspect who they believe shot and killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with tips. Stocks are surging on hopes of lower interest rates, even as Americans face rising prices at the store and a cooling job market. And in Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro has been found guilty of plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Eric Whitney, Rafael Nam, Tara Neil, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Executive Producer is Jay ShaylorLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Police are still searching for the gunman who killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk during a speech at a Utah college campus. We look back at Kirk’s rise in conservative politics through Turning Point USA and the controversies that defined him. And in Europe, Russian drones crossing into Poland are testing NATO’s limits and raising fears of a wider war.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Eric Westervelt, Megan Pratz, Kate Bartlett, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

JB Pritzker is in a battle with President Trump over crime and immigration--or really, Pritzker says, over a power grab. Pritzker has so far blocked Trump's effort to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, but immigration agents have arrived. As they did, Pritzker sat for a wide-ranging talk with NPR's Steve Inskeep about the president, immigrants, Chicago's development, and his party's future.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Adam Bearne. We get engineering support from Gilly Moon. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israel targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar as they were considering a deal to release all hostages, several people were killed but Hamas says none of its leaders were hit. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker spoke with Steve Inskeep as the Trump administration launches “Operation Midway Blitz “ in Chicago— sending hundreds of immigration agents to the city. And, the White House unveils its Make Our Children Healthy Again plan — with more than 100 recommendations on kids’ health, but critics say it leans heavily on RFK Jr.’s vaccine skepticism.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Reena Advani, Gisele Grayson, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Damian Herring. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Supreme Court clears the way for President Trump’s immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, even when agents use race and accents as a factor. The House Oversight Committee released a limited batch of Epstein estate documents, including a crude birthday letter that appears signed by President Trump. And Russia’s war on Ukraine is only intensifying, despite Trump’s threats of sanctions and his high-profile talks with Russia's president.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Eric Westervelt, Megan Pratz, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump walks back a weekend social media post warning Chicago is “about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” while the city braces for possible immigration crackdowns and National Guard deployment. Jury selection begins for Ryan Routh, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump, as he represents himself in court. And Russia launches its largest drone assault of the war, striking a government building in Kyiv and testing the limits of U.S. mediation.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Gigi Douban, Russell Lewis, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Drilling for oil has been going on in the US for over 150 years. Across the country we have bored millions of holes in the ground to pump the liquid gold that has fueled the country's energy appetite. But those wells don’t last forever. When the oil begins to dry up, wells are supposed to be plugged to prevent toxic, climate-altering chemicals from escaping. So why then is there, by some estimates, more than 2 million unplugged abandoned wells around the country? Today on The Sunday Story, NPR correspondent Camila Domonoske joins to talk about the lingering effects of these old wells and why it's so hard to find a long-term fix. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Trump administration is eying more cities even as it builds up a National Guard presence near Chicago and fights a lawsuit by Los Angeles. Federal immigration authorities arrested nearly 500 workers they said were in the U.S. illegally at a South Korean battery maker's Georgia construction site. An Idaho pastor is gaining influence among national Republicans and expanding his presence in Washington, D.C.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy