The Mystery of the Hardy Boys and the Invisible Authors

On the ghostwriting business model, and how it came to be.

Source: The Atlantic
Published: May 28, 2015
Length: 7 minutes (1,800 words)

Steve Prefontaine’s Last Run

Forty years after his death, a look at the brief life and lasting legacy of track icon Steve Prefontaine.

Author: Mary Pilon
Source: Grantland
Published: May 28, 2015
Length: 22 minutes (5,610 words)

A Choice for Recovering Addicts: Relapse or Homelessness

A New York Times investigation into a system of housing called “three-quarter homes” run by a company called the “Back on Track Group,” which profits off the poor and desperate.

Author: Kim Barker
Published: May 30, 2015
Length: 29 minutes (7,277 words)

The People on Our Postage Stamps: A Reading List

After much deliberation, I chose to feature five stamped individuals: an inventor, an entertainer, an activist, a journalist and a short story mastermind.

Source: Longreads
Published: May 31, 2015

‘Let’s Never Apologize for Anything’: Comedy Actress Roundtable

A Hollywood Reporter conversation between Lena Dunham, Amy Schumer, Gina Rodriguez, Ellie Kemper, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Kate McKinnon.

Published: May 31, 2015
Length: 16 minutes (4,018 words)

Teachings

On poetry and dying: Win Bassett reflects on a summer spent working as a hospital chaplain.

Published: May 29, 2015
Length: 15 minutes (3,773 words)

Thirteen Years Later, Did ‘Spellbound’ Show Us the Power or the Myth of the American Dream?

Thirteen years after the acclaimed documentary was released, Amy Crawford follows up with the eight very different children from ‘Spellbound.’ She uses their post-spelling bee futures as way to examine how social class shapes success in America.

Source: Smithsonian
Published: May 28, 2015
Length: 11 minutes (2,995 words)

The Boy Who Burned Inside

The abuse started when Marco Flores was nine years old. When he was 17, he realized that there were other victims like him and decided it was up to him to put a stop to it.

Source: Boston Globe
Published: May 23, 2015
Length: 20 minutes (5,147 words)

12 Ways That DJs Avoid Spinning Your Requests

A fascinating look behind the DJ booth.

Source: Cuepoint
Published: May 28, 2015
Length: 7 minutes (1,830 words)

Who killed Alberto Nisman?

Days before he was due to release a report condemning the Argentine government, a high-profile prosecutor was found dead in his home. Was it murder or suicide?

Source: BBC
Published: May 28, 2015
Length: 14 minutes (3,600 words)