*Introduced by Rory Stewart*

What makes a person good? What does it mean to be evil? And what does it tell us about being human? 

 Philosophers have been grappling with these questions for thousands of years, and they remain as vital as ever in our present moment. Here, in a selection of essays each written by a different world expert, we explore the ideas of twelve strikingly different philosophers. From Hannah Arendt’s 'banality of evil' to Nietzsche’s embrace of suffering, from John Stuart Mill’s ethics of happiness to the ruthless realism of Machiavelli, there is an approach for readers of all persuasions. This is the book for anyone trying to understand how humans can sometimes behave so badly, and how we can all be better.

Good and Evil: 12 Philosophers on How to Live, By Edited by Andrew Irwin, Read by Leighton Pugh

What if the key to the life you want isn’t wishing harder – but telling a better story? 

 Where you are today has been determined by every thought and feeling you’ve had, every action you’ve taken and the people and circumstances you have attracted. Manifest the Life You Love shows you how to focus each of these into crafting the story you want and claiming the life that’s waiting for you.

Carolyn Boyes brings a bold new approach to manifestation that combines storytelling with the power of intention, walking you through seven crucial steps to successful manifesting. Going beyond vague affirmations and vision boards, this illuminating book harnesses the mechanics of storytelling – motivation, conflict, resolution – to get clear on what you want, what’s standing in your way and how to move forward.

Learn to examine the stories you tell yourself – the beliefs, doubts and patterns that hold you back and limit your potential – and instead, rewrite your internal narrative by:

• Uncovering what the real wish is beneath the noise of ‘shoulds’ and self-doubt
• Creating vivid, emotionally charged visions of your future self
• Building momentum through consistent action – without burnout

Because when you begin to shift what you believe is possible, the real transformation begins.

With guided prompts, interactive journaling exercises and practical rituals, Manifest the Life You Love is more than a book – it’s a toolkit for personal reinvention. Whether you’re manifesting love, purpose or self-trust, you will see that no obstacle can bring a full stop to your plans.

So what are you waiting for? Create the life that you want.

Perfect for fans of Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith

Manifest the Life You Love: Unlock the power of your story, By Carolyn Boyes, Read by Carolyn Boyes

‘Two of the greatest children’s books ever written’ – The Times on The Box of Delights and The Midnight Folk.  

 ‘You ought to know about the treasure, Kay … for until it is restored or traced, no man of our name ought to rest.’

Determined to recover the long-lost family treasure, Kay finds himself in a race against the evil Abner Brown. Abner has his witch friends and his dark magic to help him, but Kay has the very special Midnight Folk.

In a breathtaking, magical quest, which side will find the treasure first?

John Masefield’s classic children’s book is considered to be one of the great works of modern children’s fiction. Magical, fantastical and filled with vivid, rich characters – brought to life in this edition by Quentin Blake’s stunning artwork – The Magic Folk and its prequel The Box of Delights are a must-read for any child.

The Midnight Folk, By John Masefield, Illustrated by Quentin Blake, Read by Caius Nicholas

Forest celebrates the diverse ways in which trees and forests are as magnificent, economically relevant and profoundly enchanting today as they ever have been.

Journeying across the continents, Matt Collins and Roo Lewis tie together both the historical context and modern-day applications of some of the world's most fascinating and iconic trees. 

 Forest is a celebration of the diverse ways in which trees and forests are as magnificent, economically relevant and profoundly enchanting today as they ever have been.

Journeying across the continents, writer Matt Collins and photographer Roo Lewis tie together both the historical context and modern-day applications of some of the world's most fascinating and iconic trees. They explore the heritage of woodlands from around the world and meet those whose lives are inexplicably bound to them.

The book is divided into 10 main chapters, each of which explores a tree from a particular genus – Pine, Juniper, Oak, Hornbeam, Cherry, Beech, Birch, Chestnut, Douglas-fir and Poplar. Each chapter provides the reader with a short introduction to the tree, followed by a journalistic account of its relevance to modern day-life (from gin making on Isle of Islay to a truffle farm in Spain), and concludes with an account of the tree in its native forest (from hornbeams in the Ironwoods of Ontario to firs on Vancouver Island).

Captured on medium-format film, Roo’s stunning, rich colour images are the perfect companion to Matt’s engaging storytelling and botanical knowledge. Forest crafts a captivating interpretation of the story of the forest through the trees.

Forest: Walking among trees, By Matt Collins, Photographs by Roo Lewis, Read by Richard Hughes

Celebrate Norwegian roots in America as we mark the 200th anniversary of a major wave of immigration to the US from the Scandinavian nation. Then join an expert of the offbeat as he delves into some of the more curious places and things held dear by people around the world. And listen in as callers share their favorite travel memories of the year behind us. Plus, learn from Scottish tour guides about Edinburgh's lively New Year's Eve traditions of Hogmanay. 

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

816 Vesterheim; Atlas Obscura Curiosities; Lessons Learned

Published on January 3, 2026 — A budget-minded travel blogger shares timely tips for keeping costs down — so that you can keep your travel dreams alive. Then a British journalist with a passion for rail travel enthuses about the special magic of the sleeper train. And an American writer based in Chile tells us what he loves about living in South America.

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves — including episode descriptions, program archives and related details — visit www.ricksteves.com.

817 Budget Travel Tips; Moonlight Express; Hola South America

Listen to an excerpt of THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM by Laura Dave and narrated by Rebecca Lowman, Tessa Albertson, Colin Donnell, and CJ Wilson. 

THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM Audiobook Excerpt

‘Emergency. Which service do you require?’

‘He’s trying to burn down my house. He’s going to kill me.’

They thought it was another false alarm. They were wrong.

This page-turning crime thriller debut is perfect for fans of Nadine Matheson, Sam Holland, and Helen Fields. 

 As the acrid smoke clears, Detective Liz Field can only watch as the charred remains of Anne Evans’s home slowly collapse – with her body still trapped inside.

A heroic Response officer almost died trying to save Anne from the fire, but he was too late.

When they pick through the rubble, it seems the blaze that tore through her house left nothing behind.

Detective Field is handed the case, but resources are already stretched thin following a high-profile shooting just days earlier. Despite years of frantic 999 calls and false alarms, it appears no one knows much about Anne. The person in the system only appeared nine years ago. But why?

The more Field discovers, the more disturbing the picture becomes.

Anne had been written off as a nuisance – a paranoid recluse. But is it really paranoia, if all that you feared comes true?

Praise for Hannah Brennan:

‘A gripping, all-encompassing banger’ Fiona McPhillips, When We Were Silent 

‘A police procedural with bite […] I was hooked’ Jennie Godfrey, The List of Suspicious Things

‘Dark and pacy – with a twist I never saw coming […] an electric debut’ C.L Miller, The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder

Nothing Left Behind, By Hannah Brennan, Read by Rachel Atkins

‘Sweet, charming, and completely delightful!'- Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop 

 A standalone cozy romance filled with books, baby dragons, and happily ever after guaranteed!

Emmy has an enemy, and his name is Luke. The good news? She rarely sees him. The bad news? When she does, she (and her pet dragons) are reminded just how handsome he is.

Besides, Emmy is too busy focusing on her dragon-fuelled business to have time for love. But when both she and Luke approach the same local investor for funding, she’s suddenly unable to avoid him. The kookie investor insists they must compete for the cash by working at the local failing baby dragon bookshop to prove their magical business knowledge.

Determined to win the funding, Emmy dives into the task. But making a very flammable bookshop fit for baby dragons is no small feat, and it seems these rivals may need to join forces. Could Luke and Emmy’s fiery animosity spark something more between them?

Tropes:

Enemies-to-lovers 🌞

Bookshop romance 📚

Small town 🍂

Low spice ✨

The Baby Dragon Bookshop, By A. T. Qureshi, Read by Kelsey Jaffer and Shahjehan Khan

Published on January 10, 2026 — Two Dutch tour guides help us get the picture on what's new on Amsterdam's eclectic exhibit scene. Then a Blue Badge guide lets us in on where to go in London to see the exciting ways the venerable city is reinventing itself. And a journalist delves into the inexact science of borders and ponders the complicated relationship between physical geography and national identity.

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves — including episode descriptions, program archives and related details — visit www.ricksteves.com.

02 Hello Casio

MarkCasio

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