Your aunt tells that same story over and over.

You know the one about her dog, her boss, that unsatisfying visit to Olive Garden.

You love your aunt, of course, but sometimes it's nice to hear a new story.

One whispered directly in your ear by TV, film, and stage actors like Jeffrey Wright or Sigourney Weaver.

One written by the world's best writers, from contemporary scribes like Zadie Smith

to classic writers such as Anton Chekhov.

That's the Selected Shorts Podcast.

In it, our greatest actors transport us

through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time.

Hosted by me, Meg Walletzer.

New shows available for download every Thursday

wherever you get your podcasts.

From PRX, this is Songwriter, the podcast that turns stories into songs. My name is Ben Arthur.

Season 6 of Songwriter is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation.

In each episode, we've been exploring elements of human flourishing.

And along with the usual stories and songs written in response,

I've been including the perspective of scientists who study that particular element of flourishing.

Today's episode features a conversation with Dr. Salma Musa,

who studies polarization and empathy,

as well as a brand new song from H. Sino of the band Mashruailela.

But first, a poem that inspires it all.

My name is Halalian.

...