May 16th, 2005 · When things go wrong in an airplane cockpit, a few words from an air traffic controller can save the day. Michele Norris talks to Ken Hopf and Scott Dittamo, who are among the 12 controllers being honored for helping prevent tragedies in the nation's skies.
May 13th, 2005 · Most boxing fans reserve the phrase "pound for pound" -- used to describe a boxer of tremendous skill, regardless of the weight category -- for the man considered the best fighter in history: Sugar Ray Robinson. A new biography charts the fighter's rise and fall in and out of the ring.
Apr 12th, 2005 · Pianist Lang Lang exploded onto the classical music scene when he was only 17. Today, the 22-year-old Chinese native is an international musical star known for his explosive showmanship and extraordinary technical skill. He performs music by Mozart and Liszt in Studio 4A.
Apr 7th, 2005 · The discovery of a bizarre skull three years ago in Chad is leading scientists to believe the skull may have belonged to the common ancestor of all hominids. The findings of the French scientist who discovered the skill appear in the latest issue of Nature.
Dec 10th, 2004 · Longer than three football fields, freighters ply the Great Lakes hauling iron ore, coal, stone and a crew of hard-working men who consider the skill of the cook before signing up for duty. Hidden Kitchens explores life and food aboard the Great Lakes freighters.
Dec 6th, 2004 · Born into Brothels, a new documentary film, tells the story of children growing up in poverty in Calcutta's red-light district who find hope in a newfound skill -- photography. NPR's Melissa Block talks with filmmaker Zana Briski.
Nov 18th, 2004 · Commentator Daniel Pinkwater tells how he developed and refined the skill of talking about subjects he had no idea about. He amazed himself, and others.
Apr 9th, 1999 · As part of ALL THINGS CONSIDERED's year-long Friday series, we travel to the world of the Carnival Talker. Many call them "Barkers," but they dislike that term. There's a talent and skill that these sideshow pitchmen use as they try to lure people into shows to spend their money. The Talkers use language to amuse and raise curiosity; but they never give their audience time to think. We learn that the pitches are carefully constructed, and made up of distinct sections, designed to catch people's attention. (12:30).