Each weekday, Pulse of the Planet provides its listeners with a two-minute sound portrait of Planet Earth, tracking the rhythms of nature, culture and science worldwide and blending interviews and extraordinary natural sound.
What if Santa Claus got the flu and an ordinary mortal had to cover for him?
2 min
528
Las Posadas
Commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem.
2 min
529
Kalas
Dipping into the Doop of ancestral Sweden.
3 min
530
A Crown of Candles
Young Swedish girls represent Saint Lucia in an early morning ritual.
2 min
531
Santa Lucia
Rituals of light in the darkness of winter.
2 min
532
All I Want For Christmas is a Relativity Cloud
With a little help from quantum physics, Santa could have all the time he needs to make Christmas deliveries.
2 min
533
Chasing Mr. Claus
Switzerland's Klausjagen blends a Catholic holiday with a much older celebration.
2 min
534
Celebrating Klausjagen
Whips, bells and a giant paper bishop's hat.
2 min
535
Sinterklaas
Change Santa Claus's team of reindeer into a single white horse, replace his costume with a bishop's robes, and you'll begin to get a picture of Sinterklaas.
2 min
536
Ravens Adapt
Ravens' natural curiosity may be the trait which allows them to survive in nearly every part of the planet.
6 min
537
Hunting with Falcons
When certain hunters give a whistle, they're not calling their dog, they're summoning a trained falcon.
2 min
538
The Sport of Kings
A handful of hunters still practice the ancient sport of kings and they're meeting this week.
3 min
539
Hunting the Red Stag
The sounds of the mating behavior, or 'rut', signal the start of Red Stag hunting season in Hungary.
2 min
540
The Gabra
This time of year, the Gabra of Northeast Africa celebrate a holiday which commemorates human dependence on seasonal cycles.
3 min
541
Masquerade Test
During Nigeria's Kalabari Masquerade, male dancers risk public humiliation for a chance at prestige.
7 min
542
Family Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving unites individuals and families in the spirit of gratitude and sharing.
2 min
543
First Thanksgiving
All the trappings of a traditional Native American meal.
3 min
544
Drum Language
Listen to the words of a water spirit, communicated through the rhythms of drums.
2 min
545
Kalabari Masquerade
The dry winter months are masquerade season for the Kalabari people of Nigeria.
2 min
546
Celebrating the Sabbath
For Syrian Jews, the Sabbath is both a time for rest and for song.
8 min
547
A Marriage Song
The words of a marriage song reflect a rich and dynamic musical tradition.
3 min
548
Pizmon
For a group of Jews with roots in Syria, Pizmon music carries memories of the past as it marks the celebrations of the present.
2 min
549
The Whale's Footprint
When whales surface, they leave a smooth section of water known as a footprint.
2 min
550
Encountering Whales
California Gray whales find safety in numbers on their long journey south.