In the world of journalism and literature, there's nothing quite like the obituary. Sometimes called the first draft of history, an obituary can function as a love letter, a condemnation -- but, perhaps more than anything, a portrait of a person gone from this mortal plane. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max join the legendary journalist, author, correspondent and podcaster Mo Rocca, host of Mobituaries, to learn more about this unique genre of literature, from the history of obituaries to the art of crafting them. (Spoiler: Mo extemporaneously composes the definitive obituary of the pager in this one.)

CLASSIC: Prohibition, Prescriptions and the Rise of 'Medicinal' Booze
31:41

Fort Sauerkraut: North Dakota’s Strange, Ill-Planned Origin Story
38:02

The Bizarre Tale of the 1909 Catnip Riot
35:52