Why do humans cry? This hour, we look at the science of crying and discuss what it does for us, emotionally and culturally.

Plus: musician Dar Williams on why some songs make us cry. And: We investigate “crocodile tears” with a crocodile biologist.

GUESTS:
Benjamin Perry: Minister at Middle Church and the author of Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter
Kent Vliet: An expert in crocodilian biology
Dar Williams: Singer-songwriter

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe, Stacey Addo, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired July 6, 2023.

Why do humans cry? This hour, we look at the science of crying and discuss what it does for us, emotionally and culturally.
Plus: musician Dar Williams on why some songs make us cry. And: We investigate “crocodile tears” with a crocodile biologist.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Benjamin Perry: Minister at Middle Church and the author of <a href="https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506485119/Cry-Baby" data-cms-ai="0">Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter</a></li>
<li>Kent Vliet: An expert in crocodilian biology</li>
<li>Dar Williams: Singer-songwriter</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884" data-cms-ai="0">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p" data-cms-ai="0">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxLzcxZGM0YTBmLWU4Y2EtNDAyMS1hZWM5LWFhMDMwMDI2MDQyZC9iNjk1Y2I4Ny1mNmE5LTRjNzYtOGYxMS1hYTAzMDAyNjA0M2IvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M" data-cms-ai="0">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show" data-cms-ai="0">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/" data-cms-ai="0">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/" data-cms-ai="0">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters" data-cms-ai="0">Subscribe to </a><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters" data-cms-ai="0">The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow" data-cms-ai="0">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow" data-cms-ai="0">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe, Stacey Addo, Jonathan McNicol, and Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired July 6, 2023.

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

What our tears can tell us

Lord of the Flies is a BBC and Netflix limited series and the first ever television adaptation of the 1954 novel by William Golding. It is written and created by Jack Thorne, who also wrote and co-created Adolescence, among a bunch of other stuff. The series features an ensemble cast of more than 30 boys, many of them making their professional acting debuts.

And: The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins is a sports mockumentary sitcom created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means. Carlock was a showrunner on 30 Rock and co-created Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt with Tina Fey, who is an executive producer on Reggie Dinkins. The cast includes Tracy Morgan as the title character, Bobby Moynihan, Erika Alexander, Danielle Radcliffe, and more.

GUESTS:
Shawn Murray: A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the Fantasy Filmball podcast
Irene Papoulis: Taught writing for a long time at Trinity College
Bill Yousman: Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University

Music featured (in order):
Peter Grimes, Act II: Interlude III (also known as Sunday Morning from “Four Sea Interludes”) – Benjamin Britten, as performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Bernstein
Hooray for Captain Spaulding – Groucho Marx (feat. The Ken Lane Singers)
You Gotta Be a Football Hero – Ben Bernie and His Roosevelt Orchestra
Jet Song – West Side Story Original Soundtrack Recording
See You On The Radio – Grayson Hugh

Lord of the Flies&nbsp;is a BBC and Netflix limited series and the first ever television adaptation of the 1954 novel by William Golding. It is written and created by Jack Thorne, who also wrote and co-created&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/2025-03-28/the-nose-looks-at-adolescence-and-long-bright-river">Adolescence</a>, among a bunch of other stuff. The series features an ensemble cast of more than 30 boys, many of them making their professional acting debuts.
And:&nbsp;The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins&nbsp;is a sports mockumentary sitcom created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means. Carlock was a showrunner on&nbsp;30 Rock&nbsp;and co-created&nbsp;Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt&nbsp;with Tina Fey, who is an executive producer on&nbsp;Reggie Dinkins. The cast includes Tracy Morgan as the title character, Bobby Moynihan, Erika Alexander, Danielle Radcliffe, and more.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Shawn Murray:&nbsp;A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the&nbsp;Fantasy Filmball&nbsp;podcast</li>
<li>Irene Papoulis:&nbsp;Taught writing for a long time at Trinity College</li>
<li>Bill Yousman:&nbsp;Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University</li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/jKSMr9V9cWk">Peter Grimes, Act II: Interlude III (also known as Sunday Morning from &ldquo;Four Sea Interludes&rdquo;)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Benjamin Britten, as performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Bernstein</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0LTZfytTII">Hooray for Captain Spaulding</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Groucho Marx (feat. The Ken Lane Singers)</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/8EIRAZeunS8">You Gotta Be a Football Hero</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Ben Bernie and His Roosevelt Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/uzuFqrCl_4M">Jet Song</a>&nbsp;&ndash; West Side Story Original Soundtrack Recording</li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/swampman-1/ill-see-you-on-the-radio">See You On The Radio</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Grayson Hugh</li>
</ul>

The Nose looks at ‘Lord of the Flies’ and ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’

Billboard

What do you know about silversmith Paul Revere besides that he borrowed a horse to warn American colonists that the British troops were coming? If Revere had help, why is he the only rider taught in history classes throughout America? We talk with Kostya Kennedy about his book, ‘The Ride,’ and learn the story behind a man—and an act on horseback—that was, “deeper and richer than previously assumed.” Plus, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow scholar Christoph Irmscher joins with an appreciation of Longfellow’s famous poem, ‘Paul Revere’s Ride.' And we learn what it's like to retrace Revere's route from journalist, Jenna Russell.

GUESTS: 


Kostya Kennedy: Author of ‘The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night that Saved America’


Christoph Irmscher: Distinguished Professor of English at Indiana University. He is a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow and the author of The Poetics of Natural History and Longfellow Redux


Jenna Russell: New England bureau chief for The New York Times. Jenna documented her drive of Paul Revere's route, which took twice as long in Boston traffic.

Music featured (in order):
William Tell Overture (Finale) – Gioachino Rossini, as conducted by Myung-whun Chung and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Paul Revere – Johnny Cash
Ride Your Pony – Paul Revere and the Raiders
One If By Land – Paul Burch
The British Are Coming – Weezer
Paul Revere – Louis Prima, Keely Smith

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook.

Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.

Colin McEnroe, Lily Tyson and Dylan Reyes contributed to this episode.

What do you know about silversmith Paul Revere besides that he borrowed a horse to warn American colonists that the British troops were coming? If Revere had help, why is he the only rider taught in history classes throughout America? We talk with <a href="https://kostyakennedy.com/">Kostya Kennedy</a> about his book, &lsquo;<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250341372/theride/">The Ride</a>,&rsquo; and learn the story behind a man&mdash;and an act on horseback&mdash;that was, &ldquo;deeper and richer than previously assumed.&rdquo; Plus, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow scholar <a href="https://www.christophirmscher.com/index.htm">Christoph Irmscher</a> joins with an appreciation of Longfellow&rsquo;s famous poem, &lsquo;<a href="https://poets.org/poem/paul-reveres-ride">Paul Revere&rsquo;s Ride</a>.' And we learn what it's like to retrace Revere's route from journalist,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/jenna-russell"> Jenna Russell</a>.
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Kostya Kennedy: Author of &lsquo;<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250341372/theride/">The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night that Saved America</a>&rsquo;
</li>
<li>
Christoph Irmscher: Distinguished Professor of English at Indiana University. He is a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow and the author of <a href="https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-poetics-of-natural-history/9781978805873">The Poetics of Natural History</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Longfellow-Redux-Christoph-Irmscher/dp/0252075862/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0">Longfellow Redux</a>
</li>
<li>
Jenna Russell: New England bureau chief for The New York Times. Jenna <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/us/paul-revere-ride-250-anniversary.html">documented her drive of Paul Revere's route</a>, which took twice as long in Boston traffic.
</li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/j3T8-aeOrbg">William Tell Overture (Finale)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Gioachino Rossini, as conducted by Myung-whun Chung and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2jkwWD7rqE">Paul Revere</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Johnny Cash</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lREuKhkG57c">Ride Your Pony</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Paul Revere and the Raiders</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AczCpJCIJGo">One If By Land</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Paul Burch</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGUPsdOCZ-A">The British Are Coming</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Weezer</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vzD2OJ5QpU">Paul Revere</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Louis Prima, Keely Smith</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to&nbsp;The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by&nbsp;The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>.
Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting <a href="http://ctpublic.org/donate">ctpublic.org/donate</a>.
Colin McEnroe, Lily Tyson and Dylan Reyes contributed to this episode.

Listen and you shall hear the lore and legend of Paul Revere

George Orwell's novels 1984 and Animal Farm feel especially prescient in this moment, as surveillance technologies continue to expand, and history and language are weaponized. We take a look at the life and literature of George Orwell. And ask: what does the term "Orwellian" really mean?

GUESTS:
Laura Beers: Professor of History at American University, and the author of Orwell’s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century
D. J. Taylor: Writer, critic, and author of many books, including Orwell: The New Life and Who is Big Brother? A Reader's Guide to George Orwell
Sandra Newman: Author of Julia: A Novel, among other books

Music featured (in order):
Welles Raises Kane (I. Overture) – Bernard Herrmann, as conducted by himself, leading the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four) – Eurythmics
One Brick – Aesop Rock
Keep the Aspidistra Flying – Ivan Waters and the Citadel
Piggies – The Beatles
1984 – Anais Mitchell

George Orwell's novels&nbsp;1984&nbsp;and&nbsp;Animal Farm&nbsp;feel especially prescient in this moment, as surveillance technologies continue to expand, and history and language are weaponized. We take a look at the life and literature of George Orwell. And ask: what does the term "Orwellian" really mean?
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Laura Beers:&nbsp;Professor of History at American University, and the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324075080">Orwell&rsquo;s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century</a></li>
<li>D. J. Taylor:&nbsp;Writer, critic, and author of many books, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Orwell/D-J-Taylor/9781639364510">Orwell: The New Life</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300272987/who-is-big-brother/">Who is Big Brother? A Reader's Guide to George Orwell</a></li>
<li>Sandra Newman:&nbsp;Author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/julia-sandra-newman?variant=44597884715042">Julia: A Novel</a>, among other books</li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/h78Lsi_6rpE">Welles Raises Kane (I. Overture)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Bernard Herrmann, as conducted by himself, leading the London Philharmonic Orchestra</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DMaKrI3uYg">Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Eurythmics</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiDmfP0JvOc">One Brick</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Aesop Rock</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocepiusvc2w">Keep the Aspidistra Flying</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Ivan Waters and the Citadel</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/t0nzZ8-kIf0">Piggies</a>&nbsp;&ndash; The Beatles</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6HLTBwCFO0">1984</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Anais Mitchell</li>
</ul>

What our tears can tell us

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