Who's claiming power this election? What's happening in battleground states? And why do we still have the electoral college?

All this month, the Thruline Podcast is asking big questions about our democracy and going back in time to answer them.

Listen now to the Thru Line Podcast from NPR.

You're listening to Life Kit from NPR.

Hey everybody, it's Mary L.

Our visuals editor, Beck Harlan, is a self-described quitter.

She says she's always been okay with throwing in the towel,

especially when it comes to hobbies.

When I was a junior in high school, I did... especially when it comes to hobbies.

When I was a junior in high school, I did join the cross-country team

and the practice after our first official race.

Instead of running the route that the coach had mapped out for us, I decided that I would just run home and never come back.

Karate, softball, soccer, dance, clarinet, piano, golf, girl scouts, Beck quit

them all as a kid.

Now I should say there's a lot she hasn't quit.

She's a committed and loyal friend and partner and a talented artist, writer and photographer.

But now that she's a parent of a four-year-old, she's seeing those quitting instincts pop up again.

She and her husband put their son in swim lessons.

And the kid hated it, right?

Like begged every time not to go.

This kind of brought up for me that my husband and I have very different approaches to

extracurriculars and quitting. I was like ready to write the email telling the swim school,

...