I'm Natalie Moore. I fell in love with soap operas when I was just five years old, and I still

watch them. Their television's longest scripted series and have zero reruns. Now let me tell you,

soap operas aren't just some silly art form. They are significant. In this season of making,

Stories Without End from WBEZ Chicago. Join me as I share how the genre

began, their social impact, and why these stories endure. Listen, wherever you get your podcast.

From WBEZ Chicago, this is Nerdette. I'm Greta Johnson. We did it. We made it to another weekend.

Coming up, we're going to talk about some of the pandemic purchases that people have maybe come to regret.

I knew immediately it was a bad idea and then just, you know, here it sits months and months later.

But first, it is our chance to sit back and relax with two excellent humans with us this week.

We have Adora Nomiagadei at WB-E-E-Z Metro reporter. Adora, hello.

Hey, what's up, Greta? Thanks for having me on your lovely show.

I'm so happy to have you. Also with us is Ariane Nettles, director of audio at Medill School of Journalism and recent birthday girl, Ari, hello.

Hello.

Okay, so I want to start with Beyonce.

She dropped her seventh studio album last week.

It is called Renaissance.

It's phenomenal.

It came out on Friday.

Ari, your birthday was on Monday.

How many times have you listened since it came out?

I really cannot count. And I mean, literally, like, it's not an exaggeration. I cannot count.

Of course, I started listening at 11 p.m. Central Time, midnight, Eastern time, you know.

...