WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

On Dec. 20, 1943, a young American fighter pilot named Charlie Brown was on his first World War II mission. Flying in the German skies, Brown's B-17 bomber was shot and badly damaged. As Brown and his men desperately tried to escape enemy territory back to England, a German fighter plane pulled up to their tail. It seemed certain death. Instead of shooting the plane down, however, the German pilot, Franz Stigler, escorted the Americans to safety. In his new book, "A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II", author Adam Makos describes the fateful wartime encounter, and how the two men found each other nearly 50 years later.

The vast majority of mentally ill people are not a danger to themselves or society, but for those who are, treatment is critical. Diane and her guests discuss the challenge of identifying and treating severe mental illness.

More than 18 million Americans are compulsive buyers, an addiction that can devastate families and bank accounts. The struggle to control a shopping addiction.

Last week's tragedy in Connecticut prompts new questions about how to keep students safe at school: What parents, administrators, and safety experts think should be done to improve security.

The opening phrase of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is one of the most widely recognized in music. It has mystified musicians, historians and philosophers for 200 years. Music critic Matthew Guerrieri says it's "short enough to remember and portentous enough to be memorable." Listeners agree it says something powerful and profound, but none can agree on what that might be. Guerrieri considers what could have influenced Beethoven when he wrote those four notes. And he describes how the motif has been interpreted around the world and throughout history. Join Diane and her guest for new insights into the music, the composer and the Fifth Symphony's lasting influence.

The horror and outrage in the aftermath of last week's mass shootings in Connecticut are galvanizing new efforts to ban assault weapons. Diane and her guests discuss Americans and gun control.

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for Americans to plan for their financial future. The decline of pensions, collapse in home prices and a volatile stock market have created a precarious economy. And this uncertainty has increased demand for financial planners who can make sense of it all. But advice to save more and spend less, and maximize individual retirement accounts has failed to take hold. Three-quarters of Americans have saved just $25,000 for retirement. And nearly half of us now live paycheck-to-paycheck, making it more difficult to save. Diane and a panel of experts discuss planning for your financial future in uncertain times.

Reaction to Friday's school shooting in Newtown, Conn., has been loud and swift. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on President Barack Obama to make gun control his No. 1 agenda. The dean of Washington's National Cathedral said, "enough is enough ... the massacre of these 28 people in Connecticut is ... the last straw." A sense of helplessness and frustration is palpable across the nation. While many are calling for more controls on guns and ammunition, others say we must focus on creating a more accessible mental health system. They worry we aren't doing enough to de-stigmatize treatment. Diane and her guests discuss the effects of mass shootings on the American psyche.

A new study released last week looks at the brains of people who experienced repeated head injuries. It provides some of the clearest evidence yet linking recurring mild head trauma to long-term brain disease. Of the 85 people in the study, 50 had been football players. Athletes who play contact sports are always vulnerable to head injuries, but these days, football is in the spotlight. From youth leagues to the NFL, questions are being raised about the prevalence of head injuries and what can be done to make the game safer. For our series "Mind and Body", Diane and her guests discuss the latest science on head injuries and how to best protect players.

More than 100 nations now back the Syrian rebel coalition. Tensions remain high in Egypt ahead of a draft Constitution referendum. And the European Union wins the Nobel Prize for Peace. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Fiscal cliff negotiations appear stuck in neutral. The Fed ties interest rates to jobless numbers. And the Michigan governor signs a "right to work" law. Diane and a panel of guests discuss the week's top domestic stories.

Dr. Con Slobodchikoff is professor emeritus of biology at Northern Arizona University and Director of the Animal Language Institute.

The number of kids using mobile technology is exploding. Apple's app store has seen a 40% increase of downloads in just nine months. Google Play's growth has been even more dramatic - 80% over the same period. But the Federal Trade Commission is concerned popular smartphone and tablet apps aimed at children are collecting and sharing personal data without informing parents. The agency claims the data collected allows companies to target ads with new precision. While app developers agree children should be protected, they fear some of the FTC's proposals could stifle innovation. Join Diane and her guests as they discuss concerns about mobile apps and children's privacy.

A new study released last week looks at the brains of people who experienced repeated head injuries. It provides some of the clearest evidence yet linking recurring mild head trauma to long-term brain disease. Of the 85 people in the study, 50 had been football players. Athletes who play contact sports are always vulnerable to head injuries, but these days, football is in the spotlight. From youth leagues to the NFL, questions are being raised about the prevalence of head injuries and what can be done to make the game safer. For our series "Mind and Body", Diane and her guests discuss the latest science on head injuries and how to best protect players.

The availability of 3-D mammograms renews debate about who should get them and when: Calculating the health benefits of routine mammograms.