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Have you ever gotten into an impassioned argument in the shower with a sparring partner who... wasn't actually there?How about replaying a dinner party conversation from weeks ago but this time, you know exactly what to say and you're saying it... to yourself?Whether the dialogue is in our heads or said aloud, many of us talk to ourselves, even if we don't realize it. But oftentimes the habit is seen as strange — especially if there are others around.We get into why so many of us talk to ourselves, and what the benefits of self-talk. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates after two years of rate hikes to the highest levels in decades.It meets again this week to decide whether to cut them again, or keep them as is.High interest rates made the cost of borrowing high, meaning that car loans, credit card debt, and mortgages cost exponentially more than before the pandemic.We discuss how the Fed's decision to lower rates affects the economy. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Last week, the House passed a bill to create 63 new permanent judgeships. Case backlogs and delays have had many lawmakers saying we need more federal judges. If the bill did become law, President-elect Donald Trump would have 22 new seats to fill. The legislation originally had bipartisan support, but President Joe Biden vowed to veto it, with the support of many Democrats. In his first term, Trump put more judges in place than almost any president in history. Biden has made his mark too, surpassing that number. As of last week, he had also put more judges of color on the bench than any of his predecessors.Federal judges almost always serve life terms, meaning each of these picks can have lasting consequences for Americans.We look back and look ahead at our federal judiciary.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy