Before the invention of the dialysis machine, kidney failure was basically a death sentence. Registered nurse Janice Breen explains how the design of dialysis machines has evolved since she started working with them back in 1973 ...

Before the invention of the dialysis machine, kidney failure was basically a death sentence. Registered nurse Janice Breen explains how the design of dialysis machines has evolved since she started working with them back in 1973. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

Vito Acconci's work as an artist and architect often confuses the boundaries between public and private space. In 1964 Acconci saw a movie that would shape his career as an architect: John Ford's "The Searchers," starring John Wayne.

Weigh in: Has a work of art changed ...

Every year at Yale, 14 male seniors are tapped to sing in an elite a cappella group called the Whiffenpoofs. Their repertoire ranges from Cole Porter to Gladys Knight, and they perform around the world. In early October, 600 Whiffenpoof alumni (aged 22-92) gathered in New Haven for ...

Rick Richter was the president of the children's division at Simon and Schuster until last December, when he was laid off. But instead of crumpling, he decided to rekindle an old passion -- music. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

Last year Marc Matsumoto got laid off from his marketing job at a technology company. So he decided it was time to embrace his passion: cooking. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

For years Michael Terry led a double life. He never revealed to his colleagues at his finance job that he was doing stand-up comedy at night. Now a full-time comic, he's coming clean about his banking past. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

Late last year, after getting laid-off from her investment bank job, Christine Marchuska decided to dive into a creative career as a fashion designer. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

Weigh in: Short of work and pursuing a new passion?

Kevin Kallaugher, better known as KAL, has been the cartoonist at The Economist for 30 years. He explains how the donkey and elephant came to represent the parties, and charts their evolution in our culture. Produced by Gretta Cohn.

Belarus is called the last dictatorship in Europe. The government censors the arts, so performance troupe Free Theatre Belarus performs secretly, in converted houses, to avoid arrest. American playwright Aaron Landsman went to visit the group in Minsk, and learned what theater is really all about. Produced ...