In this edition of our members-only podcast digest, listen to the best segments of the week:

• Slate Money on the history of the world’s most popular pen (begins at 00:00:30)
• Dear Prudence on the tradition of asking for a father’s permission before proposing, with guest panelist Carvell Wallace (00:11:50)
• The Political Gabfest on covering President Trump (00:19:50)
• The Culture Gabfest on the Young Pope and Richard Rorty, with special guest Sam Anderson, a New York Times Magazine staff writer (00:37:45)