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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, August 30, 2004
  • Presidents portraits from the White House
    Presidents' portraits from the White House

    Glory Days

    Evan Cornog, associate dean at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, argues that throughout American history, presidents have created narratives about themselves in order to define themselves politically. Successful leaders, it then follows, are successful storytellers. He makes his case in his latest book, The Power and the Story. Next, we’ll hear from Penny Wolfson about her son’s experiences with the progressive disability Muscular Dystrophy. She explores the disease’s impact on her family, and the larger medical and scientific issues surrounding the genetic disorder in her book Moonrise. Then, will the Republican National Convention be a boon to NYC's economy? First, we'll hear from the optimists. Mark Jaffe from the New York Chamber of Commerce and John Tepper Marlin, economist for the NYC Comptroller's office, explain why they have high hopes for the convention. Then, Paul Bachman of Boston's Beacon Hill Institute speaks. He takes a more pessimistic view. He's an author of a recent study that shows that the Democratic Convention had mixed results for Boston, and that the Republican convention in New York might not do much better.

Evan Cornog

Evan Cornog on his history of presidential storytelling: The Power and the Story: How the Crafted Presidential Narrative Has Determined Political Success from George Washington to George W. Bush.

» More about the book

Penny Wolfson

Penny Wolfson on her son’s struggles with Muscular Dystrophy: Moonrise: One Family, Genetic Identity, and Muscular Dystrophy.

» More about the book

Mark Jaffe and John Tepper Marlin

Mark Jaffe from the New York Chamber of Commerce and John Tepper Marlin, economist for the NYC Comptroller's office, discuss the projected economic impact of the RNC on New York.

Paul Bachman

Paul Bachman of Boston's Beacon Hill Institute argues that the Democratic National Convention was bad for business in Boston, and that the RNC might not help New York’s economy either.

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Let’s Go Swimming!

The Leonard Lopate Show

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

Frank McCourt

The Leonard Lopate Show

Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.

Science and Faith

The Leonard Lopate Show

Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.

FDA to Regulate Tobacco?

The Leonard Lopate Show

May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

The Leonard Lopate Show

On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.

Leonard is on Facebook

Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

Barack Obama, Circa 2004

The Leonard Lopate Show

Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.