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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, December 20, 2004
  • nuclear

    Nuclear Security

    The US-Russian pact governing the safeguarding of Russia's nuclear weapons expires in June 2006. What happens after that? The US and Russia still have nuclear weapons on hair-trigger status aimed at each other. We'll find out what's at stake, and look into why each side feels that keeping nuclear weapons in Cold War positions is justified. Then, Elizabeth Maxwell, Tory Walker, and Carol West share a collection of stories written by a group of writers at a soup kitchen workshop: Food for the Soul. And Steve Rivkin explains the impact brand names have on the products we buy: The Making of a Name.

Nuclear Threats

The Cold War may be over, but the U.S. and Russia still have nuclear weapons on hair-trigger status aimed at each other. Ken Luongo, executive director of the Russian-American Nuclear Security Advisory Council (RANSAC), and Laura Holgate, vice president for Russia/New Independent States Programs at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, discuss post Cold War security threats.

Music: "Escalator," by Bang on a Can All-Stars
"Fallout," by Euphone
"Wax Off," by Kodo

Food for Thought

Elizabeth Maxwell, Tory Walker, and Carol West on a collection of stories from a soup kitchen workshop: Food for the Soul.

Music: Soundtrack to Cider House Rules, music by Rachel Portman: "Homer Asks Wally for a Ride" / "Homer's Lessons"

A Rose by Any Other Name

Steve Rivkin explains the marketing forces behind brand names: The Making of a Name: The Inside Story of the Brands We Buy.

Music: "Salpica," by Mambotur
Edit of "How Was It For You," Gare du Nord

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.