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The Leonard Lopate Show
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A Class Apart
We’ll start the show off with a look at what the rise of homeschooling means for education in America. Then, Brian Murphy shares his research on the craft and trade of Persian carpets. George Saunders tells us about his new novel, The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil. And Paul Reiser tells us about writing and starring in a new film: “The Thing About My Folks.”
Home is Where the Mind Is
In the early 1980s, only a few thousand American families homeschooled their kids. Now, an estimated million and a half children in the US are schooled at home, and as many as two-thirds of these children are evangelical. We’ll find out what this remarkable rise of homeschooling means for American education. We’ll talk to Rob Reich, professor of Political Science at Stanford University, and Mitchell Stevens, professor of Educational Sociology at NYU and author of Kingdom of Children: Culture and Controversy in the Homeschooling Movement.
Music:
Soundtrack from film "Avalon" Track #4: “Jules and Michael” And Track#7: “Wedding”
Open Phones
We’ll take listener calls about the trend towards homeschooling in America.
Music:
“Betty’s Lament/Isan”
The Root of Wild Madder
Brian Murphy describes his appreciation for the ancient and intricate traditions that go into the making of Persian carpets in The Root of Wild Madder.
» Read an excerpt ofThe Root of Wild Madder in the Reading Room
Events:
Brian Murphy will be speaking and signing books on:
Tuesday, September 13th at 7 pm
FJ Hakimian, Inc. (Rug Gallery)
136 E 57th St, 2nd Fl
Tel: 212-371-6900
Music:
“Without You: Masters of Persian Music”. Track 5: Zarbi and Track 10: Foroud
The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil
George Saunders, author of Pastoralia and Civilwarland in Bad Decline, shares his latest political satire, The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil.
» Read an excerpt of The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil in the Reading Room
Events:
George Saunders will be speaking and signing books on:
Monday, Sept. 12th at 7pm
Barnes & Noble, Chelsea
675 6th Ave (b/t 21st and 22nd St)
Music:
soundtrack “The Incredibly true adventures of 2 girls in love”. Track 1: Gas Pump Blues. Track 2: Instrumental No.1
The Thing About My Folks
Paul Reiser describes his role opposite Peter Falk in “The Thing About My Folks.” The film follows the relationship between a father and son who get an unexpected, and rather unusual, chance to finally get to know one another.
Music: “Mumford” soundtrack… Track 14: Skateboarding
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Patrick Swayze
The Leonard Lopate Show
Patrick Swayze mixed grace with athleticism in his movies – and rose to stardom with roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He died just recently after a battle with pancreatic cancer. And you can hear his interview with Leonard Lopate from July 16, 2002, when he came by to discuss appearing in the film, “Green Dragon.”
- Comments [2]
The Silver Anniversary of the Silver Palate
The Leonard Lopate Show
Sheila Lukins was one half of a partnership that helped popularize gourmet cooking throughout America – first, through their gourmet food shop in New York City and then with the cookbook, The Silver Palate, which remains one of the top-selling cookbooks of all time. She collaborated on 2 other cookbooks that simplified gourmet cooking for the home cook. She died recently from brain cancer at the age of 66, and you can listen to her 2007 conversation with Leonard Lopate and her business partner Julee Rosso about the 25th Anniversary of the publication of The Silver Palate.
Dominick Dunne
The Leonard Lopate Show
Dominick Dunne was a famous novelist and Hollywood producer. But he may be best remembered for covering trials of the rich and famous – from Claus von Bulow to O. J. Simpson. He died just recently at the age of 83. But you can still hear his interview with Leonard from November 23, 2001, when he was discussing crimes, trials, and punishments.
Video Pick: The J.D. Allen Trio
The Leonard Lopate Show
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- Comments [4]
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.
- Comments [33]
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.
- Comments [1]
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.
- Comments [9]
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.
- Comments [4]
Guest Picks
The Leonard Lopate Show
Find out surprising facts about some recent guests on the Leonard Lopate Show. Check out our Guest Picks section! Did you know that football star Herschel Walker loves Judge Judy, Laurie Anderson is a big fan of agility training for dogs, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi likes Johnny Depp?