wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

The Leonard Lopate Show

Friday, January 13, 2006
  • Posing a Threat?

    On today’s show, we'll ask about the likelihood of a nuclear showdown with North Korea. Then, a mystery writer describes the real-life murder of her childhood neighbor. And one of the most celebrated drummers in jazz—Jack de Johnette—stops by. Plus, a lesson on anesthesia in this week’s edition of Please Explain.

North Korea versus the World?

Does Kim Jong Il have the power to change the world with the touch of a button? In Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On the World, Gordon Chang examines how much of a threat North Korea’s nuclear weapons really pose.

» Read an excerpt of Nuclear Showdown in the Reading Room

Girls of Tender Age

In her new memoir, mystery writer Mary-Ann Tirone Smith describes the real-life murder of her 11-year-old classmate in 1953. Both girls were living in a post-World War II housing project in Hartford, Connecticut, when a serial killer struck the neighborhood. In Girls of Tender Age, Ms. Smith describes the impact this violence had on her.

» Read an excerpt of Girls of Tender Age in the Reading Room

Events: Mary-Ann Tirone Smith will be reading and signing books
Wednesday, January 18th at 7pm
Barnes & Noble, Upper West Side (Broadway & 82nd St)

In the Key of Om

Also on the show: the celebrated jazz drummer Jack de Johnette. He’s up for a Grammy this February in the New Age category for Music in the Key of Om.

Please Explain: Anesthesia

On today’s edition of Please Explain, we’ll find out how anesthesia works. We’ll learn about its earliest uses, and get an update on new advancements. We'll hear from Doris K. Cope, M.D., a Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Director of the UPMC Pain Medicine Program. She's joined by Dr. William S. Schechter, a Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in the City of New York.

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.”

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.

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.

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?