wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, February 23, 2006
  • Mining the Depths

    Mining is big business. But for the individuals who work the mines, it’s also a way of life. On today’s edition of Underreported, we’ll put a human face on the mining economy. Then, we’ll talk to the venerated big band leader and jazz composer Gerald Wilson. And Deborah Eisenberg shares her critically-acclaimed new collection of short stories. Finally, we’ll explore the science behind how we perceive food.

Underreported: The Mining Way of Life

What is life for today's miners? On today’s edition of Underreported, we’ll take an in-depth look at the cultures behind two different mining communities. We’ll talk to Ken Light, co-author of Coal Hollow, about the four years he spent photographing and interviewing miners in West Virgina. And Kief Davidson tells us about his experiences documenting the lives of two young brothers in the silver mines of Cerro Rico, Bolivia for his film “The Devil’s Miner.”

Big Band Legend

The legendary big band leader and jazz composer Gerald Wilson is celebrated by the jazz community. He's here today to tell us about his upcoming performance at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Twilight of the Superheroes

The critically-acclaimed short story writer Deborah Eisenberg tells us about her latest collection of fiction: Twilight of the Superheroes. The book grapples with the uncertainties of modern life--from characters struggling to start their lives in New York after 9/11, to a woman's desire to run away from her ex-husband's battle with a life-threatening disease.

Molecular Gastronomy

Hervé This puts his love of food and his background in physical chemistry to use for his scientific study of flavor. In Molecular Gastronomy, he explores the mechanics of enjoying a good meal--explaining topics like how our brains perceive taste, and how our tongues react to certain stimuli.

Tributes: Kate McGarrigle

The Leonard Lopate Show

Folk singer Kate McGarrigle, who gained acclaim for a series of projects with her sister Anna, died Monday, Jan. 18, from a rare form of cancer. She left behind a family of talented musicians, including her sister, son Rufus Wainwright, and daughter Martha Wainwright. McGarrigle appeared on The Leonard Lopate show with her sister in December 2005, ahead of their holiday show at Carnegie Hall.

Monona Rossol on 50 Million Chemicals

The Leonard Lopate Show

On September 7, 2009, scientists working for the Chemical Abstract Service (which assigns identification numbers to all new chemicals) entered the 50-millionth chemical substance into their Registry. Chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol, President and Founder of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, took a look at what all these new substances are, where they are coming from, and how they affect our health. Rossol also responded to listener comments and questions. You can read her answers here.

Alan Alda on What Makes Us Human

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Barbara Demick on Ordinary Lives in North Korea

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Lucien Castaing-Taylor on "Sweetgrass"

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Michael Pollan on Food in 2010

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Atul Gawande on The Checklist Manifesto

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Christopher Kimball on Surviving Holiday Cooking Disasters

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Lidia Bastianich on Cooks from the Heart of Italy

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Neil deGrasse Tyson on Pluto

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

National Book Award Winners

The Leonard Lopate Show

A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

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.