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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: 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.