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May 2006
All in Your Head?
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Brain surgeons operate on one of our least understood organs. On today’s show, we'll ask a neurosurgeon what’s inside our skulls. Later on, New Yorker writer Roger Angell shares his new memoir. And we’ll pay tribute to the autoharp. Plus, word maven Patricia T. O’Conner will be here.
Observations and Assessments
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Daniel Okrent—the first-ever Public Editor for the New York Times—describes being enlisted to assess the paper's performance after the Jayson Blair scandal. Then, a new Frontline documentary examines HIV/AIDS on the 25th anniversary of the first diagnosis of the disease. Plus: a look at the history and influence of the Pentagon.
Challenging Beliefs
Monday, May 29, 2006
Shere Hite looks back on three decades-worth of sexuality research and the controversies it caused. Also: the co-curators of an exhibit of the work of the iconic 1960s artist Eva Hesse. Plus, Nathaniel Philbrick uncovers the true history of the Pilgrims at Plymouth—from race wars and religious conflict to disease. And to start it all off: a discussion of the role of religion in diplomacy with Madeleine Albright.
Hook, Line, and Sinker
Friday, May 26, 2006
Former New York Times executive editor Howell Raines tells us about the life lessons he’s learned from fishing. Plus, we’ll hear about a new biography of Gustave Flaubert. And a scientist tells us how studying monkey sounds can teach us about the origins of human language. Also: hedge funds on this week’s Please Explain.
Conflicts and Complications
Thursday, May 25, 2006
On today’s show, we’ll get an update on the catastrophic humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Underreported. Then, two-time Booker Prize-winning author Peter Carey discusses his latest novel. Plus, we’ll talk to a woman about her experiences as the mixed race child of a white woman in the 1950s. And we’ll take an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most respected human rights organizations: Amnesty International.
Speaking Out
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
On today’s show, Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff describes the frustration that led him to speak out against the war, and explains why he doesn’t trust the Republicans or the Democrats to fix things. Then, a look at the outspoken 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza. And a scholar explains why she thinks Shakespeare may have been a woman. Plus, we’ll hear part of a documentary about Greenwich Village in the early 1960s on Past Present.
What Went Wrong?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
On today’s show, we’ll talk to a Louisiana disaster specialist who warned of an impending catastrophe in New Orleans for a decade before Katrina. He’ll tell us about his current fight to protect the city against future storms. Plus: Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Wanamaker—the stars of Awake and Sing!, Clifford Odets’ 1935 masterpiece. And a conversation with one of the coal miners featured in the landmark 1973 documentary “Harlan County, USA.” And to start it all off, a new documentary about the 2004 Chechen terrorist attack and 3-day siege of a school in Beslan, Russia.
Inside Stories
Monday, May 22, 2006
On today’s show, Vanity Fair’s Todd Purdum reveals what he learned during a recent interview with Vice President Dick Cheney. Plus, a New York Times reporter describes writing his first thriller. Later on, we’ll hear about one woman’s unusual quest for fame. And to start it all off, a panel discussion on how newspapers are adapting to the internet.
A Time and A Place
Friday, May 19, 2006
On today’s show, an astrophysicist and a science philosopher share their theory on how important humans are on a cosmic level. Then, Adrienne Barbeau, of “Maude” fame, joins us. And we’ll talk to one of Latin America’s most acclaimed authors: Eduardo Galeano. Plus, we’ll learn about infertility on this week’s Please Explain.
Shaping Up and Shipping Out
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Guest host Julie Burstein takes an in-depth look at how box boats revolutionized the shipping industry, and reshaped the world economy. Then, novelist Reynolds Price describes the spiritual lessons that have shaped him. And we’ll find out how cutlery has evolved in the West over the past 500 years. Plus, an industrial designer offers tips on revamping everything from your work space to your love life.
Changes in Pressure
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Guest host Jeff Yang explores ancient and modern China with Peter Hessler--the Beijing correspondent for the New Yorker. And we’ll find out how today’s students are dealing with the pressures of getting into a good college. Plus, Alvin and Larry Ubell, the “Gurus of How-To,” answer your home repair questions.
Shaping the Future
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
On today’s show, guest host Rose Arce and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Héctor Tobar explore the ways in which Spanish-speaking Americans are transforming the United States. Also on the show: Scottish comedian Billy Connolly. Plus, a new novel about the ambitions of an 18th century Brooklyn woman who runs a gin distillery. And to start it all off, a look at a recent poll that found Americans have the lowest opinion of the media in the world.
Bittersweet Tales
Monday, May 15, 2006
On today’s show, guest host Jonathan Capehart talks to three writers about the complex nature of modern-day stepfamilies. Then, we’ll hear the real-life story of the man who invented sugar packets and Sweet’N Low after WWII. Plus, Sundance is coming to New York with screenings and discussions at BAM. And a new book investigates what happened to the women who gave their children up for adoption in the days before Roe v. Wade.
Rising Through the Ranks
Friday, May 12, 2006
Joseph Volpe worked his way up from a carpenter’s apprentice to the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera. Meanwhile, Ira Glass started out as an intern and became one of the most beloved hosts in public radio. They’re both here today with behind-the-scenes accounts of the institutions they love. Joseph Volpe starts the show off with a look at 40 years of intrigue on and off stage at the Met. And Ira Glass joins us for this week’s Please Explain, which is all about public radio.
Denied Citizenship
Thursday, May 11, 2006
An estimated eleven million people throughout the world have been denied citizenship by their own governments. On today's Underreported, a look at what life is like without an official nationality, and why different ethnic and minority groups from Africa to Asia are being constrained to statelessness. Plus Eric Schlosser (who wrote Fast Food Nation), examines the effect fast food is having on today's children.
Digging Up the Past
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
In January, 2005 an unknown tape of a legendary performance by the Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane was uncovered in the Library of Congress. We’ll hear some excerpts from the never-before-heard recording, and ask how important the discovery is to jazz history. And one of the reporters who broke the Enron story explains how his addictive personality fuels him as an investigative journalist.
Adept at Adapting
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Scott Simon describes his new novel about a teenage girl who becomes a sniper during the siege of Sarajevo. Plus, Phil Collins on the new Broadway musical Tarzan.
Historic Works
Monday, May 08, 2006
David Remnick tells us about his best writings for The New Yorker--on everything from boxing to postcommunist Russia. Plus, Isabella Rossellini on writing and starring in a short film tribute to her father, Roberto Rossellini.
Zest for Life
Friday, May 05, 2006
When Julia Child arrived in France in 1948 with her husband, she knew almost nothing about the country's language or culture. We'll find out how she fell in love with the French way of life, and developed a passion for French cooking. Plus, we'll ask two experts what exactly food additives are, and why they're used, on this week's Please Explain.
Proud Traditions
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Sydney Pollack describes his first feature-length documentary—about his longtime friend, the renowned architect Frank Gehry. Plus, the first-ever English translation of the classic French cookbook La Bonne Cuisine. And we’ll start the show off with a look at Bruce Springsteen’s new album, We Shall Overcome--a tribute to American folk music.
In With the New
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
North American consumers disposed of roughly 315 million working PCs in 2004. On today’s show, we’ll look at the economics of designing electronics to become obsolete. Then, Terry Zwigoff and Daniel Clowes tell us about their new film, “Art School Confidential.” And Eddie Lawrence reminisces about his career as a performer. Plus: a visit with Jon Voight!
Black and White Issues
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Race relations scholar Shelby Steele explains what he thinks both blacks and whites need to do to address the problems facing African Americans today. Then, Nick Cave on writing the score and the screenplay for a new Western. Plus, a documentary that charts anti-Semitism in the US after 9/11. Also: And to start it all off, Ruth Reichl and Marion Nestle on how to navigate New York’s supermarkets.
Soldiering On
Monday, May 01, 2006
On today’s show we’ll talk to an Iraqi war vet who found himself fighting an uphill battle against homelessness when he returned to the US. He’s part of a new documentary about homeless vets. Plus, we’ll talk to a soldier whose footage of the war in Iraq is part of another new documentary. Also on the show: Israeli writer Etgar Keret. And a talk with celebrity chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and David Burke.
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