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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, April 10, 2007
  • Ballot box

    Revolutionary Practices

    Democratic campaign consultant Douglas Schoen explains how sophisticated polling and other technological advances have revolutionized American politics. Then, novelist A.M. Homes talks about meeting her birth parents at age 31. And Walter Isaacson tells us about his new biography of Albert Einstein. Plus, surgeon Atul Gawande explores how even the most mundane adjustments can drastically improve a doctor’s performance.

Polls, Power, and Democracy

Political strategist Douglas Schoen believes that exit polls are among the most effective ways of bringing about democratic change. In The Power of the Vote, he explains how sophisticated polling and technological advances have revolutionized American politics. He also makes a few predictions for 2008.

The Power of the Vote is available for purchase at amazon.com

The Mistress's Daughter

A.M. Homes talks about her complex relationship with her birth parents, who she met at age 31. Her new memoir is The Mistress’s Daughter.

The Mistress’s Daughter is available for purchase at amazon.com

Events: A.M. Homes will be reading and signing books
Wednesday, April 11 at 7 pm
Chelsea Barnes & Noble
675 Avenue of the Americas, at 21st Street

Einstein the Nonconformist

Walter Isaacson, former managing editor of Time, explains how Einstein’s nonconformity affected his genius.

Einstein is available for purchase at amazon.com

Events: Walter Isaacson will be speaking and signing books
Wednesday, April 11 at 7 pm
Union Square Barnes & Noble

A Surgeon's Notes

In Better, surgeon Atul Gawande explains how doctors can make sure they give their patients the best care possible.

Better is available for purchase at amazon.com

Events: Atul Gawande will be speaking and signing books
Tuesday, April 10 at 7 pm
Lincoln Square Barnes & Noble
1972 Broadway, at 66th Street

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.