On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show
-

Delving into Details
On today's Underreported, we look at devolution in the UK. Later on, a master violin maker from Brooklyn talks about working to build an instrument that can rival a Stradivarius. Plus, a new novel imagines what happens when a minister who's an atheist encounters the devil. And a former nuclear weapons designer talks about his plan to end mass violence.
Underreported: Devolution in the UK
In 1997, Britain's Labour government introduced the process of devolution, which transfers more political power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. On today's Underreported, John Prideaux, political correspondent for The Economist, talks about how devolution has changed concepts of statehood and citizenship in the UK.
Underreported: A Follow-up on Colombia
Last week on Underreported, we talked about widespread violence against union organizers in Colombia. Several listeners responded by telling us they were tired of hearing only negative things about Colombia, when it's also a beautiful country with a rich history and hospitable people. Simon Jenkins, a journalist for the London Guardian who's visited and written about Colombia, joins us for a conversation about how a country with many problems and many assets can market itself to the rest of the world. And we ask whether Colombia's official new slogan, "Colombia is Passion," can help draw tourists.
What do you think of Colombia's new slogan? Have you ever felt conflicted about visiting a troubled region as a tourist?
Underreported: Anti-Union Violence in Colombia
Carving Violins in Brooklyn
Master violin maker Sam Zygmuntowicz crafts world-class instruments in his Brooklyn workshop. He joins us, along with writer John Marchese, to talk about Mr. Zygmuntowicz's quest to carve a violin that can rival a Stradivarius.
The Violin Maker is available for purchase at amazon.com
Events: John Marchese and Sam Zygmuntowicz will be speaking and signing booksThursday, April 12 at 7 pm
Lincoln Square Barnes & Noble
1972 Broadway, at 66th Street

Meeting the Devil
James Robertson imagines what happens when an atheist Scottish minister meets the devil face to face, in his new novel The Testament of Gideon Mack.
The Testament of Gideon Mack is available for purchase at amazon.com
Events: James Robertson will be speaking and signing booksThursday, April 12 at 7 pm
Chelsea Barnes & Noble
675 Avenue of the Americas, at 21st Street
Ending Mass Violence
Former nuclear weapons designer Stephen Younger is a pacifist. In Endangered Species, he explains his plan to end mass violence.
Endangered Species is available for purchase at amazon.com
- About This Program »
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Guest Hosts »
- Guest Picks »
- Latest Show »
- Tapes & Transcripts »
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Shop at Amazon!
Leonard Lopate Show picks
Start your Amazon shopping on WNYC.org and a portion of your total purchase goes to WNYC.
More
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.”
- Comments [2]
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.
Video Pick: The J.D. Allen Trio
The Leonard Lopate Show
Recent Videos:
- Robert Stone on Nixon and Earth Day
- Moby on Music Business
- Nicholas Bakalar on The Medicine Cabinet of Curiosities
- Robert Feldman on The Liar in Your Life
- Matt Taibbi on Goldman Sachs
- Arianna Huffington on Pigs at the Trough
- Joel Grey on Images from My Phone
- Lawrence McDonald on The Fall of Lehman Brothers
- Comments [4]
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.
- Comments [33]
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.
- Comments [1]
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.
- Comments [9]
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.
- Comments [4]
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?