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On Demand

The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, June 19, 2007
  • Sir Ben Kingsley in "You Kill Me"
    Sir Ben Kingsley in "You Kill Me"

    Struggle and Convictions

    Guest host Jeffrey Toobin talks to the chair of the National Coalition against Censorship about the history of free speech in America. Later on, a writer tells us what happened when he returned to summer camp as an adult. And director John Dahl and Ben Kingsley discuss their new film, “You Kill Me.” Plus, a former Marine tells us about his current job as a correspondent for Al Jazeera.

    Have you ever worked as a counselor at a summer camp? Did you go to camp as a kid?

Fighting for Free Speech

Christopher Finan examines the history of free speech in America during the 20th century, and talks about how ordinary citizens have fought to protect the First Amendment in trying times.

From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act is available for purchase at amazon.com

Reconnecting with Summer Camp

Entertainment Weekly senior writer Josh Wolk tells us about reconnecting to his childhood—by returning to summer camp as a counselor.

Have you ever worked as a counselor at a summer camp? Did you go to camp as a kid?

Cabin Pressure is available for purchase at amazon.com

An Alcoholic Hit Man

John Dahl and Ben KingsleyDirector John Dahl and Ben Kingsley tell us about their new film, "You Kill Me", about a Polish hit man with a drinking problem.

From the Marines to Al Jazeera

Josh Rushing spent 14 years as a Marine Corps media liaison officer. Now, he’s a correspondent for Al Jazeera. In Mission Al Jazeera, he talks about some of the common misconceptions Americans and Arabs have about one other, and why they need to overcome them.

Mission Al Jazeera is available for purchase at amazon.com

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.