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Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
The world's most troubled states, like Sudan and Iraq, are a threat not only to themselves but to other countries all over the world. On today's Underreported, we'll find out what defines a failed state, and how instability spreads from one country to another. Later, a look at the art of writing biographies. Taye Diggs talks about his work as a dancer. We'll find out whether the "5-second rule" about dropped food has any scientific merit. And...the moment you've been waiting for...the winners of our essay contest on breakups!
Underreported: The Spread of Failed States
The world's weakest states aren't just a danger to themselves. They can disrupt the stability of countries halfway across the world. The Fund for Peace and Foreign Policy magazine have recently released their third annual Failed States Index, and on today's Underreported, we'll find out what a failed state is, where the worst ones are, and how instability spreads from one country to another.
Leonard talks to political scientist Pauline H. Baker, president of The Fund for Peace. She has more than 40 years of experience working on issues concerning weak and failing states.
Eating Food Off the Floor
The "5-second rule" says that it's OK to eat a piece of food that has fallen on the floor as long as it hasn't been there for more than 5 seconds. Connecticut College biology professor Anne Bernhard has done scientific research into how long food morsels can remain on the floor uncontaminated, and the results may surprise you.
How to Write a Biography
Meryle Seacrest has written 9 biographies over the course of her career. Her motto is: "Well, you can't expect to be liked in my business, but with any luck you can avoid going to jail." Her new book about her writing process is Shoot the Widow.
Shoot the Widow is available for purchase at amazon.com
Events: Meryle Secrest will be speaking and signing booksThursday, June 28 at 7 pm
The Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway, at 12th Street
Taye Diggs and Andrew Palermo’s dre.dance
Taye Diggs and Andrew Palermo’s new dance company is dre.dance. They’ll be at the Joyce Soho June 28-July 1.
Essay Contest: Break-Ups
We had over 200 submissions for our Lopate Show essay contest on breakups, hosted by Phillip Lopate, celebrated essayist and brother of Leonard. Phillip has chosen 20 winners. He and Leonard talk to the top 5 winners on-air today.
Go here to find out who the 20 winners are, and to read the top 5 essays.
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Bill Richardson on Diplomacy
The Leonard Lopate Show
New Mexico governor Bill Richardson will be joining Obama’s cabinet as Commerce Secretary. You can hear him talk about his experience in foreign policy and diplomacy on the Lopate Show in April 2007.
Plaxico Burress on the Lopate Show
The Leonard Lopate Show
NY Giants star Plaxico Burress is in the headlines this week for his self-inflicted gunshot wound. You can hear him on the Leonard Lopate Show in July 2008 talk about his life on and off the football field, and what it was like to win the 2007 Super Bowl.
Tom Daschle on Fixing America’s Health Care System
The Leonard Lopate Show
Former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle has accepted President-Elect Barack Obama’s offer to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. You can hear Tom Daschle talk about his prescriptions for fixing American’s health care crisis on the Leonard Lopate Show in March 2008.
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.
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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?
