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The Leonard Lopate Show
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Kismet, a next generation robot (Stephen Lewis/ The New York Times)More Than Meets the Eye
On today's show: Tennis ace James Blake remembers the year he lost his health, his career, and his beloved father, and shares how he got back to playing at the top of his game. Also, a writer discovers that his unassuming Teamster father had a secret enemy: Jimmy Hoffa. And, a globetrotting biologist and single mother describes raising her two boys in rainforests from Peru to Samoa. But first, we'll find out if robots with artificial intelligence are coming soon to a store near you.
More Than Meets the Eye
Robots with artificial intelligence have been a science fiction staple for decades, but now some researchers might be close to making them a reality. New York Times contributing writer Robin Marantz Henig and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Rodney Brooks describe new machines that can make eye contact, read social cues, and even help out around the house. Are they too good to be true?
Read Henig's article, "The Real Transformers."
Weigh in: What would you like a robot to do?
Click here to see robot photos by Stephen Lewis for The New York Times.
Crossing Hoffa
When Jimmy Hoffa gave the Teamsters a bad name, one card-carrying member tried to clear it. In Crossing Hoffa, Stephen J. Harper tells the story of his father, a one-time felon who had the courage to fight one of the twentieth century's most notorious thugs, no matter what the price.
Crossing Hoffa: A Teamster's Story is available for purchase at amazon.com.
Welcome to the Jungle
Eight years after the publication of Life in the Treetops, globetrotting rainforest biologist and single mother Margaret Lowman is here in the urban jungle with her son and co-author Edward Burgess. They'll share their new collection of stories filled with science and adventure from Peru to Samoa.
It's a Jungle Up There: More Tales from the Treetops is available for purchase at amazon.com.
Weigh in: How do you balance your career and your children?
Breaking Back
In his new autobiography, tennis star James Blake recounts the worst year of his life and explains how he overcame great loss to get back into winning the game he loves.
Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life is available for purchase at amazon.com.
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Tributes: Kate McGarrigle
The Leonard Lopate Show
Folk singer Kate McGarrigle, who gained acclaim for a series of projects with her sister Anna, died Monday, Jan. 18, from a rare form of cancer. She left behind a family of talented musicians, including her sister, son Rufus Wainwright, and daughter Martha Wainwright. McGarrigle appeared on The Leonard Lopate show with her sister in December 2005, ahead of their holiday show at Carnegie Hall.
Monona Rossol on 50 Million Chemicals
The Leonard Lopate Show
On September 7, 2009, scientists working for the Chemical Abstract Service (which assigns identification numbers to all new chemicals) entered the 50-millionth chemical substance into their Registry. Chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol, President and Founder of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, took a look at what all these new substances are, where they are coming from, and how they affect our health. Rossol also responded to listener comments and questions. You can read her answers here.
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National Book Award Winners
The Leonard Lopate Show
A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!
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.