Don't Look Back in Anger

Thursday, August 30, 2007

What were the most awkward years of your life? On today’s show, three writers join us to capture all the angst, depression, and embarrassment of adolescence. Also, Pattie Boyd describes being the wife and muse to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton. And we’ll learn how Lambrusco wine is made. But first, on Underreported we’ll look at government abuses in Sri Lanka.

On the Rebound

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

On today’s show: where redevelopment stands in New Orleans two years after Katrina. A columnist for the Times-Picayune explains why progress is hard to find there. Then, a new exhibit of contemporary Caribbean art at the Brooklyn Museum. Also, a historian reevaluates the case of Sacco and Vanzetti on the 80th anniversary of their execution. Plus, Rudy Crew, former Chancellor of New York City Schools, on how to save our schools.

The Great Decline

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

What actually are subprime loans? On today’s show, a senior special writer at The Wall Street Journal explains what’s going on with the stock market and how to handle this economic downturn. Also: with so many kinds of fish contaminated, we’ll learn which seafood your kids should be eating. Plus, MoMA’s exhibit on Soviet modernist architecture. But first, two criminologists explain the great American crime decline of the 1990s and whether it has continued into the 21st century.

Race Matters

Monday, August 27, 2007

On today's show: three journalists from TimeOut New York will take your calls for a discussion of how much race matters in New York City. Later, two filmmakers explore the attitudes that Europeans have toward the United States. Also, author Mary Gordon shares the story of her late mother's eventful life. And for the latest installment of our Underappreciated Literature series, we'll learn about seminal Japanese novelist Junichiro Tanizaki.

We Was Robbed!

Friday, August 24, 2007

On today's show: we’ll join the BBC’s interactive program World Have Your Say, simulcast live in London, Toronto, and Sydney, to make the case for New York as the world’s most multicultural city. Call us live to have your say! Also, Jon Voight tells us about his new film exploring a dark chapter in Mormon history, September Dawn. But first, on today’s Please Explain, we’ll be racking our brains to learn all there is to know about IQ.

Trading Places

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Mia Farrow recently offered her own freedom in exchange for that of an imprisoned Darfuri rebel. On today's Underreported, she talks about why she thinks the rest of the world needs to pay more attention to the atrocities of Darfur. Also on Underreported: abuses against women migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Then, Ethan Hawke talks about why it took ten years to adapt his debut novel for the silver screen. Plus: jazz musician Chico Hamilton, who's still going strong at age 85. And Tom Ricks shares his predictions for what General Petraeus will say to Congress about Iraq this September.

Bridging the Divide

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

On today's show, a Pakistani-born professor of an American university explains his work to change post-9/11 mutual misperceptions between the US and Muslim countries. Also, prominent education activist Jonathan Kozol explains what it takes to survive the first year of teaching in an inner-city public school. We'll also find out why the American Revolution may not have been that revolutionary after all. But first, we continue our conversation on the role that campaign spouses play on the election trail.

Don't Eat With Your Hands

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

On today's show: why cashing in on global warming may become the great game of the 21st century. We'll also find out about a remote Israeli village where all residents - both hearing and hearing-impaired - communicate by a unique form of sign language, and what that reveals about the connection between language and the brain. Plus: one man's cross-country journey to find the best food America has to offer, from fast food to organic produce. Also, a cookbook that helps vegetarians and meat-lovers eat together.

Extreme Takeover

Monday, August 20, 2007

On today's show: Our Underappreciated Literature Series takes a look at Roberto Arlt, an Argentine writer whose unconventional prose influenced Jorge Luis Borges and others. Also, a historian illuminates the rise and fall of ancient Persia, once a powerful rival to Greece and Rome. And a journalist documents a year in the life of a Midwestern high school marching band. But first, a writer for Condé Nast Portfolio shares the inside scoop on the recent sale of Daimler-Chrysler to shadowy Wall Street firm Cerberus Capital.

Alone in the Kitchen

Friday, August 17, 2007

On today's show: Leonard takes your calls as we debate the pros and cons of dining alone. Also, a new play depicts a world-renowned string quartet on the eve of their biggest performance. Then a British novelist describes how a notorious murderer's death inspired his latest book. And on today's Please Explain, we'll learn about melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The Green Divide

Thursday, August 16, 2007

On today's Underreported, a look at which works better - small localized conservation projects, or big environmental organizations like the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. Also: the darker side of compact fluorescent light bulbs: they're energy-efficient, but the mercury inside them needs to be disposed of properly. Then, Martha Plimpton on her Shakespeare in the Park performance. We'll talk to two roller-skating acrobats now appearing in an adults-only circus. And find out why 1932 was a miracle year for physics.

Subverting Stereotypes

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

On today’s show, journalists from The Washington Post discuss their year-long exploration of what it’s like to be a black man in America. Then, a professor of psychiatry who's also a chronic paranoid schizophrenic explains how she's managed to lead a full and productive life. Also, a writer explains how Homer’s The Odyssey influenced his literary debut. And word maven Patricia T. O’Conner explores pronunciation errors and takes calls from listeners.

Don't Worry, Learn To Be Happy

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

On today’s show: a psychologist and Harvard professor explains how we can learn to be happy...and it doesn’t involve millions of dollars, convertibles, and luxurious mansions. Next, the director and subject of a new documentary on the world of competitive video gaming. Then, famed science fiction writer William Gibson on his new novel. And on this month’s Backstory, we look at how Zimbabwe transformed itself from one of Africa’s most stable countries to one of its most chaotic.

Run for Cover

Monday, August 13, 2007

On today's show: Our Underappreciated Literature series continues with an examination of the life and work of Austrian writer Stefan Zweig. Also, a new documentary takes us inside a hospital emergency room in the Gaza Strip. And a former Iraq correspondent for Time and Newsweek shares his satirical novel about life in the Green Zone. But first, Brazil’s most prominent climate scientist will explain how the destruction of the Amazon rainforest is contributing to global warming.

Hairy Situations

Friday, August 10, 2007

On today's show: The former editor-in-chief of Time magazine defends his decision to reveal the anonymous sources of the Valerie Plame story. Then, a new documentary depicts the life of the only American known to be living in North Korea today. Also, Julie Delpy describes her new romantic comedy set in Paris. And today's Please Explain is all about hair.

Video: Joe Biden on the Senate then and now

Biden His Time

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Senator Joe Biden has a reputation for saying whatever's on his mind. He joins Leonard to explain why he thinks he should be the next President. But first, on this week's Underreported we'll find out about the Uighur people of China, and why they have a long history of conflict with the Chinese government. Then, a violinist-turned-novelist on how music shapes his writing. Plus, a look at the mysteries of the card game bridge.

...and the Lovely Spouse

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

From Elizabeth Edwards and Judith Giuliani to Bill Clinton, candidates' spouses sometimes get as much attention as the candidates themselves. On today's show, we'll look into how husbands and wives affect political campaigns. Also, the dark history of the construction of the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. We'll also look at one of Bollywood's biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan - some say he's more famous than Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt combined. And the Gurus of How-To, Al and Larry Ubell take your calls.

Saving Europe

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

On today's show: an economist explains how economic theories can help us get more of the good stuff in life. Also, the dance company Pilobolus. Then, a writer talks about his chaotic debut novel. Plus, a look at how the Marshall Plan helped shape modern Europe.

Fast Food

Monday, August 06, 2007

On today's show: we kick off our summer Underappreciated Literature series with a look at one of the top English novelists of the late-Victorian era. Also, a health care analyst has a new prescription to cure our failing health care system. And a celebrated novelist invites us to find out what happens at a quinceañera. But first, we'll learn 101 ways to make dinner in ten minutes or less.

Green Space and Seascape

Friday, August 03, 2007

A green thumb gives us his best tips for urban gardeners. Then, an Egyptian-American journalist recounts her family's journey from Cairo to New York. Also, the historian of Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery illuminates the lives of Civil War veterans buried there. And on this week's Please Explain, we'll learn all about oceans.

Tales of Persecution

Thursday, August 02, 2007

First, on this week's Underreported, we'll look at El Salvador's plans for the privatization of their water resources, then we'll investigate the case of the "Suchitoto 13." Next, a pediatrician and noted author discusses the advice she gave her son when he decided to apply to medical school. Also, an Iranian author talks about her literary debut, and Ralph Baruch explains how he rose from being a factory worker to the first CEO of Viacom.

Tony Blair's Legacy

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Alastair Campbell served as press secretary, official spokesman, and confidant to former Prime Minister Tony Blair. He joins us to reveal the inner workings of 10 Downing Street during Blair's rule. Then, a sportswriter recounts his year on the road with an iconic Negro Leagues baseball player and manager, sportswriter and author Frank Deford discusses his most recent novel, and The Ethics Guy explains how to apologize and fields calls from listeners.