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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, December 17, 2007
  • Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison
    Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison

    Learning to Cope

    John Elder Robison wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome until he was in his 40s. He describes growing up without being able to recognize social cues or facial expressions and how he learned to navigate the world anyway. Also, pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher. NPR science correspondent Ira Flatow. Plus: the importance of creativity in today's consumer-driven culture.

    On tomorrow's show: how the high cost of living in New York City affects artists. Tell us whether you think staying in New York is worth the struggle.

    Also....The Leonard Lopate Show is hosting a listener photo project! Send us a photo of a random object that has special meaning to you, and tell us the story behind the object. Find out how to submit here.

Candid and Controversial Conversations on Science and Nature

Ira Flatow, host of the NPR program "Science Friday," talks about some of the most exciting and controversial currents in modern science…from nanotechnology, to the surprising number of scientists who don’t believe in evolution. Flatow’s new book is Present at the Future.

Present at the Future is available for purchase at amazon.com

Website for "Science Friday"

Life With Asperger’s Syndrome

When John Elder Robison was growing up, he was unable to recognize common social cues and facial expressions. When he was in his 40s, he was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Now he says that Asperger’s is not a disease to be cured, but a way of being that needs understanding and encouragement from others. His new memoir is Look Me in the Eye.

Look Me in the Eye is available for purchase at amazon.com

Weigh in: We’d like to hear from people who have Asperger’s, or who know someone who has it. How have you learned to navigate the social world?

Pianist and Conductor Leon Fleisher

Legendary pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher has recently returned to performing, now that he’s regained the use of his right hand. For years, he had to give up playing because of a neurological movement disorder. Fleisher is also one of this year’s Kennedy Center honorees.

Events: Leon Fleisher has received a Kennedy Center Honors Award
Gala will be broadcast on CBS, Wednesday, December 26 at 9 pm
Learn more about this year's honorees here.

Leon Fleisher will be performing
Chamber Music at the Y
Tuesday, December 18 & Wednesday, December 19 at 8 pm
Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street
To purchase tickets, go here.

Creativity in the Modern World

We look into the importance of creativity in our consumer-driven culture. 25 years ago, Lewis Hyde’s bestselling classic book The Gift defended creativity’s place in a world overrun with commodities; he says his message is as relevant now as it was then.

The Gift is available for purchase at amazon.com

Weigh in: Do you find it challenging to be creative in our modern consumer culture?

Lewis Hyde's website

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.

Video Pick: Elizabeth Edwards

The Leonard Lopate Show

Elizabeth Edwards discusses how to best cope with lifes difficulties in her book Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities.

Recent Videos:
- Joy Behar Discusses her Favorite Things.
- Michael Pollan on Food Rules
- David Hare on Director Stephen Daldry
- Tyne Daly on the Debut of her Cabaret Act
- Actors Roger Robinson and Chad Coleman on Joe Turner's Come and Gone

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.

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?