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The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, February 21, 2008
  • Hell Fire

    Chasing the Flame

    Sergio Vieira de Mello devoted his career to dealing with humanitarian crises throughout the world...until he was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq 5 years ago. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Samantha Power tells us about the former UN High Commissioner's life. Also: the status of arts education in NYC’s public schools. Antonio Skarmeta's new novel. And on Underreported: what Liberia's president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is doing to help her country recover from brutal civil war.

The Life of the UN’s Sergio Vieira de Mello

Sergio Vieira de Mello devoted his career to dealing with humanitarian crises throughout the world…until he was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2003. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Samantha Power's new book about the former UN High Commissioner is Chasing the Flame.

Event: Samantha Power will be in conversation with Azar Nafisi
Thursday, February 21 at 7 pm
New York Public Library
Celeste Bartos Forum, Humanities and Social Sciences Library
5th Avenue and 42nd Street
You can purchase tickets here.

If you can't see the video click here

Arts Education in NYC Public Schools

When funding for public schools is cut, arts education is usually the first to go. Richard Kessler of The Center for Arts Education and Councilmember Robert Jackson talk about the state of arts education in NYC’s public school system.

Antonio Skarmeta: The Dancer and the Thief

Antonio Skarmeta, author of The Postman, has set his latest novel in Chile. It’s called The Dancer and the Thief.

Events: Antonio Skarmeta will be speaking and signing books
Thursday, February 21 at 4 pm
Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia University
2920 Broadway (at 114th Street)

Antonio Skarmeta will be speaking and signing books
Thursday, February 21 at 7 pm
Tribeca Barnes & Noble
97 Warren Street (at Greenwich Street)

Painting by Luci Betti-Nash, Stony Brook University.

The Frog From Hell

A team of researchers has discovered the remains of what may be the largest frog ever to exist. The 16-inch, 10-pound ancient frog was found in Madagascar, and may be genetically linked to frogs living today in South America. Paleontologist Dr. David Krause explains more about what he calls "the frog from hell" and what it can tell us about geophysics.

Underreported: Iron Ladies of Liberia

Since becoming President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has appointed women to key positions throughout the government. These women call themselves "Iron Ladies of Liberia." On today’s Underreported, we’ll find out more about these powerful women, and what they’re doing to help Liberia recover from its brutal civil war. Jonathan Stack is producer of the documentary film "Iron Ladies of Liberia"; he also set up a film collective in Liberia.

"Iron Ladies of Liberia" is showing at BAM on Sun. Feb 24 at 2pm and Thurs. Feb 28 at 4:30pm as part of the African Diaspora Film Festival. It will also air on PBS on March 18 at 10:00 pm as part of the Independent Lens series.

Patrick Swayze

The Leonard Lopate Show

Patrick Swayze mixed grace with athleticism in his movies – and rose to stardom with roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He died just recently after a battle with pancreatic cancer. And you can hear his interview with Leonard Lopate from July 16, 2002, when he came by to discuss appearing in the film, “Green Dragon.”

The Silver Anniversary of the Silver Palate

The Leonard Lopate Show

Sheila Lukins was one half of a partnership that helped popularize gourmet cooking throughout America – first, through their gourmet food shop in New York City and then with the cookbook, The Silver Palate, which remains one of the top-selling cookbooks of all time. She collaborated on 2 other cookbooks that simplified gourmet cooking for the home cook. She died recently from brain cancer at the age of 66, and you can listen to her 2007 conversation with Leonard Lopate and her business partner Julee Rosso about the 25th Anniversary of the publication of The Silver Palate.

Dominick Dunne

The Leonard Lopate Show

Dominick Dunne was a famous novelist and Hollywood producer. But he may be best remembered for covering trials of the rich and famous – from Claus von Bulow to O. J. Simpson. He died just recently at the age of 83. But you can still hear his interview with Leonard from November 23, 2001, when he was discussing crimes, trials, and punishments.

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.

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?