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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, July 14, 2008
  • War and Peace

    The world is a very different place today than it was when the Peace Corps was founded in 1961. Former volunteers discuss what the program has accomplished and where it should go in the future. Also, how Native Americans in El Paso opposed plans for the largest bronze equestrian statute in the world. And a 43-year-old sportswriter’s year as a pro football player. Plus, Susanna White talks about directing HBO’s new miniseries “Generation Kill.”

HBO’s “Generation Kill”

“Generation Kill” is a new seven-part HBO minseries created by David Simon and Ed Burns, the team behind “The Wire,” and adapted from the prizewinning book by Evan Wright. It looks at the experiences of an elite U.S. Marine company as they lead the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Susanna White directed four episodes of the series, which premieres July 13 at 9pm.

Past and Present Collide in El Paso

El Paso is home to the largest bronze equestrian statue in the world – of Spanish Conquistador Juan de Oñate. A new documentary, “The Last Conquistador,” recounts how the area’s Native Americans opposed the statue because of Oñate's 1598 foray into New Mexico that led to the deaths of two out of every three Native Americans there. Christina Ibarra co-directed and co-produced the film, which premieres July 15 on PBS.

The Future of the Peace Corps

The world is a very different place today than it was when the Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by President Kennedy. As it nears its 50th anniversary, former volunteers are looking at what the program has accomplished, and where it should go in the future. Kevin Quigley (Thailand 1976-9) is the president of the National Peace Corps Association, Rajeev Goyal (Nepal 2001-3) is the director of the More Peace Corps campaign, and Judith McGuire was a volunteer in Nigeria from 1965-67.

Weigh in: We'd like to hear from former Peace Corps volunteers. How did the experience change your own life? Do you think you made a lasting difference in the community you served in? And how would you like to see the Peace Corps change for future volunteers?

Infiltrating the National Football League

After more than a year spent working out with a strength coach and polishing his craft with a kicking coach, Stefan Fatsis became a Denver Bronco! In A Few Seconds of Panic: A 5-Foot-8, 170-Pound, 43-Year-Old Sportswriter Plays in the NFL, he describes the challenges faced by pro athletes and the inner workings of a storied football franchise.

Events: Stefan Fatsis will be speaking and signing books
Monday, July 14 at 7 pm
Barnes & Noble Upper West Side
2289 Broadway (at 82nd Street)

Stefan Fatsis will be speaking and signing books
Thursday, August 7 at 8 pm
Happy Endings
302 Broome Street (at Forsyth Street)

Stefan Fatsis will be speaking and signing books
Friday, August 8 at 7 pm
Barnes & Noble Park Slope
267 7th Avenue (at 6th Street)

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?