The Gut of the Matter

Thursday, August 28, 2008

We take the temperature of the Democratic party. Also: a look at what Senator Obama can learn from Colorado’s Democratic governor, Bill Ritter, who’s presiding over the left-leaning political transformation of his state. Holly Heston, daughter of Charlton Heston, talks about growing up with Moses and Ben Hur for a dad. Find out why fossils found in Oregon suggest humans lived there earlier than had been previously thought. And on Underreported: do termite guts hold a solution to global warming?

Layered Look

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Find out why energy policy is one of the hot topics of the Democratic convention in Denver so far. Also, we look at art conservation as a forensic science. Plus, the poems of W.S. Di Piero. And word maven Patricia T. O'Conner takes your calls on the English language.

1-2-3

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Find out what’s in the 2008 Democratic party platform, who wrote it, and how much party platforms even matter in today's campaigns. Also: a look at whether network TV as we know it is in its final days. Find out about the past, present, and future of pre-fabricated homes. And, we issue a 3-Ingredient Recipe Challenge! You suggest three ingredients, and challenge chef Rozanne Gold to create a delectable dish on the spot.

Public Access

Monday, August 25, 2008

In the era of YouTube and blogging, is public access television still relevant? Find out about the changing world of citizen media, and whether public access TV should change in order to keep up. Also: the history of humanitarian military interventions. Our latest Underappreciated is all about Howard Sturgis. And States of the Union is all about Colorado, live from Denver, as we kick off our coverage from the Democratic convention!

Check out the Lopate Show's 3-Ingredient Challenge tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 26!

Pilgrim's Progress

Friday, August 22, 2008

What can progressive politics do to help the U.S. save the economy and the environment? Former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta defines progressivism and puts it in historical context. Also: a new film about the fear of growing up. We explore the zeitgeist of black America. And Please Explain is all about jellyfish!

Check out the Lopate Show's 3-Ingredient Challenge next Tuesday, Aug. 26!

Nation to Nation

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Find out how the Chinese government is using the 2008 Beijing Olympics to promote its political ideology, at home and abroad. Also: a look at Slow Food Nation, an upcoming American food celebration and policy symposium. Hear how Europe’s most valuable art was moved to America. And on Underreported: how China's air pollution is harming Chinese children. Guest host Kerry Nolan sits in for Leonard.

The Park in the Dark

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Who, and what, is in Central Park after dark? Hear about the bats, owls, and people who come out at night in the park. Also: We look at a new film about a New Orleans couple's attempt to start a new life after Hurricane Katrina. Plus, the gurus of how-to answer your home repair questions! And to start us off: how young Arab and Muslim Americans are dealing with the post-9/11 climate in the U.S.

Remembering

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Tim Russert and George Carlin both died in June 2008, but you can hear them again on the Leonard Lopate Show. We pay tribute by re-airing their interviews. Hear Leonard talk to Tim Russert in May 2007 about the father-child relationship; George Carlin was last here in October 2004 to talk about his book, When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?

Rule of Law

Monday, August 18, 2008

Find out how the epic Supreme Court case Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, filed on behalf of a Guantanamo detainee, challenged abuses of executive power and won. Also, States of the Union is all about our own New York. We look into how the pigeon evolved from cliff dweller to city dweller. Plus: does Obama's candidacy mark an end to traditional black politics?

Cut in Two

Friday, August 15, 2008

We look into the complicated link between race and poverty, and how America’s public school system needs to change to help improve racial equity. Also: States of the Union is all about Hawaii. French actress Ludovine Sagnier on her role as a TV weatherwoman in the new film “A Girl Cut in Two.” Plus – Debra Winger on how she’s created a life for herself beyond acting!

JFK's Right-Hand Man

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Ted Sorensen, one of JFK’s most trusted advisors, reveals what he thinks JFK’s true legacy is. Also: Siri Hustvedt’s new novel. Actress/singer/songwriter Melissa Errico on her new album inspired by motherhood. And Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi explains why he thinks America is in the midst of what he calls “The Great Derangement”!

Choices, Choices

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Senator Harry Reid talks about his path from growing up in poverty in Nevada to becoming the Senate Majority Leader. Also: hear where to find America's best artisanal foods, from chocolate and cheese to old-fashioned sodas! Cynthia Ozick on her latest short story collection. And, a panel discussion about the complicated issue of reproductive choice.

Time Travel

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Hear pollster John Zogby's predictions on where the U.S. is headed politically, culturally, and spiritually. Also: Laura Cantrell performs live from her new travel-themed album, "Trains and Boats and Planes." A look at the work of visionary designer and architect R. Buckminster Fuller. And Ernest Borgnine on his six decades in Hollywood!

The Train to Tibet

Monday, August 11, 2008

The Chinese government’s ambitions are on full display now that the Olympics are underway. Find out how China’s nationalistic goals influenced its 50-year quest to build a railway into Tibet. Also, on our Underappreciated summer reading series: all about Memoirs of an Anti-Semite, Gregor von Rezzori's semi-autobiographical satire. Hear the story of the greatest manhunt of World War II. Plus, Pat Choate, Ross Perot's former running mate, on how the U.S. can survive globalization.

See the Light

Friday, August 08, 2008

Most Americans can’t see the Milky Way in the night sky; here in New York, we’re lucky if we can see any stars at all. On Please Explain, find out why light pollution is a growing problem that may even affect your health. Also, States of the Union is all about Alaska. We look at the new film “Elegy,” based on a Philip Roth novella. And to start us off: answers to all your gardening questions!

Rethink the Past

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Judge Juan Guzman supported General Augusto Pinochet in the 1973 coup in Chile that left thousands dead or disappeared. He joins us on Underreported to tell us what led him to change his mind about the General, and to confront his own role in Chile's tragedy. Also, actor Elliott Gould on why Time magazine labeled him "Star for an Uptight Age." We hear about the history of India's Jewish community. But first: Randy Newman performs live!

Hot Button Issues

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

A majority of Americans think that the Republican Party is better than the Democratic Party at keeping the US safe. But Samantha Power discusses how Senator Barack Obama and his Democratic colleagues can convince voters that they're better on national security. Also, Bruce M. Beehler on his three decades of studying tropical rainforests. And how the American Mafia owned Cuba and then lost it to the revolution. Plus, a look at the science of fear.

The Wrong Man for the Job

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Ron Suskind discloses some explosive news about the Bush administration and the US intelligence community; and discusses how Americans are struggling to restore their country’s moral authority. Also, Dick Meyer on why Americans hate themselves (and each other). Plus, on this month’s installment of our yearlong film series, Political Projections, we look at how Hollywood has depicted candidates who are far from ideal.

Taking Chances

Monday, August 04, 2008

Hold on to your lucky charms, because Leonard Mlodinow believes that randomness and chance play a greater role in our everyday lives than we may think. Also, our Underappreciated summer reading series looks at arguably the best Catalan novel of all time. And the poetry of major Filipino writer José Garcia Villa. Plus, Congresswoman Diana DeGette on her fight against the Bush administration's politicization of science.

On the Diamond

Friday, August 01, 2008

Catcher-turned-sportscaster Tim McCarver tells stories about some of the baseball stars he's known, from Sandy Koufax to A-Rod. Also: a look at the life of Kate Field, celebrity journalist of the 19th century. George Pelecanos on his new crime novel. And Please Explain is all about muscles!

We're hosting another FREE Lopate Show film screening this coming Monday, August 4! We'll be watching the 1972 film "The Candidate." There are only a few seats left, so RSVP soon.