On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show
-

Home Issues
Find out about some of the most exciting scientific research happening now! Also: Suzanne Farrell, one of the finest ballerinas of the 20th century. States of the Union is all about New Mexico. Marilynne Robinson on her new novel, Home. And on Underreported: why the NYC Housing Authority seems to be in bad shape.
Top Scientists
We talk about some of the most exciting scientific research happening right now. Leonard talks to two Lasker Award winners: Stanley Falkow, who’s receiving the Lasker Special Achievement Award for his 51-year career as a top microbiologist, specializing in how harmful bacteria works; and Victor Ambros, who pioneered the promising biomedical field of microRNA and is co-winner of the Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research.

Suzanne Farrell, Ballerina
Suzanne Farrell is one of the finest ballerinas of the 20th century, and founder of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in DC. She joins us to talk about how she recreated the lost Balanchine ballet of "Pithoprakta." Elisabeth Holowchuk is dancing the lead role in "Pithoprakta" at the Fall for Dance Festival; she’s the first dancer to do so since Farrell herself last danced the lead role in 1968.
Event:
“Pithoprakta” will be performed
By the Suzanne Farrell Ballet
Thurs., Sept. 25 at 8:00 PM
At The Fall for Dance Festival, NY City Centre
Go here for tickets and more information.

States of the Union: New Mexico
In 2000, Al Gore won New Mexico by just 365 votes. We find out whether the margin of victory will be that narrow in 2008. Plus, a look at the race for Pete Domenici’s Senate seat. Joining us to explain what matters to voters in the Land of Enchantment is Dan Boyd, reporter for the Albuquerque Journal.
States of the Union fact of the week: Since gaining statehood, New Mexico has voted for the winning presidential candidate in all but two elections.
Marilynne Robinson’s New Novel
Marilynne Robinson talks about her new novel Home. It’s a companion piece to her earlier Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Gilead.
Event:
Marilynne Robinson will be at the 92nd St. Y
Thurs. Sept. 25 at 8:00 pm
Tickets and more info at 92Y.org
Underreported: NYCHA’s Woes
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the nation’s largest public housing authority. It’s also facing big troubles. It has a huge operating deficit on its budget, and is also dealing with rising fuel costs, deteriorating properties, and budget cuts. We look into how things got this bad, and what can be done to help save NYCHA. Leonard talks to Councilwoman Rosie Mendez and Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Julia Vitullo-Martin.
- About This Program »
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Guest Hosts »
- Guest Picks »
- Latest Show »
- Tapes & Transcripts »
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Shop at Amazon!
Leonard Lopate Show picks
Start your Amazon shopping on WNYC.org and a portion of your total purchase goes to WNYC.
More
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.”
- Comments [1]
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.
Video Pick: The J.D. Allen Trio
The Leonard Lopate Show
Recent Videos:
- Robert Stone on Nixon and Earth Day
- Moby on Music Business
- Nicholas Bakalar on The Medicine Cabinet of Curiosities
- Robert Feldman on The Liar in Your Life
- Matt Taibbi on Goldman Sachs
- Arianna Huffington on Pigs at the Trough
- Joel Grey on Images from My Phone
- Lawrence McDonald on The Fall of Lehman Brothers
- Comments [4]
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.
- Comments [33]
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.
- Comments [1]
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.
- Comments [9]
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.
- Comments [4]
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?