Diminishing Returns

Thursday, February 26, 2009

On today's show: Felix Rohatyn argues for rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. Plus, this week's Underreported is all about how the sour U.S. economy is hurting immigrant remittances to Mexico.

Playing Pianos and Politicians

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

On today's show: We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Thelonious Monk's Town Hall concert. Plus, a discussion with a top political consultant about the leadership styles of Presidents and Prime Ministers from around the world.

Food & Family

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

On today's show: We'll learn about how we can reduce our CO2 emissions and the size of our waistlines at the same time with Mark Bittman. Plus, a discussion about the changing makeup of contemporary American family life.

They say brevity is the soul of wit. Can you condense your entire life into six words? Try it, then enter our six-word memoir contest! Find out more and submit your entry here

Overlooked

Monday, February 23, 2009

On today's show: Learn about the links between industrial toxins and childhood illness. Then, Marni Nixon on carrying a tune for other people. And, the extravagant life and notorious exploits of Napoleon's favorite sister, Pauline.

They say brevity is the soul of wit. Can you condense your entire life into six words? Try it, then enter our six-word memoir contest! Find out more and submit your entry here

Going Grey and Feeling Blue

Friday, February 20, 2009

On today's show: A New York Times columnist on coping with death. Please Explain is all about how our bodies respond to different colors.

They say brevity is the soul of wit. Can you condense your entire life into six words? Try it, then enter our six-word memoir contest! Find out more and submit your entry here

Feast & Famine

Thursday, February 19, 2009

On today's show: We’ll learn how the late 1960’s jump in female admission to law schools changed the legal profession and how women are treated under the law. Then, chef and restaurateur John Torode tells you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about beef. Plus, W. Hodding Carter on how he lived beyond his means before trying a dose of “extreme frugality.” Also, today’s Underreported is about the emerging problem of “water bankruptcy” around the world and following that you can learn how to calculate your water footprint.

They say brevity is the soul of wit. Can you condense your entire life into six words? Try it, then enter our six-word memoir contest! Find out more and submit your entry here

Word Counts

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

On today’s show: Christiane Amanpour, one of the world's most recognizable international correspondents, looks back on some of the high and low points of her decades-long career in journalism. Then, we’ll talk about hoaxers, con artists, counterfeiters and fakers in the literary world. Plus, a Vanity Fair editor takes us behind-the-scenes of 13 iconic Hollywood films. And, word-maven Patricia T. O’Connor answers your grammar questions.

They say brevity is the soul of wit. Can you condense your entire life into six words? Try it, then enter our six-word memoir contest! Find out more and submit your entry here

Revolutions

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

On today's show: we look at some of the businessmen who helped make the Reagan Revolution. Then, we'll talk to a woman who spent her honeymoon in Tehran. Plus, a novel about the Cultural Revolution. And we go inside the financial meltdown.

From Money to Minnelli

Monday, February 16, 2009

On today’s show: we'll look into how sharing a common currency is influencing a European response to the global recession. Also, an olfaction expert on scent. Then, a man who ran a marathon on Antarctica. That and a talk with show business legend Liza Minnelli.

Drugs, Draughts, Darwin and Dating

Friday, February 13, 2009

On today’s show: We’ll learn about the drug war in Colombia through the eyes of a journalist who was held captive by Marxist narco-paramilitary forces there. Then, two of the stars of Martin McDonagh’s “The Cripple of Inishmaan.” Plus, we’ll celebrate the shared birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin with Adam Gopnik. And this weeks Please Explain is all about internet dating.

Looking Back

Thursday, February 12, 2009

On today's show: Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Thomas Ricks with the inside story behind General David Petraeus’s “gamble”—the surge. Plus, Dr. Abraham Verghese on his first novel, Cutting for Stone. Then, Tony Kushner talks about the 100th anniversary of Wandering Stars, a classic work by Sholem Aleichem. And our latest Underreported segments are about the release of a Pakistani nuclear scientist from house arrest and President Bush’s legacy in the worlds oceans.

Differences of Opinion

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

On today's show: A former investment banker talks about the contagion that ruined our economy and how it might change our lives in unexpected ways. Plus, rethinking Booker T. Washington. Then, a Belgian novelist talks about her love life in Japan. And, Al and Larry Ubell, the gurus of how-to, field your home repair questions.

Runaway Problems

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

On today's show: We’ll hear from a mother with two runaway daughters. Then Nora Ephron talks about her new play “Love, Loss and What I Wore.” Also, we’ll hear about what happened to the first winner of Project Runway, four years later. And, former-President Jimmy Carter on how peace can be achieved in the Holy Land.

Smart People

Monday, February 09, 2009

On today's show: We’ll talk about intelligence and how to get it. Plus, T.C. Boyle on his novel concerning Frank Lloyd Wright’s complicated love life. Also, Alexandra Pelosi on her film about Americans who don't like Barack Obama. And a Brigadier General on why he and other military leaders support Pres. Obama’s executive orders guaranteeing humane treatment of terror suspects.

Feelin' Lucky?

Friday, February 06, 2009

On today's show: The difficult task of defecting from the DPRK. Plus, a son's story of helping his parents die. Then, we visit a stunning exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art of the late works of one of the most underrated artists of the 20th century -- Pierre Bonnard. And hang on to that rabbits foot, our latest Please Explain is all about “Luck.”

Shifting Power

Thursday, February 05, 2009

On today's show we'll talk about where global power is shifting and who stands to benefit from those changes. Then, award winning poet Nikki Giovanni. Also, a former Sudanese child soldier tells us about his unlikely rise in the world of hip-hop. Plus, on Underreported we'll find out about the French newspaper bailout and the selection of Muammar Gaddafi as the new president of the African Union.

Chemicals & Central Bankers

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

On today's show we'll discuss the hidden dangers of common household products. Also, the complications of our nation’s eminent domain laws. Then, two time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole. We’ll also talk to Liaquat Ahamed about the crucial role a few central bankers played in exacerbating Great Depression.

Love & American Madness

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Love might not be that blind after all. Find out why different chemical systems in your brain make you fall in love with one person and not another. Also: rediscovering the Warsaw Ghetto. Then, we'll talk about Turkish fiction and bonuses for Wall Street executives. Plus, an examination of how Hollywood has portrayed times of financial crisis!

Join us for a Leonard Lopate Show film screening TONIGHT, we'll watch Frank Capra's "American Madness." Find out more and RSVP soon - seating is limited!

Love for the Lobbyists

Monday, February 02, 2009

Despite President Obama’s pledge to limit lobbyists’ roles in the White House, they continue to have a presence in his administration. Find out how lobbying rules might change under an Obama administration. Also: violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Plus, we go behind the scenes with the NYPD’s counterterrorism division!

Join us for a Leonard Lopate Show film screening! On Tues., Feb. 3, we'll watch Frank Capra's "American Madness." Find out more and RSVP soon - seating is limited!