How to Be Happy

Thursday, May 28, 2009

On today’s show: Joshua Wolf Shenk on a 72-year-long Harvard study that looks at the human condition and whether or not there's a formula for happiness. And our latest Underreported segments look at how the economic recession is affecting human rights around the world, and at oversight of defense contractors in Afghanistan.

It's a Leonard Lopate Show listener contest! Let's get creative! Click here to find out more about our listener contest with designer Isaac Mizrahi to design your own t-shirt! or you can submit your design directly to Flickr here

Reflections

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

On today’s show: Richard Haass, who served as a foreign policy advisor in both Bush Administrations, takes us inside their decision making processes during the Gulf War and the Iraq War. Then, Gerald Martin discusses the first comprehensive biography of novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez. And, Eduardo Galeano on his new collection of short stories. Plus, Philip Gourevitch on his return to Rwanda -- 15 years after the genocide that claimed at least 800,000 lives.

It's a Leonard Lopate Show listener contest! Let's get creative! Click here to find out more about our listener contest with designer Isaac Mizrahi to design your own t-shirt! or you can submit your design directly to Flickr here

Uncovering the Truth

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

On today’s show: Bobby Ghosh and Mark Thompson of Time magazine join us to talk about the problems arising out of the use of pilotless drones in Pakistan. Then, hear about the 45 year career of Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Eddie Adams. And, a New York Times economics reporter opens up about his disastrous decision to take on a sub-prime mortgage. Also, Michael Gross on the history of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Plus we'll bring you the latest on the anticipated California Supreme Court's ruling on Proposition 8.

Volatility

Monday, May 25, 2009

On today's show: A special encore presentation of some of our favorite interviews from the past few months. First, we examine the fall of Bear Stearns one year after the company collapsed under a mountain of toxic assets. Followed by a look at the life of Flannery O’Connor. Plus, a discussion about the lost art of penmanship. And, we’ll find out how Uranium has changed the world: from Utah to Africa to Hiroshima.

Girls and Women

Friday, May 22, 2009

On today’s show: The new production of "Mary Stuart" is the first Broadway revival of the show in 40 years and we’ll be joined by two of its stars: Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter. Then, we’ll get an update on the 30-year-old, still-unsolved disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz. And, Elizabeth Strout talks about the 13 stories that make up her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Plus, Please Explain is all about "girls."

Journeys

Thursday, May 21, 2009

On today’s show: Warren Jeffs' nephew speaks out on how boys are treated by the Mormon splinter group, The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then, Mark Kurlansky looks back at the forgotten literary treasures created by a New Deal writers program. And, wine journalist Benjamin Wallace talks about the strange world of rare wines. Plus, Rory Stewart on his experiences in Afghanistan and his outlook on its future.

Reading the Fine Print

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

On Today’s Show: Lawyer Philippe Sands on how a memo from Donald Rumsfeld set the stage for the Bush Administration’s circumvention of the Geneva Conventions, the Torture Convention, and international law. Then, historian Simon Schama on conflicting narratives in the lives of American historical figures. And, Tony Horwitz on what happened in the New World between Columbus’s sail in 1492 and the arrival of the pilgrims in 1620. Plus, word maven Patricia T. O’Conner answers your questions on our often confusing English language.

The Test of Time

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's groundbreaking design for the New York home of the Guggenheim Museum with Thomas Krens and David van der Leer. Then, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson tells us what Manhattan looked like before European settlers arrived here. And film historians Steve Massa and Ben Model discuss a new series of silent-era slapstick comedies at the Museum of Modern Art. Plus, Elizabeth Edwards.

Personal Stories

Monday, May 18, 2009

On today’s show: A look at how credit card companies have begun taking consumer profiling to new heights. Then, the noted novelist Reynolds Price on the six most important years of his life. And, Walter Kirn on why he thinks the American education system should shed its obsession with the meritocracy. Plus, we’ll take a look at how the recession is affecting New Yorkers.

Money, Movies, Music, Masculinity

Friday, May 15, 2009

On today’s show: former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich on the economy, organized labor, and the bank stress tests. Then, director Olivier Assayas discusses his new film “Summer Hours.” And, the Met Opera’s mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, one of the stars of “The Welcome Shore” at Merkin Concert Hall. Plus, our latest Please Explain is all about “boys.”

Bending the Rules?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

On today’s show: Michael Pollan on how readers have been applying some of the rules for eating he described in his last book. Then, NYC Ballet principal dancer Benjamin Millepied on his other career as a choreographer. And, Bosnian-born writer Aleksandar Hemon discusses his latest collection of short stories. Plus, our latest Underreported segments look at increases to the US nuclear arsenal and proposals in Congress to have the FDA regulate tobacco.

You are what you eat, but how do you choose what goes on your plate? Tell us what your "food rules" are in the comments section below and we’ll go over them with Michael Pollan.

From Hizbollah to Heating-Ducts

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

On today’s show: New York Times UN correspondent Neil MacFarquhar talks about some of the unexpected things that happened to him during the years he covered the Middle East. Then, one man's attempt to read all 51 volumes of the Harvard Classics Library and the personal turmoil he faced along the way. And, the author of the part memoir, part cookbook called "I Loved. I Lost. I Made Spaghetti." Plus, your calls to the gurus of how-to, Al and Larry Ubell.

Let us know what your "Food Rules" are by leaving a comment on our showpage. We'll go over them with Michael Pollan tomorrow!

Follow the Money

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

On today's show: Frontline correspondent Martin Smith discusses his investigation into the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme. Then, David Hare talks about his two controversial solo monologues called "Berlin/Wall." And, holocaust survivor Clara Kramer on the 18 months she spent hiding in a bunker in Nazi-occupied Poland. Plus, foreign correspondent Gretchen Peters on how opium is bankrolling the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Off Label Uses

Monday, May 11, 2009

On today's show: Learn why the makers of common household products are reluctant to disclose their ingredients. Then, Tony and six-time Emmy Award winning actress Tyne Daly on the debut of her cabaret act. And, we’ll get a behind the scenes account of Douglas Sirk's movie masterpiece "Imitation of Life." Plus, a panel discussion on the fate of booksellers -- the independents and the big chains.

Changing Fortunes

Friday, May 08, 2009

On today’s show: we’ll look at how globalization is bringing some countries closer while driving others apart. Then, actors Roger Robinson and Chad Coleman, two of the stars of the acclaimed Broadway revival of August Wilson's “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” And, Picasso biographer John Richardson on how a new exhibition of the artist's late paintings has led to a reevaluation of those works. Plus, Please Explain is all about bankruptcy.

Up in Smoke

Thursday, May 07, 2009

We start off today's show with Selena Roberts, whose book on Alex Rodriguez is what every sports fan is talking about. Then, a discussion of the anxieties confronting modern motherhood. And, what the story of Ivar Kreuger - who made a fortune selling matchsticks in the Great Depression - can tell us about today’s scorched economy. Plus, our latest Underreported segments.

Creative Exchange

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

We're coming to you live today from WNYC’s new street level Jerome L. Greene Performance Space on the corner of Varick and Charlton Streets. We’re starting off the show with playwright and novelist David Rabe and his wife, actress Jill Clayburgh talking about life in a creative marriage. Then, pianist Richard Goode performs selections from Bach and Chopin. Plus, comedian, TV personality and writer Joy Behar.

Add it Up

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

On today’s show: British Economist Lord Nicholas Stern tallies what global warming will ultimately cost us economically. Then, a former debutante gives us a window into the sometimes bizarre customs of America’s upper crust. Plus, actor and playwright Eric Bogosian on his latest novel. And, Daniel Barenboim on the power of music in our everyday lives.

Leadership

Monday, May 04, 2009

On today’s show: Tavis Smiley on the ways he feels we need to hold our leaders accountable. Then, urban explorer Bob Diamond on the abandoned Atlantic Avenue railway tunnel in Brooklyn. Also, Jeff Sharlet on what he sees as a conspiracy to Christianize the United States military. Plus, James Carville – the ragin’ Cajun of political punditry – explains why he thinks the Democrats are poised to keep the majority for the next forty years.

Into the Future

Friday, May 01, 2009

On today’s show: Bill Charlap joins us on Please Explain with a look at how jazz improvisation works. Then, filmmaker Anne Aghion on her new movie "Ice People." And, chef Bill Telepan and Brooklyn Food Conference organizer Nancy Romer discuss how the challenges facing the global food economy impact us here in New York. Plus, New York Times White House correspondent Peter Baker looks ahead to President Obama's next 100 days in office.