wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, May 14, 2009
  • recipe

    Bending the Rules?

    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.

Food Rules with Michael Pollan

Many cultures have passed down all kinds of wisdom about food and how to eat properly. Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food wants to know your “food rules” are. Do you still follow your parents’ advice that you should eat your vegetables or clear your plate? Do you only eat organic now? What about fast-food? Are you a three meal-a-day person or a snacker? Have you developed your own "food manifesto"? Let us know what kinds of food rules you try to live by in the comments section below.

Benjamin Millepied: Choreographer

New York City Ballet principal dancer Benjamin Millepied is very much in demand as a choreographer these days. His first major commission with NYCB, Quasi Una Fantasia premiered Wednesday. There are additional performances May 22nd and 26th. You can find out more about his performances here.

Love and Obstacles

Bosnian-born writer Aleksandar Hemon earned a MacArthur "genius grant" for his short stories. His latest book is a collection of linked coming-of-age stories that focus on the complications of growing up in a communist, but cosmopolitan country. It's titled Love and Obstacles.

Event: Aleksandar Hemon will be reading and signing books
Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble, Union Square
33 East 17th Street

Underreported: Ungrades to US Nuclear Weapons Facilities

Despite President Obama's recent pledge to seek a world free of nuclear weapons, the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration is proposing a major upgrade to the nation's nuclear weapons complex, including the construction of new facilities that could produce thousands of new warheads over time. Bill Hartung is Director of Arms and Security Initiative at the New America Foundation.

tobacco

Underreported: The Food and Drug (and Tobacco?) Administration

For years, the tobacco industry has resisted efforts to make tobacco a substance that’s regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but a bill making its way through Congress could change that. Washington Post staff writer Lyndsey Layton describes how FDA regulation would change the tobacco industry and whether the bill has a chance of passing.

Tributes: Kate McGarrigle

The Leonard Lopate Show

Folk singer Kate McGarrigle, who gained acclaim for a series of projects with her sister Anna, died Monday, Jan. 18, from a rare form of cancer. She left behind a family of talented musicians, including her sister, son Rufus Wainwright, and daughter Martha Wainwright. McGarrigle appeared on The Leonard Lopate show with her sister in December 2005, ahead of their holiday show at Carnegie Hall.

Monona Rossol on 50 Million Chemicals

The Leonard Lopate Show

On September 7, 2009, scientists working for the Chemical Abstract Service (which assigns identification numbers to all new chemicals) entered the 50-millionth chemical substance into their Registry. Chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol, President and Founder of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, took a look at what all these new substances are, where they are coming from, and how they affect our health. Rossol also responded to listener comments and questions. You can read her answers here.

Alan Alda on What Makes Us Human

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Barbara Demick on Ordinary Lives in North Korea

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Lucien Castaing-Taylor on "Sweetgrass"

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Michael Pollan on Food in 2010

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Atul Gawande on The Checklist Manifesto

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Christopher Kimball on Surviving Holiday Cooking Disasters

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Lidia Bastianich on Cooks from the Heart of Italy

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

Neil deGrasse Tyson on Pluto

The Leonard Lopate Show

 

National Book Award Winners

The Leonard Lopate Show

A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

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.