Music in Manhattan

Thursday, October 29, 2009

George Steel, the new artistic director of the New York City Opera, discusses on its upcoming season. Then, acclaimed Austrian pianist Till Fellner performs live in our studio. And John Irving on his new novel, Last Night in Twisted River. Plus out latest Underreported segments look at the two sides of algae—from new research linking algal blooms to mass extinctions to the cutting-edge science of using the green slime for biofuel.

Are you running the New York City Marathon?
Tell us why you are running this year! Share your story as a comment here.

Come see the Leonard Lopate Show live in the Greene Space on November 11! Get tickets here!

Across the Ages

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

On today’s show Robert Skidelsky talks about what we can learn from the economist John Maynard Keynes. Then, pianist Lang Lang discusses his upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall. And A. S. Byatt is here to talk about her latest novel, The Children’s Book. Plus, our Word Maven Patricia T. O’Conner answers your questions about the English language.

Are you running the New York City Marathon?
Tell us why you are running! Share your story as a comment here.

Come see our show live in the Greene Space on November 11th! Get tickets here.

Leading the Band

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Guest host Julie Burstein fills in for Leonard Lopate. First, bandleader Paul Shaffer talks about his life in show business and his years leading "The Late Show" band. Then, Chuck Klosterman discusses his latest book of essays on pop culture. Sherman Alexie talks about his new book, War Dances. And we learn how to solve problems by thinking like a designer.

Are you running the New York City Marathon?
Tell us why you are running this year! Share your story as a comment here.

Inside the Meltdown

Monday, October 26, 2009

New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin takes us behind the scenes of the financial crisis as it unfolded last year—from what happened inside the offices of Lehman Brothers to the corridors of power in Washington. Then, we talk about the centennial of the Thanhouser Company, an independent film studio in New Rochelle, New York, that produced movies in our area before the industry relocated to California. And Margaret Atwood on her new post-apocalyptic novel The Year of the Flood. Also, we speak with William D. Cohan about the trial of former Bear Stearns hedge fund managers. Plus, a look at why the U.S. government is tripling its aid package to Pakistan.

Are you running the New York City Marathon?
Tell us why you are running this year! Share your story as a comment here.

Getting from Here to There

Friday, October 23, 2009

John Wray author of the novel Lowboy, is here to talk to the winners of our commuting essay contest. And Please Explain is all about the science of sleep.

Are you running the New York City Marathon?
Tell us why you are running this year! Share your story as a comment here.

Taking Sides

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles talk about their roles in David Mamet’s "Oleanna," on Broadway. Plus our latest Underreported takes a look at the controversy over gene patenting.

Expect the Unexpected

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner changed the way we look at the world with Freakonomics. Now, they are back with SuperFreakonomics. Then, Gail Collins talks about the progress women have made in the past five decades.

The Ordinary and the Extraordinary

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Deborah Tannen fills us in on the complex dynamics between sisters. Then Malcolm Gladwell discusses the wide range subjects he’s investigated, from the Dog Whisperer to intelligence tests to ethnic profiling.

Mastering the Art of Cooking

Monday, October 19, 2009

On today’s show we’re replaying a 1993 interview with Julia Child. Then, we’ll talk to Judith Jones, the legendary editor of cookbooks by Julia Child, James Beard, and other great cooks.

Chat and Chew

Friday, October 16, 2009

Former New York Times restaurant critic William Grimes leads us on a tour of the history of restaurants in New York. And today’s Please Explain is all about regional accents in the United States.

Soft Landings

Thursday, October 15, 2009

On today’s show, Captain Chesley Sullenberger fills us in on the details of how he – and his crew – landed US Airways Flight 1549 safely in the middle of the Hudson River in January. And, our latest Underreported segment looks at the 25 most important stories from the past year…that you haven’t heard about.

The deadline to submit an essay for our transit stories contest has passed! Thank you to everyone who sent in commuting stories!

The Sunny Side of the Street

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Barbara Ehrenreich explains why there’s a negative side of what she calls "relentless positive thinking." Then, Jonathan Lethem turns from Brooklyn to Manhattan for his latest novel, Chronic City. And second grade teacher Jennifer Scoggin (aka Mrs. Mimi) tells what it’s like to spend her days with 7 year olds for a living. Plus those Gurus of How-To, Al and Larry Ubell, tackle your home repair questions, one by one!

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by midnight tonight! Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Big Plans

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, fills us in on the upcoming season. Ivanka Trump talks about what she’s learned from her father, the Donald. And Karen Armstrong makes a case for God and explains why religion has been so important to people, from the Paleolithic age to the present. Then, historian Antony Beevor discusses his new book, the first major account of D-Day in over 20 years.

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by October 14. Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Lifesaving Measures

Monday, October 12, 2009

Guest host Julie Burstein speaks with neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta about some of the more incredible medical advances that are saving the lives of patients who once would have died. Then, Judy Shepard explains why she chose to become a gay rights activist after her son Matthew’s death. Also, actress Alicia Silverstone fills us in on her life beyond "Clueless" and why she became a vegan. Plus Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter David Finkel talks about going to Baghdad with a battalion of army infantry soldiers and chronicling how they changed over 15 months during the surge.

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by October 14. Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

The Game of Life

Friday, October 09, 2009

We’ll start off today’s show with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton. And Tyne Daly and Katie Finneran talk about appearing in "Love, Loss, and What I Wore." Then we’ll discuss a screwball real-life documentary about political activists, called "The Yes Men Fix the World." Plus, Please Explain is all about prions.

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by October 14. Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Profit and Prophet

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Today we’ll find out how the notion of the rational market helped create the modern financial system – and why it may actually be a myth. Bestselling author Bruce Feiler explores how Moses has shaped America’s character over the past few centuries. Then, Michael Chabon, who's best-known for his novels, discusses his personal essays on what it means to be a man in today's society. Plus, our latest Underreported segments investigate how politicians abuse their Political Action Committee money and what's driving the price spike in gold.

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by October 14th. Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Cleaning Up

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Yale professor John Wargo discusses the dangerous chemicals we come in contact with every day and how we can protect ourselves. Then, the founding director of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Middle East Program tells about her experience being held captive in Iran for eight months. The son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Guru Dutt talks about his father’s work and a retrospective being shown at the New York Film Festival. Plus, Gordon Goldstein marks the eight-year anniversary of our invasion of Afghanistan and draws parallels to Vietnam.

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by October 14th. Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Giving and Receiving

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

On today’s show, former U.S. Senator Max Cleland talks about his experience in war and politics. Then, one woman tells her story of rowing the Atlantic Ocean. Also, Jeannette Walls on her new true-life novel, Half Broke Horses. Plus, the president of the Carnegie Corporation discusses the future of philanthropy.

Do you have a commuting story you want to share? Send your essay of 300 words or less to transitstories@wnyc.org by October 14th. Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

Monday, October 05, 2009

Today’s show is live from WNYC’s Jerome L. Greene Space! Up first, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band performs songs from their new album. Then, we’ll speak with comic actor David Alan Grier. And Colman Domingo talks about his play "A Boy and His Soul." Plus, former editor of the Oxford English Dictionary and an etymology expert answer your language questions.

Find out how to get tickets to Monday’s live show in the Greene Space here.

Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

Music and Movement

Friday, October 02, 2009

Itzhak Perlman and his wife Toby Perlman discuss an upcoming performance of chamber music at the Metropolitan Museum. Journalist Amy Bach examines the widespread problems and failures that plague our criminal justice system. Then, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of "The Twilight Zone." Plus, our latest Please Explain is all about animal migration.

Come to our show live on Monday!
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be performing, and see David Alan Grier and Colman Domingo. Get tickets here.

Have you ever wondered how a word finds its way into the dictionary? Or who decides how a word is defined? As part of Monday's live show, you can ask your own questions about dictionaries, words, and how we use them. Submit your questions here!

Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!

A Lasting Impression

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Today we'll speak to three winners of this year's Lasker Awards about their groundbreaking work on leukemia. Then, Francine Prose talks about how Anne Frank's diary has become one of the most widely read -- and banned -- historical documents of the 20th century. Director Margot Benacerraf discusses why her celebrated film "Araya" has rarely been shown. Plus, our latest Underreported segments look at the environmental problems posed by coal ash sites around the United States and at why placebos are becoming more effective.

Come to our show live on Monday!
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be performing, and see David Alan Grier and Colman Domingo. Get tickets here.

Have you ever wondered how a word finds its way into the dictionary? Or who decides how a word is defined? As part of Monday's live show, you can ask your own questions about dictionaries, words, and how we use them. Submit your questions here!

Find out more about our Transit Essay Contest here!