Make Up Your Mind

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Humans often act irrationally... but irrational behavior can be quite predictable. An MIT professor explains the forces that lead to irrational behavior. Also, a new novel about the constricted life of a Japanese princess. On States of the Union, former US Senator from Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee tells us what his state’s voters are thinking as they head into their primary on Tuesday. And on Underreported: new attempts to change the sentencing policies for crack versus powder cocaine.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections film series! On Tuesday, March 4, we'll talk about how Hollywood has showcased American cynicism about politics. You can watch the films we've chosen and weigh in on the conversation.

The New Asian Hemisphere

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

How will the growing strength of Asia affect world politics, economics, and history? We also look into what the West could do to stay competitive with Asia. Plus: a father and son talk about how meth addiction can tear apart families. We hear about a historical novel based on the family of Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe. And word maven Patricia T. O’Conner takes your calls on our complex English language!

Check out the latest in our Political Projections film series! On Tuesday, March 4, we'll talk about how Hollywood has showcased American cynicism about politics. You can watch the selected films and weigh in on the conversation.

If Women Ruled the World

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Former White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers thinks that if women ruled the world, businesses would be more profitable, communities would be healthier, and politics would be more collegial. Also: acclaimed Nigerian authors Chinua Achebe and Chris Abani. And k.d. lang on her new album, "Watershed."

Check out the latest in our Political Projections film series! On Tuesday, March 4, we'll talk about how Hollywood has showcased American cynicism about politics. You can watch the selected films and weigh in on the conversation.

Reasons to Believe

Monday, February 25, 2008

Richard Thompson Ford believes that the race card is being overplayed. He explains why he thinks the social and legal meaning of racism is in a state of crisis. Also, one man’s journey into the world of American evangelism. Plus, a young Korean women’s search for identity. And the stories behind the 90-year history of the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.

Fair is Foul

Friday, February 22, 2008

Leonard talks to two of the finest stage actors of our time: Patrick Stewart, now starring as Macbeth at BAM. Then S. Epatha Merkerson, who plays a faded beauty queen in "Come Back, Little Sheba." Also, a strange-but-true Nazi counterfeiting scheme during WW II. And Please Explain is all about the fascinating lives of ants!

Chasing the Flame

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Sergio Vieira de Mello devoted his career to dealing with humanitarian crises throughout the world...until he was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq 5 years ago. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Samantha Power tells us about the former UN High Commissioner's life. Also: the status of arts education in NYC’s public schools. Antonio Skarmeta's new novel. And on Underreported: what Liberia's president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is doing to help her country recover from brutal civil war.

How to Live Green and Save Money

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Find out how you can reduce your impact on the planet...and save money at the same time! Ed Begley Jr. shares his tips for living a more affordable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Also: a family history of gambling addiction. On States of the Union, the issues that matter to Vermont voters. And Al and Larry Ubell answer your home repair questions.

The Budget Crisis and You

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Experts tell you what you should know about America’s federal budget crisis...and how it’ll affect your personal finances. Also: how the medical text Gray’s Anatomy changed the field of medicine. And Robert Bennett, the lawyer who defended Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones case, Judith Miller and some other controversial defendants.

Blogsifting

Monday, February 18, 2008

There are more than 80 million blogs on the internet. Find out how to sort through those millions to get to the very best ones. Also: India’s 2,000 year old classical dance traditions. Booker Prize-winner Peter Carey on his latest novel. And filmmaker Milos Forman.

Human Growth

Friday, February 15, 2008

On Please Explain, find out what steroids and human growth hormones are, how they affect performance, and why it's so troublesome when professional athletes use them. Also: actress Kathleen Turner.

The Fate of the Banana

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Americans eat more bananas than apples and oranges combined. But thanks to a spreading blight, bananas may be on a fast track to extinction. On Underreported, we find out what can be done to save the banana. Also: an update on Algeria. But first, we celebrate Valentine's Day by asking you, our listeners, what you’ve learned in life from being dumped!

The Onion: Our Dumb World

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Three editors from The Onion talk about their new book, Our Dumb World - and they evaluate the parody news headlines our listeners have submitted. Also: a photojournalist who traveled with Margaret Mead shares 50 years' worth of his work. And on States of the Union, a preview of Wisconsin's February 19 primary.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with us by telling us what you've learned from being dumped! Leave a comment here.

Good Fast Food

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Nigella Lawson shares her recipes for quick, easy-to-put-together meals! Also: Broadway star Idina Menzel on her new album, "I Stand."

Write your own funny news headline - and editors from The Onion may evaluate it on The Leonard Lopate Show on Wed. Feb. 13! Submit your headline here.

...and celebrate Valentine's Day with us this Thurs. by telling us what you've learned from being dumped. Leave a comment here.

Basic Brown

Monday, February 11, 2008

The controversial former San Francisco Democratic mayor Willie Brown explains how he's managed to lose only one election throughout his entire political career. Also: the extraordinary life of Serbia’s legendary warlord, Zeliko Raznatovitch. And a psychologist tries to explain how US soldiers became torturers at Abu Ghraib.

Write your own funny news headline - and editors from The Onion may evaluate it on The Leonard Lopate Show on Wed. Feb. 13! Submit your headline here.

...and celebrate Valentine's Day with us by telling us what you've learned from being dumped. Leave a comment here.

Whaddya Know

Friday, February 08, 2008

Test your NYC knowledge in our multi-borough trivia quiz for listeners! Also: in time for Valentine's Day, Please Explain is all about the science of love...from love at first sight, to jealousy and monogamy.

Write your own funny news headline - and editors from The Onion may evaluate it on The Leonard Lopate Show on Wed. Feb. 13! Submit your headline here.

Thoughts Into Action

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Playwright Edward Albee and artist James Rosenquist explain how they channel their creativity into action. Also: a new novel about the great inventor Nikola Tesla. A new film set in 1970, during the military dictatorship in Brazil. And on Underreported: an important tiger conservation effort stretching from Bhutan to Malaysia.

Write your own funny news headline - and editors from The Onion may evaluate it on The Leonard Lopate Show on Wed. Feb. 13! Submit your headline here.

New Faces

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

In the 1960s, the Republican party won over a key demographic: white male voters. We find out whether the Democrats have begun to win back some of that demographic. Also, on States of the Union: yesterday’s Super Tuesday results in Georgia. Then, how science can lead to exciting culinary advances. Also: plans to redesign Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza!

Political Projections

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Now that we’re in midwinter, and local produce is pretty much limited to root vegetables - we find out how New York’s best chefs come up with fresh menus. Also: our Political Projections film series looks into how Hollywood has taken comic aim at politics. And to start us off - John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji with sneak peek at "America's Exit Poll" coverage of the Super Tuesday primaries.

On Wed., Feb. 6, we'll discuss plans to create a new design for Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza to make it more user-friendly. And you can help shape those plans! Share your ideas for the redesign of Grand Army Plaza here.

The Next American Century

Monday, February 04, 2008

Two foreign policy experts on why they think the rise of other global powers -- like China and India -- is actually good for the US. Also: German poet and novelist Michael Kruger. Then, a memoir about growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s. And an update on the legal status of detainees in Guantanamo and beyond; we haven’t heard much about those detention centers in this campaign season.

And join us for tomorrow's installment of Political Projections! On Tuesday, we'll celebrate Super Tuesday with a conversation how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years. You can watch some films we've selected, and join in the conversation. Find out more here.

Seek Treatment

Friday, February 01, 2008

We track the journey of human waste - from the toilet to the treatment tanks! Also: what the future of waste treatment will look like. Dr. Atul Gawande discusses some of the ethical issues doctors deal with on a daily basis. George Bernard Shaw's play "The Devil's Disciple." And Please Explain is all about Mormonism.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! We're hosting a FREE Feb. 4th special screening of the Marx Brothers' movie "Duck Soup." Space is limited. Find out more here.