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  • The Tumultuous Birth of South Africa

    It started as a small outpost on the southern tip of Africa and became a severely racist society that still seeks redemption in the eyes of the world. We’ll spend this hour with renowned journalist and humanitarian Dominique Lapierre, author of the new book “A Rainbow in the Night: The Tumultuous Birth of South Africa” […]

  • How Alfred Hitchcock Taught America to Love Murder

    How did one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history – actress Janet Leigh savagely murdered in a shower at the Bates Motel – change the art of American filmmaking? We’ll talk this hour with historian and critic David Thomson, author of the new book “The Moment of Psycho: How Alfred Hitchcock Taught America […]

  • Your Guided Tour to the Energy Crisis

    Is our country’s energy supply on shaky ground and what should we know about oil, biofuels and nuclear energy? We’ll get a no-nonsense perspective this hour with PublicAgenda.org executive editor Scott Bittle, co-author of the new book “Who Turned Out the Lights? Your Guided Tour to the Energy Crisis” (Harper, 2009).

  • The Brutal Education of a New Conservative Superstar

    Who is the real Sarah Palin and why – even after her failed 2008 bid for the vice presidency – is she still such a powerful political force in America? We’ll talk with Shushannah Walshe, co-author of the new book “Sarah from Alaska: The Sudden Rise and Brutal Education of a New Conservative Superstar” (Public […]

  • Understanding the Teen Brain

    When middle school students are taught only how to pass any given test, how will they develop critical and curious minds? We’ll discuss the teenage brain with Dr. Sandra Chapman and Dr. Jacquelyn Gamino from UTD’s Center for BrainHealth, and Jennifer Tecklenberg, a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District.

  • Our National Obsession with Weight

    Is our national obsession with weight and size a good thing? Esther Rothblum, professor of women’s studies at San Diego State University and co-editor of “The Fat Studies Reader” (NYU, 2009) might argue that the “obesity epidemic” is just another form of prejudice. We’ll talk with her this hour.

  • The Value of Apology

    Can we forgive in the absence of repentance? Our guest is Lee Taft, a Harvard Divinity School graduate and former trial lawyer, who played a role mediating between the City of Dallas and individuals connected with the fake drug cases, as well as his national work with hospitals when deaths occur because of medical error. […]

  • Lessons Learned from Saving Racehorses

    What does a sport like horseracing tell us about our culture and what happens to the horses when their racing days are over? We’ll explore the world not seen from the grandstand this hour with Lynn Reardon, founder and executive director of LOPE – LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers and author of “Beyond the Homestretch: […]

  • Faith for People Who Don't Like Religion (or Atheism)

    Is there room for tolerance in the space between fundamentalist Christianity and New Atheism? Frank Schaeffer hopes so. He offers a middle ground between these polarizing forces in his new book “Patience with God: Faith for People Who Don’t Like Religion (or Atheism)” (Da Capo, 2009). We’ll talk with him this hour.

  • Creating a Sustainable Holiday

    Are you planning a more sustainable holiday celebration this year? We’ll get tips on everything from choosing a tree to recycling after the celebration with Anna Getty, author of the new book “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes that Use Less and Mean More” (Chronicle Books, 2009).