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December 2005

Jan Karon, Light from Heaven (A Mitford Novel)
Bestselling novelist Jan Karon has garnered a large following of devoted readers. Her books center around the fictional small town of Mitford, North Carolina and the good works of Father Timothy Kavanaugh. We'll discuss the ninth and last of the series.

Dwight Young, Dear Mr. President: Letters to the Oval Office From the Files of the National Archives
From George Washington to George W. Bush, Americans have always written letters to their Presidents. Dwight Young discusses some of the more notable ones. Then ...

Phyllis Chesler, The Death of Feminism: What's Next in the Struggle for Women's Freedom
Phyllis Chesler is the bestselling author of Women and Madness. Now she turns her attention to the atrocities committed against Arab and Muslim women and why Western feminists seem to ignore them.

November 2005

Michael Wood, In Search of Myths and Heroes: Exploring Four Epic Legends of the World
From Shangri-La and the Queen of Sheba, to King Arthur's Court, filmmaker and historian Michael Wood travels the globe in search of myths and legends. Then ...

Hugh Kennedy, When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World: The Rise and Fall of Islam's Greatest Dynasty
Historian Hugh Kennedy discusses Baghdad's glory days during the Abassid Caliphate of the 8th and 9th centuries.

Daniel Benjamin, The Next Attack: The Failure of the War on Terror and a Strategy for Getting It Right
Counterterrorism expert Daniel Benjamin explains how the threat of Islamic radicalism has evolved, why we're losing the war on terror and what needs to be done to reverse the trend. Then ...

Kevin Seamus Hasson, The Right to Be Wrong: Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America
The debate over religion in public life has reached a fever pitch. Kevin Seamus Hasson of the Becket Fund discusses extremism on both sides of the issue.

Maureen Corrigan, Leave Me Alone I'm Reading: Finding and Losing Myself in Books
Maureen Corrigan is the book reviewer for NPR's Fresh Air and professor of literature at Georgetown university. She talks about her life surrounded by books and some of her favorite authors. Then ...

Elaina Newport, co-founder and producer of The Capitol Steps
Why listen to politicians and public figures when you can listen to the Capitol Steps make fun of them? The Capitol Steps are a group of congressional staffers turned political satirists.

Also, MG Show commentator Victoria Zackheim.

Sweet Honey in the Rock, Soundtrack: "Raise Your Voice"
Sweet Honey in the Rock is a grammy award winning african american a cappella group. They'll perform live in the studio and discuss their music and its roots in the civil rights movement. Then ...

Suzy Becker, I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse?
Suzy Becker discusses her new illustrated memoir about her brain surgery and recovery.

October 2005


Admiral Stansfield Turner, Burn Before Reading: Presidents, CIA Directors and Secret Intelligence
Admiral Stansfield Turner was the Director of Central Intelligence during the Carter administration. He weighs in on the history and current state of our intelligence community. Then ...

Alison Weir, Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England
Historical biographer Alison Weir turns her attention to Isabella of France, the wife of Edward II. She was known as medieval England's most notorious queen.

Tony Blankley, The West's Last Chance: Will We Win the Clash of Civilizations?
Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley says that the Bush Administration and the American public are underestimating the threat of Islamic terrorism. He says that we are in a clash of civilizations and this may be our last chance to save Western civilization as we know it. Then ...

Suketu Mehta, Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found
As villagers in India stream into the cities, the population of Bombay has swelled to over 19 million. Author and journalist Suketu Mehta discusses the world's most populous city.

Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Symptoms of Withdrawal: A Memoir of Snapshots and Redemption
Christopher Kennedy Lawford was the son of actor Peter Lawford and JFK's sister, Patricia Kennedy. He had fame and fortune. But he was also an addict. He discusses his life and recovery. Then ...

Jason DeParle, American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare
New York Times Reporter Jason DeParle looks at welfare reform through the experience of three African American women and their children.

Jennifer Miller, Inheriting the Holy Land: An American's Search for Hope in the Middle East
22 year old Jennifer Miller traveled to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza in search of hope among the younger generation of Israelis and Palestinians. She also spoke to the "old guard." Then ...

Elizabeth Marquardt, Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce
Researcher Elizabeth Marquardt spoke to the adult children of divorce. She takes an in-depth look at how divorce re-shapes children's lives and the fallacy of the "good divorce."

September 2005

Anthony Shadid, Night Draws Near: Iraq's People in the Shadow of America's War
Pulitzer prize winning journalist Anthony Shadid reported from Iraq for the Washington Post. He is of Arab ancestry and fluent in Arabic. He discusses the hopes and anguish of the Iraqi people before and during the war with America. Then ...

John Batelle, The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture
John Batelle is the co-founder of Wired magazine. He discusses the rise of Internet giant Google and the enormous impact search technology is having on society.

John Gartner, The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America
Hypomania is a mild form of the mental illness mania. according to Johns Hopkins University psychologist John Gartner, these unusually energetic, and creative people may also account for America's tremendous success as a nation. Then ...

Charles Pellegrino, Ghosts of Vesuvius: A New Look at the Last Days of Pompeii, How Towers Fall, and Other Strange Connections
The blast of the Mount Vesuvius volcano was a thousand times more powerful than that of Hiroshima. Scientist Charles Pellegrino joins me to discuss the last days of an ancient Roman civilization.

Steven Watts, The People's Tycoon: Henry Ford and the American Century
Henry Ford was one of america's greatest businessmen. Historian Steven Watts discusses his life and contribution to the auto industry and American society. He also discusses Ford's controversial and troubled legacy. Then ...

Michael Strober, Just A Little Too Thin: How to Pull Your Child Back from the Brink of an Eating Disorder
Many teens diet; but what happens when an innocent diet goes too far? Dr. Michael Strober of UCLA discusses the eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa.

Panel on Postpartum Depression
When a woman becomes depressed after the birth of her baby, it can be devastating for her and her baby. Only 13% of women actually get treated. A panel discusses this disease.

Dr. Ralph Wittenberg M.D., Founder and President of The Family Mental Health Foundation
Cheryl Hall, Suffered from Postpartum depression, currently Chair of Board of The Family Mental Health Foundation. Then ...

Stephen J. Cannell, Cold Hit: A Shane Scully Novel
One of America's most prolific writers, Stephen J. Cannell has created or co-created 40 television shows including The A-Team, Wiseguy and Greatest American Hero. In his latest novel, Detective Scully takes on California's director of Homeland Security and the USA Patriot Act.

Stephanie Coontz, Marriage A History: From Obedience to Intimacy Or How Love Conquered Marriage
The fact that marriage is now usually based on love between two people is a relatively recent phenomenon. Stephanie Coontz explains how marriage has evolved over history and the dramatic changes it has gone through. Then...

Should U.S. Troops Leave Iraq?
As casualty figures mount, Americans are beginning to question why the troops are still in Iraq. Andrew Bacevich is a Vietnam Veteran and a professor of International Relations. He argues that the US has done all it can do in Iraq and the troops need to come home.
Andrew J. Bacevich, Professor of International Relations at Boston University

David Rothkopf, Running The World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power

The National Security Council is made up of the men and women who are the very architects of American power. Author David Rothkopf discusses the inside story of how the President is advised on foreign policy. Then ...

Steven Squyres, Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and The Exploration of the Red Planet
Two robots are currently roving the martian landscape uncovering the history of Mars. Steven Squyres, the scientist in charge of NASA's Mars Explorations Rover Mission discusses how they got there and what they've found.

Peter Howe, Paparazzi: And Our Obsession with Celebrity
The Paparazzi are among the world's highest paid photographers. Author Peter Howe discusses the allure and the methods of the Paparazzi and the celebrities they photograph. Then ...

Sally Gable, Palladian Days: Finding a New Life in a Venetian Country House
Sally Gable and her husband Carl set out to buy a summer home somewhere in New England. Instead, they ended up with a Renaissance palace built by Andrea Palladian outside of Venice. She discusses her new home and her new life. Finally ...

Nick Gravenites, vocalist and member of The Chicago Blues Reunion
Members of the 1960's Chicago Blues scene have come back together to perform again. They have a new CD/DVD out called "Buried Alive in the Blues."

July 2005

Nora Pouillon, Cooking with Nora
Nora Pouillon is the owner and executive chef of the country's first certified organic restaurant. Restaurant Nora and Asia Nora are two upscale and posh restaurants in Washington DC. She explains the benefits of eating organic foods, and why they're also good for the environment. Then ...

Vicki Constantine Croke, The Lady and the Panda: The True Adventures of the First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal
Ruth Harkness was neither an explorer nor a scientist but she succeeded in being the first American to bring back a live baby panda. Author Vicki Constantine Croke discusses the life of this fascinating woman.

Nicholas Ostler, Empires of the Word: A Language History of the World

Linguistics expert Nick Ostler describes human history through its languages - both those that have flourished and spread and those that have yielded to the predominance of others. He explains how languages have shaped cultures and national identities, and what the future might hold for the English language. Then ...

Howard Bryant, Juicing the Game: Drugs, Power and the Fight for the Soul of Major League Baseball
The last decade in major league baseball has been so dominated by illegal steroid use, that it was called "the juiced era." Sports journalist Howard Bryant discusses the rise and abuse of performance enhancing drugs among baseball players.

Kenneth Feinberg, What is Life Worth?: The Unprecedented Effort to Compensate the Victims of 9/11
Kenneth Feinberg was appointed to be the Special Master in charge of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. He had nearly unlimited power to determine compensation. He discusses the Fund, his role and the 32 months he spent with the victims' families. Then ...

Alephonsion Deng, They Poured Fire On Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan
As a little boy, his mother had told him that if the village were attacked, he should run away, as fast as he can. When the Government forces of the North attacked his village, killing and setting homes on fire, seven year old Alepho Deng ran - as did thousands of children like him. Now in his mid-twenties living in the US, he tells his story.

Michael M. Phillips, The Gift of Valor: A War Story
During an ambush in Iraq, Marine Corporal Jason Dunham took a grenade to save the lives of those around him. He has been nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award. Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Phillips discusses his story. Then ...

Rob Schulthies, Waging Peace: A Special Operations Team's Battle to Rebuild Iraq
Winning over the hearts and minds of Iraqis has been at best elusive. But the Army's Civil Affairs team is doing just that. By sending out teams into Iraq's neighborhoods and rebuilding roads, schools and community services. Author Rob Schulthies spent 6 months working with one of these teams.

June 2005

A Discussion on Suicide Terrorism

In Iraq, Israel, Chechnya and now London, terrorists are strapping bombs to their bodies and blowing themselves up. Their goal is to kill as many people as possible. While the 9/11 attacks were the most devastating, suicide terrorists continue to claim innocent lives around the world. A panel discusses who they are and why they do it.
Mia Bloom, author of Dying to Kill: The Allure of Suicide Terrorism
Robert Pape, author of Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism

Flynt Leverett, Inheriting Syria: Bashar's Trial by Fire
Syria has long been a thorn in the side of the United States. Now, with Syria playing a central role in the stability of the Middle East, Flynt Leverett of the Brookings Institution discusses the presidency of Bashar El Assad and the possibility of reform. Then ...

Ron Chepesiuk, Drug Lords: The Rise and Fall of the Cali Cartel
For twenty years, Columbia's Cali Drug Cartel was responsible for most of the cocaine supplied to the US. Laundering billions in profits, they were the largest crime syndicate in history. Author Ron Chepesiuk discusses their rise and fall.

Joel Garreau, Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies -- And What it Means to be Human
Author and Washington Post reporter Joel Garreau takes a look at new innovations in genetics, robotics and information and nanotechnologies. He asks - what happens to human nature when scientific advances make it possible to no longer feel pain, to live for hundreds of years, or other things that scientists are working on? Then ...

Leslie Neale, director of the new documentary film Juvies
What happens to kids when they are tried and incarcerated as adults? What are their home lives like? This new documentary film follows 12 kids, with crimes ranging from murder to assault, in the adult criminal justice system.

Kai Bird, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer led the Manhattan Project that gave the United States the world's first atomic bomb. But after he voiced concern over the bomb's use and the future of nuclear weapons, he was accused of being a communist and eventually lost his security clearance. Then...

Daryl Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association gives and update on where we are today, 60 years after the bomb was dropped on Japan.

Also, MG Show commentator Victoria Zackheim.

May 2005

T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua Sparrow. Mastering Anger and Aggression
and Understanding Sibling Rivalry of Recovery
Pediatrician Dr. Berry Brazelton and child psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Sparrow discuss their new books in the "Brazelton Way" series. They address problems parents are bound to face when a new baby joins the family or a young child starts to bully. Then...

Robert Cialdini. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Psychologist Robert Cialdini has been studying influence and persuasion for the past thirty years. He shares his expertise on the ways people influence us and how to use those methods to be more persuasive.

Danae Elon, Another Road Home
Israeli filmmaker Danae Elon documents the search for the Palestinian man, Musa, who helped raise her for 20 years. She also searches for Musa's adult sons living in the United States. Then...

Gordon Neufeld, Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers
Child psychologist Gordon Neufeld discusses the problems that arise when teens and pre-teens orient towards their peers, rather than their parents.

Gail Griffith, Will's Choice: A Suicidal Teen, A Desperate Mother, and a Chronicle of Recovery
Gail Griffith's son Will tried to take his own life while struggling with depression at the age of seventeen. This is a first hand account of the effects of teen depression, and suicide on the family as well as Will's successful road to recovery. Then ...

William Queen, Under and Alone: The True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America's Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang
Billy Queen - ATF agent became Billy St. John - Mongol gang member for nearly two and a half years. He rose through the ranks and eventually became the gang's treasurer, which gave him unprecedented access to their illegal activities.

Edward Conlon, Blue Blood
Ivy League graduate turned New York City cop, Ed Conlon discusses life walking the beat in the Brooklyn projects, cultivating informants and making drug busts. Then ...

Michka Assayas, Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas
Music Journalist Michka Assayas sat down with U2's lead singer and discussed his family, music, religion and politics.

April 2005

Domestic Violence Against Women

The statistics on domestic violence against women are shocking. A panel discusses why men abuse their partners, the effects on children, and what women can do about it. The panel also discusses Battered Wife Syndrome.

Venona Norman, Assistant Coordinator at Fairfax County, Virginia Women's Shelter
Emilio Viano, Professor of Justice, Law and Society at American University
"Nancy", A survivor of domestic violence, currently at a women's shelter

Irmgard Hunt, On Hitler's Mountain: Overcoming the Legacy of a Nazi Childhood

Irmgard Hunt grew up in the shadow of Adolf Hitler's alpine headquarters in Berchtesgaden, Germany. As a child she watched the rise and fall of the Third Reich, joined the Hitler Youth and lost her father in the war. Now as an adult, she looks back on her childhood and the crimes of her country.

Azadeh Moaveni, Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America, and American in Iran
Azadeh Moaveni was in many ways a typical American teenager living in the California suburbs. But she also lived in an Iranian exile community in the shadow of the Iranian Revolution. As an adult, she went to live in Tehran as a journalist and was surprised and intrigued by what she found there. Then ...

David Lytle, Editor of Frommers.com
Frommer's website editor discusses travel tips for summer travel and travel with families or on a budget.

John Kelly, The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time

A third of the world's population, some 75 million people died during the 14th century plague. Author John Kelly discusses the devastation wrought by the plague and how the survivors managed to keep society running. Then ...

Andrew Burstein, Jefferson's Secrets: Death and Desire at Monticello
A conversation with historian Andrew Burstein about Thomas Jefferson's retirement years - his relationship with his slave Sally Hemings and his views on race and religion.

March 2005

Linda Lawrence Hunt, Bold Spirit: Helga Esby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America

Desperate. Determined. Unwaveringly confident. In 1896, a Norwegian immigrant named Helga Estby and her eighteen year old daughter dare to cross 3500 miles of the American continent to win a $10,000 wager. On Foot. Author Linda Lawrence Hunt describes this fascinating journey of an audacious act of courage and love of a mother trying to save a family farm.

Tommy Sands, Irish singer, songwriter and social activist

Tommy Sands grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland. At his house Catholics and Protestants would come to enjoy music, dancing and all around fun. He learned early on the power of music to bring people together and to heal. Tommy Sands is now one of the premier voices of Irish Folk music. He has been on the forefront of encouraging peace talks in Northern Ireland and has even helped American juvenile prisoners write their life stories in a song.

Kurt Eichenwald, Conspiracy of Fools: A True Story

When Wall Street darling Enron Corporation imploded, it left financial ruin in its wake. Hundreds lost their jobs and their retirement funds; executives were indicted and some jailed. But corporate America was also shaken, and other scandals followed. In his new book, award-winning journalist Kurt Eichenwald recreates the events that led to the rapid rise and fall of Enron.

Arthur Herman, To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World

Best selling author of "How the Scots Invented the Modern World," Arthur Herman investigates the history of the British Navy. He discusses how the Royal Navy propelled Great Britain onto the world stage, fueled an empire and saved Europe from the tyranny of Louis XIV, Napoleon and Hitler.

Swanee Hunt, This Was Not Our War: Bosnian Women Reclaiming the Peace

Ambassador Swanee Hunt shares first-person accounts of twenty-six Bosnian women who are reconstructing their society following years of devastating warfare. The women describe what it was like living in a vibrant multicultural community that suddenly imploded in an onslaught of violence. They relate the chaos; the atrocities, including the rapes of many neighbors and friends; the hurried decisions whether to stay or flee; the extraordinary efforts to care for children and elderly parents and to find food and clean drinking water.

Christopher de Bellaigue, In the Rose Garden of Martyrs: A Memoir of Iran

Journalist Christopher de Bellaigue covers Iran for the Economist. When he went there in the late 90's for a story, he fell in love - both with the country and his future wife. He decided to stay and live in Tehran. His new memoir tells the story of the Iranian people, those that kicked out the Shah, and spent eight years fighting Saddam's Iraq.

Gordon Livingston, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart: Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now

Gordon Livingston is a psychiatrist who has spent the past thirty years listening to people talk about their lives-what works, what doesn't-and the limitless ways (most of them self-inflicted) that we have found to be unhappy. He is also a parent twice bereaved. Out of a lifetime of experience, Livingston has extracted thirty truths, such as: We are what we do; Any relationship is under the control of the person who cares the least; and Only bad things happen quickly.

Karen Spears Zacharias, Hero Mama: A Daughter Remembers the Father She Lost in Vietnam - and the Mother Who Held Her Family Together

Award-winning author and journalist Karen Spears Zacharias was only 9 years old when her father died in Vietnam. Her mother was 29 and had a ninth grade education. She describes the impact of her father's death on the family and how her mother struggled to hold the family together. The author also describes her emotional trip to Vietnam as an adult.

John Prevas, Envy of the Gods: Alexander the Great's Ill-fated Journey Across Asia

Author and explorer John Prevas traveled in Alexander the Great's footsteps through what are now Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Alexander was only 26 when he conquered the Persian Empire. But as he pressed further east, his quest for immortality began to destroy his empire. The author describes Alexander's journey through Asia and the excesses that led to his eventual demise.

Laurence Rees, Auschwitz: A New History

Author and BBC producer Laurence Rees delves into the the history of this unique and infamous camp. He explains that Auschwitz began as a Nazi prison camp for political dissidents. Then as the Nazi's developed their "final solution," they built gas chambers there for Jewish civilians who were sent there from all over Eastern and Western Europe. 1.1 million people died there un till the camp was liberated in 1945.

Nicole Williams, Earn What You're Worth: A Wildly Sophisticated Approach to Investing in Your Career and Yourself

Career expert Nicole Williams is the founder and CEO of Wildly Sophisticated Media. In her newest book, she offers young women a fresh and new look at the their worth in the marketplace. She explains how to assess your tangible and intangible assets and then finally put it all together to finally earn more money.

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