WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show

Politics Keep Swinging (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 16 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:08 GMT

Politico.com's Ben Smith discusses some of the latest news from the campaign trail.

The Art of Listening (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 16 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:15 GMT

Storycorps founder Dave Isay talks about the end of an era: the closing of one of the project's flagship recording booths in Manhattan. Annie Perasa and her husband were one of the first interviews in the booth. Together they share how it's possible to change lives just by being yourself.

The Big Green Apple (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 16 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:17 GMT

Even when you buy pairs of jeans, get your hair dyed, or rent a car, you can make an environmentally informed decision about when choosing a company. But how? Enter Greenopia, a guide to living green in New York. Gay Browne, founder of Greenopia, and Ferris Kawar, Greenopia's vice president of sustainability, talk about the guide and how they researched it.

It's My Park: Sunset Park Schoolyard (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 16 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:11 GMT

As part of our series on city parks, today we ask the question: When is a park not just a park? When it's a schoolyard. John KixMiller, director of the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park's Neighborhood Center, talks about the role that the schoolyard plays in his community.

Green In The Garden State (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 15 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:05 GMT

WNYC reporters Bob Hennelly and Andrea Bernstein discuss the week's developments in the presidential campaign, including John McCain's recent visit to New Jersey and John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama.

Unraveling Traveling: Play To Your Strengths (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 15 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:32 GMT

Wendy Perrin, consumer news editor at Condé Nast Traveler, joins us every Thursday this May as part of our month-long series on travel. Today's topic: weak-dollar travel strategies. French Riviera too expensive? Consider laying your towel on a Croatian beach!

Have any questions for Wendy? Comment below!

Travel was the #1 suggestion in our Word of Wisdom segment.

Olympic Mettle (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 15 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:43 GMT

As China prepares for the Olympics, it must also consider its approach to the foreign press. Minky Worden, media director at Human Rights Watch and editor of China's Great Leap, and Ian Buruma, journalist, author, and professor of Democracy, Human Rights & Journalism at Bard College, discuss China's changing media strategy and other issues surrounding the games.

Event
Ian Buruma and Minky Worden are participating in a panel tomorrow at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Details can be found here.

A Polar-izing Issue (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 15 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:36 GMT

The polar bear is now listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to projections of melting sea ice at the pole. Is this a sign of a changing government position on global climate change? Andrew Wetzler, Director of the Endangered Species Project at the National Resources Defense Council, explains the significance.

It's My Park: Concrete Plant Park (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 15 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:28 GMT

In honor of the It's My Park! Day, a semi-annual Parks & Recreation Department event highlighting New Yorkers' local neighborhood parks, we'll take time in each the next five shows to appreciate a park in every borough. To start us off, Alexie Torres-Fleming, founder and executive director of Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, talks about the brand-new Concrete Plant Park in the South Bronx.

Political Wrap-Up (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 14 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:16 GMT

NPR senior political correspondent Juan Williams weighs in on the politics of the day.

Freegan in the Free World (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 14 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:16 GMT

Is it ever okay to eat out of the trash? Amanda Taylor, "The Conscientious Objector" columnist for L Magazine, examines the politics of what we throw away.

Curb Alert! Found Furniture (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 14 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:16 GMT

Thomas Wold, contributing editor and columnist at ReadyMade magazine talks about making the most out of found furniture.

Before You Buy Those New Kitchen Cabinets... (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 14 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:17 GMT

Justin Green, program director of Build It Green! NYC, talks about how to recycle building materials and why you should. Gearing up for a renovation? You'll want to hear this.

♥s and Minds (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:07 GMT

When the economy is shaky, tourism may be a necessary evil to kick start growth. Milton Glaser explains why he felt designing the "I ♥ NY" logo was his civic duty in similar tough times. Also, Thomas Ranese of Empire State Development explains why tourism makes dollars and sense for New York.

New York Needs to Get Some Game (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:52 GMT

Tara Colton, deputy director of Center for an Urban Future, authored a report that says New York City should do more for its video game industry. Wade Tinney, founding partner of Large Animal Games, talks about what it's like to be a gamer in the Big Apple.

Word of Wisdom (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:31 GMT

With a new crop of college graduates stepping out into the real world, we ask Brian Lehrer Show listeners to offer their one-word advice.

One.
Word.

Comment below!

Laws of Sodomy (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:12 GMT

William Eskridge, the John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence at Yale and author of Dishonorable Passions: Sodomy Laws In America, talks about his new book.

Relief for China (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:58 GMT

With a death toll teetering around 12,000 from the recent earthquake, China needs all the help it can get. Queens New York City Councilman John Liu discusses some ways New Yorkers can help.

Queens Poetry (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 13 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:12 GMT

This weekend brings the first Jackson Heights Poetry Festival. We get a preview from Sarah Heinemann, director of the festival and Ishle Park, former Poet Laureate of Queens.

Also: Send us your Queens-inspired poems. Email your poem to brianlehrershow@wnyc.org, and start each poem with the words “My Dream from Queens." Be sure to include your full name and a number where we can reach you; we'll have some listener-poets read their works on the air!

Rent Destabilized (The Brian Lehrer Show: Monday, 12 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:46 GMT

Gretchen Morgenson, assistant business and financial editor and columnist at The New York Times, and Ben Dulchin, deputy director of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development, discuss the impact of investment companies on New York’s rent stabilized housing stock.

Then, Frank Ricci of the Rent Stabilization Association, representing landlords of rent-regulated buildings, and Rob McCreanor, director of legal services at the Immigrant Tenant Advocacy Project of the Catholic Migration Office in Sunnyside, Queens.

Open Phones: Eric Gioia, Queens Councilmember (D-26), is holding hearings on this issue. Do you live in a building that’s recently been bought with venture capital, with landlords such as Vantage, Normandy Partners, The Dermot Company, Westbrook Partners or the Dawny Day Group? Talk to Councilman Gioia about your experience.

Out of the Shadows (The Brian Lehrer Show: Monday, 12 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:51 GMT

Terrie Williams, author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting talks about her book, and PBS's upcoming special Depression: Out of the Shadows.

EVENT: Terrie Williams will be participating in a panel discussion alongside Larkin McPhee, director of Depression: Out of the Shadows, this Thursday at 7:30 at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater at the West Side YMCA (5 West 63rd Street). Event is free - for more information call 212-981-5298.

In Vito Veritas (The Brian Lehrer Show: Monday, 12 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:42 GMT
Representative Vito Fossella faces an uncertain future. We discuss the latest and the larger question of private life and public performance with Richard M. Flanagan, Associate Professor of Political Science at College of Staten Island.

A New Day for Newsday? (The Brian Lehrer Show: Monday, 12 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:34 GMT
Rick Edmonds, media business analyst for the Poynter Institute, a non-profit school for journalists, and Vishesh Kumar, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, talk about Cablevision's purchase of Newsday.

McCain's Man (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:15 GMT
Robert Kagan, a chief foreign policy adviser to John McCain, shares his thoughts on the current election and his latest book, The Return of History and the End of Dreams.
If you can't see the video click here

Follow Up Friday: Commodities Speculation (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:36 GMT
A commenter on our website chided us for not exploring the connection between speculation in the commodities market and the world-wide food crisis. We follow up and explore this under-the-radar factor with James Galbraith, Professor of Government at the University of Texas.

Fossella's Future (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:36 GMT
Staten Island Representative Vito Fossella (R) is immersed in personal scandal. What will this mean for the political future of his district? Baruch College Professor Doug Muzzio provides analysis.

K.I.T <3 M.O.M (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:33 GMT
With their families scattered across the country, moms are turning to Facebook, txt messages, and other social networking technologies to keep in touch with the kids. Michelle Slatalla writes the column Cyberfamilias for the New York Times, and explains what's changing in the tech-savvy family.

Live Wires (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:33 GMT
Pete Edwards, founder of casper electronics, explains the art of circuit bending: taking instruments and re-purposing them to make new, innovative sounds.

Follow-Up Friday: Where the Grocery Stores Aren't (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:15 GMT
Linda Gibbs, New York City's deputy mayor of health and human services, and José Serrano, New York State Senator (D, 28th district), talk about why so many supermarkets seem to be closing. Then, John Catsimatidis, the CEO of the Red Apple Group and Gristedes Foods, weighs in.

FUF: Educated Perspective (The Brian Lehrer Show: Friday, 09 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:38 GMT
We follow up on a segment earlier this week about the role of middle-income parents in helping their local public schools. Eva Moskowitz, a former City Council member, founder of the Harlem Success Academy, and mother of public-school kids, gives us her take.

Resignation Machination (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 08 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:48 GMT
With Hillary Clinton on the ropes, we take a look at what the next few days and weeks have in store. Marie Cocco, columnist for the Washington Post Group offers her thoughts, as well as some historical perspective on how candidates have dropped out of past elections.

Majority Opinion (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 08 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:13 GMT
Senate majority leader Harry Reid discusses his path from a small Nevada town to the halls of Washington, as outlined in his new book The Good Fight. He also weighs in on the primary race and the future of the Democratic party.

Unraveling Traveling: Are We There Yet? (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 08 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:44 GMT
Wendy Perrin, consumer news editor at Condé Nast Traveler, joins us every Thursday this May as part of our month-long series on travel. Today's topic: travel with children. Wendy is accompanied today by writer and former flight attendant Hollis Gillespie, the travel columnist for Paste magazine and author of the forthcoming book Trailer Trashed: My Dubious Efforts Toward Upward Mobility.

Where would you like to go with your kids this summer? Have any questions for Wendy or Hollis? Comment below!

Survival, Overrated? (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 08 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:06 GMT
Surviving an ordeal with breast cancer can lead to life-changing epiphanies -- or not. Shelley Lewis, news producer and author of Five Lessons I Didn't Learn From Breast Cancer (And One Big One I Did), tells us her story and the value of revelation-free survival.

Myanmar Update: Getting Help Through (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 08 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:33 GMT
As remote villages continue to struggle without food, water, and medicine, the death toll from the Myanmar cyclone is still climbing fast -- and the government is hindering aid organizations from sending personnel and supplies. Maureen Aung-Thwin, director of the Burma Project Southeast Asia Initiative at the Open Society Institute, checks in to update us on relief efforts and tell us the best way for us to help.

A Gut Feeling About China (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 08 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:33 GMT
Fuchsia Dunlop, Chinese-trained cook, food writer, and author of Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China, explains what she calls "the texture frontier" and talks about how Chinese cuisine is changing from chi bao (“eating to fill your belly”) to chi qiao ("eating skillfully").

Primary Results (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 07 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:47 GMT
WNYC Political Director Andrea Bernstein and Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University, review the Democratic presidential primary results from Indiana and North Carolina.

NYPD: Stop and Search Record at Record High (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 07 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:24 GMT
NYPD officers set a record of stop and frisk searches for 2008. The number has left some questioning if some of those searches are racially motivated. New York Post reporter Leonardo Blair says he fell victim to racial profiling last year. His case has since attracted the attention of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU, explains the suit against the NYPD and the City of New York.

Update: Sean Bell Ruling (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 07 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:47 GMT
Today, organized "pray-ins" are scheduled for six locations around New York City. Coordinated by Reverend Al Sharpton, these demonstrations aim to draw attention to last weeks ruling involving the death of Sean Bell. New York State Senator Eric Adams and President of the Citizen's Crime Commission Richard Aborn discuss the latest.

Ousted Principal Responds (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 07 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:17 GMT
Debbie Almontaser is the former head of Khalil Gibran International Academy, New York City's first Arabic-language public school. She's currently seeking reinstatement as principal in the wake of controversy surrounding the school's curriculum.

A Mother's Story (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 07 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:24 GMT
Mary Tillman, mother of former NFL-player Pat Tillman, discusses her investigation into her son's friendly-fire death in Afghanistan. Her new book is Boots on the Ground By Dusk.

Event: Mary Tillman will be speaking tonight at 7pm, Barnes and Noble at 82nd and Broadway. Details can be found here.
If you can't see the video click here

Open Phones: The Brighter Side (The Brian Lehrer Show: Wednesday, 07 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:09 GMT
Listeners give their take on the happier things in life. With all the tough issues we hit today, tell us something to lift our spirits!

The Al Qaeda Doctrine (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 06 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:44 GMT
Gilles Kepel, professor and chair of middle east studies at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris and co-editor of Al Qaeda in its Own Words, talks about the evolution of Al Qaeda through some of the key texts of the major figures from whom Al Qaeda has drawn its direction.

Open Phones: Buyer's Remorse (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 06 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:10 GMT
As Democrats in Indiana and North Carolina go to the polls, do you wish you could change your vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama? Tell us what you think!

Meet Johnny Bunko (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 06 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:10 GMT
Daniel Pink, the author of The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need, imparts--via manga--what he says are the six career secrets no one ever bothered to tell you.

What Does China Think? (The Brian Lehrer Show: Tuesday, 06 May 2008)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:32 GMT
Do 1.3 billion minds think alike? Mark Leonard, author of What Does China Think?, illuminates a political spectrum that we don't often see.