You probably have a bunch of them at home and maybe even one on your desk. But what do you know about the political power and history of the simple banana? We’ll explore that history and find out how the world’s favorite fruit may be endangered with Dan Koeppel, author of “Banana: The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World” (Plume Paperbacks, 2008).
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What are your plans for life after 50 and how do you view the process of aging? We’ll spend this hour with renowned sociologist Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, whose new book is “The Third Chapter: Passion, Risk, and Adventure in the 25 Years After 50” (Sarah Crichton Books/FSG, 2009).
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How important is a journalist’s understanding of religion and the role that faith plays in everyday life? We’ll talk this hour with veteran religion reporter Roberta Green Ahmanson, co-editor of the new collection “Blind Spot: When Journalists Don’t Get Religion” (Oxford, 2008).
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How involved should an artist be in the way a viewer experiences his or her art? We explored the social and theoretical implications of art in November with world-wide art and design phenom Olafur Eliasson, whose exhibit “Take Your Time” is on view now at the Dallas Museum of Art. Judith Garret Segura joined us during the Scene segment to discuss her media-biz history “Belo: From Newspapers to New Media” (UT Press, 2008).
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What is on the agenda for the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature? We’ll preview the upcoming session – which convenes on Tuesday the 13th – with State Senators Royce West and Florence Shapiro this hour.
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Can karaoke transform your life? We’ll spend this hour with Brooklyn journalist Brian Raftery who has written about his experience in the new book “Don’t Stop Believin’: How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed My Life” (Da Capo, 2008).
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What’s it like to be the President of the United States? We’ll explore the tightly controlled presidential enclave this hour with veteran journalist Elisabeth Bumiller whose piece “Inside the Presidency” appears in the January issue of National Geographic Magazine.
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Do you fantasize about an organized 2009? We’ll get tips on ordering and simplifying our hectic lives this hour with Mary Carlomagno, whose new book is “Secrets of Simplicity: Learn to Live Better with Less” (Chronicle Books, 2009).
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It’s an astounding but established fact that slavery is alive and well in the world today. And according to our guest this hour, sex slavery generates 40% of the world-wide profits of slavery today. Siddarth Kara will join us to discuss his research and new book “Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery” (Columbia, 2009).
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Does wisdom really come with age and experience? We’ll find out this hour with journalist and humor writer Henry Alford whose new book is “How to Live: A Search for Wisdom from Old People (While They are Still on This Earth)” (Twelve, 2009).
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Was there a scientific influence on the founding of American Democracy? We’ll talk this hour with Steven Johnson, who profiles the brilliant 18th Century British scientist, theologian and political philosopher Joseph Priestly in his new book “The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith Revolution, and the Birth of America” (Riverhead Books, 2009).
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How did America become a nation of nerves and a multi-billion dollar market for anti-anxiety drugs? We’ll spend this hour with Andrea Tone, Canada Research Chair in the Social History of Medicine at McGill University and author of the new book “The Age of Anxiety: A History of America’s Turbulent Affair with Tranquilizers” (Basic Books, 2009).
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