Category

Journalism

Environment, Journalism, Non Fiction, Science, Social Issues

Jun 26: The Parrot & The Igloo with NYT Bestselling Author David Lipsky

June 26, 2024

Climate and the Science of Denial

The Parrot and the Igloo with author David Lipsky

“Lipsky spins top-flight climate literature into cliffhanger entertainment.” ~ The New York Times

He’s known as a writer who finds the stories behind the stories. In The Parrot And The Igloo: Climate And The Science Of Denial, David Lipsky explores how the virulent “anti-science” movement in America was no accident. It was planned, programmed, and paid for.

Today, David Lipsky shares why he describes his book as a story about ingenuity and folly. We look at some of the inventors who created our world. Scientists who sounded warning bells. Why Mark Mills is one of David’s favorite people in this story. How we went from being a country that supported science, to a population divided into science supporters versus science deniers, hucksters, and propagandists.

We learn when, how, and why planned “denial” movements began (think Christmas 1953 and cigarette companies). And who won the casting call to become the first Celebrity Doubter and “paid voice” behind the massive Climate Denial Campaign.

Meet Bestselling Author David Lipsky

David Lipsky is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Absolutely American and Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself, the basis for the movie The End of the Tour. He’s written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Harper’s Magazine, and is a recipient of the National Magazine Award and the GLAAD Media Award. His work has appeared in The Best American Short Stories and The Best American Magazine Writing anthologies. Lipsky teaches writing and literature at NYU and lives in New York City. The Parrot And The Igloo is a NYT Editors’ Choice, a New Yorker and Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2023, and a USA Today Must Read.

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Journalism, Non Fiction, Social Issues

May 22: Untold Stories of Today’s Most Secretive, Invisible, Government-Backed Market with Nicole Perlroth

May 22, 2024

This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends with Author Nicole Perlroth

Cyber security, sabotage, and digital espionage expert Nicole Perlroth joins us with a big wake-up call. This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyber Weapons Arms Race might read like fiction, but it’s all fact, and author Nicole Perlroth shares untold stories of today’s most secretive, invisible, government-backed market.

Nicole sheds light on who is involved in cyber warfare and what they do – including why and how the United States Goverment is one of the biggest customers of hacked information. We look at why Russia targeted cyber attacks on Ukraine before it invaded on land, and why it continues to apply cyber attacks. Nicole explains what Zero Day means and the impact of the Zero Day Market … and that segues into why cyber security is national security. We also share the single, most important thing you should do today, to protect yourself and your data.

Meet Nicole Perlroth

This Is How They Tell me The World Ends: They Cyber Weapons Arms Race is a New York Times bestseller, earned the Business Book of the Year Award, and was shortlisted for the McKinsey and Financial Times Best Book Award. Nicole Perlroth was the lead cybersecurity, digital espionage, and sabotage reporter at The New York Times for a decade, where her work earned Nicole a Pulitzer Prize nomination, and was optioned for film and television. Nicole is a regular lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Today, she increasingly prefers life off the grid.

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Journalism, Non Fiction, Social Issues

May 22: This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends with Nicole Perlroth

March 22, 2023

The Cyber Weapons Arms Race – What You Need to Know & Do Today!

This is How They Tell Me the World Ends with Author Nicole Perlroth

If you think cyber attacks won’t or can’t impact you, Nicole Perlroth joins us today to say they can, they will, and they probably already have whether or not you know it.

Nicole Perlroth’s new book shares untold stories of the cyberweapons market, the most secretive, invisible, government-backed market today. We discuss how the US is involved. How and why Russia plagued Ukraine with cyber attacks before they attacked on land. And the single, most important thing you can do, to protect yourself and your data.

About Nicole Perlroth

Nicole Perlroth was the lead cybersecurity, digital espionage, and sabotage reporter at The New York Times for a decade, where her work was optioned for film and television. She’s a regular lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Today, she increasingly prefers life off the grid. This Is How They Tell me The World Ends is Nicole’s first book, and a New York Times bestseller.

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Journalism, Non Fiction, Social Issues

Feb 15: The Least of Us with Sam Quinones

February 15, 2023

True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth

Sam Quinones, The Least of US

The Least of Us by Sam Quinones

Journalist, Sam Quinones, first traveled across America to report on the opioid epidemic that’s ravaged so many people’s lives.

Since then synthetic drugs have become an even bigger problem. So Quinones hit the road again, to examine a new generation of what he calls magic-bullet drug traffickers and a painkiller more than 100 times more powerful than morphine.

We talk today about the crisis being caused by fentanyl and methamphetamine, and the counterfeit pills causing thousands of deaths. Sam also shares stories of hope — of how ordinary Americans across the nation are uniting to fight the drug epidemic in their own communities to make a difference.

About Sam Quinones

Sam Quinones is a journalist, storyteller, former LA TIMES reporter, and the author of four acclaimed books of narrative nonfiction, including The New York Times bestseller and National Book Critics Circle Award winner, Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic. Quinones’ new book is The Least of US: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth.

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History, Journalism, Non Fiction

Jan 18: The Nazi Conspiracy with #1 NYT Bestselling Author Brad Meltzer

January 18, 2023

The Nazi Conspiracy_BradMeltzer_ConversationsLiveVickiStClairThe Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill

Brad Meltzer’s books are full of twist and turns, intriguing characters, and little known historical details. And it’s those delicious details that make The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill so compelling.

Brad shares how he discovered this true Nazi assasination plot that, had it not been thwarted, would have changed the world. We discuss what surprised him most during his research, how this part of history informs today’s landscape, why Brad says we need to feel uncomfortable, and much more.

 

About Brad Meltzer

BRAD MELTZER is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and over ten other bestselling thrillers, as well as the Ordinary People Change the World series. He is also the host of the History Channel TV shows “Brad Meltzer’s Decoded” and “Brad Meltzer’s Lost History,” which he used to help find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero. Brad coauthored The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill with JOSH MENSCH – a bestselling author and award-winning TV documentary producer.

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Biography, History, Journalism, Non Fiction

Dec 07: The Pirate’s Wife with Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos

December 7, 2022

The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd

Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos’ fascination with pirates focuses on the women behind those pirates. In The Pirate’s Wife, Daphne shares insight into the life of Sarah Kidd, and what it meant to be married to the infamous Captain William Kidd.

We take a peek into piracy and privateering in colonial America and discuss how the once respectable Kidd became a pirate; and why pirates were originally welcomed.  Daphne also reveals who Sarah was, her role, what drove her, and the big question we all want to know: Where is the treasure?

About Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos

Dr. Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos is a historian, journalist, and author who’s spent the past 15 years, researching pirates, their lives, and their wives.  The Pirate’s Wife – The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd is Daphne’s second book (narrative nonfiction). Her writing on history, business, science, health, fitness, education, museums, parenting, philanthropy, and lifestyles has appeared in many major outlets, including The New York Times, the Washington Post, and Southern Living.

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Journalism, Memoir, Non Fiction

Sep 21: Rebel with a Clause – Ellen Jovin

September 21, 2022

Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian

Ellen Jovin‘s journey of almost 30,000 miles around America began outside her Manhattan apartment, with a folding table, and a sign saying GRAMMAR TABLE. From lawyers , couples, and families, to  writers, students, and rappers, passers-by had questions for Ellen — and she had answers.

But how did this take Ellen to 49 cities and towns, by five modes of transport? We discuss why people stopped by the Grammar Table, how that led to the  documentary film and Ellen’s book. And why this isn’t just about words, language, and grammar, but connection, community and — yes — sometimes just wanting to be right.

About Ellen Jovin

Ellen Jovin is the author of four books on language, and a cofounder of Syntaxis, a communication skills training consultancy. She has a B.A. in German studies, an M.A. in comparative literature …  and studied 25 languages just for fun. Her latest book is Rebel with a Clause: Tales and Tips from a Roving Grammarian.

 

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Creativity, Journalism, Non Fiction, Science

AUG 10: Matt Richtel’s Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul

August 10, 2022

Harness Your Creativity Through Inspiration

Few things in a creator’s life cause more frustration than staring at an empty page or blank canvas in search of that spark of inspiration.  Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Matt Richtel weaves scientific evidence with insight from great creators and his own personal experiences to help you discover how to optimize your creative potential.

“Creative people actually physically see more of the world,” says Richtel.  We talk about The Muse and Hope.  How impact and openness are vital components of creativity.  Why intelligence doesn’t always factor into creativity.  How anyone can become more creative. And more delicious insight from  Inspired: Understanding Creativity, A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.

About Matt Richtel

Narrative storyteller and New York Times Science reporter Matt Richtel was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series on distracted driving. He’s authored three narrative nonfiction books, several novels, and a daily comic strip. His latest book is Inspired: Understanding Creativity, A Journey Through Art, Science, and the Soul.

Catch our previous podcast with Matt Richtel right here A Deadly Wandering.

 

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Journalism, Memoir, Non Fiction, Travel & Adventure

Jul 13: A Hard Place to Leave: Stories from a Restless Life with Marcia DeSanctis

July 13, 2022

Travel journalist of the year reveals the push-pull tension between home and away

What did travel writers do when their wanderings were halted during COVID lockdown? Marcia DeSanctis sorted through a decade’s body of work to compile her new book  A Hard Place to Leave: Stories from a restless life.

We discuss some of Marcia’s adventures and insights into being a travel writer. Why the desert is her sweet spot. How she balances her introverted self with writing open honest personal stories – including the search for her way back after falling in love with another man. And, how Marcia finds stories that resonate while traveling the globe.

About Marcia DeSanctis

Marcia DeSanctis is a Contributing Writer at Travel + Leisure, and writes essays and stories for Vogue, Town & Country, Departures, BBC Travel, and many other publications. She received the 2021 Grand Solas Award for Travel Story of the Year, and has received 5 Lowell Thomas Awards for excellence in travel journalism, including one for Travel Journalist of the Year. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of 100 Places in France every Woman Should Go … and the book we talk about today, A Hard Place to Leave Place to Leave: Stories from a restless life. 

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Health & Wellness, Journalism, Non Fiction, Psychology, Science, Self-help

JUL 06: Caroline Williams with MOVE

July 6, 2022

How the Science of Body Movement Can Set Your Mind Free

If you hate working out, loathe gong to the gym, listen up!  New science shows how even simple movement can boost your mental health.

Journalist Caroline Williams interviews Nobel prize winning scientists, yoginis, athletes, and health experts and learned that while going to the gym is great, it may not be the best solution for you.

We share how stretching lifts the draining effects of an overactive immune system. What dance can do for your emotional literacy. How core strength can help control stress and anxiety. And why emotional resilience is strengthened by physical strength.

About Caroline Williams

Veteran science journalist Caroline Williams says “I like talking almost as much as I like writing”. She has produced radio programs and reports for the BBC, across Science, Natural History, and Children’s Radio. Caroline writes regularly for New Scientist magazine, and her work’s been featured in the Boston Globe, BBC Earth, and the Guardian. She was co-presenter of the New Scientist podcast. Move! How the Science of Body Movement Can Set Your Mind Free is Caroline’s second book.

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