Talk of the Nation

Schedule

88.5-3

Monday - Thursday

2:00 pm

When Americans want to be a part of the national conversation, they turn to Talk of the Nation, NPR's midday news-talk show.

Journalist Neal Conan leads a productive exchange of ideas and opinions on the issues that dominate the news landscape. From politics and public service to education, religion, music and health care, Talk of the Nation offers call-in listeners the opportunity to join enlightening discussions with decision-makers, authors, academicians, and artists from around the world.

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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Looking Ahead To The Future Of Syria's Crisis

To date, the civil war in Syria has claimed tens of thousands of lives and, according U.N. estimates, has caused more than a million refugees to flee to neighboring countries. As part of TOTN's "Looking Ahead" series, NPR foreign correspondent Deb Amos discusses where the conflict may go.

Inside The Cel: Behind The Scenes With Animators

The highly anticipated animated films Monsters University, Despicable Me 2 and Turbo hit theaters this summer. From cel technology to full-length, computer-animated, celebrity-studded movies, animation has come a long way.

The NSA, Verizon And The Future of Domestic Spying

According to a top-secret court order obtained by The Guardian, the National Security Agency has collected the phone records of millions of U.S. Verizon customers since late April. The Guardian's Spencer Ackerman explains the coming debate over the scale of domestic spying operations.

From 'RoboCop To 'Robot & Frank': Best RoboMovies Of All Time

Science fiction movies throughout time are populated with robots. But when it comes to films with a tight focus on robots only a handful may come to mind. In advance of Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim, TOTN's favorite film buff Murray Horwitz discusses the best robot movies of all time.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

After Protests, Evaluating Turkey's Role As A Democracy

What started as a small sit-in on Friday in Istanbul grew into a massive demonstration against the Turkish government. That government dismissed the demonstrators as extremists. Steven Cook, of the Council on Foreign Relations, talks about Turkey's changing role as a democracy in the region.

A Look Ahead To The Future Of The GOP

Since the 2012 election, Republican strategists and leaders have called for changes in the party's approach to voters. Some argue that the GOP must appeal to younger and more diverse demographics or risk losing congressional seats next November.

In 'TransAtlantic', Author Colum McCann Returns Home

Irish-American author Colum McCann has spent the better part of his life inhabiting others in his novels — from Russian ballet dancers to New York subway diggers. In TransAtlantic, he tells the story of his native country — its famine, its troubles, its emigrants and those who stayed.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Who Gets Asylum, Who Doesn't And How That May Change

Every year, thousands of immigrants come to the U.S. seeking protection from persecution or violence in their countries. Many groups have a hard time qualifying, based on the legal limits of asylum. New immigration legislation could change the process.

What's Next For The FBI: A New Generation Of Challenges

As Robert Mueller's tenure at the director FBI comes to a close, the Obama administration narrows the global war on terror. The White House is expected to nominate former deputy attorney general James Comey. The new leader will face a host of new challenges.

Obama Meets Xi: A Chance To Make History

President Barack Obama will meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping in California June 7-8. The rare, informal meeting offers an opportunity to discuss economic, security and environmental objectives. Douglas Paal, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discusses possible outcomes.

When It Snows Ash: Life In Wildfire Country

In Southern California, a massive wildfire, called the Powerhouse fire, has consumed 50 miles of land northwest of Los Angeles. California residents face wildfire season every year. Grist staff writer Susie Cagle talks about what it's like to live in wildfire country.

Letters: Prenatal Choices And The Power Of Apology

Guest host Ari Shapiro reads from listener comments on previous show topics, including the bliss of confusion, the power of apologies and difficult prenatal choices.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Bad Diagnosis For New Psychiatry "Bible"

The new edition of the DSM, the so-called "Bible" of psychiatry, is out. But many psychiatrists and psychologists say the manual's approach is outdated, boxing mental illness into discrete categories like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, when very little is known about the underlying causes of disease.

The SciFri Book Club Takes a Hike

The book club regulars gather to chat about the best-sellingA Walk in the Woods, writer Bill Bryson's 1998 account of a hiking trip along the Appalachian Trail. Plus, journalist Deborah Blum joins the club to talk about the best science books to stash in your beach bag (or backpack).

With Chemical Tweaks, Cement Becomes A Semiconductor

With the right chemistry, cement can take on some of the properties of a metal, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Chris Benmore, a physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, explains why a semiconducting cement might be useful.

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Talk of the Nation

Arts & Culture

Where's Jimmy Hoffa? Everywhere And Nowhere

Food

The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes

Politics

Obama's Unplanned NSA Discussion

Technology

Teens Find The Right Tools For Their Social-Media Jobs

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Talk of the Nation

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

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