Talk of the Nation

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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.

Find more information about Talk of the Nation.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

What's At Stake In Hotspots Across The Globe

In Mali, the French continue air strikes to stop the advance of armed Islamist rebels in the north. In Syria, the death toll continues to rise, and in Afghanistan, questions remain about the ongoing transition of power. In all three regions, opportunities for current or future U.S. involvement is uncertain.

Letters: Prescription Drug Overdoses And Hashtags

NPR's Celeste Headlee reads listener comments on previous show topics, including accidental deaths from prescription drug overdoses and the rise of Twitter's hashtag.

On King's 84th Birthday, His 'I Have A Dream' Speech

Today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 84 years old. As is our annual tradition, we take a moment to reflect on his legacy, by replaying his "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Shifts In Race Relations Since Obama's Election

President Barack Obama's election in 2008, sparked many discussions about how race relations would change in the United States. Many Americans hoped that the election of a black man to the highest office would provide opportunities for breakthroughs in racial equality and understanding.

Self-Tracking: Becoming Your Own Big Brother

How was your workout? Did you sleep well? How far are you in that book? These questions used to be general queries. New apps and gadgets allow us to keep track of every minute detail of our daily movements and activities — a practice known as self-tracking.

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Big Picture: The Takeaway From 'Django Unchained'

Quentin Tarantino's latest film is proving to be one of his most controversial. Django Unchained has drawn admiration and condemnation from critics, and has sparked debates about history, race and violence. NPR's Celeste Headlee reads from a variey of opinion pieces about the film.

Florida's Python Problem: Snakes Reshape The Everglades

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched its first ever "Python Challenge." More than 800 hunters have registered for the month-long competition aimed at harvesting Burmese pythons. University of Florida professor Frank Mazzotti talks about the threat they present to the ecosystem of the Everglades.

The Accomplishments, Shortcomings Of Obama's First Term

President Obama will be officially sworn in and begin his second term as the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20. As Washington gears up for Inauguration Day, people across the country and the world are reflecting on what was gained and lost during Obama's first term.

Infectious Diseases: How They Spread, How To Stop Them

The flu season began early this year and has struck hard in many areas of the country. On Saturday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a public health emergency for the state of New York, and last week Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a similar emergency within the city of Boston.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Getting A Handle On Why Fingers Wrinkle

Why do your fingers get pruney after a long water bath? Only a handful of researchers (ever) have looked into the finger-wrinkling experience. Reporting in the journal Biology Letters, researchers make the case for finger wrinkles as treads — wet wrinkled fingers seem to grip better than wet smooth ones.

Simulating The Red Planet, On The Pale Blue Dot

What's it like to live--and cook--on Mars? To find out, researchers are simulating Mars missions in Russia, and on the slopes of a Hawaiian volcano. Kim Binsted talks about her study to whip up tastier space food. Porcini mushroom risotto, anyone? And sleep expert Charles Czeisler talks about how humans adapt to the 24.65-hour Martian day.

The Fallacies Of Fat

In his new book Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease, endocrinologist and obesity doc Robert Lustig deconstructs the mythology of fat. He says exercise, for all its benefits, won't help you shed pounds--and that fasting only worsens weight gain.

How E-Waste Is Becoming a Big, Global Problem

According to the EPA, more than 2.5 million tons of electronic waste, or e-waste, is produced each year in the U.S. Derek Markham, a contributing writer for Treehugger.com, discusses the global impacts, and why you should think twice before discarding your old cell phone.

Using Genetics to Target Cancer's Achilles' Heel

To develop more effective treatments for cancer, doctors are zeroing in on the disease's genetic drivers. John DiPersio, chief of oncology at Washington University Medical Center, and Merck's Gary Gilliland discuss how this may revolutionize the future of cancer treatment.

Pap Test May Detect More Than Just Cervical Cancer

Pap tests, which are routinely used to detect cervical cancer, may be capable of spotting ovarian and uterine cancers as well, according to a new paper published in Science Translational Medicine. Study co-author Luis Diaz, of Johns Hopkins, discusses the findings.

Pages

Arts & Culture

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

Food

NPR

Vertical 'Pinkhouses:' The Future Of Urban Farming?

Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers but rather, in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by super-efficient LEDs.

Politics

NPR

Oklahoma's GOP Senators Find Themselves In Tornado Aid Bind

Sens. Tom Coburn and James Inhofe have become the faces of pushback on federal emergency spending. Now the deadly and devastating tornado in their home state has put them in an awkward position.

Technology

NPR

Vertical 'Pinkhouses:' The Future Of Urban Farming?

Architects have come up with spectacular concepts for vertical farms that would grow crops in city skyscrapers. But many horticulturists think the future of vertical farming isn't in skyscrapers but rather, in large, indoor warehouses lit up magenta by super-efficient LEDs.

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Talk of the Nation

Arts & Culture

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

Food

Vertical 'Pinkhouses:' The Future Of Urban Farming?

Politics

Oklahoma's GOP Senators Find Themselves In Tornado Aid Bind

Technology

Vertical 'Pinkhouses:' The Future Of Urban Farming?

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