Talk of the Nation

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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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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

'Talk Of The Nation' Remembers Folk Singer Richie Havens

Legendary folk singer Richie Havens died Monday at the age of 72. The Brooklyn-born singer is famous opening act at the 1969 Woodstock music festival. Talk of the Nation remembers him by listening back to a 2004 performance chat around the release of his 26th album Grace of the Sun.

How Chemical Weapons Could Change Strategy For Syria

British, French and Israeli officials say they have evidence that the Syrian government repeatedly used chemical weapons against civilians. Though the U.S. hasn't confirmed the allegations, the Obama administration previously said that the use of chemical weapons could provoke a stronger response.

Letters: Marathon Spectators, Governing During Crisis

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reads from listener comments on previous show topics, including the effects spectators have on marathon runners, the ways political leaders govern during crises and how ethnicity and identity intersect.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Robert Ballard: 50 Years Exploring Deep Waters

Deep-sea voyager Robert Ballard has discovered everything from 10-foot-tall tube worms to the Titanic on his ocean expeditions around the world. Ballard discusses his underwater finds and how new robotic technology allows scientists to explore the sea from ashore.

Breaking Into The 'Department Of Mad Scientists'

What happens when scientific research borders on science fiction? Michael Belfiore, author of the new book The Department of Mad Scientists, talks about the bizarre projects happening behind the scenes at DARPA — the secretive research arm of the Department of Defense.

Climate Change Takes Flight in New Novel

Writer Barbara Kingsolver is one of a handful of novelists with a science background, and she puts it to use in her new novel Flight Behavior. Kingsolver discusses the book and why she chose to look at the the issue of climate change in a fictional work set in rural Tennessee.

Oliver Sacks: Hallucinations

In his latest book Hallucinations, neurologist Oliver Sacks collects stories of individuals who can see, hear and smell things that aren't really there--such as strange voices, or collages of unrecognizable faces--and explores the disorders and drugs that can produce such illusions.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Malala: How A Young Girl Became A World Symbol

Fifteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai has become a symbol of hope for change in Pakistan and the world. Since her near-fatal shooting in 2012, her voice and reach has grown, as she speaks out against the Taliban's influence, and advocates for education for Pakistani youth.

Investigating Explosions And Chemical Threats

Explosions at the Boston Marathon, potentially ricin-laced letters intercepted en route to the White House and Sen. Roger Wicker, and an explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas have each prompted investigations. In each case, authorities sift through evidence to construct a timeline of events.

Navigating The Lines Between Ethnicity And Identity

Race and ethnicity influence nearly all aspects of American life. Matt Thompson, leader of NPR's race, ethnicity and culture team Code Switch, and Beverly Cross, professor of urban education at the University of Memphis, discuss how the relationship between ethnicity and identity morphs over time.

Boston: The Conversation In Arab-American And Muslim Communities

After the bombings in Boston, law professor Khaled Beydoun was gripped by the fear that the culprit would be found to be an Arab or Muslim American. Since Sept. 11, 2001, he says this anxiety has become quite familiar in Arab and Muslim communities, and that has transformed the grieving process.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

What We Know About 'The Act Of Terrorism' In Boston

Less than 24 hours after two explosions rocked the finish line at the Boston Marathon and there are still more questions than answers about what happened. Three people were killed and more than 170 were injured. The FBI is investigating the event as an act of terrorism.

Separating Social Media's Fact From Fiction Amid Crisis

In the moments following the twin explosions at the Boston Marathon, many of the initial reports disseminated through social media proved to be false. Jeremy Stahl, social media editor for Slate.com, shares his rules for social media responsibly in the midst of tragic, breaking news.

The Kindness Of Strangers After The Tragedy In Boston

In the hours after the Boston Marathon bombings, social media was alight with offers of assistance — from restaurants inviting guests to pay what they could, to Bostonians offering couches and inflatable mattresses to anyone who needed a place to stay.

The Immigration Bill's Chances In Congress

The Senate's Gang of Eight will roll out comprehensive immigration reform legislation Wednesday. The law is expected to create a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million individuals living in the U.S. illegally, beef up border security and enhance the country's legal immigration system.

Pages

Arts & Culture

NPR

Fictional 'Mothers' Reveal Facts Of A Painful Adoption Process

After years trying to conceive, novelist Jennifer Gilmore and her husband decided to adopt. What they thought would be a relatively simple process was instead a long and painful one. In her latest novel, Gilmore channels these autobiographical experiences into fiction.

Food

NPR

How Genomics Solved The Mystery Of Ireland's Great Famine

Although scientists have known that a funguslike organism caused the potato blight that triggered the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s, they didn't know which strain was the culprit. But they do now, thanks to the genes in some 19th century potato samples.

Politics

NPR

Oregon's Cash-Strapped Counties Reject Public Safety Levies

Two Oregon counties have reportedly rejected property tax increases that would have funded law enforcement and public safety services. The counties once received federal timber subsidies, but those days are over — and now they're scrambling to pay for essential services.

Technology

NPR

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.

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Talk of the Nation

Arts & Culture

Fictional 'Mothers' Reveal Facts Of A Painful Adoption Process

Food

How Genomics Solved The Mystery Of Ireland's Great Famine

Politics

Oregon's Cash-Strapped Counties Reject Public Safety Levies

Technology

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

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