Weekday Podcast

Nevada GOP Caucus, Novelist Zakes Mda, And Folk Singer Andy Irvine

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:05:00 -0800

Nevada GOP Caucus Preview: Nevada holds its Republican presidential caucus tomorrow. We'll talk to students on the scene in Las Vegas for The Seattle Times' UW Election Eye to give us a picture of the voters and climate there.

Novelist Zakes Mda: As a boy, Zakes Mda had to follow his father into exile. His father was president of the African National Congress Youth League and expelled in 1963. The teenaged Mda, already a published writer in his native language, had to sneak across the border into Lesotho and was helped through the dangerous journey by his father's supporters. In a new memoir, the popular and award–winning South African novelist explores the racial, cultural and political tensions that shaped the South African independence movement.

Irish Music Legend Andy Irvine: Andy Irvine is a founding member of Planxty, the iconic Irish revival group of the 1970s. They pioneered use of guitars, mandolin and bouzouki alongside traditional uilleann pipes, and opened Irish music to a whole new audience. It's not exaggerating to call them revolutionary. Andy's a singer–songwriter too, and a collector of songs and tunes from all over the world. He's playing tonight at Dusty Strings in Fremont at 7:30 p.m. and he's with us this morning in our performance studio.

Your Take On The News

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:05:00 -0800

Once again it is Friday. Time to talk over the week's news. What stories caught your attention? What hasn't been covered enough? What makes your blood really boil? What's your take on the news?

Escapism, Farming, And Part-Time Veganism

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:05:00 -0800

State Considers Check On Public–Record Requests: Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit how government agencies respond to public–records requests. The proposal would allow government agencies to seek a court injunction if they can prove that a request creates a "significant burden." We'll hear from both sides.

David Schmader Checks Out: Seattle monologist David Schmader thinks it's no coincidence that the escapist amusements of reality television and viral videos coincided with the dawn of the war on terror. He embraced these escapist trends, along with much of the country, not only to avoid the horrors in the news, but also to escape from the reality of his HIV diagnosis. His new solo play, "A Short–Term Solution To A Long–Term Problem," explores politics, culture, existential crises and how they are intertwined in the American psyche — especially his own.

Farming For Sustainability: Kurt Timmermeister of Vashon Island's Kurtwood Farms makes Dinah's Farmstead Cheese and the upcoming Francesca's Cheese. He left Cafe Septieme and the day–to–day of the restaurant for the day–to–night–to–day work of the farm. He says farming can be a hard life, but one that teaches the value of the foods we eat and the effort it takes to produce them. His first book, "Growing A Farmer: How I Learned To Live Off The Land," is out in paperback now. He is working on a new book, "Growing A Feast."

Chef Maria Hines On Part–Time Veganism: So you want to eat less meat — maybe even fewer animal products overall — but going vegan ain't happening? How can you take your diet in a more plant–based direction while still sating your appetite for the flavors and textures you love in animal products? Omnivore Chef Maria Hines says her recent experiments with plant–based meals have resulted in less stress, better sleep, more energy, fat loss and a smaller grocery bill. She tells us how she handles her cravings in a vegan way, and the animal products she still gives in to. We'll get recipe tips, meal planning ideas and hear your questions and answers!

Grief, Trauma, And The Buzz Of The Big Game

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:05:00 -0800

Super Bowl Of Ads: It used to be that companies kept Super Bowl ads under wraps before the big game. Not anymore. Now companies kick off ad campaigns long before the first snap. It's all about the buzz. Tim Collins from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management joins us for some pre–game ad analysis.

Is Grief A Mental Disorder? The American Psychiatric Association is currently revising the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a tool used by clinicians to diagnose patients. Among the proposed changes is the inclusion of grief as a treatable disorder. Some psychologists disagree with the proposed change and say the definition is too broad. Should grief be classified as a mental disorder?

Does Reporting Harden Reporters? How does it affect their stories? In old movies, reporters often had "a nose for news and a taste for booze." University of Washington communications professor and former Seattle Times reporter Doug Underwood says that could be more than stereotype. He says many journalists use their work "as a ballast against their own inner turmoil," things like substance abuse, violence and mental illness. Underwood's new book, "Chronicling Trauma," explores the troubled pasts of many journalists who became fiction writers, from Ernest Hemingway to Charles Dickens to Kurt Vonnegut. Why would people with traumatic lives become journalists? Does it help them deal with their troubles, or steel them against trauma on the job? And what would lead such journalists to branch off into fiction? We examine the links between trauma and journalism.

Higher Ed Presidents, The US In Haiti With Kim Ives, Preparing For A Bigger Population

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:05:00 -0800

How Can Washington Students Access Affordable Higher Ed? Six college presidents from across Washington state will meet at Seattle's Town Hall Wednesday night to talk higher education funding. How can Washington state students access a high–quality, affordable education in the face in continued funding cuts at the state level? Three presidents from the panel join us.

The US In Haiti: Jean Bertrand Aristide, former Haitian president, has been highly critical of the UN and US efforts to rebuild Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Now, a new release of Wikilieaks documents reveal that the US was much more complicit in his 2004 overthrow than had previously been acknowledged. Journalist Kim Ives has been pouring over the documents and tells us what's in them on the next "Weekday."

How Can We Prepare For A Bigger Population? The world population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. How will the earth support the growing populace? Will there be enough food? Jonathan Foley is the director of the Institute on the Environment. He joins us with possible solutions to the environmental problems and food security issues we are facing.

Canada, Culture And Commerce: Vaughn Palmer, Robert Horton, Al Scott

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:05:00 -0800

Vaughn Palmer, political correspondent for The Vancouver Sun, brings us the latest in news from Canada. Film critic Robert Horton looks at movies with a political purpose: Are they more effective when they are subtle or overt? Then, Al Scott discusses the nation's economic climate.

The Florida Primary And A Chat Around The Water Cooler

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:05:00 -0800

Florida Primary: The primary is fast approaching in Florida. What will it mean for the race for the Republican presidential nomination? What are the voters saying?

Businesses Endorsing Gay Marriage: Microsoft, Nike and Starbucks have all announced their support for legalizing gay marriage in Washington over the last few weeks. What does same sex marriage have to do with big business anyway? What do companies gain by taking a stand on this issue? And why does Congress care what they think?

Around The Water Cooler: J.C. Penney is going all sales, all the time. Do you believe that? How does it change your perception of the retailer, vis–a–vis Wal–Mart or Target? Also, Seal and Heidi Klum are separating? How is it that we even know who they are or care that's happening to them? Are we simply brainwashed? Why are we so obsessed as a culture with the marriages of celebrities? These water cooler conversations do say something about our collective cultural consciousness, even in the fragmented media era we live in. Today, we are trying something new. We are asking you what really attracts your attention. What is fun, funny or just plain insipid? What do these moments say about our society and our place in it?

Weather Update: We'll get the weather and hiking update from Michael Fagin.

The Unexpected Pleasure Of Growing Old, And Gardening: 'Grow, Cook, Eat'

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:05:00 -0800

The European Summit: The European Summit looking at Greece's financial troubles was in full swing today. Will anything come of it? We'll get a live report from overseas.

The Lonely Wolf: A young gray wolf in California has become a worldwide celebrity. OR–7 was born in northeastern Oregon, but in September he left his pack to seek out a mate and a new territory. Since then, he has traveled hundreds of miles. He showed up recently just short of the Nevada border. We'll get an update from Mark Stopher. He's with California Fish and Game, and they've been following OR–7 by GPS.

Life Gets Better — The Unexpected Pleasure Of Growing Old: Maybe youth isn't wasted on the young. Maybe growing old has its own deep and rich rewards. Wendy Lustbader is a social worker and university professor focusing on aging. In her new book, "Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasure of Growing Old," Lustbader takes the reader on the inner journey of aging, often hidden but rich with insight, emotional growth and positive reflection. How are you finding aging? Is it a wonderful journey of discovery, or a painful process of decline? Or maybe a little of both? Share your stories.

'Grow, Cook, Eat': Gardening regular, Willi Galloway, joins us to talk about her new book "Grow, Cook, Eat." From mustard greens to melons, Willi tells us how to grow it, cook it and enjoy it.

European Summit, Local Housing Market, And A Moon Base?

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:05:00 -0800

European Summit Preview: There is another European Summit starting tomorrow. This time, the focus is on the troubles in Greece. Will they default or not? If they do, what happens then? Matt Fikse is in Brussels and joins us with a preview. Who is in on the talks and what action could come from the meeting?

The Local Housing Market: New home construction is beginning to make a comeback. Is that a good thing if you bought during the housing boom? What is your house actually worth now? What kind of home will sell best 10 years from now? Housing market news can be confusing. The market is up; next, it's down. What will the residential market look like over the next 12 months? Glenn Crellin of the UW Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies joins us to offer clarity.

This Day In History

Space And Politics: Do We Need A Moon Base? Newt Gingrich promises a moon colony during his second term if he is elected to presidential office. Is a moon base exciting enough to get Gingrich elected? What would be the purpose of such an installation? How does space exploration change under different administrations? What missions will we see if a Republican takes the presidential seat vs. what President Obama will do if he remains commander in chief?

Underwater Photographer, And Jonathan Evison's 'West Of Here'

webhelp@kuow.org (KUOW 94.9 Public Radio) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:05:00 -0800

Underwater Photography: National Geographic underwater photographer Brian Skerry has lived at the bottom of the ocean, plunged through Arctic ice and braved shark–filled waters to take pictures of the oceans' inhabitants. In the process, he's learned a lot about the threats to marine habitats and has become an advocate for conservation. We talk to him about his aquatic adventures, what people don't realize about the landscapes beneath the waves and his vision for protecting the world's marine resources.

Jonathan Evison, Author Of 'West of Here:' The novel "West of Here" is a conversation between epochs. Jonathan Evison brings us the settlers and the descendants of Port Bonita. This fictional town was founded amidst the rich forests on the Olympic Peninsula; it is full of can–do spirit of the 1800s. Today, there are clear–cut hillsides, rivers without salmon and a moss–tinged tedium. The dreamers and opportunists are still here, and still making the same mistakes. Steve Scher talks to novelist Jonathan Evison about his vision of the people of the Pacific Northwest on "Weekday."