Mental Health Stories with Sarah Fawn Montgomery
Air Dates: April 8 – 14, 2019 Millions of Americans live with mental illness every day. Sarah Fawn Montgomery is a poet and author who explores the stigmas and biases associated with mental illness—both historically and today. Her book, Quite Mad: An American Pharma Memoir details Montgomery’s personal experience in coping with the challenges that come with mental illness. In her experience, care proved to be a trial and error … Read More
70 Years of NATO Makes us Stronger
I’m in Washington, DC, for the 70th anniversary of the Washington Treaty—the treaty that founded the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949. I was a guest of Senator Whitehouse at the address by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to a joint session of Congress. The day resonated with me on multiple levels: as a historian—who is mindful that alliances take willpower to make work; and as a defense-geek who appreciates … Read More
Ludes and Miller Honored with “History Starts Here” Award
Join the Newport Historical Society on Thursday, June 20th, at 4:o0pm at the Colony House, Washington Square, Newport, RI to celebrate making history today in a new annual award program. This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP on NewportHistory.org or by calling 401-846-0813 x110. The Newport Historical Society has initiated a new awards program which builds upon its interest in how historical perspectives help us think … Read More
Digital Media with Elisa Kreisinger
Air Dates: April 1-7, 2019 We live in a golden age of digital media content. From pod-casts to blogs and online programs, there’s never been so much competition for the information consumer’s attention. “Pop culture pirate,” Elisa Kreisinger brings humor and a mastery of pop culture to some of today’s most pressing issues. Kreisinger is a writer, producer, and podcaster who sees digital media as a wonderfully accessible if financially-trying … Read More
Technically True, but Spin
In 2005, the United States Department of Defense announced a list of excess military bases that it wanted to close as part of a cost-saving measure. Anyone who has lived near a closed base will appreciate that this is an incredibly disruptive thing for communities who lose an important employer, community members, both in uniform and their families, and a source of pride—an operational military unit in their home-town that … Read More
Healthcare Through a Doctor’s Eyes with Helen Ouyang, MD
Air Dates: March 25-31, 2019 Public understanding of healthcare is driven principally by our own personal experience—and that of our loved ones—with doctors, nurses, and hospitals—and for many, it can feel overwhelming. Dr. Helen Ouyang is an emergency room doctor at one of America’s best hospitals, but admits she found it difficult to access the healthcare system when she had her own health scare. Helen Ouyang, M.D., M.P.H., is an … Read More
Special Counsel; Independent Thinking
There is a competition underway to condition the American public’s response, in advance, to whatever Special Counsel Robert Mueller ultimately reports. For the president and his allies, the message has been consistent: it’s a “witch hunt.” For Democrats, after championing the integrity of Mueller’s investigation for months, there seems to be an effort, now, to manage expectations. The president’s use of the term “witch hunt” in relationship to the Mueller … Read More
Tearing Down Institutional Racism with Darnisa Amante
Air Dates: March 18-24, 2019 Schools across America face an increasingly diverse student population while deep-seated institutional biases endure. Darnisa Amante argues that successful leaders who dig deep and unpack their own experiences with race and bias can help tear down the barriers of institutional racism and make schools better. Dr. Darnisa Amante is an educational and racial equity strategist who is deeply committed to the study of culture; innovation; … Read More
Of Bull Elephants and Mentors
In the late 1990s, juvenile elephants were killing white rhinos in the game preserves in South Africa. Park rangers were mystified. As they grappled with what to do—including killing several of the offending elephants—the rangers stumbled on a thought: the juvenile elephants had been culled from their original herds and released into new parks without being socialized by older elephants. In effect, they hadn’t learned how to behave properly as elephants. So the … Read More
Technology vs. Democracy with Llewellyn King
Air Dates: March 12-17, 2019 Democracy relies on facts, accurately reported and commonly understood—and journalists play an essential role in building that shared body of knowledge. Llewellyn King argues that technological change is placing great strain on our democratic societies. Llewellyn King is the creator, executive producer and host of “White House Chronicle,” a weekly news and public affairs program, airing nationwide on more than 200 PBS and public, educational … Read More