News Nerds: Recent Episodes
News Nerds
News Nerds will take you on a journey throughout the world with the latest news, interesting interviews, and spectacular stories... listen weekly-on Wednesdays-to News Nerds with your host Ezra Graham!
This week, we continue to hear from the candidates running to be Montana’s next governor. Libertarian Kaiser Leib worked as a software developer before starting his stand up comedy production company in Helena. We’ll talk today about how he views taxation, transgender rights, and climate change and how tangible libertarian ideals really are. After last week’s presidential debate, it was interesting to hear what the inner structures of the libertarian party look like. Leib speaks to the question of what political parties should be, commenting that when the libertarian party focuses on winning elections, they compromise their message.
I don’t have anything scheduled regarding the Biden campaign and its struggles after last Thursday’s debate, but if you have any questions or interview recommendations, please reach out. Also check out reporting from past News Nerds guests including the NYTimes's Peter Baker.
We have reached out to Governor Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate, and continue to ask for an interview.
Ezra
From 1995 to 2020, Ryan Busse worked in the gun industry as the vice president of sales for Kimber America. This sparked his 2021 book, Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, and a period in his life when he began to question his political beliefs. His sons were 2 of the 16 plaintiffs in Held v. Montana, a landmark climate lawsuit fought against the state government that alleged state agencies have implemented policy in violation of the right to a "clean and healthful environment," which was ratified into the 1972 Montana State Constitution. A state court sided with the plaintiffs and struck down two state laws preventing agencies from considering the climate impacts of proposed projects.
Busse announced his candidacy for governor against incumbent republican, Greg Gianforte in 2023 and tapped Raph Graybill as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Graybill is a lawyer based in Helena and has argued 12 lawsuits against the Gianforte administration. He’s won cases related to abortion and mail ballot access. He was former Democratic governor Steve Bullock’s chief legal counsel and ran for Attorney General in 2020. During his time with the Bullock administration, Raph worked at the Department of Military Affairs chairing the Montana State Emergency Response Commission.
We have reached out to Governor Gianforte for an interview and are waiting for a response
Ezra
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During the pandemic, I learned to love cooking. I picked up a copy of the Art of Simple Cooking ad started experimenting with salad dressings, pie dough, and breads. My guest today is who I have to thank for that. Alice Waters built her restaurant, Chez Panisse, off of the food culture in France, where she visited at 19, and the values of Maria Montessori. Waters focused on organic, local, and seasonal produce and paid the farmers - not the distributors - the price for their crops. In 1995, Alice founded the Edible Schoolyard Project, an initiative that engages students in growing and cooking their own food as part of school curriculum. Today, Chez Panisse remains at its original location in Berkeley after 50 years. Since the last time we talked in March of 2021, Alice opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles called Lulu with the former head chef at Chez Panisse, David Tanis, announced the creation of the Alice Water Institute for Edible Education at UC Davis, and wrote a book. She shared with us today that she’s organizing an event called Climate, Food, Hope on the National Mall this October before the presidential elections.
As you might have guessed, I won’t be publishing episodes as frequently as once a week anymore; I’ve gone into high school but still want to bring important conversations like this to you every few months.
Ezra
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Hi,
Technically we're off for the summer, but it's fun to break rules.
Today, a conversation about religion, parenting, acting, and comedy with David Cross. Cross is best known for partnering with Bob Odenkirk in the 1990s to create Mr. Show, and acting in shows and movies such as Arrested Development, where he played the Tobias Funke, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, where he played the villainous Ian Hawke. That might be true, but he’s also thought a lot about his place in religion from an early age when he began to feel doubt about Judaism. He also has a daughter and is currently on the Worst Daddy In The World tour. Just a note: my WIFI wasn’t too good, so apologies for any delays or sound issues.
Ezra
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Today we talk to forensic pathologist Werner Spitz. Dr. Spitz is 96 but shows no signs of retirement. As we’ll find out, he wouldn’t even want to retire on his 100th birthday in 2026. Spitz was born in what was then Germany and is now Poland in 1926 to a Jewish family and moved to France early in Hitler’s rise to power. The family moved to Israel, where Spitz would later receive an MD. After he moved to the U.S., Werner worked as a forensic pathologist in Maryland and in Michigan, where he’s based now. Over his career, Spitz has worked on the cases of JFK, MLK, JonBenet Ramsey, Nicole Brown Simpson, and others. He’s also a coauthor of the textbook, Medicolegal Investigation of Death, an over 700 page tome written to help new forensic pathologists and the police. The book’s in its fifth edition, it now contains color photographs, and has gotten rave reviews from many, including David Sedaris. We’ll talk about the structure of forensic pathology, Werner’s family, and his career.
We'll be starting our annual summer hiatus soon.
Ezra
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This week, the search for the perfect interview. Public Radio host Barbara Bogaev will join us to talk about her experience growing up in Philadelphia listening to Fresh Air with Terry Gross to eventually guest hosting the show. Bogaev also hosted the radio documentary series Soundprint and Weekend America. She has also guest hosted Marketplace Weekend and programs at KCRW in Santa Monica. Today, we'll talk about the night in which she may or may not have been drinking and landed a job in radio, her thoughts on what makes radio good, and how she became a suspected terrorist and inadvertently helped to burn down a sheepherder’s hut in Morocco in a unseasonably strong blizzard.
Ezra
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I think it’s rare for a biography to be so well written that almost every aspect of a figure’s life is detailed. My guest today, Jonathan Eig, seems to have done just that and managed to keep my attention for more than 600 pages. Jonathan is the author of 5 other nonfiction books, as well as 4 children’s books. He was also a reporter. His upcoming book, King: A Life, chronicles the rise of Martin Luther King Jr., from his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia, where his father served as a preacher at the Ebenezer Baptist church, to his time organizing the civil rights movement from the Montgomery bus boycott to the March on Washington. Today, we’ll talk about King’s education, the father-son relationship, the events of the civil rights movement, and King’s legacy. Eig’s book will be published on the sixteenth.
Ezra
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Today, a conservative view of the April 4th Trump indictment brought by Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg. My guest today, Peter Ticktin, was a lawyer for Donald Trump who worked on a legal case against the Clinton campaign, the DNC, and other Democrats. Ticktin and the other lawyer working on the case argued that the Clinton campaign leveraged accusations relating to Russian election collusion against the former president as the 2016 election progressed. The team of attorneys were fined more than 50,000 dollars for their work on the case based on a judge's ruling that the legal claims were only "political grievances." Ticktin also wrote a book called, What Makes Trump Tick: My Years with Donald Trump from New York Military Academy to the Present, which explains his experience as Trump's classmate at the academy. We'll talk to Ticktin about Trump's indictment and arraignment, his legal practice, and his personal views.
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When a gunman killed 20 first graders and 6 educators on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School, many called for bipartisan action. My guest today will explain that this action never really came and in addition, conspiracy theorists including Alex Jones spread false claims that the shooting was staged by the government. Elizabeth Williamson is a feature writer for the New York Times and has written about what she calls a “battle for truth” surrounding the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Williamson was previously part of the Times’ editorial staff and wrote for the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post before joining the Times. While there, she was a correspondent covering eastern Europe. We’ll talk about her book, Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy And The Battle For Truth, which is now out in paperback.
This week is also our third anniversary. Donate today.
Ezra
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Today we hear two interviews about youth in the limelight. First an interview with the CEO of Global Citizen Year, Erin Lewellen. She grew up in rural Oregon as the daughter of a logger and schoolteacher and now heads a nonprofit that sends high school graduates around the world on a global gap year to help solve specific problems in the world. This semester is in Cape Town, South Africa where students will work with human rights protection and activism. We'll talk about Erin's early life, GCY's programs, and the public education system. In the second half of the podcast we hear from the authors of the new cookbook, Cooking With My Dad, The Chef which was published in association with America's Test Kitchen. Although the authors, Ken and his daughter Verven Oringer, live in Boston, they are connected to the rest of the world through Ken's restaurants. Ken is a James Beard Award winning cook and when Verven was diagnosed with Celiac's disease, they decided to write a cookbook for kids that explains how to make everything from pasta to waffles without flour.
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Food royalty Mark Bittman joins us today to talk about a career spanning from the late seventies and early eighties until now. Of course he’s the author of the 1998 cookbook How To Cook Everything and the series that followed, he worked with the New York Times for 30 years including at his minimalist column, and has made America aware of the systemic problems embedded in how we eat with books like Animal, Vegetable, Junk. Today we hear a reflective side of Bittman. We’ll hear about his grandparents, who settled in the U.S. after leaving Europe, how the media has changed since he joined the industry, and his take on America’s food problem.
Ezra
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Rikers Island in New York City houses a complex of ten jails. Although some might think of the facility in terms of statistics and numbers, Reuven Blau and Graham Rayman's new book, Rikers: An Oral History documents Rikers' history from the 70s until today from the point of view of people that spent parts of their lives at the prison. The pair of journalists interviewed more than 130 incarcerated people, correctional officers, wardens, investigators, and commissioners to explain everything from food to violence on the island. Today we’ll talk to Blau, a reporter for The City, and Rayman, a reporter for the New York Daily News about the book and the future of Rikers.
Ezra
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Have you ever thought about what New York City was like before Europeans settled the area? This is just one of the many questions answered by Michael Kimmelman’s latest small gem of a book, The Intimate City: Walking New York. The book combines Michael’s own knowledge of the city with other points of view. He invited planners, professors, and architects to join him on walks around the quiet streets of pandemic New York. Kimmelman is the architecture critic for the New York Times and was previously the chief art critic based in Berlin. He’s also a two time Pulitzer finalist and the founder of a new project from the Times called Headway which focuses on Global affairs. Today we’ll talk about Michael’s book, his work for the Times, and his own upbringing as the son of a leftist doctor in Greenwich Village.
Ezra
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Today we’ll analyze last week’s State of the Union Address with Peter Baker. Peter is the chief White House Correspondent for the New York Times. Biden is the third president Baker has covered with the times. He previously covered Bill Clinton and George W Bush for the Washington post. In between his time covering the White House at the Post, he was a Moscow Bureau Chief with his wife Susan Glasser who’s also a journalist. In addition to Biden’s State of the Union, we’ll talk about his time in Russia where he interviewed Vladimir Putin and co wrote a book about the Kremlin with his wife. They went on to co write two additional books including their latest, The Divider: Trump In The White House 2017-2021, which was published last year. Also coming up, we’ll talk about Kamala Harris’ role in the White House as Biden prepares to officially announce his bid for reelection in 2024 and the White House response to the 3 latest unidentified objects shot down late last week.
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Today, we’ll sit down with acclaimed actress Glenn Close. Close has won Tonys, Golden Globes, and Emmys for her work on screen. You probably know her best from movies such as Fatal Attraction, 101 Dalmatians, The World According to Garp, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs, The Big Chill, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy. She’s also possibly the most interesting actress working today. We’ll talk about how she grew up in the midst of what she calls a cult, how mental illness has touched her family and her work championing productive ways to talk about it through her organization, Bring Change 2 Mind. And of course, her renowned career. Specifically, we’ll talk about her work in Hillbilly Elegy, directed by Ron Howard, where she plays Mamaw, the fierce matriarch of a scarred family, and in The Wife where Close plays a famous novelist’s wife who’s constantly shadowed and diminished.
Ezra
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If last week’s show was for the history buffs today is for the people that love to eat. Today we have a gargantuan show with Christopher Kimball of Milk Street and Matt Sartwell of Kitchen Arts and Letters. First, we’ll play my recent interview with Christopher Kimball, the cook with the bowtie. You might know him for his work with America’s Test Kitchen where he founded the classic food magazine Cook’s Illustrated. The magazine famously accepts no advertising and tests every recipe until they’ve exhausted every possible combination they can think of. He left America’s Test Kitchen in 2015 and went on to found Milk Street.
Milk Street focuses on changing the way you cook and as Chris will tell us, his exploration of other food cultures both influenced his choice to leave America’s Test Kitchen and inspired Milk Street. As he states on the Milk Street website, the company extends "an invitation to the cooks of the world to sit at the same table.”
After my interview with Christopher, we’ll head to New York where we’ll step inside the famed bookstore, Kitchen Arts and Letters. I was fortunate to geek out about cookbooks with Matt Sartwell, who’s the managing partner at the store. We’ll talk about kitchen reference, books for beginners, and more. It’s not only a store for home cooks, because Julia Child and James Beard stopped by as well. The store was founded by Nach Waxman in 1983 and has been America’s best known culinary bookstore ever since. Nach died in 2021 but has been remembered by the culinary community for his love of cooking and sharing that love with the world.
This episode was such a joy to create for you guys, I hope you enjoy.
Ezra
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Today we have a show for the history buffs out there. Nearly eighty years ago, a historic conference took place in Tehran. The three leaders fighting against the Nazis in World War II, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in Iran after exhaustive planning and correspondence. They knew that the conference would help the three nations come together and agree on key issues in the war. The three leaders didn’t know, however, that as they made their way to Tehran, Nazi sympathizers would be in the city as well. In the new book, The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill, Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch tell the story of a potential assassination plot against the leaders. The book expands on the events of the Tehran conference and answers how the leaders got to that point. It’s a complicated story and this week Josh Mensch stops by to help us understand it. Mensch is a documentary film writer, producer, and director who’s worked with the History Channel, Nat Geo, Discovery, and PBS. This is his third book written with Meltzer.
Ezra
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As the year comes to an end, I thought it would be a good opportunity to review this year in interviews. This week, you’ll hear one of my favorite interviews of the year with writer Lois Lowry. Lowry is a prolific author; she’s written almost 50 books. Two of her books, Number the Stars and The Giver, won a John Newbery Award for best children’s literature. She has a new book coming out in February called The Windeby Puzzle. It’s inspired by the discovery of a 2,000 year old bog body of a child found in Germany. Set in the Iron Age, the book imagines what happened to the child, who was found wearing a woolen blindfold. In this January interview we talked about her best known books, my favorites, and newest books.
Have a good start to the holidays!
Ezra
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This week marks the one year anniversary of a chain of deadly tornadoes that travelled through Kentucky and the surrounding states. 80 Kentuckians died in the tornadoes and many more were injured. One of the hardest hit towns in Kentucky was Mayfield. Many businesses were affected by the storm including Carr’s Steakhouse. Last year I talked to Daniel Carr, who is an owner at the steakhouse. This week I called him back up to get an update on the future of the restaurant. Although the restaurant was completely destroyed, the Carr family has opened Carr’s Cafe while they think about rebuilding.
Help Kentucky tornado victims: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/finance/wkyrelief
Ezra
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The U.S. military has been racially integrated for less than a century, and the nation has fought some of the most significant wars with segregated troops. As this week’s guest will tell us, the often overlooked role of African Americans in the second World War is important; black troops fought in combat, supplied other troops with food and ammunition, and built key infrastructure that allied militaries relied on in winning the war. Matthew Delmont’s new book is Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and abroad. Delmont teaches history at Dartmouth college and is the author of 4 previous books, all relating to civil rights and African American history. He won a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2017 and was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar Award two years ago.
Ezra
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I'm back from Italy with an interview with one of the great foodies of America.
You might know J Kenji Lopez Alt from his cookbooks or maybe his work at Cook’s Illustrated and Serious Eats or maybe from social media, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers. Lopez Alt is known for his scientific approach to cooking in his books, videos, and articles. Well, this week, Kenji was in town, and he graciously stopped by for an interview. He’s the author of two cookbooks, The Food Lab, and his newest book, The Wok: Recipes and Techniques. He’s also published a children’s book called Every Night Is Pizza Night. Today we’ll talk about his early days in the kitchen, his latest cookbook, and his advice for last minute Thanksgiving woes. Happy Thanksgiving!
Ezra
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This week we’ll head south, to Brazil, where voters narrowly elected Lula Da Silva as the country’s next president. Lula previously was president of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 and won in Sunday’s run-off election against incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Many were watching the race because of policy regarding the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest. As today’s guest will tell us, president-elect Lula views deforestation in a different way than Bolsonaro; in fact, Lula has pledged to stop deforestation of the Amazon altogether. A day after the election, I recorded my interview with climate scientist Carlos Nobre. He works with the University of São Paulo, the Federal University of Espírito Santo and the State University of São Paulo regarding the Amazon and its impacts on earth systems. He was also a lead author of the 2007 IPCC report that won the Nobel peace prize. We’ll learn how the Amazon acts as the “carbon sink” of the world, the effect of deforestation on the ecosystem, more sustainable ways to extract wealth from the Amazon, and how Lula’s administration will work to stop deforestation.
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On this week’s News Nerds, remembering England’s Queen Elizabeth who died earlier this month at 96. Journalist Robert Hardman joins us to talk about his book, Queen Of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II, which was published in March of this year. Robert writes for the Daily Mail and has worked covering the royal family for more than 25 years. He’s the author of 4 additional books about Queen Elizabeth and has adapted his work into several documentaries. We’ll talk about Queen Elizabeth’s early days on the throne, the commonwealth, and the differences between her and her son, King Charles.
Have a happy week,
Ezra
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Yo, News Nerds, I'm so glad to be back! This week I (virtually) sat down with NY Mag correspondent, Gabriel Debenedetti.
The complicated relationship between Barack Obama and Joe Biden is mostly thought of through the lens of their two terms in the White House , but today’s guest, New York Magazine writer Gabriel Debenedetti tells us that the relationship spans almost 2 decades. Debenedetti’s new book, The Long Alliance which was published yesterday, profiles the two president’s relationship from 2003 up until this year, a time span in which he says the two men had a nuanced but at times turbulent relationship. We’ll talk about the duo’s decision making, how their personal lives seeped into their professional ones, and what their relationship looks like now. Debenedetti writes for New York Magazine, which he joined in 2018, but previously covered politics and the 2016 presidential race for Politico. He also previously covered the Obama Administration and Capitol Hill for Reuters.
A tentative plan for next week: Remembering Queen Elizabeth II
Ezra
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We'll be gone for the summer, so I thought that I would leave you with a treat. Every week day this summer we'll be posting a new mini crossword that you can print or solve online. Have fun with those!
This past week was noteworthy for the Supreme Court; along with rulings on religion and gun rights, the court overturned Roe Vs. Wade, a landmark decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion. Justices voted 6 to 3 to uphold the specific Mississippi abortion ban in Dobbs Vs. Jackson, and 5 to 4 - Chief Justice John Roberts joining the dissenting opinion - to overturn Roe and all later court cases that ensure Roe.
At the moment, 7 states, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Alabama have already instituted abortion bans while others are expected to ban abortion in the coming months. 20 states are protecting or expanding abortion rights. This week, we’ll talk to legal historian and author Mary Ziegler. She’s written extensively about the battle over abortion rights and the conservative movement to end abortion. Her latest book, Dollars for Life, focuses on the rise of the pro life movement because of campaign spending.
Today we'll be speaking to someone who knows the history of both the pro and anti abortion movements well. You might have heard Professor Mary Ziegler on NPR or read her Op - Eds in The Atlantic, The New York Times, or The LA Times. Her latest book on the anti - abortion movement is called Dollars For Life: The Anti - Abortion Movement And The Fall Of The Republican Establishment.
We'll talk about the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court's decision, how the Republican party has shifted to regarding Roe as a key issue, and how states that will enact abortion bans will enforce such restrictions.
At the end of the show we’ll catch up with a voter that I spoke to before the 2020 election. He’s a conservative who supports the decision of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe.
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This week on News Nerds we’ll be speaking with Pulitzer Prize winning writer Kathryn Schulz. Her new book, Lost & Found grapples with the loss and then later discovery in Kathryn’s recent life. The book is split into three sections, lost, where she recounts the event of her father’s death and her grief afterwards, found, when we learn of her relationship with fellow New Yorker writer Casey Cep who is simply known as ‘C’ in the book, and the final section titled ‘and’ in which Schulz and Cep get married
Ezra
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It’s primary season! Earlier this week, 7 states held primary elections including Montana were I produce this show. Because of the 2020 census, we’ve gained an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This week we’ll listen to my interview with former state representative, Tom Winter. He ran in Montana’s new western congressional district as a democrat against Monica Tranel and Cora Neumann.
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In the years following the so called ‘secret war’, when the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency trained the ethnic group of the Hmong to fight against the Northern Vietnamese, mysterious reports emerged of a yellow substance falling out of aircrafts and causing harm, sometimes fatally, to the Hmong. Reports from Hmong migrants leaving Laos detailed the destruction this substance, which was later labelled as ‘Yellow Rain,' and a harsh debate regarding the possibility that it was a chemical weapon ensued. That’s the topic of Mai Der Vang’s second poetry collection which was published last year. It’s titled Yellow Rain and it was just named a finalist for this year’s Pulitzer Prize in poetry. Mai Der will talk about Yellow Rain and we’ll hear some of her poems.
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In his first memoir, novelist Brian Morton chronicles the story of his mother as she suffers from the effects of a stroke and then dementia. The book, Tasha: A Son’s Memoir is an excellent look into the lives of not only one family, but I think, many others who have gone through similar experiences with their relatives. From when he resorts to hiding a recording device in his mother’s cluttered house, and finds out that her caretaker has verbally abused her, to when Tasha screams that she’s being kidnapped at a crowded restaurant when Brian attempts to take her to his house to care for her, to her insistence that anyone who enjoys angel food cake is an idiot, the story Brian paints is both heartbreaking, but also funny. Morton's past books include Florence Gordon and Starting Out in the Evening which was adapted into a film in 2007. Brian’s received the Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Koret Jewish Book Award for Fiction, and the Guggenheim Foundation Award. He’s also been a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. We’ll talk to Brian this week.
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As the war in Ukraine continues, the information behind the conflict continues to change rapidly. This week we’re joined by Mark Cancian. He’s a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank based in Washington D.C; this week he’s helping us understand some of the crucial logistics and reasoning behind the war. We’ll also hear from his daughter, Caroline, who gives us her take on the war and her father’s work.
Ezra
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When my guest this week, Neda Toloui - Semnani’s grandfather walked across the dessert to Tehran in search of work decades ago, he decided on a surname for his family. Toloui (of sunrise), and Semnani (of Semnan). This is just one of the stories described in Neda Toloui - Semnani’s new memoir, They Said They Wanted Revolution: A Memoir of my Parents. Her book chronicles the story of her parents, two young Iranian students who where swept up with the revolution of the 70s. Although Neda was very young at the time of the revolution, she pieces together the story of her father’s arrest because of his activism as a leftist and continues her story from there.
Ezra
PS: Yes, I know this is late, I'm very sorry.
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It's our second year anniversary show, but do you know who’s been on the air a lot longer? It’s the British Broadcasting Corporation, or the BBC. This we’re talking to historian, author, and BBC insider, David Hendy. He’s latest books, 'The BBC: A People's History' (UK) and 'The BBC: A Century on Air' (USA) detail the 100 years of the BBC. We’ll talk about the BBC’s founding in 1922, it’s role in the second world war, and the challenges the service faces today.
Ezra
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When Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in February, my guest this week, Michael Kimmage was watching the conflict unfold from Washington D.C. He oversaw the Russia/Ukraine portfolio from 2014 to early 2017 for the U.S. State Department. He’s now a professor at Catholic University. We talk about Russia’s ambitions for the war, possible outcomes of the war, and more.
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This week, we’re getting the latest on the war in Ukraine with journalist Maria Romanenko. She left the country on the first day of the invasion and she’s telling us the process of crossing multiple boarders to get into the UK were she is now. She’ll tell us how President Zelensky was elected in 2019 and why she’ll return to Ukraine when it’s safe to do so. Also, freelance journalist Mircea Barbu tells us the latest from inside the Ukrainian city Chernivtsi.
Ezra
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This we’re back with another edition of the podcast. We’ll start off the show with a short summary of the latest news. Next we’ll talking to Manny Marotta, he’s an independent journalist who was reporting from Ukraine as Russia started its invasion. He’s now in the US, but this week he’s telling us how he got out of Ukraine - on foot. Later, we’ll be talking to renowned chef, author, and painter Jacques Pepin. That’s all this week.
Ezra
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We’re starting the show this week with my interview with Natalia Melnychuk. In addition to working for PEN International, an association dedicated to advocacy for writers, poets, journalists, and people of the pen, Natalia works as a freelance journalist. After she left Ukraine on the second day of the Russian invasion, she traveled to the UK. At the end of the show, Scott Horsley, NPR’s chief economic mind, is back on the show. This week we’re discussing sanctions and how they affect national economies
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As the war in Ukraine continues, now into its 2nd week, we have what you need to understand the Russian invasion. We’re starting off the show with the latest on Ukraine including the latest on the occupation of the port city Kherson, President Biden’s state of the union adress, and how the world is reacting to the invasion. We’re going directly to Ukraine where freelance journalist Mircea Barbu is reporting. We recorded our interview on Sunday, so some of what you’re going to hear may not be up to date.
Ezra
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This week we’re joined by author and journalist Joshua Prager. Joshua's latest book, The Family Roe: an American Story, chronicles the family behind Roe vs. Wade, the historic Supreme Court decision that is being challenged today. In the book, Joshua details the family behind the pseudonym, Roe.
Ezra
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This week we’re joined by one of the youngest state senators in office right now, democratic representative Will Haskell. Will was elected as the state senator for the 26th district of Connecticut when he was only 22, and now he’s written a book about the experience. It’s called 100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path As a 22-Year-Old Lawmaker. We’ll talk about the book, his path to the state senate, and his views on national politics.
Ezra
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Known for works such as The Giver Quartet, Number The Stars, and The Willoughbys, author Lois Lowry joins for the whole episode. We'll talk about her most well-known books, as well as her newest books, including On The Horizon and the Willoughbys Return.
Ezra
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The former CDC director, Dr. Tom Frieden joins us this week to discuss the latest on the Covid pandemic including the Omicron variant, N95 masks, and more. Dr. Frieden served as CDC director from 2009, 2017. He’s also the founder of Resolve to Save Lives an organization working to prevent cardiovascular disease and epidemics.
Also, television legend, Betty White has died, she was 99.
Ezra
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It’s the holiday season and on this episode of News Nerds you’ll hear some never before heard before and after discussions with two of our past guests. First, we’ll be hearing from Lisa Napoli. Lisa is a former journalist turned author who’s latest book is called Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR. Next, Scott Horsley tells me about how he started working in Public Radio in a conversation I had with him. Scott is NPR’s Chief Economics Reporter.
Ezra
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British environmentalist and author Jonathon Porritt talks with us about his new book Hope in Hell: How we can Confront the Climate Crisis and Save the Earth. Also Daniel Carr, an owner of Carr’s Steakhouse in Mayfield Kentucky. The restaurant was destroyed by deadly tornadoes that swept through Kentucky and the surrounding states. That's all this week on News Nerds for Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021.
Ezra
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NPR’s chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley joins us this week to discuss the stock market, November’s unemployment and jobs reports, how the Omicron variant might affect the economy, inflation, and more this week on News Nerds for Friday, December 17th, 2021.
Ezra
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We’re joined by New York Times science and global health Reporter Apoorva Mandavilli and Michaeleen Doucleff, a correspondent for NPR’s Science desk, this week on News Nerds for Wednesday, December 8th, 2021. They share their reporting on the new Covid-19 strain, Omicron which was detected on November 23rd in South Africa. The World Health Organization (or WHO) labeled the variant a variant of concern. That’s all coming up. Also the geographical location challenge and a... ...podcast recommendations?
Ezra
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We’re joined this week by Simon Kofe, the foreign minister to Tuvalu, a small country about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. He recorded a viral video for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow where he stands knee deep in the Pacific Ocean, where he says was once land. We talk about Tuvalu and what would happen if the islands making up Tuvalu were to go under water. Also, John Swartzberg. He's the clinical professor at the school of public health at UC Berkeley. He’s joined me before to discuss covid. This week we talk about covid vaccines, variants, and more. Also, THIS IS JEOPARDY! Jeopardy has been on the news a lot lately and we close the show talking with Christopher Stucky who was on the show earlier this year. We talk about preparation for the show, what it was like to meet Matt Amodio, and more.
Ezra
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NPR’s Susan Stamberg and Linda Wertheimer join us this week to discuss their careers, being a woman journalist in the 70s at a startup organization, and more. We’re back after a break from the podcast. There’s going to be some amazing interviews in store for you this season on News Nerds. For example, listen next week for an interview about COP26 with Tuvalu's foreign minister, Simon Kofe!
Ezra
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The Huntington Beach oil spill in California has spilt approximately 126,000 gallons of crude oil, damaging the ecosystem. Meanwhile, the KNP Complex fire rages through the state, destroying over 80,000 acres of land and threatening ancient sequoia trees, some of which have been standing for thousands of years. Gabrielle Canon a reporter for the Guardian shares her reporting on the oil spill and the fires on this week’s episode.
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On this week’s episode I talk to Pulitzer and Peabody award winner, Nadja Drost. She is a correspondent for the PBS Newshour. Before the pandemic she and Bruno Federico documented the struggle of immigrants from around the world crossing a dangerous stretch of jungle called the Darien Gap, many without adequate supplies. She talks to me today about the Darien Gap, what immigrates face there, how the Biden administration compares to the Trump administration regarding immigration, and more.
This is a best of episode. Regular full episodes of News Nerds will be back next week.
Ezra
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It’s September and that means the end of summer. Over the season we’ve talked to some amazing guests and covered so much. Today we’re looking back on that. This week, my interview with BJ Leiderman. He is composer of many notable (NPR) National Public Radio themes. These include the Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me’s theme, the Weekend edition Saturday and Sunday themes, as well as the original morning edition theme.
Ezra
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This week we continue to cover the transfer of power in Afghanistan, where the Afghan government fell to the Taliban last Sunday. From inside Kabul, Ali Latifi speaks to us with a firsthand account of Kabul. Ali is a correspondent for Al Jazeera English. But first we talk to Lynne O’Donnell. She left the country on the last commercial flight out of the Kabul airport last Sunday along with Afghanistans only Pulitzer Prize winner, Massoud Hossaini. She writes for the Foreign Policy magazine as a war correspondent.
We're coming to you a few days early because I will be away in Canada when we usually publish episodes.
Ezra
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The Taliban have seized control of Afghanistan. On this episode, special coverage of the transfer of power. We begin the show with an interview with Mike Jason. He’s a retired army colonel who served for 24 years on active duty. He lead combat units around the world including in Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. He talks to me about what went wrong in Afghanistan, If he saw this coming, what needs to happen next, and more. Then we transition to Kabul, where I talk to a journalist. He has requested the we not identify him for his protection but we are calling him Ashraf. He tells me what Kabul looks like now, how women are being treated by the Taliban, If he feels betrayed by the US’ redraw from Afghanistan, and more.
Here are some big topics that Ashraf updated us on:
Life in Kabul is getting back to normal
The Kabul airport is claiming down although Ashraf saw “Thousands” of people scrambling to get into the airport.
The Talibans promises differ from their actions.
There are not very many women on the streets of Kabul.
Most women are covered if they go out.
When I asked him about if he felt betrayed by the US’ withdrawal of troops he said, “Now in a critical situation, they are leaving everything behind. In 20 years we had gained a lot of things but now it seems everything is gone. But still we are sparkling in the hope that everything is getting back to normal.
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On this week’s episode I talk to Pulitzer and Peabody award winner, Nadja Drost. She is a correspondent for the PBS Newshour. Before the pandemic she and Bruno Federico documented the struggle of immigrants from around the world crossing a dangerous stretch of jungle called the Darien Gap, many without adequate supplies. She talks to me today about the Darien Gap, what immigrates face there, how the Biden administration compares to the Trump administration regarding immigration, and more. Also, Olympian Simone Biles withdraws from the women’s gymnastics olympic finals and the individual all-around gymnastics final citing her mental health. We’ll cover that story on this week’s episode of News Nerds.
Ezra
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On this week’s episode I talk to Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, Barry Blitt. He illustrates cartoons for the New Yorker and other publications. He has contributed over 100 covers to the New Yorker. He talks to me about his inspiration, what his son thinks of his work, his controversial 2008 cover depicting the Obamas fist bumping in the Oval Office, and more. Also, the listener challenge will be extended one week so that we can get more of your answers, and book nook is back. All this on this week’s episode of News Nerds!
Ezra
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Hi Listeners,
On this week's episode I spend almost a full half hour talking to Canadian author, Alan Bradley. He is the author of the Flavia De Luce mystery series, a series of 10 books. He talks to me about writing the series and his life growing up in Canada. Also, the News Nerds listener challenge is back from it's little vacation! Read it here:⬇️
Take the name of a well known children’s author or the name that he or she goes by and rearrange the first 3 letters to make a word that can be found in one of this author’s book titles.
When you have the answer, go to our website, newsnerdspodcast.com and click the contact button to submit your answer. Another way to submit your answer is to send me a voice message. Tired of using your fingers to type? Want to hear yourself on News Nerds (if you win that is...)? Then a voice message is the right option for you. Send one in at anchor.fm/newsnerds/message. A correct answer will be selected at random next Wednesday. If you are the winner, your email or message will be read or played on next week's episode of News Nerds. You will be contacted if you are the winner and additional instructions will be included.
Also, News Nerds was just featured on public radio!!! MTPR or Montana Public Radio just released a great piece about me and how I created this show. Listen to that segment by clicking here!
Thanks for waiting for this episode. I was in Missoula, Montana rafting the rapids and hastily drove away without telling you.
Ezra
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On this week’s episode we listen back to my interview with Cindy Christin and Debbie from NY. Cindy's a librarian at the Bozeman Public Library. I talked to her at the beginning of the pandemic for one of my first episodes of News Nerds. She talked to me about the closure of the library, her advice for book lovers, and more. Debbie has talked to me for 3 interviews over my 50 episodes and the interview you’ll here today is my second with her. She talks to me about life in New York City. Also, a special look into how this show is created, recorded, edited, and produced. I’m replaying some of my earlier interviews this month while I schedule some great guests for season 6 of News Nerds. In the 6th season I’ll talk to some of my favorite authors, a cartoonist, and even more fascinating people not just in the US, but abroad. Later in the show, the geographical location challenge, and even more. All of this is on this special episode of News Nerds!
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On this weeks episode we listen back to my interview with journalist Bill Kurtis. He is currently the scorekeeper for NPR’s Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, a news quiz launched in 1998. He talks to me about how he started his journalistic career, his position as a CBS news anchor, his work at Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and more. Also, its my first week with a my new microphone which could not have been purchased without the help of you, our listeners. My mic, the Electro-voice RE20 is such an upgrade to my home studio. And, the geographical location challenge is back again with another new country.
Ezra
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On this week’s episode I talk to John Swartzberg. He is the clinical professor at the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley. He talks to me this week about the CDC’s guidance to allow vaccinated citizens to go mask-less, school districts decisions to remove their mask mandates for students and staff, the new FDA approval for a new drug to treat alzimers, and more. Also, the geographical location challenge where a new country joins the international leaderboard.
Thanks,
Ezra
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Hello listeners,
On this week’s episode we listen back to my interview with Alice Waters. Alice Waters is the founder of the Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California. She helped create the farm to table movement in the United States and writes about sustainable food in her new book, We Are What We Eat: A Slow Food Manifesto. Also, the geographical location challenge where a new country is on the leaderboard!
Ezra
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Hi listeners,
On this week’s episode I talk to Jeremy Hobson. Jeremy was the host of NPR’s Here & Now and before that, the Marketplace Morning Report. He talks to me about his experience at Here & Now, why he left, his early career in radio when he contributed to a WILL show in Illinois called Treehouse Radio, what the LGBTQ movement means to him as a gay man, and more. Also, a mass shooting in San Jose has left 9 dead including the gunman after the gunman, An employee of the Valley Transportation Authority opened fire. We’ll cover that. And Eric Carle, the renowned children’s book illustrator has died at the age of 91.
Also, here is the link to the fund for VTA workers devastated by Wednesday's mass shooting.
Ezra
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On this week’s episode, we’ll be spending a whole half an hour with liberal political pundit Bill Press. Bill talks to me about current events in the US such as Biden’s presidency and the issues he faces, what Donald Trump could have done better to win the election in November, and Liz Cheney’s oust from her leadership positions in the Republican Party. He also was the cohost of political debate shows such as cross fire which aired on CNN.
See you next week!
Ezra
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This week we talk to Lisa Napoli. We'll spend almost half an hour with her today. She's a former journalist who worked at the New York Times, CNN, Marketplace, and other prominent news organizations. After her career in journalism, Lisa became the author of four books, two of which we'll be talking about today. Her most recent book is Susan, Linda, Nina & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR. We're celebrating 50 years of NPR on this week's episode.
Also, Republicans have voted to oust congresswoman Liz Cheney as the chair of the House Republican Conference after she voted to impeach Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. We'll have a story on that.
All of this on episode 45 of News Nerds!
Also, this is our fourth "podcast broadcast" on KGVM, community radio for the Gallatin Valley. Hear us every Thursday from 5:30 - 6:00 PM.
Donations are still open, they always are! Head over to our Patreon page or our PayPal page.
Ezra
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Hello listeners,
On this week's episode I talk with BJ Leiderman. If you're a public radio listener, you probably already know who he is. He is the composer behind many NPR themes including the former Morning Edition theme, the Car Talk stump the chumps theme, the Science Friday theme, and many more. We talk about his childhood inspiration, his one and only album, and of course, how he originally got to write the themes for many NPR shows. Also on this week's episode, Biden has voiced his support for removing cover-19 vaccine patents. This would mean that other countries could manufacture their own vaccines, but vaccine fraud would rise. Elsewhere I review the book, Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You). I read about one year after I started this podcast, but it was still entertaining and helpful to me.
Also, this is our third "podcast broadcast" (I literally just made that up, thank you) on KGVM, community radio for the Gallatin Valley. Hear us every Thursday from 5:30 - 6:00 PM.
Donations are still open, they always are! Head over to our Patreon page or our PayPal page.
Ezra
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Hello listeners,
On this week’s episode I talk to legendary journalist Bill Kurtis. He talks to me about his beginnings in journalism, his work at CBS Morning News, his fight for sustainable agriculture, and more. Elsewhere, Rudy Giuliani’s Manhattan Apartment has been searched by the FBI for possible connections to Ukraine. He was Former President Donald Trump’s attorney.
Also, please help us on our mission to purchase a new microphone! This can only be achieved by generous donations from listeners like you. Head to our website to donate.
It's our second week on KGVM Bozeman, 95.9 FM. Listen on Thursdays at 5:30 PM Mountain Time on the radio or kgvm.org.
Ezra
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On this week's episode we talk to Dr. Irene Pepperberg. She is an associate at the department of physiology at Harvard. Also on this week's episode, Senator Bernie Sanders and House of Representatives member Pramila Jayapal propose new legislation that may make it free for eligible students to go to public and community college. Elsewhere on the show, the verdict is in in the trial for former police officer Derek Chauvin who kneeled on George Floyd's neck for nine minutes and twenty nine seconds. The jury in the case ruled Chauvin guilty on all charges set against him.
This is our first episode that will be airing on KGVM, a community radio station in Bozeman, Montana. If you're in the Gallatin County area, listen to us on the radio at 95.9 FM on Thursdays at 5:30.
Ezra
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On this week’s episode we go to Minneapolis where the trial for former police officer Dereke Chauvin continues. On Wednesday, Dr. David Fowler testified to the court and came to the conclusion that George Floyd, who died after Chauvin kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes, died of a cardiac event. Also on episode 41, wildlife journal. A team of researchers have discovered that baby sea stars eat each other in acts of cannibalism. Elsewhere on the show, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine’s distribution campaign is paused in the US after the CDC and FDA decide to review the vaccine. This comes after 6 people contracted blood clots because of the vaccine. It’s our one year anniversary here at News Nerds. News Nerds launched its first ever episode on April 12th of 2020. More exciting news to be announced regarding that in the next two weeks.
Ezra
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On this week's episode I review the book, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Find out if it's the book for you. Elsewhere on the show, we examine the claims of blood clotting in the AstraZeneca vaccine. Later we travel to Arkansas where the Republican governor, Asa Hutchinson, vetoed House Bill 1570, which would make gender-affirming care illegal for minors. After the veto, the Republican controlled House and Senate of Arkansas undid the governor's veto. Also, the geographical location challenged and the dreaded musical segment. All this on the first episode of News Nerds season 5, or episode 40!
Music this week was composed by Ketsa. It's called Bashful and was accessed via the FMA, Free Music Archive.
Ezra
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On this week's episode I talk to Dr. John Swartzberg. I talked to him in early December for a previous episode. He talks to us about new variants of covid-19, the new Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the US's next steps, and more. Also on this week's episode, India joins us for the geographical location challenge. On wildlife journal, we talk about stranded jellyfish on the west coast. All this and more on News Nerds, episode 39. Also, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle features News Nerds in their paper! How exciting.
If you haven't heard, we have a NEW website. It's new and definitely improved. Check it out! There you can comment on past episodes, subscribe, contact us, and leave a donation!!!
Music this week was composed by Dee Yan-Kee and Till Paradiso. It's called reveller and Hippie House (TP 47) and was accessed via the FMA, Free Music Archive.
Thanks,
Ezra
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On this week's episode, we look back on some of my favorite interviews. We look back on my interview with former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, my interview with Brian Von Herzen, and the news quiz with Debbie from New York City. It's a good one! This week I'm submitting a podcast to the NPR Student Podcast Challenge. I'll have more news on that later in the month and into next month. Our listenership is at an all-time high! Keep it that way. Recommend this podcast to a friend. Also, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Music this week was composed by Dee Yan-Kee. It's called Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen and was accessed via the FMA, Free Music Archive.
Thanks for listening!
Ezra
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On this week's episode, I talk to renowned chef Alice Waters. Mrs. Waters help start the farm-to-table movement in the 70s. She opened her restaurant Chez Panisse in 1971 in Berkeley California. We talk about her favorite dishes, her travels to France, and how Chez Panisse responded to the covid-19 pandemic. Also, the geographical location challenge and wildlife journal is back with a look at a bee in Australia. Listen to episode 37 now. Music this week was composed by Peter Gresser. It's called No Rocking In The Jazz Zone and was accessed via the FMA, Free Music Archive.
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Hello,
This week I interview Tony Kahn. You might know him as a panelist from NPR's Says You! He has also produced numerous other works for public radio including Blacklisted. Gordon Kahn, Tony's father was blacklisted by Hollywood after he was accused of being part of the communist party. When this happened, the US government was much more Republican. Tony and the rest of his family had to flee to Mexico while being under FBI surveillance. He talks to me about his experience on Says You!, his father Gordon Kahn, and making one of the first podcasts in 2004! Also, Trump has been acquitted for the second time. We will have a special report there. Listen now.
Please leave us a review on Apple podcasts. It's as easy as going to the Podcasts app and letting us know what you think. We love your input.
Thanks,
Ezra
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Hello,
This week we discuss the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump. He was impeached in the house with 10 Republicans joining the Democrats. This week, the Senate has been debating the impeachment. We'll hear some of the evidence that has been brought up, and the arguments that each side is making. Also, the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has been Predicting the weather pattern for over 120 years. How accurate can a groundhog be? You'll find out on episode 35 of News Nerds.
Tell a friend about News Nerds to help us out as we enter our 2nd year! Please write a review on Apple Podcasts as well.
Thanks,
Ezra
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This week, Alberto Gonzales, the former Attorney General under George W. Bush joins me. We talk about current politics, and his experience as Attorney General. We discuss the impeachment of Donald Trump, and his refusal to concede the 2020 election. Also, the new design of the 20 dollar bill that may replace the current design. Harriet Tubman may replace Andrew Jackson on the 20 dollar bill, pushing Jackson to the back of the bill. On episode 34 you'll also hear book nook (this time with a great movie you will want to check out), the geographical location challenge, and by the numbers. Please take a second and go onto Apple Podcasts, and give us a review. It only takes 2 minutes. Hear this on News Nerds episode 34.
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Hello!
Today will be marked as a historic day in America. Kamala Harris made history by becoming get first woman and person of color to serve as a Vice President. She and Biden were sworn in today. Ezra will give you a report on what happened at the ceremony, and what Biden plans to do with his first few days in office. He's already signed 17 executive orders! President Trump was absent from the ceremony, because of his refusal to acknowledge his loss in the election. I also get a perspective from from a small art museum in Florida called the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. I talk to Emily Sujka who is the director of community relations at the museum. The Morse Museum is known to hold the world's most comprehensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's glass creations. We also have new updates in the geographical location challenge. A new country joins the international challenge. And you get to listen to the clarinet! (No, not from a professional player, from ME) I play two Christmas songs even though Christmas was last month.
LINK TO THE NEWS NERDS WEBSITE
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Hello,
On this week's episode Ezra talks about the second impeachment of Donald J. Trump. This time, Democrats are impeaching the president because of his remarks last Wednesday to his supports that would later arrive to the US capital, breach the capital system, and put lawmakers lives at risk. They are also citing his refusal to concede in the presidential election that he lost. Republicans are countering these arguments with their own arguments. Hear this and more on News Nerds episode 32. You will also hear from David Quammen over a 40 minute interview. He is a science writer that has written numerous books including The Twisted Tree, and Spillover, abut animal infection and the next pandemic. He talks to me about Spillover and what this new animal caused pandemic means for humanity. I STRONGLY encourage you to read the book. It's a good one! Also, new countries have joined the geographical location challenge including Switzerland (many more countries were not listed in the challenge, but other countries have visited the website for their first time like South Africa). Thanks for listening to this episode, and don't forget to share it with a friend...
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Hello,
On what was a terrible day for many Americans, the US Capital Building has been stormed by rioters from the extreme right. Rioters stormed the building Wednesday, halting the confirmation of the Electoral Votes from the 2020 election. Thousands broke into the capital with guns and Trump signs. Police tried to restrain these moves, and after hours of this, the building was evacuated. Lawmakers abruptly went into recess because of angry rioters that were invading the chamber while the senate and house were in session. One woman died, and more than 7 were hospitalized. Anger arose at the horrific nature of these riots. Many thought that nothing this terrible could have happened. This moment will be remembered as a dark time in American politics. This unnecessary series of events comes as Democrats take control of the senate. Both Democratic candidates declared victory after Tuesday's runoff election. This narrow senate control may make things easier for incoming president Joe Biden. This may make bills easier to pass because of these seats that Democrats picked up in Georgia. Georgia hasn't seen Democratic senators since 2000. I talk to dad and actor Philip Winchester. He talks to me about being a dad, how his acting career took off, and his current acting career. It was great to talk to Philip about acting! And, Debbie! She returns from New York for a third interview, this time with a news quiz at the end. You'll see how she does, and find out what it is like to be a grandma!!!
Thanks,
Ezra
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Hey!
On this week's episode I look back on the most popular items of 2020. These include the Apple AirPods, a avocado kitchen tool, and of course the TUB SHROOM. The TubShroom is a gross little piece of equipment that CNN's Underscored recommended. It's like your drain plug, except you can clean it and be rewarded with a ball of your hair. Also, a certain state that we know well from our geographical location challenge rose 1% (guess which state!). Then, we have a special report on the first case of the new covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 which was identified in Colorado. This is the first case of the B.1.1.7 strain in the United States that was first identified in the UK. Now the UK is smashing it's previous records for new cases.
This the first episode in the 4th season of News Nerds! As we celebrate a new year, News Nerds is releasing new episodes EVERY week! As we transition to a new year with a 4th season, we need YOUR listener support, as well as YOUR FRIENDS. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or (and most appreciated!) send out a group message with a link to this show.
Thanks,
Ezra
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This week: We summarize 2020 in a helpful wrap up segment. Aren't you happy to be rid of 2020?! In the wrap up is the 2020 election, the BLM protests, climate change, and of course, covid-19. We remember a few people that have died from covid-19. Bernice Silver's video can be found here. Also, the John Prine extra is here. Also, congress approves a new covid-19 relief bill. What is actually inside of it? I'll summarize the bill on this week's episode so you don't have to read 6,000 pages of legislation! Our listener challenge winner is Barbara in Montana! Congrats!
As we celebrate a new year, News Nerds is releasing new episodes EVERY week! As we transition to a new year with a 4th season, we need YOUR listener support, as well as YOUR FRIENDS. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or (and most appreciated!) send out a group message with a link to this show.
Thanks so much!
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Episode 28 is out now. On this week's episode I talk to Dr. Brian Von Herzen. He is in Brisbane Australia. He is a climate scientist and has been featured in the 2040 documentary. He belongs to the Climate Foundation and talks to me about this organizations efforts, the issue of climate change and the Marin life in Australia. This 30 minute interview is packed with his expertise. It's a good one! Also Norway joins the geographical location challenge, and a new listener challenge is out now. Please respond via email, website, or voice message. Here it is:
Take the name of a common 6 letter flower. This flower is also a name. Then, inside of the flower's name is another common name. What is the flower and the names?
The winner gets a 2021 planner!
Thanks,
Ezra
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Episode 27 is out now. On this week's episode, I interview Peg Mulqueen. She is a yoga instructor, and operates from the website ashtangadispatch.com. She tell me more about the current events at the Ashtanga Dispatch, and more about the style of Ashtanga Yoga. We also have a winner of the listener challenge, a musical segment, the Galapagos tortoise, and a geographical location challenge.
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Episode 26 is out now. On this week's episode, I interview Dr. John Swartzberg. He is the clinical professor at the school of public health at UC Berkeley college in California. He talks to me about covid-19, covid-19 testing, vaccines, and the US's handling of this pandemic. In a 50 minute interview, he covers much of what you need to know in the upcoming weeks in the covid-19 pandemic. You may be awestruck by some of this new science that is being put into vaccines. Did you know that AstraZeneca and Oxfords vaccine is made with a sickness found in chimpanzees? Learn more when you listen to John Swartzberg. Also, the News Nerds listener challenge is back with a new prize. Here it is:
Take the name of a bird. Then when you have that bird, rearrange the letters of that bird to get a new word. This word will be an office supply item.
When you have the answer, contact us. Go to our website, and click the contact page. Enter your answer. You can also directly email us at newsnerdshost@gmail.com. If you want your voice on the podcast, you can enter a voice message at anchor.fm/newsnerds/message. (Yas queen, we like voice messages!). We'll announce the winner next week.
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This week on News Nerds, President Elect Joe Biden will not be receiving crucial intelligence briefings, office space, and computers for some of his workers. This is because of Donald Trump's refusal to concede. And, Pfizer and Moderna both have released their successful vaccines! Both of these are over 90% affective in stopping mild, and severe cases of covid-19. Senator Lindsey Graham of North Carolina was on a call with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger of Georgia. Raffensperger says that Graham asked if he could potentially make legally cast absentee ballots in the state invalid. Lindsey Graham says he said nothing like this. And, new listeners in Bosnia and Herzegovina! All on this week's episode of News Nerds...
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PRESIDENT ELECT JOE BIDEN: WHAT HIS PLANS ARE, AND HOW HE WON ON THIS WEEK'S EPISODE
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Hello,
It's Wednesday, November 4th, and the results of the 2020 United States presidential election are still not in. The states, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Alaska, and Nevada do not have a winner, and these crucial states may lead either candidate to the presidency. Right now Joe Biden has 264 electoral votes, while Trump trails him at 214 electoral votes. Either candidate could win. Trump will need to win all the remaining states, while Joe Biden will need to win 6 more electoral votes. We'll have it all covered on News Nerds. Also, Connor Metz from RVAT or republican voters against Trump. He tells us what the organization aims to do, and his background as a life long republican. You'll also hear a story on election stress, and Susan Wadsworth's Native American flute music.
THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED WHEN YOU HEAR THIS EPISODE... SOURCE: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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On this week's episode, Ariana Paliobagis is the owner of the Country Bookshelf in downtown Bozeman. The bookshelf is set at a historic location on Main Street and attracts many local shoppers. And, the geographical location challenge; Virginia is still in first place. Ezra will cover tomorrow's debate between Joe Biden, and Donald Trump moderated by Kristen Welker of NBC News.
Please note that because of tech issues, this episode is late to be published, and some dates may be incorrect
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Today I interview Sarah Budd, who is the co-founder of alpacas of Montana. Also the VP debate, the listener challenge, musical segment, and more.
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Hello,
As I'm sure most of you know, last night we had the first presidential debate of 2020 which was held in Cleveland Ohio, with Chris Wallace as the moderator. What a hectic night we had, name calling, yelling from the moderator, and more. We'll talk all about it on News Nerds.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME VIEWERS WERE HAVING VOLUME PROBLEMS REGARDING DEBATE CLIPS ON THIS EPISODE, THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN FIXED
Ezra
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This week we look back on four News Nerds interviews: author Tracey Baptiste, baker Amanda, teacher Missey Dore, and teacher Mz. Debra. News Nerds is on Google Podcasts! Google just picked up News Nerds with their wide range of internet trolling. Check it out!
the listener challenge: Listen to hear who won! We will send our prizes shortly.
correct answer cobra, CA
thanks,
Ezra
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Hey listeners,
episode 19 of News Nerds is out. Listen in for a chance to win a free copy of The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste (hear episode 17 for more on the Jumbies, and Tracey Baptiste) as well as a certificate, News Nerds bags, and other News Nerds prizes.
Here is the listener challenge in word form:
Take the name of a venomous animal, then take the first, and last letters of this animal's name, put them together, and you will have an abbreviation of a US state. What venomous animal did you start with and what state was the result? Please enter before Wednesday at noon Mountain Time. I will email you if you win.
Next week: It's the 20th episode of News Nerds! I put together a super-cool episode full of your favorite interviews for your listening pleasure...
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Hey listeners,
this week I talk to Bridget Uzzelle, she works for My Village, a network of day care, and preschools around Colorado, and Montana. In the geographical location challenge, Virginia is STILL in 1st!!! Listen to here more of episode 18 of News Nerds! LINK TO INSTAGRAM ANONYMOUSE PAGE
Ezra
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This week I talk to New York Times bestselling author, and teacher, Tracey Baptiste. She has written The Jumbies series, and Minecraft The Crash. Tracey talks to me about writing the Jumbies books, living in Trinidad as a child, her Minecraft work, and more! Also, wildlife journal, the latest on Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the geographical location challenge. Thanks for waiting until Thursday for this episode!
Ezra,
The host of News Nerds...
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Hello listeners,
It's episode 16
On this episode, Sharon joins us, She's from the Yale New Haven Hospital. Also, by the numbers, the winner of the listener challenge, and the latest news. Rose Marie in Ohio won this week's challenge. The answer is elbow to bowls! Thanks for your answers!
We'll be back next week!
News Nerds
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Hello listeners,
Brown Cow Studios presents, the second episode of Cow Pies!
subscribers keep News Nerds and other Brown Cow Studio podcasts running!
pictured here is Blanch from Black Dog Farms...
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This week: Kira from black dog farms. Check out the black dog Farms' website HERE, and GREAT black dog farm merchandise HERE.
Also, you have UNTIL MONDAY to send in your answers for our listener challenge. You'll also hear wildlife journal, the latest news about Bernie Sanders and his woodpile, and the latest in the geographic location challenge, BIG NEWS ABOUT THAT!!! Listen now to learn, laugh, and eye roll!
Ezra
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Today, I interview 3 kids in Montana. And, I reveal the all new listener challenge...
take a 5 letter Body part that starts with the letter e, then take the first two letters off of this word. To the end of the new 3 letter word add the two letters, l and s.
prize: a 2020-2021 August to August calendar organizer, a certificate, some news nerds bags, and a sticker!
Please share this podcast with friends and family!
From,
Ezra
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The latest,
Kamala Harris has been selected by Joe Biden for his running mate
News Nerds tomorrow: I interview 3 kids!!! What are they doing in our cover-19 situation?
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On this week's episode, I talk to Rachel Clearwater, who is a biology instructor. Elsewhere on the show, I play some piano music. Also, on this week's episode, Plenty of good news headin' my way! we have 2 GOOD news stories from around the country.
from,
Ezra
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We're back!
What does New York look like right now?
This week I interview Debbie, who is in New York. She tells us more about the current situation...
In the future, News Nerds will be on Wednesdays. Because all of my listeners are so anxious for a new episode, I decided to not wait and publish it today.
Subscribe to our mailing list today on our website!
Thanks,
Ezra
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Subscribe to our mailing list on the News Nerds website!
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Sorry for the lateness of this week's News Nerds episode. There were some wifi problems on Wednesday.
In this week's episode, I talk to Mz Debra, a teacher located in the San Fransico area
here's a link to Mz. Debra's website...
Here is a link below to the onyx and green 130-page notebook that you can win by submitting your listener challenge answers...
Thanks,
Ezra
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On this week's episode of News Nerds, I interview Jo Anne Troxel, a local Montana author. You can find her book, Waiting For The Revolution: A Montana Memoir, here. (it's a great book, I recommend it!) find our website here. Elsewhere on the show, we've got mail! Hear what our listeners have to say. We also have by the numbers, the musical segment, the geographical location challenge, and more.
Be safe, Ezra
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I'm so excited to share the first-ever episode of Cow Pies: the bloops and blunders from Brown Cow studios!
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This week I interview Amanda and make some amoosing cow puns.
Subscribe to our mailing list today by going to our website and clicking "Mailing list sign up". Here is a link to the home page... click HERE.
The first episode of Cow Pies will be out very soon. You will be able to access that via anchor or our website...
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