Watching America: Recent Episodes
WHRO Public Media
Hosted by British born host Dr. Alan Campbell, Watching America combines interviews, engaging audio, and deep dive talks in to our local and national culture through the eloquent and ever-curious lens of a ‘Brit’ who has spent over two decades ‘figuring it all out’; Watching America.
The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM) is referred to as the Bible of Psychiatry. Like any scripture, it has nonbelievers. Award-winning author Sarah Fay is one of them. Fay combines investigative journalism and personal experience in her new book, “Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnosis.” Fay speaks candidly with Dr. Alan Campbell about the unintended impact mental illness labels had on her and what she learned through research into the field of psychiatry. sarahfay.org
In this episode of Watching America, we hear from civil rights activist, Hollywood newscaster, educator, and public speaker Luis Alberto Rivera Colon. His father was a Puerto Rican migrant worker; his mother, an entrepreneur. He’s also an old friend of our host, Dr. Alan Campbell. In this conversation, Colon tells stories from his new book, “Living Between Cultures: From Borinquen to Hollywood,” including how the death Freddie Prinze impacted his life.
Bestselling author Ken Coleman is called “America’s Career Coach.” He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program about meaningful work, but he’s in the guest seat on this episode of Watching America. Dr. Alan Campbell interviews Coleman about concepts from his latest book, “From Paycheck to Purpose: The Clear Path to Doing Work You Love.” Find more at ramseysolutions.com/ken-coleman
Wildlife is declining across the globe. But environmental historian Dr. Peter Alagona says a whole new ecosystem is developing as wild animals move into urban areas. In this episode of Watching America, Algona shares research from his new book, “The Accidental Ecosystem: People and Wildlife in American Cities.” Is interspecies coexistence possible in the concrete jungle? Listen to hear a surprising and insightful perspective. Peter Alagona is an environmental historian, conservation scientist, nature-culture geographer, and professor of Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara.
Winsome Earle Sears has served in Virginia as a Delegate and on the state’s Board of Education. In January, 2022, she became the state’s Lieutenant Governor. Sears, a Republican, is the first woman to hold that office in Virginia, and the first Black woman and Jamaican-born American elected to a statewide position in the state. In this episode of Watching America, host Dr. Alan Campbell focuses more on Sears’ personality and values than her political outlook. We also hear a segment of Dr. Campbell’s instructive conversation with Nobel Prize-winning economist, Dr. Paul Romer.
This is a surprising and sometimes difficult conversation about sex addiction with psychologist Nicole Prause; Erica Garza, author of "Getting Off: One Woman's Journey Through Sex and Porn Addiction"; and Charles (a pseudonym), who is heavily involved in Sex Addicts Anonymous. This episode first aired in 2019, almost exactly 3 years ago. We bring this back to our listeners after the recent episode with Anna Lembke about her book, “Dopamine Nation.”
Bryan Titman has been a sportsman since he was a child. He received a football scholarship to college, but he ended up pursuing his hearts dream: bull riding. Dr. Alan Campbell spoke with Titman about being a professional bull rider a few days before the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour competition in Virginia. Campbell (a secret cowboy fanatic) visited the event and spoke with other bull riders, a competition judge, a barrel man (or “distractor”), and audience members to get a real feel for the cowboy culture.
Dr. Anna Lembke is the Medical Director of Addiction Medicine at Stanford University Medical School. In this episode of Watching America, she talks about her book, “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence,” an instant bestseller. Listen to this riveting conversation about how the relentless pursuit of pleasure in the modern age paradoxically leads to increased pain and suffering.
Philosopher Jason D. Hill explores the concept of “inherited guilt” through moral and practical lenses in his latest book, “What Do White Americans Owe Black People? Racial Justice in the Age of Post-Oppression.” In this episode of Watching America, Hill speaks with Dr. Alan Campbell about the history of slavery and the three “foundings” of the United States: The Declaration of Independence, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
Expected Russian aggression against Ukraine has dominated the news, but the situation may be difficult to understand. On this episode of Watching America, we hear an intimate conversation from a military perspective. Colonel Hennadiy Kovalenko is a “NATO officer in a Ukrainian uniform.” He brings valuable insight to the current crisis, history, and possible future of relations between Ukraine and Russia. A truly captivating conversation.
Regret is something we’d all prefer to avoid. Regrettably, we can’t. Bestselling author Daniel Pink has studied regret extensively. On this episode of Watching America, he speaks with host Dr. Alan Campbell about his research, the value of regret, and experiences that bring different types of regret. “You're at a juncture in your life, you can play it safe, or you can take the chance. People don't take the chance. And over and over again, they regret it.” Pink’s book is “The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward.” danpink.com
This episode of Watching America harks back to 2019 when host Dr. Alan Campbell asked to interview the show’s senior producer, Gina Gambony. The topic was a “dark night of the soul” Gina experienced during a strange medical phenomenon that lasted the better part of a year. It included mistaken diagnosis, aphasia, brain surgery, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and a rare disorder called “paraneoplastic syndrome.” It also included a reorientation to life that was perhaps spurred by the temporary dominance of the right hemisphere of Gina’s brain.
According to Faisal Al Mutar, less than 1% of internet content is available in Arabic, creating a bubble of misinformation for many Arabic speakers. Al Mutar came to the United States as a refugee in 2013. In 2017, he founded the nonprofit “Ideas Beyond Borders” to provide educational opportunities to people who have little or no access to information about science, literature, philosophy, and history. In this deep discussion with host Dr. Alan Campbell, we hear about Al Mutar’s experiences in the Middle East and the mission of the organization, including the latest project to provide underground education to girls in Afghanistan.
“Journalism tends to look away from people at the end of life, especially at the undramatic end of a long life… Aging may be an ordinary bodily process, but like other bodily processes, it can elicit shame or embarrassment in others, maybe also fear or disgust.” New York Times reporter John Leland is at the end of a very long project--7 years to be exact. His in-depth interviews with six people over the age of 85 were chronicled in the New York Times and in his book, “Happiness is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old.” Leland’s conversation with host Alan Campbell is an unflinching and enlightening look at the natural process of aging. happinessisachoiceyoumake.com
Ballet performance appears glamorous and effortless to audiences; in reality, it requires grueling mental and physical discipline. Megan Fairchild believes the skills she learned as a principal ballerina with New York City Ballet can be transferred from the barre and stage to other pursuits. In this episode of Watching America, Fairchild talks about her new book: “The Ballerina Mindset: How to Protect Your Mental Health While Striving for Excellence.” Her experience is valuable to high achievers in every discipline.
meganfairchild.com
Alex Bernstein is a comedian and the award-winning author of the “Miserable” series of books (Miserable Adventure Stories, Miserable Holiday Stories, Miserable Love Stories), and “Plrknib.” His work has appeared at McSweeney’s, NewPopLit, The Big Jewel, The American Bystander, Yankee Pot Roast, Swink, and many others. In this episode of Watching America, we hear an excerpt of his popular story, “Blue Christmas,” wherein a Jewish man struggles to shield his son from Santa Claus while hiring an Elvis impersonator for his Jewish community center. We also hear two of his shorter stories in full. Listen to Alex Bernstein’s full reading of “Blue Christmas” and learn more about him at promonmars.com
Singer-songwriter Mike Mattison is an award-winning musician and founding member of Scrapomatic and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Ernest Suarez is the David M. O’Connell Professor of English at the Catholic University of America and the executive director of the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers. They joined forces to create “Poetic Song Verse: Blues-Based Popular Music and Poetry,” a book that lovingly examines the relationship between blues-based music and poetry starting in the 1950s. This episode of Watching America is a must-listen for “music freaks” and literary lovers alike.
Did evolution prepare us for modern times? According to two evolutionary biologists, the modern world is out of sync with our ancient brains and bodies. On this episode of Watching America, Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying discuss their new book, “A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century: Evolution and the Challenges of Modern Life.” Learn more: huntergatherersguide.com
Best-selling author Michael Shellenberger is a Time magazine “Hero of the Environment” and writes on environmental issues for various publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. He graduated from the Peace and Global Studies program at Earlham College. In this episode of Watching America, we hear about his latest book, “San Fran-Sicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities.” It’s an analysis of homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction in California’s tent cities. Host Dr. Alan Campbell also asks Shellenberger, who is a longtime progressive, about the subtitle of this work. Shellenberger’s other books include “Apocalypse Never,” “Break Through,” and “An Ecomodernist Manifesto.” Learn more at environmentalprogress.org
Phil Donahue (The Phil Donahue Show) and Marlo Thomas (That Girl) have been married for 40 years. They authored a book last year titled “What Makes a Marriage Last,” featuring their interviews with 40 couples. In this interview from August 2020, we hear details about some of their most revealing and tender conversations. Dr. Alan Campbell also talks to Phil and Marlo about interesting moments in their storied careers.
Engineering professor Leidy Klotz says human beings are wired to add, not subtract. In fact, he says we're twice as disappointed to lose something as we are happy to gain something of the same value. The human aversion to subtraction can result in inferior design, unmanageable amounts of regulations, and a chaotic personal life.
In this conversation with Dr. Alan Campbell, Klotz discusses his research and offers tips on how to wield the power of subtraction for the benefit of yourself and your community. leidyklotz.com
Truman Capote’s social life amongst the rich and famous is the latest topic examined by acclaimed biographer, Laurence Leamer. “Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era” looks at the author’s relationships with fabulously wealthy women, and why he betrayed them in the end.
Laurence Leamer is an award-winning journalist and author of multiple bestselling biographies, including the trilogy, “The Kennedy Women,” “The Kennedy Men,” and “Sons of Camelot.” He has been banned from the club by former president Donald Trump for writing “Mar-a-Lago: Inside the Gates of Power at Donald Trump's Presidential Palace.”
Learn more at leamer.com
The Times says Niall Ferguson is the “most brilliant British historian of his generation.” He hails from Scotland precisely, and he’s now a U.S. citizen, just like Watching America’s host, Dr. Alan Campbell. In this conversation between the two British Americans, we hear about Ferguson’s latest book, “Doom: The Politics of Catastrophe.” Ferguson claims that all disasters in some sense are man-made, and we’re not getting any better at managing them. In fact, bureaucratic inertia and general incompetence are making things worse. The coronavirus pandemic is discussed alongside the nature of disaster itself, ranging from modern catastrophes in Haiti and Japan, stretching all the way back to Mt. Vesuvius. Niall Ferguson is a senior fellow at Harvard and Stanford, a visiting professor at Tsinghua University, Beijing, and founder and managing director of advisory firm, Greenmantle LLC. He is the author of 16 books. Learn more at niallferguson.com
Dr. Randall Bell is an economist and a sociologist who boasts the nickname “Master of Disaster.” He’s been a consultant for hundreds of catastrophes, include the biggest tragedies of our time: the World Trade Center attack, Sandy Hook, Hurricane Katrina, the Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test sites, the BP Oil spill, the OJ Simpson trial, the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, and “Heaven's Gate,” to name a few.
Bell has been featured in all major media outlets, and while you may be familiar with his work, you don’t want to miss this intimate conversation between Bell and Watching America host, Dr. Alan Campbell. They talk about Bell’s new book, “Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience,” which focuses on dealing with trauma and using it as a fuel for prosperity.
Learn more about this book and Dr. Bell at https://www.coreiq.com/books
FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism) is a new organization founded by people from diverse backgrounds—its advisory board includes left-leaning thinkers like Steven Pinker to right-leaning economists like Glenn Loury. Many on the board are harder to define ideologically, including the guests on this episode of Watching America.
Bion Bartning is the executive director of FAIR. He is half Mexican and Yaqui, half Jewish. He pulled his children from a private school in New York because he rejected its new ideology that he says missed the point of the Civil Rights Movement.
Daryl Davis, an R&B/Blues musician, is on FAIR’s board of advisors. Davis is perhaps most famous for his interviews with Ku Klux Klan members—and his conversion of them. Davis, who is black, authored “Klan-Destine Relationships” and was the subject of the PBS documentary “Accidental Courtesy.”
Enjoy this conversation about the “pro-human” approach to civil rights with Bartning and Davis. Find more about FAIR at https://www.fairforall.org
This is an intimate conversation with controversial radio talk show host and author, Larry Elder. We hear about his childhood, his relationship with his father, and his perspective on guns, race, and health care.
He’s said publicly on multiple occasions—including in this interview—that he would not run for office. Of course, we know that Elder is indeed running for office right now in California … which is what inspired us to dust off this conversation and have another listen.
Find out more about the "Sage from South Central" at larryelder.com
Studies show that loneliness has been on the rise in the United States—even before the pandemic.
Social psychologist and lawyer, J. W. “Terry” Freiberg, explores the very real pain of chronic loneliness in his latest award-winning book, “Surrounded By Others, and Yet So Alone.”
It’s the third publication in his award-winning series exploring the profound impacts of loneliness. In this episode of Watching America, we hear heartbreaking stories of loneliness. We also hear inspirational stories of healing.
Freiberg holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He is also the author of “Critical Sociology: European Perspectives,” and “The French Press.”
https://www.jwfreiberg.com/
Clarissa Ward has been reporting from Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control. Her compelling journalism from the streets of Kabul brings the reality of the situation to the world.
Ward spoke about her career as a journalist in hectic environments earlier this year on Watching America.
Growing up between two cultures - two worlds - can teach a kid a lot. But it cannot teach an innate love and talent for storytelling. Clarissa Ward has both.
Ward is the chief international correspondent for CNN and has collected quite a number of stories during her lifetime of traveling, reporting and teaching others what she knows.
Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Ward about her childhood, early career, biggest lessons for aspiring journalists, and her new book that ties it all together: "On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist."
Stephen Spielberg’s blockbuster film “Catch Me If You Can” brought the story of con man Frank W. Abagnale into widespread public awareness. But as award-winning author Alan C. Logan reveals, Abagnale’s confessions of his own exploits are hoaxes themselves. Logan’s new book, “The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching the Truth, While We Can,” is an exhaustively researched debunking of the myth crafted by the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest con man.” Watching America host, Dr. Alan Campbell, notes that Abagnale has presented himself as a “benign cowboy of trickery.” Listen to this interview with Logan to hear about the more malignant aspects of Abagnale’s frauds – and how they were kept undercover for so long.
Seth David Radwell was puzzled when he noticed his colleagues were increasingly less inclined to discuss topics of national interest. “How are we,” he says, “as a democratic republic, going to forge solutions if we can’t even discuss the problem?”
Radwell says the way to reignite robust public discussion is to embrace enlightenment values--objectivity, science, and tolerance.
Radwell’s deeply researched book, “American Schism: How the Two Enlightenments Hold the Secret to Healing Our Nation,” explores the roots of discord through an analysis of how the moderate and radical strands of enlightenment thought clashed throughout history and into modern times. We hope you enjoy this lively conversation between Radwell and Watching America host, Dr. Alan Campbell.
sethdavidradswell.com
SETH DAVID RADWELL is an internationally known business executive with a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Columbia University. He served as President of e-Scholastic and as President of Bookspan/Bertelsmann, where he oversaw all editorial, marketing, media, and digital functions for iconic brands such as Book of the Month Club and developed book clubs for a diverse readership, including Black Expressions.
T.K. Thorne served on the police force in Birmingham, Alabama for more than two decades before retiring as a precinct captain. After that, she began the career she’d dreamt of since childhood as an award-winning author.
Her latest book, “Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham’s Civil Rights Days,” peels back the veil of history to reveal little-known or never-told stories of an intriguing cast of characters. These include progressive members of the Jewish, Christian, and educational communities, and a racist businessman and a Ku Klux Klan member, who, in an ironic twist, helped bring about justice and forward racial equality and civil rights.
The book is based in part on firsthand recollections of a reporter with the state's major newspaper of the time, who was embedded with law enforcement.
Listen to Dr. Alan Campbell’s intriguing discussion with Thorne about Magic City—Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more about Thorne's works at tkthorne.com
Jemel McWilliams is the creative force behind performances you've likely seen-- John Legend, Janelle Mona, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, MAGIC! and The Walls Group have worked under his direction. His artistic vision has manifested on the multiple platforms, including the Oscars, Grammy's, Coachella, BET Awards, NBC's "The Voice," and numerous music videos. McWilliams is a dancer, choreographer, and an all-around Renaissance man. His work is inspiring, but as revealed in this conversation with Dr. Alan Campbell, his positive worldview is infectious.
On this episode of Watching America, we hear from a former secret service agent who studied abnormal and forensic psychology. Mary Beth Wilkas Janke discusses her memoir, “The Protector: A Woman's Journey from the Secret Service to Guarding VIPs and Working in Some of the World's Most Dangerous Places.” Janke shares details of her harrowing adventures around the world along with some tips on how to stay calm in the middle of crisis.
Dr. Stephen Meyer has dedicated his life to the philosophy of science in an attempt to answer some of the most pressing questions in the universe. In this episode of Watching America, Meyer talks about his book, “Return of the God Hypothesis.” While intellectuals in the 19th century began insisting that science and religion were in a never-ending war, Meyer details three modern scientific discoveries with decidedly theistic implications. You don’t want to miss this thought-provoking conversation. Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. He was a geophysicist and college professor, and now directs Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture in Seattle. Other works by Meyer include the bestselling “Darwin’s Doubt” and the award-winning “Signature in the Cell.” His work can be found in various publications and media, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Jim Lehrer News Hour, Nightline, and Tavis Smiley Show, amongst many more. Details at stephencmeyer.org
The legacy and the promise of John F. Kennedy, Jr. has always been a subject of controversy speculation in American culture. Now a scholar and friend of Kennedy comes forward with an important book to help unravel the mystery. In AMERICA'S RELUCTANT PRINCE: THE LIFE OF JOHN F. KENNEDY JR., Steven M. Gillon draws on his scholarship and his personal experience to bring us a portrait of a could-be leader the nation lost before he could achieve his potential. Dr. Alan Campbell discusses this important work with the author. This conversation first aired on November 7, 2019
From Amazon: Steven M. Gillon is the scholar in residence at the History Channel and a professor of history at the University of Oklahoma. He is one of the nation’s leading experts on modern American history and politics, and his articles have appeared in academic journals and such newspapers as the Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, and The Boston Globe. He is a frequent contributor to HuffPost and has made appearances on NBC’s Today show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News as a commentator and expert on issues related to modern American history. He has written or edited nearly a dozen books, including the New York Times bestsellers America's Reluctant Prince: The Life of John F. Kennedy Jr. and The Pact: Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and the Rivalry That Defined a Generation.
Several years ago, Donna Francart started volunteering for a community crisis response team. She became aware of her innate compassion in dealing with difficult situations, which ultimately led her to a new line of work as a Deputy Coroner.
Francart shares her experiences, documented through years of journaling, in her memoir, “I’ve Seen Dead People: Diary of a Deputy Coroner.”
In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell speaks to Francart about the emotional and physical challenges of working with the dead—and most importantly, the friends and family left behind.
“I've Seen Dead People” has been adapted into a screenplay by Frank Burmaster and Gary Revel, with plans to develop it for a feature film.
This episode is not appropriate for all listeners.
Award-winning photographer Mark Laita has used his skills for clients such as Adidas, Apple and Mercedes-Benz, and his photography has been exhibited worldwide. But he might be doing the most important work of his life right now on Skid Row in Los Angeles. A few years ago, Laita started taking photographs of people living on the street, drug-addicts and prostitutes—and he began interviewing them and recording their stories. He never imagined his YouTube project "Soft White Underbelly" would take off the way it has, with over a million subscribers. Laita says he can’t help all the people he speaks to (though he has tried). But he says raising awareness about the suffering of people we don’t regularly meet could help future generations. Dr. Alan Campbell has an intimate conversation with Laita, discussing his childhood, how he became a photographer, and the painful but powerful work he’s doing now.
Visit “Soft White Underbelly” https://tinyurl.com/tg232ag
Learn more about Mark Laita http://www.marklaita.com/
This episode first aired on October 2, 2020.
You may know actor Greg Ellis from his role as “Lieutenant Commander Groves” in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Perhaps you’d recognize him as “Chief Engineer Olsen” from J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek. Or maybe you remember him from The Titanic, Forsaken, and countless television roles. In this episode of Watching America, we don’t talk about the roles Ellis has played; instead, we hear about a real-life drama he experienced when ten false words led to the unravelling of his life. This conversation reveals extreme difficulties many fathers (and some mothers) face in divorce. You’ll hear about Ellis’ book, The Respondent: Exposing the Cartel of Family Law, his podcast, and the nonprofit organization, Parents & Children United (PCU), launched to help families navigate the family law system in the United States. Find more about the book and ongoing work by Greg Ellis at https://www.therespondent.com/
We first met with Ayaan Hirsi Ali last year about her work as an advocate for freedom of speech and the rights of Muslim women, as well as her conviction to the values of Western liberalism. Ali was born and raised in Somalia, became a Dutch citizen (and representative) as a young adult, and now is a citizen of the U.S. In this episode, she talks about her new book, “Prey: Immigration, Islam, and the Erosion of Women’s Rights.” Find out more about the book and find Ali’s podcast at ayaanhirsiali.com.
In the second part of the program, we hear from associate professor of philosophy and art, Megan Craig. Craig suffered a serious concussion as the result of an ice-skating accident. In order for her brain to heal, doctors advised her to “not think” for a while—difficult medicine for a philosopher. Craig talks about what she contemplated while she tried to put her brain on pause, and how the experience changed the way she thinks about existence.
In her latest book, “First Platoon: A Story of Modern War in the Age of Identity Dominance,” award-winning author Annie Jacobsen documents how the U.S. Department of Defense has built the world’s most powerful biometrics database.
It has the power to identify, monitor, catalogue, and police people all over the world.
The San Francisco City Book Review calls Jacobsen’s book “grade A journalism.”
If you are concerned about civil liberties, don’t miss this episode of Watching America.
This conversation first aired on WHRV Public Media on February 12, 2021.
It started with one haircut.
“One evening in the spring of 2015, I was on my way to a friend’s house after work. I didn’t make it. I walked past a man who was homeless at the time. I would often stop to speak with him … but this time was different … I remembered that I had my tools in my backpack and asked if he’d like his hair cut. In the hour that followed, he told me his story. The next time we met, he introduced me to some of his friends. Before long I was heading out whenever I could, giving haircuts throughout the streets of London.”
That’s an excerpt from the book “Do Something For Nothing” by Joshua Coombes. Today on Watching America, we hear from Coombes about the impact a haircut and a conversation can make.
Explore how you can make a difference with whatever skills you have at dosomethingfornothing.com
Do you hear voices … inside your head? Well, we all do. The secret, according to Dr. Ethan Kross, is to manage the way we talk to ourselves. In this episode of Watching America, Kross discusses the research behind his bestselling book, “Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.” Kross is an experimental psychologist, neuroscientist, and founder of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory. After listening to this enlightening conversation, your inner voice might learn to pause a moment before creating its next conversation. Learn more about Kross' work at ethankross.com
Dr. Alan Campbell continues his conversation about the British royal family with “Watching America” senior producer, Gina Gambony. We pick up from the last episode regarding the approach of the end of an era following the death of Prince Philip and the exit of Harry and Meghan from “the Firm.”
In this episode, we also hear from Roberta Fiorito from the podcast “Royally Obsessed.” She has special insight into how Americans feel about topics emanating from Buckingham Palace. You can find that show on Instagram: @RoyallyObsessedPodcast
The British royalty have been in the American news lately—Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the death of Prince Philip.
Then again, the royals always seem to make the news in the United States, even if only in the gossip columns.
Our host, Dr. Alan Campbell, isn’t the first to say that many Americans are obsessed with royalty—but he believes we don’t know enough about them.
In this episode of Watching America, the show’s senior producer, Gina Gambony, asks Alan questions she’d like answered about the British royal family…and Alan provides a deep look at the history. So deep, in fact, that this is part one of a two-part series on the topic.
In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Neil Farber, MD about his new book, “Serendipity: Utilizing Everyday Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life.”
The word “serendipity” implies accidental good luck. But doctor and researcher Neil Farber says it happens more than we think, and we can harness its power.
Farber has spent decades teaching, researching, and practicing internal medicine, publishing more than 60 medical studies.
He gives us an inside scoop on the serendipitous, how it changed his life, and how paying attention to it could change yours.
Michele Bailey has a long history in business. She is the CEO of “The Blazing Group” and “My Big Idea,” where she helps businesses build their vision and brands, create strategy-first cultures, and focus on the personal and professional growth of entrepreneurs and employees.
Bailey talks with host Alan Campbell about her new book, “The Currency of Gratitude: Placing Gratitude at the Center of Your Personal Brand.”
She shares her struggles as a business woman—even some she hasn’t yet overcome.
An instructive listen for business leaders and anyone who wants to get along with others!
Sometimes inspiration comes like a bolt from the blue. On this edition of Watching America, we hear the story of “acquired savant” Tony Cicoria, who became musically inspired after being struck by lightning. His story was was brought to public attention in the book, “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,” by Oliver Sacks.
We hear another inspirational musical tale from brothers James and Robert Freeman. They are musicians who come from a notably musical family. To honor their parents, the Freeman brothers commissioned 3 compositions to honor their parents, Henry and Florence Knope Freeman. The CD is titled “Three Tributes,” and the music is composed by Kevin Puts, Andrea Clearfield, and Gunther Schuller.
You can find Cicoria’s “Notes From an Accidental Pianist,” which includes “Fantasia, the Lightning Sonata,” at https://music.apple.com/us/album/notes-from-an-accidental-pianist-and-composer/295902083
You can find “Three Tributes” at https://www.innova.mu/albums/james-and-robert-freeman/three-tributes
In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Michael Patrick Smith, a musician, playwright, and author of The Good Hand: A Memoir of Work, Brotherhood, and Transformation in an American Boomtown. Kirkus reviews calls Smith’s debut “a white-hot, fiercely argued case for working rural people in the face of their economically brutal lives.”
After working countless “in-between” jobs as a stage actor, bartender, junk-hauler, waiter, security guard, legal assistant, and more, Michael Patrick Smith chose to pick up the role of an oil-field hand in Williamston, North Dakota. He had one main goal – to get his share of the oil boom’s money. He recorded his trip in a notebook, lived and worked side-by-side with an array of hard-working individuals from all corners of life, and came back with new-found reverence and insight of what it meant to be a “good hand.”
Hear Smith recount what drove him out to the oil fields of North Dakota, who he met, what he learned, and what he carries with him today.
“If we can re-humanize the people with whom we disagree, that takes us a good bit of the way to being able to engage with them outside of this realm of moral purity and moral pollution.”
What is “moral pollution”? On this episode of Watching America, we learn what it is and how it creates divisions between people that are difficult to bridge.
Pamela Paresky, Ph.D., is a Visiting Senior Research Associate the the Stevanovich Institute on the Formation of Knowledge (SIFK) at the University of Chicago, and a Senior Scholar at the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI).
In this conversation, Paresky talks about her research for the bestselling book, “The Coddling of the American Mind” by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. We also hear about her forthcoming book, “Habits of a Free Mind,” a toolkit for engaging across lines of difference without feeling traumatized and without dehumanizing others.
Author Mark Harris took on the daunting task of writing a biography of Mike Nichols, the larger-than-life theatre and film actor, comedian, producer, and director. Harris worked on the book for several years, and the product, “Mike Nichols: A Life,” has been lauded as “meticulous,” “engrossing,” and “superbly written” by reviewers. The book, released in February 2021, was an instant New York Times Bestseller.
On this episode of Watching America, Alan Campbell speaks to Harris about Mike Nichols’ life and work, Harris’ relationship with Nichols, and the difficulties and delights inherent in writing honestly about a friend.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534835/mike-nichols-by-mark-harris/
Jason D. Hill is an author, poet and professor of philosophy. He’s earned multiple degrees and has a most interesting background. Originally from Jamaica, Hill immigrated to the United States when he was 20 years old. His academic specialties include ethics and political philosophy, and he is a shameless fan of the United States.
On this episode of Watching America, Hill discusses his book, “We Have Overcome: An Immigrant’s Letter to the American People.” His unique perspective and gentle demeanor invite fresh consideration of contemporary issues regarding identity, ethics, and radical forgiveness.
You can learn more about Hill’s book and other works at https://www.jasondamianhill.com
Annie Jacobsen is a prolific, award-winning author. Her latest work is FIRST PLATOON: A STORY OF MODERN WAR IN THE AGE OF IDENTITY DOMINANCE.
In it, Jacobsen reveals the connection between young US Army men in Afghanistan and the Department of Defense’s quest to create the most powerful biometrics database in the world.
You won’t want to miss this conversation.
“…all of this calls into question our fourth amendment right, the right to privacy. And what I learned from some of these legal experts, legal scholars, is that these issues are being debated in the courts, bu that is happening at a snail's pace. Meanwhile, the biometric collection systems and all this data that's just being sucked up into the system is moving forward at science fiction like speed.”
Annie Jacobsen is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and the New York Times bestselling author of AREA 51; OPERATION PAPERCLIP; THE PENTAGON’S BRAIN; PHENOMENA; and SURPRISE, KILL, VANISH. Her work has been translated into ten languages.
What if someone told you that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was actually just the beginning -- a proverbial sail to a massive ship of self-actualization? And what if the way to realize your best self is to transcend your “self” altogether?
On this episode of Watching America, host Dr. Alan Campbell explores these ideas more with cognitive scientist, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman.
They discuss Kaufman’s journey through Maslow’s work, how his own adolescent experiences lead him to the work he does today, and how it all falls into his new book Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.
The woman who changed Batman forever -- Catwoman. In the late 1960’s, Julie Newmar captured the world’s attention as the series’ first femme fatale. Her credits on stage, television and film are too numerous to list, but they span multiple decades—most recently, she revised her iconic role as Catwoman in the animated feature “Batman Vs. Two-Face” in 2017. This was 50 years after the role premiered.
There’s even more to Newmar than being the “It” girl of the 20th century and beyond. In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell speaks with her about growing up in Hollywood, her now not-so-secret gardens, the role that the idea of beauty has played in her life, and more.
Presidents have wrangled with journalists in a struggle to convey--and repress--the truth, all the way back to George Washington.
Award-winning author Harold Holzer writes a full history of this contentious relationship in his book, The Presidents Vs. The Press: The Endless Battle Between the White House and the Media—From the Founding Fathers to Fake News.
Former President Trump’s tweets seem downright mild compared to antics from previous presidents.
Holzer is a leading authority on Abraham Lincoln and prolific author. Find out more about his work at haroldholzer.com.
Growing up between two cultures - two worlds - can teach a kid a lot. But it cannot teach an innate love and talent for storytelling. This week’s guest has both.
Clarissa Ward is the chief international correspondent for CNN and has collected quite a number of stories during her lifetime of traveling, reporting and teaching others what she knows.
This week, Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Ward about her childhood, early career, biggest lessons from aspiring journalists, and her know book that ties it all together: On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist.
She takes us from hot zones to front lines in a world that never seems to slow down.
In this episode, we hear from author and journalist Matthew Yglesias about his latest book, One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger. He says we have the space for more people, and more people would make us a wealthier and happier country. Yglesias co-founded Vox.com with Ezra Klein and Melissa Bell in 2014. He currently writes for Substack and co-hosts The Weeds podcast twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. He’s worked for The Atlantic, The Center for American Progress, and Slate. Other books include The Rent is Too Damn High and Heads in the Sand: How the Republicans Screw Up Foreign Policy and Foreign Policy Screws Up the Democrats. Yglesias was born and raised in New York City, but has lived in Washington DC since graduating college in 2003.
What can we learn from the Southern films of the past? What can be done in the future to make new ones as multidimensional and as vast as the region really is?
This week, Dr. Alan Campbell chats with author and film fanatic Ben Beard about his new book, The South Never Plays Itself: A Film Buff’s Journey Through the South on Screen, and more.
The film industry’s idea of the South never seems to capture the true complexities, differences, and beauties that it holds. Beard and Campbell take a trip through time to discuss some of the genre’s most memorable movies -- the good, the bad, and the contentious.
Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Ricks set out to dig into the foundation of the United States by reading the literature that was read by the first four presidents. This took him on a journey from Aristotle to Cicero to John Locke.
He wrote about the influence of classical education on the American republic in his book, First Principle: What America’s Founders Learned from the Greeks and Romans and How That Shaped Our Country. Host Dr. Alan Campbell speaks with Ricks about the interesting sources of the structure of our government, including how some difficult choices were made based on centuries-old political mistakes. We also hear who of the first presidents Ricks admires most.
Pulitzer-Prize and Emmy award-winning journalist, Barton Gellman became one of the most notable investigative journalists of our time while working with Edward Snowden to expose the machinery of the U.S. surveillance state.
His new book, Dark Mirror, is the story he couldn’t tell before -- a real-life spy saga and a gripping narrative of the investigative reporting that exposed a different side of national security.
In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell and Gellman dive deeper into not only Snowden’s story, but Gellman’s own determination to stand up for the truth-- and what he discovered about himself along the way.
Actor Stephen Root has appeared in nearly countless roles on television and film—from Star Trek, NewsRadio, West Wing, and King of the Hill on television, to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country for Old Men, and Idiocracy on film.
Root has worked with HBO on True Blood, Barry, and Boardwalk Empire, and most recently on Perry Mason as Maynard Barnes. That show is in its second season now.
In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Root about his childhood, dramatic training, comedy, various roles he’s played, and various people in the film and television industry with whom he's worked.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is activist for women’s rights and the author of the book Infidel: My Life, and many others. In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell speaks with Ali about America, religion, cancel culture, the failures of American universities, and more. Ali was born in Somalia in 1969 and took asylum in the Netherlands when she was 23. Within 10 years, she was a member of the Dutch Parliament. Ali became a U.S. citizen in 2013 and has become an international figure in the conversation of human rights. She is a staunch defender of classical liberalism and western culture from the perspective of an East African asylum seeker. Her new book, Prey, comes out next year. It explores the alarming rise of sexual violence and harassment in Europe’s cities through statistics, criminal cases, and her own personal testimony.
Practice rigorous authenticity. Surrender the outcome. Do uncomfortable work. Michael Brody-Waite learned these skills through his continued recovery as a drug addict. He says these same practices made him a successful CEO. In this episode of Watching America, host Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Brody-Waite about his book, Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts: How to Lead Like Your Life Depends on It, and how to remove the “mask” we wear in order to truly thrive at work--and in life.
Dr. Peter Boghossian was one of our first guests on Watching America. In spring 2019, he spoke with us about the Grievance Studies hoax, along with his academic cohorts: mathematician James Lindsay and author/researcher Helen Pluckrose. Listen to that episode: https://mediaplayer.whro.org/program/watchingamerica/e/watchingamerica-thursday-may-2nd-2019
Boghossian and Lindsay recently published the book, “How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide.”
Boghossian says society will collapse if people don’t learn to communicate freely and truthfully. Host Dr. Alan Campbell speaks to him about the value of conversation, disagreement, and cognitive liberty.
Boghossian is a philosophy professor at Portland State University. His fundamental objective is to teach people how to think through what often seem to be intractable problems. His primary research areas are critical thinking and moral reasoning.
To learn more, visit http://peterboghossian.com On Twitter: @peterboghossian
A man named Rick Singer was at the center of the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Singer helped wealthy parents get their children into colleges of choice with doctored essays, altered test scores, and fake athletic resumes. And let’s not forget—a whole lot of money. Wall Street Journal reporters Melissa Korn and Jennifer Levitz wrote a book detailing what Kirkus Reviews calls “the seamy intersection of ambition, money, and higher education.” Dr. Alan Campbell speaks with Korn and Levitz about the book, Unacceptable: Privilege, Deceit, and the Making of the College Admissions Scandal. We hear how Singer managed this scheme for so long, how he was eventually caught, and the social backdrop that created the demand for his services.
This episode is not appropriate for all listeners.
Award-winning photographer Mark Laita has used his skills for clients such as Adidas, Apple and Mercedes-Benz, and his photography has been exhibited worldwide. But he might be doing the most important work of his life right now on Skid Row in Los Angeles. A few years ago, Laita started taking photographs of people living on the street, drug-addicts and prostitutes—and he began interviewing them and recording their stories. He never imagined his YouTube project Soft White Underbelly would take off the way it has, with over a million subscribers. Laita says he can’t help all the people he speaks to (though he has tried). But he says raising awareness about the suffering of people we don’t regularly meet could help future generations. Dr. Alan Campbell has an intimate conversation with Laita, discussing his childhood, how he became a photographer, and the painful but powerful work he’s doing now.
Visit “Soft White Underbelly” https://tinyurl.com/tg232ag Learn more about Mark Laita http://www.marklaita.com/
Paul Robeson was world famous for his talents as a singer, actor, and professional football player. But his most important work was as an astute lawyer and activist, working against Jim Crow and Joseph McCarthy. Author Gerald Horne and Dr. Alan Campbell have an edifying and inspiring conversation about Horne’s new book, Paul Robeson: The Artist As Revolutionary. Horne also authored The Counter-Revolution of 1776 and Black Revolutionary. He holds the John J. and Rebecca Moores Chair of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston.
This is Part 2 of Dr. Alan Campbell's discussion with Burt Ward (Robin)--and this time, we hear from his wife, Tracy Posner, as well. Ward and Posner have dedicated their lives to rescuing animals. They created a dog food, "Gentle Giants," and just created a healthy formula for cats as well.
We hear from Burt Ward, who played Robin in the original Batman TV series. Ward is as lively, clever and funny as ever. He talks about becoming Robin at a young age, his life-long friendship with Batman (Adam West), and reveals backstage secrets and stunts from the show. We bring you part 2 of Dr. Alan Campbell's conversation with Ward in our next episode.
You may have heard singer, songwriter and musician Cassadee Pope on The Voice (she won), or in music from her first band, Hey Monday. She may have caught your attention when she was up for a Grammy. On this episode, we hear about her new solo album: Rise and Shine. Pope talks about the twists and turns in the life of a musician, and we hear samples of her latest work.
Award-winning author and journalist Colin Woodard talks about his latest book, Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood. Woodard and Dr. Alan Campbell discuss the main figures in the book, including George Bancroft, Woodrow Wilson and Frederick Douglass, and their efforts to create the nation’s identity. Woodard also comments on the current crisis of American unity.
Phil Donahue (The Phil Donahue Show) and Marlo Thomas (That Girl) have been married for 40 years. They just authored a book titled What Makes a Marriage Last. The book features their interviews with 40 couples—and we hear details about some of their most revealing and tender conversations. Dr. Alan Campbell also talks to Phil and Marlo about interesting moments in their storied careers.
The “Dunning-Kruger effect” is the bias people hold regarding their own cognitive ability. Not surprisingly, competence in a given area is not necessarily required to inspire confidence in one’s own abilities. Dr. Alan Campbell has a fascinating conversation with Dr. David Dunning about the implications this has in society--and we learn that none of us is immune.
Mayim Bialik was the child star on the hit show Blossom, who went on to become part of The Big Bang Theory. Her career took a fascinating turn when she became a neuroscientist, earning her PhD from UCLA. Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Bialik about her online and offline life, and new entertainment ventures in Celebrity Showoff and Call Me Cat. Then, we delve into the secret history behind a hit show with Andy Greene, author of The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: An Oral History. Greene is senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine.
You may know comedian, commentator, and political enigma Dave Rubin from The Young Turks, the Hot Gay Comics podcast, or his own youtube show, The Rubin Report. He describes himself as a “classical liberal.” Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Rubin about his political transformation over the years, and his new book, Don’t Burn This Book: Thinking for Yourself in the Age of Unreason.
Jemel McWilliams is the creative force behind performances you’ve likely seen-- John Legend, Janelle Monaé, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, MAGIC! and The Walls Group have worked under his direction. His artistic vision has manifested on the multiple platforms, including the Oscars, Grammy's, Coachella, BET Awards, NBC's “The Voice,” and numerous music videos. McWilliams is a dancer, choreographer, and an all-around Renaissance man. His work is inspiring, but as revealed in this conversation with Dr. Alan Campbell, his positive worldview is infectious.
Author, academic, activist, and self-proclaimed feminist Dr. Warren Farrell says boys are suffering from a lack of purpose. Farrell has written extensively about men’s issues and how true equality between the sexes can be obtained—including in his international best sellers, Whey Men Are The Way They Are, and The Myth Of Male Power. Dr. Alan Campbell speaks to Farrell about his latest book, The Boy Crisis, co-authored by John Gray.
Kelly AuCoin is one of the most interesting character actors on the some of the most compelling television shows today. As "Dollar Bill" Stearn on "Billions," he faced prison and betrayed family and friends to serve his company. As Pastor Tim on "The Americans," he threatened to unravel the KGB deep cover operation. In this episode of Watching America, he talks to Dr. Alan Campbell about his craft, his wife (Carolyn Hall), and how to make unforgettable television.
At 14, Dianne Lake became the youngest member of Charles Manson's "family." She endured manipulation, psychological control, and abuse. As one of the members who was in the family the longest, she saw the darkness that became a national story. Now she tells Dr. Alan Campbell about her memories and her book, "Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness That Ended the Sixties."
Kristen Bell has created quirky, likable characters for "The Good Place" and "Veronica Mars." Her new book, "The World Needs More Purple People," is about unity and tolerance. She joins Dr. Alan Campbell to discuss the inspiration behind it, plus her new cartoon character on "Central Park," and her life.
Adam Conover blows up myths and reveals surprising truths. He's the creator, writer and host of ADAM RUINS EVERYTHING, just wrapping up its final season. He also just launched the podcast, FACTUALLY!, where he interviews experts who reveal the secrets behind subjects from the US Constitution to mass incarceration to climate change. Dr. Alan Campbell welcomes Adam to a fascinating discussion about the great truths of our time.
Terry O’Quinn, of Lost and Emergence fame, is one of the most compelling character actors of his generation. Dr. Alan Campbell explores the craft of acting with this singular talent. O'Quinn even plays a little guitar for Alan. This episode first aired on October 17, 2019.
Boredom can be one of the most excruciating emotions you experience. But sometimes it's the beginning of something wonderful - inventions, books, art and music. Dr. Alan Campbell explores all the ways we can use boredom with Manoush Zomorodi, the host of NPR's TED Radio Hour, and author and artist Hans Wilhelm. A packed, exciting episode about boredom? Watching America promises to pull it off.
Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino is known for her wide range of work over the course several decades. Now, she stars in a provocative new series, "Hollywood," which reimagines the golden age of entertainment. Dr. Alan Campbell welcomes her to "Watching America" to discuss her life, her work and her fascinating career.
Writing as Lemony Snicket, author Daniel Handler has given countless children important life lessons about tragic accidents, conspiracies, reptiles, secret societies, doom and malevolence. He talks to Dr. Alan Campbell about his work and career, and what to do to alleviate boredom. A charming, truly weird edition of Watching America.
We hear from a former secret service agent who studied abnormal and forensic psychology. Mary Beth Wilkas Janke just published her memoir, The Protector: A Woman’s Journey from the Secret Service to Guarding VIPS and Working in Some of the World’s Most Dangerous Places. Janke shares her harrowing adventures around the world, along with some tips on how to stay calm in the middle of crisis.
New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill covers the disturbing ways that scientific advances impact our privacy. The story she recently uncovered about new facial recognition tools is truly shocking. Host Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Hill about the strange and disquieting implications these technologies have for all of us. Also, "The Running Mates" are a husband and wife singing duo whose reinventions of classic songs--and original pieces--have dominated social media. Alan Campbell talks to them about inspiration, true love and how to harmonize under pressure – a skill all couples need!
Jeb Corliss has jumped off the Eiffel Tower, the Seattle Space Needle, the statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, and more. If you wonder what makes a daredevil tick, you'll enjoy this conversation between Corliss and host Dr. Alan Campbell about God, death, fear, and the meaning of life.
We are delighted to bring you a conversation with the inimitable Carol Burnett. Dr. Alan Campbell speaks with the comedy legend about her early life, her work, and the world behind the stage. We apologize in advance for the singing at the end, but you'll likely be singing along.
Bob Dylan's new ballad "Murder Most Foul" has been described as a "work of epic genius." Join us to listen to the piece in its entirety (17 minutes) along with other story songs we can't forget.
What's the point of art? What can it do for us in times like these? What does it demand, and could it save us? Dr. Alan Campbell digs into these questions with doctor-doctor-doctor Jerry Saltz, art critic and author of How to be An Artist.
The Black Dahlia murder case is one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in American history. Steve Hodel was a retired LAPD homicide detective who began investigating this cold case and realized the trail led to his own father. Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Hodel about his discoveries. Hodel's books include Black Dahlia Avenger; Most Evil: Avenger, Zodiac, and the Further Serial Murders of Dr. George Hill Hodel; and most recently, In the Mesquite (2019) This episode may not be appropriate for all listeners.
Caroline Johnson could have gone into fashion or filmmaking (she was a debutante), but instead she became an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Officer. She was one of the first women to fly a combat mission over Iraq since 2011, and one of the first women to drop bombs on ISIS. Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Johnson about what motivated her to join the Navy and what she experienced. Johnson's book is Jet Girl: My Life in War, Peace, and the Cockpit of the Navy's Most Lethal Aircraft, the F/A-18 Super Hornet, written in conjunction with Hof Williams.
At 16, he was the leader of one of the first neo-Nazi skinhead gangs in the country. But he found redemption and formed the Free Radicals Project to help people leave hate behind. Christian Picciolini talks to Dr. Alan Campbell about his life as a violent racist, and his journey back. Picciolini's memoir Romantic Violence: Memoirs of an American Skinhead details his time as a leader of the white power movement. His latest book, Breaking Hate: Confronting the New Culture of Extremism, was released on February 25, 2020.
Puddles the Clown is one of the most unique performers on the scene today. He is famous for stunning, sometimes bizarre, often moving reinventions of classic songs. Some say that the alter-ego of the clown is Mike Geier. Dr. Alan Campbell talks to Geier and attempts to unravel the mysteries that surround this phenomenon.
Christine M. Bacon, PhD is an author, speaker, trainer and the radio talk-show host of "Breakfast with Bacon: The Relationship Doctor." Her latest book, "The Super Couple: A Formula for Extreme Happiness in Marriage," was released by Koehler Books for Valentine's Day 2016. In her conversation with Dr. Alan Campbell, Bacon explains her belief that every marriage can and should be saved.
The upsurge of Coronavirus reminded the Watching America crew of a recent guest, namely, bestselling author Richard Preston (The Hot Zone, Crisis in the Red Zone, The Cobra Event). He visited with us again to share his take on the developing situation as Coronavirus spreads. Also included is a portion of his initial interview with Dr. Alan Campbell regarding how well-prepared we are for the next plague, and from where it will likely arise. Not an episode for the feint of heart.
The Grateful Dead is one of the most influential groups in American music history. More than 20 years after the death of band leader Jerry Garcia, the Deadhead culture which grew up around musicians is still very viable. Dr. Alan Campbell will explore this unique phenomenon with fans and experts who have followed this phenomenon through the ages. Special guests: Dennis McNally, author of Jerry on Jerry: The Unpublished Jerry Garcia Interviews and Rebecca Adams, editor of Deadhead Social Science: You Ain't Gonna Learn What You Don't Want to Know
What destroys a happy marriage? Divorce lawyer James Sexton has spent decades learning the answers to this question. Now he’s written a book about it, How to Stay in Love. Sexton shares his surprising insight with Dr. Alan Campbell.
He grew up in a violent, chaotic home. He contemplated becoming a mass shooter. Now Aaron Stark speaks openly with Dr. Alan Campbell about what it took to drive him to his darkest point and what it took to save him. Watching America explores the culture of violence in our country--where it comes from and how people who've been hurt can help others. TED talk with Aaron Stark: https://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_stark_i_was_almost_a_school_shooter?language=en
Author Casey Cep's first book, "Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee," is a New York Times Best Seller. Listen to Alan Campbell's conversation with Cep to find out what makes this work so compelling. From Penguin Random House: Reverend Willie Maxwell was a rural preacher accused of murdering five of his family members for insurance money in the 1970s. With the help of a savvy lawyer, he escaped justice for years until a relative shot him dead at the funeral of his last victim. Despite hundreds of witnesses, Maxwell's murderer was acquitted--thanks to the same attorney who had previously defended the Reverend.Sitting in the audience during the vigilante's trial was Harper Lee, who had traveled from New York City to her native Alabama with the idea of writing her own In Cold Blood, the true-crime classic she had helped her friend Truman Capote research seventeen years earlier. Lee spent a year in town reporting, and many more years working on her own version of the case. Now Casey Cep brings this story to life, from the shocking murders to the courtroom drama to the racial politics of the Deep South. At the same time, she offers a deeply moving portrait of one of the country's most beloved writers and her struggle with fame, success, and the mystery of artistic creativity. The Watching America staff was so intrigued by this author and book, we wanted to share it again. It was first broadcast on June 20, 2019.
Jamie Elmore is the owner of JSalon in Seattle, WA. Ironically, in 2004, she was diagnosed with Alopecia, an auto-immune disorder that causes hair loss. We listen to the many dimensions of difficulty Elmore experienced, which ultimately led her to found the Alopecia Support Group in 2009, which now reaches people with the condition across the globe. https://www.alopeciasupportgroup.org/
Emily Flake produces delightfully funny cartoons for The New Yorker. Now, she has grappled with our strange rituals of affection in THAT WAS AWKWARD: THE ART AND ETIQUETTE OF THE AWKWARD HUG. She talks to Dr. Campbell about her work and her insight on Watching America. Then, we will discuss oddball dating behavior with Washington Post writer Lisa Bonos.
The impulse to hoard can be devastating to you and everyone around you. Dr. Alan Campbell will talk to Elizabeth Nelson, the spokesperson of Children of Hoarders, about living in a family with people who suffer from this condition. We will also hear from Matt Paxton, the founder of Clutter Cleaner and author of The Secret Lives of Hoarders. Paxton will tell us about his work helping older people deal with the challenge of downsizing their possessions. https://childrenofhoarders.com/wordpress/
With more than 13 million videos, the ASMR genre has blown up into a bona fide internet subculture. Based on the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, the invigorating “brain tingles” caused by aural triggers, this category of mini-movies of people tapping, whispering, or role-playing has captured America’s imagination. Dr. Alan Campbell will discuss ASMR with Dr. Craig A. H. Richard, a professor of biopharmaceutical sciences at Shenandoah University and with “Gibi,” one of the biggest YouTube stars.
Abbey Road Studios in London provides rare access to Watching America's host and creator, Dr. Alan Campbell. Aside from providing an iconic image of the Beatles at the famous crosswalk, Abbey Road Studios has served as an inspirational beacon for American recording artists since 1931 when African-American actor and singer Paul Robeson first recorded there. From Glenn Miller to Kanye West, Americans have selected the studios as their "home away from home". This show examines the historical, technical and aesthetic achievements of what many declare to be the most desired recording studio in the world. In particular, concentration is given to the reciprocal interplay between British and American influences on recording techniques. Additionally, out-takes of The Beatle's recordings are generously provided with the insights of the sound engineers that worked on them. Latterly, discussion addresses Abbey Roads Studios' continued work in innovation for the future development of sound platforms.
Command Sergeant Major Eric Haney (ret) served his country for more than 20 years as a soldier, and became one of the earliest operators in First Special Forces Operational Detachment-D, otherwise known as Delta Force. The US government still denies that the force exists, but men like Haney have risked their lives in it fighting terrorists across the world. Dr. Alan Campbell will talk to Haney about his life, his work, and the portrayal of elite soldiers in our movies and TV programs. Please note, suicide is part of this conversation. This program may not be appropriate for all listeners.
The legacy and the promise of John F. Kennedy, Jr. has always been a subject of controversy speculation in American culture. Now a scholar and friend of Kennedy comes forward with an important book to help unravel the mystery. In AMERICA'S RELUCTANT PRINCE: THE LIFE OF JOHN F. KENNEDY JR., Steven M. Gillon draws on his scholarship and his personal experience to bring us a portrait of a could-be leader the nation lost before he could achieve his potential. Dr. Alan Campbell will discuss this important work with the author.
We had the very special treat of speaking with Bela Lugosi, Jr., one might say the spawn of Dracula himself! First, we'll hear from author/journalist Paul Bibeau about his investigations into the history of vampires in his book, Sundays with Vlad: From Pennsylvania to Transylvania, One Man's Quest to Live in the World of the Undead. And you won't believe the song host Alan Campbell crafted just for this show!
You've likely heard about the calamity dinosaurs underwent, but author Peter Brannen says that wasn't the worst catastrophe life on earth faced since the beginning. Brannen talks about the 5 major mass extinctions through earth's history and where we sit now in relation to them all. Brannen is the author of The Ends of the World: Volcanic Apocalypses, Lethal Oceans, and Our Quest to Understand Earth's Past Mass Extinctions.
Terry O’Quinn, of Lost and Emergence fame, is one of the most compelling character actors of his generation. Dr. Alan Campbell explores the live, love, and the craft of acting with this singular talent.
Dr. Campbell talks to William Klingaman, author of The Darkest Year: The American Home Front 1941-1942. During one of the most pivotal times in our nation’s history, we faced a war on two fronts, an economic crisis, and social upheaval. The period transformed our country, and its effects are still felt today. Kirkus Reviews called the book “A welcome study of an aspect of wartime history that is little known among those too young to have experienced it.”
Bestselling author Richard Preston of The Hot Zone fame talks about how the well-prepared we are for the next plague, and from where it will likely arise. His latest book, Crisis in the Red Zone, was just published. Not an episode for the feint of heart.
Paul Theroux, prolific writer and traveler, is best known for The Great Railway Bizarre and The Mosquito Coast. His latest book, On the Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey , examines cultures on both sides of the US-Mexico border, to be published October 8. Listen to a fascinating and intimate conversation about his life and travels.
We originally broadcast this program in April, and it has been one of our most popular shows. We bring it to listeners again during our Labor Day Holiday.
Our guest is communication expert Christine M. Bacon, Ph.D., an author, speaker, trainer, and the radio talk-show host of "Breakfast with Bacon: The Relationship Doctor." Her latest book is "The Super Couple: A Formula for Extreme Happiness in Marriage." She talks with host Dr. Alan Campbell about the personal crisis that led her to study successful relationships.
Author Maureen Callahan's best-selling true crime thrill is a detailed account of the case of Israel Keyes. She joins us to talk about how she researched the book for years, and share all the details she uncovered. This conversation includes graphic details not appropriate for all listeners, including children.
Host Alan Campbell travels back in time with two authors, Kevin Boyle and Greg Messel, to revisit a strange and “horrible” year: 1968.
Dr. Kevin Boyle is an historian of 20th century United States with a particular interest in modern American social movements. Boyle has published widely and received various awards, including finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Boyle’s upcoming books are The Splendid Dead, a micro-history of political extremism in the early 20th century, and The Splintering, a narrative history of the 1960s.
Greg Messel has contributed to a variety of publications and won a Wyoming Press Association Award as a columnist. His recently published Dreams That Never Were is his eleventh novel and is a historical fiction account of the events surrounding the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
https://www.gregmessel.com/dreams-that-never-were https://www.history.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/core-faculty/kevin-boyle.html
Todd Zwillich, NPR’s Washington Correspondent and host on The Takeaway and 1A, crafted an audiobook telling the story of John C. Houbolt, an unsung hero of Apollo 11 and the man who showed NASA how to put America on the moon.
According to Zwillich (and many from NASA), without John C. Houbolt, a mid-level engineer at NASA, Apollo 11 would never have made it to the moon.
Top NASA engineers on the project, including Werner Von Braun, strongly advocated for a single, huge spacecraft to travel to the moon, land, and return to Earth. It's the scenario used in 1950s cartoons and horror movies about traveling to outer space.
Houbolt had another idea: Lunar Orbit Rendezvous. LOR would link two spacecraft in orbit while the crafts were travelling at 3,600 miles an hour around the moon. His plan was ridiculed and considered unthinkable. But this junior engineer was irrepressible. He stood by his concept, fired off memos to executives, and argued that LOR was the only way to success.
Bestselling author Lori Gottlieb talks about being the therapist and the patient in the intimate space of psychotherapy. Gottlieb's latest book is Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. She is also the author of Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough and Stick Figure. Visit lorigottlieb.com for more.
Dr. Ryan Martin is the chair of the Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an anger researcher. His work focuses on healthy and unhealthy expressions of anger, including how we express anger online. He teaches courses on mental illness, emotion, and anger and violence. He also hosts the popular UW-Green Bay Psychology podcast, Psychology and Stuff, along with a podcast on anger and violence that he cohosts with Dr. Chuck Rybak called All the Rage. blog.uwgb.edu/uwgbpsych/shows/psychology-and-stuff alltheragescience.com apa.org
Jenny has participated in the group “Emotions Anonymous” in order to gain control of anger issues she has dealt with since childhood. She speaks candidly about how anger nearly ruined her life and about the 12 step program she has followed to gain control. emotionsanonymous.org
Jenny has participated in the group “Emotions Anonymous” in order to gain control of anger issues she has dealt with since childhood. She speaks candidly about how anger nearly ruined her life and about the 12 step program she has followed to gain control.
emotionsanonymous.org
Dr. Ryan Martin is the chair of the Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an anger researcher. His work focuses on healthy and unhealthy expressions of anger, including how we express anger online. He teaches courses on mental illness, emotion, and anger and violence. He also hosts the popular UW-Green Bay Psychology podcast, Psychology and Stuff, along with a podcast on anger and violence that he cohosts with Dr. Chuck Rybak called All the Rage. blog.uwgb.edu/uwgbpsych/shows/psychology-and-stuff alltheragescience.com apa.org
Greg Lukianoff is an attorney, New York Times best-selling author, and the President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). Most recently, he co-authored The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure with Jonathan Haidt. This New York Times best-seller expands on their September 2015 Atlantic cover story of the same name. He is also the author of Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate; Freedom From Speec; and FIRE’s Guide to Free Speech on Campus. Greg is also an Executive Producer of Can We Take a Joke?, a feature-length documentary that explores the collision between comedy, censorship, and outrage culture, both on and off campus. Greg received his law degree from Stanford University and has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and numerous other publications. He frequently appears on TV shows and radio programs, including the CBS Evening News, The Today Show, and NPR’s Morning Edition. In 2008, he became the first-ever recipient of the Playboy Foundation’s Freedom of Expression Award, and he has testified before both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives about free speech issues on America’s college campuses.
Author Casey Cep’s first book, “Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee,” is a New York Times Best Seller. Listen to Alan Campbell’s conversation with Cep to find out what makes this work so compelling.
From Penguin Random House:
Reverend Willie Maxwell was a rural preacher accused of murdering five of his family members for insurance money in the 1970s. With the help of a savvy lawyer, he escaped justice for years until a relative shot him dead at the funeral of his last victim. Despite hundreds of witnesses, Maxwell’s murderer was acquitted—thanks to the same attorney who had previously defended the Reverend.
Sitting in the audience during the vigilante’s trial was Harper Lee, who had traveled from New York City to her native Alabama with the idea of writing her own In Cold Blood, the true-crime classic she had helped her friend Truman Capote research seventeen years earlier. Lee spent a year in town reporting, and many more years working on her own version of the case.
Now Casey Cep brings this story to life, from the shocking murders to the courtroom drama to the racial politics of the Deep South. At the same time, she offers a deeply moving portrait of one of the country’s most beloved writers and her struggle with fame, success, and the mystery of artistic creativity.
This week on Watching America: New York Times best-selling author Mark Bego already wrote one book about Elton John: The Bitch is Back (2013). But he brings us a new expanded biography this year—Rocket Man: The Story of Elton John. Pegasus Books says Bego is the “#1 best-selling pop biographer,” with dozens of books to his name, including those that have sold millions of copies on Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. Bego is also releasing a book this year on Mary Wilson of The Supremes.
The Watching America team had planned to air this episode in a few weeks, but after the tragedy in Virginia Beach, we wanted to share these conversations as soon as possible. We hope this discussion of being a hero from two very different angles--psychology and criminal justice--will inspire you as much as it did us.
A lively discussion with Nancy Grden, the Executive Director of the Strome Entrepreneurial Center at ODU. Grden says everyone is an entrepreneur--we just don't all know it yet.
A lively discussion with Nancy Grden, the Executive Director of the Strome Entrepreneurial Center at ODU. Grden says everyone is an entrepreneur--we just don't all know it yet.
Dr. Carl Safina says we do a lot of talking to our animals, but not enough listening. Host Alan Campbell spends most of this episodes learning insights about the surprising complexity within the psyche of animals--and how similar we really are. After all, humans are animals, too. At the end of the episode, we have a special guest: Animal Communicator Jemila Ericson, who experiences a spiritual and telepathic connection with creatures great and small. Ecologist Dr. Carl Safina is the holder of the Endowed Chair for Nature and Humanity at Stony Brook University and a professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. Safina is also the author of award-winning books that explore the relationship between humans the natural world. He was the host of the series “Saving the Ocean with Carl Safina” on PBS and the founding president of the non-profit Safina Center. His writings have appeared in the New York Times, Audubon, Orion, National Geographic, the Huffington Post, and more. Jemila Ericson is an Animal Communicator who recognized she had a gift for making unusual connections with animals (including insects) as a child. She consults with people and their pets to help resolve communication problems that can arise with such important relationships.
Why do we cry? Why are there differences between the ways men and women cry? What is the evolutionary benefit of crying? We explore the topic with two experts who have spent their careers studying this distinctly human phenomenon. They share what they know--and what remains a mystery. Ad Vingerhoets is a clinical psychologist who focuses on stress and emotion. He has spent more than 20 years studying when and why we cry, and how the study of crying may help us obtain better insight into human nature. Randolph (Randy) Cornelius received a BA from the University of Florida (1975) and MS (1979) and PhD (1981) degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition to the Department of Psychology, he teaches in the American Culture and Environmental Studies Programs. Together, Dr. Cornelius and Dr. Vingerhoets edited "Adult Crying: A Biopsychosocial Approach"
Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine set out to make a documentary about one of their heroes, filmmaker Michael Moore. What they experienced changed their view about Moore and his films.
Listen to our extended conversation with Peter Boghossian from our "Sokal Squared" episode
Listen to our extended conversation with Helen Pluckrose from our "Sokal Squared" episode
Dr. Alan Campbell interviews radio host Larry Elder about his family, his politics, and what he thinks about the current moment in American culture. Elder has one of the most unique viewpoints in public life. It will be a challenging, deeply personal, and provocative conversation.
What advice would Martha Washington have for Melania Trump? That's one question we have regarding the history of the wives of presidents from the start to today. Journalist and author Ronald Kessler (The Trump Whitehouse: Changing the Rules of the Game) focuses on Melania Trump, author Kate Andersen Brower gives a sweeping overview of the job of First Lady and the women who have held it (First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies), and Katherine Pittman, a Martha Washington interpreter, paints a nearly spiritual portrait of the very FIRST lady to take on the task.
Paul Currington is a storyteller who survived a suicide attempt several years ago. He talks about his methods of staying connected with others to maintain emotional strength.
Listen to our conversation with musician Michael Skinner, a suicide attempt survivor who shares his strategies for dealing with depression.
Dr. Narketta Sparkman-Key provides psychological insight into the reason middle-age white men are the most at-risk population for suicide. Sergeant Kevin Briggs shares his experience working for the California Highway Patrol on the Golden Gate Bridge--saving upwards of 200 would-be jumpers. He now works exclusively on suicide prevention and intervention at www.pivotal-points.com
The subtitle of Mcleod's book is "New York City and the Literary Punks, Renegade Artists, DIY Filmmakers, Mad Playwrights, and Rock'n'Roll Glitter Queens Who Revolutionized Culture." Our conversation with Mcleod unearths connections (and literally, maps) between the movers and shakers of mid-century culture in New York City, San Francisco, and eventually, middle America.
A surprising and sometimes difficult conversation with Nicole Prause, PhD; Erica Garza, author of "Getting Off: One Woman's Journey Through Sex and Porn Addiction"; and Charles (a pseudonym), who is heavily involved in Sex Addicts Anonymous
Camille Paglia's latest book is "Provocations: Collected Essays on Art, Feminism, Politics, Sex, and Education." Paglia speaks with host Dr. Alan Campbell about her writings and her life.
Join WHRV for an intriguing, and thought provoking-journey across human paradigms, social beliefs and psychological evolution.