Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI Radio in New York

(10/22/20) As executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for 23 years, Ira Glasser transformed the organization from a fledgling small operation on the verge of bankruptcy into a juggernaut with offices in every state and a $30 million endowment. In the new documentary “Mighty Ira,” he reflects on a life spent defending civil rights. Join us for a conversation with Ira Glasser and Nico Perrino, one of the filmmakers behind “Mighty Ira,” in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

(10/21/20) Jon Meacham is a renowned presidential historian, contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review, contributing editor at TIME, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. His book, “The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels” has been made into an HBO documentary, premiering on Oct. 27. Produced by C13Originals and the History Channel, Jon’s latest project, the It Was Said podcast, looks back at some of America’s greatest orations. Join us for an hour with one of US history’s greatest scholars in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

Robert C. Hockett is the Edward Cornell Professor of Law at Cornell Law School and was one of the key architects of one of the most discussed policy proposals of our time, the Green New Deal. His new book “Financing the Green New Deal: A Plan of Action and Renewal” which includes a foreward by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's former Chief of Staff Saikat Chakrabarti, looks at how to structure funding for the groundbreaking proposal in a way that could make it possible to execute. Join us for a look at the Green New Deal with one of the people who wrote it in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

(10/16/20) The word treason—the only crime specifically defined in the US Constitution—is tossed around a lot by politicians and pundits on both sides of the aisle these days. But, as accusations of treason flood our news feeds, it is not always clear what the crime truly is, or when it should be prosecuted. “On Treason: A Citizen's Guide to the Law” by legal scholar and Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law at UC Davis Carlton F.W. Larson is an indispensable guide for anyone seeking to understand the role of treason law in our constitutional democracy. Join us for an examination of what treason is and what can be done about it in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

From his star-making performances in “Bull Durham" and Robert Altman’s “The Professional” to his revered role alongside Morgan Freeman in “The Shawshank Redemption,” from his Oscar-winning turn in “Mystic River” to his work directing iconic films like “Dead Man Walking” and “Bob Roberts,” Tim Robbins holds a special place in the history of film. In this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI, Tim returns to the show to discuss “Bobbo Supreme,” his latest project which features a star-studded cast including Jack Black, Isla Fisher, Alfre Woodard, Patton Oswalt, Thomas Lennon, Haley Joel Osment and Sasheer Zamata.

(10/14/20) Chicago native Michael Fosberg has been working to create a national dialogue on race and identity since 2001, when he launched his one-man autobiographical play Incognito. For the past 15 years, Michael has performed Incognito, his personal history of being raised as a white child and then discovering his biological father is African-American, hundreds of times at public high schools, colleges, corporations, government agencies and community organizations across the country. Using the experience as a springboard, Michael’s latest book “Nobody Wants to Talk About It: Race, Identity and the Difficulties in Forging Meaningful Conversations” chronicles his attempts to do just that in audience Q&A sessions around the country. Join us for a look at why we all need to welcome the difficult discussions about race in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

(10/13/20)The new HBO documentary “Siempre, Luis” follows Puerto Rican activist Luis A. Miranda Jr. throughout the course of a year as his devotion to family and country propels his devotion to empowering his fellow Latinos. As seen in the film, Luis’s campaign to mitigate the devastation of Hurricane Maria in his homeland eventually led to him bringing a production of his son Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit musical “Hamilton” to the island. Join us for a look at this proud American’s lifetime dedication to community and fatherhood in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

As a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement, Shaun King has become one of the most prominent figures on the frontlines of the modern fight for civil rights. In his new book “Make Change: How to Fight Injustice, Dismantle Systemic Oppression, and Own Our Future,” he offers a look at the moments that have shaped his life and considers the ways social movements can grow and evolve in this hyper-connected, yet hyperpolarized era. Join us for a look at Shaun’s greatest triumphs and most painful losses and what he believes you can learn from them in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

(10/8/20) “The Folly and the Glory: America, Russia, and Political Warfare 1945–2020” is Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award winner Tim Weiner’s look at the 75-year battle between the US and Russia that culminated in the election of Donald Trump. With vivid storytelling and riveting insider accounts, Weiner traces the roots of the political warfare America and Russia have waged against each other for the last 75 years with espionage, sabotage, diplomacy and disinformation. Join us for a look at US-Russian relations from the Cold War of the 20th century to the cyber war of today in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

(10/7/20)It may not feel like a normal fall, but your garden doesn’t know it’s a pandemic. In this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI, gardening expert Pete Muroski of Native Landscapes of Pawling, NY takes your questions on what you need to do to prepare your plants for when the temperature heads below freezing.