News Nerds

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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