The Big Wakeup Call

Cleo Abram & Christophe Huabursin are two of the hosts of a new YouTube series "Glad You Asked," where they will tackle unknown mysteries, anomalies, and unexplained phenomena big and small.

It was an honor to have Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin on the show to discuss her book "Leadership in Turbulent Times," which is now out in paperback.  I think I managed to not sound like a dullard in the interview, which was all I could hope for.

In this week's visit from the World News Center, Bill McCormick and I discussed how the trade war is stopping the flow of medical information and technology, how medical advances are being held up by red tape, and how tariffs are stymying medical research.

We also responded to a listener who unfortunately confused "Teen Titans Go!'  with "Titans."

Plus:  visiting the neighborhood fixer, weaponizing humans, and Ryan's never ending quest for an adamanitum skeleton.

Jake Brennan called in for a fun chat about his "Disgraceland" book and podcast.  Topics included Kurt & Courtney, the Ramones, Phil Spector, Elvis, and the Beach Boys.

It was a very fun chat with renowned matchmaker Devyn Simone when she called in to talk about how to navigate the world of dating apps. Am I considered a pioneer wife online but before smart phones? We connected through the old "Onion Personals."

Bill McCormick called in once again from the World News Center for our weekly visit.  Today we discussed how the physiological and emotional benefits that come from tactile affirmation of your personhood are superior to that which is achieved through means of modern medicine.  Or as we knew it in the '80s - Hugs, not Drugs.  Plus: we debut our new feature-in-feature:  "Amp Chat."  Email us your questions about the repair and maintenance of vintage amplifiers and we'll help you out.  Amp Chat is sponsored by amperes.  it's not just about the watts -- it's also the amperes.  And by woofers.  kicking the ass of tweeters since 1934.

Top Chef fan favorite Fabio Viviani dialed us live from one of his award-winning restaurants to help celebrate the upcoming National Coffee Day, which truly needs to be a national holiday.

Very fun chat with award-winning science journalist and host of the popular "Talk Nerdy" podcast.  Cara called in to talk about the new National Geographic 2020 Almanac, for which she wrote the foreword.  Among other topics, we had a very serious(?) discussion on what brought down the Neanderthals and how it could affect modern humans.

I was very happy to have Laurie Berkner return to the show for her third appearance.  We talked about her new album "Waiting for the Elevator," along with the challenges of being an independent artist and label owner in the current music industry of streaming and downloads.

This week's visit from the World News Center's Bill McCormick was inspired by the millions marching on climate strike.  We discussed the consequences of our shrinking snowpack, based on Bill's conversation with some climate change-denying farmers.  Plus: Ice storms in the south, snakes in the snow, puddles leading to pesticides, and the Farmer's Almanac surrenders.