Thecuriousmanspodcast

Matt Crawford speaks with author Stephen G. Rabe about his book, The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy. D-Day is a moment in history that has been covered from so many angles and by many authors, for the most part though, the focus of these stories has been focused solely on the soldiers. The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy tells the D-Day story through the eyes of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions as well as the civilians from the French village of Graignes that helped save them. Predominantly women these villagers welcomed them, fed, gathered intelligence, recovered equipment and risked their lives so the Troopers could carry out the mission. An inspiring story.

Matt Crawford speaks with Ann Williams about her book, Treasures of Egypt. Drawing from National Geographic's extensive photo archive, the images in the awe-inspiring book celebrate the vibrant beauty and rich cultural history of Egypt and coincides with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of king Tut's tomb.

Matt Crawford speaks with authors Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw about their book, Forever Home. From the stars of the award-winning Netflix documentary, Life in the Doghouse and founders of one of the most recognized rescue organizations in the world, Forever Home is the story of how Danny and Ron found each other when they both needed love, and how that relationship evolved into them transforming their home into a shelter for dogs in need. Read this book, watch the documentary, tell a friend and get involved. You don't need to adopt or even foster an animal to help but by spreading the word, donating or maybe walking a shelter dog, we can all make a difference. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Richard McCarthy about his, and Tsuyoshi Sekihara's book, Kuni. What is Kuni? Kuni refers to a particular community that focuses on sustainability and connections. Connections with the environment and perhaps more importantly, each other. Kuni is both a reimagining of the Japanese word for nation and an approach to reviving rural communities. It shows what happens when dedicated people invest their hearts, minds, souls and backs into a community and live with in reliance with one and other. This is such an unexpected and thought provoking read that will stir contemplation and reflection. I hope you all will give it a read.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Paul Sexton about his book, Charle's Good Tonight. The Rolling Stones are a worldwide phenomenon, with fame and fortune all around, yet behind the drum kit was a man who eschewed all that and just wanted peace and quiet. The enigmatic Charlie Watts was the anchor to the Stones but really wasn't that interested in their music, preferring Jazz. Paul Sexton brings us unprecedented access yet again and introduces us to Watts in the most intimate of ways. A great read that will make you listen to Charlie's music in a different way.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Elsa Sjunneson about her book, Being Seen. As a Deafblind woman with partial vision in one eye and bilateral hearing aids, Elsa lives between blindness and sight, hearing and deafness. While she has adapted and leads a full life, ableism and stigma have proved harder to combat. Elsa also tackles how the way disability portrayed in T.V & film propagate that ignorance and misunderstanding. Part memoir, cultural criticism and part history this is a book that needs to be read. A lot of my own presumption and misunderstandings were exposed and I am better for it.

Matt Crawford speaks with author David Marchick about his book, The Peaceful Transfer of Power. The process of the presidential transfer of power is poorly understood, even by specialists. This is why the Partnership for Public Service for Presidential Transition created Transition Lab, a podcast to explain it to all of us. Marchick and I discuss the process as well as those he interviewed and why it is so important for all of us to be invested and understand this aspect of government. We are in divisive times, and we would all be better suited listening to voices of reason and expertise. Marchick breaks this down for us in an interesting and compelling manner by highlighting the human element. I implore all to read this book and listen to Transition Lab Podcast. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Akbar Hussain about his novel, Truth is a Flightless Bird. President Obama's visit to Nairobi is the backdrop for this story about a pastor, who must dive deep into the slums to rescue the woman he loves from a Somali drug lord. In his love letter to Nairobi Aki touches upon inequity, capitalism and shows the blurred lines between good and bad. A truly inspiring story that stirs the mind and begs contemplation. Also, Aki and I talk about what drives us, life in general and everything else under the sun. Did I mention the book has also been optioned for an eight-part miniseries? Give a listen folks and buy the book.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Greg Melville about his book, Over My Dead Body. Cemeteries are something we have all passed in our travels or have been to at some of the worst moments in our lives. They are also foreboding, and you usually feel as if you need an invitation to enter one. Melville takes us inside some of our countries most beautiful cemeteries and lifts the veil to show us how and why they were built, and what they say about our history, both good and bad. Most importantly though, he gets you thinking about your own thoughts on mortality and maybe changes it a bit. For me, I viewed cemeteries as place to be avoided but now I realize what they truly are, a repository of stories. Come along for the ride and read this one.

In this interview Matt Crawford speaks with Dr. Robert Crease about his book, The Leak. In 1997, scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory found a small leak of radioactive water near their research reactor. Brookhaven was and is a world class Nobel Prize winning lab. Despite this, the discovery of a harmless leak of radiation would set off a media circus, political debate and fearmongering that closed a vital scientific facility. This case was the canary in the coal mine and showed that facts and science didn't matter when up against perception. A prescient read with all that is going on today regarding vaccines, science and facts.