Thecuriousmanspodcast

In this interview Matt Crawford speaks with author Jim Geraghty about his book, Inside the Orphan Drug Revolution. Advances in medicine have made treatments for severe illnesses more common place but what about those thousands of classified "rare" diseases that still affect hundreds of thousands? The drug that treat these can be prohibitive to produce and can become Orphan drugs, that manufacturers are unwilling to produce. Where does that leave those individuals who suffer from them and their families? Geraghty brings his many years of experience to bear and introduces us to some of those families who have suffered this very scenario. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Vasundra Tailor about her debut novel, The Secret of Elephants. Navsari, India. Nirmala spends her day taking care of her sick son in an abusive and loveless marriage. Penniless yet living across the street from the mansion her grandfather built, inhabited by her cruel aunt who refuses to help in anyway. But when a mysterious letter arrives some Zimbabwe it opens a door to her past that will change everything Nirmala thought she knew about her family and expose a family secret 3 generations deep. Tailor includes socioeconomic, travel, culture, caste and patriarchy elements that weave a rich and engrossing narrative. This is a hard one to put down folks, so pick up  copy!

Matt Crawford speaks with authors Dr. Perry Zurn nd Dr. Dani Bassett about their book: Curious Minds. What is curiosity and how do we define it? Is it just the simple act of accumulating information to share at parties. Zurn and Bassett delve into what makes us all curious and how science, philosophy and even spirituality shape the way curiosity presents differently in us all. A truly thought provoking and interesting read that will definitely stir your thoughts. 

Matt Crawford speaks with Dr. Jay Baruch about his book, Tornado of Life. Very few people enjoy going to the doctor and obviously no one, wants to go to the ER, so how do you deal with people who may be going through the worst moment of their lives? How do you show compassion and avoid being desensitized day after day while dealing with your own problems. Dr. Jay Baruch lifts the curtain and shows us how he has handles it through his many years as an ER doctor. This book is a prescription for compassion, empathy, creativity and imagination and shows that those emotions are where the patient/doctor relationship should start. We could all use a bit of that right now and reading this memoir will definitely boost the spirits.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Andrew Bomback about his book, Long Days, Short Years: A Cultural History of Modern Parenting. When did parenting become a verb? How do most of us learn to be parents? Normally we follow what we felt worked and didn't from our parents. Not a "how to" book but Bomback tells us what works and what doesn't work for him while being open and honest about his own mistakes. Aptly timed right after the pandemic I believe this is a book all parents could relate to and find something useful from. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Chris Martin about his book, May Tomorrow Be Awake. Many of us have a difficult time communicating with autistic or neurodiverse people and often times that communication comes in the form of trying to "fix" them so that they fit into our community. Martin uses the medium of poetry, which can be daunting for some of us as well, to breach those barriers and tap into the emotions of his students. While some may be non-verbal there is a well of vibrant emotion screaming to escape and poetry can be just that vehicle. A humbling and emotional read that I think we should all share with one and other.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Rick Emerson about his book, Unmask Alice. In 1971, Go Ask Alice helped to set in motion and fortify our government and cultural perception of drugs and LSD in particular. The supposed diary of a middle-class white female this book was the jet fuel to the war on drugs machine. 5 million copies and 5 decades later it is still having an impact, and it wasn't the only "Diary." Emerson takes the deep dive and unravels this mystery taking us to places we could not imagine. A compelling read that takes its time but keeps you engaged throughout.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Kevin Maurer about his first novel, The Good Afghan. This is a great read that explores how grey the lines can be around what is right and wrong, especially during war time. Those Faustian bargains we make with ourselves when we truly believe what we are doing is the right thing can quickly turn on us. Maurer is uniquely suited to teach us some lessons of Afghanistan through fiction that resonate in truth. A slow burning thriller that is thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining. Not many can be equally compelling writing both nonfiction and fiction, but Kevin is definitely one of those authors!

Matt Crawford speaks with Stephanie Storey about her life, her work in TV production for nearly two decades and her writing, specifically her newest book, Raphael, Painter in Rome: A Novel. You know when you meet someone and within five minutes you realize that you are both going to get along splendidly? Well, that is how my conversation with Stephanie was and her writing is much the same, I was hooked by about the 2nd page of Raphael. Folks, I can't say this enough, whatever Stephanie is working on, do yourself a favor and check it out!

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with Retired Lieutenant General Daniel Bolger about his book, The Panzer Killers. There were a lot of great generals in the WWII theatre and some, like Patton took a lot of oxygen out of the room. But there were those that eschewed the publicity and wanted nothing more than to stop the Nazi scourge. Enter General Maurice Rose, the son of a Rabbi, he led the 3rd Armored Division not from a command post but from the front, in a jeep. If the 3rd Armored Division was the spear, Rose was the tip. Implementing innovative tactics that made the most of our weaponry and personally chose those officers who led from the front. Rose was an integral part of our success in WWII and I hope you will read his story.