For the monthly visit of Bryan Albrecht, the president of Gateway Technical College, we are joined with Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County Executive, and Dr. Eric Gallien, superintendent of the Racine Unified School District, to talk about the ongoing ramifications of COVID-19.  

This interview is with Professor Khyati Joshi, author of "White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America."  The book examines some of the ways in which many aspects of American life are formulated around the assumption that Christianity is our collective 'norm' -  an assumption which often leads to discrimination against those of other faiths -  or against those with no religious faith whatsoever.  

Today, July 13th, 2020, marks the 25th anniversary (to the day) of the beginning of the worst heat wave in Chicago history, a human disaster that resulted in over 700 deaths in and around Chicago that were directly linked to the effects of the record-breaking heat that was experienced for an entire week.  Erik Klinenberg's definitive book about the disaster is titled "Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago."  This interview was recorded and initially broadcast back in 2002. 

From the archives comes this 2017 interview with Heath Fogg Davis, author of "Beyond Trans:  Does Gender Matter."   

Best-selling author Gerald Koeppel talks about his most recent book, "Not a Gentleman's Work: The Untold Story of a Gruesome Murder at Sea and the Long Road to Truth."  

Victoria Phillips is the author of "Martha Graham's Cold War: The Dance of American Diplomacy."  Graham, one of the 20th century's most important and influential dancers and choreographers,  undertook a number of international tours under the auspices of the U.S. State Department - some of them conducted at the height of the Cold War. The book explores why the State Department believed that Graham's modern dance could be a highly effective diplomatic tool in enhancing America's stature in the world. 

From the archives:  Rev. Todd Peperkorn,  who used to serve a Lutheran-Missouri Synod congregation in Kenosha, talks about his own struggles with clinical depression- and about how depression is a common problem among many members of the clergy.  His book is designed both to help the general public understand this and to help those clergy with such struggles to know how to seek help.

Kara Ernst Schalk and Rob Kroes talk about teaching summer theater classes at the Racine Theater Guild ....  virtually ..... to children.

We speak with J. Chester Johnson, author of "Damaged Heritage: The Elaine Race Massacre and a Story of Reconciliation."   The author's grandfather was one of the whites who participated in a horrific wave of killings in rural Arkansas in September of 1919 ... in which well more than 100 African Americans are believed to have been murdered.  Part of Johnson's story is of how he was able to connect with Sheila Walker, a descendent of several of the blacks who were attacked in the Elaine Race Massacre- and build a beautiful friendship with her.   

We explore Carthage College's plans for the fall semester with Dr. John Swallow, the president of Carthage,  and Dr. David Timmerman, the provost of Carthage.  We talk about what kinds of discussions have been taking place through every stage of COVID-19 - and also examine some of the most vexing challenges for a college or university that wants to resume in-person learning while keeping students, staff and faculty as safe as possible.