Topical Currents

Monday through Thursday at 1:00pm

Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman share the microphone with a wide range of guests including community leaders, artists, scientists, historians, political thinkers and more who bring issues of interest to South Floridians.  Richard Ives is the senior producer, and Bonnie Berman joined Topical Currents as co-host and associate producer in September 2012.

Our listener call-in line is 1-800-743-9576 that's 1-800-743-WLRN

You can also email radio@wlrn.org

Facebook.com/TopicalCurrents

*Right click on "Listen" and "save link as" to download and save as MP3.

Local Anchor(s): 
Online Producer: Paul Leary
Local Host(s): 
Local Host/Technical Engineer: Caroline Breder-Watts
Genre: 
Composer ID: 
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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu January 3, 2013

Interview with Novelist Sandra Cisneros

01/02/13 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with literary contributor Ariel Gonzalez and writer Sandra Cisneros.  For decades, she’s inspired young Latino authors. Her latest work is a departure:  an illustrated children’s book which takes place in San Antonio.  And more, at 1:30:  Linda Gassenheimer discusses how consumers can avoid endangered seafood species with the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Wed January 2, 2013

Living With Guns: A Liberal’s Case for the Second Amendment

01/02/13 - Wednesday’s Topical Currents is with former New York Times reporter and editor, Craig Whitney.  He reviews the long history of American gun control in his recent book, LIVING WITH GUNS: A Liberal’s Case for the Second Amendment.  Though his book was published before the Connecticut school massacre, Whitney says the rights of Americans to own and use guns can be preserved while also giving the public the right to live in safety. Over 30,000 die from gunshots every year.

Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu December 27, 2012

Language Expert Constance Hale: Let Verbs Power Your Writing

12/27/12 - Thursday’s Topical Currents begins with journalist and language expert Constance Hale.  Her latest book concentrates on the “pivot points” of our sentences:  verbs.  In her book, VEX, HEX, SMASH, SMOOCH, she examines both heavenly and headache verbs.  And more.  Linda Gassenheimer and wine columnist Fred Tasker with end of year drinks and food.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Wed December 26, 2012

Coping With Unemployment; Finding A Job After Age 50

Food and Dining
1:30 pm
Thu December 20, 2012

Linda Gassenheimer with Chef Angelo Elia

Credit Alissa Dragun
Chef Angelo Elia

12/20/12 - 1:30 -Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman interview Chef Angelo Elia, the owner of Fort Lauderdale’s Casa d’Angelo.  

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu December 20, 2012

Body Language Expert Patti Wood

12/20/12 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with first impressions.  Just a fraction of a second can influence a relationship . . . and those first takes tend to be remarkably accurate.  We’ll speak with expert Patti Wood, author of SNAP:  Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language & Charisma.   And more.  Linda Gassenheimer with Chef Angelo Elia, the owner of Fort Lauderdale’s Casa d’Angelo.  Also, wine columnist Fred Tasker.

Video clip of Patti Wood:

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Wed December 19, 2012

South Florida Author Les Standiford Examines the American Revolution in DESPERATE SONS.

12/19/12 -  Topical Currents is with South Florida-based author Les Standiford.  His latest work is DESPERATE SONS:  Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War.  The leaders of the Sons of Revolution were colonial merchants, whose businesses suffered greatly from British tax and trade structures.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Tue December 18, 2012

Conversation Transformation: Overcoming Destructive Communication Patterns

12/18/12 - Tuesday's Topical Currents looks at how we can improve communication skills.  Verbal expert Dr. Ben Benjamin , co-author of CONVERSATION TRANSFORMATION, says there are red flags to notice when conversations take the wrong course.  Complaints and leading questions can start a downhill path.  And “Yes, buts” usually put another person on the defensive.  More information at www.conversationtransformation.com

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Mon December 17, 2012

Temple University Professor Joan Mellen & OUR MAN IN HAITI

12/17/12 - Monday’s Topical Currents is with Temple University Professor Joan Mellen, whose latest book is OUR MAN IN HAITI:  George de Mohrenschildt & the CIA in the Nightmare Republic.  It tracks the role of the U.S. military and CIA in the internal life of Haiti, particularly during the despotic reign of Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier.  Mellen cites ties to the U-S Mafia, drug traffic, and even the Kennedy assassination.

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Food and Dining
1:00 pm
Thu December 13, 2012

Linda Gassenheimer & Acclaimed Chef Norman Van Aken

12/13/12 - Thursday's Topical Currents is with chef, author and syndicated columnist Linda Gassenheimer.   Guest is acclaimed Chef Norman Van Aken.  His food career began in Key West . . . before his mega-star tenure in the South Florida dining scene.  He’s written MY KEY WEST KITCHEN, along with his son, Justin Van Aken.  Also, wine columnist Fred Tasker.  *Today's program is an abbreviated fundraising edition.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Wed December 12, 2012

David Lawrence & The Children’s Movement of Florida; Heather Klinker & Grubstake Good Works

Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Tue December 11, 2012

Cultural Competency For the Health Professional; Novelist Junot Diaz

12/11/12 - Tuesday's Topical Currents begins with University of Miami professor Dr. Patti Rose, who specializes in cultural diversity issues which face health professionals -- and interactions with patients and families.  And more.  Literary contributor Ariel Gonzalez interviews award-winning novelist Junot Diaz.  Recently awarded a sizeable “genius grant” from the MacArthur Foundation.  His latest book is a collection of themed short-stories called, THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Mon December 10, 2012

“Members Only” Call-In

12/10/12 - Monday’s Topical Currents is our popular “Members Only” pledge program with hosts Joseph Cooper, Bonnie Berman . . . and faithful listeners.  We’ll “turn the table,” and have WLRN members give on-air testimonials, and relate public radio experiences.  When was your first financial pledge offered? How about revealing one of those riveting “driveway moments?”

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu December 6, 2012

Annual Holiday Kitchen Gadgets

Credit Paul Leary
Linda with her gadgets in the studio.

12/06/12 - Join us for Thursday’s Topical Currents and Linda Gassenheimer’s Annual Holiday Kitchen Gadget extravaganza with wine columnist Fred Tasker.  How about a battery-operated vacuum chip and cracker storage container?  Contents stay crisp for months.  Linda demonstrates the ultimate double-edged bread knife, as well as a unique flippable omelet pan.  Fred has gadgets for the wine devotee.

Short video behind the scenes from today's program.  

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Tue December 4, 2012

Socio-biologist Rebecca Costa Addresses Global Gridlock in The Watchman’s Rattle

12/04/12 - Tuesday's Topical Currents is with socio-biologist Rebecca Costa.  She offers a “genetic” explanation for currents events . . . emerging trends . . . and individual behavior.   Costa retired at the zenith of her Silicon Valley career to write her book, THE WATCHMAN’S RATTLE:  A Radical New Theory of Collapse.  She says the principles governing evolution cause and provide a solution for global gridlock.

 

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Mon December 3, 2012

Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won’t Tell You

12/03/12 - Monday’s Topical Currents is with whistle-blower surgeon and Johns Hopkins Professor Dr. Marty Makary.  He’s an international expert on patient safety, who laments the corporatized hospital culture.   25% of all hospital patients are harmed by medical mistakes.  He says these blunders are due to blind focus on the proverbial “bottom line.”  He’s written UNACCOUNTABLE:  What Hospitals Won’t Tell You.

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Food and Dining
1:30 pm
Thu November 29, 2012

Josh Schonwald, author of The Taste of Tomorrow: Dispatches from the Future of Food

Credit http://www.thetasteoftomorrow.com/
The Taste of Tomorrow: Dispatches from the Future of Food

Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman interview Josh Schonwald, author of The Taste of Tomorrow:  Dispatches from the Future of Food.  What will we be eating, say, in 2035: test tube meat, stem cell burgers, blue bananas? 

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu November 29, 2012

Naturopathic Physician Michael Murray

11/29/12 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with naturopathic physician Michael Murray author of WHAT DRUG COMPANIES WON’T TELL YOU And your Doctor Doesn’t Know.   He discusses alternative treatments for the drugs which may be in our home medicine cabinets.   Murray says headache remedies can worsen symptoms . . . and that antacids can create digestive problems.  And more.  Linda Gassenheimer with Josh Schonwald, author of The Taste of Tomorrow:  Dispatches from the Future of Food.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Wed November 28, 2012

South Florida Post-Election Issues

11/28/12 - Wednesday's Topical Currents is with regular contributor and Watchdog Report publisher Dan Ricker.  We’ll follow up with South Florida election ramifications . . . and of course, take your calls.  Is the large Miami-Dade Cuban-American vote now swinging to Democrats?  And what effect will charter-enacted County Commission term limits foretell?  We’ll also check up on post-election Broward County politics and government.   http://www.watchdogreport.net/

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Tue November 27, 2012

Professor Brian Winston & Free Speech; The End of Life Book Club

11/27/12 - Tuesday's Topical Currents begins with Communications Professor Brian Winston of the University of Lincoln, UK.  His book, A Right to Offend, addresses the current state of freedom of expression in the western world.  He examines the most pertinent cases of conflict during the last two decades.  And more . . . literary contributor Ariel Gonzalez with Will Schwalbe, author of THE END OR YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Mon November 26, 2012

“At Your Service” Pet Care Call-In Show

11/26/12 - Monday’s Topical Currents is an “At Your Service” edition with veterinarian Dr. Ian Kupkee of  Kendall’s  Sabal Chase Animal Clinic and canine behavior specialist Edel Miedes of K9 Advisors.  We’ll discuss pet care issues . . . and take listener calls.   Also a report on how the Miami-Dade Pet Trust straw ballot approval will play-out.  It calls for low-cost spay and neuter services and a no-kill animal shelter.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Tue November 20, 2012

Education Pioneer Salman Kahn and The One World Schoolhouse

Credit http://www.khanacademy.org/
Sal Founder & Executive Director Khan Academy

11/20/12 -  Tuesday's  Topical Currents is with education innovator Salman Kahn.  He says today’s schools and colleges are built upon a model developed by Prussians in the 1700-hundreds . . . and that modern technology should make classrooms more human and teachers more important.  He recommends a pay scale for teachers to match other professions.   Salman Kahn has written, THE ONE WORLD SCHOOLHOUSE:  Education Reimagined.

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Topical Currents
4:36 pm
Fri November 16, 2012

Oxford University Professor Kevin Dutton and The Wisdom Of Psychopaths

11/19/12 - Monday’s  Topical Currents looks at the lives of psychopaths and their infamously crafty behavior.  Psychopaths are usually fearless, confident, charismatic and ruthless . . . but most people aren’t aware that they aren’t necessarily violent.  In fact, some psychopathic behavior is exhibited by leaders of business and government.  We’ll speak with research psychologist Kevin Dutton about his book, THE WISDOM OF PSYCHOPATHS:  What Saints, Spies and Serial Killers Can Teach Us About Success.  

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Food and Dining
1:30 pm
Thu November 15, 2012

Linda Gassenheimer with Celebrity Chef Joanne Weir

11/15/12 - Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman interview  celebrity chef Joanne Weir.  Her latest book is Cooking Confidence.  She’ll give us tips for cooking Thanksgiving dinner - with confidence and more cooking and kitchen tips. 

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu November 15, 2012

“Homegrown in Florida” Anthology

11/15/12 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with discussion of the anthology HOMEGROWN IN FLORIDA.  It’s a collection of essays which address growing up in Florida – perhaps a child’s remembrance of “paradise.”  Writing by Zora Neale Hurston, Carl Hiaasen, Jeff Klinkenberg and even Tom Petty is included.  Also, Palm Beach Post reporter and author Carlos Frias, whose essay is included in the book.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Tue November 13, 2012

South Florida “Brownfields” Redevelopment

11/13/12 - Tuesday's Topical Currents looks at South Florida “brownfield” remediation.  Brownfields are hazardous, contaminated sites, usually in older and disadvantaged areas.  They may qualify for federal and state grants for clean-up.  These stipends spur economic development in several ways--including job creation from the restoration project.  They also infuse funds into the community.  The acclaimed Mid-Town Miami development was once tainted with arsenic and petroleum residues.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Mon November 12, 2012

Former Death-Row Inmate Damien Echols

Credit Peter Ash Lee via The New York Times
Damien Echols

11/12/12 - Monday’s Topical Currents is with Damien Echols, who spent 18-years on death row.  He was convicted in 1993 of murdering three young boys in West Memphis,  Arkansas.  He was even married on 

death-row, with DNA results eventually setting him free.  His memoir relates his youth, a highly publicizes trial, and the travails of nearly two-decades of solitary confinement.  Damien Echols has written LIFE AFTER DEATH.

Video trailer for the new film "West of Memphis" 

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Food and Dining
1:30 pm
Thu November 8, 2012

Linda Gassenheimer and Florida Cuisine

11/08/12 at 1:30 - Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman talk about "Florida Cuisine,” with Kris Wessel, whose new restaurant is Florida Cookery at the James Royal Palm Hotel on South Beach.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Thu November 8, 2012

Attitude Reconstruction: Building A Better Life

11/08/12 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with marriage and family therapist Jude Bijou, author of ATTITUDE RECONSTRUCTION:  A Blueprint for Building a Better Life.  We’ll discuss how to deal with disappointment and anger in the workplace, and how to let off steam in a safe setting.  Also, Linda Gassenheimer and “Florida Cuisine,” with Kris Wessel, whose new restaurant is Florida Cookery at the James Royal Palm Hotel on South Beach.

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Topical Currents
1:00 pm
Wed November 7, 2012

Plutocrats: The Rise Of The New Global Super-rich And The Fall Of Everyone Else

11/07/12 - Wednesday's  Topical Currents is with financial journalist Chrystia Freeland of Reuters.  She’s written the book, PLUTOCRATS:  The Rise of the New Global Super-Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else.  There’s always been a gap between rich and poor in this country, but never has there been the class of global super-rich.  There’s even a wide gap between the elite rich inside the quote, “one-percent.”

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