NPR Cross Currents with Scott Widmeyer

Welcome back to Cross Currents! This is the final episode of our fourth season, and we have one message to share: VOTE. Joining Scott and Maura Flynn today are guests Barry Chaiken, Lenny Steinhorn, Jason Bridges, Alison Peck, Rev. Matthew Wright and Catherine Mackay. And, we'll finish with a clip from “Vote,” written and directed by TaNisha Fordham. You can find the full video of this beautiful, moving performance here: https://youtu.be/4ZWP3KvPUd8.

On the show this week, it's all about disrupting media-- from fake news to political legacies, and what's critical to know as you cast a ballot. Featuring authors Cindy Otis and Jonathan Alter, both out with brand new books; highlights from journalists working in the field through COVID-19; and a segment from Inside Appalachia, an incredible podcast from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day. Make sure you're subscribed to NPR Cross Currents on your favorite streaming platform and follow along @NPRCrossCurrents!

This week on NPR Cross Currents, we're joined by writers Jonathan Alter and Crocker Snow Jr., featuring reading recommendations from Tim Ehrenberg and a story on artist Robert Villamagna's COVID-19 recovery-- with partners 100 Days in Appalachia and the American Pops Orchestra. Make sure to download, subscribe and rate the show today & follow @NPRCrossCurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

What's on the agenda today? President Donald Trump was taken to Walter Reed on Friday for coronavirus treatment, joining over 7 million Americans who've been infected so far. Candidate for Georgia HD 67 Angela Mayfield Warner joins us to talk about the looming election and voter turnout w/ @senatormaura who unpacks the first debate. We're also celebrating the passing of feminist icon Helen Reddy, the artist behind I Am Woman, died on Tuesday. Then, @swidmeyer interviews fmr. Nixon counsel @JohnWDean on his new book, Authoritarian Nightmare: Trump and his Followers. It covers the president's time in the WH with a base more likely to be intolerant and submissive. Tune in today and be sure to follow @NPRCrossCurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This week on Cross Currents, Scott is joined by writer, lecturer and former Nixon White House counsel John Dean; his latest book, Authoritarian Nightmare: Trump and His Followers, was released last month. Then, Maura Flynn dives into the state of feminism amid the impending election as we celebrate the life and legacy of progressive icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Download the show today and be sure to follow @NPRCrossCurrents to stay up-to-date on our cultural commentary in a rapidly changing world.

This weekend on NPR Cross Currents, we're joined by musical duo Junelle and Abe Kunin to talk about their latest project with the Dalai Lama, public health expert Dr. Chris Martin and Sue O'Connell from Nantucket Bookworks-- also featuring a segment from West Virginia Public Broadcasting on the new book, Appalachian Fall. Tune in today and make sure you're following along @NPRCrossCurrents for the latest updates!

Happy Labor Day weekend, listeners! Cross Currents is back this week to talk about the pandemic as we begin month six of our heavily-disrupted new day-to-day normal. Joining us today are Dr. Barry Chaiken, a Harvard-trained doctor who is board certified in Public Health and one of the nation's leading experts applying public health technology during crises; and Sheila Bair, NYT bestselling author, former college president and FDIC chair who played a critical role in the federal response to the '08 financial crisis. Tune in now and make sure you're following @nprcrosscurrents to stay up-to-date with the show!

Summer is quickly winding down as students begin the next school year, however complicated, and this week we're wrapping up coverage on the political conventions that kick the 2020 campaigns into high gear. Joining us today to unpack the RNC are political strategists David Avella and David Leiter. Then, we move on to higher education, speaking with public health expert and instructor Dr. Christopher Martin, first-time freshman Christina Rufo and resident assistant Hunter Bennett. Download today and make sure to follow the show @nprcrosscurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We're halfway through the 2020 Democratic/Republican conventions, and this week on Cross Currents we're joined by two experts to help us unpack-- Frank Fahrenkopf, chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1983 to 1989 and current Chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates; and Loretta Ucelli, Director of White House Communications during the Presidency of Bill Clinton from 1999 to 2001.Then, Bruce Mehlman joins the conversation to talk about the future of policy-- and how it may be coming faster than we think. You'll also hear a segment from West Virginia Public Broadcasting's #InsideAppalachia on finding some extra cash right in your own yard. Download and subscribe to the show today-- and follow us @nprcrosscurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

What's the word on Washington, D.C. streets ahead of the 2020 election? Could UBI help rebuild Appalachia? What books on race should top your list? Today on NPR Cross Currents we're joined by the dynamic news duo Peter Baker of The New York Times and Susan Glasser of The New Yorker, Wendy Hudson from Mitchell's Book Corner and a segment from 100 Days on Appalachia on economic policy across the U.S. With, as always, Download and subscribe to the show today-- and follow us @nprcrosscurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

We're talking about the next step of the pandemic, WW2-era child refugees and a look inside the White House— new episode, streaming now with * Sally Susman, Pfizer Executive Vice President/Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. She is also vice chair of the Pfizer Foundation and co-chair of Pfizer's Political Action Committee; * Mary Jordan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist, best-selling author and National Correspondent for the Washington Post; * and author Mikhal Dekel who teaches English and Comparative Literature at the City College and the CUNY Graduate Center, and directs CCNY's Rifkind Center for the Humanities and Arts. With, as always, music from the extremely talented American Pops Orchestra!

There are five months left in the year and less than 100 days until the election. This week we're talking about representation, supporting creativity and First Lady Melania Trump with guests - Dawn Hudson, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; - Harvey Mason Jr., Acting President of the Recording Academy; - Tim Ehrenberg, creator of Tim Talks Books; - Mary Jordan, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. Subscribe to the show today and follow us @nprcrosscurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Today we welcome to the show Karen Gross, author of the new book Trauma Doesn't Stop at the School Door; Kenny Dichter, aviation entrepreneur; and Helen Bouygues of the Reboot Foundation. Tune in, share with a friend and be sure to follow us on social media @NPRCrossCurrents!

Tune in! We're talking Canada, voting, literature, healthcare and beyond with guests Paul Frazier, Peter Loge, Bruce Bond, Sue O'Connell and Thomas Koulopoulos-- along with, as always, great music from the American Pops Orchestra. Stream the show today and follow us @NPRCrossCurrents on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

This week on NPR Cross Currents we're focusing on civil discourse, corporate welfare, recent environmental happenings and mixing politics with spirituality-- with guests Peter Loge, Bruce Bond, Lisa Conyers and Linda Seger. Tune in now!

In prime 2020 fashion, Independence Day has the country reflecting on patriotism through unparalleled unrest. Our guests are pushing the conversation forward: Luke Frazier, Nikki Fleming, Linda Seger, Alexis Michelle— along with a collection of voices from Appalachia. From confederate statue controversy to celebrating the arts, safety, spirituality and beyond, we're getting into it.

Listen in as we dive into Pride 2020 with policymakers, cultural trailblazers and leaders of the LGBTQIA+ community who are paving the way to inclusivity. This week the NPR Cross Currents team is joined by Alexis Michelle, David Mixner, Julian Cyr and Rosemary Ketchum-- with pride-centric music from the incredible American Pops Orchestra.

This week on NPR Cross Currents, we're tackling how the pandemic is affecting families with guests Dr. Phil Fisher, Anne-Marie Phelan, Frank Sesno, Lenny Steinhorn and Richard Rothstein. We're also featuring two of our 2020 partners-- a hands-on, kid-friendly project from 100 Days in Appalachia (produced in partnership with West Virginia Public Broadcasting) and a performance from the American Pops Orchestra with artist Milck.

This week on Cross Currents we hear from leaders on the front lines of civil discourse in America. We hope the show and our guests cast new light on the darkness of the current hour through endurance, patience and reconciliation. Follow the show at @nprcrosscurrents and subscribe to stay tuned in.

There's a lot going on in our world. We're chiming in. NPR Cross Currents is back for season four-- with twice the episode length, more in-depth coverage than ever, incredible guest hosts, collaborative partners and more. Follow the show at @nprcrosscurrents and subscribe to keep tuned in.

Filled with new segments, guest hosts, collaborations and more, this season of Cross Currents has quite a few new ventures in store. Tune in for Scott's insight on all that's new before season four begins this weekend!

Our fourth season of Cross Currents is premiering next Saturday, June 6. Tune in this week for a Q&A with host Scott Widmeyer as he dives into what's new for 2020-- guest hosts, new segments,

Six Sub-Saharan nations in Africa are benefiting from the work of one US-based NGO, Seed Global Health. This part of the world--dealing with the worst diseases-- faces severe shortages of health care professionals. This is where SEED is on the scene training doctors, nurses and midwives. Learn more from my conversation with Dr. Vanessa Kerry, SEED founder.

Some might look at this problem as Mission: Impossible. Not so, however, for the National Black Leadership Commission on Health when it comes to tackling the huge disparities that continue to exist around the health of black Americans. Whether its HIV-AIDS, mental health, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, the black community in America suffers at far greater rates. My interview with C. Virginia Fields illustrates what her organization is doing to educate and mobilize among this population cohort of nearly 40 million.

"Health care as we know it won't exist" in the near future, says pharma exec Ian Marks. He points to new consumer-driven movement called self-care that will be transformative. Learn more in this #NPR @IHeartRadio interview about this market disruption where the health and digital worlds collide.

The U.S. is a nation of islands--from Puerto Rico to Guam to Nantucket and more. But, the fate of these islands and the millions who live on them is at risk because of climate change. Think rising sea levels, increased frequency/intensity of storms and warming waters. My show this week is a prelude to Climate Week NYC and UN climate talks. I sit down with CBS News Weather Expert Jeff Beradelli and Arturo Garcia-Costas from NY Community Trust to assess first-hand how big this crisis really is, and what citizens can do.

What's the answer to America's obsession with guns? Will Congress take action when it returns this month in response to multiple mass shootings over the summer in Texas, Ohio and California? Learn what one mainstream US church denomination is doing to bring opposing sides together to talk about the crisis and to take steps to limit the rampage of gun violence. I sit down with the Rev. Deanna Hollas, who recently was installed in the Presbyterian Church as Minister of Gun Violence Prevention, and she talks about her new mission.

The turn from summer to fall, in many ways is a call to get serious again. Time for thinking about the future? To consider how each one of us can make a difference. Cross Currents host Scott Widmeyer offers up 6 Questions for us to ponder, and hopefully take action on.

This NPR Nantucket Cross Currents segment is about teenager Charlotte Weinstein and her passion for music. Her musical journey began at age 5, and now at age 15, she has transformed into an accomplished pianist. Learn more about how this young woman looks at the world, her studies, and her hopes for the future.

The trade battle between President Trump and China looms large as the US heads into the Labor Day holiday. Plus, Congress will return soon. Will they take up gun legislation or will status quo continue? Peter Baker of the NY Times and Susan Glasser of the New Yorker puts it all in perspective.

We sit down with young recording sensation Delacey who talks about her new stardom as a singer with three new hit singles in 2019. First a writer and now a singer, Delacey says she's committed to both. Join me and Hitco Music founder Charles Goldstuck as we go indepth with this 27-year-old phenom in terms of her passion and inspiration.

50 years ago this weekend, nearly a half million people descended on Max Yasgur's farm in the Catskills to celebrate peace, love and togetherness. Woodstock 1969 was a turning point in music and in uniting many to fight for social justice. This show looks at the music from Santana, Canned Heat, Hendrix and Janis Joplin and we talk to the editor of the Woodstock Times who made the trek to Bethel, NY for the Festival. Will something like this ever happen again? Listen in!

We sit down with two of America's top journalists--the New Yorker's Susan Glasser and Peter Baker from NY Times to unravel a maddening period in the Trump America that we live in. From mass shootings to a call for stricter gun laws to the stability of Joe Biden and Trump's consistent approval ratings, you'll want to listen in to Baker/Glasser and also hear our conversation about how corporate America and their elite CEOs will be exposed for their "quiet" support of Trump/Pence in 2020.

Anger, hate and a general disconnect from society seems to pervade our everyday lives more and more. We saw it this weekend in Dayton and El Paso. We hear it in statements from our elected leaders. We see it on the streets of Charlottesville, Washington DC and other places. One group, Common Ground Commitee, led by Bruce Bond is trying to "bring light, not heat to public discourse." We sit down with Bond to get his take. We can all make a difference by increasing voter turnout in primary elections so that all voices are heard, Bond says, and we need to focus on the 70% exhausted majority in the US and get them reengaged.

What is the future for the Democrats? As we watch 2020 unfold, things are getting ugly among the multitude of candidates. Who prevails? Left vs right vs center? Many see shades of what tore the party apart in 1980 when incumbent President Jimmy Carter was challenged by Senator Ted Kennedy. We talk with Yahoo's Jon Ward on his new book, "Camelot's End."

Macroeconomist David Smick has a lot to say about the US and global economy. First, the top-down Wall Street driven economy is leaving many behind and fueling cycle of hate and a feeling of humiliation among many Americans. He also points to his fear of a global currency war and is not supportive of FED lowering interest rates. He calls the debt created by this approach a "ticking time bomb.

My interview with music entrepreneur Charles Goldstuck looks at the future of the industry and we talk about his rise to fame; leaving South Africa for the US. And how he started his career with icons like Clive Davis to now representing JLo, Big Boi and much of today's top recording talent.

Each year, the presence of a superbug contributes to the deaths of 20,000 Americans because the infection is so powerful that it's antibiotic-resistant. How is this happening? What is modern medicine doing to turn this around? We talk with author/Dr. Matt McCarthy about this health epidemic and learn how it's impacting the lives of real people as told in his new book just published by Penguin Random House.

The 1969 Stonewall uprisings are being marked this weekend at World Pride 2019 in NYC. That event, 50 years ago, unleashed an entire movement to bring equality to the LGBTQ community. Significant progress has happened. We interview NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson who is viewed as a rising star in the gay political world. And we talk with Syracuse University professor Mara Sapon-Shevin on how LGBTQ history is or is not making it in today's school curriculum.

Nearly 2 million Americans annually are diagnosed with cancer. With immunotherapy, there's new hope in the race to cure cancer. Learn more in my interview with NY Times best-selling author Charles Graeber.

Frank Sesno, former CNN DC bureau chief and White House correspondent, sits down with us for an informative chat around the chaos that engulfs the White House and Congress. Sesno, now head of the GW School of Media & Public Affairs, also weighs in on issues impacting a free and independent media and higher ed's ROI.

From the NY Times to CNN to Conde Nast and the Washington Post, two towns--Shepherdstown WV and Nantucket MA--are regularly hailed as summer holiday spots. For the arts, it's Shepherdstown and its acclaimed Contemporary American Theater Festival featuring 6 new American plays in rep. For sailing, the beaches and escaping the heat, it's Nantucket plus its Theatre Workshop of Nantucket featuring musical classics and more. Sit back for 25 minutes and learn a little more on how the performing arts soothes our soul, provokes the thought process and allows us to learn from history as I interview CATF's Ed Herendeen and TWN's Justin Cerne.

Former US Secretary of Ed Arne Duncan talks candidly on how US schools are doing, the wave of crime hitting cities like Chicago and he underscores the importance of education for everyone. Plus he talks about the good days and the bad days during his tenure in the Obama administration. And he scorns the pitfalls of not rewarding teachers.

Writer/historian Elizabeth Catte has her own interpretation of what's going on in Appalachia today and it's far different from the total gloom perspective laid out by J.D. Vance in his book, "Hillbilly Elegy." We interview Catte on her 2018 book on this region that is bigger than Alaska, runs from NY State to Mississippi, and comprises 25 million residents.

Former president Obama led the "Yes, We Can" charge with his candidacy in 2008 in contrast to the current president's "Make America Great Again." We sit down with Gautam Raghavan to talk about the book he has co-authored, "West Wingers," where 18 key Obama staffers write about their WH days as they chased dreams and created hope.

Anne Goodwin and Ella Wall Prichard are two amazing women. Listen to my show and come away relaxed and fulfilled. Anne, in her book, Come to the Lake, teaches us to disconnect and relax. Ella, in her book, Reclaiming Joy, speaks to the one million US women who lose their husbands unexpectedly.

We know IBM for its 100-plus year legacy around data and innovation. That legacy extends deep into American education with the role they play around teaching, P-Tech high schools and trying to close the skills gap. My interview with Grace Suh sheds a lot of light on real social responsibility.

There's been lots of great focus on how women are the prime victims of sexual harassment, but little has been heard about the crisis impacting boys in the US and globally. Our show today opens a window to look at how boys to men are in deep despair. Our guest is Warren Farrell, co-author of top-selling boy, "The Boy Crisis." You will be surprised by what you learn from this growing phenomenon.

We talk with American Student Assistance president Jean Eddy and get her insight on higher ed and student debt. Plus, we look at ASA's new initiative to reach middle school students across the USA to begin the thought process around planning for careers. Whether it's a college degree or a certificate in high-paying skilled fields, there's much to pick from. And more info is available at the new www.asa.org

Our back-to-school/Labor Day show features American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. Wide-ranging discussion on unparalleled support for public school teachers, the Supreme Court, the decline of the middle class and the "extremism" coming from Trump-DeVos administration. Weingarten calls this a "hope in darkness" period.

With the Paul Manafort guilty verdict and Michael Cohen's guilty plea, President Trump faced one of his toughest weeks since taking office. What's ahead? How does he hold his base and/or grow it ahead of the midterms? Where is the US headed around big foreign policy matters? We talk with NY Times's Peter Baker and the New Yorker's Susan Glasser.