The Roundtable

Each weekday morning, The Roundtable's Joe Donahue is joined by various experts, journalists, educators, and commentators to discuss current events. On Roundtable Panel: The Week in Review, we feature your favorite panelists discussing news items from the previous week.

In an acclaimed career spanning over half a century, husband and wife Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme represented the very best in popular music, starting with youthful pop hits in the 1950s and 1960s and followed by their Grammy® and Emmy®-winning triumphs focusing on the Great American Songbook.Their son, Emmy nominated composer David Lawrence hosts "Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme: Memories of My Mom & Dad," an all-new My Music special to premiere Saturday evening, December 2 on PBS, with encore broadcasts to follow.We are joined by Executive Producer and Director T.J. Lubinsky.

While Stephen Sanchez may only be 21 years old, his music will bring you back decades. Releasing his debut EP What Was, Not Now in late 2021, Sanchez has climbed the charts- reaching number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 for his single “Until I found You.”Sanchez is performing Sunday, December 3rd at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Some titans of American history died in recent days. In today's Congressional Corner, Democratic New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand speaks with WAMC's Ian Pickus. This conversation was recorded November 30.

"Meet the Panelist" is a sporadic segment where we have in depth discussions with Roundtable Panelists to learn about their lives, careers and how they arrive at their various points of view. In this segment, we talk to Heather Briccetti Mulligan, President & CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists Semi-retired, Editor at large/columnist/editorial writer, Times Union Jay Jochnowitz, President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Heather Mulligan, Siena College Professor of Economics Aaron Pacitti, and Albany County District Attorney David Soares.

Erin Harkes celebrates the release of her first video special (and second album) on Wednesday, December 6 at a special comedy concert event at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, New York.Oft voted “Best Local Comedian”, Harkes celebrates the release of the new album as a part of her monthly series: “Women Aren't Funny at UPH!” Erin will shows clips from the special and then will perform an entirely new set of material.Having found great comfort in front of an audience she was able to make this transition smoothly. In a very short amount of time she achieved much local success and has since performed nearly every major club in NYC and in Toronto and Montreal. She is also a regular feature at Funny Bone Comedy Clubs across the country.

A pioneer in the field of psychohistory, Robert Jay Lifton is a psychiatrist and author best known for his studies of the psychological causes and effects of war and political violence and for his theory of thought reform and cult behavior. He joins us this morning to discuss his latest book: "Surviving Our Catastrophes: Resilience and Renewal from Hiroshima to the COVID-19 Pandemic."

Amy Godine's new book, "The Black Woods,"- chronicles the history of Black pioneers in New York's northern wilderness.Amy Godine has been writing and speaking about ethnic, migratory, and Black Adirondack history for more than three decades. Exhibits she has curated include "Dreaming of Timbuctoo" at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in North Elba, New York.

Former Florida Congresswoman Val Demings, a Democrat, and former Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, a Republican who was the longtime GOP House Whip, are taking part in Hamilton College's Common Ground program on Monday, December 4. The discussion at 7:30 p.m. is called “Taming the Chaos in D.C.: How Can We Bridge the Divides in Washington?” Both Demings and Blunt are executive fellows at the Bipartisan Policy Center.They spoke with WAMC's Ian Pickus on Nov. 29.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Today's panelists are former U.S. Congressman for NY-19 John Faso, Partner with the Albany law firm of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna Cianna Freeman-Tolbert, and Vice President for Editorial Development at the New York Press Association Judy Patrick.

Scott Berg's new book, "The Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City's Soul" is an account of the fire's inexorable march and an eye-opening look at its aftermath, telling the story of one of the most infamous calamities in history and the new Chicago it precipitated—a disaster that still shapes American cities to this day.

The two-time GRAMMY Award-winning Albany Symphony, will provide some extra sparkle this holiday season at two of the Capital Region's favorite concert venues.On Sunday, December 3, The Magic of Christmas fills The Palace Theatre with gorgeous holiday music, family fun, and special guests. On December 9th and 10th, world-acclaimed pianist Yefim Bronfman will perform Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in the legendary Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The concerts on the 9th and 10th will also feature composer Loren Loiacono's work Beanie's Chapbook, a world premiere commissioned by the Albany Symphony.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Siena College Professor of Comparative Politics Vera Eccarius-Kelly, Dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at UAlbany Robert Griffin, Preceptor in Public Speaking for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University Terry Gipson, and Executive Director of The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Nic Rangel.

Ralph Nader's new book, "The Rebellious CEO: 12 Leaders Who Did It Right," profiles a group of CEOs who he believes performed well as business leaders as well as civic reformers. Some are well known and some are not, but Nader says they should be celebrated as exceptions whose careers and life should be a course of inspiration and emulation for students of executives, business, and the wide citizenry.

This week's Book Picks come to us from Joan Grenier of Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

"Meet the Panelist" is a sporadic segment where we have in depth discussions with Roundtable Panelists to learn about their lives, careers and how they arrive at their various points of view. In this segment, we talk to Heather Briccetti Mulligan, President & CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

The new documentary, premiering on HBO tonight, "South To Black Power" is inspired by New York Times columnist and bestselling author Charles Blow's book, which calls for a reverse “great migration” of African Americans from the North back to the South to reclaim the land, political representation, and culture that they left behind, and in so doing, forever transform the power structure in America.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are political consultant and lobbyist Libby Post, former Associate Editor of the Times Union Mike Spain, and Wall Street investment banker Mark Wittman.

Our tech guru Jesse Feiler joins us this morning to talk about cloud computing and cloud storage.

Kashmir Hill is a tech reporter at The New York Times, where her writing about the intersection of privacy and technology pioneered the genre. Her new book is "Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startup's Quest to End Privacy as We Know It."

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Tetherless World Chair of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences and Founding Director of the Future of Computing Institute at RPI Jim Hendler, political consultant and lobbyist Libby Post, and former Associate Editor of the Times Union Mike Spain.

Since his death ten years ago, Lou Reed's living presence has only grown. The great rock-poet presided over the marriage of Brill Building pop and the European avant-garde, and left American culture transfigured. In the new biography "Lou Reed: The King of New York," Will Hermes offers the definitive narrative of Reed's life and legacy, dramatizing his long, brilliant, and contentious dialogue with fans, critics, and fellow artists.

Are U.S.-China relations back on track? In today's Congressional Corner, Democratic Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Murphy wraps up his interview with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Publisher Emeritus of The Daily Freeman Ira Fusfeld, Diplomat in residence at Bard College Ambassador Fred Hof, President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Heather Mulligan, and Director, Actor, and Educator Kristen van Ginhoven.

Dogs have been considered people's best friend for thousands of years, but never has the relationship between humans and their canine companions been as vitally important as it is today. "The Purest Bond" explores the benefits our dogs can have on our physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being, often without our realizing it.

Too many Americans are lonely. In today's Congressional Corner, Democratic Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Murphy speaks with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategy and Policy at Bard College Malia Du Mont, corporate attorney with Phillips Lytle LLP Rich Honen, and The Empire Report's J.P. Miller.

Steve Inskeep is a cohost of NPR's Morning Edition, the most widely heard radio program in the United States. His new book, "Differ We Must," is an exploration of Abraham Lincoln's political acumen, illuminating a great politician's strategy in a country divided—and lessons for our own disorderly present.

As our planet's road network continues to grow exponentially, the science of road ecology has become increasingly vital. Tomorrow, journalist Ben Goldfarb will be at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck to discuss his new book "Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet."

In today's Congressional Corner, Democratic Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Murphy speaks with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Chairman of Capital District Latinos Dan Irizarry, Senior Fellow at Bard Center for Civic Engagement Jim Ketterer, Executive Director of The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Nic Rangel, and investment banker on Wall St. Mark Wittman.

Each weekday morning, The Roundtable's Joe Donahue is joined by various experts, journalists, educators, and commentators to discuss current events. On Roundtable Panel: The Week in Review, we feature your favorite panelists discussing news items from the previous week.

Tonight at Franklin Plaza in Troy, New York, the Pride Center of the Capital Region is hosting their 2023 Gala: Amplifying Queer Voices of All Ages. The event will include music drag performances, a silent auction, and dinner. New York City based drag performance artist, event host, TV personality, and professional musician Thorgy Thor is coming to town to host and emcee the event.

Bestselling author of "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and Down and Dirty Pictures," cultural critic Peter Biskind turns his eye toward the new golden age of television in "Pandora's Box: How Guts, Guile, and Greed Upended TV." There will be a Book Release Celebration for Peter Biskind at Spencertown Academy on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The exhibition "Frog and Toad & Other Friends: The World of Arnold Lobel" is on display through the end of the year at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown.Lobel is the author and illustrator of some of the most beloved children's books produced since the late 1960s. Included among these are his "Frog and Toad" series (1971–79), "Mouse Soup" (1977), and "Fables" (1980), which was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal.

The Supreme Court has a new code of ethics.In today's Congressional Corner, David Hawkings of The American Leader wraps up his conversation with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are attorney, the elected Ulster County Comptroller and the former president and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley March Gallagher, Diplomat in residence at Bard College Ambassador Fred Hof, President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Heather Mulligan.

Since the last time we caught up with comedian Hari Kondabolu in October of 2019, so much has happened — both in the world and in his life.

Jim Brickman is the best-selling solo pianist of our time, earning 21 number-one albums, 32 Top 20 radio hits and two Grammy nominations and next, he'll be in the Great Hall at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17.Jim Brickman will present to the crowd with his uplifting, “HITS LIVE! with A Little Bit of Christmas” concert. The Grammy-nominated songwriter gets up close and personal in this intimate setting with his hit songs “Love of My Life” “Valentine” and “Angel Eyes” plus a few holiday favorites like “The Gift.”

Comedian Vir Das will bring his "Mind Fool" Tour to The Egg in Albany, New York on November 18. It comes as his new special, "Landing" is currently streaming on Netflix and was just nominated for a 2023 International Emmy for “Best Comedy.”

The House of Representatives' new speaker has a big test at hand.In today's Congressional Corner, David Hawkings of The American Leader continues his conversation with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences at RPI and Director of the RPI-IBM Artificial Intelligence research collaboration Jim Hendler, Advance Lead for the White House and former Chief of Staff for State Senator Michelle Hinchey and former Assistant County Executive for Pat Ryan, Anna Markowitz, Vice President for Editorial Development at the New York Press Association Judy Patrick, and Wall Street Investment Banker Mark Wittman.

Jan Brett's Winter Wonderland Bus Tour will highlight her beloved wintery backlist books just in time for the holiday season. Jan Brett will travel across the country to visit bookstores, schools, and libraries in a showstopping bus branded with her familiar book characters.

Samantha Bee is currently on tour with a new live show “Your Favorite Woman: The Joy of Sex Education” and she'll be at The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, New York on Friday, November 17 and at The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on Saturday, November 18.

The federal government will run out of money to operate on Friday.In today's Congressional Corner, David Hawkings of The American Leader speaks with WAMC's Ian Pickus.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategy and Policy at Bard College Malia DuMont, Siena College Professor of Comparative Politics Vera Eccarius-Kelly, and Dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany Robert Griffin.

The New York State Writer's Institute's Telling the Truth: 5th Edition Event this Friday will feature two panel discussions with major thinkers and journalists representing a variety of viewpoints about the present and future of our nation.

In "Gangsterland," historian David Pietrusza tours the Big Apple's rotten core. The Roaring Twenties blaze and sparkle with Times Square's bright lights and showgirls, but its dark shadows mask a web of notorious gangsters ruling New York City.

Today's Book Picks list comes from Cassidy Washburn of The Northshire Bookstore.