The Roundtable

The new book “American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest,” author Kyle Paoletta, takes readers on a journey through the rapidly evolving landscapes of the American Southwest.

Author Meryl Gordon's new biography “The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess” delves into the life of Perle Mesta, a prominent socialite, political hostess, activist, and U.S. envoy to Luxembourg.

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, Professor Emeritus and former Associate Vice President for Academic Technology Services at Kent State University Rosemary DuMont, Publisher Emeritus of The Daily Freeman Ira Fusfeld, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Vassar Catherine Tan.

Matt Richtel is a reporter at “The New York Times” he received the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series of articles about distracted driving that he expanded into his first nonfiction book “A Deadly Wandering.” His latest book is “How We Grow Up.”Matt Richtel spent nearly two years reporting a nine part “New York Times” award winning series on the post pandemic adolescent health crisis called the “Inner Pandemic.” It was eye opening, in depth, and a sobering look at our country that certainly captivated readers. The project left Richtel with more questions than answers. He now has responded with a deeply reported new science book “How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence.”

Clémence Michallon returns with “Our Last Resort” a twisty tale of childhood cult survival wrapped around a psychological “who done it” set against the backdrop of a luxury resort in the state of Utah. Clémence Michallon will be at a Northshire Bookstore event being held at the Saratoga Springs Library tomorrow night, July 17th, at 6 p.m.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Stuart Rice Honorary Chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) and Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University Fran Berman, Diplomat in residence at Bard College Ambassador Frederic Hof, Executive Director of Communities for Local Power and former White House Advance Lead Anna Markowitz, and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Heather Mulligan.

This week's Book Picks come from Amy Zimmerman from Chatham Bookstore in Chatham, NY.

Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer Purcell are good friends of the station and have been on several times to talk about their business Beekman 1802. They launched the business in one of New York's poorest counties with no funding and in the middle of a punishing recession. They didn't have much of a business plan, but they did have some timeless wisdom that Brent's and Josh's parents and grandparents taught them. The "greatest of all time" principles for good living that can also be used as a foundation for any business. That led them to the new book “G.O.A.T. Wisdom: How to Build a Truly Great Business--From the Founders of Beekman 1802.”

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Professor of Political Science at Hartwick College in Oneonta, who studies gender in politics, women political candidates, women voters and women in elected office Laurel Elder, Senior Fellow for Health Policy at The Empire Center for Public Policy Bill Hammond, Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences at RPI Jim Hendler, and Former Associate Editor for the Times-Union Mike Spain.

WAMC's Ian Pickus speaks with Mass. Rep. Richard Neal, a Democrat from the 1st district, July 14, 2025.

Penn Jillette of the legendary magic duo Penn & Teller has just written a new novel, "Felony Juggler: A Crime Novel" in which a street performer finds himself enmeshed in a crime and must outwit his fellow conspirators in his greatest juggling act yet.

Joanna Sokol's life as a paramedic took her to three different counties: the casinos and trailer parks of the Nevada desert, the cozy beach town of Santa Cruz, and, eventually, the crowded tenements of San Francisco's Tenderloin district.There are no clear villains or heroes in Sokol's world, only a group of patients and medics who are doing their best in a deeply broken system.  She tells many stories of that time in the new book, “A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance.”

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Senior Fellow, Bard Center for Civic Engagement Jim Ketterer, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Robert Pondiscio, and Political Consultant and lobbyist Libby Post.

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.

This week's Book Picks comes from Suzanna Hermans of Oblong Books in Rhinebeck and Millerton, New York and Lily Bartels from Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, New York.

Comedian, actor, television writer, author, and musician Paul Reiser is one of Hollywood's most prolific creatives and voted by Comedy Central as one of the top 100 comedians of all time. He performs sold out stand ups and venues nationwide. He will be at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington Massachusetts on July 25th.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Joseph Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government at Skidmore College Beau Breslin, Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategy and Policy at Bard College Malia DuMont, and Semi-retired, Editor at large/columnist/editorial writer, Times Union Jay Jochnowitz.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare in Garrison, New York wouldn't be what it is without putting a Shakespeare work or two on its feet in the season under the tent. This summer, HVS presents “The Comedy of Errors” - a classic of mistaken identity and giddy mayhem.Ryan Quinn directs “The Comedy of Errors” for Hudson Valley Shakespeare and he joins us.

Kurt Rhodes and Nance Williamson star as Horace Vandergelder and Dolly Gallagher-Levi in “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder at Hudson Valley Shakespeare in Garrison, New York through August 3.

Here is what The New York Times says about the work presented at Bard SummerScape. They say it is “A hothouse for the creation of uncompromising, cross-disciplinary hits.”Bard SummerScape returns this year with an ambitious and genre-spanning festival of the arts. Through August 17th, the Fisher Center at Bard will be abuzz with opera, dance, music, and Spiegeltent revelry. Then comes the 35th Bard Music Festival on August 8–10 and 14–17.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are public policy and communications expert Theresa Bourgeois, Former Vice President for Editorial Development at the New York Press Association Judy Patrick, and Associate Professor of Government at Dutchess Community College and since 2023, she has been President of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley Dr. Karin Riedl.

WAM Theatre's Fresh Takes Play Reading Series presents ground-breaking stories that are imaginative and thoughtful explorations of complex issues affecting women and girls. This Sunday, July 13 at Ventfort Hall in Lenox, Massachusetts, WAM presents “Alien Girls” by Amy Berryman. The reading is directed by WAM's Artistic Director Genée Coreno and will have performances at both 2 and 7 p.m.

The Klezmatics, Eleanor Reissa, Joanne Borts, and Michael Winograd are among the internationally acclaimed performers taking the stage at Yidstock: The Festival of New Yiddish Music, returning to the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, this Thursday through Sunday.

From July 13 through August 29, Music Haven will offer ten varied and dazzling concerts; a celebrated local music festival; an annual, eagerly anticipated Blues BBQ; and a three-part film series exploring even more aspects of music. To tell us more, we welcome Producing Artistic Director Mona Golub.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Professor of History and International Relations at Vassar College Robert Brigham, Dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany Robert Griffin, and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Heather Mulligan.

Western New England University political science professor Tim Vercellotti speaks with WAMC's Ian Pickus on "The Congressional Corner" July 8.

Tonight, through July 27, Barrington Stage Company presents the World Premiere of the new musical “FUZZY.” Directed by Ellie Heyman, “FUZZY” features Music and Lyrics by Will Van Dyke and Book and Lyrics by Jeff Talbott.Fuzzy, a furry little puppet, stands at a crossroads in life when his mother calls in need. Returning to his small hometown, a quick visit becomes more than anyone expected.Tony Award nominee John Cariani star as The Human, Cass Morgan plays The Actress and Teddy Yudain is The Puppeteer. Music Direction is by Patrick Sulken.

Now through July 26, The Berkshire Theatre Group presents The Berkeley Repertory Theatre Production of “Out of Character,” a personal and moving solo play written and performed by Tony Award winner Ari'el Stachel. The show is running on the Larry Vaber Stage at BTG's Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

At the center of this Williamstown Theatre Festival season, or “W71,” is the inaugural Creative Collective, a new collaborative leadership model, led by Tony Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize Winner Jeremy O. Harris.W71 will feature a multi-disciplinary investigation and celebration of playwright Tennessee Williams.Williams' “Camino Real” will run Saturday, July 19 to Sunday, August 3 on Williamstown's MainStage with Pamela Anderson as ‘Marguerite,' Whitney Peak as ‘Esmerelda,' and Emmy Award winner Nicholas Alexander Chavez as ‘Kilroy.'

Arts and culture are one of the most vibrant sectors of the Berkshire County economy. As a result, the leaders of 10 arts and culture institutions from across Berkshire County have convened the Berkshire Arts and Culture Alliance (BACA) to advocate for economic, tourism, and infrastructure needs of the arts and culture organizations in the county. We welcome representatives from six of the 10 organizations to make up our panel this morning.

Adirondack Theatre Festival Producing Artistic Director Miriam Weisfeld joins us with a preview of ATF's remaining shows this season.

The New York City Ballet will be at SPAC in Saratoga Springs from July 9th -12th. We get a preview of this week's performances from New York City Ballet Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Former U.S. Army officer and State Department Diplomat who taught at Bard College for six years and is now a Senior Fellow at Bard's Center for Civic Engagement Ambassador Frederic Hof, Political Consultant and lobbyist Libby Post, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Vassar Catherine Tan.

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.

This summer's Manchester Music Festival will celebrate the connections between literature, poetry, song, and music with events at the Southern Vermont Arts Center and the Manchester Community Library July 10 – August 7.Philip Setzer, violinist and founding member of the world-renowned Emerson Quartet, is the Artistic Director of The Manchester Music Festival and he joins us.

In the book "The Spirit of Philadelphia," former Congressman Chris Gibson explores the concept of the social state and its potential for renewal in contemporary society. Joe Donahue spoke with Chris Gibson in a WAMC on the Road event at Kinderhook Books in Kinderhook, New York on June 18, 2025. Find out about Gibson's future book events here.

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, Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences at RPI Jim Hendler, Executive Director of The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Nic Rangel, and Wall Street Investment Banker Mark Wittman.

The new book “The Baddest Man: The Making of Mike Tyson” by best-selling author Mark Kriegel is a story about fame, race, greed, criminality, trauma, and the creation of the most feared and mesmerizing fighter in the history of boxing. In a life that included incarceration and molestation, booze, coke, the death of a child, and perhaps the most treacherous fame Mike Tyson has nevertheless survived. Decades removed from his short lived prime we are still very interested in Mike Tyson.

In the new children's book “Marianne the Maker” Kelly Corrigan and her daughter Claire Corrigan Lichty make the case for making. Which just might just be the antidote to the current epidemic of depression and anxiety that is facing so many children today.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are public policy and communications expert Theresa Bourgeois, Professor of History and International Relations at Vassar College Robert Brigham, and Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Robert Pondiscio.

This week's Book Picks come from Jackie Kellachan from the Golden Notebook in Woodstock, NY.

Author Matthew Gavin Frank's new book “Submersed: Wonder, Obsession, and Murder in the World of Amateur Submarines” begins with an investigation into the subculture of homemade submersible obsessives. Men and women, mostly men, who are so compelled to sink into the deep sea that they become amateur submarine builders. They do so at great personal risk as the 2023 fatal implosion of OceanGate's Titan proved to the world.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Joseph Palamountain Jr. Chair in Government at Skidmore College Beau Breslin, Semi-retired, Editor at large/columnist/editorial writer, Times Union Jay Jochnowitz, Albany Law School Professor and Director of the Justice Center Sarah Rogerson, and Former Associate Editor for the Times-Union Mike Spain.

Over the last 40 years few comedians have been a part of so many iconic beloved projects than Larry Charles. Larry was one of the original writers and producers of the first five seasons of “Seinfeld,” he executive produced both “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Entourage” while directing 18 episodes of “Curb,” and served as the showrunner for “Mad About You.” His film directing credits include “Borat,” “Bruno,” and “The Dictator,” as well as the documentary “Religulous” with Bill Marr, and “Masked and Anonymous” with Bob Dylan.Larry Charles writes about these 40 years of blood, guts, and laughter in his new memoir “Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter.”

The latest nation's report card shows that American children's reading skills reached new lows, while there is a debate about the best way to teach reading in school. Maya Payne Smart is a writer, parent educator, and literacy advocate argues that America's reading crisis begins well before children enter kindergarten. She says it starts at birth, which is why she wrote a step-by-step guide for parents to do what it takes to set their children up to thrive as readers from day one to early elementary school. The name of the book is “Reading for Our Lives: The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child.”

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Stuart Rice Honorary Chair at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) and Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University Fran Berman, public policy and communications expert Theresa Bourgeois, and Former New York 19th Congressman and NY Assemblyman John Faso.

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.

Curtis Sittenfeld is the best-selling author of novels “Romantic Comedy,” “Prep,” “The Man of my Dreams,” “American Wife,” and “Rodham.” In her second story collection “Show Don't Tell” she conjures up characters that are so real they seem like old friends laying bare the moments when their long-held beliefs are overturned.

In the 90's, there were few more proactive and totally outrageous paradigms on TV than “The Simpsons.” Author Alan Siegel of The Ringer traces those heady years in the writers' room and beyond in his new book “Stupid TV, Be More Funny: How The Golden Era of The Simpsons Changed Television — And America — Forever.”

In the new novel “Rabbit Moon” author Jennifer Haigh writes a drama set in Shanghai about a fractured American family with secret lives and an unbreakable bond between two sisters.