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Welcome to another LEGENDARY episode of Storybeast! Our Legendaries are special guests who are an expert within their area of storytelling. In this episode, Ghabiba Weston and Courtney Shack have the pleasure of interviewing legendary Vajra Chandrasekera.Vajra Chandrasekera is from Colombo, Sri Lanka. His novels THE SAINT OF BRIGHT DOORS and RAKESFALL have between them won the Le Guin, Nebula, Ignyte, Locus, Crawford, and Otherwise awards, been selected as New York Times Notable Books of 2023 and 2024, and been nominated for many others, including the Hugo. He is one of the 2025-2026 Fellows of the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library.In this episode, you'll hear about:how Vajra conceptualizes storylistening to your instincts and not killing your darlingsleaning into your strengths the inspiration behind THE SAINT OF BRIGHT DOORSusing the full fantasy toolkitFor more storytelling content to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk story or snacks!A warm thank you to Deore for our musical number. You can find more of her creative work on Spotify.As ever, thank you for listening, Beasties! Please consider leaving a review to support this podcast.Be brave, stay beastly!
“Le Chat Noir” is one of the most famous pieces of late 19th century European art, but the artist behind it was also very active in France's anarchist and socialist political groups of the time. Research: Asimakis, Magdalyn. “War, Socialism, and Cats: Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen's Political Artistic Practice.” The Met. Nov. 2, 2017. https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/theophile-alexandre-steinlen-cats-socialism-world-war-i Budge, A. “Arts & Decoration Combined with the Spur.” Volumes 19-20. 1923. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=joAyAQAAIAAJ&vq=steinlen&source=gbs_navlinks_s “Charles Matlack Price letters 1917-1947 [bulk 1918-1923].” The New York Public Library – Archives and Manuscripts. https://archives.nypl.org/mss/18567#:~:text=His%20career%20trajectory%20was%20briefly,to%20friends%2C%20and%20his%20work “Declaration of the Rights of Man – 1789.” Yale Law School. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp Fau-Vincenti, Véronique. “STEINLEN Théophile, Alexandre.” Le Maitron. Nov. 4, 2009. https://maitron.fr/steinlen-theophile-alexandre/ Gegout, E. and Ch. Malato. “Prison fin de siècle : souvenirs de Pélagie.” Paris. G. Charpentier et E. Fasquelle. 1891. https://digital-research-books-beta.nypl.org/read/7581051 Glass, Chloe. “Printmaker Theophile Steinlen Used Art to Advocate for Social Change in 1900s France.” Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. https://crystalbridges.org/blog/printmaker-theophile-steinlen-used-art-to-advocate-for-social-change-in-1900s-france/ Goldstein, Robert Justin. “Fighting French Censorship, 1815-1881.” The French Review, vol. 71, no. 5, 1998, pp. 785–96. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/398913 Guthrie, Christopher E. “History of Censorship in France.” EBSCO. 2023. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/politics-and-government/history-censorship-france Kagan, Étienne, et al. “GEGOUT Ernest.”Le Maitron. April 7, 2014. https://maitron.fr/gegout-ernest-charles-joseph-ernest-dit-dictionnaire-des-anarchistes Olsen, Annikka. “The Surprising Story of the Cat-Obsessed Artist Behind the Famed ‘Le Chat Noir’ Poster.” Artnet News. Oct. 28, 2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/theophile-alexandre-steinlen-tournee-du-chat-noir-2417712?amp=1 Stefiuk, Eleanor. 2022. “Villiers de L’Isle-Adam’s Anarchism: A Legacy of the Paris Commune.” Dix-Neuf26 (1): 1–17. doi:10.1080/14787318.2021.2010167 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeff and Sharifah talk about a new sweeping federal book ban law that was introduced in Congress, The New York Public Library's 10 Most Checked-Out Books of All-Time, bookstores buying their buildings, recent reading, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: The New York Public Library's Most Checked Out Books of All-Time A Nationwide Book Ban Bill Has Been Introduced in the House of Representatives Netflix's PRIDE & PREJUDICE Has A Trailer and Get Ready for Another JANE EYRE Spotify Launches Audiobooks Charts The Booker Prize released its longlist for the 2026 fiction prize today. UK Launches National Year of Reading Should indie bookstores all try to buy their buildings? This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Before a performance is polished, premiered, or reviewed, it exists in a more vulnerable state. What happens when you invite audiences into that space? As Executive Director of Works & Process, Duke Dang leads an organization built around that idea. By welcoming audiences into the rehearsal room—where new work is tested and shaped—Works & Process transforms performance from a finished product into a shared journey. Under Duke's leadership, the organization has grown in scale and influence, setting the standard for how institutions can nurture artists at pivotal moments in their development. In this episode, Duke reflects on building sustainable pathways for artists across disciplines, creating space for artistic risk, and deepening audience investment in new work. ----- LINKS: Works & Process: https://www.worksandprocess.org/ CATS: The Jellicle Ball: https://catsthejellicleball.com/ The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa
Join us on the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, as we welcome on the co-writer/actor Patrick Terry, co-writer/director Beth Burns, and actor Robert Matney. They all joined us to talk about their upcoming show Houdini Speaks to the Living. This was such a fun and magical show to learn all about. So be sure you tune in and turn out for this fabulous production!Houdini Speaks to the LivingMarch 6th@ New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln CenterTicket and more information are available at nypl.org And be sure to follow our guests to stay up to date on all their upcoming projects and productions: hiddenroomtheatre.com @hiddenroomtheatrepatrick-terry.com@rmatney
In January 2026, Television frontman Tom Verlaine's personal archives were acquired by the New York Public Library. Radio 1190's Gavin Orth interviews New York Public Library Music Archivist Kevin Parks about the archive's acquisition, what processing a musician's archive looks like, and how Verlaine's work fits into the larger history of New York music.
On this episode of CounterPunch Radio, Joshua Frank and Erik Wallenberg are joined by Brian Jones to discuss his new book, Black History Is for Everyone, out now with Haymarket Books. In Black History Is for Everyone, Brian Jones offers a meditation on the power of Black history, using his own experiences as a lifelong learner and classroom teacher to question everything—from the radicalism of the American Revolution to the meaning of “race” and “nation.” Brian Jones has taught many ages and grades in New York City's public schools and the City University of New York. He served as the inaugural director of the Center for Educators and Schools at the New York Public Library and was the associate director of education at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He is also the author of The Tuskegee Student Uprising: A History. Catch Brian Jones on tour. Buy a copy of Black History Is for Everyone. The post Black History Is for Everyone w/ Brian Jones appeared first on CounterPunch.org.
Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about Draft2Digital, Bookshop DRM, Harper's Bazaar Short Story Contest, and AI Slop books. Then, stick around for a chat with Benjamin Hale!Benjamin Hale is the author of the novel The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore (Twelve, 2011), the short fiction collection The Fat Artist and Other Stories (Simon & Schuster, 2016), and the nonfiction book Cave Mountain: A Disappearance and a Reckoning in the Ozarks (HarperCollins, 2026). He has received the Bard Fiction Prize, a Michener-Copernicus Award, and nominations for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the New York Public Library's Young Lions Fiction Award. His writing has appeared, among other places, in Conjunctions, Harper's Magazine, the Paris Review, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Dissent and the LA Review of Books Quarterly, and has been anthologized in Best American Science and Nature Writing. He is a senior editor at Conjunctions, teaches at Bard College and Columbia University, and lives in a small town in New York's Hudson Valley. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Leonard Marcus joins us to talk about his show Click! Photographers Make Picture Books at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.Visionary photographer-illustrators from Edward Steichen and William Wegman to Dare Wright, Mo Willems, Tana Hoban, Charles R. Smith Jr, and Walter Wick have long trained their camera eye with young people in mind. Their work reveals the hidden beauty of our everyday surroundings, makes the fantastic seem real in artfully choreographed collages and staged photos, and documents the amazing diversity of life on our planet. Eighty archival photo prints and a selection of rare children's books from the 1890s onward put this vibrant, under-explored strand of children's book art into eye-opening sharp focus.Curated by Leonard S. Marcus. https://leonardmarcus.comhttps://carlemuseum.orgThis podcast is sponsored by the Charcoal Book ClubBegin Building your dream photobook library today athttps://charcoalbookclub.comLeonard's pathfinding writings and exhibitions have earned him acclaim as one of the world's preeminent authorities on children's books and the people who create them. He is the author of more than 25 award-winning biographies, histories, interview collections, and inside looks at the making of children's literature's enduring classics. His reviews and commentary have been featured in the New York Times Book Review, Washington Post, The Horn Book, and on numerous radio and television programs including Good Morning America, All Things Considered, PBS NewsHour, BBC Radio 4, CBC As It Happens, Beijing Television, and Radio New Zealand, among others.A founding trustee of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Leonard curated the New York Public Library's landmark exhibition The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter, as well as a long roster of touring exhibitions highlighting the art of Golden Books, Alice and Martin Provensen, Leonard Weisgard, Bernard Waber, Jules Feiffer, Garth Williams, and others. He has served as a consultant to the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, National Book Foundation, Bank Street College of Education, American Writers Museum, Bard Graduate Center, National Book Council (Singapore), Lamsa Media (UAE), and Trust Bridge Media (China). In 2007, the Bank Street College of Education awarded Leonard an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. In 2019, Leonard became the first American to win the Shanghai-based Chen Bochui Foundation International Children's Literature Award for “special contributions to the development of Chinese children's literature.”His literary archive is now in the collection of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University. Leonard teaches at New York University and the School of Visual Arts, and speaks to audiences throughout the US and around the world.Born in Mount Vernon, New York and educated at Yale and the Iowa Graduate Writers' Workshop, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.
TODD FAHRESTOCK - BIOGRAPHY Todd Fahnestock is an award-winning, #1 bestselling author of fantasy for all ages and winner of the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age Award. Threadweavers and The Whisper Prince Trilogy are two of his bestselling epic fantasy series. He is a founder of Eldros Legacy-a multi-author, shared-world mega-epic fantasy series-two-time winner of the Colorado Authors League Award for Writing Excellence, and two-time finalist for the Colorado Book Award for Tower of the Four: The Champions Academy (2021) and Khyven the Unkillable (2022). His passions are great stories and his quirky, fun-loving family. When he's not writing, he teaches Taekwondo, swaps middle grade humor with his son, plays Ticket to Ride with his wife, plots creative stories with his daughter, and plays vigorously with Galahad the Weimaraner. Author & Screenwriter – Biography Jen Finelli is a world-traveling, award-nominated author and screenwriter deeply in love. My science fiction funds real-life superhero activities through various charities and adventures in austere and under-privileged medicine. Because I'm a licensed physician, and doctors are weird, I try to write things that make people leak bodily fluids. Like tears of hope. Or “OMG-THAT-WAS-AWESOME-I-JUST-WET-MY-PANTS.” Or the inspired sweat of fighting for what matters. Explosive things, kind superheroes, crude secret agents, sparkly fairies, biochemistry, guns, facts, and offensive gods show up in my pages, and sometimes that gets me published or gets me money or gets me in trouble. You can find my interactive resume below, but if you want to get to know me a little, or tell me about the things YOU like, you should follow me on twitter. You'll get a free short story if you do. You should DEFINITELY get on my e-mail list for a weekly short story, starting with a chance to fight a mermaid. Sometimes I also share secret opportunities and codes I steal for you. Let's change the world together. Find out more at: byJenFinelli.com
Aidan Connolly knows that institutional growth isn't just a matter of square footage. It's a test of values. As Executive Director of Irish Arts Center in New York City, Aidan is leading the organization through a major expansion and transformation—one that requires not only bold vision, but the discipline to protect what made the institution matter in the first place. In this episode, Aidan reflects on what it takes to lead values-driven change, how his background in politics shaped his approach to advocacy and stakeholder management, and how arts organizations can become not just presenters of culture, but civic homes for artists and audiences alike. —— LINKS: Irish Arts Center: https://irishartscenter.org/ WorkLife with Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/podcasts/work-life/ The New York Public Library: https://www.nypl.org/ The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa
On this edition of Madison BookBeat, host Sara Batkie chats with author Melissa Faliveno about her debut novel, Hemlock, now available from Little, Brown. Sam, finally sober and stable with a cat and a long-term boyfriend in Brooklyn, returns alone to Hemlock, her family's deteriorating cabin deep in the Wisconsin Northwoods, where her mother disappeared years before and never returned. But a quick, practical trip takes a turn for the worse when the rot and creak of the forest starts to creep in around the edges of Sam's mind. It starts, as it always does, with a beer. As Sam dips back into the murky waters of dependency, the inexplicable begins to arrive at her door in the forms of a neighbor who leaves no trace, a talking doe who sounds just like Sam's missing mother, and a series of mysterious gifts that might be a welcome or a warning. And as Sam's stay extends—as the town's grip on her tightens and her body takes on a strange new shape—the borders of reality begin to blur, and she senses she is battling something sinister—whether nested in the woods or within herself. Melissa Faliveno is the author of the essay collection Tomboyland, named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR, New York Public Library, Oprah Magazine, Electric Literature, and Debutiful, and recipient of a 2021 Award for Outstanding Literary Achievement from the Wisconsin Library Association. Her essays, interviews, and reviews have appeared in Esquire, Paris Review, Kenyon Review, and Literary Hub, among many others. A first-generation college graduate, Melissa received a BA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She is currently the Margaret R. Shuping Fellow and assistant professor of creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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What does it really mean to live with an unstoppable mindset when life keeps changing the rules? In this conversation, I had the privilege of talking with Linda MacKenzie, whose life story spans poverty, reinvention, creativity, faith, and deep personal responsibility. Linda grew up in the Bronx with very little, learned resilience early, and carried those lessons into a life that has included engineering, broadcasting, authorship, and decades of work around positivity, healing, and intuition. As we talked, we explored fear not as something that controls us, but as something that can guide us when we learn how to listen. We also discussed the importance of trusting your inner voice, choosing kindness even when it feels difficult, and staying grounded in truth rather than noise or fear. I believe this conversation offers something meaningful for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, live with greater purpose, and remember that an unstoppable mindset is built one choice at a time. Highlights: 00:47 – Learn how early poverty and cultural diversity shaped a deep respect for people and resilience.03:25 – Understand why looking at a person's heart matters more than labels or background.07:28 – Hear how lifelong learning and creativity fueled constant reinvention.09:56 – Discover why fear can be used as a signal instead of something to avoid.11:22 – Learn how positive thinking became the foundation for long-term impact.13:09 – Understand why truth and responsibility matter more than opinions.17:49 – Learn how intuition and inner voice guide better decisions.22:29 – Discover the two core fears that drive most human behavior.29:11 – Hear how natural healing and mindset work together over time.32:49 – Learn why giving back to the community creates balance and purpose.46:31 – Understand how positivity shapes collective consciousness.58:58 – Learn what it means to live with responsibility, kindness, and self-trust. About the Guest: Linda Mackenzie is the epitome of the multi- hyphenate! A former telecom engineer who designed worldwide communications networks for the airlines and Fortune 1000 companies, Mackenzie is a mainstay in pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. She launched one of the first used PC stores, a datacom consulting firm,a wholesale gift manufacturing company and was the former President of a mind- body supplement manufacturing corporation. Today she heads one of her proudest accomplishments to date, as President of CREATIVE HEALTH & SPIRIT-- a Manhattan Beach based media & publishing company started in 1995 and Founder of HealthyLife. net - All Positive Talk Radio which commenced in October, 2002. Linda Mackenzie is also an author, radio host, lecturer, audio/ TV/ film producer, screenwriter, Doctoral Clinical Hypnotherapist Candidate, a world- renown psychic who has appeared worldwide on hundreds of radio shows, almost all network and cable TV stations and in several award winning documentaries. Ways to connect with Linda**:** Social Media: Twitter: https:// twitter. com/ lindamackenzie; https:// twitter. com/ positiveradio Linked In: https:// www. linkedin. com/ in/ linda- mackenzie- 590649b/ Facebook: https:// www. facebook. com/ linda. mackenzie. 56 Instagram: https:// www. instagram. com/ healthyliferadio/ You Tube: https:// www. youtube. com/@ LindaMackenzie https:// www. youtube. com/@ healthyliferadio Websites: www. lindamackenzie. net, www. healthylife. net, www. hrnradio. com P. O. Box 385, Manhattan Beach, CA 90267 books@ lindamackenzie. net www. LindaMackenzie. net About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson 01:20 Well, hello, everyone, wherever you happen to be, I am Michael Hingson, and you are listening or watching unstoppable mindset. And today, we have a wonderful guest to talk with. She is an innovator by any standard. She's done a lot of different kinds things. She describes herself as a self as a multi hibernate, and I'm gonna let her explain some of that, but I think she's got some interesting and relevant stories to tell, and I'm really glad to have her here. I'd like you to meet Linda. MacKenzie, Linda, welcome to on top of a mindset. Linda MacKenzie 01:58 Well, thank you so much for having me. I'm really happy to be here Michael Hingson 02:02 and you're in Manhattan Beach, right, correct, yeah. So you're not all that far away from me from where I am, up in Victorville. So you know, we could probably open our windows and if we yelled loud enough, we could hear each other. But anyway, tell me about the early, early Linda, growing up and all some of that stuff. Well, that was kind Linda MacKenzie 02:22 of an interesting journey. You know, I was born in the Bronx. My mother was Bostonian, Irish, and my dad was Northern Italian. He had the red hair. My mother had the dark hair, and a typical Italian family, you know, and Irish family, they were constantly fighting, so I delved into books and ran to the church for peace and quiet and and many, many things like that. And we were very poor, you know, we had two dresses. I had two dresses a year. And we, you know, did, had to come home for lunch because we didn't have lunch money and stuff like that. Walked walk that mile to school, too much to school. And we did. I actually lived on the second highest point on the eastern seaboard and so but we grew up really fun. You know, we had when I was growing up in New York, one one street was Italian, the next one was Irish, and the blacks had a street, and the Japanese had a street, and the Koreans had a street, and the Germans had a street. And we all went to school together, and we had one common denominator. We were poor. So when I had sleepovers, I had every kind of person, and we just took each other for who we were and not what we were. And so that was a very nice thing growing up. And because we were poor, we got a lot of advantages. For example, our chorus was in high school, our chorus was taught by Metropolitan Opera singers. So we learned and got many things. And if you were very bright and understood that, we to try and get everything we could do, you know, and use it to improve yourself, it happened so and that's kind of what we did. Michael Hingson 04:14 Well, I think that's really cool, and it's great that you grew up in an environment where everyone understood that we're all part of the same world and and they got along. So you never really had to face a whole lot of or you see other people face a whole lot of that, the kinds of problems that we see in other parts of the world, that everyone worked out pretty well together. Linda MacKenzie 04:35 Yeah, I for us. We did, and I've learned to take people, but I always looked at the heart of a person. You know, I may never have remembered their name, but I would remember everything they said, and I could see their soul. So I I never, ever really saw color of skin or anything like that, and and so it was kind of an enigma for that. I mean, it was. An easy for me growing up. I mean, I had three attempted rapes before I was 11, you know, you had to learn street smarts. You know, you go to church and you got, you're passing the strip club with, you know, all the drunks trying to grab at you at eight years old, trying to pull you away. So, you know, so you learned real quick on what to do and what not to do, and I ended up getting married, put my ex husband through school. He became a biochemist, and went to college for two years, and then quit and put him through school, and then, you know, had a baby at, you know, is married at 19 and had a baby at 21 and, you know, was divorced at 27 and moved to California at well, divorced at 25 I guess, yeah, and then moved to California in 27 and just had a really interesting life. I've been through every strata society, from extremely poor to not so poor to middle class to nouveau riche to old money. I've even jet set. I've done it all so, great experience, no matter what. Did you ever get remarried? Yes, I did. I got I got married to a commodities broker that actually worked at the World Trade Center and in the Mercantile Exchange up there in the comics and the mercantile and, you know, as a matter of fact, there was one day because I was cute when I was, you know, 2728 and my husband was a broker on a floor trader, and he'd say, come in, as it's this particular time, onto the floor, and come meet me on the floor. Well, they didn't really have a lot of women on the floor. Yeah, back in those days. I mean, you know, back in the days where I grew up, my husband had to approve a bank account if I could have a savings account. So you could, you couldn't even, you know, have a credit card if you were a woman, you know. So I went through a lot of stuff. But anyway, I remember walking on the floor, and the whole exchange stopped because he told me wear a mini skirt. And I did. And he went in and did a whole big thing on trading gold, and made a lot of money that day. Walked on the exchange. That's what ended up happening. But Seth, you Michael Hingson 07:17 talked about, you just made me think of something you talked about, you saw people's hearts and so on, but you never remembered their names. I know for six years I worked up at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, which is where I've gotten all of my guide dogs. Because after September 11, one of the things they asked me if I come be their spokesperson. One of the things that we heard, and I never believed in until I saw it in action, is that most of the people at guide dogs know every single dog that goes through the campus bills. They'll never remember your names. They don't remember students names, but they remember the dogs, Linda MacKenzie 07:53 right, right? Well, they have intimate Well, I mean, I remembered my mom's name. Well, that's a start. Michael Hingson 08:04 It's just kind of funny, because, you know, the students and the trainers do get along well, but it's just so funny. How so many people up there would remember the dogs. I could go down the corridor going to the Veterinary Clinic, and people would come up and they go, Hi Rosell, or hi Africa. I can't quite remember your name, but it's so funny. That's great, you know, and can't argue with it. It's nice to be remembered somehow, even if it's for the dog. That's right, that's right. So did you just have two years of college, or did you ever finish? Linda MacKenzie 08:39 Yeah, no, I went back and I got a degree, and then I got grandfathered in, and I have a PhD in clinical hypnotherapy, and I have been recognized as a furthering the profession, and also by the American Board of hypnotherapy, they say that I'm the their most creative, prolific minds, which I said, Oh, good. I can use that in PR for at least 10 minutes? Yeah, at Michael Hingson 09:05 least it's something to say. Linda MacKenzie 09:07 Yeah, no, but I've always I was. My Autobiography is called Life is like Girl Scout badges. I'm kind of writing that so and it's because whenever I finish something or did something, you know, I would go on to something else, because I feel life is just a wonderful thing. So I've done many, many things I've done, you know, when I was 18, I won awards from the Metropolitan Museum of Art for my artwork, and I was offered a contract with Columbia Records to sing, but the promoter, the ME TOO movement was back then too, and I chose not to do it, so I didn't go with them, which is a funny thing, because now I'm 76 this year, and I am producing a children's record and next month, and I've written the songs and done the music, and we've got people from Off Broadway and different kinds of people coming together. For for a wonderful record for children on how to stop negative thought, to stay positive and what and how to transcend fear. So that's my project for this year. You know, so, but I've done so many things. I mean, I don't know where you just start. Michael Hingson 10:18 That's fine. Well, I hope to hear the record someday. Linda MacKenzie 10:22 Oh, you will. It's going to be so much fun. It's so much fun. Michael Hingson 10:26 I you know, you know who Neil sadaka is, yes, and he's got this song, Breaking up is hard to do. Well, it turns out that in 2009 he did a whole album for kids. The title song is waking up is hard to do. It's never it's cute. Somebody told me about it earlier this year, and I went and found it. It is a cute album, and it's the melodies are most all of his other songs, but the words are all kids related, and they're very clever. Linda MacKenzie 10:53 Well, this was a book that I wrote about 20 years ago, and and then I and somebody picked it up, and then they said, you need to write a script. And I said, Well, I don't know how to write a script, so I bought a book and I wrote a script, and they it was picked up while Ron Howard had it, and Hawk Koch, who did sliver, and Deborah Johnson, and it's been in play for 20 years. I mean, the last producers that had it was crazy, Rich Asians, and it was never produced, and every single time they wanted to produce it, so I said, You know what, I'm going to write the book myself. So I rewrote the book. My daughter's doing some education. She's a teacher, so she's doing some educational things so that the people in education can, you know, take the chapters and the characters and learn how to be positive from these things and and it's really kind of a fun thing, so I'm really excited about it. So I just said, I'm not going to wait for them. I'm going to do it because the kids need it now more than ever. They just get away from that social media and to really start connecting and to understand that it's not the witchcraft, it's not the, you know, the social media that, or you know what it is, is your own mind and your own self, and using the quality of your mind and understanding that and moving through it and having a Positive attitude that will get you so far in life, and that's what my goal is, is to just, you know, I've been doing that for almost, I don't know, 40 years. Is my whole goal was truth and positivity. So Well, there Michael Hingson 12:33 you go. By the way, since you have written books, I would appreciate it if you would email me and attach pictures of the book covers, because I'd love to put them out as part of the show notes. Linda MacKenzie 12:45 Okay, great. That would be great. I have four books out. I I had started a positive Talk Radio Network back in 2002 and you know, we're going to a lot of we go. We have 45 hosts. It's live. We do podcasts, and we've been doing podcasts since 2004 if you can believe that, and we were pioneer in internet radio and so and that's because I was an engineer for 18 years, and I was the first woman Datacom engineer in any airline in the world, and designed stuff for Continental Airlines and Western airlines and international airlines and things like that. And, you know, air to ground, radio and right go to the when you go to the airport, if you use computerized tickets, that was kind of my I participated in that with other wonderful people, and I worked with microwave and did all of that as matter of fact, I redesigned a computer center. So every year I've done something, you know, and I've been successful, and then I move on, you know. But the radio network is my longest one. That's 23 years. So we'll be 2024, years this year, which is a lot of years, but we're helping people, because it's all positive talk. So although we do have a news program, I tried to make it positive, but we report the old way, you know, with, you know, checking sources and really having too much opinion. And when you have an opinion, say it's your opinion, you know, not trying to which Michael Hingson 14:21 is fair, which is which is fair. Well, if you ever need a guest on the podcast or on any of the radio shows, just let me know. I'm always looking for opportunities to also be positive and and motivate people. So if Linda MacKenzie 14:33 we can, just have to go to the site, and there's a thing called all shows, and go through all of the hosts, because we have over 45 of them, and, you know, and so, and each one does 14:47 their own. Got it? What's the site? Linda MacKenzie 14:50 Again, it's called Healthy Life. Dot.net. It's or heal thy life.net. So it's healthy life or heal thy life. Same got it? Same thing. Saying different, different way of saying it and and you can listen 24/7, I don't do any apps. We are syndicated on 75 channels of distribution. So if you wanted to get on, tune in, or streama, or some of these other wonderful networks in Europe, you know, we go to 137 countries. So it's a pretty good network. And if you want to be happy and get learn things, you know it's just wonderful. We're starting some new shows that nobody's ever done, and I can do an exclusive here for you, if you want it, our network is going to be doing I've been following a while that there's certain kinds of classical music, right? That when you listen to it can reverse cancer, stop Alzheimer's, stop Parkinson's. And there are certain things at certain frequencies. And I have one of the greatest classical Taurus in the world, in my opinion, and he's going to be doing a show where people can listen to the music and then and help themselves heal right on air, I'm stupid by John Hopkins University. And, I mean, it's not just namby pamby or, you know, La La Land stuff. It's no, I'm saving for certain things. So it's it's really no one's doing that. So it's going to be really fun for me to do. Michael Hingson 16:27 Are you familiar with Joe fatale? No. He is a an individual who has done a lot with with sound to not only help people from a wealth standpoint, but also help them in terms of dealing with health. I've, I've been on a couple of his mailing lists, and he's had some interesting, some interesting things, and a couple of people who've worked with him and so on have been guests on unstoppable mindset. But it's an interesting guy, but definitely parallels a lot of what you're saying, certainly stuff, I have also believed, right? Linda MacKenzie 17:03 We've had Jonathan Goldman, who has written, He's a graduate of Berkeley School of Music, but he's been doing sound healing. It was an interesting story with him, and he's on our network, and he's been doing shows with us for over 20 years. And it was funny, he went to Tibet and he was loved the chants of the Tibetan monks. And he went over there, and he said, can I try that chant? And they said, No, that chant, you know, is like 10 years. You have to do it in 10 years, you know, you have to train for that. He goes, Can I try? And they said, Yes. And he got it perfectly. And so now the Tibetan monks go to train with him in Boulder, Colorado every year around June timeframe. So it's kind of a fun story. So he's been in sound healing for a long time. And there's a lot of different things that are true, but like today, you have to make sure that it resonates with you, because not everything that you're hearing is true, and people are bastardizing things. And the closer you are to the truth, and the closer that you and you can depend on your own truth meter, because everybody's got one, yeah. And if you depend on that and listen to just that, and if it tells you stop, I don't want to do this anymore, then you just go to that point, and then you will get the benefit from everything. Michael Hingson 18:25 One of my favorite things that I've talked about several times on the podcast when I talk to people about inner voices and their thoughts is I ask a number of people, did you used to play or do you play Trivial Pursuit? And when they say, Yes. One of the things I constantly ask people is, how often did somebody ask a question? Immediately you thought of an answer, but you went, Oh, that was just too easy. And so you think again, you come up with a different answer, but the first answer that you thought of was the correct one, which is absolutely all about listening to your inner voice and listening to correct what you're being told. Linda MacKenzie 19:00 That's right. You're 99% right if you listen the first time and don't use your mind to think. You know, the brain is divided into two kinds. You know, the left logical brain. What you need if you're crossing a street. I mean, I would like to know there's a car and step back, but the right side of the brain is where your creativity is, and I call the seat of soul. And what happens is, is that your creative side is the thing that heals you. Your left logical side is just like the monkey mind. And so what happens when you're doing hypnosis? What you're doing is you're getting the left brain to listen to a story, but you before you do it, you have an intention, and the intention is the right brain knows exactly what you need to do, but it's very kind, and it lets the left brain sit there, be in control, except at night, and you'll notice that if you're ill, and when you wake up in the morning, you feel, most times, a lot better. And that's reason is, is because the right side of the mind has. Has actually taken control right and the left side of the brain is sleeping, so your right side of the brain can absolutely heal you. And this is where your your gut feel comes from, too, is from the right side of the brain. And we are much more than we think we are. You know, we're just spiritual beings in a physical body, not a physical being in a you know, we're not just physical beings, you know, right? Michael Hingson 20:28 Well, and it all goes back to the spiritual and to the light. And absolutely is true. I know that I've, we've had on on this podcast, a number of Reiki Masters and other people, and we've had people who bring on singing musical bowls and so on. Linda MacKenzie 20:50 And it's interesting about that, because, you know, here in Japan, Reiki has 12 levels, but they're only taught three here, and they're never taught the level to where you protect yourself, because when you're out there in the universe and you're going into doing some of these things, everything exists, even a thought form exists. So you want to make sure that you're as protected as possible when you're doing these things right and so, but most of the people don't know, because they don't allow you to do that. And Reiki, there is a you're there in it, day in, day out. That's your career. You know, it's not just a pastime. And the Tibetan bowls are great. However, for me, when they do the regular way of doing it, it's like chalk on a chalkboard. For me, when they do it opposite and backwards, I'm in heaven. So it's really interesting how everybody's body is different. Every person is unique. And we have to understand that when we're looking at health or with mind or with body, we want to understand that we are so important. Each one of us is important. Never should be belittled or, you know, and treat everybody with kindness and love and and respect and truth Michael Hingson 22:06 exactly right. And I'd love to see a whole lot more of it than oftentimes we do see, but I know that that it's so important that we focus on doing things to protect ourselves. And one of the things that that I talk about is I wrote a book that was published last year called on stop or excuse me, called Live like a guide dog, true stories from a blind man and his dogs about being brave, overcoming adversity and moving forward in faith. And the whole idea behind the book was that at the beginning of the pandemic, I realized that although I had escaped from the World Trade Center, and I had, in fact, known what to do, which was a mindset that clicked in when the emergency happened. I never really worked to teach other people that. So I wrote, live like a guide dog, and used lessons that I learned from all of my guide dogs and my wife's service dog, the lessons from those dogs to, in fact, learn how to deal with the different things that we have to deal with, and learn how to, in reality, control, protect ourselves and move forward in a positive and constructive way. In other words, really learning about the fact that you can control fear. Fear is not something that you you need to allow to overwhelm or, as I put it, blind you or paralyze you. The reality is that fear is a wonderful thing that you can use as a very powerful tool to help you function and succeed even in the most adverse circumstances possible. Linda MacKenzie 23:40 Well, I one of the songs on the record is called fear is fear is my friend, and it's a wonderful song, and it teaches you that fear. I did a big study for 20 years on fear, right? Because the only way that people can control you is through fear. Okay? If you don't have fear, no one can control you. No one, okay, yeah. Michael Hingson 24:08 Well, and just to interrupt for a quick sec, I would say it's not that you don't have fear, but you control it. Linda MacKenzie 24:16 Well, you overcome it. You Michael Hingson 24:17 exactly, right, exactly. You use it. You use it in a powerful, better way. Anyway, go ahead, right? Linda MacKenzie 24:23 Well, fear does, for me is that when fear comes in, it's, it's a wake up call, saying, yeah, look at this. What is it that you're fearful of, and what? Because the only way you can go through exactly right through it. And so when I did this study, it was very interesting, because I found that fear comes from two places. One is a fear of loss, and the other is a fear of death. When you fine tune fear all the way all the way all the way all the way down, it's fear of loss or fear of death. And it's funny, because we come in with nothing, we're leaving with nothing. The only thing we take. With us is the love we give and the love we get. That's it. And I've been on the other side and worked on the other side for the British government and all sorts of stuff, so I know that there's life after death, yeah. And so therefore there's really nothing to fear except to find out what the lesson fear is trying to teach you when you learn it, and you learn it all the way that lesson, you will never have to repeat it in your life again. And so fear is so, so important, and yet not to be feared. Don't fear Michael Hingson 25:35 don't fear it. No, as I said, it's a very powerful tool that can help in so many ways, right, which I think is really important. Well, after college, you started working at various things. What did you do after college? What was kind of your first endeavor? Linda MacKenzie 25:51 Well, I started with the New York telephone company, and I was called when I was selling touch tone telephones. They had just come out. Michael Hingson 26:01 Was it, was it called? Was it called 9x then? Or was it was that? Linda MacKenzie 26:05 Well, in New York, it was no. It was, yeah, that was the trade trade, yes, but it was New York telephone company, yeah. And then I went to work for the National radiology registry, and I designed a prison. When I moved to California, I started to really take off, and I designed a people coming out of prison weren't able to get jobs and and so the X ray they did teach in some prisons in Chino, as a matter of fact, how to become a x ray technician and and so, and an ultrasound wasn't even out back then, back in 77 so I started a prison program to it was a temporary agency so that when a doctor's office or a hospital, their x ray technicians didn't show up, they would call us, and then we would send somebody out, and then they would like the people we would send, and they would give them jobs. So the we so I tried to do that. And then I started working for the airlines and and I they said, Well, do you want to be a reservation person? I said, No. And they said, Well, do you want to be, you know, at the ticket counter agent? Yeah, no, no. He said, Do you want to be a flight attendant? I said, No. And they said, Well, what do you want to do? And I said, Put me in accounting at the mail desk. I want to see where the money goes, and then I'll figure out where I'm going to go. And they said, What? And I said, Just do it, you know. And I had made friends with someone, and so they gave me the job, and I kept moving. And every six months I'd find another error, a million dollar error, and this and this and this. And I finally worked my way up into computers and and then I was the very first woman in any as a data com engineer in any airline in the world. And I started doing a lot of things like that, and then went to work for Western airlines. And then I did worked for CETA, which is Society International Telecommunications aeronautic, which is a largest telecommunications company in the world, based in France and Switzerland. And then I from there, after my daughter graduated from college, I said, enough of this engineering. And so I quit, and I started a metaphysical company, and I got onto a lot of TV. I started my radio show in 1996 I started writing books, and I then from there, I was president of a dietary supplement manufacturing company for a while, and then I manufactured audio tapes and and our company, our vitamin company, was the first company to do mind body medicine. So we would have my partner, was Vice President from GNC, and we started a business in New York and in California. And what we did was we would do an arthritis formula, which she was great at formulation. She was one of the best in the biz. And I would do audio visualization tapes, so that when you were taking the formulas, you would be working on a body level, but the mind would, you would start helping to grow bone with the mind. So we were the first ones to do all these wonderful things for that. And we sold to Trader Joe's and house markets and all sorts of stuff. And then the big farmer came in, and then that was that, you know, they bought up almost all the vitamin companies, and then they started, you know, most of the vitamin companies out there aren't worth their salt, and they're not giving you good vitamins. So and then from there, I went into doing the radio network and which I've been doing, and then I stopped doing books. And then two years ago, I said, you know, I'm getting old, and if I want to get these books out, I better get them out. So I probably. Myself that I was going to do one a year. And for the last two years, I did those two new books, and then I was, I was going to do the children's book this year, but they say that April is the best time to release a children's book is that's when the stores and the education people are looking at it and getting towards summer and all that. Yeah, yeah. So I'm waiting until next year to release that, the album and stuff. But so this year I had to put together a new book, which I'm doing. I just, I'm almost finished with that, so I can release it in September, and that is going to be where it's, I think it's going to be called, help yourself heal with natural remedies or naturally, and it's going to have 40, or about 40 different illnesses, and all the natural medicine with it, plus in the back, it's going to have what is an amino acid, all these terms, so that people can understand. I like to do things that are complete and and I don't do anything if somebody has to get something from a book or a product or a thing that I do. Otherwise I won't do it, yeah, because I want it for everyone, you know. So, so anyways, I'm, I'm working on that as we 31:08 speak. Well, there you go. Well, Michael Hingson 31:11 so it'll be out in like, September or October. Linda MacKenzie 31:14 Yeah, exactly. I'm, I'm doing, I'm just about completed with it, and I just have about three or four chapters to go, but I keep finding new things I want to put in. For example, you know, since there is a censorship on the natural health sites, I'm going to include all of the wonderful health site, health natural health sites, so that people will have a reference so they don't have to worry about things, you know and where to get information. So it's going to be good. Michael Hingson 31:44 Well, when that book gets to the point where you have a book cover, I certainly want to put that in the show notes as well. Speaker 1 31:50 Okay, great. That'd be great. And Michael Hingson 31:53 maybe we can release this about the time the book is is made visible to the world, so that that'll help. Speaker 1 32:01 That'd be great, sure. Well, so what Michael Hingson 32:05 do you consider your profession today? Linda MacKenzie 32:09 Me, I'm my own profession. Me, the I don't have a profession. I have many hats that I'm wearing, right? So I mean tremendous amounts. I'm still running the radio network, and in a radio network, you need 21 individuals to do it, and there we have four, and I'm doing about, I don't know, 10 or 12 of the 21 things to do. So if you want to give me a hat for there, that's that. And then I'm an author and I'm doing the record, so I'm that, and I'm a radio host and, you know, and I give pictures. And the thing is, is that it's like, I'm not busy enough, but I love giving back to the community, because, you know, when you are there's six things you need in your life to be happy and balanced, right? And one of them is giving to the community. So I wasn't really before covid, I was doing a lot, but I wasn't really doing anything for my community. So what I did was I it took me four months. They had to do a homeland security check and a thumbprint and, you know, all sorts of stuff, to do guided meditation for healing for seniors. So we're going to be taking, and that's starting in two weeks, in August 8, and we're, we're going to be doing at the Senior Center in Redondo Beach and and so people will come, and we're going to work on different kinds of anti aging issues, like arthritis and, you know, macular degeneration and bones and diabetes and stuff, and every every two weeks, I'll be doing a guided meditation and helping people heal with that. So, so now I've got the community in and so I've got all my six pieces of my pie, and now I'm stable again. Michael Hingson 34:00 There you go. It's nice to have peace in the world, right? Yeah, it is. It is. So tell me, given all the things you've done, tell me a story or two about things that you've done, something very memorable that comes to mind. Linda MacKenzie 34:15 Oh, there's so many, I'm sure. I mean, because on top of that, you know, I've been a psychic since I'm eight years 34:21 old, right? So how did you discover that? How did Linda MacKenzie 34:25 you I saw God when I was eight? Okay, I'm very God based. I'm not from the planet Altair or the universe. I never took a course. I mean, I listened to God. God said, Jump. I said, Hi. How high and and that's what I do. But I've done I'm very respected in the community. I do a lot of, like, a lot of things for for that, there's, you know, I've done documentaries on it, and there's 17 different distinct psychic abilities. I have them all, and I don't do. Two of them, I don't do prophecy and I don't do trans mediumship, which means that an entity will jump into you and talk through you. And that happens because for a long time, I was on ABC, NBC, BBC, Japan TV. I worked with International Society for paranormal research, and we went over to London to investigate for the British government, you know, some of the Belgrave Hall, whether the ghost things were real or not. And one of the things that was interesting, because there's a lot of stories on those you know that are like, kind of titillating, or saying, Oh, what's going on? I was so basically, I tested my abilities for 37 years before I came out. So what I would do is say I was 16, and I would have pre Cognizant dreams. So I would write the dreams out. And what I would do is I would give them to my girlfriend after I wrote them, and then when one of the dreams would come true, I'd have a witness that was there with me, and I'd go over to her house, and I'd say, hey, Eileen, can you pull the dream with the roller coaster there? And she would pull it out. And then I said, read it. And then that way, I learned to decipher what was coming from God, what was coming from me. Because, you know, there's a lot of, you know, where if you don't know how to manipulate the energy. So it was a long, long time I, you know, by the time I was 15, I had read every metaphysical book in the New York Public Library, everyone, and so I took it very seriously. And I was, you know, busting psychics in New York at 21 and and then finally I just stopped, and I didn't come back out until I was about 37 and so when I went to London, they there was a, we had a Cora Derek. A Cora was the one of the leading psychics in London. And then we had Peter James, who was on sightings. And then we had me, and we three went over. And then we would go into they would take us individually to these different sites. And they would say, Okay, what do you feel, and what do you see? And so I would be taking, you know, they take me to these different things and, and I would see all these different things, and I would say it, and it turned out, I'm saying I'm not very comfortable here. I'm not comfortable here. And then we go to the next site, and I would tell them, Oh, I see a woman with a red hat. And I gave them names and places and dates and and it turned out that they were taking me on the path of Jack the Ripper, and to the point where I gave them new information on Jack the Ripper that they never had before. And so I have an ability that I can stand on a piece of ground, and I can go back to the beginning of time and tell you names and dates and places of who was there all the way back up. So there's a lot of things, and the government has asked me to work for them on many projects. They've been charting me since I'm 15 and so, and I just don't, I don't do and one, and I'm not going to say which, but one of the presidents of the United States, when they were in office, asked me to be their psychic, and I told them, I don't do politics, sports books or lottery tickets, and I turned them down. I mean, I was going to go to dinner with them, because Henry Kissinger was going to be my dinner partner at the Jonathan club, you know. And I thought he was an interesting guy, you know, whether you liked him or you didn't like him, he was an interesting guy. And I like to meet different people, because even if you it's not somebody you like, you need to understand the people so that you know how to handle them in a correct manner, you know. And so even if you don't like someone, you treat them with respect, and you learn you better, you understand, you know. So, so that's those are some stories. Michael Hingson 39:01 So, so let's, let's get to the reality of the world. Did you ever visit the Del Coronado hotel and talk to the ghost down there? Linda MacKenzie 39:08 Yes, oh, good. We did. We were one. We were the group that was doing it, that was filmed. We did the Queen Mary. We did. We were, if you saw that on television. It was probably me there. It wasn't as as haunted as some of the other places. I mean, you know, there was one place in England that was very interesting, so we did a documentary called ghost of England, and there was a one house. I don't remember the name of it, but there was a three generations that had died that were still in the house. The house was in the family for 300 years, and I released a little girl there that was eight, that was a, you know, a spirit there, and I released her to her mom. She had died of consumption. It was really interesting, because. Because they knew of each other, and it was, here's these three different generations, and they can see each other, and they know each other. So that was very interesting, because the Society for paranormal research actually did research into the phenomena of ghosts and the ghost at Belgrave Hall, we found we were very truthful. There was no ghost at Belgrave Hall, okay? I mean, it was explained away by phenomena that, you know, street lights and rain stuff. So we did a lot of that, but we wanted to make sure that everything that we did was in truth. And then another thing that we found was I did another documentary called ghost of New Orleans. And New Orleans is a very, very, very strange place. And I actually went back and they asked me to do a I did a 17 part interactive museum display for a paranormal Museum in New Orleans, and it was all teaching about psychic ability and how not to fear it. And it's not the devil's work. It's, you know, it's just a natural ability that we have. And I wanted people to understand that, but get the truth not from a lot of these people that are just talking that don't know, you know. So anyway, so we did in New Orleans. It was interesting, because the ghosts work together. We were all on different floors, and on each floor, they would give us papers, and they would, you know, newspapers in the morning, and the newspapers would end up in our rooms, in different places all the time, and it was just and we didn't move them. Nobody touched them. The room wasn't able to get in. So there's all sorts of phenomenon there that is just kind of interesting, you know, there. Michael Hingson 41:47 So just, does some of that have to do with voodoo and so on, but just because they're so prevalent down Linda MacKenzie 41:52 if you understand that everything exists, you have to none of that was the voodoo, because, very specific thing, yeah, and it's a specific practice, okay, and so it's not something that I would get into. Or, do you know? I mean, it's not we were, I was attacked several times there. I mean, we went into a we went into a house where there was an entity there that had committed 27 murders, and it was they were all buried in the backyard, and they never even knew until we told them about it, when he came after me on that and so you know, you you have to know what you're doing when you're Doing this, too, you know. So you know, but most ghosts, you just tell them to go away, or if you and sometimes you want to see them, you know, maybe it's your mom or your dad that you're missing. So one of the ways that you can do that is you can say, Hey, before you go to sleep, put a pen and a pencil by your bed, and just say, I would like to see you, dad tonight, and and then you say, I would like to remember that I saw you, yeah. And then when you get up in the morning, you just jot down little words or something, anything that you remember. And then after a while, you'll be able to get a rapport where you'll be able to start to remember, and then able to communicate. Michael Hingson 43:23 Yeah. And the reason I asked about the Dell, just because that's that is a a ghost I've, I've heard so much about, and a friendly ghost, as I understand it. So there's a woman, I guess what? She died in a room there. But it's one of the things that everybody talks about with the Dell all the time, of course. Linda MacKenzie 43:40 Well, one of the funniest things that happened was, well, there was two funny things. One was, you know, we were at the doing the the Comedy Store, the magic and magic club. And the Comedy Store is what that Tootsie shores place, anyway. So we were doing, doing the Comedy Store, and there's a ghost there that puts his hands up people's skirts. Well, that's nice. I went in there, and they didn't tell me, and all of a sudden, I'm going, what the heck. And I look there and I see and I and these, and they said, Oh yeah, we forgot to tell you. I said, Yeah, you didn't forget you wanted to catch that on camera. I said, Well, you did. So it's funny. It's a comedy Michael Hingson 44:28 story. I'm sure the ghost thought it was funny. Linda MacKenzie 44:30 Yeah, he did. I bet. So, yeah. So there's, there's, I have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of stories and and that's my book coming out in 2027 that's going to be called, and then what happened? Paranormal stories, believe it or not, you know. And those are going to have 40 stories in there on things that have happened to me, where people are going to say what? And you can believe it or not, that's coming Michael Hingson 44:58 up too. So do. Well, and that's that's ultimately it. People can decide to believe it or not, and a lot of people will poo, poo it. It doesn't change the reality of the situation, though, Linda MacKenzie 45:12 no, but you know, it's okay. Wherever you are is good, as long as you love one another, or at least try and be kind to one another. I think we can accomplish a lot just by doing that, yeah, and agree to disagree. You know, we we don't have to get upset if the other person has 100% doesn't agree with us. We have to just agree to disagree and not try and get heated. But the Michael Hingson 45:38 other, the other side of that, or the other part of that, not the other side, is that if you really take that, that tact, and you agree to disagree and you continue to converse, you never know what you're going to learn, as opposed to what we see so often now, somebody disagrees, and there's just this complete block wall that comes up. There's no discussion at all, and that's never a good thing to do. Linda MacKenzie 46:03 Well, this morning on my radio show was interesting. I went out with a girlfriend of mine, and she's really into these conspiracy theories, and I'm just not there, you know. So she was trying to put her point through and saying, you know, the collective consciousness has to understand this so we can do something about it. And I said, Yeah. I said, Well look, I said, Here's what I've decided. I said, I'm 76 if somebody else wants to do the activism for this kind of stuff, then at 50, go and do your thing. I said, but I think that when you start getting angry and you start getting heated, what's happening is the collective consciousness is there for everyone. We're all part of everything. We are part of everyone and everything. And so when you get upset, that's not helping the consciousness to make everything right. And if you get a group of people thinking the same thought, you can actually change consciousness and make the world better. So instead of sitting there, do something about it. Donate to something. But don't just sit there and talk about it, you know, actually do something about it and start making sure that you're staying positive about it, and what you can do positively for the situation. And don't get caught in the controversy because you're making more negative energy, yeah, and that never works, no. Positive always overcomes negative. So if you want something to happen, think positive, be buoyant, positive always overcomes negative. So you need to do that. Michael Hingson 47:39 And it is, it is so true, and so many people, you know, we're, we're in a world now where there's so much negativity. It's so unfortunate, because I think people miss out when they do that. And you're right, that's, it's not really part of the good, constructive collective consciousness, either, Linda MacKenzie 48:00 right, right? So we just have to, you know, people think that they can't do anything when things happen. And what I'm saying if you come from the premise that everything is energy, right? And so if you are just loving your spouse or loving your dog or being kind to people that energy is positive, right? And so sure you are doing something, because if we make a lot of positive energy in that collective consciousness, as above so below, right? So if we go ahead and do that, then it will drift down, and we will have a better, happier place, but being negative doesn't help you. Negative makes your immune system depressed. It gives you illness, and it's these are all proven things, so you might as well stay positive. And I don't mean Pollyanna, where you don't things, but you know, understand things and understand that there's a greater force in the back of things too, that, you know, it's not just all about us. You know, there is a for me. I believe that there's a God, and God is in control, and so we have to trust that to some degree. Michael Hingson 49:14 On September 11, and I wrote about this in my book thunder dog, and I've talked about it a few times here, when I was running away from tower two, because I was very close to it when it collapsed. The first thing I thought of as I started to run was, God, I can't believe that you got us out of a building just to have it fall on us. And immediately I heard in my head, as clearly as we're talking right now a voice that said, don't worry about what you can't control. Focus on running with Roselle, who is my guide dog, and the rest will take care of itself. And I immediately had this absolute sense of peace and calm and conviction that if I did that, I'd be fine. And I was so. I'm saying that in part to tell you I understand exactly what you're saying, and that was kind of perhaps one of my experiences. But the bottom line is that we need to learn to listen. And one of the things that I talk about and live like a guide dog is that so many people worry about every little thing that comes along. They are just worried about, how am I going to deal with this? Or the politicians are going to do this to me and that to me and everything else. And the reality is, we don't have control over any of that. What we have control over is how we deal with stuff. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't be aware of what's going on around us. But by the same token, if we worry about every little thing, and we don't really worry about the things over which we have some influence, we're only hurting ourselves. Linda MacKenzie 50:50 And it delays it, and it delays it, and it delays it. So you if you want things to get over quickly, learn to listen. And sometimes, you know, people would say, what is meditation? And I said, Well, it's kind of like prayer. You're listening to God's answers, you know. So I mean, there, I've never been alone, because I've always had a very strong connection with God. And as a matter of fact, it was very interesting. I'll tell you the story about the radio network, and basically, I had just been offered by Sci Fi Channel. They said, We love working with you. So would you take and there was a big 51:31 ghosty, a ghost Linda MacKenzie 51:36 show coming up. It was very big. And I said, No, I won't do that because it wasn't in truth, and you just want to make people cry. You want to feed off those emotions. That's not me. So Mary from sci fi said, You know what, Linda, we like working with you, so just go home and design a show for us, and we will do it. So I got home and I was so excited, because now I was going to make the big money, and I was going to get known and God comes in, and he goes, Linda. And I said, What? And he said, I want you to start a radio network. I said, What? And he says, Well, look. He goes, I gave you all the tools to do it. He goes, You were a data com engineer, you've been in radio. He goes, you're doing positive stuff. He goes, I want you to do a positive network. And I'm going, Wait a minute. I says, you know, I'm just getting this big opportunity, you know? And he goes, Well, listen, he goes, You know, when you're doing a lecture, now you're he goes, you get 1000 people coming to your lecture. He goes, so you're a point of light. He goes, think if you were to get 4045, people to do a radio network, all with positive thought. He goes, then you become a lighthouse. And I said, Okay. And I said, But what about this opportunity? And he goes, Well, you don't have to do it. And I said, well. I said, God is asking me, and I'm going to say, No, I'm not going to do that. I said, No, that's not going to happen. I said, and my Italian came in because I said, Okay, I'll do it. But when I get upstairs, you and I have it a sit down, and he just laughs. He thinks I'm funny so, and he has always been with me 100% of the time. And a lot of times he'll tell me, No, you can do this yourself. You do it, you know. And so I but I've been in a realm where I can go back and forth and I understand, you know. And I talk, you know, you can talk to anybody you want, sure, if you're if you're there, you know, if I need help from Einstein, I'll say, Hey, Uncle L, I need you what? And I go, ask God, Michael Hingson 53:43 yeah, it's it's interesting. It's so many people just belittle so much and but everyone has to make their own choices, and I don't have control over the the choices that people make. I can only talk about my experiences and what I do and so on, and people have to make up their own minds. Which is, which is the way it should be. I think that all of us are individuals that are given the opportunity to make choices, and we can decide how we want to proceed, and the time will come when we will have to defend our positions, or it will have all gone really well. And so the bottom line is that that we make the choices and we have to live by what happens as a result the consequences Linda MacKenzie 54:36 right, and we have to take to learn, to get take responsibility for our actions. You know, the songs on this album address all the major things that we need to do to stay positive and to have a happy life. And so it's not just for kids, it's for parents, and it's for grandparents, and it's for anyone who wants to listen. And it's it's going to be a good. Thing when I get this all done, and I'm it's one of them, my, one of my projects that I wanted to do for a lifetime. And once I get this done, I'll be happy. Michael Hingson 55:09 So well, you do a lot of different stuff. You must have a personal life too. How do you balance the two? Well, and what do you do in your personal life? Linda MacKenzie 55:20 Well, I love to exercise. I do. I love to cook. So once a month I do a psychic soiree, you know, so I do. I've been on a specific diet, you know, no dairy, no salt, no sugar, no effervescence, no since 1992 I don't go to medical doctors. I haven't been to a medical doctor since 1992 and I do everything with just herbs and exercise and getting enough sleep and stuff. So I cook for dinners, and I have a family, and we go out, and I have wonderful friends and bands that I follow in town, so we go out. And I'm actually even going out on a date next this coming Thursday night, which hasn't been for a long time, but so there's and then I do a lot of working with the senior centers and so and then do and I love watching dumb TV that I don't have to think. I like dumb Michael Hingson 56:23 I like dumb TV too. I know exactly what you mean when you say that. I have always been a fan, also, of old radio shows. So I love listening to all the old time radio shows from the 30s, 40s and 50s and so on. And some of them can make you think. But by the same token, the reality is that there's something to be said for just being able to escape, right? Linda MacKenzie 56:46 My latest thing is watching Chinese soap operas. They're 40 episodes long, and I love them. And even though they're subtitles, you get to see how they think and how a different kind of person, you know, culture thinks and does, and it's interesting that you can see how much the same they are as we you know, that they want the same things, they have the same values. You know, because we are all the same, and we have to understand that Michael Hingson 57:19 I know, one of the things that I've said many times, that I know, I'm sure, that a lot of people just think I'm crazy, but I point out that what happened on September 11 was not a religious war. It was a bunch of thugs who wanted to try to bend the world to their will. But that's not the the Islamic religion. The reality is that all of the religions, all the major religions, especially in the world, are always to get to God, and Far be it from me, to judge someone else because they happen to belong to a different religion or subscribe to something different than what I do. Linda MacKenzie 57:54 Well, it's interesting that I did a study on religion. As a matter of fact, on on our radio network we have James Bean, and he's been doing, he was on wisdom radio, so for 40 years, he's been doing spiritual awakenings, where he does comparative religions. And it's interesting that all of the religions have a, you know, a Jesus, you know, or a Mohammed, and they all die, and they all get resurrected in three days. Every single one of the religions has that. And if you and every single one of the religions has a version of the Our Father, Mm, hmm, almost exact words, because Jesus, you know, so, so you know, as far as respecting other religions. I think you have to too. But nothing should be overwhelming, you know, right? Like, oh, absolutely nothing should be overwhelming on because of religion. Like, I don't think that the girls should have to wear burkas because it's religious, right, you know. I think there's some things that you know are not exactly right. Michael Hingson 59:00 Well, you know, Tolstoy once said The biggest problem with Christianity is that people don't practice it. It's the same sort of That's right, concept. I agree with you. I don't think that girls and women should have to wear burkas or not be educated, or not be educated. Well, I wish, I really wish they would be educated, yeah. And so today, actually, yeah, oh, they do and and I think more and more people are beginning to realize it, but not enough yet, in some of these countries where they're willing to stand up and and say, We're not going to tolerate this anymore. Linda MacKenzie 59:32 But I hope about the money, though, unfortunately, so it's power and money, but when they understand that it's the love and kindness that's more important, and that's the only thing that you take with you. Yeah, maybe we can change this world, and I hope we do well. Michael Hingson 59:50 I agree with what you're saying, and I think that people, but people do need to, at some time, recognize that there's something. To be said for principle in the world too. 1:00:02 Yes, I agree. So what Michael Hingson 1:00:08 do you hope that people gain today from listening to your show? Linda MacKenzie 1:00:13 Well, today we did a really, kind of an interesting thing. It was called Linda's world. And once a month, at the end of the month, I don't even know what I'm going to say, and so I come on and I just talk, and we talk a little bit about current events, and then we talked about anti aging, and I do herb of the week, and I give you different kinds of information on that, and we did all these things on anti aging and what vitamins and different things that can help you doing it. And so it's really we do spirit, and we do mind, body, spirit. So you know, you can go to healthy life.net, and click on podcast on demand. There's two buttons at the top. One is Listen Live. You just click on that. We don't have an app. We don't track you. We just allow you to listen for free. And we also have a podcast network with 3200 podcasts from wonderful, wonderful people, some who have passed over, but now, but they're still there, and they have still valuable information called HR and podcasts.com that's 3200 free podcasts there that people can access as well. So you can go to the podcast on demand button, click that, and you'll find my face, or look for Linda McKenzie, and click on that, and there'll be, I think, three months of shows that you can listen to, and you can see all the different kinds of topics. And I'm usually booked six months in advance, because I've been doing radio for so long, there's a lot of people that really like to come in, so I hope that people get one idea, one thought that makes their life positive from the show. And hopefully I'm giving 60 of them, Michael Hingson 1:01:52 yeah, I hear exactly what you're saying. And you know, if I can inspire one person when I speak, if I can get people to think a little bit more about something, then I've done my job right, and I think that's the only way to do it. Well, if people want to reach out to you, what's the best way for them to contact you? Linda MacKenzie 1:02:14 Okay, well, you can reach me if you want to email me. It's Linda at Linda mckenzie.net and that's m, A, C, K, E, N, Z, I, E, all one word, and Linda mckenzie.net that's my website, or they can go through healthy life.net and get me through that way too. And of course, I'm on all of the social media sites as well, right? You know? And on my website is all my appearances. I go up to San Jose and do expos and talks. And, you know, just did, just came and finished a past life regression class. I think I'm going to be doing a gemstone healing class. And, you know, whatever strikes me for the moment is what I do. So you never know. So you go on there, and you know, they want me. I've done a TV show this year, and they want me to do another one and continue. I said, Well, kind of have to pay me, because I'm doing a lot of stuff, you know, you know, you have to give me a little bit more money if you want another one. So I gave them their one, first one, and it's called Live with Linda, and that you can reach on, it's on Roku and Amazon, and that was just last September, and it's live with Linda, and it's also on soul search.tv and you can get it there as well. Michael Hingson 1:03:30 So did the Sci Fi Channel ever come back to you anymore? Linda MacKenzie 1:03:33 No, no, just checking that time, you know, I wasn't young and cute anymore. Now cute. I'm still, Michael Hingson 1:03:40 yeah, you're cute. I believe it'd be cute. You're cute. I'm cute. Yeah. Well, I want to thank you for being here, and I want to thank you all for listening. I hope that you've learned something that you find there are relevant things that Linda has had to say. I'd love to hear from you. Please email me at Michael H, I, at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, I'd love to hear your thoughts about today, wherever you are experiencing the podcast. Podcast, please give us a five star rating. We value it, and we value your thoughts and your comments, and for all of you, and Linda you as well. If you know of anyone else who we ought to have as a guest on unstoppable mindset, please introduce us. We're always looking for more people to visit with and talk with. As I've said many times, I believe everyone has a story to tell and and we a
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Hubert Joly is a Harvard Business School lecturer and globally recognized leadership thinker focused on re-founding business around purpose and people. A former Chairman and CEO of Best Buy, he led one of the most celebrated corporate turnarounds of the past decade by rejecting cost-cutting playbooks in favor of purpose-driven strategy. At Harvard Business School, he co-leads flagship CEO programs and advises organizations on developing next-generation leaders. Joly serves on the boards of Johnson & Johnson and S&P Global, is a trustee of the New York Public Library, has been named among the world's top CEOs and management thinkers by HBR, Barron's, Glassdoor, and Thinkers50, and is the bestselling author of The Heart of Business. In this episode we discuss the following: When Hubert became CEO of Best Buy, he resisted the instinct to cut, cut, cut. Instead, as a first-time CEO, he chose to be a learn-it-all rather than a know-it-all—constantly asking, What's working? What's not? And what do you need? He then held himself to a strong “say-do” ratio, making sure his actions matched his words. I was also struck by the hierarchy he emphasized at Best Buy: people, business, finance. Of course a company has to make money. But when meetings start with finance or strategy, the implicit message is that people come second. Best Buy ultimately clarified this by defining its purpose as enriching lives through technology by addressing human needs. Another powerful idea was Hubert's reminder that culture changes faster than we think—if behavior changes first. If you want to be customer-centric, don't just talk about customers. Spend time with them. Behavior shapes culture surprisingly fast. Give a name or brand to our behavior change goals.
Explore the history of libraries in this kid-friendly history-sode. Learn how ancient civilizations preserved knowledge through clay tablets, scrolls, and handwritten books, and why libraries have always mattered. Perfect for kids who love books, learning, and history stories.Many libraries and archives offer Adopt-a-Book or Adopt-a-Manuscript programs. Below are a few wonderful programs you can explore:
Generative AI models are marketed as the next revolution in workplace automation, but they ultimately rely on human labor — from the people labeling content and checking outputs, to the content creators and workers whose data are extracted to build the systems. As management and organizational leaders adopt AI across workplaces, the use of these systems raises questions about how companies are reshaping the quality of work, job security, and the value of human labor. How are workers' lives impacted when AI is used to monitor performance, surveil output, or make intrusive management decisions? Will AI disrupt industries and business models? How can we make sure technology supports workers, rather than undermining them? About 'Understanding AI'In the fall of 2025, The New York Public Library and Data & Society collaborated to present “Understanding AI,” a four-part live event series exploring the social implications of artificial intelligence and its impacts on democracy, the environment, and human labor. Featuring key figures in the AI ethics field, these events took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)in New York City as part of the library's7 Stories Up program, and are now available for all to watch.Revisit the series
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping many aspects of our daily lives: from the way people are hired for jobs, to how housing applications are reviewed, to how government services are delivered in healthcare, education, and beyond. But while organizations of all kinds have been introducing AI systems into their core functions, there is uncertainty about how they are working — including who is on the receiving end of their benefits and harms. What do we need to know about AI and automated decision-making tools today? How can we better understand the technology's influence, and make informed decisions about where and how to use it? About 'Understanding AI'In the fall of 2025, The New York Public Library and Data & Society collaborated to present “Understanding AI,” a four-part live event series exploring the social implications of artificial intelligence and its impacts on democracy, the environment, and human labor. Featuring key figures in the AI ethics field, these events took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)in New York City as part of the library's7 Stories Up program, and are now available for all to watch.Revisit the series
Artificial intelligence technologies run on powerful computers that require vast amounts of energy, water, and critical minerals. As AI use grows, so does its environmental footprint. Yet there is little consensus on how to assess and address the technology's toll on the climate before irreparable damage is done. How can we understand the impact AI data centers have on communities and the environment? How can we ensure that communities are able to use empirical data about those impacts to fight back? About 'Understanding AI'In the fall of 2025, The New York Public Library and Data & Society collaborated to present “Understanding AI,” a four-part live event series exploring the social implications of artificial intelligence and its impacts on democracy, the environment, and human labor. Featuring key figures in the AI ethics field, these events took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)in New York City as part of the library's7 Stories Up program, and are now available for all to watch.Revisit the series
The concentration of power and lack of regulation in the technology industry directly shapes how AI is designed and deployed, and whose interests it serves. That means decisions about these tools often reflect corporate priorities over public benefits. While AI is often held up as a tool to increase “efficiency,” it is essential to ask: efficiency for whom, and at what cost? What would it mean to create and oversee AI in the public's best interest? How could these technologies be made more accountable to the people and communities they affect? And what is needed to create a future where AI works for everyone? About 'Understanding AI'In the fall of 2025, The New York Public Library and Data & Society collaborated to present “Understanding AI,” a four-part live event series exploring the social implications of artificial intelligence and its impacts on democracy, the environment, and human labor. Featuring key figures in the AI ethics field, these events took place at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)in New York City as part of the library's7 Stories Up program, and are now available for all to watch.Revisit the series
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Summary In this episode, Cultivating Curiosity host Jeff Ikler reflects on his love of year-end "Best Books" lists and why reading sits at the heart of his podcast and personal life. He welcomes lists from institutions like The New York Times and the New York Public Library, seeing them as both a defense against book banning and a source of discovery, connection, and generosity. For Ikler, books spark curiosity, deepen empathy, and create bonds—whether through gifting or thoughtful conversation with authors. He also underscores podcast hosts' responsibility to read their guests' work in full, arguing that preparation honors both listeners and writers. Ultimately, Ikler finds himself drawn to books that slow him down through careful observation and reflection, or expand his understanding through deeply researched history, reinforcing reading as both nourishment and refuge. Three Major Takeaways Reading lists are acts of resistance, curiosity, and connection—not just recommendations. Thoughtful reading is essential to meaningful conversation, especially in podcasting. The most rewarding books either sharpen our attention to the present or deepen our understanding of the past. Jeff's favorite books in 2025 Crossings – How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb. Quoting from the book jacket, "Creatures from antelope to salmon are losing their ability to migrate in search of food and mates; invasive plants hitch rides in tire treads, road salt contaminates lakes and rivers; and the very, very noise of traffic chases songbirds from vast swaths of habitat." In this beautifully crafted book, Goldfarb makes the case that overpasses and underpasses are essential for reducing the deaths of animals and humans who inevitably come into brutal contact with one another. One of the chief takeaways in our era of divisiveness is that road ecologists and other scientists, insurance companies, and government officials are working collaboratively to solve problems. They have different goals for doing so, but they're working effectively at the intersection. You can access my two-part podcast interview on Getting Unstuck–Cultivating Curiosity with Ben in episodes 347 and 348. The Comfort of Crows – A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. This title came from one of last year's best books, and it did not disappoint. Quoting from the book jacket, "Margaret Renkl presents a literary devotional: fifty-two chapters that follow the creatures and plants in her backyard over the course of a year." How often do you read a chapter or passage because the writing is so moving? If you're interested in slowing down and seeing more of your immediate world, this is a great place to start. This small volume is a course in observation and reflection. Challenger – A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham. Like many Americans who watched the Space Shuttle Challenger break apart just seventy-three seconds into its mission, I thought I knew the story, but I was so wrong. As the book jacket explains, "…the Challenger disaster was a defining moment in twentieth-century history–one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told." I was moved to head-shaking anger after reading how decisions were made and bungled. Higginbotham's explanation of a highly complicated topic is beautifully presented. The book is a primer on the dangers of overly complex and competing bureaucracies and ego. Remember Us – American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and a Forever Promise Forged in World War II by Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter. Remember Us documents twelve lives connected to the American Military Cemetery near the small village of Margraten, Netherlands. Approximately 8,300 Americans who helped liberate the Netherlands from the Nazis and the grip of fascism during World War II are buried there. One of these was a Black American soldier who, along with a company of other Black Americans, dug the graves under the harshest weather conditions. The cruel irony is that Black soldiers worked in segregated and mostly non-combat roles in a war fought to eliminate tyranny and oppression. The cemetery is remarkable because local Dutch citizens have taken it upon themselves to adopt each grave and visit it weekly. This practice reflects the citizens' ongoing gratitude, and their visits ensure that the soldiers are always remembered for their sacrifice. There is a waiting list of citizens who wish to adopt a grave. Raising Hare—a Memoir by Chloe Dalton. This title has made almost every list I've come across. From the jacket cover, "…Dalton stumbles upon a newborn hare—a leveret—that had been chased by a dog. Fearing for its life, she brings it home, only to discover how difficult it is to rear a wild hare." Dalton deftly and wisely navigates caring for the hare as a house guest versus a pet, a choice that lets the hare move between the wild of the nearby woods and the security of her home. Like Renkl, Dalton has a keen eye for observation, one that put me in her home and garden as a witness to their interactions. Origin — A Genetic History of the Americas by Jennifer Raff. When I was growing up, I watched or read with almost religious fervor anything National Geographic produced featuring Louis Leakey, a paleoanthropologist and archaeologist. I was in awe of how he dug through the layers of time to find bones and artifacts from our earliest ancestors. Leakey's work was critical in demonstrating our human origins in Africa. So, when my friend Annette Taylor, a researcher of evolutionary psychology and biology, shared an article featuring Professor Jennifer Raff, an anthropologist and geneticist trying to rewrite the history of human origins in the Americas, I knew I had to invite her on my podcast. As a history enthusiast, I found it especially rewarding to co-host, along with Annette, a discussion with Professor Raff on podcast episode 358 about how and why early peoples migrated to and within North America. Raff has a talent for simplifying complex topics and making listeners comfortable with uncertainty. Scientists have theories and are constantly testing and revising them. We don't yet know for sure how early peoples arrived here or why they migrated, but that's the beauty of science and history. There is always more to discover. If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende. I read this book decades ago and was as captivated then as I was this year by Heather Lende's storytelling ability. Adapted from the back cover, "As both the obituary writer and social columnist for the local newspaper (in Haines, Alaska, population about 2,500), Heather Lende knows better than anyone the goings-on in this breathtakingly beautiful place. Her offbeat chronicle brings us inside her — and the town's — busy life." Why read about a small town in Alaska? Maybe because it helps us look critically at our own lives. Like Renkl and Dalton, Heather Lende has an eye for detail, but also the humanity beneath the detail. She has graciously agreed to be my guest in podcast episode 400 this coming February. The most interesting books read in 2025 by his friends and colleagues Steve Ehrlich – The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig. Zweig writes from a Jungian perspective that is accessible to anyone who thinks about old and new agendas, internal and external, as we transition to later life, and reflect on what we want to hold on to, and what we're prepared to let go of to live an authentic life. Cindy House – What Just Happened by Charles Finch. It's one person's experience of the terrible year that was the pandemic lockdown, with all the fear, uncertainty, and strangeness I had forgotten. I loved his cultural observations and witty take on one of the weirdest years of our lives. I am so glad this particular record exists. By Edgington – The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. I first read the book in 2013, then again in '24, and now I read and refer to it every year. Singer's book is what propelled me to join his Temple of the Universe, where Mariah and I now live on the grounds. It's filled with inspiration and simple, almost homely wisdom: "The moment in front of you is not bothering you; you're bothering yourself about the moment in front of you!" Spencer Seim – To Possess the Land by Frank Waters. It follows the life of Arthur Manby, who came to the New Mexico territory in 1885 from England. He quickly tried to cash in by calling parcels of land his own. He quickly ran into resistance, often by force, and had to learn the hard way that the land of New Mexico in those days was a bit more complicated. Charlotte Wittenkamp – Shift by Ethan Kross. Kross examines Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and the notion that we always have the freedom to choose how we respond - even to the atrocities Frankl had to put up with in a WWII concentration camp. Kross examines and supports, with scientific findings, various ways we can shift our perspectives to gain easier access to that freedom of choice. Paul McNichols – E-Boat Alert by James F. Tent. The book offers a nearly forensic yet highly readable analysis of the threat posed by the E-Boats of the German Kriegsmarine to the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944. It covers the development, use, strengths, and limitations of these fast, maneuverable craft, as well as their impact on the Normandy landings on D-Day and the weeks thereafter. The most interesting part is the chain of events that ultimately led to their neutralization. Annette Taylor – My Name is Chellis, and I'm in Recovery from Western Civilization by Chellis Glendinning. Chellis writes affectionately and respectfully about eco-psychology and nature-based peoples from whom members of Western Civilization could learn a lot. Sue Inches – The Light Eaters – How the unseen world of plant intelligence offers a new understanding of life on earth by Zoe Schlanger. A thrilling journey that leads the reader from an old paradigm of plants as separate inanimate objects, to the true nature of plants as sensing, alive beings who communicate with the world around them. An inspiring example of how human understanding of the world around us is making progress! Rich Gassen – The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. Priya teaches us how to have better parties, events, and relationships through her writing. I used this book's information (along with her podcasts) to plan a better 10-year anniversary party for the Campus Supervisors Network community of practice I lead at UW-Madison — making it exclusive, inviting, and tailored to those who attended. Mac Bogert – Renegades by Robert Ward. After some time as a college professor, Bob decided to try journalism. He spent twenty years interviewing folks from Waylon Jennings to Larry Flynt, and, damn, he's good at it! Hunter Seim – Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. The novel is set during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. It mainly follows the life of antihero Captain Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force B-25 bombardier. The term "Catch-22" itself refers to a paradoxical situation in which contradictory rules or circumstances trap a person. In the novel, Yossarian discovers that he can be declared insane and relieved from duty if he requests it, but by requesting it, he demonstrates his sanity. Remarkably accurate in describing organizational dysfunction and bureaucratic absurdity. It was the perfect book to read in 2025. Bill Whiteside – I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally. I wondered whether this memoir by a New York restaurateur (who hates the word "restaurateur" and much else), who suffered two strokes and survived a suicide attempt, would live up to its social media hype. It does.
It's Friday, January 2nd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 14 in Adamawa State Fourteen Nigerians are dead, and four are missing after Boko Haram, a Muslim terrorist group, attacked three villages on the evening of December 29th in Adamawa State, reports International Christian Concern. In addition, numerous homes and businesses were vandalized or burned in the attacks, which struck the villages of Zah, Mubang Yadul, and Kijing. Many villagers fled for their safety. The attackers reportedly fled into the bush before security personnel arrived. The attacks, which occurred days after the U.S. struck ISIS-affiliated Muslim militants in northwest Nigeria, were the latest in a string of assaults on villages in the area to occur around Christmas. MN employees: "Gov. Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud." Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana took to the Senate floor to address how it's possible that Somalis in Minnesota were able to defraud taxpayers to the tune of $1 billion, possibly $9 billion, through fake non-profits. KENNEDY: “Here's what the Legislative Auditor in Minnesota said: ‘The threat of litigation and the negative press affected how the state politicians use their regulatory power.' “And here's what a fraud investigator in the Attorney General's office said: ‘There is a perception that forcefully tackling this issue would cause political backlash from the Somali community, which is a core voting block for Democrats.' “One of the other witnesses in the fraud investigation said, ‘Look, the 80,000-voting block folks with Somali ancestry, you got to have their votes to win in Minneapolis. And if you're a Democrat, if you can't win Minneapolis, you can't win in the state.' So, the politicians did nothing.” Senator Kennedy quoted from a social media post in which hundreds of employees of the Minnesota Department of Human Service weighed in. KENNEDY: “Don't just take my word for it, and don't blame the state employees. They tried. In fact, recently the state employees, they just said, ‘Look, we've had enough.' Several hundred employees from the Minnesota Department of Human Service, who administered this program, they posted this. I'm quoting now. '[Democratic] Governor Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota. We let Tim Walz know of fraud early on.' That's employees talking, hoping for a partnership and stopping fraud. ‘But no, we got the opposite response. Tim Walz systematically retaliated against whistleblowers.'” Jeremiah 9:6 says, “'You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge Me,'” declares the LORD.” Additional massive fraud at Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota In a related story, YouTuber Nick Shirley, age 23, has exposed what appears to be massive additional fraud in taxpayer-subsidized, Somali-run day care centers. This has prompted the Department of Health and Human Services to announce that it is derailing the $185-million gravy train. HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neil said on X, “We have frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota,” reports The Blaze. O'NEIL:” “Intrepid journalists have made shocking and credible allegations of extensive fraud in Minnesota's child care programs. We believe the state of Minnesota has allowed scammers and fake day cares to siphon millions of taxpayer dollars over the past decade.” Muslim NYC Mayor sworn in with Quran Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani took his New Year's Eve oath of office on his grandfather's Quran and a 200-year-old Quaran from the New York Public Library. It marked the first time a New York City mayor used Islam's misguided text to be sworn in, reports the Associated Press. The 34-year-old Democrat became mayor in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall, the first Muslim, the first South Asian and the first African-born person to hold that position. Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state, and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text. In addition, Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has directly labeled Mayor Mamdami a Communist. Posting on X, Cruz wrote, “When communists rule, individual rights—invariably—are taken away.” Listen to the Big Apple Mayor's own words. MAMDAMI: “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” CT Governor to give $10 million to abortion giant Planned Parenthood Connecticut Democrat Governor Ned Lamont has announced he intends to give $10.4 million of taxpayers' money to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, in order to compensate for Trump's decision to defund the abortion giant, reports LifeSiteNews.com. The Connecticut Mirror reported the governor's latest spending proposal, part of $41 million to make up for lost federal funds for a variety of so-called “services,” bringing the total committed for that purpose up to almost $168 million. Parents: School cancels Christmas concert over “Jesus” lyrics And finally, parents in Fonda, New York are furious after the annual elementary school Christmas concert was canceled. Many suspect it's because a teacher was offended by the name of Jesus, reports Christian talk show host Todd Starnes. Children at Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School had worked very hard to learn songs for the concert. But there was one particular song that caused a bit of controversy. The song is called, “Oh, What a Special Night” and it tells the birth of Christ from the perspective of the animals around the manger scene. At the end of each verse, the children sang, “Thank you God for Baby Jesus.” The school district confirmed that the song was removed from the concert under guidance from their legal department. Shortly after that, the concert was canceled. On Facebook, one parent wrote, “So tired of this woke culture, where one parent can call in and complain, and ruin it for the entire district.” Another said, “It is CHRISTmas. If someone doesn't agree with that, then they don't need to participate, and their parents don't need to attend. … The school has ruined the countless hours of practice the other kids have put in, as well as the joy and excitement they feel when they see their families in the audience. All of that happiness has been taken away.” Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, January 2, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Bryan Washington joins Deborah Treisman to read “A Small Flame,” by Yiyun Li, which was published in The New Yorker in 2017. Washington, a winner of the New York Public Library's Young Lions Fiction Award, is the author of the story collection “Lot” and the novels “Memorial,” “Family Meal,” and “Palaver,” which was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2025. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Lunch has a long history in New York, and the midday meal has looked different throughout different eras of the city. In today's world of corporate bowls and fast casual spots, we want to know where your go-to lunch places from back in the day, whether it was meeting a friend, hosting a "power lunch," or taking a simple lunch break. In 2012, the New York Public Library organized an exhibit, "Lunch Hour NYC," about the history of lunch in the city. Co-curators Rebecca Federman and Laura Shapiro speak about what they learned.
Bill Marden, Director of Privacy and Compliance at The New York Public Library, discusses the importance of confidentiality. During our conversation, Bill mentioned International Association of Privacy Professionals.
In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey , host Joanne Carey interviews Emily CoatesIn this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey engages in a deep conversation with dancer, choreographer, and writer Emily Coates. They explore Emily's journey from her early dance training in ballet to her transition into modern dance, her experiences working with renowned figures like Baryshnikov, and her current project 'Tell Me Where It Comes From.' Tell Me Where It Comes From, was sparked by the discovery of an archival box housed at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, Connecticut, chronicling George Balanchine's brief touchdown there in 1933. The discussion highlights the importance of following one's artistic instincts, the role of dance history, and the collaborative nature of creating new work. Emily shares insights on the creative process, the significance of archival research, and the impact of dance on personal and artistic growth.Emily Coates is a dancer, choreographer, and writer and has performed internationally with New York City Ballet (1992-98), Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project (1998-2002), Twyla Tharp Dance (2001-2003), and Yvonne Rainer and Group (2005-present), and worked with an array of choreographers, including Jerome Robbins, Angelin Preljocaj, Trisha Brown, Deborah Hay, Mark Morris, John Jasperse, and Sarah Michelson. Career highlights include performing three duets with Baryshnikov, in works by Morris, Karole Armitage, and Erick Hawkins.Her choreographic work has been commissioned and presented by Danspace Project, Performa, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, Ballet Memphis, Wadsworth Atheneum, Carnegie Hall, University of Chicago, Yale Repertory Theatre, Yale Art Gallery, and Columbia Ballet Collaborative, among other venues. She is currently completing a film project titled “Dancing in the Invisible Universe” in collaboration with filmmaker John Lucas and Yale's Wright Laboratory.Her essays have appeared in PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art, The Huffington Post, Theater, PEAK Journal, programs and an exhibition catalogue for the Paris Opera Ballet, and in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Ballet. Her awards and distinctions include the School of American Ballet's Mae L. Wein Award for Outstanding Promise; the Martha Duffy Memorial Fellowship at the Baryshnikov Arts Center; Yale's Poorvu Family Award for Interdisciplinary Teaching; a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in the category of Public Understanding of Science, Technology, and Economics; a 2016 Fellowship at the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU; and a 2019 Jerome Robbins Dance Division Dance Research Fellowship at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. She graduated magna cum laude with a BA in English and holds an MA and MPhil in American Studies from Yale. Her first book, Physics and Dance, co-written with her longtime collaborator, particle physicist Sarah Demers, was released in January 2019 by Yale University Press.She is Professor in the Practice in Theater, Dance and Performance Studies at Yale University, with a secondary appointment in Directing at the Yale School of Drama. She has directed the dance studies concentration at Yale since its inception in 2006.Informationhttps://campuspress.yale.edu/emilycoates/Make plans to check out this piece on tour!February 26, 2026 at The Avery Theater , Hartford ConnecticutApril 23 & 24th 2026 at Schwarzman Center , Yale University“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/Please leave us a Review.You support the podcast:https://gofund.me/e561b42acFollow Joanne Carey on Instagram@westfieldschoolofdance
The New York Public Library exhibition "Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City," spotlights the history of MENA residents of NYC throughout the centuries. Hiba Abid, curator for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the NYPL, discusses the exhibition, and listeners share their own family history.
Curator of "Niyū Yūrk: Middle Eastern and North African Lives in the City", Hiba Abid, joins us to talk about the exhibition, housed at the New York Public Library's iconic 42nd Street building, which challenges dominant narratives by presenting New York as a city deeply intertwined with Middle Eastern and North African history and culture. Abid delves into the diverse stories of immigration, the often-overlooked North African presence, and the revolution in Arabic publishing in New York. Through fascinating primary documents and personal stories, the discussion explores everything from the surprising origins of the Statue of Liberty to early 20th-century American citizenship guides published in Arabic, revealing the long, complex, and vibrant history of Arab and Middle Eastern communities in New York. The exhibition remains until March 8, 2026. On December 5, is a Middle Eastern/North African take over of the flagship building of the NYPL that's not to be missed
Hon blev världsberömd självhjälpsguru med boken Eat, Pray, Love. Men en destruktiv relation och ett beroende fick henne att bara se en utväg döden. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. I det här avsnittet möter P3 ID författaren Elizabeth Gilbert som, hösten 2025, är aktuell med boken ”All the way to the river”. Det är en självutlämnande berättelse om att bli kär i sin cancersjuka bästa vän, för att sedan falla ner i ett mörkt hål av droger och förtvivlan. En historia som var nära att sluta i ett mord.P3 ID om Elizabeth Gilbert handlar om att falla offer - och sedan kapitulera - för ett missbruk. Om självhjälpskulturen, destruktiva relationer och droger. Och om att bekänna allt på det mest nakna vis.I avsnittet hörs också författaren Tone Schunnesson och Malena Ivarsson, klinisk sexolog och terapeut.Ljudklippen kommer från Oprah's Book Club, New York Times Modern Love, New York Public Library, Sydney Opera House, ABC, Border's Media, Ted Talk och filmerna Coyote Ugly samt Eat, Pray, Love.Avsnittet gjordes av Vendela Lundberg.Producent: Sally HenrikssonLjudmix: Fredrik NilssonProgrammet släpptes under hösten 2025 och gjordes av produktionsbolaget DIST för Sveriges Radio.
The New York Public Library has released its "Best Books of 2025" List, a comprehensive list that includes books for adults, teens, children and Spanish speakers. NYPL chief librarian Brian Bannon talks about some of the choices, how the books were selected and how readers can get them.
Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome back a listener favorite and our friend, Alastair Macaulay, former Chief Dance Critic for the New York Times. This past week, on Friday November 14th, Alastair hosted an event at the New York Public Library where he examined films of revered Balanchine ballerina, Suzanne Farrell. Alastair tells us about how research for this event, talks about the films he showed, and other tidbits on Suzanne's career and dancing. At the end, Alastair talks about his City Center Studio 5 event which is available to watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAkP-QnDpL0 Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceSPONSOR: The Royal Ballet School are bringing their diverse programme of non-selective and selective Intensive Courses for students aged 8-19 to London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and for the first time, Los Angeles next summer! Explore your love for dance in a supportive environment, as the School's expert Artistic staff and guest coaches guide you in a variety of styles to hone your technique, artistry and musicality. Classes include classical ballet, repertoire, contemporary, choreography, character, body conditioning, pas de deux, stagecraft and pointe work. Don't miss your chance to train with one of the world's leading centres for classical ballet training. Applications are now open. Head to royalballetschool.org.uk to secure your spot today. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTubeJoin our email listSponsorship information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Early Days of Photography: Insights from Anika Burgess Discover the fascinating stories behind early photography, from Anna Atkins' cyanotypes to the Daguerre‑Talbot rivalry, women's hidden studios, and the first surveillance photos of suffragettes—highlights from Anika Burgess' interview on the “10 Frames Per Second” podcast. The “10 Frames Per Second” podcast is a go‑to resource for anyone interested in photojournalism history, yet this particular episode dives deep into the origins of photography itself. If you're a photographer, educator, historian, or simply a curious visual storyteller, the episode offers insights and details from technical to social, on the rise of photography Meet Anika Burgess – Photo Historian & Author Title: Photo editor, writer, and author of Flashes of Brilliance: The Genius of Early Photography and How It Transformed Art, Science, and History (W.W. Norton). Background: History & Law degrees, early career at Penguin Books (Modern Classics), later freelance photo‑researcher. Passion: Uncovering hidden stories—especially of women, scientists, and “oddball” characters—in the birth of photography. From Law School to Photo Editing Anika's journey is a reminder that career pivots can lead to groundbreaking work: Law → Photo Editing: A short course in photo research opened the door to a role at Penguin's Modern Classics series. On‑the‑Job Learning: She describes freelance work as an “accelerated masterclass” in assigning, commissioning, and archival research. Teaching Lens: As a photo‑history instructor, Anika emphasizes the value of primary sources—old photo journals, newspapers, and diaries. Pioneers of Early Photography Anna Atkins & the First Photo Book Who: English botanist & cyanotype pioneer. Milestone: Created Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions (1843), the first photographic book—and made by a woman. Rediscovery: Mis‑attributed as “AA” until the 1970s when Larry Scharf revived her story. Women Photographers in the 1840s‑1850s Studio Advertisements: Journals show Miss Wigley and others openly marketing portrait studios. Color Tinting: Una Howard promoted women's employment in hand‑tinting photographs, even establishing a school for the craft. Editorial Debates: Early photo‑journals featured heated arguments about photography's purpose—art vs. science—with women actively contributing. Surprising Finds in the Archives Skin & Nail Prints: Some 19th‑century journals reported people printing photographs onto their own skin or fingernails. Psychic Photography: Experiments aimed to capture thoughts, dreams, or “effluvia”—the supposed visual aura of a soul. X‑Ray Curiosities: Early images of snakes, crayfish, and snowflakes (thanks to Wilson Bentley) showed how photography became a tool for scientific discovery. Early Photography: The Daguerre vs. Talbot Rivalry Aspect Louis Daguerre William Henry Fox Talbot Process Daguerreotype (metal‑silver plate) Calotype (paper negative → positive) Business Model Government‑funded French pension → free public release Aggressive patent enforcement, licensing fees Impact Dominated the first decade, especially in France and England Laid groundwork for modern negative/positive workflow, but hindered by patents Anika notes that Talbot's patents slowed adoption, while Daguerre's state‑backed release accelerated his method's popularity—an early example of how capitalism shapes technology diffusion. Early Photography Chemical Hazards & “You‑Tube‑Free” Learning Deadly Substances: Cyanide, mercury, and strong acids were common in darkrooms. No Antidotes: For cyanide, there was no effective remedy, underscoring the danger. Community Knowledge: Early photo clubs circulated “antidote tables”—precautions rather than cures. “There were no textbooks, no YouTube tutorials—just trial, error, and sometimes tragedy.” – Anika Science Meets Art: X‑Rays, Snowflakes & Psychic Photography X‑Ray Explorations (1890s): Photographs of snakes and crayfish revealed anatomy unseen by the naked eye. Wilson Bentley (Vermont): Captured over 5,000 snowflake images using a microscope—blending meteorology and artistry. Effluvia Photography: Early attempts to photograph the “spirit” of a person, predating modern AI‑generated ethereality. Early Surveillance: The Suffragette Photo‑Ops Arthur Barrett's Top‑Hat Camera (1908): Secretly photographed suffragists inside a London courtroom. He even coughed to mask the shutter sound. Government Commission: The British Home Office later hired Barrett to take long‑lens photographs of suffragists in Holloway Prison. Legacy: This marks one of the first documented uses of photography for covert surveillance—a precursor to today's CCTV debates. Lessons for Modern Photojournalists Transparency Matters: Early manipulators like Oskar Rieslander openly disclosed composite techniques—mirroring today's call for AI‑generated image labeling. Innovation Stems from Limits: Nadar's underground catacomb portraits show how technical constraints spark creative solutions. Community Sharing Wins: Photo clubs of the 19th century were the original knowledge‑exchange platforms—modern equivalents are online forums, workshops, and open‑source libraries. What's Next for Anika? After a seven‑year labor of love, Anika hints at a potential sequel covering 1910‑present—a period that includes modernist photography, wartime photojournalism, and the digital revolution. She's also considering shorter books focused on women pioneers and photographic chemistry. Quick Takeaways Anna Atkins wrote the first photographic book, and women have been key players since the 1840s. Daguerre's free release vs. Talbot's patents illustrates how policy shapes tech adoption. Early photographers faced real chemical dangers—no antidotes for cyanide, mercury, or acids. Surveillance photography began with suffragist courtroom shots, foreshadowing modern privacy concerns. Transparency in image manipulation is a historic constant, now relevant in the age of AI. Frequently Asked Questions Question Answer Where can I find Anna Atkins' cyanotype collection? The New York Public Library hosts a fully digitized archive online. Is the “top‑hat camera” video still available? Yes—search “suffragist reunion British Pathé” on YouTube. What was the first photo‑journalistic use of a hidden camera? Arthur Barrett's 1908 courtroom photos of suffragists. How did early photographers tint images? Women like Una Howard hand‑colored prints using water‑based pigments; later, labs introduced mechanical tinting. Can I listen to the full podcast episode? New episodes drop every Tuesday on 10fps.net and all major podcast platforms. Final Thoughts Anika Burgess' conversation on “10 Frames Per Second” proves that the early history of photography is far from a static timeline—it's a vibrant tapestry woven by inventors, women entrepreneurs, scientists, and activists. Understanding this past not only enriches our appreciation of current visual culture but also equips today's photojournalists with perspective on ethics, innovation, and the ever‑present tension between art and science. Ready to dive deeper? Grab a copy of Flashes of Brilliance, explore the NYPL digital collections, and let the stories of Anna Atkins, Una Howard, and Arthur Barrett inspire your next visual project. For more on “ghost” photography and William Mumler, check out our past episode with Peter Manseau, author of a book The Apparitionists, exploring Mumler’s creations. Keywords: early photography, history of photography, women photographers, Anna Atkins, Daguerre vs Talbot, photojournalism history, photographic chemistry hazards, X‑ray photography, suffragette surveillance, photo manipulation early, 10 Frames Per Second podcast ________ photojournalism, early photography, Anna Atkins, cyanotype, women photographers, Julia Margaret Cameron, Nadar, Daguerre, William Henry Fox Talbot, X‑ray photography, Wilson Bentley (snowflake photography), spirit photography, psychic photography/effluviography, photo manipulation, suffragette surveillance photography, top‑hat hidden camera, dry‑plate process, wet collodion process, chemical hazards in photography (cyanide, mercury), 1840s women‑run photo studios, hand‑tinting (colorizing photographs), archival research (NYPL, Met), Penguin Modern Classics photo editing, photographic patents and licensing, darkroom safety, early photo journals and newspapers, mechanical vs artistic classification in exhibitions, scientific photography, photography‑and‑art debate, early photographic portrait experience.The post Episode 167: Anika Burgess (Early Photography) first appeared on 10FPS A Photojournalism Podcast for Everyone.
In this episode of the Watchung Booksellers Podcast, we feature author Mona Awad, author of the bestselling novel Bunny, for the release of its sequel, We Love You, Bunny. She talked with Laura Sims about coming back to the dark and hilarious characters in Bunny, her love of fairy tales, and what's next in the Bunny-verse. Mona Awad is the bestselling author of the novels Rouge, All's Well, Bunny, and 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl. She is a three-time finalist for a Goodreads Choice Award, the recipient of an Amazon Best First Novel Award, and she was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Bunny was a finalist for a New England Book Award and was named a Best Book of 2019 by Time, Vogue, and the New York Public Library. It is currently being developed for film with Bad Robot Productions. Rouge is being adapted for film by Fremantle and Sinestra. Margaret Atwood named Awad her “literary heir” in The New York Times's T Magazine. She teaches fiction in the creative writing program at Syracuse University and is based in Boston.Laura Sims's third novel, The Man, is due out from Putnam in July of 2026. Her novels How Can I Help You and Looker have been on Best Books lists in The New York Times, Vogue, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Real Simple, Publishers Weekly, and more. An award-winning poet, Sims has published four poetry collections; her essays and poems have appeared in The New Republic, Boston Review, Lit Hub, and Electric Lit. She lives in New Jersey, where she works part-time as a children's librarian.Resources:Bunny FilmMargaret Atwood T Magazine FeatureRabbit RabbitBooks:A full list of the books and authors mentioned in this episode is available here. Register for Upcoming Events.The Watchung Booksellers Podcast is produced by Kathryn Counsell and Marni Jessup and is recorded at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ. The show is edited by Kathryn Counsell. Original music is composed and performed by Violet Mujica. Art & design and social media by Evelyn Moulton. Research and show notes by Caroline Shurtleff. Thanks to all the staff at Watchung Booksellers and The Kids' Room! If you liked our episode please like, follow, and share! Stay in touch!Email: wbpodcast@watchungbooksellers.comSocial: @watchungbooksellersSign up for our newsletter to get the latest on our shows, events, and book recommendations!
Our November Get Lit with All Of It book club selection is the novel Flashlight by Susan Choi. The novel is a finalist for the Booker Prize, and tells the story of a family reeling after the strange disappearance of their father and husband. Click here to find more information about our Get Lit event, and to find out how to borrow your e-copy courtesy of our partners at the New York Public Library.
The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
Paul Yoon reads his story “The New Coast,” from the November 17, 2025, issue of the magazine. Yoon is the author of five books of fiction, including the novels “Run Me to Earth” and “Snow Hunters,” which won the 2014 New York Public Library's Young Lions Fiction Award, and the story collection “The Hive and the Honey,” which was published in 2023. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Tony Weaver, Jr. is a storyteller who creates diverse worlds where every reader can find their place. His debut graphic novel, Weirdo, sold out of its first printing in seven weeks of publication, received multiple starred reviews, and was named one of the best books of 2024 by School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, People Magazine, The New York Public Library, and the Children's Book Review. He was the first comic writer ever selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30, selected as a Flying Start by Publishers Weekly, and has attracted coverage from ABC, NBC, and The Huffington Post. Tony's writing prowess has not only garnered him institutional accolades, but has built him a loyal following of over 1 million followers across TikTok and Instagram.Tony is currently focusing on promoting his Nerds For Literacy initiative and as well as his award-winning graphic novel memoir, Weirdo,Valeriana Boadu is an educator, author, and storyteller. She was born on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia to a family of ten children. She has been in education for over twenty-five years, teaching Geography, Language Arts, and Multilingual Learners. She is a television presenter and a published author. Her very first novel was a romance novel, which placed her in the top ten for romance writing and earned her a nomination by Foreword Reviews for excellence in writing. Since then, Val has published 11 more books—multicultural short stories and Language Arts textbooks to support writing in elementary and secondary schools.
Adam Levin joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “Backbone,” by David Foster Wallace, which was published in The New Yorker in 2011. Levin, a winner of the New York Public Library's Young Lions Fiction Award, is the author of the story collection “Hot Pink” and the novels “The Instructions,” “Bubblegum,” and “Mount Chicago.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
This week Jelani Cobb drops in to talk about Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, what we don't see onscreen, the promise of Barack Obama, and the rise of Donald Trump. Plus, we preview his new book, Three or More is a Riot: Notes on How We Got Here, 2012-Present. This is a powerhouse episode.About our guest:Jelani Cobb joined the Columbia Journalism School faculty in 2016 and became Dean in 2022. He has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2015. He received a Peabody Award for his 2020 PBS Frontline film Whose Vote Counts? and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Commentary in 2018. He has also been a political analyst for MSNBC since 2019.He is the author of The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress and To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic. He is the editor or co-editor of several volumes including The Matter of Black Lives, a collection of The New Yorker's writings on race and The Essential Kerner Commission Report. He is producer or co-producer on a number of documentaries including Lincoln's Dilemma, Obama: A More Perfect Union, Policing the Police and THE RIOT REPORT.Dr. Cobb was educated at Jamaica High School in Queens, NY, Howard University, where he earned a B.A. in English, and Rutgers University, where he completed his MA and doctorate in American History in 2003. He is also a recipient of fellowships from the Ford Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation and the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Journalism Project and the Board of Trustees of the New York Public Library. He received an Honorary Doctorate for the Advancement of Science and Art from Cooper Union in 2022, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Rutgers University in 2024. York College / CUNY and Teachers College have honored Dr. Cobb with medals.Dr. Cobb was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2023.
In tonight's sleep hypnosis with Jessica, we're stepping inside the main branch of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue — an oasis of calm in the middle of Manhattan. Once a place she found too quiet, Jessica now sees the library as a sanctuary for the mind, where the noise of the world fades and stillness takes over. As always, tonight's episode will start with a relaxing introduction from Jessica, before we sink into tonight's Sleep Hypnosis. Want more Sleep Magic? Join Sleep Magic Premium ✨ Enjoy 2 bonus episodes a month plus all episodes ad-free, access to Jessica's complete back catalog of over 60 episodes, and show your support to Jessica. To Subscribe
Meet Cute Presents: Burn, Baby - Part 5, executive produced by Sara Shepard. Flashback: one year ago. Kat's birthday. The day she found out her mom was sick. Reality: today. Kat's birthday. And she's waking up next to Tyler. Their romantic morning is interrupted when Kat gets word that someone wants to buy her childhood home. Gigi and Kat go to the New York Public Library, where they find out more about the history of the Highgate – and a devastating secret about the hotel's original owners that leaves Kat's head spinning. Story by Juli Del Prete. Directed & Produced by Ashley Eskew. Post Sound by UptownWorks. Sound Editing: Daniela Hart & Noel Nichols. Sound Design: Daniela Hart & Liam Bellman-Sharpe. SVP, Production: Lucie Ledbetter. Head of Development: Savannah Hankinson. Starring: Claudia Bennett, Georgia Dolenz, Clare Girnus, Elliott Ross, Tyler Lain, Christian Probst, Danny Tamberelli, Laura Schein, Kathleen Leary, Bruno Koskoff, Scott Golden, Nikolay Moss, Ashley Eskew, Andrew Devine. Assistant Sound Design: Grayson Sanford. Follow @MeetCute on Instagram and @MeetCuteRomComs on Twitter & TikTok.Check out our other rom-coms, including KERRI with Pauline Chalamet, IMPERFECT MATCH with Arden Cho, and DUMP HIM! with Minnie Mills. Check out our other dramas, including FIRE & ICE with Chiara Aurelia and Jack Martin, and POWER TEN. Check out our other fantasies, including A PROPHECY OF INCENSE AND SNOW and I'VE BECOME A TRUE VILLAINESS. Have a crush on us? Follow Meet Cute, rate us 5 stars, and leave a review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Puerto Ricans have had tremendous impact on comics industry, but their contributions are often overlooked. A new exhibit at The New York Public Library seeks to change that. "¡Wepa!: Puerto Ricans in the World of Comics" opens on October 4th. Co-curators Paloma Celis Carbajal and Charles Cuykendall Carter join us to preview the exhibit.
For this Labor Day holiday, highlights from our series for and about non-college careers:From our centennial series, Annelies Goger, an economic geographer and a fellow with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, and Justin Heck, research director at Opportunity@Work, look at the history of non-college employment and where it stands today.Audrey Mickahail, senior vice president at Opportunity@Work, a nonprofit working to expand access to career opportunities, and Aaliyah Siddiqi, marketing operations specialist for a Philadelphia pharmaceutical company, talk about alternative routes to professional careers.Blair Corcoran de Castillo, vice president of public sector and policy at Opportunity@Work, and Tony Gherardini, executive director at the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, talk about how state governments and public agencies are rethinking hiring, training, and credential requirements to open up opportunity for STARs—workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes.Louisa Tatum, Career Services Manager at the New York Public Library, talks about the job and career landscape for people without college degrees—and we'll take calls from listeners who are looking for career advice.Support of WNYC's coverage of economic mobility and opportunity is provided in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about how the Gates Foundation supports economic mobility and opportunity, visit usprogram.gatesfoundation.org. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here:100 Years of 100 Things: Non-College Employment (Oct 9, 2024)Another Way Into the Workforce (Apr 9, 2025)The Politics and Policy of Empowering Skilled Workers (Apr 30, 2025)Career Counseling Courtesy of the New York Public Library (May 2, 2025)
History has a way of looking calmer than it really was. In this PT. 2 episode, Ryan sits down with historian and author James Romm to talk about the messy, dangerous, and often absurd reality of life in ancient Greece and Rome, especially for the philosophers who tried to “advise” the powerful. From Plato's naïve trips to Syracuse, to Seneca's complicated dance with Nero, to Marcus Aurelius resisting the pull of corruption, they discuss the timeless tension between access and integrity. James Romm is an author, reviewer, and a Professor of Classics at Bard College in Annandale, NY. He specializes in ancient Greek and Roman culture and civilization. His reviews and essays have appeared in the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, the London Review of Books, the Daily Beast, and other venues. He has held the Guggenheim Fellowship (1999-2000), the Birkelund Fellowship at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at the New York Public Library (2010-11), and a Biography Fellowship at the Leon Levy Center of the City University of New York (2014-15).Follow James on Instagram @James.Romm and check out more of his work at his website, www.jamesromm.com
What makes smart, principled people work for the worst leaders? In this conversation, historian and author James Romm and Ryan dig into the timeless trap that's snared some of history's greatest minds, from Plato and Seneca to modern politics. They talk about the seduction of access, the slow erosion of integrity, and why walking away from a tyrant's court is so much harder than it looks.James Romm is an author, reviewer, and a Professor of Classics at Bard College in Annandale, NY. He specializes in ancient Greek and Roman culture and civilization. His reviews and essays have appeared in the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, the London Review of Books, the Daily Beast, and other venues. He has held the Guggenheim Fellowship (1999-2000), the Birkelund Fellowship at the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at the New York Public Library (2010-11), and a Biography Fellowship at the Leon Levy Center of the City University of New York (2014-15).Follow James on Instagram @James.Romm and check out more of his work at his website, www.jamesromm.com
In the fall of 1940, an employ of the Consolidated Edison Company in Manhattan discovered a bomb in the company's main offices, along with a note that read “Con Edison crooks – this is for you.” The bomb was discovered before it detonated and no one was harmed, but a year later the company received a second bomb, followed by a note to NYPD in which the bomber announced he would make no bombs for the duration of WWII, but would begin again as the war ended.As promised, a new series of bombings began across New York in the winter of 1951, beginning with an explosion at Grand Central Station. In the five years that followed, “The Mad Bomber,” as he would come to be known, would place explosives at some of New York's most iconic locations including Radio City Music Hall, Penn Station, and the New York Public Library. The bombs were often followed by cryptic letters sent to the press, usually referencing the Consolidated Edison Company.Th Mad Bomber's reign of terror finally came to an end with his capture in 1957, and neither the suspect nor his motives made much sense to the New Yorkers who'd lived in fear for five years.Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!ReferencesAssociated Press. 1955. "The 'Mad Bomber' threatens Macy's." Buffalo News, May 5: 47.—. 1957. "'Bomber' sick but innocent, sisters say." Newsday, Janaury 22: 3.Baird, John, and Harry Schlegal. 1956. "Mad Bomber blast in B'klyn movie; 6 hurt." Daily News, December 3: 2.Berger, Meyer. 1957. "Bomber is booked; sent to Bellevue for mental tests." New York Times, January 23: 1.Demeusy, Gerald. 1981. "'Bomber' says life all broken dreams." Hartford Courant, November 16: 15.Greenburg, Michael M. 2011. The Mad Bomber of New York: The Extraordinary True Story of the Manhunt That Paralyzed a City. New York, NY: Union Square Press.Kaufman, Michael. 1973. "'Mad Bomber,' now 70, goes free." New York Times, December 13: 1.New York Times. 1957. "2d 'Bomber' note cites old injury." New York Times, January 16: 25.—. 1953. "A homemade bomb rips station locker." New York Times, May 7: 28.—. 1951. "Bomb blast in terminal: Homemade device explodes in Grand Central--no one is hurt." New York Times, March 30: 24.—. 1954. "Bomb in music hall injures 4 in crowd." New York Times, November 8: 1.—. 1951. "Bomb laid to prankster." New York Times, September 13: 33.—. 1957. "'Bomber' ordered to state hospital." New York Times, April 19: 44.—. 1957. "'Bomber' presses threat on utility." New York Times, January 11: 16.—. 1951. "Ex-Edison worker held in bomb case." New York Times, November 7: 32.—. 1966. "'Mad Bomber' to get hearing on sanity." New York Times, April 29: 17.—. 1957. "Metesky indicted on bomb charges." New York Times, January 31: 29.—. 1955. "Penn Station bomb blast is ignored by commuters." New York Times, Janaury 12: 11.—. 1951. "Police find bomb in Paramount Lounge; note spurs search for one at Penn Station." New York Times, October 23: 30.—. 1957. "Suspect is held as 'Mad Bomber'; he admits role." New York Times, January 22: 1.—. 1956. "The Mad Bomber." New York Times, December 30: B2.O'Kane, Lawrence. 1955. "Bomb left in Roxy; linked to 22 others." New York Times, August 12: 1.Parke, Richard. 1957. "Sisters shocked, loyal to brother." New York Times, January 23: 20.Sheridan, Mike. 1977. "Former Mad Bomber now a homebody." Hartford Courant, May 1: 22.Stay in the know - wondery.fm/morbid-wondery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the fall of 1940, an employ of the Consolidated Edison Company in Manhattan discovered a bomb in the company's main offices, along with a note that read “Con Edison crooks – this is for you.” The bomb was discovered before it detonated and no one was harmed, but a year later the company received a second bomb, followed by a note to NYPD in which the bomber announced he would make no bombs for the duration of WWII, but would begin again as the war ended.As promised, a new series of bombings began across New York in the winter of 1951, beginning with an explosion at Grand Central Station. In the five years that followed, “The Mad Bomber,” as he would come to be known, would place explosives at some of New York's most iconic locations including Radio City Music Hall, Penn Station, and the New York Public Library. The bombs were often followed by cryptic letters sent to the press, usually referencing the Consolidated Edison Company.Th Mad Bomber's reign of terror finally came to an end with his capture in 1957, and neither the suspect nor his motives made much sense to the New Yorkers who'd lived in fear for five years.Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!ReferencesAssociated Press. 1955. "The 'Mad Bomber' threatens Macy's." Buffalo News, May 5: 47.—. 1957. "'Bomber' sick but innocent, sisters say." Newsday, Janaury 22: 3.Baird, John, and Harry Schlegal. 1956. "Mad Bomber blast in B'klyn movie; 6 hurt." Daily News, December 3: 2.Berger, Meyer. 1957. "Bomber is booked; sent to Bellevue for mental tests." New York Times, January 23: 1.Demeusy, Gerald. 1981. "'Bomber' says life all broken dreams." Hartford Courant, November 16: 15.Greenburg, Michael M. 2011. The Mad Bomber of New York: The Extraordinary True Story of the Manhunt That Paralyzed a City. New York, NY: Union Square Press.Kaufman, Michael. 1973. "'Mad Bomber,' now 70, goes free." New York Times, December 13: 1.New York Times. 1957. "2d 'Bomber' note cites old injury." New York Times, January 16: 25.—. 1953. "A homemade bomb rips station locker." New York Times, May 7: 28.—. 1951. "Bomb blast in terminal: Homemade device explodes in Grand Central--no one is hurt." New York Times, March 30: 24.—. 1954. "Bomb in music hall injures 4 in crowd." New York Times, November 8: 1.—. 1951. "Bomb laid to prankster." New York Times, September 13: 33.—. 1957. "'Bomber' ordered to state hospital." New York Times, April 19: 44.—. 1957. "'Bomber' presses threat on utility." New York Times, January 11: 16.—. 1951. "Ex-Edison worker held in bomb case." New York Times, November 7: 32.—. 1966. "'Mad Bomber' to get hearing on sanity." New York Times, April 29: 17.—. 1957. "Metesky indicted on bomb charges." New York Times, January 31: 29.—. 1955. "Penn Station bomb blast is ignored by commuters." New York Times, Janaury 12: 11.—. 1951. "Police find bomb in Paramount Lounge; note spurs search for one at Penn Station." New York Times, October 23: 30.—. 1957. "Suspect is held as 'Mad Bomber'; he admits role." New York Times, January 22: 1.—. 1956. "The Mad Bomber." New York Times, December 30: B2.O'Kane, Lawrence. 1955. "Bomb left in Roxy; linked to 22 others." New York Times, August 12: 1.Parke, Richard. 1957. "Sisters shocked, loyal to brother." New York Times, January 23: 20.Sheridan, Mike. 1977. "Former Mad Bomber now a homebody." Hartford Courant, May 1: 22.Stay in the know - wondery.fm/morbid-wondery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.