The Madeleine Brand Show, KPCC 89.3 FM Los Angeles
Jan 4, 2011: New albums from English icons Wire, Gang of Four and British Sea Power
“Music critic Drew Tewksbury has the lowdown on three new albums from across the Atlantic. Indie darlings British Sea Power have a new album Valhalla Dancehall that drones and charms with powerful, jangly guitar.
And post punk legends Wire and Gang of Four both have new records. Wire is out with Red Barked Tree, a return to their earlier sound. And Gang of Four’s new album Content brings the sheer power of their earlier releases, but doesn’t quite capture the band’s original energy.”
Jan 14: 50 Cent makes millions out of penny stock
“Rapper 50 Cent is an unlikely business mogul but he has shown his savvy in a number of succesful ventures. Most recently he promoted a company he was invested in over Twitter and boosted his shares to a total of $8.7 million. LA Weekly music critic Drew Tewksbury talked with him about how he developed such business acumen and joins us to recount their meeting.”
“Drew Tewksbury highlights a trio of new albums with vintage sounds. Smith Westerns are teenagers from Chicago who play 1970′s arena rock. Tennis are a married duo who combine 50′s sock-hop music with 80′s beach pop. Wanda Jackson’s vintage sound is legit, she’s been in music for 50 years. She’s back with a new album of cover songs produced by Jack White.”
All Things Considered, NPR:
Flying Lotus: ‘Beat Music’ And The Coltrane Family Tradition
May 10, 2010
The L.A.-based producer’s album, inspired by Alice Coltrane, may lift him out of the underground.
In 2008-2009, I produced on-air segments for NPR’s show News and Notes. I booked the guests, wrote the scripts, cut audio, and made sure everyone was in the studio in those hectic moments before we went live.
Roundtable: Clinton’s Name In Nomination at DNC
Hillary Clinton will be nominated at the Democratic Convention this year. Plus, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls for all Russian troops to leave Georgia immediately. And, a new Census report says that whites in the U.S. will be a minority by 2042. Reporters Clarence Page and David Ellison offer their insight.
Falling Prey To Online Fantasy Worlds
For some people, online games can become an addictive world of fantasy. For others, it can be a world of isolation and addiction. Farai Chideya talks with Liz Woolley, whose son, Shawn, suffered a deadly addiction to online fantasy worlds.
When A High Tech Habit Becomes Unhealthy
When does checking your e-mail or surfing the Web become an addiction? And do video games encourage addictive relationships to technology? Farai Chideya talks with Hilarie Cash, co-founder of Internet-Computer Addiction Services.
Gold Medalist Cullen Jones On Chasing History
The U.S. men’s Olympic swim team won gold and set a world record in the 400-meter freestyle relay this week. But 24-year-old Cullen Jones, who swam the third leg of the race, made history in another way: He became the second African American to win a gold medal in the sport.
News & Notes:McCain, Obama Spar Over Georgia Conflict
John McCain and Barack Obama play presidential politics, as Russia invades the neighboring Republic of Georgia. Plus, e-mail uncovered by The Atlantic Magazine show infighting and controversial strategies inside Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential campaign.
Ifill Goes One-on-One With The Obama Family
Gwen Ifill, award winning journalist and managing editor for PBS’ Washington Week, writes in Essence magazine about her time on the road with the Obama family. She shares her insight with Farai Chideya.
Despite Poor Economy, Self-Starters Thrive
After all of this bad economic news, you may be thinking: Is there any upside to what we’re going through? Well, some entrepreneurs are not only surviving, but thriving. For an insider’s view, Farai speaks with Terry Carter, founder of the successful skin care line Travertine Spa.
Roundtable: Clintons Back In Party Fold?
A man in Florida is arrested for making death threats against Barack Obama. Plus, are the Clintons back in the Democratic Party fold? And Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may be out of jail, but not out of hot water. NPR’s Tony Cox moderates today’s reporters’ roundtable with Eric Deggans and Michelle McCalope.
When Shopping, Spending Spirals Into Addiction
For more insight into addictive personalities, NPR’s Tony Cox speaks with Lisa P., a recovering compulsive spender and shoplifter. She shares her struggles and explains how she was able to break her addiction.
What Triggers Addiction? How Can It Be Broken?
When does a little excess turn into an addiction? Our series continues with a look at the psychology of addiction. What are the signs of an addictive personality? And how can the cycle of compulsive behavior be broken? NPR’s Tony Cox speaks with two experts.
Defining Addiction And Its Many Forms
Whether it’s drugs, shopping, or gambling, addiction can take control your life. Today, we kick off our month-long series about addiction. Farai Chideya speaks with Dr. Tim Fong — co-director of University of California Los Angeles’ gambling studies program — and Dr. Jon Grant, associate professor of psychiatry at University of Minnesota.
Battling Back From A Gambling Addiction
Jonny W. says he lost almost everything to a gambling addiction — his wife, his money, and the life he once knew. He shares with Farai Chideya his personal story of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in casinos and starting over in recovery.
Comic Book Superheroes Battling AIDS
News & Notes , June 16, 2008 · Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. And now, some are battling a life-threatening virus: AIDS.
Illustrator Robert Walker created the comic book superheroes called, O+ Men.
He tells Farai Chideya about his imaginative attempt to raise AIDS awareness through comic books.
Morgan Tsvangirai Sizes Up Zimbabwe Elections
News & Notes , June 12, 2008 · In a wide-ranging interview, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai — president of the Movement for Democratic Change Party — speaks with Farai Chideya about the upcoming presidential runoff election, the country’s state of affairs, and Robert Mugabe’s leadership.
President Mugabe and his party have held power since the country gained independence in 1980. Tsvangirai has been his main challenger in this latest election.
A presidential runoff election is scheduled in two weeks. Nothing about the country’s election process has been simple:
The government said the first round of elections in March didn’t produce a majority. Since runoff plans were announced, locals have been beaten or killed in election-related violence, international reporters and diplomats have been detained or expelled, and food aid for malnourished people has reportedly been confiscated by the government.
Tsvangirai has faced threats and government detention during his campaigning. Chideya spoke with him shortly before his most recent detention.
mtvU Takes on Zimbabwe Election Crisis
News & Notes , June 12, 2008 · The television network mtvU, available at universities across the country, recently sponsored a campaign to promote fair elections in Zimbabwe.
For more on the campaign, Farai Chideya talks with Stephen Friedman, general manager and executive vice president of mtvU.
Roundtable: Dissecting the Obama Pound
News & Notes , June 11, 2008 · From the fist bump heard ’round the world to Spike Lee and Clint Eastwood’s battle over Iwo Jima to Obama’s place in a post-race society, our bloggers weigh in on the week’s news.
Joining in the conversation today: Valencia Roner of Diary of a Content Black Woman, L.N. Rock of African American Political Pundit, and Jay Anderson of Average Bro.
Making Your Kids’ Summer Safe, Spectacular
News & Notes , June 5, 2008 · School’s out for summer! But parents can find that the summer brings headaches, as well as joys.
What do you do if you’re working full-time, and your kids are young? What if you don’t have a lot of money for fancy summer camps?
We get advice from Carol Brunson Day, president and CEO of the National Black Child Development Institute.
Assessing the Pros and Cons of Summer Camp
News & Notes , June 5, 2008 · Summer camp provides an adventuresome escape for kids across the country. But is it the right choice for your child?
For more, Farai Chideya speaks with Kevin Gordon — director of Camp Kupugani, a multicultural girls’ camp outside of Chicago — and Shadae Thomas of Camp Atwater, the oldest African-American-owned camp in America.
Maxine Waters Switches to Obama
News & Notes , June 4, 2008 · Barack Obama now has enough delegates to cinch the Democratic presidential nomination.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) was just one of the party superdelegates who put him over the top — but she previously endorsed Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
For more, Farai Chideya talks with Waters about why she switched her support late yesterday and what lies ahead for the general election.
Growing Up Black in a White Family
News & Notes , June 3, 2008 · A new report suggests that white parents aren’t adequately prepared to raise black children.
Aaron Stigger personifies colorblind adoption.
He’s an African-American man adopted as a young child into a white family in the Chicago area.
He reflects on what it means to be part of a transracial family.
‘Colorblind’ Adoption Scrutinized
News & Notes , June 3, 2008 · Adoptive parents shouldn’t choose their children based on their race, but a new report suggests that colorblind adoption can be problematic.
Does race really matter when it comes to adoption?
For more, Farai Chideya speaks with Hollee McGinnis, policy director for the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, the agency that released the new report.
Brazile Offers Insight on DNC Delegate Decision
News & Notes , June 2, 2008 · Just when you thought it was over, the Democratic circus continues.
The Democratic National Committee ruled over the weekend that the contested delegates of Michigan and Florida would be split between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Plus, Hillary Clinton won the Puerto Rico primary, getting twice as many votes as Barack Obama.
To make sense of this weekend’s political events, Farai Chideya speaks with Democratic strategist Donna Brazile.
Death Penalty Under Review
News & Notes , May 30, 2008 · In the final installment of our criminal justice series, we take a closer look at the death penalty.
The United States is fifth in the world when it comes to executing inmates — slightly above Iraq and right below Pakistan.
Since the death penalty was reinstated in the mid 1970s, all death row inmates have been put to death for killing another person.
But now, a surprising array of crimes can land you on death row.
For a broader look at capital punishment, Farai Chideya speaks with Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.
Does Child Rape Warrant the Death Penalty?
News & Notes , May 30, 2008 · Patrick Kennedy is on death row at Louisiana’s Angola Prison, awaiting capital punishment for brutally raping his 8-year-old step daughter.
But does executing someone for child rape violate the 8th Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment?
For insight, Farai Chideya speaks with Ted Cruz, the former Solicitor General of Texas, who also participated in Kennedy’s Supreme Court appeal.
We also hear from Judy Benitez, the executive director of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault.
Coming of Age in a Troubled Time
News & Notes , May 28, 2008 · In a new memoir, author Ta-nehisi Coates recalls growing up in drug-ravaged West Baltimore in the 1980s.
Titled The Beautiful Struggle, the book documents the life of his Black Nationalist father, who worked hard to keep his two boys from falling into the drug world that surrounded them.
Merlin German: A Profile in Courage, Perseverance
News & Notes , May 26, 2008 · Sgt. Merlin German nearly died in a roadside bombing, while serving in Iraq in 2005. German, who suffered severe burns over most of his body, bravely battled back and was awarded the Purple Heart. In April, German died suddenly after a procedure to graft skin onto his lip. He was only 22 years old. For more on German’s life and legacy, Farai Chideya speaks with his brother, Ariel German. They are joined by Norma Guerra, deputy chief of public affairs at Brooke Army Medical Center, where German spent 17 months in recovery. German called Guerra his “his Texas mom.”
A Closer Look: Kids in Court
News & Notes , May 23, 2008 · It’s no secret that sometimes kids commit crimes, but should they go through the same justice system and pay the same price as an adult?
In our continuing look at the criminal justice system, Farai Chideya welcomes Carole Shauffer, Executive Director of the Youth Law Center, to help dissect the scenarios where kids end up in court and, eventually, prison.
Young Criminals Need Guidance, Not Jail
News & Notes , May 23, 2008 · So, what’s it really like inside a youth detention center?
Mario Chavez spent his teenage years in and out of juvenile hall. After he was convicted as an adult at 17 for Second Degree Murder, he spent over 8 years in prison.
Today, he works as a youth mentor with Pioneers for Peace, an organization working to curb youth violence.
Breaking Out of the Prison Industrial Complex
News & Notes , May 22, 2008 · Most people say American slavery ended in the 1800s. But Douglas Blackmon argues that the practice endured into the 20th century through the nation’s prisons.
Blackmon is the Atlanta Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal.
His new book, Slavery by Another Name, details secret sales of inmate labor to various industries, and how prisons cashed in on the incarcerated.
Companies Cashing in on People’s Prison Stripes?
News & Notes , May 22, 2008 · Many small towns have come to depend on prisons for jobs, but are private prisons taking advantage of the incarcerated to turn a profit?
Or are correctional systems offering much-needed services to those behind bars?
For more, Farai Chideya talks with Louise Grant — vice president of marketing and communications for the Corrections Corporation of America — and Rose Braz, campaign director of Critical Resistance, an organization opposed to the expansion of prisons.
Cigarette Bill Gives Menthols a Pass
News & Notes , May 15, 2008 · New legislation in Congress would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to oversee tobacco products. It would also ban most flavored cigarettes, but menthol cigarettes would stay on the market.
Some health experts say that plan could leave black Americans at risk.
For more, Farai Chideya speaks with Bill Robinson, Executive Director of the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network, and John McWhorter, Senior Fellow in Public Policy at the Manhattan Institute.
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