Topical Currents

01/21/13 - Monday’s  Topical Currents is with Boston College sociology professor Charles Derber, the co-author of THE SURPLUS AMERICAN:  How the 1% is Making Us Redundant.  Many Americans are rendered jobless, but the authors maintain that this is just the “tip of the iceberg.”  They examine the results of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, as well as how people are forcibly induced to leave the workforce.

01/10 /13 - 1:30 - Syndicated food columnist Linda Gassenheimer, Special wine correspondent Fred Tasker and WLRN hosts Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman interview Gabriele Marewski owner of Paradise Farms.  She talks about Dinner in Paradise, how we can grow our own organic gardens and what we’ll find in our farmer’s markets this year.   Fred Tasker will give his wine suggestions.

01/09/13 - Wednesday's  Topical Currents features Florida raconteur Charlie Carlson and his “curious canine,” Lady Isabel, his adopted full-bred boxer.  They’re the focus of a WLRN-TV documentary, “WEIRD FLORIDA:  ON THE ROAD AGAIN.”  They travel over 1500 miles across the Sunshine State in search of unusual people and places . . . and find Florida’s best-kept secrets and oddest legends. 

The official Weird Florida: On the Road Again trailer:

01/08/13 - Tuesday's Topical Currents is with historian Laurent Dubois, author of HAITI:  The Aftershocks of History.  Even before the 2010 earthquake destroyed much of the country, Haiti was known for its poverty and corruption.  Dubois says Haiti can only be understood by its complex past and inception as the only successful slave revolt in world history.  Can a new Haiti emerge from its legacy?

01/02/13 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with literary contributor Ariel Gonzalez and writer Sandra Cisneros.  For decades, she’s inspired young Latino authors. Her latest work is a departure:  an illustrated children’s book which takes place in San Antonio.  And more, at 1:30:  Linda Gassenheimer discusses how consumers can avoid endangered seafood species with the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch.

01/02/13 - Wednesday’s Topical Currents is with former New York Times reporter and editor, Craig Whitney.  He reviews the long history of American gun control in his recent book, LIVING WITH GUNS: A Liberal’s Case for the Second Amendment.  Though his book was published before the Connecticut school massacre, Whitney says the rights of Americans to own and use guns can be preserved while also giving the public the right to live in safety. Over 30,000 die from gunshots every year.

12/27/12 - Thursday’s Topical Currents begins with journalist and language expert Constance Hale.  Her latest book concentrates on the “pivot points” of our sentences:  verbs.  In her book, VEX, HEX, SMASH, SMOOCH, she examines both heavenly and headache verbs.  And more.  Linda Gassenheimer and wine columnist Fred Tasker with end of year drinks and food.

More information at:

http://www.nextavenue.org/article/2012-10/when-job-interviewer-thinks-youre-too-old

12/20/12 - Thursday's Topical Currents begins with first impressions.  Just a fraction of a second can influence a relationship . . . and those first takes tend to be remarkably accurate.  We’ll speak with expert Patti Wood, author of SNAP:  Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language & Charisma.   And more.  Linda Gassenheimer with Chef Angelo Elia, the owner of Fort Lauderdale’s Casa d’Angelo.  Also, wine columnist Fred Tasker.

Video clip of Patti Wood:

12/19/12 -  Topical Currents is with South Florida-based author Les Standiford.  His latest work is DESPERATE SONS:  Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War.  The leaders of the Sons of Revolution were colonial merchants, whose businesses suffered greatly from British tax and trade structures.

12/18/12 - Tuesday's Topical Currents looks at how we can improve communication skills.  Verbal expert Dr. Ben Benjamin , co-author of CONVERSATION TRANSFORMATION, says there are red flags to notice when conversations take the wrong course.  Complaints and leading questions can start a downhill path.  And “Yes, buts” usually put another person on the defensive.  More information at www.conversationtransformation.com