Be a Smart News Consumer
Ralph welcomes Allan C. Miller, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter and the founder and CEO of the non-partisan News Literacy Project to discuss his work teaching young people how to be more discerning and discriminating consumers of news. Plus, Ralph answers your listener questions.
Good Corporate Citizen/The Power of Youth
Ralph welcomes good corporate citizen, Gero Leson, to discuss his book “Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green and Ethical Supply Chain.” And progressive wunderkind, Calla Walsh, tells us about her own foray into organizing and influencing Massachusetts politics at the ripe old age of… sixteen.
The Carbohydrate Economy!
Ralph welcomes old friend, former running mate, and now hemp farmer, Winona LaDuke as well as filmmaker Michael Henning to talk about how industrial hemp can transform the U.S. from a polluting hydrocarbon economy to a healthier carbohydrate economy. And Maryland state senator, Paul Pinsky joins us to promote his bill that will close loopholes and make corporations pay their fair share in state taxes. Plus, Ralph answers your questions.
Can the Market Save the Planet?/Long Haul Heroes
Ralph welcomes the Washington Post’s Steven Mufson to point out how some corporations are finally making efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. And author, Pete Davis, joins us to talk about his new book, “Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing” where he argues that the modern mindset of “always keeping your options open” does not necessarily lead to happiness, progress, fulfillment, or justice. Steven Mufson is a journalist who reports on the business of climate change for the Washington Post. He shared the Pulitzer Prize in 2020 for a climate change series, “2C: Beyond the Limit.” An important part of […]
Fair Taxes/Violence in Gaza
Ralph welcomes former IRS commissioner, John Koskinen, to tell us what must be done to create a fairer tax system. And Professor Rashid Khalidi joins us to break down the latest violent escalation in Gaza. Plus, Ralph has some choice words about Apple’s latest record earnings.
Winning and Losing in One-Click America
Ralph welcomes journalist, Alec MacGillis, author of “Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America” about how Amazon continues to suck the life out of Main Street and what can be done about it. And the director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, Dr. Michael Carome, gives us the latest on our approach to the Covid pandemic. Plus, we answer a listener about how to avoid flying on Boeing’s 737 Max.
September 10, 2016
We check in with George Farah, who reveals the “Secrets of the Tomb,” otherwise known as the Commission on Presidential Debates. And the Mathbabe, Cathy O’Neil, drops in to discuss how numbers can crunch us with her book Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy.
September 3, 2016
Filmmaker Ivy Meeropol tells us what it’s like inside a nuclear power plant with her documentary “Indian Point.” And S. David Freeman tells us about how activists convinced the power company PG&E to shut down the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in central California.
August 29, 2016
Ralph talks to Representative David Jolly (R: FL) about The Stop Act, which would prohibit members of Congress from personally soliciting campaign donations. And Professor William Black tells us that the best way to rob a bank is from the inside.
August 20, 2016
Ralph talks about the importance of human touch in our industrial and virtual society with entrepreneur, Adam Lippin, CEO of the cuddling service Cuddlist.com. Plus, David comes back to report on his foray into both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
August 13, 2016
Ralph talks to activist Charles Keil about his work trying to encourage a Department of Peace and economist and journalist James S. Henry tells us how the wealthy hide trillions of dollars in offshore tax havens.
August 6, 2016
Ralph talks to professor Jonathan Martin about the role of third parties in America and how they can be empowered. Then Pulitzer Prize winner, David Cay Johnston, tells us what we are likely to see in Donald Trump’s tax returns.
July 30, 2016
Ralph talks to the President of Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, about that organization’s storied history fighting and winning against the perfidies of corporate power. And in our listener question segment, Ralph defends his position on autonomous cars and talks about what he might do differently if he had it to do all over again.
July 23, 2016
Ralph talks to renowned investigative journalist Charles Lewis about his book 935 Lies: The Future of Truth and the Decline of America’s Moral Integrity and former police chief Norm Stamper tells us what needs to be done to repair the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve with his book To Protect & Serve: How to Fix America’s Police.