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.
January 4, 2015
Environmental activist extraordinaire, Walter Hang, tells us the inspiring story of how a highly organized grassroots movement led to Governor Cuomo signing a bill to prohibit fracking in New York State. Ralph also tells us about the letter he sent to the President, and we discuss our Holiday reading.
December 28, 2014
In this special holiday edition, we devote the episode to your Facebook questions. Plus Ralph recommends some books and David makes an embarrassing joke.
December 22, 2014
Law Professor Rena Steinzor talks to Ralph about her new book, Why Not Jail? which makes the case for treating corporate criminal like we treat street criminals. We discuss the new opening up to Cuba and Ralph tells us about some of his personal encounters with Fidel Castro.
December 13, 2014
Ralph talks to advocate and writer, David Halperin, about how for profit colleges are ripping you off. We also discuss the Senate report on torture, the demonstrations on police brutality, and the congressional omnibus spending bill that is loaded with a lot of corporate goodies.
December 6, 2014
Our guest, Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers’ Union, tells us how the forces of privatization are trying to cripple the Post Office, and what we can do about it. We discuss the latest report on how drone attacks are actually losing us the “war on terror.” And Ralph explains why he has never owned a credit card.
November 28, 2014
Public Citizen’s Lori Wallach explains in clear and engaging detail why so-called “Free Trade” is really an international corporate coup. In addition, Ralph talks about the lack of anti-war voices on major media, and the good news about solar power.
November 23, 2014
This week, we talk with the feisty and effective executive director of the California Nurses Association and Nurses United, RoseAnn DeMoro, about ebola, Robin Hood taxes and the problem with doctors. Plus, Tanaka airbag update and listener questions.
November 15, 2014
Ralph interviews Stephen L. Goldstein, author of The Dictionary of American Political Bullshit; we report on developments in our Medicaid fraud story in Minnesota, and pay tribute to late Iraq War veteran, the articulate and courageous Tomas Young.