North Carolina Public Radio WUNC - SOT Audio Archive

The High & Mighties

Frank Stasio and Lindsay Thomas — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:38:22

Reggae meets rock in the boy-meets-girl lyrics of Chapel Hill band, The High & Mighties. The boys join host Frank Stasio to talk about how their sound has evolved from their debut studio recording and their latest efforts to raise money for a cause that is near and dear to their hearts.

Government for the Wealthy?

Daniel Zola and Frank Stasio — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:00:00

You’ve heard the sentiment that government is in the pocket of the rich, right? Well, a new study suggests that might not be true. Chris Ellis, an assistant professor of Political Science at North Carolina State University joins Frank Stasio to debunk the myth that Washington legislates in the best interest of the wealthy.

Emerson Emerges

Frank Stasio and Katy Barron — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:00:00

A new book by N.C.State librarian Maurice York presents, for the first time, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s last lectures. Plus, Raleigh playwright Ira Knight has staged a literal and metaphorical meeting of two giants of the 19^th century. “When Ralph Waldo Emerson Met The Frederick Douglass” opens at the Durham Arts Council this weekend. Host Frank Stasio speaks with Maurice York and Ira Knight about the power of ideas and the lasting legacies of Emerson and Douglass.

Adoption

Frank Stasio and Lindsay Thomas — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:00:00

More than one million children in the United States are adopted, either domestically or internationally. Finding places for the millions more that need a stable, permanent home remains a challenge for families, social workers, and lawmakers. Systemic regulations and cultural ideals about family have made adopting a more complex process than it used to be. Join host Frank Stasio for a conversation about the social history, policies, myths, trends, and relationships surrounding adoption with Ruth Amerson, founder of Another Choice Adoption Agency; Richard Barth, Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Maryland; Roberta MacDonald, Chairwoman of the NC Coalition for Adoption Reform; and Marianne Novy, professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh. Listener Call-in.

Wachovia in Crisis

Frank Stasio and Susan Davis — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:07:53

Who will swallow Wachovia? Citigroup believes it had an agreement giving it the right to buy the Charlotte-based bank, including its debt. But Wells Fargo made a better offer. Now the courts in New York and North Carolina are weighing in. Charlotte is America's second largest banking capitol and Wachovia Bank employs 20,000 people in the Charlotte area. With Wachovia's future in question, what will happen to the Queen City's economy? Marketplace's Innovations desk reporter Janet Babin and Charlotte Business Journal's Senior Reporter John Downey join host Frank Stasio to review how Wachovia came to be in such a perilous position and what the future holds.

Speaking Without Tongues

Frank Stasio and Katy Barron — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 01:00:00

Just in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Carrboro-based nonprofit group Hidden Voices presents a new performance called “Speaking Without Tongues,” about the terror and shame of violence against women. The play is based on true stories gathered across the state from women who have been, or still are being, abused. Host Frank Stasio discusses the dynamics of domestic violence with: Lynden Harris, director of Hidden Voices; April Burgess-Johnson, Associate Director, North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and, Jeni Smith and Vimala Rajendran, peformers in “Speaking Without Tongues.” Plus, Catherine Edgerton and Shannon O’Neill perform songs written for the performance.

Holy Roller

Daniel Zola and Frank Stasio — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:00:00

Author Diane Wilson joins host Frank Stasio to discuss her newest book, “Holy Roller: Growing Up in the Church of Knock Down, Drag Out; or, How I Quit Loving a Blue-Eyed Jesus” (Chelsea Green Publishing/2008). In it, Wilson examines the Pentecostal church through the eyes of her 10-year-old self, growing up in 1950s Texas. The childhood memoir is the prequel to her first novel, “An Unreasonable Woman,” and sheds light on the extremism and mysticism of the faith.

Katrina's Children

Frank Stasio and Katy Barron — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:00:00

They were among the nation’s lowest-performing students before Katrina struck. Now, the children of New Orleans have even more hurdles to overcome: emotional trauma, sub-standard schools and inexperienced teachers. Professional educator Carolyn Gillman has been working in New Orleans’ Recovery School District for the past two years. Now, she’s hitting the road to raise awareness about the obstacles facing New Orleans’ school children. Her educational tour will make stops in Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro and Asheville, and will feature the documentary film, “Katrina’s Children.” Carolyn Gillman joins host Frank Stasio to discuss the state of education in New Orleans today.

Meet Susan Hill

Frank Stasio and Olympia Stone — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:00:00

Growing up in Durham in the 1950s and 1960s, Susan Hill remembers when abortions were performed in back alleys. Since then, she’s dedicated her career to helping women gain access to safe and legal abortions. After Roe V. Wade passed in 1973, Hill helped open one of the first abortion clinics in the country and she has been struggling to provide women in underserved communities with access to abortions and gynecological care ever since. Susan Hill is the CEO and President of the National Women’s Health Organization and last year, she won North Carolina’s highest award for advocacy, the Nancy Susan Reynolds award. She joins host Frank Stasio to talk about the nearly 40 years she has spent protecting a woman's right to choose and the dangers she has faced along the way.

Ciompi Quartet

Daniel Zola and Frank Stasio — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:08:57

The members of the Ciompi quartet have spent their careers enchanting audiences around the globe. But as Duke professors, they also grade papers and attend staff meetings. They’re performing this Saturday night at 8:00pm at the Duke University Reynolds Theater, but first they join us to play live in our studio.

The Bailout from the Bottom Up

Frank Stasio and Susan Davis — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:06:24

The proposed government bailout of the nation's financial institutions is big. Seven hundred billion dollars big. Like all modern legislation, the bill contains a myriad of changes in everything from the amount of FDIC insured deposits to the tax code. Which made us wonder: What’s in it for homeowners? Ellen Harnick, senior policy council for the Center for Responsible Lending in Durham, discusses the way in which the bailout will address the foreclosure crisis.

Pericles

Daniel Zola and Frank Stasio — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:01:07

Chapel Hill’s PlayMakers Repertory Company has raised the curtain on William Shakespeare's Pericles. Director Joseph Haj and Composer Jack Herrick stop by to delve into their adaptation of one of the bard's most complex and surprising tales.

The Role of Government

Daniel Zola and Frank Stasio — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:45:00

With nearly a month until the Presidential election, voters are choosing their candidates. Americans will base their decision on a number of criteria, including how Senators McCain and Obama define the role of government. With that and the financial bailout looming, it seems like a good time to ask: What would a more perfect union look like? And what’s the role of government in making it happen? Joining our roundtable discussion are: Holly Brewer, professor of history at N.C. State University; John Hood, president and chairman of the John Locke Foundation; Mike Gerhartd, professor of Constitutional Law at UNC-Chapel Hill; Laura Edwards, professor of History at Duke University; and Steve Allen, professor of Business Management and Economics at N.C. State University. Listener Call-in.

The Financial Bailout

Daniel Zola and Frank Stasio — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:43:55

To bail out or not to bail out? That question is being debated in Congress and around kitchen tables across America. Joining the debate is Steven Schwarcz. The Stanley A. Star Professor of Law and Business at Duke University answers our questions and shares his two cents about the financial bailout plan with Frank Stasio.

Brian Walsby, Manchild

Frank Stasio and Lindsay Thomas — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:41:12

When Brian Walsby isn't drumming for local Triangle bands, he's usually hard at work on his other love, drawing. The Raleigh cartoonist recently ended a six-week nationwide tour with his favorite band, The Melvins, selling merchandise including his illustrated series of books, "Manchild." Walsby joins host Frank Stasio to talk about his experiences on the road and what dream he plans to live out next.