She entered UCLA law school in 1952, one of only two women in her class, and went on to become a dean at USC’s law school, a federal appellate court judge, and a skeptic of our adversary system: “There had to be a better way to resolve conflict.” And she found it. Continue reading »
Author Archives: Randy Cohen
Episode 294: Danielle Gustafson
A champion of citizen scientists – sophisticated but uncredentialed – she cofounded the NYC Bat Group and conducts bat tours of Central Park for the Museum of Natural History. A conversation at KGB’s Red Room. Produced with Lori Schwarz. Music: Mike Casey Continue reading »
Episode 293: Dr. Budd Heyman
He directs prison health services at Bellevue Hospital, treating inmates from New York City jails. “We have mostly chest pains, broken jaws, kidney failure, altered mental status.” Broken jaws. From fights. Delivering high-quality care in high-stress circumstances. Music: the Wisterians. Produced with Dr. Ruth Oratz. Continue reading »
Episode 292: Deborah Amos
Her years as Middle East correspondent for NPR News gave her strong feelings about accountability, the rule of law, and handbags: “This lovely accessory is a bag made out of Saddam Hussein’s bedroom curtains.” A conversation at the Princeton Public Library. Music: Dan Kassel. Continue reading »
Episode 291: Meredith Monk
This composer and musician admires the Dalai Lama but got a little anxious when asked to sing for him: “They locked me in my dressing room…then there was a monk that was sitting next to me kind of glaring.” A conversation at the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Music: Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Carmen Rockwell. Continue reading »
Episode 290: Frances Bronet
Trained as an engineer and architect, she is the president of Pratt Institute and offers this precept: “If I didn’t do something really bad or evil, then it was a good design.” Practice and pedagogy at the Center for Architecture. Music: Cleek Schrey. Continue reading »
Episode 289: Michael Dowling
Despite a distinguished career in health policy, he calls hurling “one of the greatest loves of my life.” It is Ireland’s national sport, a game of speed, skill, and impressive injuries. Or maybe because of that career: “You’ve got to be in great shape to play this,” he tells the Irish Arts Center. Music: Those Sensible Shoes. Continue reading »
Episode 288: Jennifer Egan
Some novelists begin with a character, some with a plot; Jennifer Egan – A Visit From the Goon Squad, Manhattan Beach – often starts with a sense of place: “That seems to come before there are people.” A conversation at the Center for Fiction cosponsored by the Municipal Art Society. Music: Lily Henley and Duncan Wickel. Photo: … Continue reading »
Episode 287: Dr. Mar Cortes
She practices rehabilitative medicine, as a clinician and a researcher, helping patients recover from strokes and spinal cord injuries. Why yes, she has taken a patient sky-diving. (Medicare wouldn’t cover it.) A conversation at KGB’s Red Room. Produced with Lori Schwarz. Music: Guy Ruby. Continue reading »
Episode 286: James Polshek
His 60 years as an architect (the Rose Center at the Museum of Natural History, the Clinton presidential library) and dean of Columbia’s graduate school of architecture brought him to this modest conclusion: “It’s not a high art; it is really a craft.” A conversation at the Center for Architecture. Music: Caitlan Warbelow. Photo: Harry … Continue reading »
Episode 285: Jacques D’Amboise & Daniel Ulbricht
Two generations of New York City Ballet luminaries. The latter is currently a soloist and principal; the former joined that company nearly 70 years ago as a Balanchine protégé and went on to found the National Dance Institute. Music from Jerry Korman, music director of the NDI, and Susan Walters. Continue reading »
Episode 284: Shakina Nayfack
Actor, writer, singer, transgender activist, she argues surprisingly (and persuasively) that anti-LGBTQ laws need not arise from animosity toward LGBTQ people but from something even more cynical. With music from, well yes, Shakina Nayfack. Continue reading »