When he asked Frederick Douglass to the White House, did he serve snacks? “We did offer some refreshments, perhaps tea and bread.” Tea and bread? Great Emancipator, chintzy host. A conversation with the 16th President, as portrayed by ChatGPT: call him AI-braham Lincoln. Continue reading »
Category Archives: Miscellaneous
582: Bishop Katrina Foster (pt 2)
The Lutheran Bishop of New York esteems the subway. “It doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, gender identity, religion, lack of religion, none of those things.” Not just a public good, “a manifestation of the kingdom of God.” The second of a two-part episode recorded at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Continue reading »
581: Bishop Katrina Foster (pt 1)
The Lutheran Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod has a complex and nuanced view of God but unbridled affection for His son: “I’m a big fan of Jesus; we go way back.” The first of a two-part episode recorded at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Continue reading »
576: Lana Turner
This Harlem fashion icon owns more than 600 hats. “There were times I would leave my house, get down the hill, and recognize it’s the wrong hat.” She’d turn around and march back up that hill, with the dedication of a true artist. Harlem, history, and hats. Produced with the Maysles Documentary Center. Continue reading »
572 Rev. Winnie Varghese
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is an Episcopal church and more, says its Dean. “I have Jewish, Hindu, Muslim friends who pray here, because it feels like a holy place.” My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations, said Jesus, quoting Isaiah, quoting God. Continue reading »
564: Adrian Untermyer
This preservationist speaks movingly about his great great grandfather, Samuel Untermyer, “the super-lawyer who took on Hitler.” It’s the comic book Michael Chabon was born to write. A conversation at and about Woodlawn Cemetery. Continue reading »
559: Alan Fausel
The curator and executive director of the AKC Museum of the Dog recalls one owned by Charles Dickens. “It was a Maltese that was so flea-ridden, they regularly had to shave him and bathe him to get rid of all the fleas.” The dog, not Dickens. I think. Dogs in art, ethics, and history. Continue reading »
523: Peter Fong
He led an expedition down Mongolia’s Selenge River, described in his book Rowing to Baikal. “To me the river is like a god, a god that I can be in conversation with. I feel like it’s alive. I don’t always understand it, but I don’t understand God either.” A conversation at the Explorers Club. Continue reading »
495: Fred Gitner
He was recently honored by the American Library Association for his work at the Queens Public Library on programs to assist migrants. “Over 200 languages are spoken in Queens,” he says. “We have collections in 50 or so and regularly purchase in about 30.” I struggled to write this paragraph in one. Continue reading »
484: Rachel Wax
The gender balance in her profession is disheartening, she says, “It has one of the smallest percentages of women. I mean the ratio is astounding.” U.S. Senator? Catholic priest? Not quite that bad. She is a magician. But things are improving. Produced with KGB Bar’s Red Room. Continue reading »
468: Joshua Jay
This magician had mixed feelings when he figured out how a colleague performed an illusion. “It was no less amazing to me when I knew how it was done, but it was disappointing.” The austere joy of knowledge or the sensuous pleasure of mystery: a magician’s dilemma. Produced with Lori Schwarz for KGB Bar’s Red … Continue reading »
456: Steve Sarowitz
The founder of Paylocity, he is a partner in the Wayfarer Foundation, whose mission is to “advance humankind spiritually toward a future peaceful world civilization.” Dauntingly ambitious. My mission this weekend is to clean my oven, and I won’t. Presented with the New York Baha’i Center. Continue reading »