Perhaps one of the most obvious and important cultural divides in the United States is between the political right and left.
Stephen Thompson is the founder of the A.V. Club, the arts section of the satirical newspaper, "The Onion," originally based in Madison, Wisconsin. Thompson eventually left Madison for Washington DC, to work at NPR as an editor and reviewer at NPR Music. In this interview, Thompson tells Steve Paulson about the forces that drew "The Onion" staff to New York, and what it means to be an artist in the Heartland.
Robyn Meredith talks with Steve Paulson about China's embrace of capitalism and the Indian advances in providing telephone support services.
Claressa Shields is one of the highest ranked fighters in the world. At the age of 17 she became the first American to win gold in Olympic Women's Boxing. To date, she has more than fifty victories and only one loss. So what's it like to be one of the toughest teen fighters in the world? Charles Monroe-Kane called Claressa to find out.
Tilman Reiff, one of the inventors of “The Pain Station,” tries to explain to Steve Paulson why anyone would want to play a game that punishes poor play with physical pain.
As a young man, Russell Razzaque was recruited by a militant Islamic student group. He left and today he's a psychologist and authority on suicide bombers.
Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen is a leading figure in Scandinavian jazz, famous for his meditative, almost prayful music. In his latest recording, he's collaborated with singer Simin Tander to reinterpret Norwegian church hymns and the poems of the Sufi mystic Rumi.
Sarah Vowell is obsessed with presidential assassinations. She talks with Steve Paulson about the lingering mystery and drama surrounding the murder of Abraham Lincoln.
