Though names like Mother Ann Lee and Charles Fourier are not names that ring a bell for most today, they founded two of the most influential utopian movements in US history. 19th Century communes like the Shakers and Brook Farm are gone today their legacy – politically and culturally, are all around us. Chris Jennings is the author of “Paradise Now: The Story of American Utopianism.” Steve Paulson sat down with Jennings and asked him about what is now a dirty word, utopia.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Adam Hanft and Faith Popcorn are the authors of the “Dictionary of the Future.” We hear lots of examples of the “words, terms and trends that define the way we’ll live, work and talk.”
Amy Borkowsky’s mother leaves unbelievable messages on her answering machine. She tells Steve Paulson that what her mother does is based on love and her devotion to the role of mother.
Alexander Nehamas is the author of “Nietzsche: Life as Literature.” He explains Nietzsche’s ideas and explains why he is still important today.
Anthony Harkins tells Steve Paulson about the stereotype of the hillbilly and what it has meant to American culture.
Ani Pachen is a Tibetan nun who became a warrior after the Chinese invaded. With Adelaide Donnelley, she’s written her story in a book called “Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior Nun.”
Al Green's many R & B hits made him the Minister of S-E-X until he gave it all up for gospel music and became a real minister.
Writer Andre Aciman says a good memoir can capture emotional truth even when certain historical details are fictionalized. He describes the art of the memoir.
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