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.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
Audio
Steven Hall’s debut novel is called “The Raw Shark Texts.” Hall reads from the books opening, and talks with Jim Fleming.
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.
Historian Susan J. Matt talks to Jim Fleming about her book, "Homesickness: An American History."
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.
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.
Shane Harris tells Steve Paulson that our government is collecting masses of data on ordinary people in its efforts to catch terrorists.
Sarah Vowell is obsessed with presidential assassinations. She talks with Steve Paulson about the lingering mystery and drama surrounding the murder of Abraham Lincoln.
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