Midday on WNYC

Dan Pfeiffer discusses his new book, Yes We (Still) Can: Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter, and Trump. Pfeiffer was one of Obama's first hires when he decided to run for president, and was at his side through two presidential campaigns and six years in the White House. Using never-before-heard stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, Pfeiffer examines how Obama succeeded despite Twitter trolls, Fox News, and the Republican Party’s attempts to stymie his efforts. On June 20, Dan Pfeiffer will be in conversation with Peter Hamby at 92Y at 7:30 pm.   This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino.   

Mona Hanna-Attisha discusses her new book, What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City. Dr. Hanna-Attisha documents how she and a team of researchers, parents, friends, and community leaders proved that Flint, Michigan’s children were exposed to lead. She also looks at how the government challenged her decision to expose that truth to the world. On June 19 at 7 pm, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha will be in conversation with Chelsea Clinton at B&N Union Square. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Porochista Khakpour discusses Sick: A Memoir. For as long as Khakpour can remember, she has been sick. For most of that time, she didn't know why. Several drug addictions, some major hospitalizations, and over $100,000 later, she finally had a diagnosis: late-stage Lyme disease. Khakpour explores how gender, identity, and the health care system intersect for women experiencing chronic health issues. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Maxine Rosaler discusses her book, Queen for a Day. The novel focuses on Mimi, a mother whose child is diagnosed with autism. The book charts her and other mothers of children with autism as they navigate their social isolation as well as their children’s. The book also looks at the balance of searching for cures and normalcy while caring for children who require constant attention. This episode is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Dr. Dhruv Khullar, physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and a researcher at the Weill Cornell Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, talks about his recent piece for The New York Times Upshot, “The Largest Health Disparity We Don’t Talk About.” Khullar looks at why Americans with serious mental illness die 15-30 years earlier than those without. Contrary to assumptions that “people with mental health problems die of ‘unnatural causes’ like suicide, overdoses and accidents” Khullar writes that they’re dying of “the same things as everyone else: cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory problems.” Khullar also shares what outpatient resources are available in NYC. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Ben Kesling discusses his recent article for The Wall Street Journal “How Veterans Are Injured Affects Care,” which looks at how the Department of Veteran Affairs is denying coverage for injuries sustained in training. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Julia Ioffe, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, discusses her recent piece for HuffPost Highline, “When The Punishment Feels Like the Crime.” She writes about Stanford Law professor Michele Dauber and her relentless pursuit of justice following Judge Aaron Persky’s lenient verdict in the Brock Turner rape case. On June 5, Californians voted to recall Judge Persky. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Dr. Daniel Baxter discusses his book One Life at a Time: An American Doctor’s Memoir of AIDS in Botswana. After working in an AIDS clinic in New York, Baxter decided to go to Botswana. The book takes a close looks at the harrowing realities of living with HIV and AIDS. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

For this week's Please Explain, Edward Rosenfeld, author of The Book of Highs: 255 Ways to Alter Your Consciousness Without Drugs, answers all your questions about natural highs. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Tony Award-winning playwright, activist, performer and author Eve Ensler and actor Liz Mikel discuss their new production, Fruit Trilogy, premiered by Abingdon Theatre Company and now playing at The Lucille Lortel Theatre through June 23. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

Chukwudi Iwuji and Corey Stoll discuss starring in the Shakespeare in the Park production of Othello. Iwuji plays the title role and Stoll plays Iago. Directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, this 57-year tradition of free theater officially opens Monday, June 18 and runs through Sunday, June 24. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino.   

Wyatt Cenac discusses his new late-night docu-series on HBO "Problem Areas," which takes on challenging social and political problems across the U.S. Using both field reportage and an in-studio audience, Cenac offers solutions to everyday problems with a dose of his famed humor. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino. 

New Yorker staff writer Jonathan Blitzer discusses his recent article, “How the Trump Administration Got Comfortable Separating Immigrant Kids from their Parents.” Blitzer looks at how, despite initially being met with intense criticism, the Trump Administration continued to pursue this unprecedented treatment of people entering the country illegally. This segment is guest hosted by Duarte Geraldino.     

Alvin and Lawrence Ubell discuss how to keep your house in top condition for summer! This segment is guest hosted by Hari Kondabolu.

Naomi Klein, author of The Battle For Paradise: Puerto Rico Takes on the Disaster Capitalists, and Elizabeth Yeampierre, a Puerto Rican environmental and climate justice leader, discuss the fallout from Hurricane Maria. They talk about who is profiting from the storm’s destruction, how the ultra rich are trying to create a wealthy oasis in Puerto Rico, and what local residents are doing to fight back. All royalties from the sale of Klein's book in English and Spanish go directly to JunteGente, a gathering of Puerto Rican organizations resisting disaster capitalism and advancing a fair and healthy recovery for their island.  This segment is guest hosted by Hari Kondabolu.