Radio Curious

The Culture Code, An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around The World Live and Buy As They Do The collective unconscious may be defined as a cultural code, a set of imprinted concepts that control how members of different societies live.  Dr. Clotaire Rapaille, a French born psychologist brings together the concepts of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud in his development of the collective unconscious in the book, “The Culture Code, An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around The World Live and Buy As They Do.” Dr. Rapaille thrives on new ideas, which is part of the reason he chose to become American. We visited by phone from his home in New York State, the last week of June 2006, and asked him to describe the development of his ideas. Dr. Rapaille's website is:  www.archetypediscoveriesworldwide.com (http://www.archetypediscoveriesworldwide.com/) The books Dr. Clotaire Rapaille recommends are, "The DiVinci Code," by Dan Brown and "Straight From The Gut," by Jack Welsh. Originally Broadcast: June 28, 2006 and July 5, 2006 Click here to begin listening to part one. Click here to begin listening to part two.

With the help of a camera, especially a digital camera, and the internet we may now see portions of what other people see and have sent our way or perhaps have made public. Sometime soon I hope to present some visual images I think are special, in addition to the sound images you can hear, here on the Radio Curious website. In preparation for creating those images, I found my way to an intriguing photography website called www.kenrockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com/). This website has many references about cameras, how to choose and use them, and it also tells the story of a man who freely shares his knowledge and skills about photography. After reading his website, I invited Ken Rockwell to join us for a conversation about photography, cameras, websites and the use of the internet. Ken Rockwell and I visited by phone in early May, 2006, from his home near San Diego, California. For him, good photography narrows down to seeing better, which he describes to be more of a feeling than an actual momentary vision. www.kenrockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com/) Ken Rockwell recommends, "Ten-Thousand Miles of America," by Richard A. Suleski, Jr. Originally Broadcast: May 9, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060507-KEN_ROCKWELL_INTERVIEW_5-4-06.mp3)

The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain Do people over a certain age necessarily loose mental acuity? According to Dr. Gene Cohen, the answer is “no.”  Dr. Cohen, a psychiatrist and gerontologist has determined that certain genes are activated by experience as we age, allowing our personalities to grow and change. The brain has reserves of strength and agility that compensate for the effects of aging on its other parts. Dr. Cohen has found that the information processing in the 60 to 80 year old brain achieves it's greatest density and reach. He explains these and other developing concepts in brain research in his book, “The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain.” I spoke with Dr. Cohen in March 2006 from his office on Aging, Health & Humanities, in Washington D.C., where he is the Director. We began our conversation with his description of the importance of the role of creativity. Gene Cohen recommends, "Tuesdays with Morrie: A Young Man, An Old Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson," by Mitch Albom. Originally Broadcast: April 18, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060402-GENE_COHEN_INTERVIEW.mp3)

Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives though the Power and Practice of Story Story is the heart of language.  Story moves us to love and hate and can motivate us to change the whole course of our lives.  Story can lift us beyond the borders of our individuality to imagine realities of other people, times and places, to empathize with other beings, and to extend our supposing far into the universe. Storytelling, both oral and written is the foundation of being human.  In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with Christina Baldwin, author of,  "Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives though the Power and Practice of Story."  In Ukiah, California, the idea of capturing, "the story of Ukiah and Mendocino County," is part of  defining our community's future and is what will be used in the development of the Ukiah Area Plan, which is now under consideration by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. Christina Baldwin recommends, "Turning To One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Our Hope for the Future," by Margaret J. Wheatley. Originally Broadcast: April 17, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/files/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20070320-BALDWIN__CHRISTINA_INTERVIEW.mp3)

Letters to Sam: A Grandfather's Lessons on Love, Loss and the Gifts of Life For many of us, the desire to be known exceeds our desire to be loved. Who we are as individuals, how we reckon with our personal abilities and disabilities  is the topic of this edition of Radio Curious: a conversation with my friend Dr. Dan Gottlieb. Dan Gottlieb, a clinical psychologist who lives and works near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is paralyzed from the neck down as a result of an automobile accident in 1979. He's the host of, “Voices in the Family,” a weekly public radio program, originating from WHYY in Philadelphia ,and the author of two articles a month in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Because of his physical condition, Dan thought he may not live to see his young grandson, Sam, grow to be man. When Sam was diagnosed with a severe form of autism several years ago, Dan decided to write a series of letters to his grandson. The book, “Letters to Sam: A Grandfather’s Lessons on Love, Loss and the Gifts of Life,” is a collection of intimate and compassionate letters sharing Dan's thoughts, observations and experiences gained from his 27 years with quadriplegia and his professional life as a clinical psychologist. You may learn more about Dan and his work at www.drdangottlieb.com. Dr. Dan Gottlieb and I visited by phone from his home near Philadelphia in mid April 2006. www.drdangottlieb.com Dr. Dan Gottlieb recommends, “Eat, Pray and Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything, Across Italy, India and Indonesia,” by Elizabeth Gilbert and, "Life of Pi,” by Yann Martel. Originally Broadcast: April 12, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060425-GOTTLIEB_INTERVIEW_4-12-06.mp3)

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior Do animals think? The book, “Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior,” by Professor Temple Grandin, gives us some clues. Temple Grandin is a person with autism who teaches animal science at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Autistic people can often think the way animals think, putting autistic people in the perfect position to translate, “animal talk.” Grandin explores the world of animals - their pain, fear, aggression, relationships and communication. When I spoke with Professor Grandin from her office in Ft. Collins, Colorado, we began with her definition of autism. Temple Grandin recommends, “Our Inner Ape,” by Frans De Waal. Recorded March 21, 2006 (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060326-GRANDIN_INTERVIEW.mp3)Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/responder.php/download/17302/20199/29748/?url=http://emma2.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060326-GRANDIN_INTERVIEW.mp3)

Is He Depressed or What? What to Do When the Man You Love is Irritable, Moody, and Withdrawn Depression often sets off different behaviors, sometimes recognized by others and not by the depressed person.  Depression in men is the topic of this edition of Radio Curious, as we talk with David B. Wexler, Ph.D, author of, "Is He Depressed or What?  What to Do When the Man you Love is Irritable, Moody and Withdrawn.”  Dr. Wexler, a clinical psychologist, discusses how to recognize when you or someone you love is depressed, how to talk about it in respectful and successful ways, while taking care of yourself. When I spoke with Dr. Wexler from his home in San Diego, California, we began by discussing different categories of depression and how the symptoms of depression in men are different from depression in women. David Wexler, Ph.D. recommends, "Dharma Punx," by Noah Levine. Originally Broadcast: March 14, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060312-David_Wexler_Interview_3-2-06.mp3)

Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood Recent research of how the human brain works seems to indicate that at midlife women start to see the world differently. Approximately 37 million American women now entering their fifties and sixties , may have fulfilled the prescribed roles of daughter, wife, mother, employee, but are not ready to retire. They want to experience more. Suzanne Braun Levine, our guest in this edition of Radio Curious, reports on the lives of women like herself and is the author of,  “Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood."  She begins by discussing recent brain research and anthropological findings relative to women in their fifties and sixties. Suzanne Braun Levine recommends, "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned," by Alan Alda. Originally Broadcast: March 7, 2006 www.suzannebraunlevine.com (http://www.suzannebraunlevine.com/) Click here to begin listening.

Bayou Farewell, The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana's Cajun Coast It is now known that the destruction to southern Louisiana, which occurred as a result of hurricane Katrina in August, 2005, was anticipated by some and should have been anticipated by others.  In this interview recorded in April 2003, and first broadcast in February 2006, our guest is Mike Tidwell, author of, "Bayou Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Coastal Louisiana." Tidwell describes how that vast marshland of coastal Louisiana, home to millions of migratory birds and the source of one-third of America’s seafood, is literally washing out to sea. The bayou region, 6000 square miles in size, remains the fastest disappearing landmass on earth.  An acre of solid ground turns to water every 20 minutes; an area the size of Manhattan Island washes away every ten months. Mike Tidwell recommends, "Oil Notes," by Rick Bass. Originally Broadcast: February 28, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060226--TIDWELL__MIKE_3-28-03.mp3)

To A High Court: The Tumult and Choices that Led to United States v. SCRAP Law as a tool for social change is the subject of this edition of Radio Curious, and it’s also the reason why I decided to be an attorney. Neil Proto, now a veteran Washington D.C. lawyer, was a law student in the early 1970s in Washington D.C. and one of several law students in a group called SCRAP (Student’s Challenging Regulatory Agency Procedures), which sued the United States Interstate Commerce Commission and the nation’s railroads for what they believed was a violation of the NEPA, the National Environmental Protection Act. The regulations, which they successfully challenged, discouraged the movement of materials that could be recycled and encouraged the movement of raw materials. The Federal court issued an injunction, ordered an environmental impact report be prepared and in the end, the regulations were overturned. The story is told in Neil Proto’s book, “To A High Court: The Tumult and Choices that Led to United States v. SCRAP.” For the past 35 years, Neil Proto has practiced and taught law in the Nation’s capital. In this conversation, recorded in early February, 2006, we discuss the SCRPA lawsuit, ihe importance of citizen involvement in the use of the law as a tool for social change, and how court rulings in recent decades have made this involvement more difficult. Neil Proto recommends, “The Prince of Our Disorder: The Life of T.E. Lawrence,” by John E. Mack. Originally Broadcast: February 14, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060212-PROTO__NEIL_interview.mp3)

Better Living Through Urology Urinary tract diseases and their symptoms can affect all of us, men and women alike, whether we know it or not. Sometimes we don’t know it until it is too late. More people die each year from prostate cancer than from breast cancer or colon cancer. So, education and prevention is perhaps our best medicine.  Dr. Jack Cassell, a Florida urologist, and author of, “Better Living Through Urology: 21st Century Solutions to Age-Old Problems,” discusses care of the urinary tract for men and women and how to avoid discomfort and disease that could be fatal. In this interview we visit with Dr. Cassell from his office in Florida and begin with his description of what urine is. www.blturology.com Jack Cassell recommends, "Human Sexual Response," by William H. Masters and Virginia E. Johnson. Originally Broadcast: February 7, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060205-CASSELL__JACK_interview.mp3)

Radical: A Memoir of Wars, Communists & Work Political philosophy and one’s education, both formal and informal, can lead a person on unimagined paths that are woven into stories of that person’s life. Mel Fiske, author of the book, “Radical: A Memoir of Wars, Communists & Work,” is our guest in this edition of Radio Curious. Mel was radicalized after a 15,000 mile journey across America during the Depression. That trip opened his eyes to a life he never knew existed growing up in New York City. Mel Fiske recommends, “Bayou Farewell,” by Mike Tidwell. Originally Broadcast: January 17, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060223-FISKE__MEL_1-12-06.mp3)

Juice, The Creative Fuel That Drives World-class Inventors Albert Einstein suggests: “To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old questions from anew angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance.” Thomas Edison suggests, “The inventor has a logical mind that sees analogies.” And Winston Churchill comments, “Success consists of going from one failure to another without loss of enthusiasm.” The mind of an inventor works differently than the mind of a non-inventor. What inspires the inventive mind? What is different in the way an inventive mind perceives the world that is different from other minds? What is the role of the role of invention in our society? In this interview, recorded in January 2005, Evan Schwartz, author of, “Juice, The Creative Fuel That Drives World-Class Inventors,” discusses inventing and inventions. According to Evan Schwartz, the creative energy of inventors, their “juice” gets applied to problems, products, companies and markers through the use of creativity patterns. Invention is a set of strategic thinking strategies that can be learned, taught and practiced, just as with other skills, like cooking, acting, or sailing. He began our conversation by describing what differentiates an inventive mind from other types of minds. www.gotjuice.org (http://www.gotjuice.org/) Evan Schwartz recommends, "Chronicles Volume One," by Bob Dyland. Originally Broadcast: January 3, 2006 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20060101-SCHWARTZ__1-27-05.mp3)

The concerns that evangelical Christianity continues to be proselytized at the United States Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, have not lessened since our August 9, 2005 interview with Air Force Academy graduate Attorney Mikey Weinstein. Mikey Weinstein, of Albuquerque, New Mexico is a former Assistant General Counsel in the Reagan White House and former General Counsel for H. Ross Perot. In October 2005, Weinstein sued the United States Air Force in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, alleging violations of the Establishment clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution because of the evangelical proselytization at the Air Force Academy. Details may be found in the first interview with Attorney Weinstein, and the subsequent interviews with Reverend MeLinda Morton and Professor Kristen Leslie at www.radiocurious.org. In this interview, recorded on December 11, 2005, Attorney Weinstein discusses the current status of the litigation; the “Officers’ Christian Fellowship” located at many of the 702 United States Military bases in 132 different counties around the world; what he believes to be the religious efforts and goals of some evangelical Christians; and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a non-profit corporation he is organizing. Mikey Weinstein recommends “Constantine’s Sword, The Church and the Jews, A History,” by James Carroll,. Originally Broadcast: December 13, 2005 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20051211-WEINSTEIN__MIKEY.mp3)

Concepts of reality have many levels, some of which are gained by fasting and/or the use of certain plants that allow a person to view the past, present and/or the future. This is especially true for cultures that cherish and practice oral traditions and which thrive in parts of the world which have an abundance of flora and fauna, like those located in the Amazon basin of South America. The knowledge of the use and effects of these various plants in the Ecuadorian portion of the Amazon basin is held by persons known as Shamans. Dr. Juan Martinez, our guest in this edition of Radio Curious, is a professor of History and Anthropology at the University of Cuenca, in Cuenca, Ecuador. He has studied, written and lectured about the Shamanistic practices in the Ecuadorian jungle and the medicinal and spiritual effects of the plants native to the western portion of the Amazon basin. I spoke with Professor Juan Martinez in his office in Cuenca, Ecuador on November 17, 2005. He began our conversation by describing relationship of the people of Ecuadorian jungle to their worlds, the spiritual world, and the world in which they live on a daily basis. Juan Martinez recommends "Amazon Worlds," published by Sinchi Sancha. Originally Broadcast: December 5,2005 Click here to begin listening. (http://www.radio4all.net/pub/archive2/07.01.07/curious@radiocurious.org/1197-1-20051204-JUAN_MARTINEZ_11-17-05.mp3)