Radio Curious

The development of the large human head and broad shoulders provide many evolutionary benefits for our species but also require assistance for a safe birth, sometimes presenting life threatening complications in the birth process. Yet gorillas, our 300-pound primate cousins, give birth without assistance in approximately 15 minutes. In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with pediatrician Dr. Mark Sloan, author of “Birth Day: A Pediatrician Explores the Science, the History, and the Wonder of Childbirth.” In this conversation Dr. Sloan explains how our transition from being four legged creatures to two legged ones has forced us to cope with unique physical and cultural differences. We explore what some of the benefits of cesarean deliveries can be as well as the possible, but unverified consequences this birth form present.

This interview was recorded on July 3, 2009 speaking with Dr. Sloan from his home in Santa Rosa, Californa. The conversation began with an explanation of why the human birth process was more difficult than in other primates.

The book Dr. Mark Sloan recommends is “The Discovery of France” by Graham Robb.

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Taboos associated with menstruation limit public discussion of a primary event in the lives of more than half of the human population of the world. And even more limited is the conversation about a young woman’s menarche, or first menstrual period. Rachel Nalebuff, our guest in this edition of Radio Curious, is an eighteen year old woman passionate about breaking taboos associated with menstruation and the author of “My Little Red Book,” an anthology of stories about first periods, collected from women of all ages, around the world. She examines these very personal stories from the larger picture of gender politics and self image. In this conversation we discuss what brought a young woman (Rachel started collecting stories at 13 years old) to choose to publish such a book and how she believes we can bring periods from being taboo into the arena of acceptable discourse. Speaking with Rachel Nalebuff from her home in San Francisco, California on May 29, 2009, we began with her thoughts about why menstruation is seldom discussed.

Rachel Nalebuff, the author of “My Little Red Book,” will enter Yale University in the fall of 2009 . The book Rachel Nalebuff recommends is “A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius,” by Dave Eggers.

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Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana has caused considerable debate and political discussion, but just what is in this plant which creates such controversy? In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with Dr. William Courtney, a cannabis Medical Consultant based in Mendocino County, California.

Dr. Courtney has studied the compounds of the cannabis plant known as “cannabinoids,” their various health effects, and the United States government patents held on these compounds. Further details on the legal status and current research relating to cannabis may be found on Dr. Courtney’s website www.leavesofgrass.info

This conversation with Dr. Courtney was recorded in the studios of Radio Curious, Ukiah, California on March 23, 2009. We began when I asked him to describe the compounds in marijuana.

The book he recommends in “The Continuum Concept: In Search Of Happiness Lost” by Jean Liedloff

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Recorded on January 20, 2009, the day Barack Obama became President of the United States, Radio Curious visited again with Congressman Sam Farr, who represents the south central coast of California in the United States House of Representatives. In our conversation we discuss Farr’s impressions of the inauguration, what it means to America and the upcoming congressional session.

The book he recommends is “Indian Tales (California Legacy)” by Jaime De Angulo.

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What is it about the words we speak that convey concepts, nuances, ideas and sometimes even start wars?  Where do they come from, what is their history and how do they shape our minds and ability to communicate?  These are just some of the questions we asked Professor John McWhorter, author of “Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue,” when we spoke with him from his home in New Jersey on December 1, 2008.

The book Professor McWhorter recommends is “Ziegfeld: The Man Who Invented Show Business,” by Ethan Morddenn.

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In this edition of Radio Curious, we cross the line, if there is one, between politics and religion and visit with Rabbi Phil Posner to consider, among other things, ethics and moral courage. Rabbi Posner is the author of a fictional encounter, “Food For Thought, Character and Soul,” where he gathers well known historical figures including, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Bill and Hillary Clinton to discuss empathy, justice and moral courage. Our conversation, recorded on October 20, 2008, began when I asked Rabbi Posner about his intention in creating this unusual book.

The books that Rabbi Posner recommends are, “Van Loon’s Lives,” by Hendrik Willem Van Loon, “Melungeons: The Last Lost Tribe In America,” by Elizabeth C. Hirschman and “An Interrupted Life: The Diaries of Etty Hillesum 1941-43,” by Etty Hillseum.

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How many of us are lonely? What is loneliness and how does it affect us? Approximately 25 years ago, when asked the number of friends in whom we could confide, most people in the United States said “three.” When that question was asked recently most people said “none.” Inquires reveal that twenty per-cent of people, — 60 million in the Untied States alone — are feeling lonely at any given moment. And, it appears that chronic loneliness may well compete with smoking, obesity and lack of exercise as a significant health risk.

In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with William Patrick, the founding editor of The Journal of Life Sciences and co-author of “Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection,” along with University of Chicago psychology professor John Cacioppo.  My conversation with William Patrick, recorded on October 13, 2008, began when I asked him to define loneliness as used in their book.

The book William Patrick recommends is “The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q and Christian Origins,” by Burton Mack.

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Non-lethal chemical warfare may be an oxymoron to some, but it was actually the goal of a U.S. Army research program in the 1960s and 70s at Edgewood Arsenal, an army arsenal in Maryland. The research goal was to find incapacitating non-lethal chemical weapons that would cause the enemy to lie down, smile and laugh. The research team was lead by a then colonel in the U.S. Army, psychiatrist Dr. James S. Ketchum. The team attempted to determine if LSD, cannabis, or belladonna could achieve the goal. Dr. Ketchum, the author of “Chemical Warfare: Secrets Almost Forgotten,” visited the studios of Radio Curious on August 1, 2008.  We began our interview when I asked what originally drew him to participate in the project at Edgewood Arsenal.

The books he recommends are “Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story” and “Tihkal: The Continuation,” by Alexander and Ann Shulgin.

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Polygamy used to be a central aspect in Mormon beliefs. However, it has not been for over 100 years now, due partly to considerable effort by Ann Eliza Young, one of Brigham Young’s many wives. In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with David Ebershoff, the author of “The 19th Wife”, recorded on August 29, 2008. “The 19th Wife,” is the story of Ann Eliza Young, and her realization and then quest to let the world know that marriage should only pertain to two people, instead of one man and a plethora of wives who were referred to as “sister wives.” We discuss what marriage is, how religion plays a large role in many people’s lives, and how the quest that Ann Eliza had effected her world and the world we live in today. Our conversation began when I asked David Ebershoff why Ann Eliza wanted to apostate (or leave without approval) from the Mormon Church in relationship to the politics then and now.

The book that David Ebershoff recommends is, “American Wife: A Novel” by Curtis Sittenfeld.

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