Obama vs. Osama - Airdate - 11/26/08 - 4 p.m. (EST)

Update - 11/26/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Joe Hardtke

So we put together a terrific show today on Al Qaeda's latest video where Ayman al-Zawahri insults Barack Obama by comparing him unfavorably to slain civil rights leader Malcolm X. It provoked some fascinating analysis and speculation over the past few days, so we decided to ask the question: Does the election of Barack Obama heighten or reduce the possibility of another terrorist attack? How worried should we be?

I was very happy with how the show turned out. We addressed some long-standing questions about American Muslims, their hopes and concerns about President-Elect Obama and his foreign policy position. I only had one regret: I booked Dr. Lewis Baldwin to the show and due to some technical problems with his phone, we weren't able to get him on the air. But all is not lost. After the show, we asked Professor Baldwin if he would like to post some thoughts about Malcolm X and his beliefs in regards to this current debate. He happily agreed.

I expect him to post his reaction to the program sometime in the next week, so please pay a return visit to the Blog and read on!

And to Dr. Baldwin, thanks so much for your patience and kindness. I hope we can have you back on our airwaves someday soon.

Saving The Coral Reefs - Airdate - 11/25/08 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Update - 11/25/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Joe Hardtke

So my wife and I were digging the dolphins at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium when we ran into something that I hope to share with all of you.

The exhibit was called Wild Reef and it's been around for a few years now. It detailed the work scientists have been doing with fisherman on Apo Island in the Philippines. It seems their reefs were in very bad shape, but by incorporating research with traditional fishing practices, Apo was able to save their reef.



It's been a long process taking a couple of decades, but now researchers are spreading this success to other islands. The key, it seemed, in the exhibit was researchers working with the residents on Apo, not for them, in finding the right practices that saved the reef and the fishermen.

I'm in contact with the Shedd about possibly doing a program. Have you seen the exhibit? Do you know of any other reef researchers?

Update: I've learned through my research that the Shedd's efforts are part of a larger initiative. It's called Project Seahorse and it's attracted the talent of marine biologists worldwide. We're expanding the scope of our program to discuss the project with Shedd Aquarium Director of Fishes George Parsons. I hope to book a couple more international guests to the show. Are you aware of the Project or any of the aquariums involved?

Update: I'm happy to report we've booked two guests from Project Seahorse to the show. Amanda Vincent is the director and co-founder of the organization and Jonathan Anticamara is a PhD candidate who conducted research on fish in the central Philippines. It should be a great show. I hope you can join us. Have you seen the Shedd's exhibit? Have you snorkeled in marine conservation areas? We'd love to hear from you.

Cuisines of the Axis of Evil - Airdate - 11/21/08 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Update - 11/21/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Maria Putzer

As much as we would have enjoyed having Chris Fair, the author of Cuisines of the Axis of Evil on the show on Friday, she is unable to join as she will be in Iraq until November. Be sure to look for a show with her in early November!

In the mean time, we're working on a show about doughnuts or mushrooms. Any guest suggestions?

Update: Joe Hardtke

So as you may have heard, Chris Fair was able to join us for a lively jaunt through the world's wildest meals. It was so fun, we didn't want it to stop, so we invited Chris here to the blog!

At the end of the show, Chris promised to share the Iranian recipe for Khoresh-e-Fesanjan. Sometime over the weekend, expect Chris to respond to this post with the goods. Enjoy! And thanks, Chris!

Lasermonks.com

Update - 12/2/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Patrick Peczerski

One of our listeners recently sent us an email about a Cistercian Monastery in central Wisconsin that sells ink toner and cartragdes.  

Why are they involved in business you might wonder?  I was unware of this but Roman Catholic Monasteries in America must be self-sufficent.  I also learned that the business is doing so well (sales in the single digit millions) that they're able to donate the majority of their profits to charity.

Why would I buy from a Monk?  First, I immediatly trust them.  Also, I feel like what they sell will be of good quality.    This brings me to think - what lessons can laic, main-stream businesses learn from this ecclesiastical enterprise?  Can business make big bucks and be good at the same time?  Would you buy from a monk?

Bryan Sirchio - "Feeding Haiti"

Update - 11/12/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Joe Hardtke

So if you listened to today's program on Margaret Trost and her work in Haiti, you met singer-songwriter Bryan Sirchio. Bryan wrote the song at the top of the hour, "Staring At My Overflowing Plate," and he joined us by phone near the end of the show. Bryan mentioned he was planning an upcoming trip to the island. Bryan if you see this post, please respond and fill us in. How can we join you on the trip and what do we need to prepare for the experience?

The Music of Sesame Street - Airdate - 11/13 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Update - 11/13/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Joe Hardtke

So our friends at Putumayo World Music recently released an awesome compilation of music around the world that was featured on Sesame Street. Check it out...



I think there's a program here with really great questions. How do you write for kids? How do you introduce universal values without coming across as forceful or overbearing? What songs did you grow up singing?

Dan and I are working on this one. Maybe we can book it for next week. I'll keep you posted.

Update: We now have three guests confirmed for this show. Gary Knell is President and CEO of Sesame Workshop, the producers of Sesame Street. Mona Kayhan is the director of Putumayo World Music's children's label. And finally, Javier Williams is the executive producer of Plaza Sesamo, the Mexican version of Sesame Street. Rosita the Muppet, unfortunately, was not available for the program.

Rosita aside, it still should be a great show! Our question for you here at the Blog Without Borders: What songs did you grow up singing? (Maybe this one?) How important was music to your childhood? Post your comments here and we'll read them back on the 13th!

The World and President Obama - Airdate - 11/6 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Update - 11/6/08: This show has aired. You can download the MP3 from our archive. Let us know what you think!
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Joe Hardtke

As you've probably noticed by now, we've postponed a few of our shows this week to devote more time to Barack Obama's victory in Tuesday's election. We were joined by Parker Palmer today who reflected on Obama's background and tomorrow we turn it over to the journalists who covered this election for news agencies abroad.

We've all heard the reports: Parisians were overjoyed, Russians were muted, Kenyans had a national holiday while Iraqis remained skeptical. I quickly booked two wonderful journalists to the program to relay what they've seen. Marc Chavannes reported from Washington for the Dutch paper NRC Handelsblad and Charlayne Hunter-Gault commented on African perspectives for CNN, NPR and others. We hope to book a journalist from the BBC. I'll let you know if that happens tomorrow.

In the meantime, we have a question for you: What do you think will happen to our image abroad during an Obama presidency?

The Next Space Race

Dan Rosinsky-Larsson

The stunning photos of the earth released by the India's Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft the other day, combined with China's first space walk just over a month ago are bringing several countries into the realm of seriously advanced scientific research. Is this the next space race?



These programs have being gaining significant controversy in their home countries, not least because of the poverty of their citizens. Is it right to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Space when millions of citizens are going hungry?

Introduction

Dan Rosinsky-Larsson

Hi, I'm Daniel Rosinsky-Larsson, and I'm a producer for Here on Earth. I've worked for this show off and on for about a year, and I'm most excited by the chance to do programs on topics that just don't get covered elsewhere. We've got a couple exciting ideas for shows coming up that I'll be writing posts on, and I'd be grateful if any of you have suggestions for potential guests or topics we may want to include on the program.