"First, we drive everyone to despair, then we eat all the cookies"

Erika Janik

Christmas isn't Christmas without knepkaker, a delicious brown cookie so important to Norwegians that they came to play an important part in the 1940 Norwegian film Tante Pose (Auntie Bag).

The movie tells the classic house guest from hell story, in this case Auntie Bag. In response to her outrages, the Bals family daughters, encouraged by their grandfather, the Colonel, refuse to treat Auntie Bag with the respect she feels she deserves. Auntie Bag, in a fit of rage, goes on a hunger strike that threatens to wreck the holidays. But it turns out that Auntie Bag wasn't quite as starving as she claimed...



A recipe for the beloved brown cookies appears about 3 and a half minutes in.  Christmas cookies really can make or break the holidays it seems.

Christmas Cookies and Holiday Baking

On Friday's show, Lori Skelton will be talking to Tom LaPierre, pastry and baking instructor at the Milwaukee Area Technical College, about favorite holiday baking recipes. LaPierre is an expert on pastry,  and is particularly passionate about French baking, pulled sugar, chocolate, and gum pastillage (that's pronounced PAHS-tee-AHJ and is a sugar-based dough used to make elaborate, edible decorations). He even did some of his training at what has to be the most delicious-sounding (and perhaps home to the most hyper students) school of all, the International School of Sugar and Confectionary Art near Atlanta.

The holidays are a great time for baking and with just one week left before Christmas, holiday baking is about to kick into full swing. Do you have a great cookie recipe? A favorite family baking story? Or other great holiday treats to share? LaPierre will share some of his favorites but we hope you'll share some of yours, too.

Hunting as Rite of Passage

Dominique Haller

On today's show, we'll be talking to Randall Eaton, an expert on the ethics of hunting. In his latest book From Boys to Men of Heart: Hunting as Rite of Passage, he describes hunting as a transformative experience for young people. According to him, it helps to instill good character, values and virtues. While hunting, young people can learn life skills they will need in marriage, parenting and providing.

What do you think about hunting as a transformative experience? Do you agree that hunting can offer important life lessons? Or do you have qualms about hunting in general? Is there a gender difference in the experience of hunting? Are you a woman who hunts? And how is your experience different from that of a man who hunts?

Jean's Pick of the Week for Dec. 11, 2009

Jean's pick this week is Christmas Eve Seven Fish Feast From Sicily. Our technical director, Joe, is horrified at the idea of having octopus for Christmas. For me, fish is a must-have "lucky" dish to celebrate the coming of a new year, because in Chinese, the pronounciation of "fish" (yu) is identical to that of "extra." On the Chinese New Year Eve, every family will have a fish dish on the table.

Do you have a Christmas food ritual? On what special occasions do you eat fish? Leave your story on our hotline and we may use it on air for the Mail Bag segment of the show. Our hotline number is 877-GLOBE-07 (877-45623-07) or 608-890-0269.

The Power of Ritual - 12/10

Dominique Haller

On today's show, we'll talk to cultural anthropologist Dr. Bradd Shore about the power of rituals. Dr. Shore is director of the Emory Center for Myth and Ritual in American Life (MARIAL) and currently focuses his research on the little things that we do every day without even noticing - our own rituals.

Do you have any rituals that are important to you? Do you create rituals for special occasions? Or do you see yourself as an entirely rational being that doesn't need such a thing as rituals?

The Perfect Program For A Blizzard - 12/9

Joe Hardtke

So we're airing an encore program today and I'll take you outside the studios to explain why in this behind-the-scenes video.



Put down the shovel and download the show right now from our Here on Earth archive.

Stay warm, world!

Jean's Pick of the Week for December 4th

Joe Hardtke

Jean's pick this week features a long-time "dream guest" for our show, someone we've been looking forward to talking to for some time now.

Check out the video, then download the show from the Here on Earth archive.



Enjoy this stimulating conversation. We did!

A Good Week for Pie!

Carly Yuenger

It's a short week for us here, but we're heading into a couple of great archived shows before the holiday weekend. And, to supplement that, what better than pie?

Fortunately, Evan Kleiman, host of Good Food out of KCRW in L.A. and last Friday's guest for our show "Who's Bringing the Pie?," was kind enough to send along one of the recipes discussed on the show: Espresso Chocolate Pecan Pie. You can stream or download the MP3 of the show here and you can check out her recipe below.

Be sure to come back after you've tried it and leave your impressions, or, just share your favorite holiday pie recipe.

Espresso Chocolate Pecan Pie

In this recipe the Cocoa Nibs, coffee extract and bittersweet chocolate cut the sweetness of the traditional filling and add a deeper flavor. They can be found at Surfas in Culver City or at www.surfasonline.com

• 1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen deep-dish pie crust
• 6 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate, broken into chunks
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup Karo© Light or Dark Corn Syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 ¼ cups pecans
• ¼ cup Sharffen Berger Cocoa Nibs*
• 1 Tablespoon Trablit Coffee Extract *

Preheat oven to 350°F. Scatter the chunks of chocolate over the pie crust. In medium bowl with fork beat eggs slightly. Add sugar, Karo®, butter and coffee extract and stir until blended. Stir in pecans and Cocoa Nibs. Pour into pie crust. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Jean's Pick of the Week for November 20th

Joe Hardtke

You don't have to journey 7,000 miles to guess Jean's pick of the week. In fact, just watch this video...



...and download the show from our Here on Earth archive. You can hear other shows like it right here. Enjoy!

Global Competence - 11/17

Dominique Haller

For today's show about global competence, we've worked very closely with Masarah van Eyck from the Division of International Studies at UW-Madison. She wrote an article about global competence that served as our starting point for preparing this program. In her article, she raises some interesting questions about what global competence really means.

In our show today, we will try to go beyond the usual tales of travels abroad and of the initial disorientation that we experience in new surroundings. We will try to discuss global competence in terms of leaving your comfort zone - whether you are right at home or on the other side of the world.

How do you understand global competence? Do you think it is something that we can learn? How has traveling outside of your comfort zone made you see who you are and how you relate to others? And can you tell us about existing practices in your school that promote global competence?

Jean's Pick of the Week - November 13th

Joe Hardtke

Jean's favorite show this week involves an emotional story (and lots and lots of tigers...)



You can download and listen to Jean's pick in the Here on Earth archive.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Environmental Film Festival - Madison 11/05

Dominique Haller

With Jean still being sick, we unfortunately had to cancel our show about Garbage Dreams, one of the films that will screen at the "Tales from Planet Earth" Film Festival here in Madison this weekend.

In her film, director Mai Iskander follows three teenage boys who were born into the trash trade and who grow up in the outskirts of Cairo, in what is called Cairo's garbage village. Here, 60,000 Zaballeen or garbage people survive by recycling 80% of the garbage they collect from Cairo residents. While Mai's film clearly shows the hardship of the Zaballeen in the face of poverty and the globalisation of their trade, it also highlights some of the environmental lessons we can learn from environmental and social grassroots movements all around the world.

The "Tales from Planet Earth" Environmental Film Festival will screen a wide array of films not only about the environment, but also about the social consequences our actions on the environment have. But "Tales from Planet Earth" does more than just show films. The festival has partnered with several community organizations where you can take action - so once the lights go back on, you can direct your energy back into several community events.

Arab Bodies (Encore) & Our Pick of the Week - 11/5

Joe Hardtke

Jean Feraca is still feeling under the weather, unfortunately, so we've decided to air another popular show from the Here on Earth archive today.

We'll revisit Joumana Haddad, the Lebanese journalist and poet with her provocative effort fighting sexual taboos in the Arabic-speaking world. We called the show "Arab Bodies" and we talk about how you can get involved in the discussion in this video from the Here on Earth production office.



We also pick our favorite show of the week... Kind of...

You can download the "Arab Bodies" show for free from our Here on Earth archive. Oh, and as promised in the video, here's Christopher Walken with his "interpretation" of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face."



Stay healthy, everyone!

The Vanishing Face of Gaia - Postponed

Joe Hardtke

It's a bit of a rough week around here! First Jean falls ill and is taking a well-deserved break at home. Then James Lovelock, our guest today, couldn't join us for this afternoon's live program.

Carly Yuenger will try to sort out things with Mr. Lovelock's publicist and reschedule the interview on his book The Vanishing Face of Gaia. In the meantime, we'll forge ahead Wednesday with Lori Skelton, who admirably offered to fill-in for Jean, and a thought-provoking show on the international history of poker. Not only its history, but how this French aristocratic parlor game continues to influence America's outlook on the world. Lisa Bu booked this program with James McManus, author of Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker, and it promises to be a suprising look at an everyday activity you might not think twice about.

As for today's show, we're rebroadcasting a program with lawyer, scholar and author Sumbul Ali-Karamali on her book The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, The Media and that Veil Thing. Even though we're not live, you can still call in and leave a comment at our Here on Earth hotline, 1-877-GLOBE-07, or leave a comment right here at the Blog Without Borders. We'll use them in a future mailbag segment. Thanks for listening and hanging in there! Don't get sick now...

Think Again: Asia's Rise - 11/4

Joe Hardtke

Unfortunately, Jean is out sick today and we're working to reschedule our interview with Wayne Karlin on his book Wandering Souls. In his place today, we're going to air one of our more popular shows recently according to your hits at www.hereonearth.org. Here's more detail in a video from our production office...



So keep those calls coming to 1-877-GLOBE-07 or post your thoughts right here at the Blog Without Borders and we'll use them on a future show. Thanks for listening!

It's Body Music 10/29

Carly Yuenger

We're very excited to have body musician Keith Terry on the show today for some live performance and talk about what body music is, where it's coming from, and where it's headed.

Here's a taste of Keith Terry and his SLAMMIN All-Body Band in October of 2007:

International journalism at its best! 10/28

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we think about why the best journalism is often the longest journalism, the densest journalism, and the most personal journalism. What does it take for a news story to convey more than "just the facts" in a way that helps us change the way we see the world?

The October issue of Words Without Borders is dedicated to the best international reporting of this sort. Here's a list of some of the pieces in the issue with links that will take you right to them. Happy reading and please leave your thoughts about what you read and what you think makes for journalism that sticks with us by adding a comment at the end of this post!

You can access the entire issue here until the end of October, and here after November 1.

Peter Froberg Idling, "Pol Pot's Smile"

Erwin Koch, "Dear Torturer"

Wojciech Jagielski, from Towers of Stone

Abdourahman A. Waberi, "Rwanda: The Flame of Hope"

Karl-Markus Gauss, "When Chaos Came to Salzburg"

Elham Gheytanchi, "A Revolutionary Tradition: Shoars in Iranian Street Politics"

Gébé, "The Front"

François Vallejo, from The Burning of the Chiado

Nanni Balestrini, from Sandokan

Gourmet Today with Ruth Reichl - 10/30 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Joe Hardtke

Lori Skelton is filling in for Jean this Friday, October 30th and she'll be joined by Ruth Reichl, author of the Gourmet Today cookbook and host of PBS's Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth. Lori gives you a sneak preview right here.



You can stream our show live on the 30th (starting at 4 p.m. EST) at www.hereonearth.org. But you don't have to wait until then to leave a question for Ruth Reichl. Call the Here on Earth hotline at 1-877-GLOBE-07 and leave a message for us to air during the program, or leave a comment right at the Blog Without Borders.

Either way, don't forget to join us this Friday, Here on Earth.

Here on Earth - "Off The Mic" - Rev. Jim Wallis

Joe Hardtke

The Reverend Jim Wallis joined us on the show today to talk about interfaith dialog between Islam and Evangelical Christianity. It was an insightful conversation and you can download it from the Here on Earth archive.

But he didn't stop there! In this bonus video shot after the show, Rev. Wallis talks "off the mic" about American exceptionalism and how it could be explained by President Obama's recent Nobel Peace Prize.



Want more Here on Earth for your eyes? You can watch more videos at our YouTube channel.

Israel: Looking to the past 10/20

Carly Yuenger

On today's show author and journalist Rich Cohen discusses his new book, Israel is Real: An Obsessive Quest to Understand the Jewish Nation and its History, which has gotten much praise, and also much criticism, since it was released earlier this year.

In Israel is Real, Rich Cohen, himself Jewish, treks back through ancient history to understand the Jewish people, especially the notion of Zionism and its relation to the state of Israel. Through a long, and sometimes quirky, view of this history, Cohen expresses his own qualms about the value of the Jewish state to the Jewish people. In the story he lays out, he asks some provocative questions about the long-standing assumptions about what it takes for the Jewish faith to thrive in safety.

As hopes are raised again for productive peace talks, what are the deeply ingrained positions at the center of this conflict you think need to change for peace to be reached? What about the history of the Jewish people and of Jerusalem can offer insight into a peaceful future? Israel is real, but does it need to be re-imagined? If so how? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Jean's Pick of the Week for October 19th (and Thank You!)

Joe Hardtke

Jean shares her thoughts on Ken Burns's latest documentary in her pick this week. She also shares a well-earned "thank you" to Here on Earth listeners, web-streamers and podcast fans worldwide. You guys are the best!



Also, one more note while I'm at it. Today's guest, Jonathan Ritter, mentioned he hadn't yet heard Mercedes Sosa's 1983 performance in Nicaragua. For his enjoyment (and yours as well) here's the video of that concert. Sosa with a passionate and commanding performance of "Cuando Tenga La Tierra."



Leaves little doubt as to why this woman was so loved in her native Argentina. You are welcome to download our show on Mercedes Sosa and Jean's pick, right here.

Here on Earth - "Off The Mic" - Richard Davidson

Joe Hardtke

Psychology and Psychiatry Professor Richard Davidson was our guest on the show today. In this bonus Here on Earth video, Richard talks "off the mic" about his upcoming conference with the Dalai Lama.



If you want to hear Jean's full interview with Richard, you can download the show from the Here on Earth archive.

Meeting Helen Thomas

Thanks to my dear friend Emy, I had a chance to meet Helen Thomas, the legendary White House correspondent, at Madison Civic Club's luncheon yesterday.

Called "the dean of the White House press corps", she has asked questions to 10 presidents. The audience applauded when we were told that her front row seat in the White House press room has been restored by President Obama.

At age 89, she's still quick-minded, straightforward, and down-to-earth, pretty much like this profile of her in last Friday's Washington Post. Somehow she reminds me of the little kid who shouts "but the emperor has no cloths on!" For example, when asked which press secretary of the President was most effective, she answered in one word, 'none." Another question asked of her if there should be a term limit for Senators and Congress Representatives to get rid of incompetent ones, she said no and offered an alternative solution -- "fire them."

I admire women who are not afraid of speaking their mind. We need more female (and male) journalists like her.

Jean's Pick of the Week for October 2nd

Joe Hardtke

Our clever host breaks the rules this week, picking not one, but TWO favorite shows from the past five days. I guess you can do that when you're Jean Feraca. :)



Subscribe to the Here on Earth YouTube channel for your weekly dose of Jean and other behind-the-scenes goodies. Tell us about your favorite show right here at the Blog Without Borders or, better yet, call the Here on Earth Hotline, 1-877-GLOBE-07, and we'll play your comments back on the air.

Want to hear Jean's picks? Listen here (and here!)

Jean's Pick of the Week - September 25th

Joe Hardtke

I have to admit, Jean surprised me (and herself, so it seems) with her favorite program this week. Can you envision our resident Puccini-lover bein' down wit da D-O-double-G? Well, think again...



If you want to keep in touch with Jean's video blog, consider signing up to the Here on Earth YouTube channel. We post Jean's vlog, along with plenty of other goodies.

Want to hear Jean's pick of the week? Oh yeah you do!

Coming of Age...Between Cultures 9/22

Carly Yuenger


Coming of age is all about becoming independent from your parents, right? But what if your parents made huge sacrifices to move to a country with greater opportunities and you grew up between the culture they brought with them and the one of the country you grew up in? How do you find your place, your identity, then?


On today's show, the story of Rocky Otoo. She was born in the United States to Ghanaian parents, grew up in the Bronx and, the summer before she left for college, she went back to Ghana to visit her father.


Rocky's story is unique and universal, a story of how we learn to negotiate different parts of our identity in an increasingly complex world, and, more poignantly, how we do this within our own family when family members grow up in very different contexts.


Rocky's story is documented in the film Bronx Princess, directed and produced by Yoni Brook and Musa Syeed which premieres tonight on PBS. You can check your local listings for show times here.

Help us tell the story of a multicultural world through the eyes of immigration. What are your experiences of growing up between cultures? Did the tensions reach a crisis when you had to set out on your own? What can we all learn from the experiences of those who have grown up in multiple cultures about what it means to live in a multicultural world? Share your thougths and stories by adding a comment below.

International Day of Peace 9/21

Carly Yuenger

On today's show , in celebration of the International Day of Peace, we speak with Former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik, and former Wisconsin legislator and U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Tom Loftus. After serving as Prime Minister, Mr. Bondevik founded the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and today, Mr. Loftus serves as the Chair of its U.S. branch.

The Oslo Center brings a special perspective to the cause of peace: the Center sees religion and inter-faith dialog as a means of attaining peace and resolving conflict.

On this International Day of Peace, what do your visions of world peace look like? What do you promise to do in your own community to resolve conflict, build bridges, and increase understanding? Share your ideas and stories by adding a comment below.

Jean's Pick of the Week - September 18th

Joe Hardtke

So we're starting a new video component to the blog, Jean's Pick of the Week. Fans of Jean's personal blog already know that Jean writes about her favorite show over there, but we've decided to make this weekly event slightly more personal by letting you see our host as she reflects back on her work (and maybe forgets a name or two, as you'll soon see!) :)

If you want to receive this video blog (or "vlog" as my cyberfriends call it) automatically, consider signing up to the Here on Earth YouTube channel, as it will be posted there as well.

So, without further ado, Ms. Feraca, the stage is yours...



Want to listen back to Jean's Pick of the Week? Well, I'm glad you asked!

How do you eat when you eat solo? 9/18

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we discuss the intimacies of eating with ourselves, all alone. Late night snack? Housemates out of town? Night after a break up? Just living alone? What does eating alone look, and feel like, for you?

Award-winning cookbook author, Deborah Madison, began her book project, What We Eat When We Eat Alone: Stories and 100 Recipes, with her husband and a set of interviews with friends and strangers based around the question, "What do you eat when you eat alone?"

Help us collect a list of tips, recipes, and confessions about eating alone by adding a comment below about your rituals and habits of solo-eating.

The World Has Curves 9/17

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we interrogate the notion of female beauty and the perfect female body. It's different depending on where you grow up in the world, but there may be things that are universal across all the world's notions of the ideal female form.

For one, the notion of beauty in your community and culture is always a powerful idea. While men are not safe from its influence, women around the world, it seems, are particulary pressured to attain the ideal.

Our guest today, Julia Savacool, who has worked in the magazine business for years, discusses her new book, The World Has Curves: The Global Quest for the Perfect Body. In it she documents what women do and go through around the world to attain beauty in form. She also shows what cultural notions of female beauty have in common: it's always an ideal that is tightly tied to issues of socio-economic class. The female body, she argues, is a status symbol for wealth and prosperity.

What do you think? Who decides what is beautiful? What things determine what a commuity decides is beautiful? What determines what our bodies look like, anyway? Are notions of beauty tied to class? Are women complicit in the hegemonic power of the ideal body? Share your thoughts and stories by adding a comment below.

Life at the Edge of Death 9/14

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we confront our ultimate, collective foe--death. We ask, can a friend, also, be found in death?

Author Georgia Weithe discusses her book, Shining Moments, about the death of her father and the surprisingly positive changes it brought to her life.

How about you? Is death friend or foe in your mind? What is the cultural knowledge about death that you call on to help you? Do you wish you had more wisdom about death to draw from? Share your thoughts and stories by adding a comment below.

The Gastronomy of Marriage 9/11

Carly Yuenger

On today's show, author Michelle Maisto shares her story about the changing but central role food and cooking played in the courtship, engagement, and finally marriage between her and her husband.

How do to foodies fall--and stay--in love? Is cooking a point of contention or harmony in your partnership? Has the role of food been important in your love life? Have you found that its role has changed over time or over the course of a relationship? Share your thoughts and stories by adding a comment below.

China and India as Global Powers 9/9

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we examine the popular prediction that the power of the United States will continue to decline and that, in the coming decades, we will see countries like China and India rise to the status of global superpowers.

Our guest, government and Asia scholar Minxin Pei, argues that just because the economies of China and India are booming does not mean that their influence and power will match or overtake that of the United States.

What makes a global superpower? Does power inevitably shift over time? Are we entering a time where multiple nations share or split up dominance on the global stage? What kind of relationship do you expect or hope to see form in the next few decades between the United States and rising nations? Share your thoughts below by adding a comment.

Healthcare, American Style 9/8

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we visit the doctor's office in countries around the world with journalist and author T.R. Reid.

How "American" is the health care system in the United States? Could it reflect our values and priorities better than it does now? What elements from other nations' health care systems would you like to see incorporated into a renewed American system? Share your thoughts and experiences in health care in the U.S. and abroad by adding a comment below.

Woman as Matador 8/31

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we discuss the new documentary film by Gemma Cubero and Celeste Carrasco, Ella Es el Matador (She is the Matador), which premiers on television tomorrow night on PBS as part of the new season of Point of View.

Their film documents the desire and motivation of two women training and working as matadors in the Spanish bullfighting ring. It's not an easy profession to get into, even for men, so these women have to really want it.

The spectacle and tradition of bullfighting might be one of those things that is difficult to appreciate if you haven't grown up with it. Have you been to a bull fight? How did you react? Do you see beauty and art, a thrill, or something darker? Share your thoughts and stories about bullfighting, Ella Es El Matador, and female matadors by adding a comment below.

Beauty by the Glass 8/28

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we discuss the pleasures of wine with father and son team, Brian and Evan Mitchell, authors of The Psychology of Wine: Truth and Beauty by the Glass.

What's special about the experience of drinking wine for you? Why have we made wine into an aesthetic object and an art always striving for perfection? Share your thoughts by adding a comment below.

On Kindness 8/26

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we discuss our complicated relationship to the human quality of kindness.

How does being kind make you feel? Can it be a little uncomfortable? Share your thoughts and stories below by adding a comment.

Women Peacemakers 8/25

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we learn how Liberia's women came together, across religious differences, to force their husbands and the men of their country to make peace.

The film, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, is touring around to areas of conflict to serve as an example of how people who are given little power can come together to create the political, cultural, and personal pressure necessary to end a war.

Through using cultural taboos, denying sex to their husbands, locking the warring men into their peace conference, and, after, by forgiving them, Liberian women brought an end to a brutal civil war and saw their nation onto a path of healing.

It's an inspiring story and one that may hold lessons for the rest of the world. What have you learned about the rise of women in politics in Liberia? What role do you think women play in peace making and peace keeping? Can Liberia stand as an example for people living in other areas of conflict? Where else have you seen women harnessing the power in their everyday lives to create a social movement? Share your stories and thougts by adding a comment below.

The World's Cold Places 8/24

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we celebrate the cold places on Earth with biologist and lover of all things cold, Bill Streever. His new book treks through chilly climes for the sake of science and travel.

Have you found yourself in a cold place? Were you sent there or did you go for fun? What was the experience like? Despite evidence of global warming, were you surprised at how cold the Earth can be? Share stories about your travels and travails in extreme cold below by adding a comment.

Too Many Tomatoes? 8/21

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we talk about what to do when you find yourself with too many tomatoes. No, we're not talking about how to slip a couple of pounds of tomatoes into your co-workers' inboxes. We're talking easy, fresh, and new tomato recipes with cookbook author Brian Yarvin.

Help your fellow tomato gardeners--share your recipes and tips for preserving tomatoes by adding a comment below!

Afghans: Voting for Stability 8/20

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we follow Afghans home from the polls and talk about expectations in Afghanistan for election results and for the future of their very young democratic government.

Today's guests, Andrew Wilder and Antonio Donini, have spent a lot of time in Afghanistan over the last 25 years--together, they've seen the Taliban come to power, be ousted, and the aftermath that's followed their fall. They remind us that Afghanistan is a country that struggles under the burden of three decades of armed conflict and that, in many ways, the history of that conflict overshadows today's elections.

Do we need to look backward before we can help Afghans to envision a different future? Is Afghanistan becoming another example of outside help forgetting the complexities of living inside? What is in our best interest about being there? What are the conditions under which democratic practices, institutions, and governments flourish? Add your thoughts, comments, and questions below.

World Environmental Literature 8/19

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we discuss the latest issue of Words Without Borders, "Into the Wild: International Nature Writing" with Words Without Borders editor, Susan Harris and Rochelle Johnson, Associate Professor of English and Environmental Studies at The College of Idaho.

Here they are! In no particular order, the international works of nature writing we'll discuss and links to the Words Without Border site where you can read each of them:

And, if you have some ideas of international nature writing to add, or you want to share your impressions of those here that you've read, add a comment below.

Short pieces:

Cees Nooteboom, "A Journey to Spitsbergen" : Nooteboom is considered the most important Dutch writer; he's particularly well known for his literary travelogues. A group of literary travel writers have been invited by the Norwegian government to spend a week at the Arctic Circle.


Mohamed Magani, "Seismic Activity": Magani is Algerian and writes novels in French and short stories in English; he's president of Algerian PEN. Wonderful series of associations between writing, earthquakes, cultures.

Laszlo Krasnahorkai, "El ultimo lobo" Hungarian, A tour de force: stream of consciousness, one long driving sentence about a professor thinking about the last wolf in Extramadura and the "civilization" of the wild.

Excerpts from larger pieces:

Manuel de Lope, from the novel Iberia: Spanish author, living in Spain. Narrator returns to the town of Mundaca, on the Biscayan coast, and remembers his near-drowning as a child of seven playing at a summer camp.

Nikos Kachtitsis, from the novel Mezzanine: The author is Greek, deceased; this is the first publication of any of his work in English. This is a Kafkaesque work of alienation and despair; the narrator is a Flemish ex-antique dealer living in Central Africa.

Laurentino Gomes, from 1808: Brazilian, writing in Portuguese. This book about the history of Brazil has sold over 600,000 copies in Portuguese and is unknown in the rest of the world.

Poetry:

Harald Weinrich, "Bestiary": German. The convention of the bestiary, here describing animals reading.

Raul Zurita, "For Love of Chile": Chilean. Sweet topographical ode.

Take a Sail on the S/V Denis Sullivan 8/18

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we explore the water ecology laboratory and innovative classroom aboard the schooner sailboat, the S/V Denis Sullivan.

This replica schooner based in Milwaukee hearkens back to a very different time on the Great Lakes as it gathers data about the giant fresh water ecosystem and looks to the future of fresh water ecology in the Great Lakes by serving as a floating classroom. Check out this video of students on the S/V Denis Sullivan:



With the invasive silver carp making their way up the Chicago River to within miles of Lake Michigan, decades of stress on water resources ahead of us, and idling legislation to protect the Great Lakes water system, what concerns are foremost in your mind when it comes to water ecology today? Share your stories of schooner sailing and your concerns about fresh water ecology by leaving a comment below.

Travel and Culture 8/17

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we talk with Katie Krueger about her year in Senegal. In her book about her travels, Give With Gratitude: Lessons Learned Listening to West Africa, Katie tells the story of her initial culture shock and how she eventually incorporated the Senegalese way of of life into her own.

Has traveling outside your home country taught you more about the culture you grew up in? Did you struggle to break away from your cultural habits? How have you incorporated the ideals, values, and priorities of another culture into your own? Share your stories by adding a comment below.

Noir Around the World 8/5

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we explore how the literary genre of noir and its global incarnations. From Ireland, to Istanbul, to Delhi the detective, the gritty street scene, and that sense of dred and despair have become part of the local setting.

Let us know who your favorite writers of international noir are by leaving a comment below.

The Power of Apology 8/4

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we discuss the recent Senate resolution apologizing for slavery and years of segregation with two Professors of Law, Adjoa Aiyetoro and Roger Conner.

Apologizing is never easy, even when it's between two people. How can a nation apologize for it's wrongdoing? Can a national apology help us account for the past and choose a different future?

What makes for a real apology in interpersonal relationships? Can this translate to the scale of a nation? What would be different if a sincere apology was offered for the racial inequalities in which the government was involved? Share your thoughts about the apology and the power of apology in general by adding a comment below.

Volunteer Vacations 8/3

On today's show we discuss the perks and logistics of taking a volunteer vacation--that's right, working for nothing while you travel.

As our guest Pam Grout, author of The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life, explains, volunteer vacations come in many forms and can land you in many different places.

Melissa Lesh embodies just one kind of volunteer travel. She is currently pursuing her dream of working with endangered wildlife in India. Here's Melissa holding a baby Indian leopard:



Does this sound like a crazy idea to you, something you've always wanted to try, or something you're an old pro at? Whichever one you are, share your thoughts and stories below by adding a comment.

Kitchen Express - Airdate - 7/31 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Joe Hardtke - See exclusive recipes below...

Mark "The Minimalist" Bittman is on the show today. You may know him from his column, blog and videos with The New York Times. In his new book, Kitchen Express, Mark boasts about his "404 seasonal dishes you can make in 20 minutes or less!" This has me curious if any of you cooks out there can top Mr. Bittman! Do you know any wonderful seasonal recipes that are ultra-quick in the kitchen? Pass it on here and we might just include it on the air. Just try not to be like this guy...



Mark has kindly invited us to include a couple of his speedy recipes. Set your timer for 20 minutes and go!

Gazpacho

Core and seed ripe, juicy tomatoes and cut into chunks. Peel and seed a cucumber and roughly chop. Peel a clove or two of garlic. Cut the crusts from a couple of thick slices of good white bread and tear them up. Puree everything in a blender with salt, pepper, lots of olive oil, and a splash of sherry vinegar, adding just enough water (or ice) to thin the mixture. Serve garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped basil or mint leaves.

"Try peaches or melons instead of tomatoes, or add anchovies for more flavor," adds Mark.

Arugula with Balsamic Strawberries and Goat Cheese

A surprisingly wonderful salad! Hull and slice a pint of strawberries and put them in a large salad bowl. Toss with two tablespoons balsamic vinegar and several grinds of black pepper. Let sit for five minutes. Add a bunch of arugula, some crumbled goat cheese, and a sprinkle of salt; drizzle with olive oil, toss, and serve.

And don't forget to tell us how your dishes turned out! Leave your comments here or call the Here on Earth Hotline at 1-877-GLOBE-07.

Healthcare...for Poor People Only 7/29

Carly Yuenger

Today's show explores the work of Partners In Health, whose mission is "to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care." The group works around the world. And in the United States.

We've been featuring the issues of health and healthcare around the world and our recent guests, Joao Biehl, Torben Eskerod, and Cynthia Haq have brought up societal, governmental, historical, and legal aspects of health. Today we focus on the effects of poverty.

Can changing the way we think about health change the way we think about healthcare? What is the relationship between socio-economic status and health? How can we explain the presense of global non-profit organizations coming into the United States to provide for those Americans who cannot otherwise access healthcare? Add a comment below or leave a voicemail at 1-877-GLOBE-07.

China, Africa, and the Global Economy 7/28

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we look into the emerging business ties between many African nations and China. Author Serge Michel and photographer Paolo Woods investigate what the relationship brings--and takes from--Africa in their book, China Safari:On the Trail of Beijing's Expansion in Africa.

We've discussed on recent shows the need to move from a relationship of aid with Africa to one of trade. But from recent guests such as Gregory Carr, Jacqueline Novogratz, and Torkin Wakefield, we've also learned that there are better and worse ways to do business with the people and nations of Africa. So how do African nations become equal business partners in the global economy and what will it take to ensure that economic partnerships are mutually beneficial?

Whatever the answers to these questions, China is moving in on the opportunity. As economies and markets in Africa grow, what are the key ethical, political, and econmic issues and realities we need to consider? Add a comment below or leave a voicemail at 1-877-GLOBE-07.

Dinner in the Ottoman Empire, anyone? 7/24

Carly Yuenger

Whether you're a foody, an amateur historian, or just like a taste of the exotic with your meals, the experience that Chef and food historian Channon Mondoux offers is a meal of a lifetime.

On this week's Food Friday show, we travel back in time and across the world to recreate a meal at the Sarayi, the Instanbul palace of the Sultans during the Ottoman Classical Age (about 1446-1600). How cool is that?
The Sarayi was the center of an elegant and innovative Turkish culinary culture. The meals Channon Mondoux helps us recreate with her book are those of the courts of the most well-known sultan of the times, Suleyman the Magnificent.

During the show, we'll learn how the cultures of the 16th century collided and mixed on the dinner table at the Sarayi and how the meals that appeared there inspired the Western cuisine that followed for centuries after.

It seems fair to say that her new mult-media cookbook, Celebrating at the Sarayi is more than just a cookbook. It tells a story through historical information, music, images, and, of course, the recipes. And, if you ever get the chance to catch one of her live recreations of food from this time, you might see a dance performance from the period as well.

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Have you ever been to a historically accurate recreation of a feast? What was the experience like? Have you ever tried cooking something from a recipe from another time or using ancient techniques? Call in to the show on Friday at 1-877-GLOBE-07 or leave a comment below!

Walter Cronkite and Journalism Today

Carly Yuenger

On today's show we remember the life and work of journalist and news anchor Walter Cronkite by thinking hard about what journalism was, is, and can be.

When Walter Cronkite started out, there were only 3 national broadcasting networks and the evening news lasted 15 minutes! Journalistic practices, the news, and the media through which we get it have all undoubtedly changed in the last 50 years, and changes seem to come faster and faster through ever-evolving new forms of media and new uses of old media.

The use of Twitter during the unrest following the recent Iranian elections and the ever-increasing number of 24-hour cable news channels suggests we have a lot to catch up on with regard to how we think about and use news media.

But this doesn't mean we can no longer tell the difference between better and worse news and news sources. The values that made Walter Cronkite the most trusted man in America may help us sift through the news we encounter today. It may, however, demand that we look longer and harder for the good stuff and that we become better and more critical news consumers.

How do you think we as news consumers should catch up with the times? What does good journalism mean to you? What does it mean to be a critical news consumer and what today makes it difficult to be one? Add a comment below or leave a voicemail for our mailbag segment at 1-877-GLOBE-07

The Happiness Project - Airdate - 7/15 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Joe Hardtke

UPDATE - Charles Spearin is now confirmed to the show. As you might have noticed, we've booked him for this Wednesday. You can post your questions for Charles right here and we'll use them on the air.

I've been talking with Arts & Crafts records out of Toronto with hopes of booking Charles Spearin to the program. You may know Spearin as a member of Broken Social Scene, the Toronto collective responsible for such great 00's albums as You Forgot It In People or their self-titled 2005 disc.

These days, when not recording the new Broken Social Scene album, Spearin is promoting his debut CD, the intriguing Happiness Project.

Spearin essentially interviewed his Toronto neighbors, his family and friends about the idea of happiness and created music with the recordings. Mind you, Spearin didn't just write music to compliment their voices, or to play around their words. He wrote music actually using the tones in their voices.



Charles Spearin: "After each interview I would listen back to the recording for moments that were interesting in both meaning and melody. It has always been interesting to me how we use sounds to convey concepts. Normally, we don’t pay any attention to the movement of our lips and tongue, and the rising and falling of our voices as we toss our thoughts back and forth to each other. We just talk and listen. The only time we pay attention to these qualities is in song. I wanted to see if I could blur the line between speaking and singing - life and art? - and write music based on these accidental melodies."

Keep your eyes peeled to this blog. If and when we confirm Charles Spearin to the program, you'll be the first to know. In the meantime, we'll take your questions about The Happiness Project right here and save them for the eventual interview. Or, perhaps you'd simply like to answer Spearin's main question: Where do you find happiness?

Saving Gorongosa - Airdate - 7/14 - 4 p.m. (ET)

Joe Hardtke

Today's show features Greg Carr, a social entrepreneur fighting to save Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park. Many of you might have seen Greg recently on CBS's 60 Minutes. As promised during the show, here's their original segment on the Carr Foundation.



We'd love to hear your feedback on Greg Carr and his work. Do you feel that high-profile investment in African eco-tourism can raise whole countries out of poverty?

Walking the Journey

Carly Yuenger

On today's show Hape Kerkeling shares stories from his journey walking along the Camino De Santiago. He wasn't searching for a spiritual journey when he left, but it's amazing what walking almost 400 miles can do...

Have you found more than you were searching for while on a long trip? Why does walking help us open up to what we least expect? Did you begin a trek expecting to find something and wound up finding nothing at all? Share your stories and experiences of journeys, pilgrimages, and walking by adding a comment below.

It's Strawberry Time!

Carly Yuenger

It's that season, time for the first berries of the year: Strawberries. On today's show we freshen up our strawberry recipe repertoire with French chef, Monique Hooker.

Have you tried Strawberry, chevre, and basil salad? What's your secret for the perfect strawberry smoothy? Add a comment below to share your favorite strawberry recipes, or just give these favorites from our guest a try:

Monique Hooker's "Summer Clafoutis"

(Serves 6-8)
1/2 C Sugar
2 Tablespoon Cornstarch
1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract
4 Eggs
3 C Whole milk
3 C Strawberries**
1 Tablespoon Rhum (optional)
1/4 C Confectionner sugar, to sprinkle on top

Preheat the oven at 375 but once the clafoutis is in the oven turn it down to 350! In a large bowl blend the sugar and cornstarch and mix well until eggs have absorbed all the sugar.* Add the milk and vanilla extract and blend well, do not beat as not to incorporate any air, this would give the custard a dry consistency instead of a creamy consistency. Rinse (cut the strawberries) berries and place at the bottom of an au gratin dish 8 cup size or individual dishes. Bake in the 350 degrees oven until set, about 35 to 45 minutes for large one and 20 minutes for individuals. When done remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature then sprinkle with confectionner sugar just before serving. Best served at room temperature and great for picnics.
* This method is called creaming and not beating
** You may use any summer fruit for this.

Monique Hooker's Strawberry Chutney

(Makes about 6 C)
3 Lbs Strawberries, very ripe
4 C Diced onions (about 3 medium)
2 Lemons grated zest and juiced
1 C Raisins
1 C Sugar (more or less)
1 tsp Ground ginger
1/2 tsp Each of: cinnamon, nutmeg, hot pepper,black
pepper,
1 C Cider vinegar

Place all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil then lower to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 1 hour or more until desired thickness. To preserve just place in sterilized jar, cover tightly with lid, place in a large pot and cover the jars with water, bring to a boil and let boil for about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before storing. You should always follow the canning jars manufacturer's directions.

Monique Hooker's Spring BBQ Sauce

Makes about 5 C
2 C Very Ripe strawberries
1/2 C Olive oil 0r Canola or Sunflower Oil
1/2 C Cider vinegar (more or less)
1 C Maple syrup grade "B" or "C"
1 tbsp Dijon style mustard
1 Tablespoon Pickle Ginger
3 Garlic cloves
2 tsp Fresh ground pepper
1 tsp Hot pepper (more or less)
1 tsp Salt
3 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

In a food processor or blender grind together the garlic and pickle ginger very fine almost a puree. Add the strawberries and puree again. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well. Transfer to a sauce pan and cook on low heat until desired thickness about 1 hour. Add water if necessary to buy time to develop the flavors

** I usually adjust the heat or consistency depending on my moods or also the expected final product. You have a lot of room for creativity here

The Summer Reading List

Here is a list of books discussed on today's show and a few more picked by Words Without Borders editor, Susan Harris.

They're organized by region and by reading purpose: Pure information, and pure escape.

Have fun, come back and share your responses to what you've read, and be sure to add your own reading suggestions by adding a comment below.

Iran

Escape: Beynam Dayani, "Hitchcock and Agha Baji": An eighteen-year-old boy, a Hitchcock fan, sees Psycho, comes home haunted by the movie, answers the door to an aged friend of his grandmother's, thinks she's Norman Bates's mother, and faints from the shock. The story goes on to weave Hitchcock and Agha Baji's story. More here

Escape: Goli Taraghi, "The Pomegranate Lady and Her Sons". The narrator returns to her home in Paris after visiting her former home, Tehran. An annoying elderly peasant woman, a confused first-time traveler, attaches herself to her. Slapstick ensues; the narrator finally rids herself of the old woman. Weeks later, looking through her bag, she finds the old woman's airline ticket. More here

Current Events: Goli Taraghi, "Encounter". A fashionable dinner party in Tehran is raided by the Revolutionary Guards; the usual bribes don't work, and the entire party is thrown in jail. The narrator recognizes the prison matron in charge of whipping the women prisoners as the nanny she fired some twenty years ago. The hand that rocks the cradle runs the prison. Good example of the oppressive government, but the flashbacks about how the nanny drove a wedge between the narrator and her son also speak to every parent's nightmare about child care. More here

China

Escape: Can Xue (pronounced Sahn Shway), "The Bane of My Existence": The narrator takes in a tiny abandoned kitten who grows into a feral cat who terrorizes her. More here

Escape: Yu Hua, "Appendix". A powerful surgeon tells his two little sons about a great doctor who removed his own appendix. This backfires when the father falls sick with appendicitis and begs the boys to call an ambulance. More here

Current Events: first English translation of Wang Dan's prison memoirs: More here; Word Without Borders interview with Wu Wenjian about the fate of the "June 4 Thugs" is here; blogs by Wang Dan

Background: Zhao Ying, "Red Bean Sticky Cakes and Running": The narrator recalls fleeing with her pregnant mother (who'd already had three girls and was being pressured to abort this fourth pregnancy) and running from house to house to evade their pursuers until the baby could be born; woman grows up to be a track star. More here

Pakistan

Background: Saddat Hasan Manto, "Toba Tek Singh": the first lines of this classic story are "Two years after Partition, the governments of Pakistan and India decided to exchange lunatics in the same way that they had exchanged civilian prisoners. In other words, Muslim lunatics in Indian madhouses would be sent to Pakistan, while Hindu and Sikh lunatics in Pakistani madhouses would be handed over to India." But the governments did not realize that the newly drawn borders between the countries would complicate the exchange. More here

Background/Current Events: Intizaar Hussain, "The First Morning," about the author's migration to Pakistan from India after Partition. More here

Escape: Muhammad Khalid Akhtar "The Monthly Ulloo," about the narrator's scheming trickster of an uncle. More here

Add your reading suggestions by adding a comment below!