Talk of the Nation

Talk of the Nation®

with Neal Conan

About the Program

Talk of the Nation with host Neal Conan is known for intelligent and thought-provoking discussion. Guests, contributors, and listeners explore today's most compelling issues — from breaking news, science, and education to religion and the arts.

Starting June 30th, 2006, both hours of Science Friday, broadcast during Talk of the Nation, will be broadcast on MPR News stations.

Official program Web site

Latest Show
Document It's Not Whether We Ration Health Care, But How
 Biothecist Peter Singer makes the case for health care rationing based on philosophical, economic and ethical issues. In his piece for the <em>New York Times,</em> he argues health care rationing is necessary, and done right, provides the best value for the money. (11/23/2009)
Document Op-Ed: Huckabee And Palin Chose Celebrity
 In the <em>New York Times,</em> columnist Ross Douthat argues Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin embraced celebrity after losses in 2008, and thus can never become president. Douthat believes republicans need a leader who prefers "leadership to the pleasures of celebrity." (11/23/2009)
Document Who Needs College, And Who Shouldn't Go?
 Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them. (11/23/2009)
Document Commission Member Wants Detainees In Ill.
 James Thompson, member of the September 11 commission, believes detention officials in Ill. are capable of handling Guantanamo Bay detainees. In a piece for the <em>Chicago Tribune,</em> he argues bringing the detainees to American soil will make the country stronger and safer. (11/23/2009)
Document Talking Turkey About Holiday Stress
 The holiday season is here and for many that can mean a surge in stress. But what is stress exactly? <em>Science Friday</em> hit the streets of New York City to gauge stress levels and consulted with experts on the effects of stress and strategies for how to cope. (11/20/2009)
Document Brushing Up On Tropical Diseases
 Dengue fever, malaria and other tropical diseases took center stage at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference. Nathan Seppa of <em>Science News</em> offers details, including a strange story of palm trees, fruit bats and human infection. (11/20/2009)
Document Personalizing Solar Power
 Researchers are hoping to improve solar energy installations by coupling a solar panel to an efficient hydrolysis unit that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. Daniel Nocera of MIT says the approach could lead to personal solar power units that could get many houses off the grid. (11/20/2009)
Document Book Recounts Challenges Of Eradicating Smallpox
 In <em>Smallpox: The Death of a Disease</em>, Dr. D.A. Henderson recounts the history of the deadly virus, from the development of the first vaccine in the late 18th century to his involvement in the successful global eradication campaign in the 1960s and 70s. (11/20/2009)
Document Rethinking The Human Future In Space
 With NASA reporting a "significant amount" of water on the lunar surface, is it time to re-examine our priorities regarding living and working in space? Mark Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute, talks about why and how people should venture beyond Earth. (11/20/2009)
Document Real-Life Physics Problems Star On TV
 The stars of <em>The Big Bang Theory</em> are two fictional Caltech physicists, but the physics problems they study are real. Bill Prady, the program's co-creator and executive producer, talks about including real-world science in the script, from dark matter to magnetic monopoles. (11/20/2009)
Document Debating Benefits, Risks Of Routine Mammograms
 New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health. (11/20/2009)
Document New Yorkers Disagree Over Plans For Sept. 11 Trial
 Attorney General Eric Holder announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will be tried in a civilian court in New York City. Some argue it will open old wounds, while others insist it will provide closure. (11/19/2009)
Document 'Googled': From Brainchild To Behemoth
 How much do you know about the company that knows so much about you? In <em>Googled: The End of the World as We Know It,</em> Ken Auletta chronicles the growth of Google, from the brainchild of two computer science graduate students, toiling in a California garage, to the multi-billion dollar, multi-nation corporation it is today. (11/19/2009)
Document Books That Will Help You Understand Afghanistan
 The conflict in Afghanistan dominates headlines, but many people seek a deeper understanding of the country and the war the U.S. is fighting there. In the first of a series of suggestions for an Afghanistan "reading list," <em>Washington Post</em> special military correspondent Tom Ricks shares his recommendations, ranging from a collection of Afghan proverbs, to a history of the CIA's involvement in the country. (11/19/2009)
Document Indentured Servitude Persists In Florida's Fields
 Slavery was abolished in the U.S. in 1865, but the specter of slavery persists today for the tomato and citrus pickers working in Florida's fields. Reporter Amy Bennett Williams joins Neal Conan in Fort Myers, Fla. to discuss indentured servitude, human trafficking, and how prosecutors are fighting it. (11/19/2009)
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DATE TIME SERVICE STATION
MON1:00 pmNewsFind a station
TUE1:00 pmNewsFind a station
WED1:00 pmNewsFind a station
THU1:00 pmNewsFind a station
FRI1–3 pmNewsFind a station

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