Cultural Controversy with Shannon Fisher

Shannon Fisher welcomes Columbia University historian Matthew Connelly to discuss THE DECLASSIFICATION ENGINE: WHAT HISTORY REVEALS ABOUT AMERICA'S TOP SECRETS. In this book, Connelly explores the nature of material classified by the United States government, how and why it is classified and the manner in which (some of) the information is ultimately released to the public. Using the latest techniques in data science, he has an...

Shannon welcomes E. Jean Carroll, the longest running advice columnist in history, to the show today. Writer of the “Ask E. Jean” column, which ran in Elle Magazine for decades, E. Jean Carroll has written a book entitled, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal.” In it, she recounts stories of experiences with "The Most Hideous Men of My Life" and the manner in which they affected her. E. Jean also shares her adventures during...

Shannon Fisher welcomes alternative-spirituality historian Mitch Horowitz to discuss his book, DAYDREAM BELIEVER. This conversation explores the intersection of science and spirituality, parapsychological research, and the power of a single thought or emotion. Horowitz presents actionable methods by which extraphysical aspects of the human mind are parlayed into metaphysical powers.

Cultural Controversy with Shannon Fisher delves ...

Shannon Fisher welcomes acclaimed author Clancy Martin to discuss his new book, HOW NOT TO KILL YOURSELF: A PORTRAIT OF THE SUICIDAL MIND. This memoir powerfully depicts a mindset that is incomprehensible to many: the earnest contemplation of suicide. Offering an intimate glimpse of Clancy's personal reality for those trying to understand this concept, and comfort and commiseration for readers who are all too familiar with it,...

Today, Shannon spoke with revered environmental activist Erin Brockovich about our nation's water crisis. We assume our water supply is safe because it is tested and treated by municipalities, but that isn't always the case.  Discovering impurities in a municipal water supply, and ultimately ensuring the situation is rectified, requires persistence, research, and commitment from community members. With the goal of educating an...

Don Mancini created the character of Chucky and has written, directed, and/or produced every film in the Child's Play franchise. In this podcast, Don tells Shannon how his career began, why he loves horror movies, and what it's like working in television. He also dishes about future Child's Play projects in the works! 

Our Lives with Shannon Fisher explores personal, political, and societal perspectives of the American experie...

Kate White, former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and New York Times bestselling author, joins Shannon Fisher this week to talk shop! After being at the helm of Cosmo for fourteen years, Kate White left the magazine (and the beauty perks) to concentrate full time on writing. She is a bestselling author of ten works of fiction - six mysteries and four suspense novels.&...

Shannon welcomes writer, film director and producer Rocky Lang to talk about his new collaboration with historian Barbara Hall, "Letters from Hollywood: Inside the World of Classic American Moviemaking." This book contains letters written by filmmakers on nearly every aspect of the creation of the classic Hollywood films we all know and love.  From direction to costume design to acting to interpersonal drama, this book offers ...

Former Senate Majority Leaders Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, two of the most prominent political leaders of our time, join Shannon Fisher to discuss their book, Crisis Point: Why We Must - and How We Can - Overcome Our Broken Politics in Washington and Across America. 

In Crisis Point, Daschle and Lott offer perspectives from opposing sides of the aisle. The book examines the polarizing partisanship that...

Pamela Paul oversees all books coverage for The New York Times as editor of The New York Times Book Review. The author and editor of seven books, Paul joins Our Lives with Shannon Fisher today to discuss her latest title, 100 THINGS WE'VE LOST TO THE INTERNET. The book examines some of the many social and cultural phenomena that all but vanished in the wake of the digital revolution. 

Our Lives with Shannon Fisher explores per...

Shannon welcomes Entertainment Journalist Evelyn McDonnell to discuss her recent book, Women Who Rock: Bessie to Beyonce. Girl Groups to Riot Grrrl. The book profiles almost 100 years of female musicians, describing how the music industry historically progressed and the contributions each of the 104 women made to pop music. Entertainers from all music genres are represented, and the profiles - also all written by women and compiled...

Elijah Anderson is the William K. Lanman, Jr. Professor of Sociology at Yale University and one of the leading urban ethnographers in the United States. His published books include Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City and The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Political and Social Science and is the former...

Shannon welcomes Philip Mudd, former Deputy Director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center and the FBI National Security Branch. He is also often seen as a commentator on CNN. His book, BLACK SITE: The CIA in the Post-9/11 World, explores the creation and management of the secret CIA detention centers and "The Program" of enhanced interrogation techniques used following the September 11 attacks.  Mudd interviewed dozens of offici...

The United States is facing an affordable housing crisis, and Shannon welcomes sociologist Andrew Ross for a discussion about his latest book, Sunbelt Blues: The Failure of American Housing. The book examines the housing crisis through the lens of a central Florida county in Disney World's back yard, offering perspectives on the experiences of people who find themselves homelessness, or on the brink, and the economic factors that h...

This podcast re-posted with permission from the National Press Club. To see the original podcast page for this episode, please go to the NPC website: https://www.press.org/newsroom/cnns-john-king-breaks-down-2020-election-coverage

With a field of primary candidates as large as the Democrats’ in 2020, keeping up-to-date with election news is challenging. The process is even more daunting for political journalists who gather ever-cha...

Shannon Fisher welcomes The Verge art director Kristen Radtke for a fascinating conversation about Radtke's newest graphic nonfiction book, SEEK YOU: A JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICAN LONELINESS, which explores the epidemic of loneliness in America today on both a micro and macro level. 

Our Lives with Shannon Fisher explores personal, political, and societal perspectives of the American experience. The show delves deeply into the wo...

Shannon Fisher welcomes Harvard Medical School Instructor Dr. Jim Hopper on the 50th episode of The Authentic Woman. The two discuss the neurobiology of trauma - the manner in which the brain responds to physical or psychological trauma.

This show examines the scientific reasons those who have experienced or are experiencing trauma can exhibit uncharacteristic behavior. Hopper explores the science behind response to ...

Shannon welcomes Historian Lawrence Goldstone to discuss his vivid portrait of the systematic suppression of the African American vote. The book traces the injustices of the post-Reconstruction era and examines the legal cases that made the Supreme Court a partner of white supremacists in the rise of Jim Crow. Goldstone brilliantly draws direct links to today's creeping threats to suffrage in this important and timely book.

Our Liv...

Lois Bromfield has had a storied career in comedy. Her Hollywood credits read like a who's who of comedy in its heyday. Still a working stand-up comedian and screenwriter, Lois now lives in Germany and has written a memoir about her crazy exploits in Hollywood. Some of her legendary stories will blow your mind, and they will all leave you in stitches. Lois and Shannon get together today to talk about My Dirty Life in Comedy!

Our Li...