Oct. 6, 2009: Home-schooling with a missionary family in Guinea. How God Changes Your Brain.

mp3:  Click here to listen to this show.

On the first part of our show, we’ll talk with Wynell LeCroy, a retired teacher living in Abilene, Texas.  This spring, at age 71, Mrs. LeCroy flew for the first time to Guinea, and spent three months organizing a home-schooling program for a missionary family with four children, including a toddler with Down Syndrome.

Next, we’ll talk with Dr. Mark Waldman, who co-authored How God Changes Your Brain with neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg.  What should students know about meditation?  How do children think about God?  No matter what your religious beliefs might be, there are benefits — and caveats — to religious contemplation and spiritual meditation.

For more information on Dr. Waldman and How God Changes Your Brain, visit markrobertwaldman.com.

Tune in this Tuesday for a little wisdom from our elders… and religion and our brains… coming up.

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Music for this show by Paul Brill, Cirkestra, Frustrator, and Evil Art Form.

publicthinktankradio.org

Sept. 22, 2009: Emily Goodstein from Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom

mp3:  Click here to listen to this show.

On the first part of the show, we’ll be joined by Emily Goodstein, director of Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom. SYRF is a national organization that educates, organizes and empowers youth and young adults to put their faith into action and advocate for pro-choice social justice.  Visit their website at syrf.org.

Next, we’ll talk with Dr. Mark Waldman, who co-authored How God Changes Your Brain with neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg.  No matter what your religious beliefs might be, there are benefits — and caveats — to religious contemplation and spiritual meditation.

Religion, youth, politics, and neuroscience… coming up.

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Our interview with Dr. Waldman had to be rescheduled due to a communication problem in Malibu.  Yes, even Malibu has its imperfections!  Tune in for that interview with Dr. Waldman on October 6.

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Music on today’s show by Paul Brill, Doofgoblin, Dream Animals, Cirkestra, and Evil Art Form.

publicthinktankradio.org

Sept. 15, 2009: Student organizer Brendan Laws. Brooklyn College students new school year voices.

mp3:  Click here to listen to this show

On the first half of the show, we’ll have a live phone interview with University of Houston student organizer Brendan Laws.  Brendan has played an active role in campus organizations fighting for fair trade and opposing sweatshops, often with the support of only a handful of students.  Through determination and creativity, these groups drew support from the surrounding community, and succeeded in standing up to powerful corporations.

We’ll also hear from a sampling of students lounging on the Brooklyn College lawn.  What teachers have made a difference to them?  What are they looking ahead to this year?

Student voices from Brooklyn to Houston… coming up.

Resources from the conversation with Brendan:

Students Against Sweatshops National Website

University of Houston Students Against Sweatshops

University of Houston Students for Fair Trade

Coalition of Immokalee Workers

The Student Farmworker Alliance

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Music on this show by Paul Brill, Cirkestra and Evil Art Form

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publicthinktankradio.org

May 12, 2009: Dr. Randy Albelda on women, welfare, and higher education. Ask A Magnet Yenta.

To listen to this show, click HERE.

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’ll re-air May 5th’s show looking at two issues of concern to moms — moms as students, and as parents of students.

Women, Welfare, and Access to Higher Education

On the first half of the show, we’ll have economist Dr. Randy Albelda discussing her work on women and welfare, and talk about how this connects to access for higher education. We discuss why these issues are important for women, and how they are crucial to 25% of American children as well.

Ask A Magnet Yenta

On the second half of the show, Tanya Anton from Ask A Magnet Yenta talks about the website which helps parents in Los Angeles navigate the complex magnet school system. It’s a labor of love, run entirely by moms who research LA’s schools themselves and answer questions from parents in advice-column style, all on a volunteer basis. We talk about parent empowerment and the value of community involvement in our local schools.

Here are some links to add:

http://gomamaguide.com/

http://askamagnetyenta.wordpress.com/

http://askamagnetyenta.wordpress.com/martinis-and-magnets/

I would also urge you add a note that Sandra Tsing Loh (the Queen and Founder of Ask A Magnet Yenta) is organizing the 2nd Annual California Children’s Rally at the State Capitol Bldg in Sacramento on June 23, 2009 where they will host the 1st Annual California Children’s Congress or “Kids Lobby Day” sponsored by the office of State Sen. Gloria Romero, where kids can help Sacramento legislators write a new preamble to the California Education Code.

http://www.californiachildrensrally.com/

Also, for your NY parents, these are amazing resources:

http://insideschools.org/

http://gothamschools.org/

Tanya’s recommended links:

gomamaguide.com

askamagnetyenta.wordpress.com

askamagnetyenta.wordpress.com/martinis-and-magnets

greatschools.net

insideschools.org

gothamschools.org

On June 23, 2009, Sandra Tsing Loh, founder of Ask A Magnet Yenta, is organizing the 2nd Annual California Children’s Rally at the State Capitol Building in Sacramento. They will host the 1st Annual California Children’s Congress or “Kids Lobby Day,” when kids will help Sacramento legislators write a new preamble to the California Education Code.

www.californiachildrensrally.com

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This show is dedicated to my mother, who calls before I go on air each week to tell me if the station’s website is broadcasting properly or not.

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