Now Playing

Loading streams...

People of Northwest Public Radio

Sueann Ramella

Morning Edition Host & Producer

Thom Kokenge

All Things Considered Host & Producer

Robin Rilette

Music Director & Classical Music Host

Kerry Swanson

Station Manager

Gillian Coldsnow

Assistant Manager of Programming and Operations

John Paxson

News Director

Steve Reeder

Classical Music Host

Talk of the Nation

Mon. - Thurs. from 11am to 1pm (not including Science Friday)

Hosted by: Neal Conan

Talk of the Nation® links the headlines with what's on people's minds, providing a springboard for listeners and experts to exchange ideas and pose critical questions about major events in the news and the world around them. Each day, Talk of the Nation combines the award-winning resources of NPR News with the vital participation of listeners. The result is a spirited and productive exchange of knowledge and insight that delves deeply into the news and ideas of the day.

Monday through Thursday, host Neal Conan invites callers to discuss areas of topical interest, including politics and public service, education, religion, music, and healthcare. Talk of the Nation goes behind the headlines with decision-makers, authors, thinkers, artists, and listeners around the world, who become part of the conversation by calling 1-800-989-TALK.

Talk of the Nation won the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Baton Award in 1994-95 for "The Changing of the Guard: The Republican Revolution," as well as the 1993-94 duPont-Columbia Silver Baton for part of NPR's coverage of the South African elections. The program also won the 1993 Corporation for Public Broadcasting Silver Award.

Below, you will find articles, transcripts, and clips of many of the stories heard on Talk of the Nation.

Visit Talk of the Nation on NPR.org

Composer ID:

5187c792e1c89a513fd56e05|5187c750e1c8c870fd6d9fbc

Studying Earth To Learn About Mars

By editor

Listen

Transcript

IRA FLATOW, HOST:

This is SCIENCE FRIDAY. I'm Ira Flatow.

7:21 am

Fri April 26, 2013

The Bird That Struts Its Stuff

By editor

Listen

Transcript

IRA FLATOW, HOST:

Up next, it's our Video Pick of The Week. And here with me, as always, is our managing editor and correspondent for video, Flora Litchman. Hi, Flora.

FLORA LITCHMAN, BYLINE: Hi, Ira.

FLATOW: You went on a...

(APPLAUSE)

FLATOW: You went on a local expedition for us.

LITCHMAN: I love Salt Lake City.

FLATOW: Yeah.

LITCHMAN: I just want to...

FLATOW: They love you, it sounds like. Tell us about your expedition.

11:10 am

Thu April 25, 2013

Tweeting Crime: Law Enforcement Adapts To Social Media

By editor

Originally published on Thu April 25, 2013 11:57 am

Listen

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan, in Washington. Last Friday evening the Boston Police Department tweeted the news that the city and the nation had been waiting for. Captured. The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over and justice has won. Suspect in custody.

11:06 am

Thu April 25, 2013

Steadicam Inventor Joins Inventors Hall of Fame

Next image Previous image

Credit Courtesy Garrett Brown

Garrett Brown with Sylvester Stallone during the filming of Rocky II.

Credit Courtesy Garrett Brown

Garrett Brown holds 50 patents worldwide for his devices and will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May.

By editor

Originally published on Tue April 30, 2013 8:32 am

Listen

Rocky Balboa's sprint up the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum in Rocky is a scene that would have once been impossible to film. Camera innovator Garrett Brown made it possible when he invented the Steadicam, a body-mounted camera that stabilizes handheld shots.

Brown has received three Academy Awards for his technical inventions and holds 50 patents for cinematography devices. The college dropout-turned-inventor will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May.

11:02 am

Thu April 25, 2013

Signing Up For Food Stamps

By editor

Originally published on Thu April 25, 2013 11:25 am

Listen

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. Another promising report today suggests that the economy in general and employment in particular continue to improve, but there's another statistic that's more troubling. More Americans than ever participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.

11:23 am

Wed April 24, 2013

Surviving Tragedy: The Various Paths Beyond

By editor

Originally published on Wed April 24, 2013 11:29 am

Listen

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan, in Washington. While funerals and memorial services continue for those killed by bombers in Boston and a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, we want to talk today with survivors of traumatic events like those, from car accidents to hurricanes, and ask how you deal with the range of emotions and the range of questions - maybe newfound appreciation for life or survivor's guilt, maybe even blame.

11:13 am

Wed April 24, 2013

When Conscience Conflicts With Constituents

By editor

Listen

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. Sanford trails in South Carolina, the Democrats get it on in Massachusetts, and the lady from Maine scoffs at sequestration. It's Wednesday and time for a...

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS: Manufactured crisis...

CONAN: Edition of the political junkie.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDINGS)

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: There you go again.

VICE PRESIDENT WALTER MONDALE: When I hear your new ideas, I'm reminded of that ad: Where's the beef?

11:06 am

Wed April 24, 2013

Deadly Strain Of Bird Flu Is 'Most Lethal' Flu Virus Yet

By editor

Originally published on Wed April 24, 2013 11:34 am

Listen

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

11:25 am

Tue April 23, 2013

Making The Most Of MOOCs: The Ins And Outs Of E-Learning

By editor

Originally published on Tue April 23, 2013 1:30 pm

Listen

Transcript

JENNIFER LUDDEN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Jennifer Ludden.

11:21 am

Tue April 23, 2013