The Kathleen Dunn Show
Focused on leading balanced discussions about the issues of the day and those of our time, "The Kathleen Dunn Show" aired Monday through Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the Ideas Network stations from 2006 until August 10, 2017.
Dunn and her producers strove to be as timely as possible when choosing topics and guests. The immediacy of the show attracted many loyal listeners who sought in-depth discussions that go beyond the headlines.
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Thu, 12/31/2015 - 10:00pm
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This Year's El Niño - Kathleen discusses El Niño with an expert on climate variations and their impact on Wisconsin weather.
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Thu, 12/31/2015 - 1:00pm
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The Biggest Stories of 2015 - There was plenty of news this year that dominated the headlines. We'll reflect on the biggest news stories in 2015 with a writer at the Washington Post. Among the topics we'll touch on include the at tacks in Paris, police-related shootings and civil unrest in major cities, the Presidential race and the rise of Donald Trump, the refugee crisis in Europe, falling gas prices, the Amtrak train crash, the same-sex marriage ruling and the Pope's visit to the U.S.
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Wed, 12/30/2015 - 10:00pm
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Why We Don't Talk To Our Neighbors - Why don’t we talk to our neighbors anymore? A recent survey shows that few Americans today know their neighbors’ names, and far fewer interact with them on a daily basis. Kathleen discusses why with a professor who has studied the shift in American communities.
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Wed, 12/30/2015 - 1:00pm
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The Mysterious Star Baffling Astrophysicists - Scientists have identified a distant star that’s behaving unlike anything they’ve seen before and are now working to get a closer look. Astrophysicists have outlined several natural explanations. One researcher associated with the project recently told The Atlantic, “Aliens should always be the very last hypothesis you consider, but this looked like something you would expect an alien civilization to build.” Kathleen speaks with the director of SETI at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the research institutions leading the exploration.
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Tue, 12/29/2015 - 10:00pm
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Science Tackles 58 Popular Myths - Is chocolate really poison for dogs? Are raw vegetables healthier than cooked? Does stress cause gray hair? These are some of the popular questions the editors of Scientific American tackle in the new book, "Fact or Fiction: Science Tackles 58 Popular Myths". Kathleen is joined by one of the editors, and wants to hear your questions too.
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Tue, 12/29/2015 - 1:00pm
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Arne Duncan's Legacy - Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch joins Kathleen to assess the legacy of current Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. We'll also preview what the educational landscape might look like under John B. King Jr., who will succeed Duncan in December.
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Mon, 12/28/2015 - 10:00pm
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'The Girl With Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Tale' - Kathleen's guest offers extraordinary insight into the lives of North Koreans by sharing her story of escaping the country's brutal regime when she was just a 15 years old.
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Mon, 12/28/2015 - 1:00pm
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Is Desegregation The Answer To Better Performing Schools? - Many efforts are underway to close the achievement gap between white and minority students. But according to reporting by Kathleen's guest, a journalist with the New York Times and ProPublica, the one initiative with proven results is desegregation.
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Wed, 12/23/2015 - 10:00pm
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A Boy And His Dog . . . Who Rescued Who? - Eight year old Owen Howkins has a rare muscular condition, called Schwartz Jampel Syndrome which keep his muscles always in a state of tension, affecting his balance and movement. Owen has the best friend in the whole world, wrapped up in a three-legged dog named Haatchi. And their story is documented in the book "Haatchi and Lil B". The book's author and Owen join Kathleen to discuss their incredible friendship. You can view a short documentary of the two here.
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Wed, 12/23/2015 - 1:00pm
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Paid Maternity Leave - Kathleen's guest says that American workers are far behind other countries regarding maternity leave, and that it's not just wealthy, social democratic countries that make us look bad. According to her, with the exception of a few small countries, every other nation in the world—rich or poor—now requires paid maternity leave. So why doesn't the U.S?
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Tue, 12/22/2015 - 10:00pm
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Why Is It Hard To Ask For Help? - Kathleen's guest says 7 out of 10 people admit they could have used help over the last week but didn’t ask for it! They explore why asking for help, is, as she writes, …"a universally dreaded endeavor."
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Tue, 12/22/2015 - 1:00pm
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The ProPublica "Dollars for Doctors" Investigation - ProPublica's " Dollars for Doctors " investigation examines the financial ties between doctors and representatives from the drug and device industry. Since 2010, ProPublica has compiled the list of payments that drug companies made to physicians and made the data available on a database. A senior reporter with the project talks with Kathleen about the investigation and how patients can use database to see if their doctors have received payments.
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Mon, 12/21/2015 - 10:00pm
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Being Nixon - August 9th marked the 41 st Anniversary of the resignation of President Richard Milhous Nixon. He was the only president in U.S. History to ever do so. This hour Kathleen is joined by the author of a new book who explains that fear was a constant in Nixon's life, and that in the end of his presidency, fear got the best of him.
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Mon, 12/21/2015 - 1:00pm
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Why We Don't Use Our Earned Vacation Time - As many of us look forward to winter vacation, Kathleen talks with a member of the U.S. Travel Association about "Project: Time Off", a research driven initiative on the benefits of taking earned vacation time.
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Thu, 12/17/2015 - 10:00pm
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The Life And Presidency Of George H.W. Bush - A new biography chronicles the life of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States. Kathleen speaks with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the book, which draws on the personal diaries of the president and his family members, and looks at the tough decisions of a modern president and the nation he led.
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Thu, 12/17/2015 - 1:00pm
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A New Look for The Streets Of Old Milwaukee - Take a nostalgic trip down the streets of Old Milwaukee with the Milwaukee Public Museum Curator of History Collections and the new Director of Exhibits. The exhibit, now 50 years old, just received an update. Kathleen discusses with them the history of the exhibit, its importance to Milwaukee, and about some of the updated features.
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Wed, 12/16/2015 - 10:00pm
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How To Give Good Gifts . . . With The Help Of Science - As you prepare to offer gifts to your friends and family this holiday season, do so knowing how science can boost appreciation for everything you wrap with a bow. Kathleen is joined by a pair of guests, including a social science researcher, who will offer a psychological guide to good gift giving. It's time to stop relying on the convenience of the dull and generic gift card.
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Wed, 12/16/2015 - 1:00pm
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Vanguard May Be Forced To Pay Back Taxes For Low Fees - Because of the complex U.S. tax code, Kathleen's guest writes that Vanguard Investments may soon be forced to pay a significantly large amount of back taxes because of the legendarily low fees it charges to manage your investments.
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Tue, 12/15/2015 - 10:00pm
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Trump The Demagogue - Donald Trump's rhetorical skills partially explain his persistent appeal. His call for a "temporary ban" on all Muslims entering the United States is just the latest comment to result in both political favor and disdain. A communications scholar discusses how Trump's speeches and statements from the campaign trail makes him a clear demagogue.
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Tue, 12/15/2015 - 2:00pm
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End Of The Year Open Line - It's time to hear from you! Kathleen takes your show and guest suggestions during her December open-line. | Download |
Mon, 12/14/2015 - 10:00pm
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Nancy Pearl's Favorite Books of 2015 - Renowned librarian, Nancy Pearl, joins Kathleen Dunn to talk about books, and give new title suggestions by recapping her favorite books of 2015.
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Mon, 12/14/2015 - 1:00pm
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John McCormack On All Things Political - Donald Trump continues to lead the latest political news. Monday at 1pm, Kathleen is joined by John McCormack for this week's edition of All Things Political. John is a senior writer for The Weekly Standard and together they'll discuss the top political news of the week.
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Thu, 12/10/2015 - 10:00pm
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'Beyond Words: What Animals Think And Feel' - Kathleen speaks with the author of a new book that offers insight on the personalities of animals, be it joy, grief, jealousy, anger and love. The book reflects on humanity's place in the world and our relationship to the other species around us.
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Thu, 12/10/2015 - 1:00pm
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Why Do Blue States Turn Red? - Kathleen speaks with a political columnist and a professor to discuss shifting political allegiances and why voters who depend on public assistance programs supported by Democrats are increasingly voting for Republican candidates who favor shredding the safety-net of programs.
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Wed, 12/09/2015 - 10:00pm
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Wisconsin Adventurer's Expedition To The North Pole - In May of 2014, an explorer from Wisconsin completed what may very well be the last north pole expedition in history. The trip has been turned into a documentary that will air on the Animal Planet later tonight. Kathleen speaks with the explorer about the expedition and how climate change is affecting trips to the region.
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Wed, 12/09/2015 - 1:00pm
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Milwaukee County Parks; Past, Present, and Future - Kathleen discusses the past, present, and future of Milwaukee County Parks with the executive director of The Park People of Milwaukee County. The group is proposing a regional sales tax to help address what he calls the erosion of public parks funding.
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Tue, 12/08/2015 - 10:00pm
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Stop Fighting! - Kathleen talks to an author of a new book on how to stop fights and change your relationships. The book is "Stop the Fight!: An Illustrated Guide for Couples: How to Break Free from the 12 Most Common Arguments and Build a Relationship That Lasts".
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Tue, 12/08/2015 - 1:00pm
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What Can We Do About NPR's Aging Audience? - NPR's audience data shows some troubling trends. According to Nielsen research, “Morning Edition’s” audience has declined 20 percent among people under 55 in the past five years. There’s a similar trend among “All Things Considered” in the afternoons. How can NPR attract younger and middle-aged audiences?
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Mon, 12/07/2015 - 10:00pm
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Sportswriter Says Bleak Future Ahead For College Football - There's more awareness than ever these days about the dangers of playing football...but how much a person knows about the game's risks often depends on their economic status. That's leading to a situation, says Kathleen's guest, where more underprivileged young men are risking their health for the financial benefit of the wealthy. He'll discuss the economic and racial factors at play, and what it all means for the future of college football.
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Mon, 12/07/2015 - 1:00pm
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All Things Political With Kathie Obradovich - Fresh off moderating the Democratic debate with CBS news anchors, Des Moines Register political columnist Kathie Obradovich joins Kathleen for a weekly look at the stories circulating in the headlines.
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Thu, 12/03/2015 - 10:00pm
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50 Years After "Unsafe At Any Speed," A Look At How Ralph Nader Changed America - 50 years ago, a little-known activist named Ralph Nader released "Unsafe at Any Speed," taking automakers to task for their resistance to adopt new safety features in their vehicles. Since then, Nader has become a huge force in both consumer activism and politics. Kathleen's guest discusses the life and legacy of Ralph Nader, and how his work ushered in a new era of consumer-rights, corporate-accountability, and citizen activism.
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Thu, 12/03/2015 - 1:00pm
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As Paris Talks Continue, A Look At The Relationship Between Climate Change And Violence - As the world's leaders gather in Paris to discuss climate change, one of the many issues that's sure to be brought up is the relationship between climate change and violence. At home, it's a hot political issue, with presidential candidate Bernie Sanders going so far as to say that climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism. The director of the Center for Climate and Security joins Kathleen to discuss what we know about the link between climate change and violence, and how it might play out in the future as the world is expected to get hotter.
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Wed, 12/02/2015 - 10:00pm
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Do Unto Animals: A Conversation With Tracey Stewart About Her New Book - Tracey Stewart joins Kathleen to discuss her new book, "Do Unto Animals." Stewart is on a mission to change how we interact with animals. She believes the more we know about the animals in our world and the better we care for them, the better our lives will be.
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Wed, 12/02/2015 - 1:00pm
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ProPublica Journalist Explores How The Gun Control Debate Is Ignoring Black Lives - A renewed debate over gun control in America is taking place, in light of a high-profile shooting at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs. But Kathleen's guest says policy debates over gun control often overlook the fact that mass shooting deaths in America make up a small total fraction of the total number of gun-related homicides, of which African-American men are often the victims. She joins Kathleen to discuss why policymakers and politicians aren't talking about black lives in the gun control debate...and why they're missing the chance to save lives.
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Tue, 12/01/2015 - 10:00pm
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Helping Girls Achieve More Confidence And Better Grades In School - A former social studies teacher turned what she saw in her classroom into a hands-on guide for girls to achieve higher self-esteem, better grades and a more fulfilling life in middle and high schools.
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Tue, 12/01/2015 - 1:00pm
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What's Happening To The Cost Of Premiums Under The Affordable Care Act? - It’s been more than five years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Policy experts have kept a close eye on whether the cost of premiums have increased. Kathleen speaks with two columnists who have different views on what the data is showing us.
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