News Nerds

We’re joined this week by Simon Kofe, the foreign minister to Tuvalu, a small country about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. He recorded a viral video for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow where he stands knee deep in the Pacific Ocean, where he says was once land. We talk about Tuvalu and what would happen if the islands making up Tuvalu were to go under water. Also, John Swartzberg. He's the clinical professor at the school of public health at UC Berkeley. He’s joined me before to discuss covid. This week we talk about covid vaccines, variants, and more. Also, THIS IS JEOPARDY! Jeopardy has been on the news a lot lately and we close the show talking with Christopher Stucky who was on the show earlier this year. We talk about preparation for the show, what it was like to meet Matt Amodio, and more.

Ezra

From 1995 to 2020, Ryan Busse worked in the gun industry as the vice president of sales for Kimber America. This sparked his 2021 book, Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, and a period in his life when he began to question his political beliefs. His sons were 2 of the 16 plaintiffs in Held v. Montana, a landmark climate lawsuit fought against the state government that alleged state agencies have implemented policy in violation of the right to a "clean and healthful environment," which was ratified into the 1972 Montana State Constitution. A state court sided with the plaintiffs and struck down two state laws preventing agencies from considering the climate impacts of proposed projects.

Busse announced his candidacy for governor against incumbent republican, Greg Gianforte in 2023 and tapped Raph Graybill as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Graybill is a lawyer based in Helena and has argued 12 lawsuits against the Gianforte administration. He’s won cases related to abortion and mail ballot access. He was former Democratic governor Steve Bullock’s chief legal counsel and ran for Attorney General in 2020. During his time with the Bullock administration, Raph worked at the Department of Military Affairs chairing the Montana State Emergency Response Commission.

We have reached out to Governor Gianforte for an interview and are waiting for a response

Ezra

I think it’s rare for a biography to be so well written that almost every aspect of a figure’s life is detailed. My guest today, Jonathan Eig, seems to have done just that and managed to keep my attention for more than 600 pages. Jonathan is the author of 5 other nonfiction books, as well as 4 children’s books. He was also a reporter. His upcoming book, King: A Life, chronicles the rise of Martin Luther King Jr., from his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia, where his father served as a preacher at the Ebenezer Baptist church, to his time organizing the civil rights movement from the Montgomery bus boycott to the March on Washington. Today, we’ll talk about King’s education, the father-son relationship, the events of the civil rights movement, and King’s legacy. Eig’s book will be published on the sixteenth.

Ezra

Hello,

On what was a terrible day for many Americans, the US Capital Building has been stormed by rioters from the extreme right. Rioters stormed the building Wednesday, halting the confirmation of the Electoral Votes from the 2020 election. Thousands broke into the capital with guns and Trump signs. Police tried to restrain these moves, and after hours of this, the building was evacuated. Lawmakers abruptly went into recess because of angry rioters that were invading the chamber while the senate and house were in session. One woman died, and more than 7 were hospitalized. Anger arose at the horrific nature of these riots. Many thought that nothing this terrible could have happened. This moment will be remembered as a dark time in American politics. This unnecessary series of events comes as Democrats take control of the senate. Both Democratic candidates declared victory after Tuesday's runoff election. This narrow senate control may make things easier for incoming president Joe Biden. This may make bills easier to pass because of these seats that Democrats picked up in Georgia. Georgia hasn't seen Democratic senators since 2000. I talk to dad and actor Philip Winchester. He talks to me about being a dad, how his acting career took off, and his current acting career. It was great to talk to Philip about acting! And, Debbie! She returns from New York for a third interview, this time with a news quiz at the end. You'll see how she does, and find out what it is like to be a grandma!!!

Thanks,

Ezra

I'm back from Italy with an interview with one of the great foodies of America.

You might know J Kenji Lopez Alt from his cookbooks or maybe his work at Cook’s Illustrated and Serious Eats or maybe from social media, where he has hundreds of thousands of followers. Lopez Alt is known for his scientific approach to cooking in his books, videos, and articles. Well, this week, Kenji was in town, and he graciously stopped by for an interview. He’s the author of two cookbooks, The Food Lab, and his newest book, The Wok: Recipes and Techniques. He’s also published a children’s book called Every Night Is Pizza Night. Today we’ll talk about his early days in the kitchen, his latest cookbook, and his advice for last minute Thanksgiving woes. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ezra