Watching America

From the magical world of Narnia to the thoughtful exploration of the Christian faith found in the pages of “Mere Christianity,” author C.S. Lewis made faith accessible to a wide audience. Dr. Terry Lindvall is a distinguished C.S. Lewis scholar, and he joins Dr. Alan Campbell this week on Watching America to discuss how Lewis answered the toughest questions found in the Christian faith. Lindvall is the C.S. Lewis Endowed Chair in Communication and Christian Thought at Virginia Wesylan University. He has spent years studying the life and works of author C.S. Lewis — even writing his own book about Lewis, “Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C. S. Lewis.”

Music legend Patsy Cline was born as Virginia Patterson Hensley in Winchester, Virginia. From humble beginnings she rose to become known as one of country music's greatest vocalists. Tragically, her life was cut short at age 30 when she died in a plane crash. In this episode of Watching America, host Dr. Alan Campbell discusses Cline's music and legacy with her cousin Patricia Hensley and Cline's daughter Julie Fudge. This episode originally aired on WHRV 89.5 FM on October 21, 2023.

When his parents took him to a local movie theatre to see Lawrence of Arabia at the age of 12, John Scheinfeld was completely captivated and began to dream of a career in Hollywood. Today, he is best known for his highly personal, idiosyncratic documentary films. He has been entrusted with the significant legacies of such iconic artists as Herb Alpert, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Bob Hope, John Lennon, Sergio Mendes, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and more. One of his most recent projects examines “What the Hell happened to Blood, Sweat and Tears?” Hot off their spectacular Grammy win for Album of the Year, the popular band became the first American rock band to perform behind the Iron Curtain, but they soon found themselves in the crossfire of a political firestorm. This week, Scheinfeld joins host Dr. Alan Campbell to talk about this documentary and the many other interesting topics he has tackled during his prolific career. https://crewneckproductions.com

Do lions and tigers meow? Why does your cat keep leaving dead mice on the doorstep? From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to the vast array of modern cat breeds, the world has always had a unique relationship with cats. This week we are entering their fascinating world, with an evolutionary biologist as our guide. Jonathan Losos is an evolutionary biologist at Washington University and the founding director of the Living Earth Collaborative, a unique biodiversity center and partnership between Washington University, the Saint Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden. But he is also a cat lover! His new book — aptly titled “The Cat’s Meow,” — explores how researchers today are unraveling the secrets of cats, past and present, using all the tools of modern technology, from GPS tracking and genomics to forensic archaeology.

Acclaimed trumpeter Chris Botti has collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and more. He successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom — but his first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back. “Vol.1,” releasing in October from Blue Note Records, is in many ways a fresh start for the trumpeter. It is a small group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards. “I turned 60 in 2022, at a time that seemed like a restart for so many things in the world,” Botti said. “I wanted to strip away all the orchestral arrangements and special guests and focus more on my playing, the playing of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.” He joins Dr. Alan Campbell this week on Watching America to talk about his career and his latest project. https://chrisbotti.com

Born in Texas, Kat Edmonson was raised on the music and film of the early-to-mid-twentieth century, and she has been writing songs since she was a little girl. The vintage jazzy pop singer is a rare artist who embodies the spirit of the past while remaining resolutely current. She began crafting her signature sound while performing in Austin’s local club circuit for years before releasing her debut album. Today you’ll find her performing on stages across the United States, Europe, and Asia. She joins Dr. Alan Campbell this week to talk about her life, her music, and what led her to follow this path. https://katedmonson.com

By the time she was in her 20s, Anna Runkle was struggling with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain that seemed to have no cause. Therapist after therapist failed to diagnose what she was experiencing - until one day in 1994, everything clicked for her. Now, she teaches her innovative therapeutic techniques to others. She is known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, and her techniques have helped thousands heal from childhood trauma. But coach and YouTube sensation Runkle is quick to point out that she is not a doctor or therapist - instead, she is someone who lived out a traumatic childhood and spent years discovering how to heal from Childhood PTSD. This week on Watching America, she talks with Dr. Alan Campbell about the symptoms of early trauma and strategies to find healing. https://crappychildhoodfairy.com

We enter a world where romantic love takes a backseat, and the vibrant hues of independence and self-discovery shine through. Using Joni Mitchell's iconic album, "Blue," as her guide, author Amy Key takes us on a poetic journey through the uncharted territories of a life lived on one's own terms in her memoir "Arrangements in Blue." Growing up, the acclaimed poet dreamed of a life intertwined with romance, but fate had other plans. Now, in her forties, she has fearlessly embraced the absence of romantic love and embarked on a quest to uncover the hidden joys of solitude. She talks with Dr. Alan Campbell about the beauty of independence, the power of self-connection, and the boundless potential of self-friendship. https://amyvkey.com

Crushed beetle shells in our lipstick? Burnt cow bones baked into our dishware? This week, we are uncovering the hidden stories behind the beautiful objects that surround us. Katy Kelleher has spent much of her life chasing beauty. As a child, she uprooted handfuls of purple, fragrant little flowers from the earth, plucked iridescent seashells from the beach, and dug for turquoise stones in her backyard. As a teenager she applied glittery shimmer to her eyelids after religiously dabbing on her signature scent of orange blossoms and jasmine. And as an adult, she coveted gleaming marble countertops and delicate porcelain to beautify her home. This obsession with beauty led her to become a home, garden, and design writer. In researching these objects, Katy concluded that most of us are blind to the true cost of our desires. Because whenever you find something unbearably beautiful, look closer, and you’ll inevitably find a shadow of decay lurking underneath.

Do you trust your coworkers and company leaders? Leadership expert Stephen M. R. Covey says trust is the most critical component of a successful organization. Covey is a trust expert, an executive thought leader, and a #1 bestselling author. Two of his recent books on the topic of trust include “The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything” and “Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others.” He is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, which, under his stewardship, became the largest leadership development company in the world. Stephen led the strategy that propelled his father’s book, Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” to become one of the two most influential business books of the 20th Century, according to CEO Magazine. A renowned business consultant and sought-after speaker, Stephen believes developing trust is key to being a successful leader and creating a successful organization. He joins Dr. Alan Campbell this week to dissect the concept of trust and explore ways to increase it in our relationships.