Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

MASH changed Alan’s life as well as the lives of the rest of the MASH cast. In this revisit of a free-wheeling conversation recorded in 2019 Alan, and the gang reminisce about an extraordinary eleven years of connecting and communicating. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alan revisits a conversation he had with Michael seven years ago, at a time when Fox had been grappling with Parkinson’s Disease for 27 years and Alan for three. As Alan says in this updated episode, both have been fighting Parkinson’s with attitude – plenty of attitude. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bill McKibben, an influential environmental author and founder of 350.org, discusses the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, now cheaper than fossil fuels. He highlights grassroots efforts to accelerate climate action, even amid U.S. federal setbacks. McKibben shares innovative solutions like solar farms combating desertification and balcony solar for apartment dwellers. He emphasizes the importance of local action, the challenges posed by fossil fuel interests, and the global grassroots movement his organization promotes.

In a surprising shift in how we communicate about the climate crisis, Kate Marvel explores the feelings evoked by her research. Her new book tackles what’s happening to our changing planet, each chapter triggering in her a different emotional response – from wonder and anger, though guilt to love: using emotion along with facts to spur action. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Justin Evans, a seasoned data expert and author, passionately brings data to life, revealing its power to tell compelling human stories. He shares how data-driven heroes, like an epidemiologist in NYC, saved lives during COVID. Evans dives into the ethical dilemmas in data practices, referencing his run-ins with tech giants. From loneliness scores aiding seniors to historical examples like John Graunt mapping plague deaths, he illustrates data's critical role in society, emphasizing that it's about meaningful ideas, not just numbers.

Melanie Kaplan, a veteran journalist and travel writer, shares her heartfelt journey after adopting Hammy, a former lab beagle. She unpacks the troubling realities of animal research, revealing that over 95% of promising drugs fail in humans. Kaplan discusses the historical reasons behind beagles being used in labs and the welfare issues in commercial dog breeding. She advocates for innovative non-animal alternatives and emphasizes the importance of societal responsibility in animal research, all while recounting touching moments of Hammy's recovery and transformation.

Not only are non-violent protests more effective than armed resistance, but a surprisingly small percentage of the population – around three and a half percent – has been enough to change governments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With long memories and the ability to figure out what other crows are thinking  – then plot to outdo them, using what Nicky Clayton calls “sleight of beak” – crows are at least as smart as chimpanzees, despite having very different brains. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Steven Pinker dives into the fascinating realm of common knowledge. He explains how understanding what others know can shape emotions, deception, and societal behaviors, using real-life examples like the toilet paper shortage. Pinker discusses the importance of shared experiences in friendships and highlights polarization due to differing knowledge pools. He also touches on laughter as a unifier and the fine art of tactfully correcting others, offering insights into communication dynamics.

Alan and Executive Producer Graham Chedd look ahead to next season and some unexpected connections between our first guests. They include best-selling author Steven Pinker, and how you know that I know that you know that I know; psychologist Nicky Clayton and why crows are so smart; Erica Chenoweth and the power of peaceful protest; climate scientist Kate Marvel on why she gets emotional in her new book; and journalist Melanie Kaplan, who with her beagle Hammy explore together the murky world of animal experimentation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.