
Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda
Learn to connect better with others in every area of your life. Immerse yourself in spirited conversations with people who know how hard it is, and yet how good it feels, to really connect with other people – whether it’s one person, an audience or a whole country. You'll know many of the people in these conversations – they are luminaries in our culture. Some you may not know. But what links them all is their powerful ability to relate and communicate. It's something we need now more than ever.
Latest episodes

Sep 3, 2024 • 36min
Roger Rosenblatt: Wounds and Other Blessings
Roger Rosenblatt, an insightful author, delves into the profound connection between life's wounds and illumination. He discusses his latest work, 'A Steinway on the Beach,' emphasizing how both emotional and physical scars can inspire resilience and personal growth. The conversation touches on the healing power of music, personal anecdotes of loss, and the importance of connection in overcoming societal wounds. With a blend of humor and reflection, they explore love, creativity, and the transformative journey through adversity.

Aug 27, 2024 • 38min
Lisa Kaltenegger: Alien Hunter
Lisa Kaltenegger, a pioneering astrobiologist, delves into the thrilling quest to find life beyond Earth. She discusses how scientists identify potentially habitable exoplanets and the significance of biosignatures like oxygen and methane. Kaltenegger emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in scientific advancement and shares emotional stories from her research. The conversation also whimsically explores the idea of communicating with extraterrestrial beings, all while reflecting on personal connections that drive scientific curiosity.

Aug 20, 2024 • 40min
Mark Rank: As Luck Would Have It
Mark Rank, a scholar specializing in chance and its impact on life, shares fascinating insights about the unpredictable nature of luck and its profound effects on history. He discusses pivotal moments, like the failed assassination of Hitler, that altered course due to mere chance. The conversation explores how luck shapes personal achievements in careers, particularly in entertainment, and emphasizes the balance between randomness and the ability to respond meaningfully to life's surprises. Rank also highlights the importance of gratitude amidst life's uncertainties.

Aug 13, 2024 • 41min
Anne Curzan: Say What? Says Who?
Anne Curzan, an expert in the history and evolution of language, dives into the dynamic nature of words and their meanings. She discusses how terms like 'funner' are becoming more accepted, contrasting 'wordies' who embrace change with 'gromandos' who resist it. Curzan emphasizes the importance of understanding linguistic evolution and the role of historical dictionaries. She also explores effective communication strategies, promoting empathy and the appreciation of diverse dialects in our ever-changing language landscape.

Aug 6, 2024 • 38min
Mo Rocca: Late Comebacks
Mo Rocca, a storyteller known for spotlighting the achievements of older individuals, shares inspiring tales in his latest book, 'Rock the Generarians'. He argues that older people have some of the best stories, recounting remarkable lives like that of Colonel Sanders, who launched Kentucky Fried Chicken at 66. Rocca emphasizes themes of resilience and reinvention, highlighting how creativity flourishes at any age. He also discusses the power of personal narratives and the importance of connecting through storytelling, laughing and reflecting along the way.

Jul 30, 2024 • 21min
Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda - Season 26 trailer
In this insightful preview, writer Roger Rosenblatt, writer Anne Curzan, and journalist Mo Rocca join Alan Alda to discuss the evolution of communication. They reflect on how language transforms over time and share inspiring stories of late-life achievements. The intriguing balance of chance and change is explored, highlighting moments that shape our paths. Personal anecdotes and the power of journalism in community change add depth, setting the stage for a thought-provoking new season filled with engaging conversations.

Jul 23, 2024 • 37min
David Toomey: Want to play?
David Toomey, expert on play behavior, discusses how play shapes survival skills, empathy, and morality in various creatures like octopuses, crows, and bees. Play is more than fun; it's crucial for evolution and life skills. The episode also explores interspecies play interactions and the impact of play on behavior and morality in animals.

Jul 16, 2024 • 38min
Sanjana Curtis: Sprinkling Stardust on TikTok
Astrophysicist Sanjana Curtis explains the creation of elements like gold in space cataclysms on TikTok. She discusses the daily life of a theoretical astrophysicist and the importance of multi-messenger astrophysics. The podcast explores the evolution of astronomy with combined observational approaches and the process of creating heavy elements through rapid neutron capture.

Jul 9, 2024 • 41min
Chris French: Would you believe it?
When we experience things that seem beyond explanation, are they evidence of the supernatural? Or instead, a quirk of our brains? A skeptical but open-minded psychologist has some entertaining answers.

Jul 2, 2024 • 39min
Cady Coleman: Sharing Space
Sharing her experiences of three space missions – including 159 days as the only woman on the 6-person crew of the International Space Station – Cady Coleman also shares lessons about getting along:valuable insights for the rest of us down here on earth.