From MSU Today on Impact Radio: April is National Poetry Month.

Anita Skeen is a professor in MSU’s Residential College in the Arts and Humanities and leads the Center for Poetry.

The Center for Poetry is la very active group that includes a number of student writers across several different majors at MSU.

Skeen tells us about the mission of the Center for Poetry, and she and her students read their poems for us.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 18:52 – 10.8 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: C. Leslie Charles is a lifelong Lansing area resident and MSU alumna who has enjoyed a long career as a professional speaker with an impressive list of satisfied clients throughout North America.

The author of seven books, Leslie’s acclaimed, “Why Is Everyone So Cranky?” thrust her into the media spotlight for over two years.

She discusses what it’s like to “make a living with your mind and your mouth.”

Leslie outlines the advantages of refining one’s public speaking skills, and how effective self-expression can enhance one’s career.

Charles talks about the benefits of the Toastmaster’s organization, too.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 13:30 – 7.7 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: From 1983 to 2003, nearly 27,000 young boys and men fled civil war in the Republic of Sudan. These “Lost Boys of Sudan” trekked 1,000 miles across Africa only to face starvation, wild animals and disease.

Benjamin Ajak of the San Diego area, a Lost Boy and co-author of “They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky,” relates his personal journey to freedom while in East Lansing as part of “One Book, One Community” events.

Ajak is joined by his American mentor, Judy A. Bernstein of San Diego, who, along with Ajak, and his cousins Benson and Alepho Deng, wrote the book detailing each man’s personal story.

The “One Book, One Community” project, co-sponsored by the city of East Lansing and MSU, encourages the city-university community to read the same book and come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. The book is assigned reading for all incoming MSU freshmen.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 9:41 – 5.5 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: MSU professor of American Studies and Popular Culture Gary Hoppenstand is an international expert on popular culture.

Hoppenstand says popular culture is, well, everything. “It’s like water to a fish,” he says. “A fish lives in water but isn’t always aware that it’s there and having an impact.” Pop culture is more commonly thought of as mass-produced and mass-consumed items like television, radio,movies, and books.

He talks about MSU’s prominence in popular culture studies and about his role as editor-in-chief of the MSU-based Journal of Popular Culture. And he describes his award-winning Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Popular Culture.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 15:33 – 8.9 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Mohammed Ayoob is a University Distinguished Professor of international relations at MSU’s James Madison College and the Department of Political Science. In his book “The Many Faces of Political Islam,” Ayoob, a renowned scholar of Middle Eastern affairs, challenges Western assumptions about Islamic politics but also argues that democracy may be the “ideal antidote” to the appeal of Islamism and its rhetoric.

Ayoob defines political Islam and reveals what he means by the many faces of political Islam. He discusses some of the assumptions and perceptions that many Westerners have of Islam and offers his views on the realities.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 21:40 – 12.4 mb mp3

Every MSU Journalism student knows the story and can recite chapter and verse about how Edward R. Murrow took on Senator Joseph McCarthy. And it all began when a young Air Force Lieutenant form Dexter, Michigan was discharged from the service because the government thought he was a security risk. Milo Radulovich and his courageous fight to retain his commission caught Murrow’s eye and after the landmark See It Now broadcast, the Air Force reversed it’s decision. When Milo passed away this week, we turned to the Spartan Podcast archives to encore an extraordinary visit we had with him, two years ago this month. It all began when author Mike Ranville wanted to document Milo’s story and the result was “To Strike at a King: The Turning Point in the McCarthy Witch-Hunt“. Mike told us how he gained Milo’s trust and we heard from the man at the center of the storm, Milo Radulovich himself. Milo talked about the role his father played in his life, the factors that induced him to fight to protect his reputation and the renewed interest that was generated by George Clooney’s film Good Night and Good Luck.

Hosted by Bill Castanier, Gary Mescher and Scott Westerman

Hear the Show 40 Minutes 19mb mp3

Murrow’s final Comments – The McCarthy Broadcast 53 seconds – Real Media

The Freep’s obituary

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: The One Book, One Community program encourages the East Lansing and MSU community to read the same book over a six-week period and to come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. The 2007 selection is Susan Carol McCarthy’s “Lay That Trumpet in Our Hands.”

Susan talks about her father and how he inspired her to write the book. And she talks about her decision to tell the book’s story through the eyes of the Reesa McMahon character. Evangeline Moore, whose father and mother also inspired McCarthy, joins the conversation and talks about her feelings about the book and about the continuing struggle for civil rights and racial equality.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Conversation 17:55 – 10.3 mb mp3

From MSU Today on Impact Radio: Jack Ebling is a broadcaster and writer who has covered high school, college, and pro sports for nearly 30 years. He has been named Michigan Sportswriter of the Year three times and was inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Ebling spent more than 24 years at the Lansing State Journal as a beat writer and columnist before moving to talk radio, television, and freelance writing.

Jack joins us to talk about his latest book, “Tales from the Detroit Tigers Dugout.” We also talk about state of pro and college sports in America today. Jack talks about digital technology and its impact on journalism and broadcasting.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Show 17:25 – 10 mb mp3

From MSU Today: John (Trey) Rogers is a professor of turfgrass science at MSU. His new book is Lawn Geek.

Rogers offers tips on mowing, watering, and fertilizing your way to a beautiful lawn.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Show 8:20 – 4.7 mb mp3

From MSU Today: MSU economics professor Charles Ballard returns to Spartan Podcast with his new book, “Michigan’s Economic Future.”

“Half a century ago, the world was knocking on Michigan’s door. But yesterday is gone, and it is not coming back,” Ballard says. “If the people of Michigan are to achieve a brighter economic future, we will need to develop new ways of thinking, and new ways of engaging with the rapidly changing global economy.”

Ballard offers intelligent and useful suggestions on everything from prisons to roads and from taxes to higher education. More than anything else, Ballard thinks the state needs to snap out of a counterproductive nostalgia for the past.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Show 14 Minutes 8 mb mp3

From MSU Today: Award-winning and best-selling author Jeannette Walls visited East Lansing as special guest in the 2006 One Book/One Community program, which encourages the East Lansing and Michigan State University community to read the same book over a six-week period and to come together to discuss it in a variety of settings. Although dozens of similar programs have been sponsored nationwide, this is one of the very few that brings together a city and a university. The book selection this year is Walls’ The Glass Castle.

Walls talks about the inspiration for Glass Castle, her feelings on the One Book program and about her day job as MSNBC gossip columnist. She also gives her views on the future of her beloved field of journalism.

Hosted by Russ White.

Hear the Show 14 Minutes 8 mb mp3

When Tom Crosslin and Rollie Rhom moved to 34 acres near Vandalia, Michigan in 1997, they wanted to be left alone. Four years later, they would find themselves in the cross hairs of police snipers. LA CityBeat editor Dean Kuipers’ new book, Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke, tells the tale of how the domain became a haven for the leaders of the pro-pot movement and a lightning rod for officials sworn to enforce the law.

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Scott Westerman.

Hear the Show 18 Minutes 8mb mp3

What are the factors that create an environment for entrepreneurship? Where are the creative people gravitating these days? Are habits of entrepreneurship teachable? We find out from Rich Sloan, one half of the brother team that founded Startup Nation, an organization that provides expert advice on all aspects of starting a business. Fast Company magazine named the Sloan brothers’ brand one of the top 10 and their book, website, radio program and podcast are treasure troves of information for the person who wants to turn their passion into a career.

Rich talks about his varied adventures from raising Arabian horses to the invention of the Battery Buddy. He articulates the winning combination of traits and resources that are part of the successful entrepreneur’s inner circle. He answers the question, “can passion be taught,” talks about how companys like Jet Blue are turning customer service representatives into entrepreneurs, and how “life plan” trumps “business plan” every time.

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Jeff Smith

Hear the Show 36 Minutes 17mb mp3

NPR veteran Lisa Phillips puts a face on some of the most famous voices in public radio in her new book Public Radio: Behind the Voices. She has worked at six public radio stations in five states and now teaches journalism at the State University of New York. She has received numerous awards for her reporting including the Edward Murrow award.

Her new book contains 43 profiles on some of the stars of NPR including Nic Harcourt, Susan Stamberg, Daniel Schorr and Garrison Keillor. Publisher’s Weekly called it “an intimate connection with public radio hosts.”

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Scott Westerman

Hear the Show 20 Minutes 10mb mp3

The author of the New York Time’s Number one best-selling book Marley & Me, John Grogan, talks about his family dog which has found its place in the hearts of millions of readers.

Grogan, who has spent most of his career as a newspaper columnist and reporter, turned a column into a book about Labrador Retriever with bad manners who nuzzled and slobbered its way into a growing family, never to be forgotten. Marley, named for the world famous reggae artist, Bob Marley, was a dysfunctional dog whose zest for life and unconditional love more than made up for its bad habits. You can learn more about Marley & Me at www.marleyandme.com

Hosted by Bill Castanier

Hear the Show 23 Minutes 11mb mp3

Michigan State University Journalism School grad Joseph Heywood can tie both a fly and a good mystery together. Heywood, a fly fishing aficionado is the author of four mystery books about “woods cops”. The retired public relations director for Upjohn discusses his career, how he became a writer and his love for Nortnern Michigan’s woods and water. His wood cops series includes Ice Hunter, Blue Woods and Green Fire and his most recent work, Running Dark.

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Jeff Smith.

Hear the Show 23 Minutes 11mb mp3

Eric Freedman returns to discuss his new book: Kennedy In His Own Words. Co-authored with Edward Hoffman, it traces JFK’s life through his speeches and interviews, giving us view beyond the presidency into the essence of the man. Freedman also shares his advice for journalists on how to cover the White House.

What Eric is reading:
Freakinomics – by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Azerbaijan Diary: A Rogue Reporter’s Adventures in an Oil-rich, War-torn Post-Soviet Republic – by Thomas Goltz

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Scott Westerman

Hear the Show 29 Minutes 14mb mp3

Keith Ferrazzi is to the 21st Century what Dale Carnegie was to the 20th, a master at the art of how to win friends and influence people. His book, “Never Eat Alone : And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time” which he co-authored with Tahl Raz has fast become the most popular business book of the year. In a publicly traded world where everyone seems to be thinking about return on investment, Keith proposes the opposite aproach. “It’s all about generosity.” In a wide ranging conversation we learn how to identify and build relationships with people who can help us pursue our passion, and hear how Keith’s continuing connection with his university has been a critical success factor at every twist and turn of his career.

Hosted by Bill Castanier, Gary Mescher and Scott Westerman

Hear the Show 27 Minutes 13mb mp3