Charlotte Talks on WFAE

  Author Tim Wise is an anti-race activist who writes and lectures about his thoughts on race from the perspective of a white man and his experiences. He joins us to talk about race and racism in politics, culture, the media and business, and how he uses his position as a white male to educate people about things like "white denial," "white privilege" and outright racism. We'll also talk about what local organizations are doing to educate the community about these topics as well, when Charlotte Talks.

  President Obama has been re-elected and his Affordable Care Act has survived a Supreme Court battle. Now what? Leaders in each state have decisions to make in terms of whether to set up certain aspects of the plan such as exchanges and expanded Medicaid or let the federal government do that for them. Some states continue to resist aspects of the plan and many are weighing the decision to join lawsuits from other states. Newly elected Governor Pat McCrory faces such decisions and we’ll look at the likely choices he’ll make. Obamacare is here and we’ll find out the latest news when Charlotte Talks.

  One of the most revered dance companies in the world is visiting Charlotte this month for the first time in 30 years. The Martha Graham Dance Company is working with UNC Charlotte's Department of Dance for an upcoming performance that will include music by Aaron Copland and a lost work of Martha Graham's, brought back to life on stage. We'll talk about Martha Graham and her contributions to the world of dance, and why the company that bears her name is working so closely with UNC Charlotte's dance department to recreate this lost work here in the Queen City, when Charlotte Talks.

Former Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel is the President’s choice to be the next Secretary of Defense. This bi-partisan appointment is not being well-received on the GOP Side of the aisle. An outspoken critic of some Republican ideas, he didn’t support John McCain in 2008. We spoke to Senator Hagel just days before the 08 election and talked about many of the things that concern Senate Republicans today. We'll hear part of that conversation, then political analyst Michael Bitzer joins us to discuss why the President's nomination of Hagel has turned out to be so controversial and the process that the Senator will have to endure before ultimately being confirmed or rejected as Defense Secretary.

Part One: Opera Carolina's The Magic Flute. Opera Carolina continues its efforts to enhance the opera experience by featuring stage and costume design by famed visual artist Jun Kuneko in its new production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. But even with the vibrant visual aspects of the show, the music - and the opera singers - take center stage. We'll meet the stars of this new production of The Magic Flute to talk about how they make Mozart's beloved opera new for audiences in Charlotte, when Charlotte Talks.

It happens at the beginning of EVERY New Year… people around the world are intent on creating - and hopefully keeping - new habits. But how do habits affect our lives? Corporations? Society as a whole? We'll talk with New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg, who has done a decade-long study of habits, which he's outlined in his book, The Power of Habit. We'll talk about the science of habits, changing behavior, and how it works, when Charlotte Talks.

Not long ago a group of business professionals got together to discuss a new way of investing. They called it Venture Philanthropy. Social Venture Partners (SVP) was created out of this idea. The group leverages their collective expertise, creativity, time, and financial resources to develop and support promising social initiatives and nonprofits that will have a measurable, sustainable, and positive impact in greater Charlotte. To create interest and incentive, Social Venture Partners started a contest called SEED20 and some of the ideas that have grown out of the contest are astounding. We'll learn more about Venture Philanthropy and hear from contest winners when Charlotte Talks.

Almost all of us fight clutter. The stream of home and work documents, taxes, receipts, photos and more can pile up in our homes and on office desks and be quite a challenge to control. Now there is a new clutter challenge for us all: digital clutter. Most folks have several email addresses, online social accounts and many online shopping sites. We've invited experts to help us de-clutter our homes, offices and computers. Push your pile of paperwork aside, log out of your email and join us when Charlotte Talks.

Kathy Reichs is famous internationally, not just for her crime novels featuring Temperance Brennan - a fictional character, but who is a forensic anthropologist, just like Reichs herself - but also for the Fox TV show “Bones,” based on the same character. Kathy Reichs is also a Charlottean and a UNC Charlotte Professor and she’ll join us to talk about the work she’s doing in Charlotte and around the world, with her writing, the TV show and we’ll hear how writing has become the family business for Reichs and her children. Originally Aired 9/20/2012.

This past election year, the women’s vote has made headlines over and over, and women’s issues have turned into major political debate. That attention has brought women into the spotlight in a variety of ways, including through literature. We’ll meet a Vanity Fair contributing editor who is not only a book critic for a women’s magazine, but who writes stories about women as well. Elissa Schappell joins us to talk about writing for and about women, but also about women’s role in society today and in the political landscape. Originally Aired 9/24/2012.