The Alcove with Mark Molaro

Thought-provoking conversation with HIV/AIDS expert Helen Epstein, author of the highly acclaimed book The Invisible Cure: Why We Are Losing the Fight Against AIDS in Africa . Epstein discusses her diverse experience looking for an HIV/AIDS vaccine in Africa, and gives a unique and refreshing analysis of what is working and what is not as far as solutions for this devastating disease.

Extraordinary interview with Arianna Huffington, Editor In Chief of The Huffington Post and author of the new book Right is Wrong . In this intimate conversation, Huffington discusses the general election between Barack Obama and John McCain, the state of our politics and media, the origins and philosophy behind The Huffington Post, and what we all need to do to get more involved in the public affairs of the US and the world at large.

Refreshing and enlightening conversation with filmmaker and activist Byron Hurt on his renowned documentary on male identity in hip hop Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes . The film deconstructs hip hop as it relates to African American culture and consciousness, and it illustrates the elements of violence, misogyny and homophobia that are often endemic in this cultural form. This conversation also engages on aspects of modern race relations, culture and the rise of inspiring new models of African American manhood, including Barack Obama.

Intriguing interview with celebrated writer and columnist Porochista Khakpour on her acclaimed debut novel Sons and other Flammable Objects . Born in Iran and raised from a young age in America, Khakpour reflects on her novel s unique Iranian American migration story and also discusses her fascination with language, both English and her native tongue Farsi.

Fascinating conversation with renowned music journalist, cultural critic and author Greil Marcus on his new book The Shape of Things to Come: Prophecy and the American Voice . He has authored many previous books including Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock n Roll Music and Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the Twentieth Century . In this conversation, Greil discusses The Shape of Things to Come and its kaleidoscopic investigation of American identity he ruminates as only he can about what America actually is an idea and how this has impacted the country and its idea of itself since its founding to today. An extraordinary discussion with a master writer and storyteller on how he sees America and how America sees itself.

Important interview with Jonathan Schell author of The Seventh Decade: The New Shape of Nuclear Danger . Schell is a distinguished author and professor his many previous books include The Fate of the Earth and The Unconquerable World . In his new book The Seventh Decade Schell discusses the current global threat of nuclear weapons and argues that in this seventh decade of the world having nuclear technology there has never been a more dangerous and unstable period. He says we must act now with a desperate sense of international urgency to begin to solve this critical issue for the world.

Inspiring interview with Ethan Nichtern, Founder and Director of The Interdependence Project (The ID Project) in New York City and author of the new book "One City: A Declaration of Interdependence". This is a fascinating and personal discussion of Nichtern's key idea of interdependence as well as an enlightening conversation about Eastern ideas in general, such as Buddhism and meditation. Nichtern talks about how there is a strong current desire worldwide for a new social consciousness that properly balances inner peace and illumination with informed social engagement and responsibility.

In-depth interview with internationally renowned author, journalist and syndicated columnist Naomi Klein on her new book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism . Klein is best known for her book from the year 2000, the international bestseller No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies . It was called A Movement Bible by the New York Times referring to its incredible impact on the anti-globalization movement. In this extraordinary interview, Klein discusses the key ideas behind her concept of The Shock Doctrine and its importance as an alternate economic, social and political history of the last thirty years. She describes how the free market ideas of economist Milton Friedman and the Chicago School fostered the impact of shock from the 1970s Pinochet regime in Chile to the Bush administration today.

Informative conversation with K. David Harrison, assistant professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College near Philadelphia and the author of the new book When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World s Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge . He is the Director of Research at the Living Tongues Institute and was recently featured in the documentary The Linguists which followed hands-on linguistic field work in many countries. In this fascinating interview, Harrison discusses the critical importance of the world s many threatened languages and the vital knowledge that each language uniquely packages and holds for all of us. Harrison also discusses the need for more trained linguistic personnel to go out into some of the remotest parts of the world to document these nearly extinct languages before they are lost to humanity forever.

Enlightening interview with UK spiritual and Gnostic author Timothy Freke. Freke has co-authored a number of books with Peter Gandy on Gnostic spirituality, including The Jesus Mysteries and their latest book The Gospel of the Second Coming . In addition he has penned shorter works aimed directly at personal enlightenment such as his book Lucid Living . This is an-in depth and fascinating discussion about Gnostic and Eastern spirituality in general, touching on all the inspiring as well as sometimes very controversial aspects of this subject matter. Required viewing for those curious about spiritual matters and the importance of it in our lives today, regardless of your own personal background or beliefs.

Philosophical interview about the state and future of the media with Fordham University s Chair of Communication and Media Studies, Paul Levinson. Levinson is the author of numerous fictional and nonfiction books including Digital McLuhan and The Soft Edge and has appeared in countless media venues from PBS to Fox to offer his insight on media issues. Levinson discusses the current exponential rise of new media and what this means for us all in terms of expression, information and challenge. He also discusses his thoughts on the iconic Marshall McLuhan and what he would think of the extraordinary digital age we live and now create in.

Iconic musician Peter Yarrow of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary sits down for a candid interview on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. Peter recently was host and executive producer of a PBS/United Federation of Teachers tribute concert entitled Tribute to Teachers of America . The program includes special appearances by many entertainers, including Bill Cosby. In this interview, Yarrow discusses the special role of education in America as well as the ongoing challenges of poverty and racism in the country. He discusses his decades of social activism, committed to the folk movement s ideal of creating whole human beings in society

Inspiring interview with Wendy Kopp, CEO and Founder of Teach for America. This unique organization recruits recent college graduates in a wide variety of fields for two years to have them teach in some of America s neediest schools and areas. The results have been powerful: incredible improvements in the education, inspiration and academic performance of the students in these schools while at the same time providing an incomparable opportunity for training and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

In-depth interview with Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, climate change scientist at Princeton University and one of the co-authors of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change who along with Al Gore were recently co-recipients of the Nobel Prize for their work in climate change science and awareness. Dr. Oppenheimer discusses the many dimensions of the complex issue of climate change science, as well as giving practical advice to citizens around the world on how they can take practical and economical steps to reducing their carbon footprint and to force politicians to take more serious action on this vital issue of our time.

Fascinating interview with Gwendolyn Wright, architectural historian at Columbia University and one of the hosts of the highly popular PBS program History Detectives . Gwendolyn discusses the making and philosophy of this highly educational and influential program. She also talks about her new book on the history of American architecture USA: Modern Architectures in History which chronicles the unique history and dynamic personal stories behind American architecture.

Inspiring interview with Maria Hinojosa, senior correspondent for NOW on PBS. She recently completed a one-hour NOW special Child Brides, Stolen Lives . The program investigates the little-known and incredibly tragic phenomenon of child brides in India, Niger, and Guatemala. In this revealing conversation, Maria Hinojosa discusses the very personal and powerful process of making this special, as well as her thoughts on the state of latino media and politics in the United States today.

Fascinating interview with renowned author Naomi Wolf, perhaps best known for her early 1990s feminist classic The Beauty Myth , considered by many to be one of the most important works of the 20th century. Wolf discusses her new book The End of America , already on the New York Times bestseller list. The book identifies ten classic steps common to all dictatorships including those of Mussolini, Hitler and Stalin. Alarmingly, Wolf makes the case that each of these ten steps is occurring in post 9/11 America today. The book is a call to action for young and concerned Americans and this interview intimately frames this important discussion.

Important interview with Doug Shultz, the filmmaker behind the documentary Silence of the Bees . The film is the season premiere of the celebrated PBS program NATURE (Airdate October 28th, 2007 on PBS), and it is the first film to internationally chronicle the devastating disappearance of bees worldwide, in a syndrome known as colony collapse disorder. The film also uniquely demonstrates how vital bees are to our agricultural production, and how their disappearance is a real threat to food production in the US and around the world.

Entertaining interview with Lindsay Campbell, host of the popular online program Wallstrip . This unique program, whose motto is where stock culture meets pop culture was recently picked up by CBS and is on the verge of even greater popularity after only just over a year in existence. Campbell discusses the creation of the show and its unique approach to providing informative and entertaining stock and pop content to its audience.

Revealing interview with Timothy Sykes successful stock operator and author of the new book An American Hedge Fund . Sykes discusses his wish to educate and inspire the general public on financial matters, including a better understanding of investing, specifically regarding hedge funds. Sykes book is an engaging memoir that reveals his own personal ups and downs in his efforts to be successful on his own terms in the financial world, as well as his track record of becoming a millionaire while still a young stock operator.

In-depth interview with documentary filmmaker Jim Brown on his film "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song" in New York on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. The film is a uniquely comprehensive and fascinating biographical documentary on the life, music, social activism, politics and influence of this incomparable American. The film documents his place in folk music, his blacklisting during the McCarthy 1950's, his role in helping to bring unity to the civil rights movement, his leadership on the environment and other issues. It features appearances by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Arlo Guthrie, and many others. In this revealing conversation Jim Brown reflects on his documentary and on the immense influence and inspiration of his subject and friend, Pete Seeger.

Documentary filmmaker Esther Robinson sits down in New York for a feature interview on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. She discusses her new film "A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory". The film tells the story of the still missing person Danny Williams, Robinson's uncle and key member of Andy Warhol's Factory during the 1960's. The film shows the previously unseen films of Danny Williams, which provides a unique window into his extraordinary creative talent and unique character. Surviving members of the Factory reflect on Danny Williams, as well as the legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles. This is a fascinating conversation about Danny Williams, Andy Warhol and the Factory, and the very personal and familial process that Esther Robinson went through to make this remarkable film. The film is quickly gaining critical and popular success, having won prestigious awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Tricia Regan discusses her powerful documentary "Autism: The Musical" in New York on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. Shot in Los Angeles, the film intimately follows a group of autistic children and their parents as they are courageously led by one woman, Elaine Hall. She is the founder of The Miracle Project, a unique musical theater program she created specially for autistic children. Praised by many critics, including Variety, the film has just premiered to rave reviews at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. In this inspiring conversation, Tricia Regan discusses the subject of autism and the incredible process of making this extraordinary project.

lluminating interview in New York on The Alcove with Mark Molaro with producer/director Mohammed Naqvi on his extraordinary documentary on the internationally celebrated Pakistani women's rights activist Mukhtaran Mai. The film explores the remarkable courage of Mukhtaran Mai after she is gang-raped in her small Pakistani village. Rather than give in to the traditional shame such a tragic event normally instills, she decides to confront her attackers and in doing so finds not only her true strength but a way of helping teach and inspire people in Pakistan and around the world. Mukhtaran Mai has won awards and honors all over the world for her efforts, including being named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. In this interview filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi reveals his process of making the film and his thoughts on this extraordinary story that has played at festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival.

Harry Frankfurt sits down for a feature interview in New York on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. Mr. Frankfurt is a professor emeritus in philosophy from Princeton University, and the author of the best-selling books "On Bullshit" and "On Truth". He ruminates on his philosophical ideas and works in this intriguing interview.

Global graffiti culture documentary "Bomb It" producer/director Jon Reiss sits down in New York for a feature interview on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. Reiss' film is a comprehensive and breathtaking look at the history, culture, controversies and influences of graffiti. Filming on five continents, this remarkable film tells the story of graff and leaves one looking at the idea and importance of public space and personal expression in a new way. This in-depth conversation is a unique discussion of the film and the issues around the entire global graffiti culture.

In-depth conversation in New York on The Alcove with Mark Molaro with the documentary filmmaker behind the extraordinary film "Beyond Belief". The film follows two widows of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, in their effort to look for meaning despite their incalculable personal loss. Courageously choosing love rather than hate, they found the charitable organization Beyond the 11th, which helps innumerable war widows in Afghanistan have a chance to earn a living. In this fascinating conversation Beth Murphy discusses her feature project and reflects on the challenges and inspirations behind her unique documentary, which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.

Revealing New York interview with documentary filmmaker Vanessa Roth on her film "The Third Monday in October". The film, set against the backdrop of what has been called the most important American election in modern times in 2004, is an intimate chronicle of twelve 12 year-olds running for their middle school student councils in four diverse schools across the United States. The documentary is a fascinating and raw slice of American politics - through the eyes and emotions of these extraordinary young students and the parents and teachers around them. In this conversation Vanessa Roth discusses the making of the film as well as her own reflections on its impact and insight.

Short clip from an interview on The Alcove with Mark Molaro with featured guest astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Wide-ranging New York interview with celebrated astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. Dr. Tyson is the Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He is also the host of the PBS science program Nova scienceNOW. His latest book is the bestselling Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandries.Dr. Tyson ruminates on all things cosmic - our expanding universe, black holes, asteroids threatening our planet, and other phenomena. He discusses the need for more scientific literacy, the science versus religion debate, and he touches on the challenges he has faced to become an astrophysicist who happens to be African-American. As always we are enlightened and entertained by this remarkable scientist and educator.