Wgtd's The Morning Show With Greg Berg

(from 2015) for Black History Month:   Christina Vella, author of "George Washington Carver: A Life."  Carver was one of the most important scientists of the late 19th and early 20th century - and one of the most significant black scientists in history.   He was a scientist, inventor, educator, and environmentalist. 

We preview Carthage College's production of Sarah Gubbins' play "fml: How Carson McCullers Saved My Life," an engrossing play about a young person's search for identity and a sense of belonging.   We speak with Herschel Kruger, chair of the theater faculty at Carthage,  and Samantha Martinson, who has been brought in as guest director for the production.   

From 2003 -  Roanne Weisman, author of "Own Your Health:  Choosing the Best from Alternative and Conventional Medicine."  

We preview the Racine Theater Guild's production of Shawn Grennan's "The Tin Woman," a play that tells the story of a woman whose life has been saved by a heart transplant - but who is wrestling with terrible feelings of guilt that she is only alive because a young man has been killed in a car accident.  It is only through meeting the donor's family - who are wrestling with their own pain - that she gains resolution.  We speak with Doug Instenes, director of the production, and Katie Gleason, who plays the character of Joy, the heart recipient.  (Katie also describes her real-life connection to some of the themes that are explored in the play.)  

We preview Saturday afternoon's concert with conductor Bob Hasty,  board president Pete Rodriguez, and french horn soloist Neil Kimel. 

We preview the production of Lorraine Hansberry's classic play "Raisin in the Sun," which opens this weekend at the Rhode Center for the Arts in downtown Kenosha.  We speak with Adrianna Jones, director of the production, and with two members of the cast:  Vanetta Powell and Marquon D. Harris.  

Mackenzi Lee talks about her latest novel for Marvel,  "Winter Soldier,"  which focuses on the intriguing character of Bucky Barnes,  Captain America's sidekick, and his origins.  

Darmon Meader is the tenor with New York Voices,  a fantastic vocal jazz quartet that is performing at Carthage College this Thursday evening as part of their Fine Arts Series.  

From 2007 -  Neal Thompson, author of 'Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR."  

During the month of February, we are remembering Dr. Yuri Maltsev, long-time Professor of Economics at Carthage College, who passed away in late January at the age of 72.  Every Saturday, the podcast will feature an archival interview with Professor Maltsev.  This conversation was originally broadcast in August of 2015.  It's a discussion about the chaotic state of affairs in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the highly corrupt activities of Russian Oligarchs.  

My guest is Stephen Ives, writer and director of a documentary titled "Ruthless: The Secret History of Monopoly," which airs Monday night on the PBS series American Experience.  The film explores the tangled history of the board game Monopoly and the fascinating story of one man's tireless efforts to uncover the truth about the woman who actually invented the game, despite what Parker Brothers said to the contrary.  

From the archives:  Allen Shawn, author of "Wish I Could Be There: Notes from a Phobic Life." 

Vijay Pandian is horticulture educator of the Kenosha County UW-Extension. 

For Black History Month: Yohuru Williams, author of "Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter."  

Dr. Peter Dennee - with two members of the choir -  Chloe Kroger and Danae Palmer - in a discussion about the Treble Chorale's recent European tour that took them to Prague, Munich, Salzburg as well as to some picturesque small towns.

One day after Super Bowl 57, we have excerpts from two football-themed interviews..... 1) Jason Reid, author of "Rise of the Black Quarterback."  Super Bowl 57 was the first Super Bowl to feature two black starting quarterbacks.  2)  Casey Sherman, author of "12: The inside story of Tom Brady's Fight for Redemption."   The primary focus of the book is on the controversy known as 'Deflategate," the most difficult chapter in Brady's long career.  

For Lincoln's Birthday (from 2008) -  Phillip B. Kunhardt Jr., co-author of "Looking for Lincoln:  The Making of an American Icon."    The book actually begins in the spring of 1865 and the assassination of Lincoln- and ends with the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in 1922 - and traces the how the world came to terms with Lincoln and his extraordinary legacy.  

Each Saturday in February, we are replaying memorable Morning Show conversations with the late Dr. Yuri Maltsev, long time Economics Professor at Carthage College, who passed away on January 25th.  This 2018 conversation was primarily about Chernobyl.   (Maltsev was living and working in Moscow at the time of the 1986 disaster.)  

In anticipation of Sunday's Super Bowl:   Part 1:  From 2015,  Austin Murphy (Sports Illustrated), author of "Super Bowl Gold: 50 Years of the Big Game."   Part 2:  Richard J. King, author of "Meeting Tom Brady: One Man's Quest for Truth, Enlightenment, and a Simple Game of Catch with the Patriots' Quarterback."  

For Nan Calvert's February visit to the Morning Show,  we talk about Native Plants (and the danger of invasive plants) with Regina Harders, president of the Root River Area Chapter of Wild Ones, and Joann Sustachek, coordinator of the group's native plant sale, which is currently underway.