Wgtd's The Morning Show With Greg Berg

We talk about the good work of the HOPE Council for Alcohol and Other Drugs with executive director Michelle Sandberg and former executive director Guida Brown.  

In conjunction with the interview with Mark Clague, author of "O Say Can You Hear? - A Cultural Biography of the Star Spangled Banner," I have assembled an array of recordings featuring some notable performances of our national anthem.  These recordings/performances range from the 1905 recording by opera singer Emma Eames (the first known recording of the Star Spangled Banner) to Lady Gaga's performance of it for Joe Biden's presidential inauguration in 2021.  Included is Jimi Hendrix's iconic performance from Woodstock, which helped inspire Professor Clague to do extensive research on the anthem and its history. 

For Flag Day -  Mark Clague, Associate Professor of Musicology and American Culture at the University of Michigan, discusses his new book "O Say Can You Hear? A Cultural Biography of the Star Spangled Banner."  

For Pride Month - a 2018 conversation with C.N. Lester, author of "Trans Like Me: A Conversation for All of us."  

From 2017 -  Janell Rardon, author of "Overcoming Hurtful Words: Rewrite Your Own Story." 

As the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol Riots holds nationally televised hearings, we turn to the archives and replay a conversation recorded back in January of 2021 - just days after the attack on the Capitol.  The guest, Dr. Jerald Mast, is Professor of Political Science at Carthage College.  

Dr. Ray Dorsey, one of the country's leading experts on Parkinson's Disease (the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world- and one of the leading causes of disability) discusses his new book "Ending Parkinson's Disease:  A Prescription for Action."  

The Kenosha Pops Concert Band is about to embark on its 100th anniversary season.  We speak with their long time music director, Craig Gall, as well their newly-appointed assistant director, Kathy Ripley.  

Best-selling author William Martin discusses his World War II thriller "December '41" - and why he is drawn to historical fiction.   The novel is built around a sinister plot by a German spy to assassinate FDR as he is lighting the Washington DC Christmas Tree.  

Dan Good, author of "Playing Through the Pain: Ken Caminiti and the Steroids Confession that Changed Baseball Forever."  Caminiti was one of the first major league baseball players to confess to extensive steroid use.  

From 2015-  Mark Segal, author of "And then I Danced: Traveling the Road to LGBT Equality."  (Unlike the version that was broadcast,  this is the unabridged interview.) 

From 2009 -  Ian Stewart, author of "Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities."  

From 2006-   Lloyd Allen author of "Being Martha:  The Inside Story of Martha Steward and Her Amazing Life."  

E.C. Hanes (or Eldridge Hanes) is the author of "The Bus to Beulah,"  a suspense novel based on the unhappy reality of human trafficking. 

 Christopher Rosow discusses his latest novel,  "Vital Deception," the fourth in his Ben Porter series.   His first Ben Porter novel was a best-seller despite being self=published.  

We preview this weekend's performances of Caryl Churchill's much-discussed play "Far Away," which is being presented by the Fleeing Artists Theater.  Joining us will be Alex Metalsky, co-founder and artistic director of the Fleeing Artists Theater, and Mike Zimmerman, who is directing this production.  

Dr. Art Cyr, Clausen Distinguished Professor of Political Economy and World Business at Carthage College,  offers his analysis of current events and issues.  He offers some thoughts on Memorial Day,  Vladimir Putin's provocative statements about nuclear weapons,  the prospect of Sweden and Finland joining NATO,  President Biden's trip Asia, the recent school shooting in Texas,  and the most recent elections in France and Great Britain.  

Tripp MIckle, tech reporter for the New York Times, discusses his newest book,  "After Steve:  How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost its Soul." 

For Memorial Day-  from 2018-  Patrick O'Donnell, author of "The Unknowns:  The Untold Story of America's Unknown Soldier and World War One's Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home."   

From 2009-  Thomas Childers, author of "Soldier from the War Returning," which talks about the often unacknowledged mental and emotional scars that soldiers often bore in silence upon returning home.