Wgtd's The Morning Show With Greg Berg

From 2010- we speak with William Kuhn about his book "Reading Jackie: Her Autobiography in Books." The book closely examines a chapter of Jackie Kennedy Onassis's life that is often glossed over in biographies of her- the years she spent as a book editor. We're replaying this in honor of Women's History Month.

From 2018- Stephen Davis, author of "Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks."

Dr. Ross White, author of "The Tree That Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive." The author celebrates the concept of Flexibility and defends it as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

We speak with three members of the Kenosha Police Department .... detectives Chad Buchanan and Ryan Pfeiffer and Crime Prevention Officer John Wenberg ... talking about the prevalence of scams and frauds that are perpetrated over the internet - and what people need to do to keep themselves from becoming victims.

We celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Racine Literacy Council with three guests: Laura Sumner Coon, executive director of the RLC, Ann Zogg, who is a volunteer tutor, and Victor Mexia, whose wife and daughter have participated with him in the RLC's Family Literacy Program.

Dr. Art Cyr pays his first visit to the Morning Show in 2025 with today's conversation in which, among other things, we talk about the first six weeks of President Trump's second term-- including the dramatic scene in the Oval Office that Professor Cyr called "a brutal verbal assault" in his most recent column.

Today's Morning Show is the first to air during Women's History Month 2025. Part One: Laura Semmer, illustrator of "The ABC's of Women's History," a lovely children's book written by Rio Cortez. Part Two: from the Morning Show archives .... Bryant Johnson, who was the personal trainer of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, talks about working with the late justice in his book "The RBG Workout- How She Stays Strong - and You Can Too!" Justice Ginsberg began working out with Johnson while recovering from a serious bout with cancer.

March 2nd is the date that Theodore Geissel ... aka Dr. Seuss .... was born in 1904. From the archives comes this 2004 interview with Charles D. Cohen, talking about his book "The Seuss, the Whole Seuss, and Nothing but the Seuss." Cohen is perhaps the world's foremost expert on all matters related to Dr. Seuss. This book was published to mark the centennial of Geissel's birth.

In the wake of the news of the death of award-winning actor Gene Hackman, we are replaying a 2004 interview with Hackman and his longtime friend Daniel Lenihan ... talking about "Justice for None," the second of three historical novels which they co-authored.

This is a bonus for Morning Show listeners- a brief conversation with Michael Gelman, executive producer of "Live with Kelly and Mark" (Kelly Ripa and Mark Conseulos.) They will be co-hosting a special program on Monday that will celebrate some of the most noteworthy Oscar winners from the night before. Gelman discusses some of the challenges involved in putting this particular program together.

We speak with Richard Rothstein about the book he co-authored with his daughter Leah Rothstein .... "Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law." The book examines the phenomenon of residential segregation - in which Blacks and Whites in America tend to live apart from one another despite all of the breakthroughs made during the Civil Rights Era - the reasons for it and the consequences of it. The author also talks about his concerns about using the terms 'racist' and 'racism.' Rothstein is responsible for an earlier book titled "The Color of Law."

From 2004 - Ellis Cose discusses his intriguing book "Bone to Pick: of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Reparation and Revenge." This was part two of today's program. I chose to replay this interview because the theme of 'forgiveness' is central to the plot of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's "Life is a Dream," a Spanish masterwork from the 17th century that Carthage College's theater department is performing this weekend. (The interview that comprised part one- with director Neil Scharnick and two students involved in the production- was shared on the podcast this past Friday, the 21st of February, in case you want to seek it out and hear it.)

We talk about an exciting partnership between the United Way of Kenosha County and the Community-Based Learning Program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside that resulted in the creation of an interactive online map house on the United Way's website that allows people to find resources and services in the community. Our guests: Carolynn Friesch, Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Kenosha County... Amy Garrigan, UW-Parkside Community Engagement Specialist .... Jevon Claussen, Senior Director of Community Impact Operations for the United Way of Kenosha Country .... Dr. Caitlin Whitaker, Associate Professor of Geography and Anthropology ..... Kalista Butkiewicz, a junior environmental studies major at Parkside and a student in Professor Whitaker's GID & Communities course .... and Tamarra Coleman, former Executive Director of the Shalom Center and current CEO of the Racine YMCA. (The Shalom Center is one of the agencies that is part of this new online map.)

We speak with State Representative Robert Wittke, who represents the 63rd assembly district (which includes most of Caledonia and most of Franklin.) Our conversation includes his reflection on Governor Evers's proposed biennial budget.

Part One- Jeffrey Boutwell, author of "Boutwell: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy." The author's distant ancestor George Boutwell was an important force for racial equality in the 19th century. He helped secure the Republican presidential nomination for Abraham Lincoln- assisted in the crafting of the 13th and 15th amendments- was a fierce defender of Reconstruction- led the charge for the impeachment of Andrew Johnson- and was a crucial advisor for President Ulysses S. Grant. Part Two: (from 2009) Howard Dotson, author of "Becoming American: The African-American Journey."

From 2009- John Lucas, author of "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Dire Warning- Churchill's First Speech as Prime Minister."

From 2008, Mary Roach discusses her book "Bonk! - The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex."

This interview was recorded this morning for broadcast next week - but because it concerns a theatrical production that is opening tonight, I want to share the interview as a supplement to today's podcast episode. The play is "Life is a Dream" by Pedro Calderon de la Barca, one of history's most notable theatrical masterworks. My guests: Neil Scharnick, Associate Professor of Theater and director of the production- Annaliese Ruhs, junior, who is assistant director- and Jessie Skonesey, junior, who is part of the cast. The play is performed this weekend and the following weekend.

This is the complete interview with Paul Beston talking about his book "The American Kings," which tells the story of seven American heavyweight boxing champions: John L. Sullivan, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson. (An excerpt played on today's program.)

We preview the Racine Theater Guild's newest production, "And in this corner: Cassius Clay," which runs this weekend and the next. Shawn Holmes, director of the production, joins us - along with Aquil Ocacio, who is one of two actors portraying the title character. For part two, we replay an excerpt from an interview with Paul Beston in which he talks about his book "The American Kings," which examines the extraordinary legacy of American heavyweight boxing champions from John L. Sullivan to Mike Tyson.