As we enter uncharted political waters, the breadth and depth of “Truth, Politics and Power” will be an indispensable guide.
The election and inauguration of Donald Trump presents an unprecedented series of questions and challenges. Stepping back from the daily scrum, “Truth, Politics and Power” addresses the context and meaning that underlie the issues. In a series of in-depth conversations, host Neal Conan puts the new administrations policies and practices in historical perspective. What’s the purpose of an “ongoing war” with the media? Why would a new president choose to undermine his own intelligence services? How do the origins of the “America First” movement fit into Trump World? How will the president respond to dissent, to the checks and balances of the American system, and to inevitable crises? How do a President and a ruling party with a narrow political base address anincreasingly diverse population? How does Trumpism fit with the rise of
right wing movements in Europe? With authoritarian regimes in Russia, China, Turkey and the Philippines? And, critically, how will the Administration’s pattern of deception, exaggeration and lies affect public trust in basic institutions of government?
Guests will be as diverse as the material demands. Experts, scholars, journalists, historians, for sure, but comedians, poets and novelists as well. While some topics might take an hour with one guest, the format will be flexible, with maybe two guests in conversation, or maybe more than one topic per hour. We also include commentaries from a diverse group of thinkers on “What should we be reading now?”
Host
Neal Conan
Over 36 years with National Public Radio, Neal Conan may be best known as the long time host of NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”. Previously, he served as Bureau Chief in New York and London, covered the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House, two Winter Olympic Games and several wars. He anchored innumerable live events, including party political conventions, confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominees, Presidential inaugurations and addresses, and the impeachment of President Clinton. He played a key part in NPR’s live coverage of 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Behind the scenes, he served as editor, producer and executive producer of NPR’s flagship program, “All Things Considered” and, in an acting capacity, as Foreign Editor, Managing Editor and News Director. Conan’s work has been honored with, among others, DuPont-Columbia, Major Armstrong and Peabody awards. On leave in 2000, Conan worked as the play by play announcer of the Aberdeen Arsenal of the independent Atlantic League and wrote a book, “Play by Play: Baseball, Radio and Life in the Last Chance League.” He now lives on the Big Island of Hawaii where he farms macadamia nuts, works as a news analyst for Hawaii Public Radio and hosts the public radio series, “Truth, Politics and Power.”
Producer
Sue Goodwin
Sue Goodwin is an accomplished radio producer with over twenty five years experience in public media. At NPR, she served as Executive Producer, Talk of the Nation, Senior Producer, Weekly Edition, and Editor at NPR’s Science Desk. Additional production credits include Senior Booking Producer at PBS and Producer at Al Jazeera America.
Audio Producer
Argin Hutchins
