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Incumbents Get Nervous

The latest New York Times/ CBS News poll shows that eight percent of Americans think members of Congress deserve re-election. And politicians seem to be getting the message–so far, 33 incumbents have decided not to run this year. We speak with Rick Klein, senior political reporter for ABC News and author of the network’s blog, “The Note.”

Brain Scientist’s Stroke Leads To Enlightenment

We revisit our conversation with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained brain scientist whose life came to a grinding halt when at age 37 she suffered a massive, near-fatal stroke. The left side of her brain, which is responsible for logic, ego, and language went offline and she was left with a feeling of euphoria and enlightenment. She has fully recovered and she tells her story in “My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey.”

‘Cyber Cyrano’ Plays Matchmaker

As Valentine’s Day draws near, many people are using online dating services to search for love. Wouldn’t it be easier if someone could help you manage your dating profile and woo potential matches on your behalf? We speak with Matt Prager, a therapist and life coach from Brooklyn who helps clients craft their online dating profiles.  Prager also writes a blog called “This or Prozac.”

Mental Health Providers In Ethiopia Looks West

This week we spoke with author Ethan Watters who claims that Americans are exporting mental health problems- like anorexia and depression- around the world. Dr. Suzan Song explains what she has seen in Ethiopia; she says mental health professionals there are focused on western textbooks and methods when it come to mental health. We speak with Dr. Song, a fellow in child and adolescent psychiatry at Stanford’s Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital.

Listener Letters

We hear from listeners about recent stories on the census and bullying.

The Messrs. Craft

A drawing of William and Ellen Craft (New York Historical Society).

Nate DiMeo, producer of The Memory Palace brings us a history lesson, and love story of two slaves, Ellen and William Craft, and their unusual journey to freedom in 19th century America.

Music From The Show

• Ahmad Jamal, “Patterns”
• The Funk Brothers, “Keep Me Hangin’ On”
• Long Distance Calling, “Fire In the Mountain”
• Billy Williams, “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”
• The Beatles, “Elanor Rigby”
• Moby, “Inside”
• Ashley MacIsaac, “Sleepy Maggie”
• Papa M, “Roadrunner”
• Boards of Canada, “Triangle and Rhombuses”