Tell Me More on WRVO-1: NPR News

Decades ago, Duke University students and professors did more than 1,000 interviews with African-Americans who lived through the Jim Crow era. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with two professors involved with the project. (Advisory: This segment contains language that may not be suitable for all audiences.)

Friday is National Day of Listening, and this year, Story Corps is focusing on the impact teachers have made. Regular Tell Me More contributor Lester Spence speaks with his University of Michigan professor, Ralph Story, whose guidance helped him believe in his potential.

The new book News for All the People traces how mainstream publishers and broadcasters perpetuated racism through their coverage, but also how journalists of color fought to develop a more democratic, alternative press. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with the authors about their work and where the internet stands in diversifying news.

The Boddie Record Company, founded by Louise Boddie and her husband was one of the first African-American owned record companies in Cleveland, Ohio. It had been relatively obscure until record collector Dante Carfagna and the Numero Group assembled a box set of the Boddie recordings. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with Carfagna and Louise Boddie.

With their uplifting lyrics and blend of different genres, award-winning duo Mary Mary has reigned over the modern gospel scene for more than a decade. In this encore broadcast, host Michel Martin speaks with sisters Erica and Tina Campbell about faith, music and the inspiration behind their latest album Something Big.

Karl Pillemer's new book 30 Lessons for Living results from an effort to collect wisdom from more than 1,200 older Americans. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with Pillemer and Helene Rosenblatt, one of the elders featured in the book, about what we can learn from our elders and why we don't listen to them more often.

Americans spend more money shopping than the other 47 weeks of the year combined. It all starts on Black Friday. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with consumer credit expert John Ulzheimer about how to shop for the holidays and avoid the financial hangover.

Some may think that working as Santa Claus at the mall is easy, but a shabby red suit and cheap fake beard don't cut it for teachers at the Charles W. Howard Santa School. The school seeks students with outstanding morals and the motivation to make each interaction with children magical. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with owners Tom and Holly Valent.

The Barbershop guys preview the upcoming football games and discuss whether Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos distracts other players when praying on the field. The guys also share their Thanksgiving gratitude lists. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with author Jimi Izrael, attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, sports editor Dave Zirin and sports reporter Pablo Torre.

A Chicago judge recently overturned the convictions of four men who were deemed guilty in a 1994 rape and murder case. The judge said that DNA evidence connects another man to the crime. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with one of the men whose conviction was overturned, Terrill Swift; and journalist Laura Washington, who covered the case.

Since 1924, millions of Americans have been watching Macy's iconic parade as they ring in the holiday season. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with parade executive producer Amy Kule, who shares some of her favorite performances and reveals what it takes to coordinate more than 8,000 participants on that day.

As Thanksgiving approaches, you can almost smell and taste the turkey, buttered collard greens and soft corn bread stuffing. As a pre-feast treat, Tell Me More guest host Tony Cox visits a woman whose name to many is synonymous with fine Southern cuisine and entertaining: Barbara Smith, also known as B. Smith.

Many businesses in Alabama are complaining about labor shortages related to the state's immigration law. State processes are slowing because each transaction with the government now requires verification of a person's immigration status. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with Orlando Rosa, who attended a hearing on Monday that examined the law's impact.

As thousands prepare recommendation letters, essays and financial aid forms, guest host Tony Cox gets advice on how parents and students can succeed in navigating the college admissions process. Cox speaks with Joy St. John, director of admission at Wellesley College.

Some GOP lawmakers in Alabama say that changes to the state's immigration law may be necessary. They're considering tweaking the provision that makes it a crime for Alabama residents to lend charitable aid to anyone who is illegally in the state. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with John Archibald of Birmingham News.

Transcript

TONY COX, HOST:

I'm Tony Cox and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Michel Martin is away. In a moment, are you fretting over college applications? We'll have some advice for parents and students on how to navigate through those essays and financial aid options.

A new poll says Newt Gingrich is the front-runner of the GOP presidential primary race. How did his popularity surge, and what are chances of him winning? Meanwhile, 'Occupy' organizers are trying to harness their political power amid tougher responses from police. Guest host Tony Cox speaks with journalists Cynthia Tucker and Mary Kate Cary.

Many children born through donor insemination may never meet their fathers or know that they have numerous half siblings. Guest host Tony Cox explores the renewed debate over regulating reproductive services and the issues facing donors and their offspring. He hears from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Donor Sibling Registry.

Tell Me More guest host Tony Cox continues the discussion on regulating reproductive services. He explores the legal side of the reproductive medical industry with Naomi Cahn, author of Test Tube Families: Why the Fertility Market Needs Legal Regulation.

Boyz II Men members Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman and former member Michael McCary began cementing themselves in R&B history in 1991. Their single "Motownphilly" became a hit and was followed by a series of other chart-topping songs. The group has earned four Grammy Awards, performed around the world and sold tens of millions of albums.

Their latest album, Twenty, features 10 new songs and 10 past hits. It marks their two decades of entertaining a generation of loyal fans.

The Barbershop guys weigh in on the Occupy Wall Street movement and the standoff between NBA players and owners. Host Michel Martin speaks with author Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney and author Arsalan Iftikhar, sports writer Kevin Blackistone and National Review writer Mario Loyola.

Abramoff earned millions making deals and trading favors on Capitol Hill before being imprisoned on corruption charges. He's been called 'scum' and a 'bloodsucking bogeyman.' He speaks with host Michel Martin about his new memoir Capitol Punishment: The Hard Truth About Washington Corruption From America's Most Notorious Lobbyist.

Host Michel Martin continues her conversation with former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, notorious for serving three years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion. They discuss his new memoir and how money and influence are shaping today's presidential race.

Critics say former Penn State coach Paterno may have met his legal obligations but failed an ethical test when going to university officials about child molestation allegations. Host Michel Martin discusses the issue with ethicist Jack Marshall. (Advisory: This segment contains language that may not be suitable for all audiences.)

Tell Me More editor Ammad Omar and host Michel Martin comb through comments about a recent interview with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who defended his record and called recall efforts a power grab. Listeners also had lots to say about coverage of Mexican band Jarana Beat and the Wampanoag tribe's revival of their near-extinct language.

Living in Uganda, where homosexuality is a crime, Frank Mugisha advocated for LGBT rights and consequently lost his job, friends and family. He speaks with host Michel Martin about his precarious life there, and what it means to earn the 2011 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.

Garland Jeffreys leapt onto the music scene in the 1960s, and since then has mastered rock, reggae and blues to create his unique sound. He speaks with host Michel Martin about his remarkable life and new album, The King of In Between.

As the "super committee" approaches its deadline to cut the federal deficit, host Michel Martin explores how our financial challenges are seen in Europe, and whether woes there are fueled by worries over the U.S. economy. Martin hears from NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax and Federico Rampini of Italy's newspaper La Repubblica.

In 1993, Jessie Little Doe Baird had dreams in a language that her Wampanoag people stopped using more than 100 years ago. The new PBS film We Still Live Here shows how they brought their language back to life. Host Michel Martin speaks with director Anne Makepeace and Troy Currence, vice president of the Wopanaak Language Reclamation Project.

Sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain are still dominating headlines, but many political commentators are calling it a distraction. In this week's Beauty Shop, host Michel Martin hears from a panel of politically savvy women who weigh in on this and other political news.