Wgtd's The Morning Show With Greg Berg

For Black History Month- a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Isabel Wilkerson about her book "The Warmth of Other Suns:  The Epic Story of America's Great Migration."  It tells the story of the massive migration of Southern blacks into other parts of the U.S. over the course of decades, which dramatically reshaped our nation.

Kenosha author Michael Schumacher joins us to talk about the book he has just edited:  Allen Ginsberg- South American Journals- January-July 1960.  

For Black History Month, here is an archival interview with the great American bass-baritone William Warfield, who is best known to the American public for his memorable appearance as Joe in the 1951 MGM film "Showboat" - and for his historic performances as Porgy opposite the Bess of Leontyne Price.  After the end of his singing career, he was a distinguished voice teacher at Northwestern University.   This interview was recorded sometime in the late 1990's.  

Stephan Pastis (creator of the award-winning comic strip "Pearls before Swine") talks about his wildly popular and hilariously entertaining  Timmy Failure books.  The first one, "Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made," has been made into a film by Disney, and it premieres this weekend on Disney+.   The Timmy Failure books are intended for young readers. 

A preview of the Lakeside Players' production of "Little Shop of Horrors" with Joe Cardamone, Katie Gray, and Halie Hutchison.  Their production opens tonight. 

From the archives comes this interview from 2007 with ESPN's Cal Fussman, author of "After Jackie:  Pride, Prejudice and Baseball's Forgotten Heroes:  An Oral History."   The book tells the largely untold story of the black major league baseball players who immediately followed in the footsteps of Jackie Robinson and who had to confront challenges every bit as difficult as those faced by Robinson.   <For Black History Month.>

Today's Morning Show features the monthly visit of Bryan Albrecht, president of Gateway Technical College.  Joining him is Ray Koukari, Dean of Manufacturing, Engineering and IT at GTC,  and Jeff Daniel, CEO of an exciting new start up company called Blue Flux Power .... and one of the primary organizers of an exciting competition called Tech Prize that will take place this summer in Racine.  

In this bonus podcast edition of the Morning Show, here is an interview with my sister, Randi Berg, who was the precinct captain for Pete Buttigieg in Decorah, IA and shares her account of what happened Monday night. 

Renowned anti-racism activist Tim Wise is giving a talk at Carthage College tonight at 7.  His presentation is titled "Great White Hoax:  Challenging Racism and Denial in the Age of Trump."   Also in the interview-  Dr. William Miller, Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice and Co-Director of the school's Equity and Inclusion Committee.   

(from 2009)   William J. Bernstein, author of "The Splendid Exchange:  How Trade Shaped the World."   

From the archives (2008):  a conversation with Raghavan Iyer, author of "660 Curries:  The Gateway to Indian Cooking." 

From 2001 comes this interview with John H. Richardson, author of "In the Little World: a True Story of Dwarfs, Love and Trouble."  Richardson was a writer for Esquire magazine when he attended a convention of so-called Little People and decided to learn more.  Our interview includes a frank examination of the bitter criticism that was directed at Richardson after his original article was published.  <Please excuse the imperfect technical quality of this interview.> 

Mary Roach, author of "Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex." 

Irish writer Roisin Meaney talks about her novel "Semi-Sweet: A Novel of Love and Cupcakes."   (from 2011) 

Dr. Jerald Mast, Professor of Political Science at Carthage College,  offers his thoughts on the impeachment trial currently underway- what has transpired thus far, and what could happen from here.  

From 2007 comes an interview that takes us inside the mind of engineers.  Andrew Burroughs' fascinating book is titled "Everyday Engineering:  How Engineers See." 

This is a 2012 interview with Wisconsin author Michael Perry,  talking about his delightful memoir "Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs & Parenting."  In this book, he recounts his experience of becoming a father at the same time that he and his wife began raising pigs and poultry on their small farm.  <There are some technical imperfections in the first few minutes of the interview.  The sound quality eventually improves.  We apologize for the inconvenience.> 

From 2013 comes a conversation with writer Rachel Simon, author of "Riding the Bus with my Sister: A True Life Journey."  Rachel's sister Beth is developmentally disabled,  and for years has spent a great deal of time riding the city buses of her community -  striking up friendships with various bus drivers.  Rachel Simon's book recounts her experience of accompanying Beth on these bus rides over the course of several months.  It ended up bringing the two sisters much closer together.  

Our guests are Dr. James Ripley, director of instrumental activities at Carthage,  and four members of the Carthage Wind Orchestra- Mariah Honeck, Tim Wagner, Katiann Nelson, and Maile Riedl, talking about their recent trip to Japan.  The group's homecoming concert is this Sunday afternoon, January 26th, 2:00 in Siebert Chapel.   

This interview is the first 2020 monthly Morning Show visit from Bryan Albrecht, the president of Gateway Technical College. With him is William Martin, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Racine.  We talk about what that title entails- and about what it means for the city of Racine to be designated as a Smart City.