(9-28-2017) Today’s Topical Currents marks the end of a nearly 18-year era for our interview/call-in program. It was created by Joseph Cooper in 1999, and covered South Florida issues and personalities, with over four-thousand editions. Joseph retires from the station this month . . . so we air an hour retrospective, with visits from some of our favorite guests & listener calls.

Topical Currents | WLRN

Topical Currents Program Finale

(9-27-2017) Today’s Topical Currents ponders a South Florida which existed long before documented settlers arrived at what’s now a Megalopolis. We visit with FSU Professor Andrew Frank and discuss his book, BEFORE THE PIONEERS: Indians, Settlers, Slaves and the Founding of Miami . Obviously, the ancients were on to something: the largest Tequesta village at the Miami River mouth, was also the focal point of what became a great city.

Florida History with Andrew Frank

(9-26-2017) With so much political attention devoted to “fake news” drivel and social media, how should university journalism schools prepare tomorrow’s reporter and editors? Today’s Topical Currents looks into news credibility with the Dean of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, Dave Kurpius, and Randy Picht, who heads its Reynolds Journalism Institute.

News Credibility

(9-25-2017) On today’s Topical Currents, we talk about foster-care parent recruitment. We focus on ChildNet, Broward and Palm Beach Counties’ community-based care agency, which manages services and support for abused, abandoned and neglected children and caregivers. This support system is essential for the well-being, safety and permanence of these kids, who’ve lived in unstable conditions. Abuse hotline 800-96-ABUSE Foster Care Recruitment Hotline: Palm Beach 561-352-2501 Broward 954-414-6001

Foster Care Parent Recruitment

(9-21-2017) Chef, author and syndicated columnist Linda Gassenheimer’s final segments on Topical Currents. For more than 17 years, she produced over 900 programs, starting January 7, 1999.

Food & Dining Retrospective

(9-20-2017) The histories of R&B, soul, funk, and disco in Florida, as chronicled by University of Tampa journalism professor, John Capouya , author of Florida Soul: From Ray Charles to KC and the Sunshine Band .

Florida Soul Music

(9-19-2017) Wouldn’t most everyone love to go through life with grace and poise? Known for our adaptability in daily routines . . . and admired for insight? Today’s Topical Currents is with longtime South Florida consultant, entrepreneur and administrator, Pauline Winnick . She specializes in etiquette and decorum, and has taught protocol to international business leaders and officials.

Etiquette, Decorum, and Protocol - Hurricane Edition

(9-18-2017) Today’s Topical Currents tackles South Florida’s affordable housing woes. Single family home prices in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties price low and middle income families out of the market. On one hand, steep housing costs can prohibit new white collar workers from relocating here, as well as thwart the hiring of needed teachers, nurses and police officers. On the other hand, homegrown students move to take jobs in less costly urban areas. Some families face homelessness.

Affordable Housing in South Florida

(9-14-2017) Today we continue with updates, tips, discussion and your calls and concerns in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Guests include Bryan Norcross and Tim Padgett.

Continued Post-Irma Updates

(9-7-2017) Today's Topical Currents gives Hurricane Irma updates and advice from The Weather Channel's Senior Hurricane Specialist and meteorologist, Bryan Norcross. Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman join Bryan Norcross on the air for this special edition, with listener call-ins. He provides exclusive insights on the storm from Weather Channel headquarters in Atlanta, with an emphasis on Southeastern Florida.

Hurricane Irma with Bryan Norcross

(9-5-2017) Today’s Topical Currents is with longtime South Florida journalist and CBS-4 investigative reporter, Jim Defede. His first post in the region was 27 years ago, at The Miami New Times . He was Miami Herald Metro columnist through July of 2005, and joined Channel 4 in 2006. We discuss many issues, including his current Facing South Florida Everglades documentary.

Jim Defede

(8-31-2017) Today we present an hour of restaurant reviews with Matt Meltzer, the Miami editor for the Thrillist Media Group, and Carlo Frias, Miami Herald Food Editor. We talk about the many new restaurant openings and closings and ask listeners for their favorite local restaurant. Dinner in Minutes BBQ Pork Salad – perfect for Labor Day Weekend www.dinnerinminutes.com

Restaurant Roundabout Fall 2017

(8-30-2017) Today's Topical Currents features an examination of trauma, its relationship to addiction, and its effects on family members, with Judy Crane , author of The Trauma Heart: Stories of Survival, Hope, and Healing .

The Effects of Trauma

(8-29-2017) Today’s Topical Currents is with author & F-I-U Professor of Advertising & Communications, Margo Berman. We discuss the subtle & not-so-subtle techniques of pervasive and persuasive advertising. Nearly everything we see, hear, purchase and use may well have hidden manipulators cached within them. Will your selfie pic help a robot pick a flattering wardrobe to buy?

Pervasive and Persuasive Advertising Techniques

(8-28-2017) Do you have time to hear a story? Today’s Topical Currents is dedicated to this traditional art. Miraculous digital tools are constantly at our fingertips, but the ancient convention of oral connection and stories is now perhaps even more potent. We visit with writers and spoken-word devotees Nicholas Garnett and Andrea Askowitz, and hear storytellers Allison Langer and Josephine Phoenix.

The Art of Storytelling

Joseph Cooper and Bonnie Berman share the microphone with a wide range of guests including community leaders, artists, scientists, historians, political thinkers and more who bring issues of interest to South Floridians.

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