Talk of the Nation

Weekdays 1 - 3 p.m.
Neal Conan

When Americans want to be a part of the national conversation, they turn to Talk of the Nation, NPR's live, midday news-talk program. Host Neal Conan leads a productive exchange of ideas and opinions on the issues that dominate the news landscape.

From breaking news, science, and education to religion and the arts, Talk of the Nation offers listeners the opportunity to join enlightening discussions with decision-makers, authors, academicians, and artists from around the world.

To participate, call 1-800-989-8255 or e-mail your question or comment.

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From Our Listeners
1:04 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Letters: Researching Rare Diseases, Only Children

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

It's Wednesday, and time to read from your comments. James in Laurel Hill, Florida, emailed during our conversation about research into rare diseases: I would like to affirm the comment made by your guest about rare disease research leading to help for more common diseases. He wrote: My nephew has brittle bone disease. Some aspects of his treatment have been used to help mend broken bones in accident victims. So research into rare disorders can definitely lead to treatment for others.

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NPR Story
12:44 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Dead-Pan Humor And Childhood Fears Collide In 'The Dark'

Credit Courtesy Little Brown and Company
In The Dark, a boy name Laszlo is visited one night by his biggest fear.

Originally published on Wed June 19, 2013 4:46 pm

Author Daniel Handler, who writes under the pen name Lemony Snicket, is known for his dry wit and matter-of-fact take on the mysterious and macabre. In his A Series of Unfortunate Events books and Who Could That Be at This Hour?, the protagonists confront twisted characters and dastardly villains.

In his latest children's book, he takes on the dark itself, with the story of a young boy who confronts his biggest fear.

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Politics
12:41 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

The Penultimate Edition Of The Political Junkie

Originally published on Wed June 19, 2013 12:56 pm

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. The speaker clamps the Hastert Rule on immigration reform. Three Republican senators now support gay marriage. And the Bay State Senate race goes into its last week. It's Wednesday and time for a penultimate edition of the political junkie.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDINGS)

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: There you go again.

VICE PRESIDENT WALTER MONDALE: When I hear your new ideas, I'm reminded of that ad: Where's the beef?

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Business
12:36 pm
Wed June 19, 2013

Will Work For Free? The Future Of The Unpaid Internship

Originally published on Wed June 19, 2013 1:00 pm

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan in Washington. With school out, many college - and even some high school students - will spend the summer working as interns. It's a chance to beef up their resumes, gain on-the-job experience and make valuable contacts. Last week, a federal district court judge in New York issued a ruling that could change the system.

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National Security
1:03 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Obama's Former Legal Adviser Urges U.S. To 'Disciple Drones'

Transcript

JOHN DONVAN, HOST:

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World
12:49 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

When A Language Dies, What Happens To Culture?

Transcript

JOHN DONVAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm John Donvan.

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Afghanistan
12:46 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

A Look Ahead To The Future Of Afghanistan

Originally published on Tue June 18, 2013 1:07 pm

Twelve years after the war began, Afghanistan's president announced Tuesday that Afghan forces officially assumed control of security for the country. U.S. and NATO troops will remain until the 2014 deadline, but the Afghan military is now expected to fight without NATO support.

Media
12:34 pm
Tue June 18, 2013

Breaking Bad News To Kids: How Media Has Tweaked The Process

Originally published on Tue June 18, 2013 1:05 pm

Parents have always had to break hard news to kids, from family hardships to national tragedies. Now there are more ways for children to learn about news faster — through 24 hour news and social media. So, what's changed in how parents broach these subjects? How can media help, or hurt?

Law
12:54 pm
Mon June 17, 2013

After SCOTUS DNA Ruling, What Changes For Police?

The Supreme Court ruled in June that police can routinely take DNA samples from people who are arrested for comparison against a national database. The decision raises major questions about how law enforcement and criminal justice processes will change.

Middle East
12:45 pm
Mon June 17, 2013

Is Big Change Ahead In Iran? A Biography Of The President Elect

Originally published on Tue June 18, 2013 7:56 am

Transcript

NEAL CONAN, HOST:

This is TALK OF THE NATION. I'm Neal Conan.

In Tehran today, the first news conference of Iran's president-elect ended abruptly when a man in the audience jumped up to protest the absence of the man many believe was elected president four years ago, Mir-Hossein Mousavi has been held under house arrest since 2011. And after the interruption, President-elect Hasan Rouhani left the stage and state television pulled the plug on the live broadcast.

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