Terry Gross

Black activist Bobby Seale talks about the history of the Black Panther Party. In light of misrepresentations of the group in the media and by politicians, Seale clarifies their anti-racist positions and the reasons behind their actions and militant image. He also discusses his trial as part of the Chicago Eight. Fresh Air listeners call in with their questions.

Poet Richard Elman covered the Nicaraguan revolution of 1979, which overthrew the ruling Somoza dynasty. He later returned to the country to see what life was like in the aftermath. Elman also has a side job of writing the novelizations of Hollywood films.

The iconic author of The Feminine Mystique believes that the women's movement needs to move toward what she calls "the second stage," which focuses on cultural and policy changes which foster a greater balance of work and home life.

Poet Maya Angelou has written a new memoir which details her relationship with her son while she worked as a singer and civil rights activist. She discusses the impact of prominent African American leaders like Billie Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcom X had on her personally and intellectually.

Anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger has studied childbirth in cultures around the world. Her research suggests that better models of childbirth exist beyond what is practiced in British and American hospitals. Fresh Air host Terry Gross invites listeners to call in with their questions.

The musical duo take inspiration from vaudeville, ragtime and classical music. To promote their new album, Get to the Heart, they have a number of performances scheduled in the Philadelphia area. They perform a number of their songs in studio.

The Pennsylvania Democrat works to counteract the policy positions of the moral majority. He sees hope in the rise of prominent moderate Republicans to steer the direction of the Reagan administration toward less conservative economic and foreign policy decisions. Fresh Air listeners call in with their questions.

Jerre Mangione's book Mount Allegro has found its fifth publisher in as many decades. He speaks with Fresh Air's Terry Gross about straddling the line between Sicilian and American cultures and the changing nature of Italian American communities in both cities and suburbs.

The musician immersed himself in jazz during his years of classical training. With so little in the canon written for his instrument, he mostly performs his own compositions.

Viveca Lindfors made her mark in Swedish films before becoming a noted Hollywood actress in the post-war era. She talks about fate of and attitudes toward fellow actresses from that period.