Radio Smart Talk for Monday, January 24: As part of WITF's Real Life | Real Issues series for January, we'll explore the role mentoring can play in the lives and development of young people. We'll learn about formal mentoring programs at Harrisburg University and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Capital Region. We'll also welcome your stories about mentors who have played a role in your life, and we'll hear how mentors have influenced the lives of a number of previous Radio Smart Talk guests, including: federal Judge John E. Jones III, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, journalist David Brancaccio, behavioral economist Dan Ariely, religion professor Richard Hughes, writer Jude Southerland Kessler, and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.
LISTEN TO PROGRAM:
Mentor interviews:
Social scientist Dan Ariely was inspired in his life's work by a fellow scientist who, like him, suffered a debilitating injury. That common experience led both to explore how human beings deal with pain...
One of journalist David Brancaccio's mentors may be familiar to you – Bill Moyers...
Sports commentator Frank Deford is grateful for the lessons he's learned from many people, but – as he defines it – he never had a mentor...
Chef Donna Marie Desfor says our question about mentors in her life "gave me pause..."
Religion Professor Richard Hughes has a couple of great stories to tell about people who have served as role models for him...
Federal Judge John E. Jones III, who ruled in the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover decision, was neither confident, nor a federal judge, when his mentor Tom Ridge told him to get up off the mat...
Author Jude Southerland Kessler points to three people who "made all the difference" in her life...
Former Governor Ed Rendell values the 14 years his mentor – his dad – was around to imbue his values...
NPR Ombudsman Alicia Shepard believes she wouldn't have even chosen journalism for a career had it not been for her mentor...
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson believes the notion of role models is, in a way, overrated – but he's grateful for the interest and support he received from Carl Sagan...
