December 25, 2007 - Stage Session's "The Traditions of Christmas: Those You Want and Those That Are Foisted Upon You," with Heather McElhatton and guest poet Bill Holm, who present an eclectic Christmas show featuring an unexpected mix of literature, music and more.
January 3, 2008 - Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura is raising a few eyebrows with claims in a new book about his dealings the Central Intelligence Agency. The St. Paul Pioneer Press offered a sneak peak today (Thursday) of the forthcoming book, titled "Don't Start the Revolution Without Me." In one excerpt, Ventura describes a post-inaugural meeting with CIA agents. He also claims a CIA operative was on the state payroll. Even a Ventura confidant is questioning the account. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports, the surprising revelations are at least partially true.
January 16, 2008 - MPR’s Marriane Combs interviews poet Robery Bly and actor Mark Rylance about Guthrie Theater’s “Peer Gynt” production.
January 20, 2008 - We present a rare conversation with philosopher and Catholic social innovator Jean Vanier. He created a model of community, L'Arche, on the most paradoxical teachings of Christianity - notions of power in smallness, and light in darkness, that resonate as Christmas draws near.
January 30, 2008 - Members of St. Paul’s House of Mercy Band think there's nothing hypocritical about parking on a bar stool on a Saturday night and then sliding into a church pew the following Sunday morning. MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with founder C.P. Larson, who says they're comfortable in both worlds.
January 31, 2008 - MPR’s Marianne Combs looks at the growing representation of transgender storytelling in local theater community. Combs highlights the play “Looking for Normal.” It's just one of several stories reaching Twin Cities stages about being transgender.
February 5, 2008 - MPR’s Laura Yuen visits International Market, a no-frills Asian shopping bazaar in St. Paul, which attracts thousands of customers a day. Now, the owner of International Market wants to expand his business into a tourist destination. He's asking the city of St. Paul for 2-million-dollars in tax breaks to complete his dream. But first, he may need to improve his reputation with city inspectors and some tenants.
February 25, 2008 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke talks with Minnesota jazz vocalist Connie Evingson about her CD of songs by Dave Frishberg, an American jazz pianist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist born in St. Paul. Gehrke interviews both artists and others about the music compositions.
February 28, 2008 - MPR’s Karl Gehrke meets with American composer Dominick Argento at his Minneapolis home to discuss his work “Evensong: Of Love and Angels," commissioned by Washington Cathedral Choral Society. Argento wrote the piece for his deceased wife, Carolyn, and considers it his most meaningful work.
March 4, 2008 - Members of the Minnesota 8, anti-war activists who were sentenced to prison for destroying draft files during the Vietnam War, join Midday to discuss their story, which is the subject of a play at the History Theater, titled Peace Crimes: The Minnesota 8. The two guests, Bill Tilton and Frank Kroncke, also answer listener questions.