After four, Ben Merens and his guest talk about Pope Benedict’s historic visit to Turkey, where Christians and Muslims create a tenuous bridge between East and West.
Guest: David Gibson, author, “The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World” (2006) and “The Coming Catholic Church” (2004)


After five, Ben Merens' guest says the White House not only must persuade Congress and the public that the No Child Left Behind law, up for reauthorization next year, is working... but also must demonstrate what “working” really means.
Guest: Paul Tough, editor, New York Times Magazine. His article, "What It Takes to Make a Student" (November 26 issue)

After four, Ben Merens talks with a business ethicist about the questions raised by Wisconsin’s minimum markup law that is forcing Wal-Mart pharmacies to raise their four-dollar price for generic prescription drugs.
Guest: Denis Collins, professor of business at Edgewood College in Madison, specializing in business ethics.


Ben Merens' guest, after five, says American society has created untenable attitudes toward our own mortality. He describes how our resistance to death could bankrupt the nation.
Guest: Daniel Callahan, director of international programs, The Hastings Center. Author, “The Troubled Dream of Life: In Search of a Peaceful Death” and “Setting Limits: Medical Goals in an Aging Society.”

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Most children with autism can count on their parents taking care of them, some needing more care than others. But what happens when the parents are no longer there? Ben Merens and his guest look at growing up and adulthood with autism.
Guest: Chantal Sicile-Kira, presents nationally on topics surrounding autism and hosts a radio show on Autism One Radio. Member of the US Autism and Asperger Association’s Advisory Board. Author of “Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and other ASD’s” and “Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent's Guide to the Cognitive, Social, Physical, and Transition Needs of Teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” www.chantalsicile-kira.com www.usautism.org


On At Issue, Ben Merens’ guest takes on the food industry, claiming it can only be profitable by selling food that isn’t healthy.
Guest: Michele Simon, public health attorney. Author, “Appetite For Profit: How The Food Industry Undermines Our Health And How To Fight Back”. www.informedeating.org

The Iraq Study Group meets today to debate its initial draft proposal which, according to reports, calls for talks with Iran and Syria. After four, Ben Merens speaks with a Middle East expert who says Iraq’s neighbors will have a price for their influence, but no good options are left for the US.
Guest: David Newton, adjunct scholar, Middle East Institute, former director of Radio Free Iraq (1998-2004) and former ambassador to Iraq (1984-1988) www.mideasti.org
5:00 PM


You don’t need the resources of Warren Buffet or Bill Gates to be a philanthropist. Ben Merens’ guest, after five, says philanthropy is for everyone, and it may be more democratic than government programs for funding social needs.
Guest: Paul Schervish (SHURV-ish), professor of sociology, director, Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, Boston College.

According to a report made public, Wisconsin currently has a $1.6 billion deficit. During Governor Jim Doyle’s campaign he pledged to close any new deficit without raising any general state tax. After four, Ben Merens and his guest discuss if this possible.
Guest: Todd Berry, president Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance


After five, Ben Merens talks with the producer of the new PBS Frontline film, "Living Old," a look at what it really means to grow old in contemporary America.
Guest: Karen O'Connor, producer, "Living Old," a new documentary that airs on PBS Frontline tonight at 8pm Central (check local listings) www.pbs.org/frontline

A study released this month states that birthparents in the adoption process do not have their rights and needs sufficiently addressed in U.S. law and practice. After four, the author and the editor of this research will join Ben Merens.
Guest: Adam Pertman, Executive Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. Was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his writing about adoption in The Boston Globe. Author, Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America. In addition, he is the author of many chapters and articles on adoption- and family-related issues in books, scholarly journals and mass-market publications.
Susan Livingston Smith, Program and Project Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. Has worked and conducted research in the adoption field for over 30 years. Has spoken at over 50 national and international conferences and provided training to adoption policy makers, practitioners, and judges in many states. www.adoptioninstitute.org


According to Ben Merens' guest, after five, the government doesn't want to acknowledge the role women play in the Iraq war. Since 9/11 more than one-hundred-fifty-thousand American women have gone to war as volunteer professionals, and thousands have served as combat soldiers.
Guest: Erin Solaro, former reserve lieutenant, U.S. Army. Author, “Women in the Line of Fire: What You Should Know About Women in the Military.” www.erinsolaro.com

On At Issue, it's Your Views on the News. Ben Merens invites you to call in with your take on the news of the week.


Ben Merens' guest personal budget planner has advice about money, and discusses the emotions that often get in the way of smart financial decisions.
Guest: Shannon Plate, president, Everyday Money – a budget counseling company in Palatine, IL. Author, “Degunking Your Personal Finances”

After four, Gene Purcell is in for Ben Merens, talking with his guest about the international response to last week's midterm elections and analyzing whether the vote will result in a shift in U-S foreign policy.
Guest: Harlan Ullman, Senior advisor at the Center for Stategic and International Studies, columnist for the Washington Times and author of America's Promise Restored: Preventing Culture, Crusade and Partisanship from Wrecking Our Nation
5:00 PM


Today is the Great American Smokeout. After five, Gene Purcell, in for Ben Merens, speaks with a guest who says that kicking your tobacco addiction to the curb is possible.
Guest: Doug Jorenby, Director of Clinical Services for the UW-Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention since 1992. Clinical psychologist and associate professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School, where he conducts a variety of research, clinical, and professional education activities.

After five, Ben Merens' guest says the most effective way to appeal to moderates or conservatives is to remain true to progressive values.
Guest: George Lakoff, professor of linguistics, University of California, Berkeley. Author, "Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision. A Progressive's Handbook" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

The Democrats took over the House and Senate by winning contested races with moderate and conservative candidates. After four, Ben Merens and his guest political scientist talk about the return of the “Blue Dog” Democrat.
Guest: Cal Jillson, professor of political science, Southern Methodist University.


After five, Ben Merens talks with media critic Dave Berkman for his assessment of media coverage of the 2006 election.
Guest: Dave Berkman, media pundit/political commentator

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold announced yesterday that he would not seek his party’s nomination for president. Ben Merens and his guest political scientist talk about the decision, and about the likely presidential candidates for 2008.
Guest: Georgia Duerst-Lahti, professor of political science, Beloit College


The old rule “all politics is local” did not apply for the 2006 election. Ben Merens and his guest pollster dig deep into the exit poll results to examine how and why voters made their choices in Wisconsin and across the country.
Guest: Ken Warren, the Warren Poll. professor of political science, Saint Louis University.

Ben Merens talks with two guests in the four o'clock hour about the change of guard at the Pentagon, the new Democratic Congress, and how they should work with President Bush on the Iraq War.
Guests: 4:00 - Ronald Kessler, author of several books, including “A Matter of Character: Inside the White House of George W. Bush" and “The CIA At War: Inside the Secret Campaign Against Terror"
4:30 - Melvin Goodman, former CIA and State Department analyst, senior fellow, Center for International Policy. Professor of international security studies, National War College. Author, “Bush League Diplomacy: Putting the Nation At Risk


After five, Ben Merens talks with the lead researcher of a long-awaited report that says Wisconsin students can double academic achievement with an education budget increase of only six-point-eight percent.
Guest: Allan Odden (ODD-en), professor of education at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and co-director of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education www.wcer.wisc.edu/cpre

The long campaign is over... the ballots have been cast and counted... and its time to sort it all out. After four, Ben Merens and his guest analyze election results here in Wisconsin.
Guest: Joe Heim, professor of political science, UW-La Crosse.


After five, Ben Merens talks with a political scientist about election results across the nation, the new look of Congress, and what it means for the final two years of the Bush Administration. Guest: Bryan Brophy-Baermann, visiting instructor in government, Rhode Island College and Providence College.

A new report shows that the seas could be depleted of fish within our lifetime. Peter Donalds and his guest discuss the fate of fish.
Guest: Brian Halweil, senior researcher, Worldwatch Institute, author, “Catch of the Day: Choosing Seafood for Healthier Oceans” www.worldwatch.org


Peter Donalds’ guest says forty-one million American adolescents are chronically sleep-deprived, and the effects on physical and mental health can be serious.
Guest: Dr. Helene Emsellem, director, Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Author, “Snooze... or Lose!: 10 ‘No-war’ Ways to Improve Your Teen's Sleep Habits” www.sleepeducation.com

Saddam’s death sentence, Kerry’s controversial joke, and Haggard’s sex scandal. What impact will these and other news items have on how you vote? After four, Ben Merens’ guest says that most voters already know who they are voting for and will not be easily swayed.
Guest:
Dennis Dresang, professor of political science and public affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison.


Not all teenagers are apathetic about politics. After five, Ben Merens talks with some politically active Wisconsin teens, and a state legislator who says seventeen-year-olds should vote in primary elections.
Guests:
- State Senator Fred Risser, 26th Senate District, Democrat.
- Kristin Holzhauer, governor of Badger Girls State 2006.
- Sarah Krasin, delegate to Badger Girls State and Girls Nation, Washington, DC.

It's Your Views on the News, after four, with Ben Merens. Every Friday in the four o'clock hour, listeners are invited to call in with their take on the top news stories of the week.

The school year is in full swing, but is your child? After five, Ben Merens talks with two child psychologists about how to motivate your child to achieve.
Guests: - Michael Mazius, child psychologist, North Shore Center. - Craig Abrams, child psychologist, North Shore Center.

Ben Merens talks with the two candidates for Wisconsin’s fifth Congressional seat, Democrat Bryan Kennedy and incumbent Republican James Sensenbrenner.
Guests: 4:00 - Bryan Kennedy, Democratic candidate, 5th Congressional district. www.bryankennedyforcongress.org
4:30 - James Sensenbrenner, incumbent and Republican candidate, 5th Congressional district. www.sensenbrenner.org

Ben and his guests talk about the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and its efforts to address some of the misconceptions and myths regarding the religion of Islam.
Guests: - Muhammad Isa Sadlon, executive director and CEO, Islamic Society of Milwaukee. - Dr. Zulficar Ali Shah, religious director, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

The federal government has expanded funding to encourage abstinence for singles in their twenties. Ben Merens talks to guests with differing opinions on the merits of the program. Guests: - Libby Macke, director, Project Reality, www.projectreality.org - Steve Conley, president, American Association of Sexuality

Health care, the Iraq War, and education are at the forefront of the political debate in Wisconsin. Ben Merens’ guest says the issue of poverty is mistakenly absent.
Guest: Deborah Blanks, CEO, Social Development Commission. Co-chair, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s Anti-Poverty Commission. President, Wisconsin Association of Community Action Programs.