Thecuriousmanspodcast

In this episode, we speak with Joel S. Wit, former U.S. State Department official and author of Fallout: The Inside Story of America's Failure to Disarm North Korea. Wit takes us inside decades of diplomatic efforts, behind-the-scenes negotiations, missed opportunities, and policy missteps that shaped North Korea's nuclear rise. We explore what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and what the future holds for nuclear diplomacy and global security.

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning poet, educator, and cultural commentator Lee Woodman to explore her book Colorscapes, a luminous collection that transforms color into poetry and emotion into imagery. We discuss how color shapes memory, identity, culture, and creativity—and how poetry can deepen the way we perceive the world.

In this episode, I speak with historian Matthew F. Delmont, author of Until the Last Gun Is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, the Vietnam War, and the Fight to Save America's Soul. We discuss the untold story of Vietnam veterans who became leaders in the antiwar movement — challenging the meaning of patriotism, confronting government power, and shaping how Americans remember the war. From battlefield experiences to political activism, Delmont reveals how veterans fought to reclaim America's moral compass — and why their story still matters today. We talk about Corretta Scott King's activism and how she shaped her husband's views as well as Dwight "Skip" Johnson, a Medal of Honor winner and what his life looked like after Vietnam

In this episode, I'm joined by Alice Lovejoy, author of Tales of Militant Chemistry: The Film Factory in a Century of War, a fascinating exploration of how film has shaped — and been shaped by — modern warfare, propaganda, industry, and scientific power. We talk about cinema as a political tool, how film factories became part of war efforts, how science and technology were turned into spectacle, and why moving images have played such a powerful role in shaping how we understand conflict. If you're interested in film history, media power, propaganda, or the hidden stories behind wartime cinema, this conversation will change the way you watch movies.  

Before Blue Note became a brand and before Impulse! turned jazz into a cosmic mission, there was Prestige Records — raw, loose, experimental, and absolutely electric. Today, I'm joined by Chris Entwisle, authors of Wail: The Art of Prestige Records 1949–1960, a stunning deep dive into the label that captured some of the most vital moments in jazz history — from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, and Eric Dolphy. We talk about Prestige's iconic album art, the culture of speed-session recording, the musicians who defined the label's sound, and why Prestige still feels like the most human, gritty, and dangerous chapter in jazz's golden era. If you love jazz history, vinyl culture, or the story behind legendary records, this one's for you.

Today's episode dives into a true story that sits at the crossroads of crime, cannabis, and consequence. My guest is Scott Eden, author of A Killing in Cannabis, a gripping work of narrative nonfiction that unpacks a shocking murder connected to the legal marijuana industry—and the human decisions that led to it. Through meticulous reporting and storytelling, Scott explores not just what happened, but why it happened, exposing the risks, ethical gray areas, and real-world stakes behind an industry many assume is harmless. This is a conversation about justice, accountability, and the unintended consequences of rapid legalization.

Today's episode looks at the economy through a lens that's too often ignored—and wildly underestimated. My guest is Misty Heggeness, economist at the University of Kansas and author of Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine the Economy. In this eye-opening book, Misty challenges traditional economic assumptions by showing how women—through spending, caregiving, community-building, and collective action—are reshaping markets and redefining what economic power actually looks like. This is a conversation about data, culture, and why the future of economics may already be here—we just haven't been measuring it correctly.

Today's episode celebrates a woman who refused to behave—and changed American culture because of it. My guest is Carla Kaplan, Davis Distinguished Professor of American Literature at Northeastern University and author of Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford. In this rich and revelatory biography, Carla traces the extraordinary journey of Jessica Mitford—from British aristocrat to American radical, investigative journalist, and one of the most irreverent truth-tellers of the twentieth century. This is a conversation about dissent, wit, class, feminism, and what it means to live a life guided by conviction rather than convention.

Today's conversation explores one of the darkest and least examined chapters of modern history—and why it still matters. My guest is Susanne Antonetta, author of The Devil's Castle: Nazi Eugenics, Euthanasia, and How Psychiatry's Troubled History Reverberates. In this powerful and deeply researched book, Susan examines how psychiatric institutions and medical authority were used to justify eugenics and mass murder under the Nazi regime—and how the echoes of that history continue to shape mental health care today. This is not just a story about the past. It's a conversation about ethics, power, language, and what happens when care becomes control.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allen Saxon, a veteran general surgeon and now debut novelist, to discuss his new book Training in Charity. Drawing from decades of surgical experience, Dr. Saxon offers a rare glimpse into the world of medical training — not just the technical rigor, but also the emotional, ethical, and human challenges that define life inside an operating room. We explore the inspiration behind the novel, how fiction can reveal truths that memoirs sometimes can't, and what it means to practice medicine with both skill and compassion. Dr. Saxon shares stories from his surgical career, reflects on the mentors who shaped him, and talks about the evolution of surgery over time. We also discuss the writing process, his transition from medicine to storytelling, and what readers can learn from the characters and conflicts within the book. Whether you're fascinated by medicine, drawn to character-driven fiction, or curious about the intersections between science and art, this conversation shines light on the humanity at the core of surgical training.

Today's guest is Chester L. Richards — a retired rocket scientist, inventor, author, and co-writer of one of Star Trek's most iconic episodes, "The Tholian Web." Chester's life has unfolded at the crossroads of imagination and engineering. From working on advanced aerospace projects to helping bring bold science fiction ideas to television screens, his career reflects a lifelong belief in curiosity, creativity, and possibility. In his memoir, The Trek Continues, Chester looks back on a life shaped by science, storytelling, and exploration — and reminds us that discovery doesn't end with retirement. In this conversation, we talk about rockets, Star Trek, invention, and what it means to keep moving forward long after the credits roll.

Today's guest is Leokadia George, a mental health therapist, Wolf Center volunteer, and the author of the children's book Trumpet Becomes a Mom. Blending her love for wildlife with her professional understanding of emotional development, Leokadia has created a story that gently introduces young readers to themes of nurturing, responsibility, and change — all through the eyes of a wolf named Trumpet. In this conversation, we talk about the inspiration behind the book, how animal stories help children process big feelings, and why empathy for both others and the natural world matters so deeply, especially at a young age.

I welcome Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio back on the show to discuss her newest book, Building A Thriving Future: Metaverse and Multiverse. We discuss what the terms Metverse and Multiverse mean. How steeped they are in our everyday life (even though we may not realize it), and how we can be early adopters and evolve with the times.

The 1970s are often remembered as a decade of protest, liberation, and social change — but they were also marked by violence, fear, and political extremism. Today's guest Jason Burke is an international security correspondent for The Guardian and the author of The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s. In this book, he traces how radical groups across the globe turned revolutionary ideals into campaigns of terror — and how their actions reshaped politics, policing, and public life in ways we're still living with today. This is a conversation about how extremism takes hold, how societies respond, and why the lessons of the 1970s matter now more than ever.

In this episode, we sit down with renowned cardiologist, researcher, and author Dr. Peter Kowey to talk more about his eye-opening book, Failure to Treat. Drawing from decades of experience in medicine, Dr. Kowey exposes the systemic flaws that are failing both patients and the professionals who care for them. We discuss what we think can be done to change the system and how most of us would probably agree, if not for the divisive political climate and social medis bytes. Please join us and hopefully this will spark your own deep discussions.

Grief has a way of stopping time — but it can also open unexpected doors. Today's guests are Bob and Tammy Cranston, authors of The Blank Journal, a deeply personal story about loss, faith, and what can happen when two grieving people meet at exactly the right moment. Their journey — which they describe as guided by divine intervention — led not only to love and marriage, but to a shared commitment to living with intention and purpose. This conversation is about grief, healing, faith, and what it means to begin again when life hands you a blank page.

In this episode I speak with former federal prosecutor, senior Justice Department official, prominent legal analyst, CNN and SiriusXM guest host Elliot Williams about his book, Five Bullets: The Story of Bernie Goetz, New York's Explosive '80s, and the Subway Vigilante Trial That Divided the Nation. A case that was a flashpoint and a nucleus for many powerful figures in New York that still shape the political narrative. The impacts of the Goetz case still resonate and shape what we think about more recent events that Williams and I touch upon. 

In this episode, host Matt Crawford speaks with award-winning journalist Matthew Davis about his book A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore. Davis traces the mountain's transformation from sacred land to national monument, examining the artistic ambition, political motivations, labor history, and cultural conflicts embedded in Mount Rushmore's creation. The conversation addresses both the monument's symbolic power and the controversies surrounding it, including Indigenous perspectives and modern debates over public memory. This episode invites listeners to look beyond the stone faces and consider what Mount Rushmore reveals about American history—and how that history continues to be interpreted today.

My guest today is Dean Foster, a leading expert in cross-cultural communication and the author of Doing Business Beyond Borders Successfully. Dean has spent decades helping organizations, leaders, and teams navigate cultural differences with clarity, respect, and real-world results. In this conversation, we explore why cultural misunderstandings happen, how they can quietly derail global success, and what individuals and organizations can do to communicate more effectively across borders. Whether you're leading international teams, working with global clients, or simply curious about how culture shapes business, this episode is packed with practical insight.

In this episode, host Matt Crawford sits down with children's author Amy Pollack for a joyful conversation about writing for young readers, nurturing a love of books, and helping children explore big ideas through stories made just for them. Amy shares how she thinks about her audience, the role of educators and mentors in shaping lifelong readers, and how parents can use stories as a bridge for meaningful conversations. This episode is perfect for anyone who believes books can open doors—especially for kids.