Midday with Dan Rodricks

  • Monday 12-2pm
  • Tuesday 12-2pm
  • Wednesday 12-2pm
  • Thursday 12-2pm
  • Friday 12-2pm

Midday is WYPR's daily public affairs program heard from noon-2pm, Monday-Friday. Hosted by longtime Baltimore Sun columnist Dan Rodricks, the program covers a wide-range of issues selected to engage, inform, and entertain the listening audience.  Topics range from the latest news, to local and national politics, to social, medical and cultural trends, featuring the best new books and most engaging authors, newsmakers and guests.

Dan has won numerous regional and national journalism awards, and he has frequently been cited as Baltimore's favorite columnist by Baltimore magazine and the City Paper. Previously, Dan was a commentator on WBAL-TV, host of a talk show on WBAL-AM, host of documentaries on Maryland Public Television and, from 1995 to 2000, host of the popular Rodricks For Breakfast show on WMAR-TV. He is the author of two books about Baltimore and lives in the city.

To call in during the show, dial 410-662-8780 locally, or call toll-free at 1-866-661-9309.

Email your thoughts to the show at: midday@wypr.org

Executive producer: Vanessa Eskridge
Engineer and Director: Tom Welch

Visit our podcast page and subscribe podcast_icon.jpg
Follow us on Twitter twitterResize.jpg
Join us on Facebook facebook.jpg
Dan Rodricks' column in The Baltimore Sun

High%20Gravity%20logo%20-%20clean%20font
Music produced by Jeff Trueman of High Gravity Sounds

Thanks to our Midday lunch providers: Atwater's, Donna's, Water For Chocolate, Milk & Honey Market and Joe Squared.

Friday February 3, 12 - 1 pm: The Midday Weekly Review

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

The line-up for this week's Midday weekly review:

  • Baltimore television reporter Joce Sterman on her investigation into the sometimes years-long delays in bringing disciplinary actions against Maryland doctors who harm patients
  • David Brodwin of the American Sustainable Business Council explains why the Citizens United case and Super PACs are bad for the nation’s small businesses
  • Linda DeLibero reviews Sundance and an award-winning film she saw there, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
  • And, Donna Crivello of Donna's Café Coffee Barwith pizza recipes for your Super Bowl gathering
Download
Friday February 3, 1 - 2 pm: Midday Maryland with the Hometown Tourist + Milkshake

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Susan Allenback, the Hometown Tourist, returns to share her latest explorations of the Free State. This hour, she takes us to two tucked-away historic Maryland towns: Frostburg and Brunswick. We’ll explore the charms of both and she’ll tell us why you should add them to your own hometown tourist itinerary. Then, just in time for Valentine’s Day: Maryland chocolatiers and where you can get the best local sweets for your sweetie. And, a special treat to round out the hour: a visit from the Grammy-nominated Baltimore-based kids rock band Milkshake. Lisa Mathews will sing us a love song.

Download
Thursday February 2, 12 - 1 pm: Midday on American Culture -- The Super Bowl, the Ravens and America's fascination with pro football

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Last year, the U.S. television audience for the Super Bowl reached a record 111 million. How did it come to this? As this Sunday’s game approaches, Midday’s culture commentator Sheri Parks takes a look at professional football's dominance and wide appeal -- across class, race, generational and gender lines -- and the powerful emotional attachments fans develop with teams such as the Baltimore Ravens. Also joining us: Adam Earnheardt, associate professor of communication at Youngstown State University and editor of “Sports Fans, Identity, and Socialization: Exploring the Fandemonium.”

Download
Thursday February 2, 1 - 2 pm: Adventures in home renovation

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

In 2000, Ron Tanner discovered the house of his dreams, a condemned and abandoned 4,500-square-foot rowhouse in Charles Village. He bought the one-time frat house, and with his girlfriend Jill, embarked on an adventure in home renovation, one that many warned would lead to financial and emotional ruin. Ron Tanner teaches writing at Loyola University. He is the author of “From Animal House to Our House: A Love Story," and our guest this hour.

Download
Wednesday February 1, 12 - 1 pm: MotorWeek's John Davis

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

John Davis, the creator, executive producer and host of PBS’ (MPT) MotorWeek, returns to Midday for a talk about the latest and greatest in the world of automobiles, including highlights from the Detroit Auto Show, and the comeback of U.S. automakers.

Download
Wednesday February 1, 1 - 2 pm: Guitar Zero

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Are you born a musician? Can you learn to be musical? New York University professor Gary Marcus investigates the most effective way to train your body and brain to learn how to play an instrument, drawing from his own experience of picking up the guitar for the first time at the age of 40. Gary Marcus, a Baltimore native, is the author of “Guitar Zero: The New Musician and the Science of Learning."

Download
Tuesday January 31, 12 - 1 pm: Midday Politics

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

A day ahead of Governor O’Malley’s State of the State address, a discussion of the fiscal policy behind his controversial budget and tax increase proposals. With Neil Bergsman, director of the Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute, and Ron Wineholt, vice-president for government affairs for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

Download
January 31, 1 - 2 pm: Man Seeks God

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

Former NPR reporter Eric Weiner had a near-death experience and set out to find God. He came close – and had a great time doing it. Weiner shares his epic journey this hour and in a thoughtful and entertaining new book called "Man Seeks God."

Download
Monday January 30, 12 - 1 pm: Helping the Homeless: The Good Fight and the Hardest Cases, a Two-Hour Midday Special

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

In the first hour of our two-hour Midday special on homelessness, Matt Bjonerud tells some of the stories at the core of his new e-book memoir, “From Riches to Rags: My Direct Approach to Solving Homelessness and How I Got My Ass Kicked.” He is a member of the advisory board of The Journey Home, Baltimore's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Download
Monday January 30, 1 - 2 pm: Helping the Homeless: The Good Fight and the Hardest Cases, a Two-Hour Midday Special

You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.

A follow-up to Dan Rodricks' Baltimore Sun columns about Terry Reed, the homeless panhandler with prosthetic arms and legs who, on top of being homeless and having no family support, has an addiction to heroin. Plus, what it takes to break the cycle of homelessness, with Kevin Lindamood, president and CEO of Healthcare for the Homeless, and Mary Stewart, coordinator of community outreach for HCH.

Download

-Education News Sponsor-

CAR DONATION PROGRAM

CarTalk120x240_yearend_green.gif

Traffic and ABC2 Weather

View Larger Map

Expanded Forecast
FEEDBACK