Shows
Diary of a NationE39: Schizophrenia and DepressionTiffany grew up with schizophrenia. She started having delusions at age 4 and hallucinations around age 8. As an adult, she earned a master's degree in Library and Information Studies. Today, she works as a reference librarian at the University of Tulsa. Her current diagnosis is schizoaffective, depressive type. In this episode, she discusses the disorder and how it affects her life.2025-03-0842 min
Diary of a NationE38: Seventeen Men of SanginIn 2011, Anthony Marquez deployed to Afghanistan with his dog Allie, who was trained to sniff out improvised explosive devices (IEDs). After seventeen fellow Marines died around him during the Battle of Sangin, Anthony and his brother Manny created a documentary to record a road trip during which they visited each family of the fallen Marines.
Tap here to watch the documentary:https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/make-peace-or-die-honor-the-fallen/
If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Text or call 988 or...2024-12-2341 min
Diary of a NationE37: All-Black Towns of OklahomaOklahoma is home to more historic All-Black towns than any other state. At its height, there were more than 50 such towns. Today, there are 13.
Osborne Celestain, Jr. is the director of the Tulsa chapter of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Oklahoma. This spring, he pedaled 600 miles to visit each of the 13 remaining All-Black towns. I interviewed Osborne at the Fulton Street Books and Coffee Shop in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, a thriving Black neighborhood, once known as Black Wall Street. In the spring of 1921, a white mob nearly destroyed the Greenwood community. The event would come...2024-07-0746 min
Diary of a NationE36: The Correctional OfficerCorrectional officers are exposed to violence, injury and death by virtue of their roles inside the prison system. They confront some of the same challenges that police officers, firefighters and combat military personnel face. Kelly started working as a CO at age 19 and spent 31 years in the position.
2023-12-0137 min
Diary of a NationE35: The WitnessBe advised. This interview contains graphic descriptions of war and death and violence and may not be suitable for all audiences.
New Hampshire-based photographer Patrick Patterson documents human rights and conflict. He is a witness to a death row execution, the war in Ukraine and immigrant migration in this country. In this episode, Patrick eloquently humanizes the people he photographs.
The fundraising platform United 24 can be accessed at: u24.gov.ua.
You can support Patrick’s work by purchasing his photos at: williampatrickphotography.com.
Look for an upcoming photo...2023-07-211h 10
Diary of a NationE34: The NurseAs a nurse practitioner, Karin Chen focuses on women’s health care. As a labor and delivery nurse, she has assisted children giving birth to children and women giving birth to babies they had to turn around and bury. Today, she practices in Lowell, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb. We discuss her career, her thoughts on the health care system and the path to healing personal pain.
This episode references Dr. Gabor Maté's book, The Myth of Normal. The documentary featuring him is called The Wisdom of Trauma.2023-05-1744 min
Diary of a NationE33: Sled Dogs to Ultra RunsCan you run a mile? How about 200 miles? Ed Clifford can. He's a second-generation musher who transitioned to ultra running when he turned 50. When he isn't running, he's busy building a log cabin in southern New Hampshire with his partner, Dawn. I recorded this interview on the porch outside their cabin. Photo credit: Bethany Hoyt Photography.2022-11-221h 05
Diary of a NationE32: The Flight AttendantsEver since I read the book Working by Studs Terkel, I've been interested in what people do for a living. The book is a collection of interviews with people who talk about their jobs. Some of my podcast episodes are a nod to that book, like earlier episodes with a makeup artist, a hospice chaplain, a politician and a policeman. For this interview, I sat down with two flight attendants to discuss their careers. Together, they have 80 years of experience in the air.2022-07-0839 min
Diary of a NationE31: Criminals & Animal CrueltyOver the course of his careers as a police detective and an animal cruelty investigator, Steve Sprowl has seen the worst of humanity. He's a retired detective from the Rochester, NH, police department, where Sprowl spent 25 years. Today, he works as an animal cruelty investigator at the New Hampshire SPCA. Be advised, we discuss disturbing crimes and cases of animal cruelty in this interview.
The NHSPCA receives no federal or state funding and relies entirely on community support. Paws Walk, the organization's largest annual fundraiser, takes place next month. To register or to donate, visit https://nhspca.o...2022-05-2647 min
Diary of a NationE30: Slava UkrainiWar causes so much needless suffering, and Russia’s war with Ukraine is one distressing illustration. New Hampshire resident Marianna Lundberg grew up in Ukraine, in the port city of Odessa. Today, her mother and grandmother remain in Ukraine. In this episode, Marianna shares stories of her country and its people as they live in the midst of the Russian invasion.
Photo credit: Leila White, Y'R Charm Photography. https://www.yrcharmphoto.com.
Here are several organizations that help the people of Ukraine:
https://razomforukraine.org. Razom means “together” in Ukrainian. Together, the organization works to b...2022-04-2939 min
Diary of a NationE29: I Quit TeachingThe New Hampshire high school teacher I interviewed for this episode did something quite rare in his profession. He quit during the school year. After 17 years in the classroom. His story is one experience, but I imagine his challenges mirror what any number of other teachers across the country face today. Please be advised that some of the issues he describes may be disturbing to hear.
2022-04-0257 min
Diary of a NationE28: What's So Funny?Carolyn Plummer has worked as a comic for nearly 25 years, and she's in the process of filming a sitcom pilot, "Finding the Funny". Later this year, she's slated to perform in Boston at "Comics Come Home", the longest-running comedy fundraiser in the US. I recently lured her into my basement for an interview. Look for Carolyn's upcoming shows at carolynplummer.com. More information on "Comics Come Home" at: camneelyfoundation.org/comics-come-home.2022-02-1142 min
Diary of a NationE27: Frost Heaves, NHFred Marple is to New Hampshire what Garrison Keillor is to Minnesota. That is to say, Fred has a vivid imagination. Fred is an author, playwright, humorist, cartoonist, singer and songwriter. His most important role is serving as the official spokesman for Frost Heaves, a quaint New England town that flies under the radar, despite his half-hearted attempts to promote it. Listen as Fred and I share our love of his home state of New Hampshire and my home state of Oklahoma.
Learn more about Fred at fredmarple.com. 2021-12-2343 min
Diary of a NationE26: The Coldest ManJames Osborne is one of the coldest people to ever survive dry land hypothermia. He watched his friend die of the same fate during a winter hike in the White Mountains, and then James went unconscious himself. He left the hospital with several amputations, but the accident also led him to find love again.
This interview is a follow-up to the previous episode in which New Hampshire author Ty Gagne details the mountain rescue and recovery effort in his book, The Last Traverse. You can order a signed copy of Gagne's book at: fullconditionsnh.com. 2021-12-0855 min
Diary of a NationE25: Risky BusinessA New York woman climbed four of the famed Seven Summits but lost her life in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The core body temperature of a New Hampshire man dropped to a record 76 degrees in an unrelated climbing accident that killed his hiking buddy on the same mountain range.
Ty Gagne is the author of two books that explored those winter climbing accidents. He's the CEO of Primex, the New Hampshire Public Risk Management Exchange. He's also a certified wilderness first responder. His risk management strategies apply to the outdoors, the office and everyday life. ...2021-11-0140 min
Diary of a NationE24: Ten in the PenThe following episode contains explicit language and descriptions of disturbing incidents. My guest spent a decade in prison after he accepted a plea deal on drug conspiracy and gun charges. He went from stashing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash under his bed at home to earning a few dollars a day in federal prison while managing over $200 million in military contracts.
The United States is the incarceration capital of the world. We're home to just 4% of the global population but nearly 25% of the world's incarcerated. Do Americans commit more crimes than other people, or are othe...2021-10-111h 02
Diary of a NationE23: Mushroom EnthusiastIn New Hampshire, this summer was a banner season for mushrooms. Enthusiast Christine Gagnon with the Uncanoonuc Foraging Company recently led me on a walk in the woods and schooled me on the science of mushrooms.2021-09-2037 min
Diary of a NationE22: Revolutions, Romance, CancerFrom opposing the death penalty despite the murder of his father to opposing nuclear power to defend the will of the people, the impact of Renny Cushing's activism reaches beyond the borders of his home state of New Hampshire. The state representative continues to dedicate his life to a wide range of social justice issues, but a diagnosis of prostate cancer is now making demands on his time. Photo credit: Jim Cole, Associated Press.
Update: Renny passed away on March 7, 2022. Obituary in The New York Times: https://tinyurl.com/uv2enbzm.2021-08-3140 min
Diary of a NationE21: A Suicide Every 40 SecondsWorldwide, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. Steve Boczenowski's son, Jeffrey, died by suicide. So did my first boyfriend. Together, Steve and I share our loved ones' stories and discuss how to prevent more suicides. If you're struggling, help is available. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “home” to 741741.2021-08-1037 min
Diary of a NationE20: Pet StoriesA Saudi Arabian cat that immigrated to New Hampshire. A rooster that helped a teenager get to college. A dog that evaded cop cars and a helicopter. A raccoon that overstayed its welcome. A poodle with a Tinder profile. Through a series of short stories, this episode explores our bonds with our pets. Some stories are funny. Some are sad. Some aren't even appropriate for children.2021-07-1957 min
Diary of a NationE19: Escorts Enable Abortion AccessAbortion is a constitutional right, though access in the US often depends on your resources and your zip code. New Hampshire activists Eileen and Bob serve as clinic escorts, enabling women to access abortion and other forms of reproductive health care by providing a safe barrier between patients and protestors.2021-06-2953 min
Diary of a NationE18: First Black FamilyWere he alive, Harold Ward would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. As the oldest resident in town, he was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane. As the first Black family in Lee, New Hampshire, the Ward family left a positive and enduring impression. On his deathbed, Harold recounted family stories and asked his son Michael Cameron Ward to preserve the memories in writing. The result is a collection of books titled "Sketches of Lee". Learn more at www.sketchesoflee.com. 2021-06-0852 min
Diary of a NationE17: Mothering AutismNew Hampshire mother Carrie Cariello has five children. One of her sons has autism. She's a blogger and the author of two memoirs. Her experience has broadened my understanding of autism, and I hope her stories will do the same for you. Books: Someone I'm With Has Autism and What Color is Monday? How Autism Changed One Family for the Better. Subscribe to Carrie's blog by visiting: carriecariello.com. Additional resources: autismspeaks.org.2021-05-1846 min
Diary of a NationE16: IV Drug Use to Ivy LeagueThe US has waged a $1 trillion war on drugs. Even though opioid addiction has faded from the news cycle, drug overdoses have surged during the pandemic, and millions remain addicted. This month, my guest Katie celebrates three years of being clean. Her story offers some solutions.2021-04-271h 04
Diary of a NationE15: Man on MarsMassachusetts engineer Peter Degen-Portnoy made the news when the Mars One mission named him as a semifinalist in a competition that intended to establish a permanent human colony on the red planet. The father of five was prepared to die on Mars. This interview will give you a more complete picture of Peter as a man. Website: mars-one.com. 2021-04-0653 min
Diary of a NationE14: Lessons from the DyingDr. Fred Grewe is a hospice chaplain, an author and a fellow podcaster. Over the past 15 years, he has served more than 3,000 people who have died. In this episode, he explains what the dying have taught him about living. Books: What the Dying Have Taught Me about Living and Time to Talk about Dying. Dr. Grewe's Podcast: Meditations 4 Misfits. Website: fredgrewe.com.
2021-03-1647 min
Diary of a NationE13: Teen Who Swam the English ChannelVera Rivard was just 16 when she swam the English Channel last year, nearly a century after her idol did the same. Vera's 13-year-old sister Margaret and her mother Darcie supported her along the route as they traveled with a crew in a pilot boat. Listen as the New Hampshire family discusses the trip and their love of swimming. 2021-02-2328 min
Diary of a NationE12: Part 2: 6.5 Years as a Vietnam POWPart Two: In the final part of the interview, fighter pilot Capt. Hubert Buchanan discusses solitary confinement and various methods of communication with fellow North Vietnam POWs. He also describes his eventual homecoming, his thoughts on warfare today, and a Harvard study in which he served as a control subject.
Photo credit: David Vogt.2021-02-0253 min
Diary of a NationE11: Part 1: 6.5 Years as a Vietnam POWThe content in this episode is graphic and may be disturbing for some listeners. Former POW Capt. Hubert Buchanan was an Air Force fighter pilot when a Vietnamese fighter ace shot down his F-4 Phantom in 1966. He was quickly captured and moved among half a dozen POW camps over the next 6.5 years. Capt. Buchanan was held captive one year longer than the late US Senator John McCain.
In part one, Capt. Buchanan recounts the dogfight that ended with his capture. He describes what happened to his aircraft commander, Major John Robertson, the pilot who flew with him th...2021-01-261h 03
Diary of a NationE10: Pray Away the GayA handful of landmark rulings over the past 25 years significantly advanced gay rights in the US. Despite that, institutions and individuals continue to discriminate against gay people. My guest Fausto Di Ianne even tried to pray away the gay. 2021-01-0829 min
Diary of a NationE9: I'm Sorry, You Have Breast CancerBreast cancer dramatically changed Irene Alton. Today, she's a 5-year survivor. Listen as she describes the events leading up to her diagnosis, her cancer treatment and her life today. 2020-12-1559 min
Diary of a NationE8: Whose Land is America?Abenaki Native Mali Obomsawin is an activist. She's also a member of the folk band, Lula Wiles. In this interview, she discusses her activism on behalf of land rights and social justice. Photo credit: Lokotah Sanborn, Penobscot Nation. "Shaking As It Turns" song used with artist permission. Band: lulawiles.com. Articles referenced in podcast appear in Smithsonian Folklife and Boston Globe.
2020-11-2449 min
Diary of a NationE7: Part 3: Hidden in the HayPart Three: In the final part of the interview, Kati Preston discusses her associations with Israeli government officials and fellow Holocaust survivors plus her current interests and her take on American politics. Autobiography: Holocaust to Healing: Closing the Circle.
2020-11-031h 05
Diary of a NationE6: Part 2: Hidden in the HayPart Two: After the Holocaust, Kati Preston emigrates to Israel. She eventually becomes a highly-successful fashion designer, interacting with Christian Dior and Harry Winston while in Paris. She learned eight languages, moved across seven countries, married three times, and gave birth to four sons. Autobiography: Holocaust to Healing: Closing the Circle. 2020-10-2752 min
Diary of a NationE5: Part 1: Hidden in the HayThe content in this episode is graphic and may be disturbing for some listeners. Holocaust survivor Kati Preston was just five years old when a Hungarian soldier pierced the floor of a barn attic with his bayonet, missing her hay-covered head by an inch. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest Nazi concentration camp where 28 members of her family and 50 of her kindergarten classmates were exterminated. In part one, Kati shares her memories of the Holocaust. Autobiography: Holocaust to Healing: Closing the Circle. 2020-10-2048 min
Diary of a NationE4: My Transition to a WomanThe US is home to approximately 1.4 million transgender adults, yet most of us don't know anyone who is transgender. NH State Representative Gerri Cannon is a transgender woman who also serves on the school board in her community. This is her story. Photo credit: Deb Cram. 2020-09-291h 01
Diary of a NationE3: Four Paws, Countless AdventuresRandy Pierce knows life with and without eyesight. He's a husband, a dog lover, a runner, a mountain climber, and a motivational speaker. Yesterday, he ran the virtual Boston Marathon. Two days earlier, his guide dog Autumn passed away. This episode is dedicated to her memory. Memoir: See You at the Summit: My Blind Journey from the Depths of Loss to the Heights of Achievement. Charity: 2020visionquest.org.2020-09-081h 18
Diary of a NationE2: The Politics of MakeupOver the past three decades, makeup artist Kriss Blevens has enhanced the face of every single presidential candidate who has traveled to New Hampshire, which holds the distinction of the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Blevens also works as an EMT and an energy healer and served as an outspoken advocate during the opioid crisis. Her work is profiled in the August 2020 issue of Allure Magazine. Kriss Cosmetics: krisscosmetics.com. Farnum Center: farnumcenter.org.2020-08-181h 20
Diary of a NationE1: Call Me AmericanWere it not for his incredible luck in winning a visa lottery slot, there's a good chance Somali immigrant Abdi Nor Iftin would instead be fighting on behalf of the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab. Abdi discusses his memoir as well as his complicated experience living in the U.S. as a Black man while the country reckons with its history of racial injustice. Memoir: Call Me American. Photo credit: Portland Press Herald.2020-07-281h 08
Diary of a NationIntroduction to Diary of a NationDiary of a Nation is produced and hosted by Christina Zlotnick. Follow the podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at diaryofanation. Comments and story ideas welcome. 2020-07-2802 min