Advanced Search
XExtension 720 with Milt Rosenberg
Sunday-Thursday 10 p.m.-midnight
Extension 720 with Milt Rosenberg is utterly implausible radio. You won't hear anything, anywhere, quite as stimulating or quite as fascinating... More >>
Extension 720 Podcasts
Current Events Forum
WIth the 2012 election on the horizon, a panel of 3 evaluate issues of the current Republican candidates and foreign affairs involving China, Iran and Israel.
Mormonism
The Trib's Manya Brachear, Jana Riess & Patrick Mason (both Mormon) examine the Church of Latter-day Saints' tenets & handling of Mormon-related news.
A Night at the Opera
Several representatives from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, including management and performers talk about their current and future performances.
A Modern Retelling of Greek and Roman Myths
Philip Freeman, author of "Oh My Gods" describes how the stories of Zeus, Athena, Achilles and others are still alive and relevant in the present day.
Contemporary Effects of the Reformation
Brad Gregory and Martin Marty tell whether or not the Protestant Reformation is a major source of the problems of modernity.
Invented Languages
Michael Adams, author of "From Elvish to Klingon" talks about different types of invented languages and tells how they came to be.
The Science of Friendship
Rachel Bertsche, author of "MWF seeking BFF" recounts her social exploits after moving to Chicago with her husband and knowing nobody.
Queen Elizabeth II
Biographer Sally Biddell Smith describes the life of a modern monarch as detailed in her new book, "Elizabeth the Queen."
Jumping the Loan Shark
Robert Mayer, author of "Quick Cash" chronicles the history, legality and growth in popularity of loan sharking establishments.
Political Cartooning
Cartoonists Scott Stantis (of the Trib) and Ed Stein opine on the past, present and future of editorial cartoons.
Current Events Forum
Gingrich vs. Romney; SOPA and internet censorship; the Cruise-Ship disaster. These items and more are debated by a panel of three.
The Roots of Our Species
Paleo-anthropoligists Robert Martin & Callum Ross describe the latest evolutionary breakthroughs regarding Homosapien origins.
The Politics of Russia
Martha Merrill & John Bushnell express the struggles Russia is enduring in trying to move away from its Soviet past towards democracy.
Inside the US Special Forces
Jim Frederick, author of "Special Ops" & Executive Editor of "Time" magazine describes spec ops missions, such as the killing of Bin Laden.
The Importance of the Internet to Society
David Weinberger, author of "Too Big to Know" tells how the internet is transforming business, government and other societal aspects.
Are radical teachers destroying America?
Kyle Olson, author of "Indoctrination," says that anti-American preceptors are soiling classrooms, placing the future of this country in jeopardy.
Life on the 19th Century Mississippi
Lee Sandlin, tells tales of piracy, gambling, future presidents & more on Old Man River as written in his book, "Wicked River."
Is Religion More Natural to Learn than Science?
Robert McCauley, author of "Why Religion is Natural and Science is Not" thinks so, and he presents arguments as to why.
Examining the Old Testament
Biblical scholar Douglas Knight analyzes the Old Testament as history, as theology and as literary masterpiece.
Movie stars' influence on American politics
Steve Ross, author of "Hollywood Left and Right," describes how Reagan, Fonda, Chaplin & others left their mark on America's political landscape.
A Most Memorable Show
Alison Winter, author of "Memory" discusses topics such as implanted or 'fake' memories and tells how they are created.
The Iowa Caucus in Review
Richard Ciccone, Richard Simpson and others analyze the Caucus results and the overall effect on the GOP landscape.
Political Issues Beneath the Surface
Victor Davis Hanson analyzes the deeper issues surrounding this year's election, including how they affect the fate & future of our nation.
Make it Right When You've Been Wronged
Been overcharged by a utilities provider? Mishandled by an airline? Screwed by an insurance provider? Jon Yates tells you how to exact justice.
Commemorating the Year 2011
Reviewing the year with some of the most captivating, most entertaining and in some cases most bizarre moments on Extension 720.
Why Progressive Institutions are Unsustainable
Richard Epstein, Professor of Law at The University of Chicago & former colleague of Barack Obama discusses the merits of "Classical Liberalism".
Applying Critical Thought to Political Ads
Listeners call in to analyze the campaign ads of five of the contenders in the upcoming Iowa Caucus.
Baroque Holiday Music Spectacular
Tom Wikman leads us through a unique, beautiful array of music that is quite fitting for the holiday season.
2011: The Year in News
Chris Robling, Charles Lipson & Kerry Luft examine the lasting impact of Bin Laden & Kim Jong Il's deaths, worldwide protests & other news in 2011.
The Year in Broadcasting at WGN
Garry Meier, John Williams and David Kaplan discuss some of the highs and lows at WGN at 2011 and throughout their broadcasting careers.
The World's Tallest Buildings
Three skyscraper experts project the "mega tall" future of the skyscraper. Where will they be & how tall? And perhaps most importantly, WHY so tall?
A Look at Ancient Sport
David Potter, the author of "The Victor's Crown" explains the significance of sports in ancient cultures.
The Golden Age of Radio
Fred Macdonald presents classic audio from radio's golden age (1930s-'50s) highlighting the scope of programming offered to listeners.
Barack Obama: the brand that made a President
Charles Lipson & Mark Edward Taylor, author of "Branding Obamessiah," examine the Obama brand & its effect on the future of US politics.
Examining WWII from a different angle
Max Hastings describes his new book, "Inferno," which examines the perspectives of average citizens affected by the war.
Hedy Lamarr: brains to match the beauty
Richard Rhodes, author of "Hedy's Folly," tells us how the Hollywood starlet helped shape the world through her technological invention.
The Oriental Institute & James Henry Breasted
Learn about this world-renowned acheological institute & the man who founded it w/ Gil Stein, McGuire Gibson & Jeffrey Abt, author of "American Egyptologist."
A Literary Year in Review
Ron Grossman, Penelope Mesic & Christopher Borrelli discuss & review what they think are some of the best books of 2011.
Dueling Parties
Joseph Morris & Daniel E. Johnson square off on the Obama administration & the major issues of next year's presidential election.
Environmental Debate
Rich Trzupek & Jack Darin debate a number of topics regarding environmental regulation & new energy sources.
Gossip
Joseph Epstein, author of "Gossip," examines how talking about others is an integral part of society throughout history.
The Modern Woman's Effect on Man
Kay Hymowitz, author of "Manning Up," & Marj Halperin debate whether the rise of women has turned men into boys.
The History of Jazz
Using music samples from Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton & more, Howard Reich & Orbert Davis explore the history of jazz.
Grossman's Gazette
Longtime friend of the show Ron Grossman stops by to discuss many worldly topics.
General News Review
Chris Robling, Scott Stantis and Michael Noonan exchange views on the latest headlines including the Egyptian Election, Herman Cain's suspended campaign & more.
Pearl Harbor Christmas
Stanley Weintraub, author of "Pearl Harbor Christmas: A World at War, December 1941" discusses the holiday season which occurred immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Were Sacco & Vanzetti Framed?
Theodore Grippo author of the book "With Malice Aforethought: The Execution of Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti" shares some alleged injustices surrounding the historic case.
A Night at the Cinema
Renowned film historian David Thomson discusses some of the greatest movies ever made & the stories behind them.
The Latest Technological Gadgets
Three technology experts discuss the latest in electronic gadgetry for this holiday season & beyond.
Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries & a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories
Author Simon Winchester regales stories from his new book, "Atlantic," a comprehensive history of the Atlantic Ocean.
How Copernicus Revolutionzed the Cosmos
Dana Sobel explains important scientific breakthroughs made by Copernicus from her new book "A More Perfect Heaven."
How to Think about Claims of Conspiracy
John McAdams, author of "JFK Assassination Logic," dispells various conspiracy theories on JFK's death.
Top Screwups Doctors Make
Teresa & Joe Graedon, co-authors of "Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them," advise on how to avoid medical errors.
The State of Israel
Carolyn Glick, managing editor of "The Jerusalem Post" talks about the state of Israel in the World and its relations with the US.
Life as a Restaurateur
GianCarlo Nardini of Club Lago, Michael Taus of Zealous & Liz VanLeuwen of avec describe the joys & difficulties of running highly touted restaurants.
Lesser Known Religions
Representatives of 3 lesser known religions explain the basis of their faiths and describe synergism between their faiths & major ones.
Occupy Movement Discussion
Breitbart.com editor-in-chief and attorney Joel Pollak examines the nationwide 'Occupy' protests.
Yiddish Cabaret
Rebecca Joy Fletcher gives insight into the world of Yiddish cabaret & also shares some of her own performances in the art.
A Night at the Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater founder Barbara Gaines and 3 actors discuss & perform scenes from their new production, "Elizabeth Rex."
The Closing of the Muslim Mind
Foreign policy expert Robert Reilly shares his sentiment on the current state of Islam and its opposition towards western values.
The Use & Abuse of the English Language
An erudite triumvirate of guests made up of Ellen Hunt, Susan Harris & Ron Grossman discuss their favorite & not so favorite vernacular quirks.
News in Review
A caller based discussion on current events including the Penn State scandal, Herman Cain's punitive wrongdoings & more.
The Benefits & Dangers of Investing
Milt's panel of financial experts share their investment philosophies and warn of some potential dangers of investing.
Simply Jesus
Author N.T. Wright provides a provocative new picture of how to understand who Jesus was and how we should relate to him today.
The Craft of History
Historians Sheila Fitzpatrick, Christopher Boyer & Edward Muir talk about their craft and discuss the importance of acquiring historical knowledge.
What it is Like to go to War
Karl Marlantes describes his experiences in Vietnam and dealing with the after-effects as described in his book, "What it is Like to go to War."
Red Summer
Author Cameron McWhirter explains why the summer of 1919 became America's deadliest episode of race riots and lynchings.
Knocking on Heaven's Door
Astrophysicists Lisa Randall & Michael Turner examine how physics and scientific thinking illuminate our world, universe and more.
Sex on SIx Legs
Entomologist Marlene Zuk shares her insight on the various intricacies of insect life, such as how they mate and their means of communication.
Fed Up with Lunch
Health enthusiasts Sarah Wu, Rochelle Davis and Cathy Joyce uncover the truth about public school lunches and their poor nutritional value.
The Real News
Joe Morris, Richard Ciccone & Michael Noonan debate the most pressing national and global issues.
Haunting Legacy
Authors Marvin & Deborah Kalb explain how the Vietnam War has influenced and haunted American policymakers since.
Elizabeth & Hazel
David Margolick tells the story of two women from Little Rock, trying to overcome the aftermath of a racially charged picture taken during the Civil Rights era.
What's Next For Libya?
Milt's panel of foreign policy experts talk about whether the Arab Spring is becoming a real movement towards democracy or something else.
Religion in American Life
Historians Manya Brachear and Randall Balmer discuss America's religious history & the great figures that impacted various religious movements.
News Review
Milt's panel of political insiders discuss the occupation of Wall Street and take a look at the current state of our country's economy.
The End of Sparta
Classic scholar Victor Davis Hanson talks about his latest novel THE END OF SPARTA and provides his insight on pressing global issues.
Better Angels of Our Nature
Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker disproves the belief that the human race will one day destroy itself.
Warfare State
Author James Sparrow explains how the federal government expanded its power during WWII, and why Americans accepted it.
The Friar of Carcassonne
Stephen O'Shea talks about his latest book, THE FRIAR OF CARCASSONNE, which chronicles the revolt against the Inquisition in the last days of the Cathars.
Class Warfare
Award-winning journalist Steven Brill talks about the dismal state of America's school system and shares his opinion on how to fix it.
Are Newspapers Becoming Extinct?
Professors Don Wycliff, Kevin Barnhurst & author Megan Mckinney join Milt in discussing the history and current state of Chicago's newspapers.
The Rise and Fall of Al Qaeda
Professor Fawaz Gerges joins the show to discuss the great political and cultural complexities currently taking place in the Middle East.
Whiskey Breakfast
Richard Lindberg explains what it was like growing up as a first-generation Swedish American trying to adapt to the American way of life.
The Pacific War
Milt and his panel of experts replay some of the Pacific War's most memorable moments and discuss its impact on our country's history.
Hitler In The Crosshairs
Author Maurice Possley joins Milt to discuss his latest book HITLER IN THE CROSSHAIRS: A GI'S STORY OF COURAGE AND FAITH.
Counterstrike
Thom Shanker discusses the U.S. government's ability to bounce back and improve its counterterrorism efforts after the attacks on September 11.
Children of Fire
Milt and his panel of distinguished historians discuss the history of Black America from Jamestown in 1619 to the present moment.
The Presidential Race
Milt analyzes the current presidential race and shares his opinion on where each candidate stands with the voters.
Poland & Polonia
Professors Neal Pease & Donald Pienkos join Milt in celebrating the history of Poland and share their opinion on American Polonia.
Healers
David Schenck & Larry Churchill discuss certain doctors' extraordinary abilities to cure the gravely ill. Steve Bertrand fills in for Milt.
Republican Presidential Debate
Chris Robling, Dick Simpson and Richard Baehr help break down the night's debate between the Republican presidential candidates.
How a Group Lost a Church but Found Their Faith
Journalist Julian Guthrie describes the plight a congregation trying to save their church, St. Brigid, as told in her book, THE GRACE OF EVERYDAY SAINTS.
Tales from the Rail
Linda Niemann recounts the highs & lows from years of working on the railroad. She's written two books on the subject, RAILROAD NOIR and BOOMER.
Israel Moving Forward
Consulate General Orli Gil and professor Charles Lipson join Milt to discuss the current state of Israel and its role in the world.
Nom De Plume
Author Carmela Ciuraru joins Milt in examining the personal lives of authors long past and explains the reasoning behind many of their pen names.
The Roots of Modern Conservatism
Michael Bowen discusses Thomas Dewey & Robert Taft's battle for control of the GOP and how it helped the political party establish its identity.
Good Company
Economist Laurie Bassi talks about the current role ethics plays in a buisiness' success or failure.
Confronting Terror
John Yoo & Dean Reuter analyze the effectiveness & feasibility of our national security policy since 9/11.
The Secret Life of Pronouns
Social psychologists James Pennebaker & Sam Gosling explain how little things provide huge insight into ourselves & others.
The Latest from Fermilab
Members of the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory present their latest research & discuss the lab's historical significance in science.
Getting Wasted
Author Thomas Vander Ven joins the show to share his findings on the social nature of college drinking.
Hoboes and the Taming of the Wild West
Historian Mark Wyman discusses the importance of fruit tramps in settling the American West.
The Mind of the Chimpanzee
Learn the latest research on chimps and what it means for mankind with Steve Ross, Elizabeth Lonsdorf, Steven Schapiro and Benjamin Beck.
Sleeping With The Enemy
Author and former CIA operative Hal Vaughan discusses Coco Chanel's transition from fashion icon, to German intelligence operative during WWII.
Presidential Politics
Milt addresses the current state of President Obama's administration as well as his upcoming speech to Congress.
Lost In Transition
Authors Kari Christoffersen, Christian Smith & Hilary Davidson compare the ideologies of today's young Americans to those of generations past.
Chicago Architecture
Tribune architecture critic (and Pulitzer Prize winner) Blair Kamin & architect John Ronan discuss one of the most world-renowned elements of Chicago.
Should A Candidate's Faith Matter?
Chris Robling, John McGinnis & Robert George discuss the recent political strategy of evaluating candidates based on their religious beliefs.
China Inc.
Milt's panel of distinguished experts discuss whether or not China's rapid economic and technological growth have made it the world's next superpower.
The Fall of the Faculty
Ben Ginsberg explains how Colleges are increasingly led by administrative rather than academic types, thus affecting the quality of education.
Sholem Aleichem
Award-winning filmmaker Joseph Dorman joins Milt in discussing the life of perhaps the world's most prominent Yiddish writer.
The Original Numbers Geek
Keith Devlin (NPR's "Math Guy") discusses Leonardo of Pisa . Also known as Fibonacci, this 13th century Italian's ideas birthed arithmetic.
Libya After Qaddafi
Professor Daniel Serwer discusses the battle in Tripoli between the rebel army & Qaddafi's troops and speculates on Libya's future without Qaddafi.
The Outer Limits
NASA astrophysicist Michelle Thaller joins Milt to discuss the latest research relating to space exploration and the existence of life beyond our planet.
Get Ready For Armageddon
Author Mark Steyn discusses the economic and cultural Armageddon that our country could soon face if its leadership & decision making do not improve.
Going Undercover
Private investigators Perry Myers, Arnold Diamond and Michael Slevnik share some of their most memorable experiences while on the job.
The Compass of Pleasure
Neuroscientist David Linden explains why fatty foods, exercise, orgasms and learning are so pleasurable.
The Use and Abuse of The English Language
Milt's panel of linguistic experts join the show to discuss what today's society is doing to the english language.
The Declaration of Independents
Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch of REASON magazine explain how maximizing libertarian principles within our government would solve the nation's problems.
Rage Against Social Order
Milt and his group of panelists discuss the reasoning behind the recent flash mobs taking place in London, Chicago, Philadelphia and Milwaukee.
|
|
