Category: Retired

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Life Raft - Have I Had My Last Good Oyster?

Is climate change coming for oysters? This week on Life Raft we take a dive into the world of food. We drop by a famous New Orleans oyster bar, and visit with an oyster scientist to get a better feel for the ways a changing climate threatens oysters, and what’s being done to help ‘em out.

Got a question you want us to explore? Send it to us! There’s a super simple form on our website.

For bonus pictures and extra fun vibes, follow us on social media. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Climate change is scary, but Life Raft is not!

Support for WWNO’s Coastal Desk comes from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and listeners like you.

If you like what you hear from Life Raft, consider making a donation to WRKF and WWNO to help keep the show going!

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Decline of the Crusaders Episode 7 “The Rise of Saladin”

In this episode, we'll hear how Saladin saw a golden opportunity to create an Islamic empire that could challenge the Crusaders when his rival Nur ad-Din, the Zengid ruler, and the capable Crusader King of Jerusalem, Amalric, both died unexpectedly. However, the new young King of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV, although himself a leper, would prove to be a brave and courageous leader.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Brought to you by... - 59: The Pepski Generation

In 1990, PepsiCo made a deal with the Soviet Union for submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer. It was the largest agreement ever made between an American company and the USSR. But it wasn’t Pepsi’s first deal with the Soviets. For decades, one executive had been flying to the Soviet Union to meet foreign trade ministers, politicians, and regular Russians. At the height of the Cold War, he was determined to make a deal and bring two countries locked in a bitter conflict together.

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The Right to Drink - The Surprising History of Moonshine

There’s a funny thing about alcohol. Every time the government makes it hard to get, the greater the lengths humans go to get it. Throughout human history we’ve found mind-bendingly creative ways to obtain our precious hooch, and the higher the government barriers the larger the black market. But moonshining isn’t just an American Prohibition era story, it’s a modern day--and global--phenomenon. So grab your jug and listen along as we compare moonshine myths and lore with modern day reality.

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Decline of the Crusaders Episode 6 “Saladin: The Early Years”

In this episode, we hear about the new young ruler of Egypt, Saladin, the man who would become the nemesis of the Crusaders. But his early years were fraught with difficulty and danger as the powerful ruler of the Zengid state in Syria, Nur ad-Din, sought to make him his vassal. Meanwhile, the Crusader King Amalric tried to ensure that Islam remained divided.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Brought to you by... - 58: The House That Sears Built

A few months ago, a listener in our Facebook group suggested we look into Sears mail-order homes for a potential episode. We loved the idea, and it turns out there’s already a fantastic story about these houses from the podcast 99% Invisible. Today, we’re sharing that episode with you.

99% Invisible is a show that explores all the thought that goes into the things around us that we never think about. Learn more about this episode and listen to more of their show here: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-house-that-came-in-the-mail/

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Life Raft - Is It Ever Gonna Be Too Hot To Live Here?

In this debut episode of Life Raft we’re digging into extreme heat: is it ever gonna be too hot to live here?

We talk to a doctor about what happens to the human body when it starts to overheat, and to a New Orleans resident on a mission to cool off her neighborhood by planting hundreds of trees. We share laughs with both.

Follow Life Raft on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (@liferaftpod). Give Lauren (@laurenmalara) and Travis (@travislux) a follow while you’re at it.

Do you have a question you want us to explore? Submit one to us! You can do that on our website.

The question for this episode came from New Orleans-based comedian Kamari Stevens (IG: @supermaribro).

Support for WWNO’s Coastal Desk comes from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and listeners like you.

If you like what you hear from Life Raft, consider making a donation to WRKF and WWNO to help keep the show going!

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Decline of the Crusaders Episode 5 “The Second Attack on Egypt”

In this episode, we hear about the King of Jerusalem, Amalric's alliance with the Byzantines against Fatimid Egypt, where a young man called Saladin has seized power. A large Byzantine fleet and Crusader army converge on the Egyptian fortress of Damietta. But can they succeed in defeating Saladin, the man who will in time become the nemesis of the Crusaders?

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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City of the Future - Remote Work

In an era of remote work, when people can work from anywhere, where will they choose to live? And what can cities do to set themselves apart from the competition? In this episode, we look at the ways remote work could change not just the way we live in cities — but which cities we live in, too. 

In this episode:

  • [0:01 - 4:47] Tulsa Remote community manager Taylor Allen tells her story of moving from Florida to Tulsa, Oklahoma, sight unseen 
  • [7:09 - 11:00] Professor of Urban Economics Richard Florida on why the future of economic development is about talent 
  • [12:02 - 14:06] Digital transformation adviser Anett Numa on how Estonia became one of the most digitally enabled countries in the world
  • [14:12 - 16:23] Topia Chief Product Officer Sten Tamkivi on what kinds of factors draw people to specific cities
  • [16:36 - 18:22] Topia Director of Product Management Chantel Rowe shows Estonia’s digital infrastructure in action — and how it made her move to the country easy
  • [19:43 - 22:59] Taylor returns to explain why fostering a sense of community matters in attracting talent

To see images and videos of topics discussed in this episode, read the link-rich transcript on our Sidewalk Talk Medium page.

City of the Future is hosted by Eric Jaffe and Vanessa Quirk, and produced by Benjamen Walker and Andrew Callaway. Mix is by Zach Mcnees. Art is by Tim Kau. Our music is composed by Adaam James Levin-Areddy of Lost Amsterdam. Special thanks to Richard Florida, Anett Numa, Sten Tamkivi, Chantel Rowe, and Taylor Allen.

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The Shakeout - How Long Can The Texas Travel Economy Survive Without Travelers?

There's a short list of things health experts have implored everyone to do: Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay home. On this episode of The Shakeout, we explore the ramifications of that last point. Every industry that caters to travelers is facing a huge, growing shortfall, particularly in Texas, home to two major airlines and a sprawling tourism sector. With outbreaks of the virus still rippling across the United States and the rest of the world, the public remains justifiably wary of getting on a crowded plane or checking into a hotel. That wariness translates to a deep uncertainty among workers whose jobs in those industries are on the line, while those who already lost their jobs are trying to figure out what happens next.