Press Play with Madeleine Brand
State of the Union, LA Sustainability & the Toast Renaissance
Today we discuss last night's State of the Union Address, the Oscar-nominated documentary The Square, the latest culinary trend, and L.A.'s sustainability.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenToday on Press Play, we learn more about the soldier who President Obama introduced to the nation last night during the State of the Union Address. We also get a Silicon Valley insider’s take on the president’s speech. Plus, how toast became the latest culinary trend. We also meet the filmmakers behind an Oscar-nominated documentary about the Egyptian revolution, and we debate whether L.A. is actually a model city for sustainability.
Banner Image: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (R) applauds U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg (C), injured while serving in Afghanistan, during President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech on Capitol Hill in Washington January 28, 2014. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
In this episode
5 storiesState of the Union: The Soldier Who Stole the Show
The most memorable moment of President Obama’s State of the Union Address was when he introduced Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg to the country. The 30-year-old Army Ranger was nearly killed in a roadside bomb during one of his 10 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Read the story11 minState of the Union: Tech Sector Reaction
Silicon Valley is a new big player in politics, so you know tech companies were listening closely to President Obama’s speech last night. We hear from someone who represents that industry to find out where he thinks the country - and the tech industry - is headed.
Read the story7 minThe Great Toast Renaissance
First came the cupcake craze. Then came pickles. Now it’s apparently time for toast to take center stage as the latest artisanal trend. Yup. Toast. We’ll hear from a reporter who delved headlong into the world of toast and we’ll talk to an LA restaurateur who specializes in it.
Read the story7 minThe Square
When masses of Egyptians began protesting in 2011, documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim grabbed a small camera, got on a plane and headed to Tahrir Square. Just a couple years later - while the story was still unfolding - she’s released The Square - which is nominated for the best documentary Oscar.
Read the story14 minIs LA Now on the Cutting Edge of Sustainability?
Environmentalist and UCLA sustainability researcher Jon Christensen is impressed with LA’s new commitment to sustainability and sees the city as a model for the rest of the country. Water resources watchdog Emily Green couldn’t disagree more .
Read the story9 min
