Very nice interview with Jill Scott, Michel. Nice! She told you some things about yourself off mic? Wow. Not only is she talented and gifted, it sounds like "she's got the gift and she's got to use it!" ;) Her album is a must buy on my list. Peace!

Sent by Lawrence Tucker | 3:26 PM ET | 09-25-2007

Just wanted to let you know that I'm listening to your interview with Jill. In talking about the talent from Philly you said John Legend is from there. Actually, he's from Springfield, Ohio.

Let's not upset the people in that town. They truely are crazy for the man! LOL!!

Thanks!

Sent by Otis Gowens | 9:02 AM ET | 09-26-2007

Loved the Jill Scott interview, but I could sense, just under the surface, her sadness about "life". I pray she finds the happiness she seeks and deserves.

Sent by Jim | 9:16 AM ET | 09-26-2007

This show gives me the feeling of returning to a favorite vacation spot. Ms. Martin reminds me of a terrific host (Derek McGinty) we had years ago at our local station and whose departure I forever mourned -- until now! I love Ms. Martin's curious mind, broad interests and playful personality, not to mention her smooth voice and lilting laugh (it is radio afterall). My favorite part of the day is to eat my lunch and exercise my mind with Ms. Martin and her guests. All the same reasons I loved Derek's show. He had two hours. So should Ms. Martin. My appreciation to the host and the entire staff of TMM. It's a 3-D world and you GET it. Keep up the great work!!!

Sent by Patricia Shimko | 2:51 PM ET | 09-26-2007

Dear Michel:

In your September 24 show "African American Pro-Life Movement Gains Steam," you lay the groundwork for your discussion using data from the Guttmacher Institute. However, in doing so, you misrepresent the data on abortion incidence among black women. In addition, you referred to our organization by its old name. I would like to correct the record.

You state that African American women are more likely to have abortions than other ethnic groups, and assert that, "for every 1,000 women who have abortions, 49 are black." This is incorrect. The rate must be presented as the number of procedures per 1,000 women in a given population. Thus, the correct way to state the rate of abortion for black women is: For every 1,000 black women, 49 have abortions. Among the general population, the rate of abortions is 21 per 1,000 women aged 15-44. Broken down by race and ethnicity, the rate of abortions is 13 per 1,000 white women, 33 per 1,000 Hispanic women and 49 per 1,000 black women. So the rate of abortions is three times higher among blacks than among whites. However, of all women obtaining abortions, 41% were white, 32% were black and 20% were Hispanic.

Sent by Rebecca Wind, Guttmacher Institute | 5:21 PM ET | 09-26-2007

Michel,

I need to post comments on your blog more...

As much as I like live broadcasts as you do, I understand that it is hard to accommodate everybody. Further, I'm sure when you have performing artists in the studio, it makes it tough for interviews prior or after the performance since the artists probably require equipment set up and special audio settings that would interfere with a regular interview. Further, radio shows don't always air on stations when their recorded. All well. Tell Me More is always interesting to listen to.

Even though I'm on vacation in Dallas this week, I've thought about eldercare. For instance, my family has done our best to keep my paternal grandparents in their own house by themselves for long as possible, but when is it too long?

This is important to me now since my grandpa is suffering from a fall about two months ago when he broke his hip. He's in a care center and is having trouble gaining the strength to return home. I hope that he does, but would my family have preserved his dignity and quality life better by taking him and my grandma into either my parents, aunt, or uncle's home before the fall? Is it better to intervene before something like a fall can hinder a loved one or wait until after such an event?

Sent by Steve Petersen | 10:54 PM ET | 09-26-2007

You all are making me blush! Thanks for the love..and Otis--we must fight over John Legend--the Philly people ( my mom is from there) swear he's there's..we'd better ask him. and as for Scott having the gift...I think yuo're right. I never thought of it that way but...I think you're right.
Keep it coming folks.

Sent by Michel Martin and the Tell Me More team | 10:46 AM ET | 09-27-2007

Michel,
I thought the segment with the Mocha Moms was great -- confronting some of the hard decisions faced by adult children when their parents are aging. Also, thanks for bringing my question to the table -- starting the conversation about the end of life is tough, and your expert provided good advice.

Something else that has been on my mind about eldercare is the impact on women's health -- women become caregivers for their elders, sometimes when they still have children at home, college bills to pay, or their careers to pursue. What services are available to women dealing with these competing responsibilities?

Sent by Rachel N H | 4:00 PM ET | 09-27-2007

Oh man oh man. Two black woman talking. Loved those voices. Two black women and their voices. Sometimes you hear such history, almost an embodiment of the culture, in voices and listening to Michele and Jill was a rich deep pleasure.

And, yeah, isn't that a slamming beat?

Stanley

Sent by Stanley | 7:22 PM ET | 09-27-2007

I loved the interview with Jill Scott. Well done.

I don't think your taped interviews take away from the show at all. If you all have to do taped interviews so that we, the listeners, can hear the story, so be it. I like the variety of interviews from all sorts of people and appreciate the preparation done by you and your staff. Great job!

Sent by ernise | 9:49 AM ET | 09-28-2007

That was best *written or oral* interview so far this year. I am a huge Jill fan. I think she is HIGHLY intelligent and doesn't hide it. YOur interview was personable and enlightening without all the kissing up interviewers seem to do. I understand why they do it but sometimes its just too much and eats time. It wasn't loud and all over the place (radio jocks). Your questions were direct and clear and she answered them the same way. Im not critiquing you at all. It was just SO refreshing to hear intelligent,clear,and relevant questions and she was able to answer them w/o all the "NOISE". Thanks so much.

Sent by Shannon | 8:37 PM ET | 09-29-2007

Rebecca -

Thanks. I did have the new name in my script but I second-guessed myself at the last minute because I had used data from the group before and decided I had mistakenly dropped the word.

Sometimes too much knowledge is not a good thing. Thanks for the clarification.

We did address it on-air: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14795106

Sent by Michel Martin, host | 7:12 AM ET | 10-01-2007