Michel Martin

What can I say?

We hope you had a good year. And if you didn't, we hope next year will be better.

Come to think of it, even if you did have a good year we hope next year will be better.

Here's to more interesting stories, more stimulating conversations, more people feeling like they understand each other in ways they didn't, and more connections to people at home and around the world.

Here's to all of our listeners who make what we do possible and worth doing in the first place.

From all of us at Tell Me More ...

Happy New Year.

Cheers!

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We're looking for those New Year's resolutions that, this year, you promise to keep.

Resolving to start a business? ... Get in shape? Will you finally take that dream vacation ... or maybe find love (especially if you plan to find love while on your dream vacation ... but we know that's a stretch).

Tell us what you're aiming for in 2009, and how high you're aiming.

Happy New Year!

Mark Szelagiewicz stands at the DHL airport hub entrance just moments after he was layed-off December 18, 2008 in Wilmington, Ohio.

John Moore/Getty Images

If you listen to us in the morning, I hate to start your day off with grim news. But we really wanted to check in with someone from Ohio. Ohio, along with Michigan, seems like ground zero for bad economic news. The General Motors plant in Moraine closed last week after 27 years because of poor SUV and truck sales, and express shipping company DHL is closing its hub in Wilmington as it scales back U.S. operations and focuses on business overseas.

We decided to check in with the Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Lee Fisher. If positive thinking can turn things around, then Ohio might be okay. Listen for yourself.

But, then it was on to murder.

Some things cannot be ignored. A new study (pdf) by one of this country's preeminent researchers on crime and violence, James Alan Fox at Northeastern University, reports that murders are actually surging among black teen males, while the homicide rate is falling or stable for others. This is not going to be a shock to some of you who live in certain communities or who read certain newspapers, or who watch the local news in some cities.

The question is ... why? We need to talk more about this.

You might also find interesting today's conversations about avoiding financial scams ... and how to keep your teens safe on New Year's Eve.

I know I'm dating myself, but what did that old sergeant say on that long ago police drama, "Hill Street Blues"?

"Be careful out there."

It's the last few days of the year. My thanks as always to those who worked over the holiday break so I and others could take that break -- and I don't just mean in this newsroom, but also patrolling the streets and keeping watch in the fire houses and command centers and air traffic control towers and diplomatic posts and military bases around the world; not to mention standing by in the emergency rooms, and the emergency hotlines, and even the grocery store and gas stations, doing everything that needs to be done while the rest of us enjoy our families.

So, whether you wear a uniform or not, whatever you do, thank you for doing it, and thank you for being there.

And that made me think about what we're doing, and it even made me look ahead to the next year. For some reason, instead of making a list of the resolutions we all say we're going to make (we'll have more on that later this week), I keep coming back to stories I think we missed -- not because I want to pick at old sores or embarrass anybody (least of all me), but because maybe in a way this is a resolution.

It's a way of saying I was listening, even if it didn't always seem like it.

First of all, I wish we had covered Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration in London on July 18. Not because I wasn't invited but because of the occasion, which he used to mark the formation of a group called The Elders. That group has already lent its moral authority to bringing attention to the ongoing disaster that is Zimbabwe.

I can tell you why we didn't cover Mandela's birthday: we couldn't find a great guest who was invited to the festivities, and who was available when we are on the air. But I still regret it. Mandela is one of the great men of the age and, indeed, with so much appalling news coming out of Africa, might it have been .

Continue reading "What We Missed in '08" >

For the holidays, Tell Me More welcomes Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

And meet Sisters Virginie Fish and Marcia Hall. They tell us about being a part of the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore, the first Roman Catholic order in America to accept black women as nuns.

We also revisit conversations with WWII Vet Leon Bass, author Toni Morrison and filmmaker John Leguizamo.

And stay tuned on Monday. We're taking a look back at the year 2008.

Hello All,

It's Cheryl Corley here ...

The holiday season is supposed to be about cheer and giving, right? In many places that's true. Not so for Zimbabwe. NPR Correspondent Charlayne Hunter Gault brought us up to date on the ongoing crisis in that country and the intent of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to "never surrender" despite calls for him to step down.

The Illinois political scandal is a much tamer crisis but Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has also promised not to resign. We talked about the possible implications the scandal has for the Chicago's Indian community. A prominent Indian businessman and fund raiser hasn't been charged with any wrong doing but might be involved in the case. Governor Blagojevich faces corruption charges for allegedly using his office for personal gain.

Also on the show today, the NAACP's latest report on diversity, or the lack of it, in network television leading roles. And more news about getting ready for the big television switch to digital TV in February.

And of course, it's the day before Christmas ... so what better way to celebrate than in song. R&B singer Howard Hewett has a new release out ... a wonderful holiday groove.

Michel is back tomorrow.

So here's hoping you have a wonderful Christmas, a happy Kwanzaa and that the New Year brings you the best.

Cheryl

First of all, welcome back Cheryl Corley! Nice to have you back while Michel is away.

Today on the show we started out with a conversation about immigration. Turns out that the failing economy here in the United States is sending many Latin American immigrants back home, for good.

Money Coach Alvin Hall graces us with his savvy wisdom. He and Scott Bilker, founder of Debtsmart.com, explain the new rules about how credit card companies can set fees and rates. And of course what it means for YOU.

Feeling the urge to make a charitable donation this holiday season? But not sure who to help -- or how? Bill Strathmann, CEO of Network for Good, has some answers.

The Moms talk about finding dolls and toys that look like the family. Doll maker Darla Davenport Powell offers some tips on finding diversity in the toy aisle.

And hear some Hanukkah tunes with Tell Me More director Rob Sachs.

There's a question you should never ask ANY woman this time of year. No it's not "When are you due?" ... although that's true too. That's a year round no-no. Take it from me and I should know better.

It's "Are you all DONE?"

If you want to see some head spinning, some neck rolling, and some rocket red glare aimed at your head just try THAT ONE.

Be prepared for ... NO, I'M NOT DONE! ARE YOU DONE!?! (subtitle: Are you crazy?)

WHO IS DONE? Presents all bought and wrapped, cards sent, meals all planned out?

Maybe the First Lady. She has all those volunteer elves to decorate her crib and send her cards ... not that I'm hating.

But when you think about how stressed out many of us get around the holidays we have to ask ourselves WHY? What is that we are trying to prove and to whom? So we decided to call one of our favorite purveyors of common sense Bertice Berry to bring us down to earth. Hope what she had to say was a helpful tonic ... as well as a dose of gospel from CeCe Winans.

And speaking of coming down to earth ... one of the most famous misquotes ever: what's good for GM is good for the country. Nobody said that it was actually What's good for the country is good for GM and vice versa. But as we have reported, the auto industry affects one of every TEN workers in this country. So this is a major story and we will be following it. Today we heard views from Detroit. How is this story playing out in the city and along the production line? I think we'll be staying close to it.

And with that I am going to disappear for a few days. You know why ... because I'm NOT DONE.

Cheryl Corley will sit in for me for a few days while I make like an elf.

Happy Holidays to all. I'll be back for the Christmas Day show.

- Michel Martin

It didn't occur to me until now, really, that most of this program today touched on the intersection of faith and politics.

First, the controversy over the selection of Rev. Rick Warren to offer the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration has touched off an intense debate online and over the airwaves -- and I bet in some living rooms -- about whether this was the right thing to do. Some gay activists are outraged; others are outraged that the gay activists are outraged.

Our discussion this morning had an element of this intensity with Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., a high-profile supporter of so-called traditional values; Harry Knox, of the Human Rights Campaign, a leading civil rights organization for gays and Bishop Yvette Flunder, a prominent minister in the San Francisco area who preaches what she calls "radical inclusivity."

I bet we'll come back to this discussion.

And then we had what I thought was a very touching conversation with Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) about his trip to Mecca, where he made the Hajj. It is a spiritual journey that observant Muslims are required to make at least once in their lifetimes, if they are physically capable and can afford it. Rep. Ellison has preferred not to dwell on the fact that he is the first Muslim elected to Congress, but he was kind enough to talk to us about his journey.

Also, on the Web page for that conversation, you can learn more about the Hajj, including how one prepares and what it's all about.

And, the Barbershop guys were at again today on the shoe heard around the world, whether SNL's take on NY Gov. David Paterson was funny or not (Paterson says, not). They also talk more on President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet picks.

Have a great weekend.

... What am I doing here? I have to finish my Christmas shopping ...

Lee Hill, here ...

We're learning more about the next month's Inaugural Program, at which Barack Obama will be sworn in as 44th president of the United States. According to today's release (pdf) by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, here's the official rundown:

Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band

Musical Selections
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin

Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
The Honorable John Paul Stevens

Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger
Itzhak Perlman, Violin
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Gabriela Montero, Piano
Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama by the Chief Justice of the United States
The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

Inaugural Address
The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

Poem
Elizabeth Alexander

Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

From time to time, we like to introduce members of our staff. Here's someone we'd like you to meet: our new Planning Editor Luis Clemens. Now if that name sounds familiar it should -- he has been a frequent guest on the program throughout the presidential campaign year. He had been editing Candidato USA, an online publication that focused on issues of particular concern to Latinos. He is a veteran producer. And not to gloat about stealing him away, that would be wrong, but we're pretty glad to have him with us.

Luis, say hello to the people.

Hola, and thanks to Michel for the introduction. It is odd, but deeply satisfying to move from being an on-air guest to a behind-the-scenes editor. This is a return to my roots in journalism. My first job in news (aside from being a paperboy) was working as an assignment editor at a local television station in Miami. I later took a similar job at CNN in Atlanta. But it wasn't until I was the network's bureau chief in Buenos Aires that I caught the reporting bug. And reporting is what I have done for the last several years. Mostly, I have written about Latino issues. It is very good to be back working as an editor. The only thing I miss about being a correspondent is having a ready excuse to talk to strangers. That may sound weird but working as a reporter gives you carte blanche to constantly talk to new people. ... Soooooooo, drop me a line here on the blog and introduce yourself. Tell me what topics you'd like to hear about. And please mention if there are people you think should be talking to. Talk to me. Please.

Thanks, Luis.

We're trying something here and we'd be interested in your response.

Not that we're asking you to program the show for us because that would be wrong. We know that's our job, but remember. We started this program essentially as an "open source" project. We always invited listeners to comment on specific aspects of the show.

Anyway, we're trying something:

One of the executives here stopped by recently and said something like, "I have a friend that I like a lot, but if his number comes up, sometimes I don't take the call, because I know it's going to be intense and sometimes I'm just not up for it."

(Hmmm, you wouldn't be talking about anybody over here would you?)

Point taken.

We don't want to be that phone call. Sometimes it's just necessary to but sometimes it's not, so we are making a concerted effort to be a bit more varied over the course of a program. That might feel a big like a crazy salad to some people, where the ingredients don't always go together, or are not satisfying, we're not quite sure but that's why we're going to try it and see how it works.

Finally, some of you may be wondering why, on such a controversial issue as abortion, we had only one guest -- Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America -- to talk about how one chapter of organization is offering gift certificates for health services at their clinics, services which may include abortion. We decided that the issue of the gift certificates itself was really a proxy fight for abortion over all (which was not going to be settled in a conversation, no matter how long it took) and that I could just as easily raise the tough questions, likely to be posed by someone with different values. Also, Cecile Richards was on the program previously upon her appointment as President of Planned Parenthood and we thought today's conversation could be a continuation of that newsmaker conversation.

As always, we're interested in your reaction -- both to the underlying issue and to the coverage.

On we go.

We want to bring you some more issues we tackled this week that we bumped in the wake of the news about Illinois pay-to-play scandal. Tell Me More has been following Zimbabwe's unfolding political and humanitarian crisis throughout the past year (including this interview with Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer). The latest of Zimbabwe's afflictions is a cholera epidemic -- an epidemic that President Robert Mugabe says is now contained. Many advocacy groups think otherwise and fear the outbreak will claim many more than the 800 lives already lost.

Here's an interview with Frank Donoghue, the CEO of Physicians for Human Rights, who explains what cholera is and discusses the extent of the epidemic:

We're working on following up on this story next week.

We are also working on more coverage of these tough economic times. To be honest with you, we had actually already planned to cover the issue of churches and other religious institutions having to lay people off because of tough economic times even before we got our own bad news. We were weighing it against a story about the split in the Anglican Church, and another story about the ongoing issue of how churches view same-sex marriage and civil unions, and what the Scriptural instructions are. We were weighing availability of guests and all that, and that's how it came out.

And, yes we are planning some holiday cheer- we need some! We'll come up with some. And we still need your suggestions about parenting books that made a difference to you. We want to talk more about books next week in our moms segment.

We're also trying to sort ourselves for inauguration coverage. The logistics are no joke. We have to figure out how to get any guests we may want to invite into our studios or offsite locations on a day when millions of extra folks, I mean, uh, welcome guests, are expected to be in town.

Have a good weekend. We're going to nurse our bruised psyches.

Many of you have written or called to ask how we're doing in the wake of the layoffs at NPR, announced yesterday. We appreciate all of your good wishes and concern. We're obviously very distressed about the loss of two programs produced out of the West Coast--Day to Day and News & Notes. On top of the cancellation of Bryant Park earlier this year, it's been a tough year. But we want you to know that Tell Me More is still going strong and still committed to bringing you the kind of programming you've come to expect from us--stories that take a different angle, that explore the multicultural experience in America, that bring you voices you are not hearing on other programs, and where nothing is assumed. That's our motto, that's our mission, and we're going to keep doing it to the best of our ability.

To that end, we were excited to bring you some Christmas cheer -- an interview with John Leguizamo. He's an actor whose work I've admired over the year. When I was preparing for this interview I was saying to myself, 'Hey I've seen all his films', and then I double checked -- NOT.

As I told him, I am not sure he has seen all of his films. His IMDB profile shows nearly 80 film and TV roles, in addition to his standup comedy work, the autobiographical theater pieces he's written and produced and the films he's co produced. And the man has two young children. I would like to know where he gets his energy.

Anyway, he was here to talk about his new film Nothing Like the Holidays. It's set in Chicago and it tells the classic tale of a family gathering for the holidays. But it explores the scenario from the standpoint of a Puerto Rican family in Chicago. He'll tell you about it.

And today we have a very different story from Chicago. A real life drama happening in real time.

The ongoing drama surrounding Rod Blagojevich ... The Illinois governor had the sole authority to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Blagojevich is accused, in essence, of trying to get people to pay him for it -- in campaign contributions, a nice job, and paying board seats for his wife. He was arrested Tuesday. Now Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., another important Chicago name and a huge supporter of Obama, has been implicated. Blagojevich is on tape saying someone acting on Jackson's behalf was willing to raise big money for Blagojevich's campaign and that is why Blagojevich was giving him more serious consideration.

Congressman Jackson vehemently denies that he sent any emissaries and says he is doing whatever he can to aid the investigation.

You can see his press conference below:

On the advice of counsel Jackson said he cannot answer questions right now. But another Congressman who wanted the seat did come by to give us his take: Rep. Danny K. Davis, as well as two reporters following the story.

Stay tuned. We expect to hear more from Obama today.

Lee Hill, here ...

In case you didn't know, we love hearing from our audience. Regardless of the subject -- whether you agree or disagree with what you hear on-air or read online -- we're not playing around when we ask you to tell us more!

And neither is Dave.

Yesterday, in our weekly moms segment, we had a conversation about parenting that included two male perspectives. Authors Brett Berk and Steve Doocy joined moms Jolene Ivey and Dia Michels to talk about their books, The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting and Tales from the Dad Side, respectively.

Well, not so surprisingly, we received feedback to that conversation -- some of which was not posted publicly in this blog space.

But I want to point out a critical observation we received in a listener e-mail from Dave, who is also a father:

I was so excited to hear that there would be an interview/discussion about the issues related to being a dad, and that men would be interviewed about their observations and perspectives on the importance of parenting. But, I was deeply offended and troubled that your "mocha moms" were to be a part of the discussion, as if the men's perspectives were not strong enough to stand on their own and needed the validation of a woman in order to be considered true. When moms are asked about parenting/being a mom, do DADs get to weigh in on the usefulness of the women's perspective? ... Please give us the same respect afforded moms.

Well, that note from Dave began a spirited bank-and-forth between him and our host, Michel. But it also touched off a larger thought process among producers here about giving Dads more of a discussion platform when it comes to parenting ... not just moms and moms paired with dads.

Dave felt compelled to share a very heartfelt philosophy of fatherhood and how he's come to recognize how the important role of Dad naturally relates to tenets of manhood. Well, his words were so thoughtful that we asked him if we could share it with you. He agreed.

So, here's food for thought ... from Dave:

When my wife and I were expecting our first child, other parents felt an odd permission to give advice to us. However, most of the comments would be something almost arrogant and not-all-that-encouraging like, "Oh, you better get your sleep now, because you're not going to get any for about 2 years!" or "Enjoy your freedom now, 'cause everything's about to change forever!" There would be smirks and elbow nudges, as if to say, "You thought being a parent was a good idea... but just you wait..." I found those types of comments very draining. Expecting couples need encouragement; they need positive comments that show while everything is changing, a wonderful new world is about to open up to them. Two weeks before our oldest son was born. A male friend who was already the parent of 2 children, pulled me aside at church and said, "Remember, Dave, you are going to be a DAD. You are NOT an 'assistant mom.'" That's all he said. And he walked away. I can still remember where I was standing when he said it. It was the simplest comment, but the most profound. I still think about it every day. I am not an assistant mom. I am a DAD. That is a lofty title. A sacred role. A position of influence. It means more than bringing home a paycheck or providing a place to live. It means more than 'helping with the kids' as so many men are wont to say when they are active with their children. "No!" I want to scream when I hear that, "You're not 'helping with the kids.' You are being a dad!" Being a father means being an active participant in my children's emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual development. I know men who have never bathed their children, leaving that to their wives. I know dads who have never been with their children alone for more than a couple of hours because they feel like they don't know what they're doing. I know men who can broker million dollar deals for a company, but they can't have an honest, emotional conversation with their son or daughter. And I know moms who will go along with such behavior, shouldering the bulk of the parenting duties, tacitly buying into the notion of men's parenting incompetence. It saddens me. In fact, it sickens me. Being a father is way cooler than any paying job. A man's success is determined not by his pension or portfolio, but by the strength of his family. ... It's time for like-minded dads to unite and encourage and strengthen one another giving voice to the privilege of being an active, influential, positive-impact parent. Men need to call other men out to greatness... not merely in business, politics, or sport, but in fatherhood. I suspect a lot of social struggles would be tremendously positively impacted if we did so. Can you imagine? ... Thanks for giving me a forum in which to share my perspectives. Obviously, I feel passionately about the subject! I look forward to your future programs on the topic.

Thanks, Dave. We're taking notes ...

A Zimbabwean family buries a relative who died of cholera in Seke Chitungwiza, near Harare, Zimbabwe.

DESMOND KWANDE/AFP/Getty Images

Sorry to skip past today and move right to tomorrow, but we are working on a number of fronts for tomorrow's program.

Groups of former heads of state and distinguished world citizens, known as The Elders (we've had several members of the group on the program before), issued a major cry for help on behalf of Zimbabwe. In addition to -- and because of -- months of political chaos, the region now suffers from a major cholera epidemic. Former President Jimmy Carter was on NPR's Morning Edition today to talk about this. But there were others who were part of the mission to Zimbabwe, and we are trying to get someone folks who are in position to speak with us.

We're also watching several political stories: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, as Lee Hill mentioned on the blog this morning, has been arrested on corruption charges and Rep. William Jefferson recently lost the Louisiana Congressional seat he held for many terms to Anh Cao, who will become the first Vietnamese American elected to Congress.

And stories about, or informed by, religion continue to interest us, including the move by conservative Anglicans to form a breakaway communion. Also, we're still following the fight over the Proposition 8 ballot initiative outlawing gay marriage in California as it continues to reverberate.

Not saying we will actually have all guests for all of these. We're just trying to figure out how to cover these stories.

Let's not forget about the holidays. We have a great guest for later in the week who will talk about one of the upcoming holiday movies. I'll give you a hint: "To Wong Foo ..."

I bet that doesn't help at all, does it?

HA!

Question for next week's parenting segment, when we'll continue our discussion about parenting books:

Do you have a favorite parenting book or guide? Can you let us know, especially in time to consider it/look it over for the segment?

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, pictured yesterday at a labor rally in Chicago.

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News outlets in Chicago report that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody this morning at his home. Blagojevich has been under FBI investigation amid allegations of corruption.

More to come as we know it ...

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Lee Hill, here ...

Since our broadcast today, we're learning that a financial rescue deal for the nation's struggling big three automakers -- GM, Chrysler and Ford -- could be agreed upon by Congress and the President by the end of today. The prospect of an automotive bailout bill, and the extent to which it could help rejuvenate a stricken economy, carries with it a grand jury verdict-like anticipation.

GM, Chrysler and Ford -- and their home City of Detroit -- warn of dire economic consequences if sufficient aid does not come from the government. On the other hand, there are strong opinions about a government's role as "superman" to big business in distress. Those opinions were underscored by the two not-so-warm-and-cuddly appearances by top brass on Capitol Hill, where their pleas for aid were met with tough scrutiny by lawmakers.

Today on the program, we focused on a group that you may not have heard much from in the general media frenzy surrounding the crisis: minority auto dealers. They're looking at this through the lens of their own unique concerns. Take a listen to learn more.

I also came across a report today about how the stakes of what happens next are even higher for some rural auto dealers. Check it out to learn more about yet another unique group of stakeholders in all of this.

And what about you?

Do you make your living working for, or dependent upon, a U.S. automaker? What are you thinking and hoping right now?

And, if you don't work in the industry, do you live in Detroit, Indiana or a place where automotive is primary player in the local economy? Have you noticed anything different about your economy or attitudes around town?

Tell us more ...

Is this one of these days where you want to hear about how the sausage is made? Or not made?

Well how about we summarize it this way. Here's how today's adventure in broadcasting involved:

Icy roads in two cities and a tractor-trailer accident lead to rescheduling one of our guest and sending another back home to a phone line, getting another out of the shower (um, sorry!) and having to pull out an interview originally scheduled for next week.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

This is why nobody around here needs Red Bull.

Moving on ...

Let me tell you what we are thinking about for the next couple of weeks. We're trying to balance a couple of things here ...

Clearly, we want to continue to follow the news: certainly the global economic crisis, developments in the Mumbai investigation and the Obama administration taking shape.

But we also want to recognize the season. The holidays are coming and people deserve to celebrate...we're thinking about how we can be fun and festive and still recognize that many people are hurting.

We'll try to get it right.

Have a good weekend!

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Lee Hill, here ...

This will be quick. We're hard at work here on tomorrow's program. As I type, Michel's recording tomorrow's Barbershop. And I'm here going through clips -- your clips, that is -- for tomorrow's BackTalk segment.

So get ready for another spicy mix tomorrow.

Surprise!

Later this afternoon, we're expecting a very special visit from a huge figure in the literary world.

Hints: Lorain, Chloe, Howard.

Guess who? Tune in next week for the actual interview.

Gotta go. He/she will be here any moment!

Lee Hill, here ...

If you caught today's broadcast, you heard an extended conversation on the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. TMM producer Arwa Gunja helped shape the focus of that discussion and, herself, has a personal connection to the region. Here's a page from her notebook:

Thanks, Lee ... Arwa Gunja, here.

We hope we delivered.

Thanks, Arwa.

And our condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks, and to the many injured.

400 people dead, in just over the course of a few days? The violence between Muslims and Christians in the Nigerian city of Jos had us all wondering what our approach should be. Do we talk to someone on the ground, who was there during the fighting? Or do we go for the bigger view, asking WHY and WHAT next? Since a relative calm had settled in the Nigerian city, we thought it best to unpack just what had led to the eruption of violence. We invited two people who are knowledgeable about the roots of religious strife in Nigeria. Constance Okokwu is the Washington bureau chief for the Nigerian newspaper This Day. And Roxanne Lawson is the Director of Africa Policy for the Washington based group TransAfrica. They offer some useful - and revealing - insights.

Then, in our weekly parenting segment, the moms talk about President-elect Obama's cool-factor. Will the president-elect offer a new aspiration for young black men to aspire to? Will his cool and sharp style redefine what it means to be hip?

And ... have you heard? The country is officially in a recession. The reality most of us have known for months has finally been accepted into 'officialdom.' Our beloved Money Coach Alvin Hall weighs in on the issue ... and the surprising news that despite the economic slowdown, retail sales were higher than expected on 'Black Friday'. Alvin and John Simons, Senior Personal Finance Editor at Black Enterprise, talk about what could be motivating people to open their pocketbooks. Are the bargains that good?

Finally, Michel shares her thoughts about the violence over the weekend. Not just in Mumbai, India and Nigeria. But right here in the US, where a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death during last weekend's spending frenzy. Tragic story. Michel brings it home in a powerful commentary.

And share your thoughts. How tight are you gripping your wallet this holiday season? Are you feeling pressured to spend more than you have? How are you coping?

Douglas here ... Lots to say about our show today. Six great guests you should hear before your day is over. But first, our fearless host Michel Martin is back! Michel, how's it going?

I'm back after taking a short break last week. My thanks for Korva Coleman for sitting in so I could do so. Although I'm kind of annoyed. How much did you love Gayle Danley and the Moms conversation about having Nana move in? I hate it when they have so much fun without me ... but now of course I am swamped trying to catch up. So I'm going to turn it over to Douglas.

I hope everyone had a peaceful and enjoyable Thanksgiving, those who were able. Needless to say we are mindful of the fact that many people around the world did not. Obviously we are trying to figure out if there is more we can add to the coverage of the terrible situation in Mumbai. And we also learned over the weekend that clashes between Christian and Muslim "gangs" may have left as many as 400 people dead In Nigeria. We're trying to figure out what that's all about too.

But one thing we are surely thankful for is that all of our colleagues in Baghdad survived the attempt on their lives when a bomb attached to their vehicle exploded. Yes, we are thankful about that.

Thanks Michel. Nice landing.

Barack Obama announced his national security team today. He tapped his former rival Senator Hillary Clinton to be the Secretary of State. And in a move that has ticked off some democrats, he asked Bush appointee Robert Gates to stay in his position as Defense Secretary. Obama introduced a few other people as well, including Susan Rice for the UN Ambassador slot and Jim Jones as a foreign policy adviser. NPR Political Editor Ken Rudin and BET Washington Bureau Chief Pamela Gentry discuss Obama's latest picks and reaction to how his future administration is shaping up.

It's World AIDS Day. We're kicking off a week of coverage with a conversation about the plight of children with HIV. Some 15 million children are living with HIV. Pamela Barnes, President and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, has her say about what needs to be done to curb the epidemic and care for children already living with HIV.

Caitlin Schroeder is a freshman in high school this year. In many ways she's just like all the other teenage girls. But Caitlin just finished what for many people would be an unimaginable endurance. She underwent a painful and long-term procedure to add some five and half inches to her stature. An amazing story featured this week in the Washington Post Magazine. Caitlin and her mother Jennifer Anduha explain how they made the decision -- and how they survived the challenge.

And finally ... Malia and Sasha Obama are about to move into the White House, becoming America's newest 'First Children.' What kid wouldn't want to live at 1600 Pennsylvania ... right? Hear what Curtis Roosevelt has to say abut the experience. He's the grandson of President Franklin Roosevelt and wrote about growing up in the White House in his new book Too Close to the Sun. For Curtis Roosevelt, it wasn't just the actual White House that intimidated him as a child, it was living in the limelight of his grandfather. Take a listen and let us know what you think.

Did you grow up in someone's shadow? And how did you cope?

And be sure to tune in tomorrow. Money Coach Alvin Hall dishes out some advice for those of us tempted by the holiday spending frenzy.