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Diane Rehm: On My Mind

WAMU 88.5

Diane Rehm’s weekly podcast features newsmakers, writers, artists and thinkers on the issues she cares about most: what’s going on in Washington, ideas that inform, and the latest on living well as we live longer.

Copyright WAMU 88.5 American University Radio - For Personal Use Only

Diane Rehm’s weekly podcast features newsmakers, writers, artists and thinkers on the issues she cares about most: what’s going on in Washington, ideas that inform, and the latest on living well as we live longer.

Copyright WAMU 88.5 American University Radio - For Personal Use Only
6hr 29min
Thumbnail for "The nation's first Black female billionaire on resilience, creativity, and following her passions".
A Diane Rehm Book Club conversation with Sheila Johnson, the nation's first Black female billionaire, recorded live at WAMU's Black Box Theater. They discussed her memoir "Walk Through Fire."
Thumbnail for "Biden's push to reform the Supreme Court".
President Biden's plan to reform the Supreme Court. Legal analyst Harry Litman breaks down the proposals and explains why he thinks Democrats are playing the long game.
Thumbnail for "How serious is the threat of political violence in the U.S.?".
The ongoing threat of political violence in America. The Atlantic’s Adrienne France looks at how the escalating divisions and rhetoric are fueling attempts against our leaders and ordinary citizens.
Thumbnail for "Understanding Project 2025 and how it could shape a second Trump presidency".
The Republican National Convention, J.D. Vance and the myths and realities of Project 2025. Diane talks to Andrew Prokop of Vox about the emerging picture of a Trump second term.
Thumbnail for "A retired federal judge on his life on the bench and the current Supreme Court".
Retired DC Circuit judge David Tatel talks about his new book, "Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice," and his grave concerns about the direction of Supreme Court.
Thumbnail for "The first Trump-Biden debate of 2024: "They both lost"".
The first presidential debate of the 2024 election took place last night. New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie breaks down what we learned, and how it might affect the race.
Thumbnail for "How Barbara Walters changed the news media for women -- and everyone else".
Journalist Susan Page talks about the woman who blazed a trail in television news – and changed the media forever. Her new book is "The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters."
Thumbnail for "The push to remove "forever chemicals" from America's drinking water".
ProPublica's Sharon Lerner on the fight to get "forever chemicals" out of America's drinking water – and the story of how they got there in the first place.
Thumbnail for "How Trump's guilty verdict shifted the race for president (if not the minds of the voters)".
The New Yorker's Susan Glasser on the aftermath of Trump's guilty verdict, Biden's attempt to take on immigration, and the GOP's new wave of attacks on the country's justice system.
Thumbnail for "'The Spirit of America' vs. 'America First': Revisiting FDR's war of words with Charles Lindbergh".
In 1939 fascism was spreading around the world and America was at a crossroads. President Franklin D. Roosevelt argued for intervention while famed aviator Charles Lindbergh led a fierce isolationist movement with the slogan "America First." The former director of FDR's presidential library tells the story in a new book, "Awakening the Spirit of America."

The nation's first Black female billionaire on resilience, creativity, and following her passions

Thumbnail for "The nation's first Black female billionaire on resilience, creativity, and following her passions".
July 11, 20241hr 3min

Sheila Johnson is known as the nation’s first black female billionaire. She first rose to prominence as the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, or BET. Since then, she has become a widely recognized business leader, a hotel mogul, and the co-owner of three professional sports teams. 

But, Johnson says, her triumphs masked deep trauma and pain that she carried for decades. That included fear and self-doubt, an emotionally abusive 33-year marriage, and a severe depression following her divorce. 

Johnson joined Diane in April at WAMU’s Black Box Theater for a special in-person Diane Rehm Book Club Conversation. They talked about her memoir, “Walk Through Fire.”