Do we have more in common than divides us? Thought-provoking conversations on the street & with special guests from the arts.
Episodes
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Broadcast on 6 June 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter: Do we still value professional journalism?
This week we consider ‘Do we still value professional journalism?’ "Burke said there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters' Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all." So spoke Thomas Carlyle in his book On Heroes and Hero Worship about a parliamentary debate in 1787 on the opening up of press reporting of the House of Commons in Britain. It is one of the first comments about the power of the press. Recognising this power, standards grew up around professional journalism. According to The Elements of Journalism (written by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel) “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth” and its “essence is a discipline of verification”. New technology has given rise to ‘citizen journalism’ with ordinary people creating blogs about news and spreading information about issues and events through social media both in written and visual form. This kind of informal journalism isn’t held to the same standards; it is often not fact-checked or supported by second sources. Sometimes it wilfully spreads disinformation with the audience often accepting this news at face value. Is this as a problem? Or do you think the benefits of getting breaking news or less traditional perspectives is worth the risk? Do you have trusted sources of information for news that you defer to or do you have an egalitarian approach to news sources? Do you weight citizen journalism equally when it comes to news gathering? Or do you still value professional journalism?
What do you think? Ruth Copland gets the views of people on the street for our Out and About feature.
For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Broadcast on 6 June 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream
'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
In-Depth Arts Interview with Ranking Roger
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing British vocalist and toaster, Ranking Roger. As an original member of seminal 80s 2-tone band The Beat, or The English Beat as they are known in America, Roger has a career in music that spans over three decades. Joining The Beat at just 16, his mum had to sign his first record contract for him. The Beat’s first single went straight into the Top Ten in the UK and three albums followed with multiple hit singles including Mirror In The Bathroom, Too Nice To Talk To and Hands Off She’s Mine. From the outset the band offered messages of hope and peace with an insight into sociopolitical topics which would later, alongside The Specials, see them heralded as forerunners of the whole 2-Tone Ska movement. Ranking Roger and Dave Wakeling led with vocals while Andy Cox and David Steele took guitar and bass with Everett Morton supplying distinctive drums and renowned saxophonist, Saxa, adding the warm Jamaican ska instrumental flavour that is forever associated with the band’s sound. After the band split Roger formed General Public with fellow Beat member Dave Wakeling and the band found great success in North America. In the 90s Roger joined members of The Specials to form Special Beat, which toured and released two live albums. Roger has also recorded two solo albums Radical Departure and Inside My Head, which includes traditional reggae and ska with influences of electronica, jungle and dub, and an album of collaborations with other artists. Roger continues to play live, performing both Beat songs and material from throughout his career. He heads up The Beat in the UK, and the band regularly tours and records. The current line-up includes Roger’s son Ranking Junior, who contributed vocals and songwriting to The Beat’s 2014 album, and Roger’s daughter Saffren.
For more info on the show and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Sunday May 24, 2015
Sunday May 24, 2015
Broadcast on 23 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
In-Depth Arts Interview with Tarquin Gotch
*Left: Tarquin Gotch | Right: Brian Johnson of AC/DC.
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing entertainment industry veteran Tarquin Gotch. Starting out as a tour manager, Tarquin became a music publisher before joining Arista Records as an A&R executive where he oversaw and/or signed acts like Simple Minds, The Thompson Twins, The Stray Cats, The English Beat, Elaine Paige, and Rowan Atkinson. Progressing to WEA he helped bring success in the UK to Prince, Madonna, Shalamar, and many other American acts. Moving into music management he oversaw the careers of many bands and also managed Jon Lord, founding member of Deep Purple, until his death in 2012, and currently manages Brian Johnson of AC/DC. Tarquin acted as music supervisor for most of the director John Hughes’ films over a seven year period including Some Kind of Wonderful, She’s Having A Baby, Uncle Buck, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Running John Hughes film company in the 90s Tarquin executive produced Curly Sue, Dutch, Only The Lonely, and Home Alone. He then worked for Fox running their movie division Fox Circle Productions where he oversaw the production of nine TV films including FBC's highest-rating movie of the week The OJ Simpson Story. He has since produced both film and TV and currently is executive producing the documentary series Cars That Rock with Brian Johnson, for Quest in the UK and Discovery in the rest of the world.
For more info on the show and to hear shows with other topics and arts guests visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Sunday May 24, 2015
Sunday May 24, 2015
Broadcast on 23 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter: Can Restraint Be As Courageous As Action?
This week we consider ‘Can Restraint Be As Courageous As Action?’ A few years back a British soldier Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, who at the time was in charge of the international forces in southern Afghanistan, suggested that soldiers could someday be awarded medals for restraint that prevents civilian casualties in combat. This followed a strategic protocol put in place by the British army called Courageous Restraint, where there were a strict set of criteria that had to be met to fire on targets so that civilian deaths were limited. The absolute opposite of ‘shoot first ask questions later’. Both the protocol and the medal suggestion valued the concept that to hold fire and more fully assess a situation may increase the danger for the soldier and thus require courage. Does this kind of restraint seem courageous to you? If so, do you think a medal is an appropriate way to honour this kind of courage? Would it perhaps help change the mindset of how a conflict can be won if acts of restraint were equally honoured with action? Why does action seem to be valued so much more highly than restraint? Do you think this idea of courageous restraint would also be of benefit within American society, for example in our police force?
What do you think? Ruth Copland gets the views of people on the street for our Out and About feature.
For more info on the show and to hear shows with other topics and arts guests visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Sunday May 17, 2015
Sunday May 17, 2015
Broadcast on 16 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
In-Depth Arts Interview with MURS
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing MURS, creator of ‘educated street music for the educated street movement’. Hailing from Los Angeles and creating great music since the early 90s, MURS is an indie-rap icon who has recorded multiple albums and has performed all over the world. You don’t need to be a fan of hip-hop or rap to enjoy hearing the thoughts of this conscious, deep-thinking, and highly creative man but you may well find yourself a fan after hearing his art. His consistently intelligent, thoughtful, life-affirming, and charismatic work has engendered a huge, dedicated following. iTunes comments that MURS’s “low-key intelligence and self-deprecatory indignation make him a curiously modest figure on a Hip-Hop scene filled with inflated egos”. A prolific artist, MURS has created both quality solo albums and collaboration projects with many artists including Mayday, 9th Wonder, and Fashawn. His many album releases include a 10-track concept album called Yumiko: Curse of The Merch Girl, a collaboration with artists and writers which is accompanied by a 100-page graphic novel. MURS recently moved record companies to Strange Music. His new album Have A Nice Life is available as of May 18th and is described as 'a stellar addition for longtime fans of MURS and a mind-blowing introduction to new fans'.
For more info on the show and to hear shows with other topics and arts guests visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Sunday May 17, 2015
Sunday May 17, 2015
Broadcast on 16 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' is a two hour show which balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter: Can Sex Be Sacred?
This week we consider 'Can Sex Be Sacred?' “We are sexual creatures: made by sex, sustained by sex - and if we are foolish - destroyed by sex. What we are now is a result of sex. What we will be depends upon our use of sex. Our relationship to sex shows us who we truly are inside. Sex is a mirror into our soul. Let us peer into the basis of all life - sexuality - and discover who we truly are, and what we can become.” Sacredsex.org.
In a culture that emphasises the physical side of sex is there any room to think of sex as something that potentially engages our soul as well as our emotions? Can sex be erotic and sacred? Or does hot sex preclude it being spiritual? If you think about sacred sex, what does that mean to you?
What do you think? Ruth Copland gets the views of people on the street for our Out and About feature.
For more info on the show and to hear shows with other topics and arts guests visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Sunday May 10, 2015
Sunday May 10, 2015
Broadcast on 9 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
HOUR 1: Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter
This week we consider ‘What role do you think the police should have in society?’ All industrial societies use police to control crime and help maintain public order. But obviously this can be done in different ways. Often it is thought that it is only the police that stand between citizens and social chaos. In reality there can be many aspects to social order such as design of the environment, compliance with community norms, self-defence, and individual morals and values. Do you see the police as the primary way to prevent social chaos or as part of a range of resources that create social order? Policing is managed in different ways in different countries. Is there a danger that having a more militarised police creates the mindset that they are a force controlling citizens rather than serving them? Would you like to see more community involvement from the police?
For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Arts Interview with Michelle Boley
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing film director, writer and producer Michelle Boley. Based in LA, Michelle founded Rogue Kite Productions in 2008 with a view to creating professional low-budget films with high production value. Rogue Kite Productions have played at festivals across the country including Atlanta Underground, LA Comedy Fest, Cucalorus, Passadena, Tall Grass, and Heartland. They have taken prizes, including the LA Comedy Shorts Audience Choice Award and the Orlando Film Festival’s raunchiest film award. Michelle loves dark comedy and was a semi-finalist this year in the NBC Playground, which searches for the best new comedy. You can find Michelle’s comedy on The Young Turks, Funny or Die, and Youtube. Her sketch videos S.A.D., Please Don’t Vote, and (Stuffed) An- imals are extremely popular with Please Don’t Vote having been viewed over 6 million times. Michelle also works as a freelance writer, director and producer for other reputable production companies. Her clients include the Nerdist, Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, and The Young Turks and recent highlights Executive Producing the Cricket Wireless “Half is More” Campaign and Producing/ADing a Jim Beam Web Series. She has also worked on the staff of the 49th Chicago International Film Festival. Her latest film, Madeline Makes A Man, which she wrote, directed and produced was screened at the NewFilmMakers LA special BritWeek screening and will be playing at The Women's Eye Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, The Women's International Film and Arts Festival, and in the Arts and Algorithms film festival.
For more information go to http://roguekiteproductions.com
Tuesday May 05, 2015
Tuesday May 05, 2015
Broadcast on 2 May 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
HOUR 1: Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter
This week we consider ‘Has social media changed how much we live versus perform our lives?’ Shakespeare said “All the world's a stage,/ And all the men and women merely players”. The analogy of life as a performance is not a new thing; it has been considered for centuries by such people as Pythagoras and Petronius amongst others. In the past, however, musings focused more on who might be controlling the ‘play’ rather than on people acting out their lives. With social media, though, there is a sense of increasing self-consciousness as we consider what effect our posts are creating. Are we documenting our lives through social media or are we manufacturing our lives to fit an image that we want to project? Are we simply sharing our experiences or are we creating them with an audience in mind? Are we authentic online or are we playing a part? Even if we are not trying to control our image necessarily, are we able to live life in the moment without considering whether it’s a good photo opportunity or something to post about?
For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Hour 2: Begins at 0:54 minutes Arts Interview with Rama Chakaki
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing Rama Chakaki, businesswoman, social entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Baraka Bits, the only media venture delivering EXCLUSIVELY good news from the Middle East, with a huge focus on the creative arts. We talk about the creative art of the Middle East and how art can both reflect and shape conflict, as well as give a more holistic voice to people living in countries that are often represented simply as areas of conflict in Western media. BarakaBits started with content from the region, changing the narrative in the media to an intelligent, optimistic and empowering one. Rama is also the co-founder of Baraka Ventures, which aims to nurture innovative social enterprises, and Baraka Advisors, which is a digital communications agency rooted in the region’s culture and values. Rama holds a Master’s in Multi-Media Systems and Engineering Management from George Washington University and a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. She sits on the board of TechWadi and PACES Charity, was featured in Forbes and is one of 35 women featured in Arab Women Rising, a Wharton School Publication. In addition to her work with Baraka Bits she is also involved with promoting the arts through her work with Art In The City, Canvas Online, Alhoush (the equivalent of Etsy in Palestine) and The Arab Fund for Art and Culture.
Sunday Apr 19, 2015
Sunday Apr 19, 2015
Broadcast on 18 April 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views
This week we consider ‘Does remote-control warfare affect how we use violence?’ How does the insulation from death provided by remote-control warfare influence violence being used as a solution? Do we need actual skin in the game to make appropriate moral decisions about the use of violence? Or is remote-control warfare an efficient way to achieve political ends with the lowest level of home troop casualties? How does distance from violence affect empathy? What do you think? Does remote-control warfare affect how we use violence?
For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with James Dalessandro
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing writer, screenwriter and film-maker James Dalessandro. A 33-year member of the Writer’s Guild of America, he has sold more than 20 feature film scripts. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, James hitchhiked to San Francisco in 1971 after seeing a documentary about the Beat Movement. He co-founded The Santa Cruz Poetry Festival, with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and served as its director for four years. As the nation's largest annual literary festival at the time, it brought Charles Bukowski, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey, Michael McClure, Gary Snyder, and musicians like Anthony Braxton and Charles Lloyd to the seaside town of Santa Cruz, California, setting record attendance levels. It ushered in what Ferlinghetti called "A new era of American Poetry." During this period James was also the writer of The House of Blues Radio Hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd (as Elwood Blues) and won the Platinum Award from the National Association of Broadcasters. In addition James was the writer/creator of "Rock On" with The Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek. James is the author of four books - the poetry collection Canary In A Coalmine; detective novel Bohemian Heart; true crime story Citizen Jane; and the historical novel 1906, a tale of political corruption, vendettas, romance, and rescue-and-murder set during the great San Francisco earthquake and fire. The e-book of 1906: A Novel, released to coincide with the earthquake anniversary on April 18th, quickly shot to #1 in Historical Fiction/Mysteries. James also wrote, directed and produced the acclaimed documentary The Damnedest, Finest Ruins about the 1906 earthquake. James’s book Citizen Jane has also been made into a film and is under development as a TV series. James has dedicated the last 40 years of his life to telling San Francisco stories, and trying to bring film and television projects to his adopted home. James has lectured at the San Jose-based Cinequest Film Festival and the Screenwriting Expo in Los Angeles. He formerly taught Screenwriting at Fort Mason Art Center in San Francisco and currently teaches screenwriting at Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Sunday Apr 12, 2015
Sunday Apr 12, 2015
Broadcast on 11 April 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.
'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.
For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views
This week we consider ‘Does vast wealth create a moral obligation to give back?’ Some billionaires such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffet and John Caudwell feel that it does. They are all signatories to the Giving Pledge which commits the pledgee to give more than half of their wealth to philanthropy or charitable causes either during their lifetime or in their will. Plenty of other billionaires are keeping their wealth to themselves. Do you think the world’s billionaires owe anything to the societies in which they made their fortune? Or do you think it’s their money, and they shouldn’t feel guilty about having it or that they have to give some away? What do you think?
For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com
Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Dwayne Johnson-Cochran
This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing film director, producer and writer Dwayne Johnson-Cochran. After writing films for studios, co-creating a comedy series for NBC (Minor Adjustments), and selling a spec screenplay to Steven Spielberg, Dwayne’s directing debut, Love and Action In Chicago (HBO) featured Kathleen Turner, Courtney B.Vance, Jason Alexander, Regina King and Ed Asner and sold to 60 countries around the world. Currently, Dwayne is writing and producing the epic battle film Queen of War for three time Oscar nominated director Sergei Bodrov (Mongol, Seventh Son) and he is slated to direct Men of Granite in late 2015. He produced the period feature film White Water for the cable network TVONE directed by Rusty Cundieff and the film aired to record high ratings in February 2015. He has written and is producing The Book of the Year, to be co-produced by Bassett Vance Productions. Dwayne has made numerous documentaries in West Africa. His latest documentary Be Known, is about jazz percussionist Kahil El-Zabar, and premiered in Chicago at the Gene Siskel Film Center. He has been a festival judge for the Chicago International Film Festival; National Black Programme Consortium; Pan African Film Festival; and is a two-time winner of the ‘Mentor of the Year’ award from the Fulfillment Fund, one of the largest mentor organizations in country. He was visiting professor in the USC Screenwriting Fellowship Program (2001-2012) and has taught screenwriting workshops in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Born in Chicago Dwayne earned a B.S. in Geophysical Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Master’s Program for filmmaking.
For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com