Audio

Join us for our audio podcast with Katharyn Hanson and Elizabeth Bridges. Two professional archaeologists debunk the myths of the profession, and give us a picture of what archaeology is today.

It is often said that a society can be judged and measured by how well it takes care of its children.

A few weeks ago, Michael Pollan, author of several works on the food industry and its social and moral impact on our lives, penned a letter to the president-elect, urging the new commander in chief to move to the top of his executive and legislative agenda the issue of food security. The article was entitled: Farmer in Chief. (www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?scp=1&sq=mi)

What should a teacher do when a student expresses views that are offensive to most of the other students in the class?

How do teachers deal with the perennial problem of early tracking... or to paraphrase Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books of "sorting" students into "houses" too soon?

How do teachers resolve the constant tension between allowing their students to take some risks with their equally important responsibility of keeping kids out of harm's way?

What does fairness look like to a teacher?

It is a common enough complaint. You generally hear it just before the holidays around the Ann Arbor area. When people are getting annual giving appeals by mail, online or lately, by text message. The complaint? "There are too many nonprofits around here. And don't some of them overlap and aren't they offering similar programs?" Why don't they collaborate and work better together?

Local dog groomer, Chelle Kilmury, a partner-in-business at Groom N Go, not only takes care of dogs the right way. She is also an excellent mentor to younger people interested in going into the animal grooming business. We talked with Chelle, and her apprentice, Zeke Askew about the craft and skills involved in grooming the many dog breeds that Ann Arbor area residents have been bringing to the shop for appointments that last the dog's lifetime.

Like many others who are in public service, David Behen, the Deputy Administrator for Washtenaw County, would like to encourage others, and especially people in their 20s and 30s to join him. And when a2ethics.org talked with David, his honest and forthright appraisal of the ethics of his work, made us want to give civil service a new look. Yet, these are hard times. So, how does an administrator who has to make tough decisions that are economically-driven because of diminished resources and money, determine what is the right thing to do?

Last spring, the Huron High Boys Swimming team ended a 20 year drought by winning the state championship. As Coach Kelton Graham, now in his second year there, tells it, it was all about teamwork and motivation. He is too humble by half. A2ethics.org's interview with Coach Graham, told us otherwise: his motivational skills and trust in his swimmers were also vitally important to the team's success.

This interview features local social entrepreneur, Mary Wessel Walker, owner of the Community Farm Kitchen. Mary is in her early 20s, and started the Community Farm Kitchen when she saw a way to fill a social need: preparing meals for busy families from local and biodynamically grown food. A2ethics.org talked with Mary about her ideals and vision for the County Farm Kitchen.

The controversial use of a potentially derogatory name sparks a local feud. A2ethics has the inside track.

PLUS! Podcast interview with Catherine Dann Roeber and Hanna Raskin of American Table Culinary Tours. A provocative lesson in food and culture.