Joseph Cooper
WLRN Radio's Joseph Cooper says producing and hosting Topical Currents is the most rewarding experience of his long radio career, which began at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in the 1970s.
"It's now an obsession, but I never thought talk radio would be in my future. The wide, wide range of topics, research and reading keeps me hustling all week," he says. "It's similar to a daily newspaper column because, essentially, we write an essay to frame each show before conducting the interviews and taking calls and then it all starts over again for the next day's program."
Topical Currents is put together by a small production team, which includes producer Richard Ives and technical director Bonnie Berman. Syndicated food and dining columnist Linda Gassenheimer frequents the program, as well as a handful of expert regular contributors and regional reporters.
Topical Currents is a sub-tropical blend of regional issues and politics, local profiles, author interviews, "At Your Service" programs, South Florida history and any topic listeners might banter about around the proverbial "water cooler." It was first broadcast in January 1999.
Cooper is often asked to name his "favorite" interview subject.
"Hmmmm," he says with the hint of a smile. "Not necessarily the celebrities or famous authors but the one I've just done. Well usually.
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(7-25-2017, originally aired 5-16-2017) Sometimes, an older person asserts, “I wouldn’t have changed a thing in my life.” Really? We discuss a recent…
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(7-24-2017) Today’s Topical Currents highlights a Miami-Dade effort to shape and update the Comprehensive Development Master Plan.This is a Florida state…
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(7-20-2017) Today's topic is Kid-friendly food. We have 2 guests plus 1 taster. Joining us is Senetta Carter, President of the Rayfield Family Literacy…
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(7-20-2017) Today’s Topical Currents features a look at the 2017 Knight Foundation Cities Challenge winners from Miami. They include two innovative civic…
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( 7-19-2017) You wouldn’t think Topical Currents would yield to celebrity adoration, but alas, we too have sold out.With a public radio twist, of course .…
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(7-18-2017) Today we learn about the history of Florida Native tribes . . . the era of what is called the Seminole Wars . . . and how tribes evolved to…
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(7-13-2017) Today’s Topical Currents features South Florida Sun-Sentinel consumer columnist, Doreen Christensen.She scoffs at “paying full price—for…
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(7-13-2017) Bastille Day is July 14. Today we chat with Café Bonjour co-owner Veronique Youbi. She and her husband came from Paris and opened this small…
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(701102017) Do you have a customer service torment story you love to tell? Of course, doesn’t everyone?But think of the hilarious stories told by service…
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(7-6-2017) July is National Ice Cream Month, and Federico Di Franco, co-owner with his wife, Carla, of Bianco Gelato in Coconut Grove is with us. His…