Conversations from Penn State: Peter Matthiessen

Peter Matthiessen

Peter Matthiessen

An Author’s Reflections

Meet a great modern nature writer.

Flynt Leverett

Going to Tehran

Get an inside perspective on US Foreign Policy.

Kathy Mattea

Coal Journey

Discover how music can change the world.

Michael Maglaras

Capturing the American Artistic Experience

Discover American Modernism

Tyrone Werts

After Life

Find out with it’s like to live life “after life.”

Gillian Sorensen

Gillian Sorensen

Beyond Borders: The UN in a Changing World

What is the role of the UN?

Janet Rosenzweig

Janet Rosenzweig

The Sex-Wise Parent

The way you talk with your children about sex could save them from serious harm.

Richard Ross

Juvenile In Justice

Learn about the juvenile justice system.

Amy McCready

Positive Parenting

Learn how to raise happy, healthy, and resilient children.

Richard Schuhmann

Water Wars: A Global Crisis

Are water wars inevitable?

Mia Bloom

The New Face of Terrorism

Who do you picture when you think of a terrorist?

Joseph Valente

The Makings of a Superhero

Discover the truth about what it means to be deaf.

Mara Keisling

The “T” Community

Gain a better understanding of what it means to be a transgender person.

Don Roy King

The Serious Art of TV Comedy

Behind the scenes of live TV.

Michael Mann

Confronting the Climate Change Challenge

Get the latest research.

Shyam Sundar

Exploring Media Effects

What’s the impact of social media?

Rodney Erickson

Meet the President

Learn more about Penn State’s new President.

Jake Corman

Jake Corman

Learn about pressing issues for Pennsylvania.

Lisa Genova

Still Alice

Understand early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Veterans Day

Veteran’s Day: A Shared Sacrifice

A look at U.S. servicemen and women.

Paul Taylor

Dancemaker

Delve into the creative process of a dance icon.

Chris Coppola

Chris Coppola

A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq

Get a glimpse inside a military trauma hospital.

Scott Michael Robertson

Scott Michael Robertson

Life on the Spectrum

Discover what it’s like to be an autistic adult.

Sam Richards and Laurie Mulvey

Sam Richards and Laurie Mulvey

World in Conversation

Dare to explore your own beliefs.

Sean Patrick Griffin

Sean Patrick Griffin

Gaming the Game

Enter the world of illegal gambling.

Ruben Echemendia

Ruben Echemendia

Head Games

Understand the true danger of sports-related head injuries.

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith

About the Author

Meet the man behind the “Ladies.”

Ben Feller

Ben Feller

Covering the White House

Go inside the briefing room.

Di Trevis

Di Trevis

Backstage

Find out what happens behind the scenes.

Ron Mallett

Ron Mallett

Time Traveler

What would you do to see a deceased loved one again?

Brian Ross

Brian Ross

Behind the Headlines

Explore the world of investigative reporting.

Mary Burke

Mary Burke

Slavery: Not a History Lesson

Delve into the world’s blackest market.

Victor Romero

Victor Romero

Race and Immigration

Delve into one of the nation’s most divisive issues.

Stephen Lewis

Stephen Lewis

AIDS-Free World

Learn about the AIDS pandemic.

Allen Sack

Allen Sack

Counterfeit Amateurs

Are amateur sports disappearing?

Ken Burns

Ken Burns

A Filmmaking Icon

Learn about the man behind the movies.

Lisa See

Lisa See

Discovering the Past

Journey to forgotten China.

Sir Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson

Education Innovation

Discover what it really means to be creative.

Annie Leonard

Annie Leonard

The Story of Stuff

What is the true cost of your stuff?

Jeannie Magill

Jeannie Magill

Milking the Rhino

Explore new conservation strategies.

Barbara Franklin

Barbara Franklin

A Few Good Women

Learn about early efforts to recruit women to government.

Randall Robinson

Randall Robinson

The Life of an Activist

Discover one man’s crusade for justice.

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin

Autism: Unlocking Potential

Hear how autism influenced her work.

Peter Matthiessen

Peter Matthiessen

An Author’s Reflections

Meet a great modern nature writer.

Ben Carson

Ben Carson

An Extraordinary Life

Be inspired to overcome all odds.

Judy Maltz

Judy Maltz

No. 4 Street of Our Lady

Hear how one woman saved her neighbors during WWII.

Chris Calkins

Chris Calkins

The Health Care Debate

Consider health care reform options.

Donna Kalajian Lagani

Donna Kalajian Lagani

Fun Fearless Female

Meet the woman behind Cosmo.

Bob Shaler

Bob Shaler

The CSI Effect

Uncover the importance of forensic science.

Richard Alley

Richard Alley

Climate Change Future

Understand the causes and implications of climate change.

LeeAnn DeReus

LeeAnn DeReus

Responding to Genocide

Find out what role you can play in ending world conflicts.

Grandma Aggie

Grandma Aggie

The 13 Indigenous Grandmothers

Discover a life dedicated to peace.

Mary Pattillo

Mary Pattillo

The Black Middle Class

Uncover the experiences of middle class African Americans.

Richard Butler

Richard Butler

America’s Role in the World

Learn about the relationship between foreign policy and nuclear weapons.

Peter Hudson

Peter Hudson

Emerging Diseases

Discover what’s being done to stop the spread of infectious diseases.

Gregory McNeal

Gregory McNeal

Closing Guantanamo

Consider the pros and cons to closing Guantanamo Bay.

Jonathan Moreno

Jonathan Moreno

Mind Wars

Find out how neuroscience is changing modern warfare.

VIDEO

Adventures in Paris 8:08
Crazy Horse 8:14
Inspirations and Travel 7:11
A Writer Work 5:40
Zen Buddhism 10:44
Shaping a Story 6:48
Mr Watson 1:52
In the Grace of Nature 3:17
What the Future Holds 4:36
Family Ties Web Exclusive 0:53
Making Sense of Things Web Exclusive 2:30
Recommended Reading Web Exclusive 1:29
Self-Examination Web Exclusive 2:02
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DISCUSSION

Literature

Which do you think has a greater capacity to influence people: fiction or non-fiction?

What do you think?

ABOUT THE EPISODE

Renowned author, naturalist, and activist Peter Matthiessen discusses his books and travels and reveals the only adventure he’s ever regretted.

Download the transcript.

For a captioned version of this interview, go to YouTube.

Peter Matthiessen DVD

ABOUT THE GUEST

Peter Matthiessen is a renowned novelist, nature writer, environmental activist, and Zen master. The New York Times Book Review calls him “one of our greatest modern nature writers.” He has written more than 30 books and is one of the few American writers ever to win a National Book Award for both fiction and nonfiction.

Matthiessen has traveled to the far reaches of South America, Asia, and Africa.

More About Matthiessen

PENN STATE CONNECTION

Rock Ethics Institute

WHERE TO WATCH

Big Ten Network

Monday, January 11 at 3pm
Tuesday, January 12 at 1am

WPSU

Thursday, January 21 at 9pm

ABOUT THE HOST

Veteran interviewer Patty Satalia hosts in-depth conversations with a broad range of remarkable people.

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