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Reader's Corner

Bob Kustra
World War II
Russia
Ukraine
China
Africa
CIA
Colonialism
Donald Trump
Eastern Kentucky
Bill Clinton
Iraq War
Berlin Conference
Colditz
Democracy
Jimmy Lee
Espionage
United States
Saddam Hussein
Abraham Lincoln
Iraq

Welcome to Reader's Corner, a weekly radio show hosted by Boise State University president emeritus Bob Kustra that features lively conversations with some of the nation's leading authors about issues and ideas that matter today.

Support for this podcast comes from Saint Alphonsus Sports Medicine

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes511Founded21 years ago
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BooksArts

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Artwork for Reader's Corner

Latest Episodes

The diversity principle – the idea that people with different backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints produce better

work – was a core tenet of the first modern research university and the inspiration for John Stuart Mill’s classic treatise, On Liber... more

A priceless mask, a beautiful woman, a deadly secret, and a curse if it doesn’t fit

Philip Chandler, a small-town Idaho newspaper reporter and owner of the Fremont Herald, thought he landed a front-page scoop interviewing reclusive gun collector Ern... more

"Dust Child" by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

"The Taiwan Tinderbox: The Island-Nation at the Center of the New Cold War" by J. Michael Cole

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Scott McIntosh
Author of Basin 63 and The Cypriot Mask
Author
Episode: "The Cypriot Mask" by Scott McIntosh
Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Author of The Mountains Sing
Author
Episode: "Dust Child" by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
J. Michael Cole
Author of The Taiwan Tinderbox, The Island-Nation at the Center of the New Cold War
Global Taiwan Institute; McDonald Lawyer Institute; Taiwan Studies Program, University of Nottingham
Episode: "The Taiwan Tinderbox: The Island-Nation at the Center of the New Cold War" by J. Michael Cole
Christine Kuehn
Author of Family of Spies, journalist
Author, Family of Spies
Episode: "Family of Spies" by Christine Kuehn
David Michaels
Author of The Triumph of Doubt, Dark Money and the Science of Deception
George Washington University School of Public Health
Episode: "The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception" by David Michaels
Beth Macy
Author of Paper Girl, journalist
Author, Paper Girl; candidate for US Congress (Roanoke, Virginia)
Episode: “Paper Girl” by Beth Macy
Sasha Vasilyuk
Author of Your Presence is Mandatory
Author
Episode: “Your Presence is Mandatory” by Sasha Vasilyuk
Martha Nussbaum
Author of Justice for Animals, Our Collective Responsibility
University of Chicago, Philosophy and Law
Episode: “Justice for Animals” by Martha C. Nussbaum
Tim Wu
Author of The Age of Extraction; expert on antitrust, technology, and communications law
Columbia Law School; The New York Times (contributor)
Episode: “The Age of Extraction” by Tim Wu

Host

Bob Kustra
Host of Reader's Corner; Boise State University president emeritus with ties to Boise State Public Radio and Boise State Public Radio News.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • One of my favs

    Insightful interviews with a wide range of writers who have great perspectives on history and/or current events. I’ve received some of my best book recommendations from listening to this podcast. But in addition to learning about some quality books, I find the conversations to be quite enlightening and entertaining. Host Bob Kustra does a nice job. Always a treat.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    momreader123
    United States6 years ago
  • Worth Your While

    Simply a great listen about an a wide array of interesting topics -- all explored with care and insight.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AIM-9M
    United States8 years ago
  • Some promise but needs work

    Reader's Corner has a great premise: interview a successful author and thereby encourage us all to read more. That' great. Bob Kustra, the president of Boise State University serves as its host. He generally asks good questions in the first half of each program but then tends to steer the conversation to match his political beliefs. Kustra spent over 35 years in the murky world of Illinois politics before venturing into higher education administration. He should really know better than to ma... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Simbababy
    Australia9 years ago
  • Not worth it

    Kustra is an idiot. If I could buy him for what he's worth and sell him for what he thinks he's worth then maybe I could afford to offer a scholarship to a kid to attend a school that cared more about academics and less about it's football team.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Hyderedsoxfan
    United States10 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, well-structured conversations with credible authors and journalists.
Occasional critiques suggest debates about balance and perspective, but overall appreciation for quality discussions.
Positive focus on deep-dive topics and storytelling around non-fiction and history.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#201
United Kingdom/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception" by David Michaels
Q: What does your book propose to improve transparency and protect public health from these practices?
I advocate for mandatory disclosure of funding sources and conflicts of interest in all scientific communications, stronger data access policies, and regulatory frameworks that rely on the best available independent evidence rather than delayed or cherry-picked findings.
"The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception" by David Michaels
Q: David, how did you come to understand the role of industry-funded research in shaping public policy?
Through decades of observing regulators, industry consultants, and the publishing process, I saw a pattern where sponsors could influence study designs, payment for favorable outcomes, and the timing of releasing results, which in turn affected policy decisions.
“Justice for Animals” by Martha C. Nussbaum
Q: Could you share that with us?
Nussbaum explains that the capabilities approach centers on ensuring that each sentient being has a set of meaningful opportunities to exercise vital life activities appropriate to its nature, rather than ranking animals merely by pain avoidance or likeness to humans.
“The Gales of November” by John U. Bacon (Part II)
Q: Give us an idea of the power of the pressure waves the Fitzgerald faced that night.
The waves were extraordinarily powerful, with 30-foot faces driven by hurricane-force winds; the ship endured repeated battering every four to eight seconds, placing extreme stress on an already overloaded vessel.
“So Far Gone” by Jess Walter
Q: Tell us a little bit about North Idaho and Eastern Washington and how the setting influences the story.
Walter explains that the setting provides a backdrop of beauty and wealth alongside hidden extremist movements, shaping the characters' lives and the novel's tension between safety and threat.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Reader's Corner

What is Reader's Corner about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program features in-depth conversations with leading authors across history, politics, law, science, and culture, often tying big ideas to current events and real-world implications. Episodes frequently center on ethical dilemmas, governance, systemic power, and historical narratives, with guests ranging from philosophers and journalists to novelists and legal scholars. A standout trait is its ability to pair rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics compelling for a broad audience. The show often spotlights how ideas become policy, how history informs today's decisions, and the human stories behind big issues, which can be both enlightening and thought-provoking for listeners who enjoy thoughtful, book-focu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Reader's Corner?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reader's Corner:

1. This American Life
2. Fresh Air
3. Radio Atlantic
4. Stay Tuned with Preet
5. Paper Trail

How many episodes of Reader's Corner are there?

Reader's Corner launched 21 years ago and published 511 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Reader's Corner?

Recent guests on Reader's Corner include:

1. Scott McIntosh
2. Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
3. J. Michael Cole
4. Christine Kuehn
5. David Michaels
6. Beth Macy
7. Sasha Vasilyuk
8. Martha Nussbaum

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