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The Roundtable

Peter Steiner

The Roundtable

WAMC's The Roundtable is an award-winning, nationally recognized eclectic talk program. The show airs from 9 a.m. to noon each weekday and features news, interviews, in-depth discussion, music, and much (much) more! Hosted by Joe Donahue , The Roundtable tackles serious and lighthearted subjects, looking to explore the many facets of the human condition with civility, respect and responsibility.

The show's hallmark is thoughtful interviews with A-list newsmakers, authors, artists, sports figures, actors, and people with interesting stories to tell. Since hitting the airwaves May 1, 2000, The Roundtable's hosts have interviewed the likes of Arthur Miller, Kurt Vonnegut, Maya Angelou, Madeleine Albright, Jimmy Carter, John McCain, Bob Dole, Steve Martin, James Taylor, Stephen King, Melissa Etheridge, Carol Burnett, David Henry Hwang, Lin-Manuel Miranda and lots of other really cool people. Plus, Wilco does our theme song. What more can you ask for?

If you would like to be on the show email us at roundtable@wamc.org. Send your comments or questions for The Roundtable Panel to panel@wamc.org

The Roundtable is also available as a podcast.

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  • The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are:The Reverend Peter Cook - Principal, Faith in the Public Square and Co-Principal of The Religious Nationalisms Project.Allison Kavey is a full professor in the History Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY).Catherine Tan is an Associate Professor in the department of sociology at Vassar College. Her research is on health, wellness, and medical knowledge.Donna Welton - Diplomat in Residence at Bard College. She retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2025 after over 30 years in public service. Her last post was ambassador to the SE Asian country, Timor-Leste.
  • The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are:Robert Griffin - Dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany.Bill Hammond is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute whose work focuses primarily on health-care policy.Jay Jochnowitz - Editor at large/columnist/editorial writer, Times Union.Judy Patrick - Former Vice President for Editorial Development at the New York Press Association and former editor of 'The Daily Gazette.' She was with that paper for over 40-years before retiring in 2023.
  • This week's Book Picks comes from Cheryl McKeon from The Book House in Albany and Marketblock Books in Troy.
  • The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are:Jackie Berry - Lecturer of Cognitive Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and former Fulbright US Scholar to Egypt.JP Miller The Empire Report’s.Robert Pondiscio - Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
  • Tony Award Winner Bill Irwin returns to Broadway (and to Moliere) with his new adaptation of ‘The Imaginary Invalid,’ a comedy about money, medicine, and marital mayhem.Perpetual patient Argan obsesses over his health and aliments; he schemes to marry of his daughter (Angelique) to a doctor to save on his medical bills. But she has a totally different life in mind. With an ensemble directed by Broadway veteran Brandon J. Dirden, this funny production is but to prove that real life is what happens while you and your family are making other plans.Ava Lalezarzadeh is starring as Angelique in the play ‘The Imaginary Invalid’ at The Roundabout Theatre in NYC through November 22nd. You can go to roundabouttheatre.org for more information.
  • The 11th annual event to benefit both the residents of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region as well as people in need in the greater Capital Region, is coming to Troy on Thursday, November 5th.“Brava!” a fundraiser that will provide new bras to those in need, will be held at The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy from 6 - 8:30 p.m.
  • The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are:Libby Post - Political Consultant and lobbyist.Kathy Sheehan - Former Mayor of the City of Albany.Jonathan Becker - Acting President of Bard College; Professor of Political Studies; Executive Director, Center for Civic Engagement & Vice Chancellor of Global Higher Education Alliance for the 2Ist Century.
  • Albany Symphony Orchestra presents 'Passion & Power: Brahms and Egar' which will feature Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 and Elgar’s Cello Concerto that bring poignancy, power, and warmth to a November night, complemented by the world premiere of a new work by up-and-coming composer Sam Wu, who draws inspiration from science, design, and the cosmos. Sterling Elliot will play the cello.There will be two performances: The first will be at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday November 7th at 3:00pm and 7:30 pm. Then on Sunday November 8th at Universal Preservation Hall at 3:00 pm.
  • The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are:Heather Mulligan - CEO of The Business Council of New York State.Aaron Pacitti - Siena University Professor of Economics.Kathy Sheehan - Former Mayor of the City of Albany.We are also joined by Mark D'Angelo, Dylan Pachter, and Rojan Javaheri. Who are Economics majors from Siena University's Federal Reserve Challenge team.
  • Sam Tallent is a comedian, novelist, and host of the 'Chubby Behemoth' podcast, best known for his debut novel, 'Running the Light.' His new novel, 'Brut,' turns to the world of international crime.Robert “Beauj” Beaujolais is an ex-Marine and contract killer whose botched job in San Francisco sends him to Paris, where he’s ordered to assassinate Europe’s last remaining Mafia godfather. What begins as a violent thriller becomes a deeper exploration of love, loss, identity, and the possibility of redemption.
  • Klezmer-On-Hudson is a community-centered cultural series celebrating the past, present, and future of Yiddish life in the Hudson Valley. Through music and dance, language and literature, film and food, we create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the richness of Yiddish life.Klezmer-On-Hudson welcomes lifelong practitioners, those reconnecting with family heritage, and anyone who is curious to learn a new folk tradition. We begin the conversation with the November 8th showing of the film, 'Shttl,' at The Ritz Theatre in Newburgh.
  • The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are:Theresa Bourgeois - Public policy and communications expert. Allison Kavey is a full professor in the History Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY).Catherine Tan is an Associate Professor in the department of sociology at Vassar College. Her research is on health, wellness, and medical knowledge.