Watching America WHRO Public Media

Known as one of the greatest entertainers in movie history, Charlie Chaplin rose to fame in the silent films of the nineteen-hundreds, and created one of the most iconic characters ever seen on the screen. But his career was derailed after being caught in the crossfire of political turmoil and mired in scandal. As a result, he was exiled from the U-S during the post-war Red Scare. On today's final installment of Watching America, best-selling Hollywood biographer and film historian Scott Eyman takes us behind the scenes of the tumultuous life of this famed cinematic genius. We’ll explore Chaplin’s politics, his controversies, and the relentless pursuit of his artistic vision.

Looking for a new start? Want to begin some new habits? It turns out science can help you get from where you are to where you want to be. Award-winning Wharton Professor Katy Milkman is a trailblazer in behavioral science. She has devoted her career to the study of behavior change exploring ways that insights from economics and psychology can be harnessed to change consequential behaviors for good, such as financial habits, exercise, student achievement, and discrimination. To that end, she co-founded and co-directs the Behavior Change for Good Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also the author of the bestselling book “How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.” In this interview with Dr. Alan Campbell, she shares her proven strategies to overcome obstacles, conquer procrastination, and finally achieve your goals. https://www.katymilkman.com

The last time Clancy Martin tried to kill himself was in his basement with a dog leash. It was one of over 10 suicide attempts throughout the course of his life. Yet, he survived — as he had numerous times before. Martin is a prolific author and a professor of philosophy. His research covers the ethics of social and behavioral health, especially in the areas of suicide prevention and the treatment of addiction. In his new book, “How Not to Kill Yourself,” Martin chronicles his multiple suicide attempts in an intimate depiction of the mindset of someone obsessed with self-destruction.

From the Tudors to the Windsors - intrigue, scandals, and power took center stage within the halls of the magnificent and breathtaking Hampton Court Palace. This week author Gareth Russell takes us through 500 years of history in the palace that was home to such significant events as the commissioning of King James’s version of the Bible, the staging of many of Shakespeare’s plays, and Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation ball. We explore the riveting ups and downs of royal happenings, the exciting victories, the personal tragedies and the historical significance.

From his early days in photography capturing President Eisenhower to the gripping tales of Native American lives in "The Divided Trail" and the environmental masterpiece "Chasing Ice," filmmaker Jerry Aronson has had an illustrious career. Aronson has been capturing the stories of others since age 15. One of his best-known films is “The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg,” a winner of the International Documentary Association Award in 1993, a finalist for a Peabody award, as well as over 250 national and international awards and screenings. This week, he joins Dr. Alan Campbell to share about his extraordinary career and the challenges and triumphs that shaped his remarkable journey in the world of filmmaking. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most impactful documentaries in cinematic history.

Take a trip to London, England. Host (and native Brit) Alan Campbell took a trip "across the pond" to visit the home of Benjamin Franklin, Jimi Hendrix's flat, and the reconstructed Globe Theatre where actor and director Sam Wanamaker labored for years. We hear stories from historians and tour guides about why these gentleman fell in love with London and what they accomplished there. This episode of Watching America originally aired September 2022, soon after the passing of Queen Elizabeth.