testradio

This week on National Geographic Weekend host Boyd Matson speaks with guests about imprisonment in Iran, growing tropical fruit in the mountains of Switzerland, the beautification of the National Mall, growing marijuana in African parks, hanging off of a cliff by your fingertips, penguins in the South Atlantic, outdoor gear for spring, the Great Barrier Reef, and sleeping brains.

HOUR 1

• Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi spent five months in an Iranian prison on charges of espionage and was ruthlessly interrogated and cut off from the outside world. Following international pressure by family, friends, and government officials, she was eventually released on an appeal. Saberi shares the full account of her ordeal in her book, Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran.

• Chef and National Geographic Fellow Barton Seaver talks about his recent trip to Switzerland, and his surprising discovery that the country, famous for its chocolates and watches, is now growing a reputation for its caviar and tropical fruits as well. Seaver explains how a thermal spring is used to grow sturgeon fish and bananas in the Alps.

• The National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a national treasure; but, with all the tourist traffic, it is in need of some serious maintenance. Boyd talks with Susan Spain, who is leading the efforts to revitalize the pathways and green spaces around the monuments.

• This week David Braun, editor of National Geographic Daily News, talks about time travel and growing marijuana in African wildlife parks.

HOUR 2

• A young generation of climbers is pushing the limits in Yosemite National Park. Writer and climber Mark Jenkins discusses this new breed of climbers who climb quickly and without ropes in "Yosemite’s Super Climbers," from the May issue of National Geographic magazine. See extraordinary video of Alex Honnold free climbing in Yosemite.

• Andrew Evans is National Geographic’s digital nomad. A contributor to National Geographic Traveler magazine, Evans travels the world, blogging and tweeting (@wheresAndrew) about his daily adventures. Using photo clues posted by Andrew, readers are encouraged to guess Andrew’s newest location. Evans joins Boyd in the studio to talk about his latest journey.

• National Geographic Adventure’s gear guru, Steve Casimiro, joins Boyd to talk about the must-have outdoor gear that’s hitting stores just in time for spring and summer.

• What do you get when you take David Doubilet, one of the best underwater photographers in the world, and submerse him on the world’s largest coral reef? Some amazing photos, of course, which are showcased in the article, “The Reef’s Greatest Test” in the May issue of National Geographic magazine.

• Did you know that your brain can sleep while you’re awake? Boyd shares some stories of the consequences of sleep deprivation.