Tell Me More

The movie The Avengers broke box office records this weekend. That's just one sign of the growing interest in comic book heroes, science fiction, and other fantasy genres. Host Michel Martin speaks with writer George Gonzalez about covering a recent convention for die-hard fantasy fans.

Auma Obama, President Obama's half-sister, discusses their relationship, and what his rise has meant to the Obama family in Kenya. Host Michel Martin speaks with Auma Obama about her recently released memoir, And Then Life Happens.

Chicago Pastor Corey Brooks spent three months living on the rooftop of an abandoned motel near his church. He was raising money to tear down the building because it had become a magnet for crime. Pastor Brooks met his goal. For Tell Me More's series "In Your Ear," Brooks shares the songs that helped him endure his rooftop residence.

Tell Me More has reached out to people of faith, nearly every Friday, to hear how religion and spirituality affects our everyday lives. These guests have come from all different traditions, backgrounds, and generations, including those who reject organized religion.

For a special fifth anniversary installment of "Faith Matters," host Michel Martin invites faith leaders to reflect on the past five years, and offer their blessings for the next five years.

Tell Me More has regularly reached out to people of faith to hear how religion and spirituality affects our everyday lives. As host Michel Martin wraps up celebrations for the program's 5th anniversary, faith leaders of different traditions, backgrounds and generations offer their blessings for the next five years.

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(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

So, we might have mentioned one or two or maybe even three times, that this program turned five this week, but we can't help it. Turning five is a big deal. The program launched on April 30th, 2007. And not to put too fine a point on it, it was a tough environment for both print and broadcast. So, yes, we've been celebrating our birthday all this week. And unfortunately, like all good things, the on-air party is coming to an end, at least until we celebrate our sixth birthday next year.

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin, and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News.

It's time for our Friday features. And in Faith Matters, we decided, in honor of our fifth anniversary on the air, to ask five faith leaders from around the country to offer some words of encouragement. That's later in the program.

But first, to what has become one of our signature segments over the past five years: the Barbershop. That's where the guys talk about what's in the news and what's on their minds. Normally, we conclude every Friday's show with a shop visit.

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin, and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News.

Coming up, after five years on the air, we decided to ask some of our previous guests in Faith Matters for their reflections on the future. That's in just a few minutes.

But first, we continue our Barber Shop roundtable. Our guests are freelance journalist Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, columnist Mario Loyola and, in his first Barbershop appearance, the former attorney general of the United States, Alberto Gonzales.

News recently broke that New Orleans Saints' coaches were giving bonuses to their players for hard hits. The NFL responded by suspending coaches and now, players. The sports world was also shocked by the apparent suicide of Junior Seau, who played for the San Diego Chargers. Host Michel Martin talks with sports reporters Dave Zirin and Pablo Torre.

On Wednesday, several people were charged in the alleged hazing death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, Jr. He was found unresponsive aboard a chartered bus after a football game in November 2011. Host Michel Martin speaks with Orlando Sentinel reporter Denise-Marie Balona.