Welcome to Talking Culture! In this weekly interview series from 97.9 The Hill WCHL, you’ll hear from writers, performers, musicians and individuals involved in advancing and promoting cultural arts in our community.
Talking Culture is proudly sponsored by Duke Arts. Duke Arts Presents “Music NEAR the Gardens, The Pinhook Edition,” a special edition of Duke’s long running summer concert series, Music in the Gardens. This five concert series celebrating The Pinhook’s legacy in the local music scene, runs every Wednesday at 7:00 PM from May 28th to June 25th at Duke’s East Campus. Full schedule at DukeArts.org.
This week, Aaron welcomes UNC historian Molly Worthen, whose new book examines the history of charismatic leaders in the U.S. It’s called “Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump.”
Click here to order a copy of the book, which comes out May 27.
While Worthen does spend some time on charismatic politicians, it’s actually religious charisma that draws much of her attention – including the leaders of numerous movements that are largely forgotten now, but galvanized thousands, even millions, in their time. But what makes someone a ‘charismatic’ leader – and what is it about their followers that draw them to those movements in the first place? Worthen says the details may change from movement to movement, but there are a number of common threads.
Molly Worthen will discuss “Spellbound” at Flyleaf Books at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, in conversation with Frank Bruni. Click here to register for that event.
97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com are your headquarters for local news and local voices in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Every weekday morning, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chats with government officials, UNC scholars, business and nonprofit leaders, area musicians, and others in our community as they share their thoughts, their experience, and their expertise on the central issues of today. Click here to listen back to all of Aaron’s conversations – and tune in to “This Morning with Aaron Keck” at 7:30 a.m. on 97.9 The Hill to hear those conversations live.
Listen:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe:
Related Stories
‹
Art's Angle: The Eras Tour for UNC FootballWith UNC football embarking on its newest head coaching era this season, Art Chansky reviews the program's modern history.
Talking Culture: 'Art Above Everything' with Stephanie Elizondo GriestAaron welcomes Stephanie Elizondo Griest, whose new book "Art Above Everything" explores what it is that makes art worth sacrificing for.
With 'Native Nations,' UNC's Kathleen DuVal Shifts Narratives, Wins PulitzerUNC historian Kathleen DuVal has won the Pulitzer Prize for her book "Native Nations: A Millennium in North America."
UNC Historian, Author Earns 2025 Pulitzer for Book on Native American CommunitiesHistory professor and author Kathleen DuVal — who has taught and researched at the Chapel Hill campus since 2003 — saw her latest book, “Native Nations: A Millennium in North America," named a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for history.
Broadcaster Jim Lampley Talks About the Luck, Timing and Moments that Led to Book, 'It Happened!'Sports broadcaster Jim Lampley joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss how his first book "It Happened!" came together and themes throughout it.
Talking Culture: The Uncensored Story of Lollapalooza, with Richard BienstockAaron welcomes music journalist (and local resident) Richard Bienstock, who's just co-authored a book on the history of Lollapalooza.
'Priceless Gems' from UNC's History, Now on Display at Wilson LibrarySome of the most famous and storied artifacts in UNC's history are now on display at Wilson Library, in an exhibit called "Priceless Gems."
![]()
Oh, the Humanities: 'Uncovering Truth Through Songwriting' with Jess KleinSinger/songwriter Jess Klein joins Aaron to discuss her upcoming talk at Flyleaf Books, about "Uncovering Truth Through Songwriting."
Award-Winning Historian, Former UNC Professor William Leuchtenburg Dies at 102William E. Leuchtenburg, a renowned U.S. history professor and UNC professor emeritus, died Tuesday at his home in Chapel Hill.
Orange County Communities Grapple with Post-Election AnxietyLocal people and organizations have responded in a range of different ways to the widespread anxiety about last week's election results.
›
