Tell Me More

Like many parents, Judy Avrin didn't fully understand the gravity of bulimia, until she lost her daughter Melissa. To help shed light on the disorder, Avrin helped make a documentary inspired by her daughter's journal entries. Avrin speaks with guest host Jacki Lyden about the film Someday Melissa.

Recent reports highlight GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum's connections with the Catholic group Opus Dei. Critics say the group has an extreme agenda, others say it simply has a strong mission. Guest host Jacki Lyden takes a look at the group's influence on American political culture with John Allen, author of the 2005 book Opus Dei.

Rick Santorum's ties to the Catholic group Opus Dei have been recently highlighted in news reports. Guest host Jacki Lyden continues the conversation about Opus Dei with long-time member, John Coverdale. They discuss the role of religion in politics and address claims that the group promotes a conservative political agenda.

Guest host Jacki Lyden and Editor Ammad Omar take a look at listener feedback and updates on stories covered on the program. One listener said he was angered by a conversation on rhododendrons, so they go to two of the nation's top experts for answers. Also, African leaders turn up the pressure on military officers who have staged a coup in Mali.

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JACKI LYDEN, HOST:

I'm Jacki Lyden and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Michel Martin is away today. Now it's time for our weekly visit to the Barber Shop, where the guys talk about what's in the news and what's on their minds.

And sitting in the chairs for a shape-up this week are freelance journalist Jimi Izrael. He joins us from Cleveland. Hello, Jimi.

JIMI IZRAEL: Hey, Jacki. How you doing?

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MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. We are continuing our conversation about this very emotional case that has sparked so much discussion around the country. We're talking about the killing of 17 year old Trayvon Martin.

Trayvon Martin's death has put a spotlight on Florida's "stand your ground" law. The American Legislative Exchange Council uses that law as a model and encourages other states to adopt it. Host Michel Martin speaks with Lisa Graves of the progressive watchdog Center for Media and Democracy. She says ALEC is fueled by corporate interests.

A few years ago, the Houston native left his job in corporate America to pursue his musical dreams. This year, Brian Courtney Wilson's sophomore album, So Proud, debuted at number one on Billboard's Gospel Albums chart. He tells host Michel Martin that he prays that God continues to reveal the music his listeners can lean on.

Jasmin Darznik is the daughter of an Iranian mother and European father. She grew up in California, knowing very little about her family's past in Iran.

That changed one day when Darznik found an old photograph of her mother, Lili, as a child bride. She was standing beside a groom who was not Darznik's father.

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JACKI LYDEN, HOST:

And now to matters of personal finance. How much do you pay to maintain your 401(k)? The question may seem trivial, but according to the AARP, the average American has no idea how much they pay in management fees for that retirement fund or that they're even paying management fees at all.

It's estimated, though, that brokers and banks make anywhere from $30 billion to $60 billion a year in 401(k) fees. That's led to an outcry by some consumer advocates who say there needs to be more disclosure about why banks charge for this service.