Interview with Elizabeth Baker Keffer Elizabeth Baker Keffer is the Publisher of The Atlantic Monthly and a staunch supporter of the American Legacy Foundation®. Soon to celebrate the magazine's 150th anniversary, Ms. Keffer kindly granted us an interview: Q. As Publisher of The Atlantic Monthly, what makes for a compelling story? The Atlantic is on the verge of celebrating its 150th anniversary—one of the original American magazines. Our history has been to cover the range of issues attached to America growing up as a nation. In the six years since the magazine was acquired by a new owner (David Bradley), however, we have been intent on writing more to the news and national/global events—politics, globalization, the advance of technology, conflict abroad. As a monthly, we're not breaking news, but we're trying to ''reframe'' it in a way that offers our readers perspective and new thinking. For us, a compelling story is one that allows us to add a different dimension or approach that moves American thinking forward on a topic that matters. Q. Since your arrival at The Atlantic Monthly, the publication has thrived. How do you make the magazine culturally relevant for your readers? We dedicate about a quarter of our edit pages to pure culture, in two sections that close the magazine, ''Books and Critics'' and ''Pursuits and Retreats.'' Our Books section covers the newest releases, with thoughtful and provocative commentary. The Pursuits section features pieces in each issue on Travel, Food and Wine, Technology, Commerce/Consumption and New Media. Together, these sections offer smart commentary on the ''passion points'' of our readers—not a buyer's guide, but commentary that evaluates, teaches and challenges, with a broader frame of American life, values and consumption. Q. The Atlantic Monthly has shared a rewarding partnership with Legacy. Do you feel media outlets have an obligation to tell the public about the harms of smoking? It's difficult to put all of media under one charter, since each publication/property/outlet has a different readership, focus and editorial mission. Collectively, though, I think that the media has a general responsibility to cover issues that impact society and health, to ensure that individual, government and corporate decisions are well informed. Q. Do you have any personal connection to the issue of smoking and tobacco related illness? My mother was a smoker throughout my childhood and teen years. I saw her try to quit—over and over—always returning to it. It was terrible and trying to watch, especially as she gave up the cessation fight—embarrassed, sneaking cigarettes, not owning up to her inability to be able to stop. She had the added encouragement/pressure of a husband and an oldest son who were physicians, constantly reminding her of the dangers and long-term health effects of smoking, but without success for decades. She finally went off cigarettes for good after a major health scare and hospitalization in her early 50s. Q. Did you ever smoke? If so, when did you quit and what motivated you to do so? I'm happy to say that I never smoked. I managed to make it through the junior high/high school/college years when many of my peers took up smoking. Looking back, I think that my commitment to competitive athletics (I played on four varsity teams throughout high school—field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball) kept me away from tobacco at the most vulnerable years. Q. What advice would you give to people who smoke and want to quit? That they should seek the help of others to try to maintain their resolve. Breaking this habit is incredibly difficult, and it's best done with support, guidance, and professional advice. Group support programs can help, as can family members and one's community of friends can also help.