Dave Davies

"I love the way that Texans talk," Wright says. His novel centers on a naïve rancher who lucks into a seat in the state legislature, where he meets lobbyists, veteran politicians and power brokers.

Holes spent more than 20 years investigating crimes in California and played a critical role in identifying the so-called Golden State Killer. His book is Unmasked. Originally broadcast Aug. 10, 2022.

Crudup plays a cynical TV executive in the Apple TV+ The Morning Show, now in its third season. He also stars as a fast-talking salesman in Hello, Tomorrow! Originally broadcast March 20, 2023.

NY Times reporter Alan Blinder says Saudi Arabia poured hundreds of millions into a pro golf circuit to rival the PGA. The two sides recently announced a joint venture, raising anti-trust issues.

Washington Post reporter Laura Meckler tells the story of Shaker Heights, Ohio, a town with high-performing, diverse schools — and also a pronounced achievement gap between white and Black students.

The U.S. used atomic weapons against Japan 78 years ago. We listen back to archival interviews with psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton and journalists Lesley M.M. Blume and Evan Thomas about the decision.

Jay Wellons has operated on kids' brains and spinal cords. He writes about the anguish of losing a patient and the exhilaration of saving a life in All That Moves Us. Originally broadcast July 2022.

Humphrey is remembered for his defense of an unpopular war in Vietnam, but author Sam Freedman says the former mayor of Minneapolis played a critical role in getting Democrats to embrace civil rights.

Olyphant is best known for portraying lawmen in cowboy hats. He reprises the role of deputy U.S. marshal Raylan Givens in the sequel Justified: City Primeval, based on Elmore Leonard's novel.

In his film The League, Sam Pollard tells the story of the Negro National League: "They brought a different kind of style ... a kind of baseball which Major League Baseball is trying to bring back."

Ellsberg died June 16 at age 92. We listen back to a 2017 interview with him, and speak with New York Times correspondent Charlie Savage about Ellsberg's most recent document leak, at age 90.

Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson explains how new laws about teaching race, racism, gender identity and sexuality have created new fears and burdens in schools and classrooms.

Author Evan Thomas tells the story of American leaders wrestling with the terrifying dilemmas of nuclear weapons and of determined Japanese leaders confronting the humiliating prospect of defeat.

Constitutional lawyer Michael Waldman says there's a growing divide between the electorate and the Court: "the country is moving in one direction ... the Court is moving fast in another direction."

John Vercher trained in mixed martial arts as a young man. His novel, After the Lights Go Out, centers on a veteran MMA fighter who struggles to remember things. Originally broadcast June 28, 2022.

As controversy swirls around the benefits Thomas and his wife Ginni received from a conservative billionaire, filmmaker Michael Kirk examines the couple's path to power in a new PBS documentary.

From excessive hygiene to low-fiber diets, author Theresa MacPhail explores the deep-rooted causes of rising allergy rates in her new book Allergic.

She was about 3 years old and had stuck raisins up her nose — but she made her mom laugh so she calls it a win. The Veep star plays a writer whose husband hates her new novel in You Hurt My Feelings.

Psychologist James Jackson says people with long COVID experience impaired brain function and mental health issues. He offers some practical advice and support in his new book, Clearing the Fog.

Journalist James Risen tells the story of Sen. Frank Church, who exposed the dirty laundry of the CIA and the FBI nearly 50 years ago, and inspired congressional oversight of intelligence agencies.