Martin Luther King Jr. would be inspired by today's activism, author says Heather McGhee, author of 2021's The Sum of Us, discusses the economic cost of racism, the importance of community organizing and the "zero-sum lie" that progress for some means loss for others. Tonya Mosley
Julian Barnes says he's enjoying himself, but that 'Departure(s)' is his last book Part memoir and part fiction, Barnes' hybrid novel publishes the day after his 80th birthday. He's been living with a rare form of blood cancer for six years. Terry Gross
Poet Amanda Gorman on her work, 'For Renee Nicole Good' Poet Amanda Gorman wrote a poem for Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE officer this week. Gorman reads her poem and speaks on its meaning. Jordan-Marie Smith
'The God of the Woods' novelist Liz Moore describes the rare 'flow state' of writing Moore says writing is mostly hard labor, but "2% of the time, usually at the very beginning of a book and the very end of a book, it feels like flying." She's the author of Long Bright River. Dave Davies
'American Reich' author details a national surge in bigotry and white supremacy Journalist Eric Lichtblau says President Trump's incendiary rhetoric has stoked a "new age of hate." His book centers on a murder committed by a young neo-Nazi in Orange County, Calif. Dave Davies
What does U.S. history tell us about what's unfolding in Venezuela? What does history tell us about U.S. actions in Venezuela? NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Stephen Kinzer, author of the book, "Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq." Steve Inskeep
One year later, 'Firestorm' investigates the systems that failed during the LA Fires Journalist Jacob Soboroff says covering the wildfires was the most important assignment he's ever undertaken. His new book offers a minute-by-minute account of the catastrophe. Tonya Mosley
'Live to see the Day' explores what drives people to chase impossible goals NPR's A Martinez speaks with journalist Mark Medley about his new book, "Live to see the Day," an exploration of people motivated by nearly impossible goals. A Martínez
What being around death taught this hospital chaplain about life J.S. Park helps patients and their families cope with death every day as a hospital chaplain. He explains what to expect as a person is dying, and how to reckon with uncomfortable feelings about death. Malaka Gharib
Just because she won a Nobel doesn't mean Malala didn't break some rules in college In 2014, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person to win a Nobel Prize. In Finding My Way, she writes about her life at Oxford and beyond. Originally broadcast Oct. 21, 2025. Tonya Mosley
