Episodes
Episode 1
September 21, 2025
A new mural for St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Priscilla Presley on her memoir about life after Elvis; actor Dwayne Johnson on “The Smashing Machine”; singer Doja Cat; webcams in the wild; the 1954 Supreme Court ruling to end segregation; and an appreciation of Robert Redford.
Episode 2
September 28, 2025
The friendship between the Unabomber’s brother and one of his victims; Jennifer Lopez on “Kiss of the Spider Woman”; Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter on Broadway in “Waiting for Godot”; Eli Sharabi, who was held hostage by Hamas terrorists for 491 days; the ‘60s British rock group The Zombies; and previews of arts and culture in the New Season.
Episode 3
October 5, 2025
Students react to cellphone bans in schools; Daniel Day-Lewis and son Ronan Day-Lewis on their film “Anemone”; singer Miley Cyrus; singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens; responses to arrests by ICE agents; and how AI is being developed in military aircraft.
Episode 4
October 12, 2025
America’s spirit of innovation; Jeremy Allen White, starring as The Boss in “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”; Donnie Wahlberg, returning in the “Blue Bloods” spinoff “Boston Blue”; Katheryn Bigelow on her new nuclear thriller “A House of Dynamite”; former Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court today; and “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening.
Episode 5
October 19, 2025
Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s posthumous memoir; actor Tim Curry; Ben Stiller’s documentary about his parents, Jerry Stiller & Anne Meara; children’s video entertainer Ms. Rachel; AI-generated art; a library that straddles the U.S.-Canada border; and millions march in the “No Kings” rallies.
Episode 6
October 26, 2025
Combatting phobias; Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom; country superstar Kenny Chesney; “Frankenstein” director Guillermo del Toro; Ford CEO Jim Farley; Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and an avid long-distance runner; and a Colorado town’s celebration of tarantulas.
Episode 7
November 2, 2025
Ken Burns' "The American Revolution"; George Clooney on "Jay Kelly"; author Salman Rushie on "The Eleventh Hour"; the high cost of childcare; the Trump administration's pressures on universities; pianist Adam Tendler; and watch auctioneer Aurel Bacs.
Episode 8
November 9, 2025
Research in early-onset Alzheimer's, "Landman" star Billy Bob Thornton, "Hamnet" actress Jessie Buckley, the psychic wounds of returning World War II veterans, a U.S. flag collector, Faith Salie on the Internet meme "6-7," and bonsai fall foliage.
Episode 9
November 16, 2025
The boom in online prediction markets; Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy; William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson; when workers are pushed into homelessness; "Wicked" composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz; and Walter Isaacson on the Declaration of Independence.
Episode 10
November 23, 2025
Jane Pauley hosts our annual "Food Issue." Featured: Comfort foods, protein-enhanced foods, a Maine cafe that supports local journalism, Korean fried chicken, sauerkraut, charcuterie, what presidents ate, a cookbook of gravestone recipes, and heartwarming tales that feed the soul. Also: Broadway star Lea Michele ("Chess: The Musical").
Episode 11
November 30, 2025
Blind rock climber Jesse Dufton; actress Amanda Seyfried; "Avatar: Fire and Ash" director James Cameron; Metallica's philanthropy; Aix-en-Provence celebrates Paul Cézanne; Architectural Digest; and Nancy Giles gets tips on leftovers.
Episode 12
December 7, 2025
AI-generated actors; a family's history of Nazi espionage; Colonel Tom Parker, manager of Elvis Presley; actor Ethan Hawke; novelist Jan Karon; and tech gift ideas from Techno Claus.
Episode 13
December 14, 2025
Christmas songs; Jane Austen at 250; Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, stars of "Song Sung Blue"; Jason Sudeikis and the Steps of Faith Foundation; the Made in America Holiday Gift Guide; American workers laid off; and Bûche de Noël cakes, a French holiday tradition.
The sublime perfection of Raphael
December 21, 2025
The town that inspired "It's a Wonderful Life"; Sean Ono Lennon on his parents' legacy; the a capella group Pentatonix; a New Mexico monastery; remembering Rob Reiner; and the Rockettes
Episode 15
December 28, 2025
"Hail and Farewell," our annual tribute to those we lost in 2025; the best underreported good news stories of the year; artist Thomas McKean, whose medium is New York City Transit MetroCards; a Gingerbread City exhibit in London; and a brand-new centerpiece for the Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop
Episode 16
January 4, 2026
Hosted by Lee Cowan. Featured: Reconstruction a year after the California wildfires; On the set of "The Pitt"; "Sinners" star Michael B. Jordan; A look back at NYC Mayor Fiorello La Guardia; and Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel with advice on living a longer, happier life.
Episode 17
January 11, 2026
Health insurers' denial of coverage; Oprah Winfrey on her new book about weight loss; Carrie Coon and Tracy Letts; German artist Anselm Kiefer; and the surprising history of the Monroe Doctrine.
Episode 18
January 18, 2026
Year Two of the Trump presidency; Judd Apatow on Mel Brooks; actor Stellan Skarsgård; artist Theaster Gates; making history in the civil rights era; and the Highpointers Club.
Episode 19
January 25, 2026
"The Righteous Among the Nations" who rescued Jews during the Holocaust; supermodel Lauren Hutton; Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro; accusations against the Falun Gong dance troupe Shen Yun; and the new artistic director at Chanel.
Episode 20
February 1, 2026
Olympic figure skater Ilia Malinin; author and podcaster Mel Robbins; Jeff Tweedy of Wilco; folk singer Jesse Welles; TV theme songs; and an Arkansas family on black bear hunting.
Episode 21
February 8, 2026
We explore the art and science of kissing; examine why the quarterback is one of the toughest positions; go inside the Westminster Dog Show; and chat with Don Henley about the Eagles' remarkable journey.
Episode 22
February 15, 2026
Gisèle Pelicot discusses her mass rape trial; singer Paul Anka; sports commentator Stephen A. Smith; actor Jacob Elordi; Washington's Crossing of the Delaware; and Fettuccine Alfredo.
Episode 23
February 22, 2026
The threat of polio's return; Oscar-nominee Rose Byrne; reporter Seymour Hersh; Norah O'Donnell on heroines of American history; and the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Episode 24
March 1, 2026
A memorial to Operation Desert Storm; Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei; Dana White, the head of UFC; Jack Schlossberg; composer Marc Shaiman; and an digital art exhibit in the Arizona desert.
Episode 25
March 8, 2026
Hosted by Lee Cowan. Featured: The first 50 years of Apple; Viola Davis and co-writer James Patterson; "NCIS"; the persistence of hunger in America; former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein; and the art of picture frames.
Episode 26
March 15, 2026
Hosted by Mo Rocca. Featured: Hollywood, the Dream Factory; "Peaky Blinders" actor Cillian Murphy; Marc Jacobs and Sofia Coppola; John Mayer and McG preserve a Hollywood landmark; a Russian schoolteacher's resistance documented in "Mr. Nobody Against Putin"; and a tribute to documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.
Episode 27
March 22, 2026
The popular iNaturalist app; removing signs from national parks; Lisa Kudrow on "The Comeback"; Senator Cory Booker; chef Ruthie Rogers; and a look back at TV comedy legend Sid Caesar.
Episode 28
March 29, 2026
Emma Tsurkov, whose sister was held captive by a terrorist group in Iraq for 903 days; Michael Jordan; new musical, "Cats: The Jellicle Ball"; Mr. Flower Fantastic; actress Olivia Munn (TV series, "Your Friends and Neighbors"); negotiations to end the war with Iran; Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
Episode 29
April 5, 2026
The Vatican's Mosaic Studio; a fight over history at West Bank archaeological sites; Dan Levy on his new series "Big Mistakes"; the creative talents behind "Hacks"; the latest on the Artemis II lunar mission; the works of Renaissance artist Raphael; and the beauty of moss.
The Money Issue
April 12, 2026
Obstacles to home ownership; fighting health insurance denials; Chinese EVs; opposition to AI data centers; American Girl dolls; skin care mogul Scarlett Johansson; roller coasters; the popularity of bingo!; and is your phone eavesdropping on you?
Episode 31
April 19, 2026
The purge of immigration judges; seeking accountability in trucking accidents; Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri on Broadway; portraitist Michael Shane Neal; the legacy of woodworker George Nakashima; an operatic car salesman; and Earth Day stories of advances in sustainability.
Episode 32
April 26, 2026
America's adversarial relationship with Cuba; singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves; Rep. Jim Clyburn; reviving a Welsh soccer town; tree lovers; artist Jenny Saville; and rescuing Venus fly traps.
Episode 33
May 3, 2026
The effects of overtourism; horse therapy; a tool to help keep dementia in check; Sting on "The Last Ship"; a golf journalist takes over a failing golf course; a Mozart exhibition; and collecting PEZ dispensers.
Episode 34
May 10, 2026
The Supreme Court ushers in a new era of gerrymandering; the legacy of CBS News Radio; motherless daughters; comedian Martin Short; rebuilding L.A.; remembering Ted Turner; and Martha Stewart prepares a Mother's Day breakfast.
By Design
May 17, 2026
Tiny homes in your backyard; Louis Vuitton; Adobe house construction; Finland's Marimekko; domino art; Philadelphia food favorites; chandeliers; Longwood Gardens; rare maps; and director Jon Favreau of "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
Episode 36
May 24, 2026
Hosted by Lee Cowan. Concours d'LeMons, Iranian propaganda, Patti LaBelle.
Episode 37
May 31, 2026
Marilyn Monroe at 100; former first lady Jill Biden; children detained at the ICE facility in Dilley, Texas; living "books" at The Human Library; pickleball superstar Anna Leigh Waters; and the Undercroft beneath the Lincoln Memorial opens to the public.
Episode 38
June 7, 2026
La Sagrada Familia, the world largest unfinished Catholic church; Disclosure Day director Steven Spielberg; Broadway musical Ragtime; AI's effects on the job market; honey tasting; GLP-1s; Queen Elizabeth II's wardrobe; the legacy of composer George M. Cohan
Episode 39
June 14, 2026
The lack of obesity in Japan; Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance; former child star Bill Mumy; the past and future of the Houston Astrodome; a time capsule for America's 500th birthday; and soccer art made with gum wrappers.
Episode 40
June 21, 2026
Hosted by Lee Cowan. Birthright citizenship; the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library unveiled; Shooter Jennings releases recordings by his father, Waylon Jennings; comedian John Mulaney; childhood obesity; and the secrets of seahorses and seadragons.
America at 250
June 28, 2026
The Founding Fathers; driving historic Route 66; the Essential American Songbook; a melting pot of cuisine; the ERA; the transcontinental railroad; fireworks; and Larry David's skewed take on American history.
Episode 42
July 5, 2026
The military newspaper Star and Stripes, actor J.K. Simmons, "Little House on the Prairie" returns to screens, Founding Father Thomas Paine, a visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon, and hifi listening bars.
Episode 43
July 12, 2026
Hosted by Tracy Smith. The only successful coup in U.S. history; Behind the scenes of "The Pitt"; Trump's monumental reimagining of Washington, D.C.; singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams; "Take Me Home, Country Roads"; and a Tuscany tradition: wine barrel races.
Episode 44
July 19, 2026
Hosted by Lee Cowan. What's the matter with Congress?; singer Shania Twain; special grass for the World Cup; "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe"; a federal judge discusses working with progressive multiple sclerosis; steel artist Carol Bove; and Ted Danson on aging creatively.
Episode 45
July 26, 2026
Hosted by Mo Rocca. Aging in rural America; compromises to food safety; supermodel and actress Lauren Hutton; singer Corinne Bailey Rae; artist Derrick Adams; worm grunting; and how plants are affected by touch.
The Money Issue
August 2, 2026
Obstacles to home ownership; fighting health insurance denials; Chinese EVs; opposition to AI data centers; American Girl dolls; skin care mogul Scarlett Johansson; roller coasters; the popularity of Bingo!; and is your phone eavesdropping on you?
Episode 47
August 9, 2026
Hosted by Seth Doane. Saving a candlepin bowling alley; THC tests jeopardize young mothers; writer Gay Talese; actor Tim Curry; protecting the habitat of Venus fly traps; and the world's largest truck stop.
Episode 48
August 16, 2026
Weather becoming more extreme; Rahm Emanuel; The Eagles' Don Henley; ex-Amish, now social media creator Lovina Zook; trophy bull riding belt buckles; the iNaturalist app; and the long and short of short pants.
Episode 49
August 23, 2026
Hosted by Steve Hartman. Featured: The explosion of tick bites and Alpha-gal syndrome; singer Kenny Chesney; botanist and bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer; origami artist Robert Lang; one artist's very quirky home; an iconic photo of Harlem jazz legends; and a retirement home for musicians in Milan.
By Design
August 30, 2026
Tiny homes in your backyard; Louis Vuitton; Adobe house construction; Finland's Marimekko; domino art; Philadelphia food favorites; chandeliers; Longwood Gardens; and rare maps. Also: A tribute to Dolly Parton.
Episode 51
September 6, 2026
Communities changed by the terrorist attacks on 9/11; actor Robert De Niro (movie, "The Whisper Man"); seeking the world's best hamburger in Japan; journalist Gloria Steinem; postpartum psychosis
Episode 52
September 13, 2026
America's missile arsenal; Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on the development of AI; fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg; testing the ethical boundaries of surrogacy; uncovering a Holocaust survival story; the allure of shipwrecks; and the annual Pumpkin Festival in Morton, Ill.
