Category

History

History, Nature, Non Fiction, Science

Mar 18: Metamorphosis with Professor Oren Harman

March 18, 2026

From butterflies to art & the meditation of a father-to-be, how metamorphosis informs us about ourselves, change, & interconnectedness

Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History with Professor Oren Harman

Professor Oren Harman‘s latest book, Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History, tackles one of biology’s oldest and most wondrous riddles: Why do three-quarters of all animal species on earth undergo some form of metamorphosis?

Part science history, part memoir, part philosophy, and part meditation of a father-to-be, the stories in Metamorphosis take us from Aristotle to Darwin, and the cutting edge of molecular biology and humanity.

We explore how metamorphosis has inspired centuries of philosophers, artists, writers, and culture. We also discuss why a caterpillar must dissolve and rewire it’s brain to become a butterfly. Freud’s obsession with eel testicles (yes, you read that right!) Why ‘Benjamin Button’ jellyfish grow younger in the ocean’s depths.

And, what metamorphosis teaches us about the human self, connection, and change.

Meet Professor Oren Harman

Professor Oren Harman has written numerous acclaimed books including: The Man Who Invented the Chromosome; Rebels, Mavericks and Heretics in Biology; and The Price of Altruism, which won the 2010 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Book of the Year in Science and Technology. It was also a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and was nominated for the Pulitzer prize. Professor Harman is Senior Research Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, and teaches at the Graduate Program in Science Technology and Society at Bar Ilan University. Trained in history and biology at the Hebrew University, Oxford, and Harvard, Harman is a historian of science and has written widely for popular and professional audiences on genetics, evolution, history and philosophy of science, altruism, biography, and science and mythology. Today we discuss Professor Harman’s latest work Metamorphosis: A Natural and Human History.

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History, Journalism, Non Fiction

Jul 16: Russell Shorto’s Taking Manhattan

July 16, 2025

The Astonishing Events that Created New York and Shaped America’s Future

Taking Manhattan with author Russell Shorto

What could $24 worth of beads and trinkets get you in 1626? How about the entire island of Manhattan. It’s no secret the Dutch brokered that deal with the Indigenous inhabitants, but often overlooked is the history behind the English seizure of the island, turning New Amsterdam into New York and changing the course of American history.

Tackling the challenge of researching this little known but pivotal moment in our history is author, investigative journalist, and historian Russell Shorto. Today we explore the fascinating details and meet some of the key characters integral to the transition. Russell paints a picture that’s maybe less about seizure, and more about collaboration between two parties who once pointed cannons at each other.

Meet Russell Shorto

Russell Shorto is the best-selling author of eight books, including Smalltime, Revolution Song, Amsterdam, and The Island at the Center of the World. He is the director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New York Historical and senior scholar at the New Netherland Institute.

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History, Journalism, Memoir, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Jul 02: John Seabrook with The Spinach King

July 2, 2025

The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty

The Spinach King with author John Seabrook

As heir to the complicated C. F. Seabrook legacy, longtime New Yorker staff writer John Seabrook confronts his family’s extraordinary story in THE SPINACH KING: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty.

In a spellbinding tale of money, ambition, succession, and immense power, Seabrook breaks through his family’s carefully cultivated façade, revealing long-held secrets of greed, corruption, and exploitation.

We discuss why John Seabrook felt an obligation to turn his meticulous investigative reporting skills inward, upending the narrative he grew up with. How he stayed objective after discovering the level of deceit within his ancestry. And how he balanced reporting as a journalist, with great storytelling.

Meet John Seabrook

John Seabrook has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for more than three decades. He is the author of The Song Machine, Flash of Genius, Nobrowand other books. The film ​“Flash of Genius” was based on one of his stories. He and his family live in Brooklyn.

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History, Journalism, Non Fiction

Apr 02: Taking Manhattan with Russell Shorto

April 2, 2025

The Extraordinary Events that Created New York and Shaped America

Taking Manhattan with author Russell Shorto

It’s well known that in 1626, Indigenous inhabitants sold the entire island of Manhattan to the Dutch for just $24 worth of beads and trinkets. What’s not so well known is the history behind the English seizure of the island and its transformation from New Amsterdam to New York.

Author, investigative journalist, historian Russell Shorto took on the challenge of researching the fascinating details behind this. Today we explore some of the highlights around that, and meet some of the key characters integral to the transition. Russell also presents a picture that’s maybe, less about seizure, and more about collaboration between the parties who once pointed cannons at each other.

Meet Russell Shorto

Russell Shorto is the best-selling author of eight books, including Smalltime, Revolution Song, Amsterdam, and The Island at the Center of the World. He is the director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New York Historical and senior scholar at the New Netherland Institute.

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Biography, History, Memoir, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Relationships, Travelogue, Writers on Writing

Nov 13: Eric Weiner In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life

November 13, 2024

Ben & Me

Ben and Me with author Eric Weiner

When Eric Weiner followed Benjamin Franklin’s journey from Philadelphia to Paris, and Boston to London, in addition to discovering Ben’s life lessons, this self-described philosophical traveler discovered many of his own.

BEN & ME is a wonderful combination of Franklin’s biography, Weiner’s memoir, and a travelogue. It’s a guide to thinking well. Living a useful life. It’s about curiosity, diligence, constant learning. And – most of all – the elusive goal of self-improvement.

Eric Weiner shares how asking someone to do you a favor could improve your relationship – a psychological phenomenon known as The Ben Franklin Effect. We discuss Franklin’s seemingly conflicting views, his biggest strengths, human flaws, and what Eric found most disappointing about Ben. Eric also shares what he discovered about himself on this literal and metaphorical journey.

Meer Eric Weiner – Author, Speaker, Philosophical Traveler

Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and speaker, Eric Weiner‘s latest book is Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life. Weiner’s other books include The Geography of Bliss, The Geography of Genius, Man Seeks God and The Socrates Express. Eric Weiner is a former foreign correspondent for NPR, and reporter for The New York Times. He is a regular contributor to The Washington Post, BBC Travel, and AFAR, among other publications. He lives in the Washington, D.C. area.

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History, Journalism, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Aug 07: Michael Castleman Shares The Untold Story of Books

August 7, 2024

A Writer’s History of Book Publishing

The Untold Story of Books with author Michael Castleman

Are physical books here to stay? The answer might surprise you. There are so many interesting stories and trails and fun facts in Michael Castleman‘s The Untold Story of Books: A Writer’s History of Book Publishing that we couldn’t put it down. Whether you’re a writer, reader, bibliophile, librarian, publisher, or just interested in how it started and where it’s at stories, we think you’ll enjoy it too.

Michael shares insights into Bestseller Lists; why they don’t tell the whole story and how they can be manipulated. We explore when and why book dedications began. How a machine designed for pressing olive oil changed the publishing industry, and what that meant for scribes and authors. We also peek into traditional versus independent (indi) and self publishing. How the digital revolution and AI impacted the industry – and where Michael sees it all going.

Meet Author Michael Castleman

Michael Castleman is a journalist and author of bestselling books on sexuality, health, and the history of book publishing. He also writes fiction. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Michigan, Michael Castleman earned an M.A. in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism. He has lived in San Francisco since 1975.

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Fiction, History, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Mar 06: Bestselling Thriller Author Steve Berry with The Atlas Maneuver

March 6, 2024

A Cotton Malone Novel

The Atlas Maneuver with author Steve Berry

Steve Berry joins us with his latest thriller that begins in the Philippines, then takes us from Switzerland to the Atlas Mountains, Morocco, and Luxembourg.

Today we unpack some of the little known historical facts included in the The Atlas Maneuver versus where and how Steve took creative liberties. We also discuss some of the international locations in the book, how neighbors at a charity event helped determine names for some of his characters – including his amoral sociopathic female protagonist.  How and why Steve learned about cryptocurrency and falconry. And what he’s working on now.

Meet Steve Berry

New York Times and #1 Internationally bestselling author Steve Berry has over 26 million books in print, translated into 41 languages. The Atlas Maneuver is Steve’s 23rd novel. Steve’s devotion to historic preservation was recognized by the American Library Association, which named Steve its spokesperson for National Preservation Week. Among his other honors are the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award; the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award given by Poets & Writers; the Anne Frank Human Writes Award; and the Silver Bullet, bestowed by International Thriller. Together with his wife, Steve Berry founded History Matters.

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Essays, History, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Jan 10: Mystery Superfan & Foodie Turns Author

January 10, 2024

Recipes for Murder, 66 Dishes Celebrating Agatha Christie

Recipes for Murder with author Karen Pierce

Karen Pierce knew when she turned author that her book would somehow include food and mystery. She came up with the perfect solution in Recipes for Murder: 66 Dishes that Celebrate the Mysteries of Agatha Christie.

Karen shares what sparked the idea for her debut nonfiction book, sharing a peek into the life of Agatha Christie and the times she lived in. For example, did you know that when Christie went to cocktail parties, she only drank cream? And what about the burning question that many consider an unanswered mystery: What really happened when Christie herself mysteriously disappeared?

Superfan Karen Pierce did intense research for Recipes for Murder, and shares her insight on that and more today.

About Karen Pierce

Karen Pierce is a detective-fiction doyenne, food lover, and Agatha Christie Superfan. She’s made pilgrimages to Torquay and Greenway House, Christie’s hometown and home. Karen Pierce also attended and volunteered at several Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Conventions. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

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History, Non Fiction, Women's Issues

May 31: The Dark Queens with Shelley Puhak

May 31, 2023

Incredible True Story of Two Powerful Women & their Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World

The Dark Queens with author Shelley Puhak

Shelley Puhak joins us with a remarkable true tale that few people know of. It’s about two trailblazing Queens from the Early Middle Ages who wielded enough power to shape early Europe, only to be vilified for daring to rule.

We discuss how they formed coalitions, and broke them. Mothered children and lost them. Fought a decades-long civil war—against each other. And we look at why, after the queens’ deaths—one gentle, the other horrific—they were written out of history, their names consigned to slander and legend.

About Shelley Puhak

Shelley Puhak is a critically acclaimed poet and writer whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, Teen Vogue,  and elsewhere. Her essays have been included in Best American Travel Writing and selected as Notables in four consecutive editions of Best American Essays. She is the author of two books of poetry, a winner of the Anthony Hecht Prize. Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World is Shelley Puhak’s debut nonfiction book.

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History, Journalism, Non Fiction

Jan 18: The Nazi Conspiracy with #1 NYT Bestselling Author Brad Meltzer

January 18, 2023

The Nazi Conspiracy_BradMeltzer_ConversationsLiveVickiStClairThe Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill

Brad Meltzer’s books are full of twist and turns, intriguing characters, and little known historical details. And it’s those delicious details that make The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill so compelling.

Brad shares how he discovered this true Nazi assasination plot that, had it not been thwarted, would have changed the world. We discuss what surprised him most during his research, how this part of history informs today’s landscape, why Brad says we need to feel uncomfortable, and much more.

 

About Brad Meltzer

BRAD MELTZER is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and over ten other bestselling thrillers, as well as the Ordinary People Change the World series. He is also the host of the History Channel TV shows “Brad Meltzer’s Decoded” and “Brad Meltzer’s Lost History,” which he used to help find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero. Brad coauthored The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill with JOSH MENSCH – a bestselling author and award-winning TV documentary producer.

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