Host Robyn Shanti speaks with writer Barry Spector about his book, Madness at the Gates of the City: The Myth of American Innocence The book is a rumination on our society, reaching back into Greek mythology to illuminate the world today. Spector blends literature, history and myth to critiques contemporary America.

Host Jim Schumock speaks with spiritual teacher Gangaji about her new book "Hidden Treasure: Uncovering the Truth in Your Life Story."

Gangaji, who was born Antoinette (Toni) Roberson Varner, was given the name Gangaji by her teacher Sri H. W. L. Poonja in 1990. Before that meeting, she had pursued many paths to enlightenment. In her book she uses the telling of her own life story to guide readers in telling the truth about their own life stories.

Host David Naimon interviews debut novelist Justin Torres.  His book, We the Animals, has been heralded for its beautiful, concentrated prose. NPR likened it to a diamond, brilliant and brilliantly compressed.  Esquire magazine called it a "knock to the head that will leave your mouth agape." Justin Torres is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, with work in the New Yorker, Harper's, Granta, Tin House and Glimmer Train.  Currently he serves as the Wallace Stegner fellow at Stanford University.

The guest is Bill Adler, author of "The Man Who Never Died: The Life, Times, and Legacy of Joe Hill, American Labor Icon."

In 1914, Joe Hill was convicted of murder in Utah and sentenced to death by firing squad, igniting international controversy. Many believed Hill was innocent, condemned for his association with the Industrial Workers of the World -- the radical Wobblies. Now, following four years of intensive investigation, William M. Adler gives us the first full-scale biography of Joe Hill, and presents never before published documentary evidence that comes as close as one can to definitively exonerating him.