It’s always difficult to choose our ten favorite shows of the year. But the end of December gives us a chance to reflect and share with you some of the ones that stood out for us. So read on for descriptions and links to those picks, from earliest to most recent.

And remember to Listen, Like and Subscribe!

In January, Climate scientist Michael Mann discussed his book Our Fragile Moment, which explores how lessons from Earth’s past can guide us through the current climate crisis. While climate denialism is largely fading, a new threat has emerged: climate doomism. This mindset suggests that it’s too late to prevent catastrophic climate disruption, leading to a sense of fatalism and continued inaction. However, Mann argues that it’s not too late to avert climate disaster. He emphasizes that with the right support, the Earth’s climate system has the potential for resilience, offering hope if we take the necessary actions.

In April, we spoke with Tessa Hulls about her powerful graphic memoir, Feeding Ghosts. It tells the story of three generations of women — her Chinese grandmother, Sun Yi; her mother, Rose; and herself —and how, in the process of writing and drawing their stories, she was able to heal the trauma that haunted them.

Also in April, we spoke with with Brad Gooch about his acclaimed new biography of Keith Haring, RADIANT: The Life and Line of Keith Haring. Then we listen back to a clip of Gooch talking with us in 2017 about his biography, Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love.

In May, Kelly Fong told us about her book, Investigating Families: Motherhood in the Shadow of Child Protective Services. We explored the inner workings of Child Protection Services (CPS), the impact on families, and the need for systemic change.

Also in May, we spoke with Eric Klinenberg about his book 2020: One City, Seven People, And The Year Everything Changed. It follows seven New Yorkers as they try to cope with the pandemic. Among them, a transit worker, a bar owner, a retired lawyer who organizes a mutual aid network and a Black Lives Matter protester. Their stories and those of the others illustrate how our leaders and institutions failed us — and how some citizens stepped into the breach.

In July, we sat down with Dr. William Bronston, a renowned advocate for disability rights and social justice. Dr. Bronston shared his journey from a young medical student to a leading figure in the fight to protect the rights of people with disabilities. He discussed his experiences working at the Willowbrook State School, his efforts in the deinstitutionalization movement, and the transformative impact of the landmark Willowbrook case. His book is Public Hostage: Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America.

In September, we spoke with Clayton Page Aldern about The Weight of Nature, his groundbreaking new book on the impacts of climate change on our brains — from PSTD to brain-eating amoebas. Aldern explains how climate-induced stressors are shaping our mental health — harming our judgment, leading to rises in neurodegenerative diseases, and even eroding our capacity to tell truth from lies.

In October, we sat down with epidemiologist Caitlin Rivers to talk about her book Crisis Averted. From the successful eradication of smallpox to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivers delves into public health challenges, funding gaps, and the “panic and neglect” cycle that threatens our preparedness for future outbreaks.

In November, Julie Sedivy told us about Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love. Sedivy shared her journey from a multilingual childhood to becoming a linguist, reflecting on the complexities of multilingualism, the emotional weight of language, and its profound ties to time, identity, and human connection. She also explored how language shapes our social interactions, cultural divides, and even our final moments.

Also in November, journalist and author Rebecca Nagle told us about By the Fire We Carry: The Generations’ Long Fight for Justice on Native Land. She unpacked the history of the Cherokee Nation and broader Indigenous struggles for sovereignty. Nagle intertwines personal family history with systemic injustices, tracing the consequences of the Trail of Tears, the Indian Removal Act, and the ongoing fight for Native land rights. She examines how these histories intersect with larger issues of capitalism, democracy, and climate justice.