Vladimir Putin has now ruled over Russia for two decades, leading a whole generation of Russians to be dubbed “the Putin generation.” Joshua Yaffa is the New Yorker’s Moscow correspondent, and his new book reveals how ambitious Russians – from politicians to filmmakers – balance their own dreams with doing what it takes to survive the system. He joins Hari to discuss Putin's rule in modern Russia.

Kobe Bryant is being eulogized worldwide as a legend of the game and a cultural touchstone. To discuss the outpouring of grief and to assess Bryant’s remarkable and complicated legacy, Christiane speaks with renowned journalist Jemele Hill.

According to the New York Times, a draft of former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s new book says the president told him he wanted to continue withholding military aid to Ukraine until the country investigated the Bidens. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from the conservative state of North Dakota who served six years in the Senate, joins Christiane to analyze this revelation.

Fears continue to grow over the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus. At least 82 people have died, all of them in China, and there are at least 2,700 confirmed cases of infection in the rest of the country. Another 50 people outside China have been found to be infected – five of them in the U.S. Dr. Tom Inglesby of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security assesses the severity of the situation.

Esperanza Spalding is a force of nature—a bass player and singer who rose to stardom when she became the first jazz performer to win a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2011. Her newest solo album "12 Little Spells," is nominated for two Grammy Awards this year. She joins Walter Isaacson to discuss pushing the boundaries of musical genres—and how sound heals the soul.

Senator Mitch McConnell is the man in the spotlight as the architect of the Senate impeachment rules. But who exactly is McConnell, and what has been his political journey? Christiane speaks with Scott Jennings, a longtime advisor to McConnell, and investigative reporter Alec MacGillis.

From "The Shawshank Redemption" to "Dark Waters," Tim Robbins’ career has been a constant dialogue between advocacy and artistic expression. His most recent play, "The New Colossus," pays homage to the immigrants and refugees who came to America to find a better life, and in the end shaped the nation. He joins the program to discuss this endeavor and his wider career.

Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer is still in the running as a presidential candidate, and while he admits he’s a long shot, his money and organization keep him in the mix. Steyer made his fortune as a hedge fund manager and is now a major philanthropist. He sits down with Michel to discuss impeachment, the climate crisis and campaign spending.

The Democrats’ case for the impeachment of President Trump is in full swing, as House managers return to the floor to raise questions of conduct and corruption. Anne Milgram is a former federal prosecutor and Attorney General of New Jersey and argues there is damning new evidence about Trump’s phone call with the President of Ukraine, which should be admitted into the Senate trial.

In London, the play "Remember This," highlights the story of Jan Karski. He was a Polish courier in the Resistance who risked his life to witness crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis in World War II – and to warn the West’s most powerful leaders. Actor David Strathairn plays Karski and joins the program to discuss his role.

From jailed teenager to award-winning poet: Reginald Dwayne Betts committed a carjacking at 16 years old and spent more than eight years in adult prison. Since his release, he has turned his life around, earning a degree from Yale Law School and penning several critically acclaimed works. He speaks with Michel Martin about his new poetry collection "Felon" and the importance of forgiveness.

Democrats and Republicans are laying out their opening arguments for and against the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, a process that will last several days in the Senate. Two former chiefs of staff from both sides of the aisle, Danny Weiss and Jonathan Burks, join Christiane to discuss why communication is not working between the two parties.

President Trump wrapped up his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland today, where the focus this year is on climate change. From the White House to Australia to Brazil, leaders still aren’t taking measurable action — even as their countries face catastrophic weather events. João Doria, governor of São Paulo, Brazil, joins the program from Davos to discuss this pressing issue.

Russia may already be attempting to interfere in the 2020 presidential election, if reports that Moscow hacked into Ukrainian gas company Burisma prove correct. It’s the kind of attack that keeps John P. Carlin up at night; he was Assistant Attorney General for National Security and speaks with Hari about the ever-rising cyber threat.

Renowned Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz joins the program from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to discuss the economy, growth and the climate crisis.

On Capitol Hill today, 100 senators begin deciding whether to remove President Trump from office on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. To discuss the anatomy of the third impeachment trial in American history, Christiane is joined by Noah Feldman, one of the four legal scholars who testified before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on impeachment.

Sarah Hurwitz was a White House speechwriter, first for President Barack Obama, then for First Lady Michelle Obama. Her new focus is a departure from politics, asking instead what Judaism can teach us in these divisive times. She tells Michel about her book “Here All Along” and waking up to the faith she was born into.

This week, in the Senate, President Trump’s impeachment trial starts in earnest. Russia experts Evelyn Farkas and Dimitri Simes join Christiane to analyze how this affects U.S. relations with Russia.

Contentious elections are nothing new and 1856 proved a particularly fraught example. In “Imperfect Union,” NPR host Steve Inskeep tells the story of America’s first political power couple, John and Jessie Fremont. He joins the show from D.C. to discuss their lives and assess parallels with today’s politics.

Dan Buettner is a National Geographic fellow and founder of The Blue Zones Project, a well-being improvement initiative launched in over 40 cities across the United States. It also inspired a cookbook called “The Blue Zones Kitchen,” based on the diet of people who live in these zones living long and healthy lives. Buettner tells Hari exactly what makes these places so special to him.