The release of a new Jonathan Franzen novel has come to be something of an event in the literary world. His new book "Crossroads," set in 1971, tells the story of the Hildebrandt family as it struggles with morality, faith, and family bonds. The novel has received enthusiastic reviews. Franzen joins the show from California to discuss his approach to the art of fiction writing.

The Pandora Papers have uncovered a Who’s Who of billionaires, celebrities and public officials engaged in illegal and unethical activities that run contrary to their public pronouncements. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists led the multinational investigation and its director joins the show to reveal what they found, how they pulled it off and why it matters.

Duke Professor Kate Bowler’s relationship with God was put to the test when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer at the age of 35. Now the bestselling author is out with a new memoir, "No Cure for Being Human," in which she confronts what she calls the absurdity of the self-help industry and encourages us to find comfort instead in our limitations. She speaks with Michel Martin about all this.

The new NBA season is here and with it, a debate on vaccine hesitancy. 90% of players returning to the court are vaccinated, but some high-profile skeptics are refusing inoculation. With no vaccine mandate this season, some are wondering how much influence these anti-vax voices have behind the scenes. Hall of Fame legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is calling out these players’ no-harm, no-foul approach.

Sarah Everard was walking home in London last March when she was kidnapped, brutally raped and murdered by a police officer. Similar cases from around the world are sounding the alarm for racial and social justice. Here to discuss are Jamie Klingler, co-founder of the grassroots campaign Reclaim These Streets, and Yogita Bhayana, who leads the group People Against Rapes In India.

At stake in Washington are two bills that would dramatically reshape American life: a bipartisan infrastructure package on roads, bridges and internet access and a second that includes universal Pre-K and paid family leave. Negotiations are ongoing, with the outcome still unclear. To discuss, Bianna speaks with a past Bernie Sanders campaign manager and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp.

After "The Sopranos" gave us one of the most controversial endings in TV history, series creator David Chase is going back to the show's beginnings. "The Many Saints of Newark" is a prequel to the hit series, looking at how Tony Soprano became Tony Soprano. "Sopranos" creator David Chase joins the show to discuss.

Some of the world’s most vulnerable people are paying the price in a bust-up between the European Union and Belarus. Migrants are reportedly being “weaponized” by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko as retaliation against EU sanctions. It’s led to a sharp and deadly rise in migrant crossings into Poland, Latvia and Lithuania over the summer. MMargaritis Schinas joins the program to discuss.

Venture capitalist Peter Thiel had a hand in the success of many of the most profitable tech companies around today, from Facebook to SpaceX. He’s also on a quest to live forever, investing millions in life extension research. Max Chafkin’s new biography lays bare all this and more, and he speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about the man behind the money.

For the first time since June, the number of projected COVID-19 deaths is dropping in the U.S. This as the CDC predicts hospitalizations will also decrease – but there’s no time to rest, according to Ed Yong, science and health writer for The Atlantic. He warns in his latest piece that “we’re already barreling toward the next pandemic,” and the time to prepare for it is now.

The hit Netflix comedy Sex Education finds laughs and drama in all manner of human intimacy and its third season just released. The show, set in a British high school, takes a deep and nuanced look at shame, empowerment, desire, and identity. Its creator is Laurie Nunn and she joins the show from Wales.

Among the nine Americans privileged with a seat on America’s highest court is Stephen Breyer, appointed in 1994 by Bill Clinton. Since the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, progressives have pushed for him to retire during the Biden presidency, but so far he has not revealed his plans. In a rare interview, Justice Breyer speaks with Christiane about his new book and more.

Colson Whitehead is renowned for such novels as "The Underground Railroad" and "The Nickel Boys." Critics are now praising his new book, "Harlem Shuffle" -- the tale of a furniture salesman contending with heists and double crosses in 1960s New York. Whitehead has twice been honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction -- for consecutive novels -- and joins the show from New York.

The nation's top military leaders are in their second day of testimony before Congress about the withdrawal from Afghanistan. General Mark Milley has revealed that President Trump originally ordered the withdrawal of all American troops by January 15, before walking that decision back some days later. As all this unfolds, the legendary reporter Bob Woodward speaks with Walter Isaacson.

Ten days after 9/11, Rais Bhuiyan was shot at point blank range by a white supremacist while he was at work. The near-death experience inspired him to set up World Without Hate, dedicated to breaking the cycles of violence – he even campaigned to save his attacker from death row, as he explains to Michel Martin.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified today before the Senate on the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, with Gen. Milley also being asked about reports he told the Chinese he would warn them if then-President Trump was about to launch a war against them. Military historian Richard Kohn joins Christiane to discuss the testimony.

Anita Hill has dedicated her life to tackling gender violence, after coming to national prominence 30 years ago with her testimony that then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her. She joins Christiane to discuss her new book "Believing: Our Thirty Year Journey to End Gender Violence."

Despite pleas from the World Health Organization, the U.S., the U.K. and other wealthy nations are moving forward with COVID-19 booster shots. In America, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky endorsed the recommendation by outside advisers to offer boosters to people over 65 and with underlying conditions – but in a rare step, she broke with the panel and decided also to include frontline workers.

Democrats have three days to fund the government or face a shutdown. Moreover, President Biden’s economic agenda faces crucial votes this week in the House and the Senate. These bills face organized opposition from lobbyists and dark money campaigns. For a look at how dollars can damage democracy, Christiane speaks with The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer.

In Germany, the center-left Social Democrats have scored a slim victory in the race to replace Angela Merkel as chancellor. Her more conservative party suffered its worst defeat in decades. But Germans likely won’t be saying “auf wiedersehen” to Merkel any time soon: negotiations to form a new government could take weeks, if not months, leaving her in charge in a caretaker capacity until then.