400 years ago, a ship carrying more than 20 enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, starting the long and painful history of slavery in the U.S. Journalist Linda Villarosa, a contributor to the New York Times Magazine's 1619 Project, sits down with Walter Isaacson to discuss slavery’s powerful legacy in shaping the very physical health of Americans today.

As Europe looks on in bafflement at the U.K.’s paroxysms, what Brexit could herald for the future of democracy on the continent is still in question. Political scientist Yascha Mounk joins the program from Berlin to provide reflections on democracy and European unity going forward.

Alistair Burt was one of the over 20 Conservative MPs who rebelled to vote against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and in favor of legislation to block a No Deal Brexit. His reward? Johnson kicked him out of the Conservative Party in what critics called a purge. Burt joins the program from London to discuss the week’s extraordinary events.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker joins Christiane Amanpour to discuss the lead crisis in Newark and his plan to address climate change.

Veteran actor George Takei may be best known as Sulu from “Star Trek,” but he also has a darker story to tell. During World War II, thousands of Americans of Japanese descent were forced from their homes and sent to internment camps, Takei among them. Now at 82 years old, he says that the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants motivated him to speak out and revisit this in a new memoir.

The Amazon rainforest continues to burn, a consequence of unfettered land clearing by farmers, loggers, and developers. It is the largest rainforest on Earth and a major carbon sinkhole, making it the so-called “lungs of the world.” Brazil's Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo joins Christiane Amanpour to discuss the magnitude of the situation.

Today, democratic candidates for president gathered in New York for a major climate crisis town hall, the first of its kind. The first presidential candidate to release a detailed climate plan,
Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke, joins the program to discuss how he would combat the crisis.

Salman Rushdie sits down with Walter Isaacson to discuss his latest novel, "Quichotte," getting older, and being an outsider in politically divided times.

While pro-Brexit allies of Boris Johnson insist that the suspension of parliament is entirely in order, fear of a constitutional crisis has sparked protests across the United Kingdom. Distinguished historian Margaret MacMillan joins the program to provide some essential perspective on this fraught time in British politics.

In December of 2018, Jim Mattis resigned as Trump's Secretary of Defense over policy differences regarding Syria. Now out of government, Mattis offers reflections on leadership in his new book, “Call Sign Chaos.” He spoke with Christiane in New York about the importance of alliances and his decision to resign.

Pro-Brexit Conservative MP John Redwood joins Christiane Amanpour to discuss the Brexit debate and tensions between parties at the British parliament.

At one point, Rev. Rob Schenck was a prominent figure in the anti-abortion movement. He was willing to say and do almost anything in his zeal to shut down abortion clinics - that is, until his rhetoric helped motivate the murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian, an OB/GYN in Buffalo, NY who performed abortions. He joins the program to discuss the unintended violent consequences of his words.

The population of cheetahs is dwindling fast, due in part to demand fueled by social media celebrities displaying the animals as pets, next to fast cars and exotic locations. Crawford Allan has spent decades fighting wildlife trafficking, and he joins the program to explain why this is still happening and what can be done to stop it.

In the wake of the Trump administration reinstating the federal death penalty, Christiane speaks with renowned campaigner Sister Helen Prejean. Prejean is best known as the author of "Dead Man Walking," which was subsequently adapted into a film of the same name. She joins the program to discuss executions, campaigning, and her latest book, which reflects on her life at age 80.

Acclaimed director Gurinder Chadha teamed up with journalist Sarfraz Manzoor to tell a deeply personal story. Their film “Blinded by the Light” is based on Manzoor’s memoir, following a young Pakistani-British teenager in 1980s London as he finds unlikely salvation in the music of Bruce Springsteen. They sat down with Hari to tell him about their own fateful encounter with The Boss.

Violence in Philadelphia has added fuel to calls for some kind of political action to combat the epidemic of gun violence. President Trump has said he wants enhanced background checks, but there’s still no definitive commitment to take action. Scott Jennings has worked closely with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and joins the program to discuss whether gun reform might finally happen.

Journalist Jaafar Abdul Karim is a voice for tolerance and respect in a troubled Germany, with his award-winning programs on the Deutsche Welle network. He gives young Arabs around the world a platform to break taboos and open minds, and speaks directly with those most hostile to migrants and refugees.

Danny Meyer is well known for turning Shake Shack from a hot dog cart in Manhattan into a global burger empire. But he’s also the founder of some of New York’s most acclaimed names, including Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Café, and Maialino. The key to his success is great service, and he sat down with Walter Isaacson to discuss his illustrious career.

The new documentary “American Factory” is the first film from the Obamas’ High Ground Productions. It explores the Chinese Fuyao Glass plant, based in Dayton Ohio, as Chinese and American workers – and their bosses – struggle to build an efficient, modern business, amid the inevitable clash of culture and workplace ethics. Co-Directors Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar join the program to discuss.

Soon, people applying for green cards could be turned down if they’ve received certain benefits, or even if they’re deemed likely to use them in the future. Cesar Vargas became famous as the first undocumented immigrant admitted to the New York State Bar, and is now a US citizen working for immigration reform – and very much opposed to the Trump administration’s latest immigration rule.