There are few more recognizable educators and orators than Cornel West – a philosopher, scholar, and civil rights activist whose searing speeches have educated and inspired many. He speaks with Walter Isaacson about why classics must remain in the curriculum; Biden’s first 100 days; and the legacy of West's mother, the late Irene B. West.

Today, India reported a record 380,000 new COVID infections. Gravediggers and crematories are overwhelmed by the volume, and the Indian government is facing heavy criticism for prematurely declaring victory over COVID and allowing political rallies to take place. To assess what went wrong and what help is needed, Christiane speaks with the national spokesman for Modi’s ruling party, the BJP.

To discuss the first 100 days of Biden’s presidency and the future of America’s relations with China, Christiane speaks with Todd Young, Republican senator from Indiana.

On a digital platform called "Everyone’s Invited," thousands are sharing their personal experiences of sexism, misogyny, and sexual violence. The platform's founder, Soma Sara, joins the show from London alongside activist and writer Kamilah Willingham.

India continues to break global coronavirus records, and the spike is crushing its public health system. Now, nearly 150 religious leaders are launching a global campaign to end vaccine nationalism and inequality. One of the campaign's signatories is Dr. Thabo Makhoba, who joins the show alongside Seth Berkley of Gavi, a global alliance supporting immunization in poor countries.

Last year, artist Amy Sherald was commissioned by Vanity Fair to paint a portrait of the late Breonna Taylor, just months after she was killed by police. Sherald found widespread fame in 2018 with her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama, which is about to hit the road, and her portrait of Breonna is on display in Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Sherald joins the show to discuss.

This week, the Department of Homeland Security announced it will be conducting an internal review to root out white supremacy and extremism within federal agencies. Jeh Johnson was the Pentagon’s chief legal officer and then served as Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama, and he speaks with Walter Isaacson about what lurks in the shadows.

Earlier this month we spoke with Blake Bailey, author of a new blockbuster biography of Philip Roth, a complicated writer shadowed by allegations of misogyny. The week after that interview came shocking news that Bailey faces accusations of his own: that he sexually assaulted multiple women and "groomed" underage students prior to making advances once they came of age. Rebecca Traister discusses.

American studies professor Davarian Baldwin's new book, “In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities Are Plundering Our Cities”, is about high-end universities and their often negative impact on local residents of color. He explains to Hari Sreenivasan about how the influence of American universities might better be used.

An extraordinary three-hour recording with Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has been leaked, in which Zarif criticizes Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for undermining the country’s diplomatic efforts. There’s also fallout for John Kerry. Zarif says Kerry told him of Israeli airstrikes against Iranian positions in Syria, which Kerry denies. To discuss this, Christiane is joined by Karim Sadjadpour.

For the second time in a week, Attorney General Merrick Garland has announced a Justice Department investigation into a local police department. This time, it’s Louisville's turn -- more than a year after Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in her home by Louisville police officers. Activist and former Kentucky state representative Charles Booker joins the show to discuss.

Bestselling author John Grisham began as a small-town lawyer before he perfected the modern legal thriller, most famously with his bestseller “The Firm.” Grisham's 46 books have sold over 300 million copies. 28 of them were consecutive number one bestsellers. His latest, “Sooley”, tells the story of a Sudanese teenager who leaves a civil war at home to play college basketball in America. The autho

Last night's Oscar ceremony celebrated big wins for actors of color. Kyle Buchanan of the New York Times, and Aisha Harris of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, discuss the diverse honorees.

Brandon Scott is Baltimore’s youngest mayor in more than a century, and promises to reexamine what police reform in one of America’s most dangerous cities looks like.

Frontline doctor, Dr. Yatin Mehta and public health expert, Bhramar Mukherjee discuss the COVID spread in India.

Vivek Maru is founder of Namati, which empowers grassroots groups to protect common lands and enforce environmental laws, while Rhonda Hamilton works with Namati to combat unlawful pollution in her own D.C. neighborhood. They join Hari to discuss their work as part of the ongoing public media initiative Peril and Promise, on the challenges of and solutions to climate change.

Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii is one of the lead sponsors of new legislation to stop anti-Asian hate crimes. In 2012, Hirono became the first Asian American woman elected to the Senate, and is currently the only immigrant serving there. Her new memoir “Heart of Fire” chronicles her own remarkable journey and she joins the show to discuss.

The works of artist Julie Mehretu are informed by global crisis and upheaval. Mehretu is best known for her expansive murals addressing aspects of war, immigration, racism, and other themes that shape our world. Now she is having a mid-career retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and joins the show from New York.

Even when the federal government has lagged behind, many individual states have forged ahead with climate action. But as Biden’s ambitious pledge places the crisis at the top of the Democrats’ agenda, it’s perhaps hard to imagine that the environment was once a bipartisan issue. Former Ohio Governor John Kasich explains to why the GOP has lost its way.

With climate change on the forefront of many countries, over 40 world leaders pledged to reside carbon emissions by 2030. U.N. Climate Chief Patricia Espinosa joins Christiane to talk about what this means for the future.