Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones explains that racism is in America’s DNA, starting with the original sin of slavery over 400 years ago. She spearheaded the New York Times’ groundbreaking 1619 Project last year, which re-framed American history from the moment the first enslaved Africans were shipped over. She joins the program to reflect on that history and how it informs our present moment.

Eric Fischl is a renowned contemporary artist whose most recent work includes the painting “American Hula.” He first became known for portraying the relationships and dynamics between people and communities in suburban America. He joins the program to talk about the place of art in tragedy and trauma.

After four days, protests continue to rage in multiple parts of the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer pinned him down with his knee. Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul, Minnesota, joins the program to discuss the impact of these events on his community.

The theaters might be closed, but Oskar Eustis is bringing the theater to you. As artistic director at New York's Public Theater – which has hosted hits like Hamilton ­– Eustis has now made a Zoom-inspired drama called "What Do We Need to Talk About?", available for free online. He speaks with Michel Martin about how this might represent a return to the essence of the craft of theater.

After four days, protests continue to rage in multiple parts of the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer pinned him down with his knee. Civil rights icon The Rev. Jesse Jackson joins the program to discuss institutional racism, policing, and inequality.

Being a teenager isn’t easy at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic, but pediatrician and parenting expert Dr. Cara Natterson believes lockdown isn't all bad. She’s been isolating with her own children and says enforced isolation might actually help teenagers find their voice. She speaks with Michel Martin to try and answer some of the burning questions that may be tormenting parents.

Amid the pandemic, many people are having difficulty finding purpose in life -- and imagining the future. Yet these things are essential, according to New York Times columnist David Brooks. He explores these issues in his latest book, "The Second Mountain."

As the country re-opens freedom is under threat both at home and abroad. Minneapolis is burning after the tragic death of George Floyd, while on the other side of the world, protests have erupted once again in Hong Kong, after the Chinese parliament passed a new law that undermines the city’s autonomy. To discuss, Christiane speaks with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Matt Ridley is a British journalist, member of the House of Lords, and science writer whose books have sold over one million copies. His latest book explores the most effective ways of cultivating new and creative technologies in medicine and other fields. He speaks with Walter Isaacson about the fascinating history of innovation--from Post-it notes to vaccinations.

Martha McSally, junior senator in the swing state of Arizona, faces a tough re-election battle in November against former astronaut Mark Kelly. She joins the program to discuss the space launch that was scheduled for today, politics, and her new book, “Dare to Fly,” about her time as America’s first female fighter pilot to see active duty.

In order to combat the coronavirus pandemic, it is crucial to test and track the virus, and to warn citizens who may be infected to self-isolate. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is donating $10 million to this effort. His close aide and former presidential campaign manager Kevin Sheekey joins the show to discuss.

French street artist JR, known for giant photographs of faces in urban centers, has taken the art world by storm. "Chronicles," his first major exhibition in the U.S., featured two decades of his work at the Brooklyn Museum. He tells Hari Sreenivasan how he is finding inspiration in the time of the pandemic.

The UK government's missteps came into focus this week thanks to Dominic Cummings, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s closest adviser, who admitted to driving 300 miles to his family farm knowing his wife had COVID-19 symptoms. Cummings refuses to apologize. Is there one set of rules for the people, another for the elite? The New York Times' Mark Landler and former Conservative MP Anna Soubry discuss.

A new documentary airs on HBO Max. "On the Record" chronicles allegations of sexual assault against hip hop mogul Russell Simmons by former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon -- charges Simmons denies. At the heart of the documentary are harsh realities of the music world and the black community, and prejudice against black women within the #MeToo movement.

If you’re on a waiting list for an elite top tier university, you might be getting a call this year. That’s the prediction from NYU professor Scott Galloway. He’s the host of a new show on Vice called “No Mercy, No Malice,” which pulls back the curtain on the decisions and players driving America’s economy. He joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain why this might be a good chance to take a gap year.

On Memorial Day, President Trump continues to court controversy: taking and defending unproven anti-malarial drugs, refusing to wear a mask, and choosing to be seen playing golf on a weekend that sees the number of coronavirus deaths in the United States approach 100,000. To analyze the president’s thinking, Christiane speaks with Trump biographer Michael D’Antonio and Trump adviser David Urban.

In her new novel "Rodham," author Curtis Sittenfeld imagines a counterfactual history in which Hillary Rodham never marries Bill Clinton, instead pursuing her career -- and eventually runs for president. Sittenfeld joins the program to discuss this intriguing "what-if."

Over the past few months we have seen people of color disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. A report reveals that the COVID-19 mortality rate for black Americans is almost two and a half times higher than the rate for white Americans. Dr. Helene Gayle, the former director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, joins Michel Martin to discuss the root causes of this.

Among the hundreds of thousands who have died from the coronavirus are music world luminaries Alan Merrill, Ellis Marsalis, and sax legend Manu Dibango -- whose passing deeply affected his good friend Angélique Kidjo. It moved her to give Miriam Makeba’s famous South African hit “Pata Pata” a COVID-themed rewrite. She joins the program to talk about the song -- and her friend.

As America reels from the pandemic, the vote in November appears all the more pivotal, pitting as it does Trump against Biden – candidates with vastly different visions for the future. With six months to go, what is the current state of the race? Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report and host of “The Takeaway," joins the show to discuss.