We turn in, tune on, and drop out with T.C. Boyle. Also, we go dancing on a weeknight with comedian Josh Gondelman. And Carlene Carter talks about honoring her Carter Family legacy and making rockin' country music.

Writer Damon Young tells us how existing while black is an extreme sport. Also, podcast host Nora McInerny finds happiness in the wake of profound loss. And journalist Geoff Edgers on how Run-DMC and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way’ collaboration changed American music.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan dives deep with her latest book, “Manhattan Beach.” And, poet and critic Kenneth Goldsmith offers his love letter to the Big Apple. Plus, “Too Many Cooks” creator Casper Kelly is back with another viral video and Nicholas Smith talks about the footprint sneakers have had on American culture.

Amber Ruffin is the pioneering performer and writer for “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” She talks about why her comedy is finding a home in a charged climate. Plus, “Room to Dream” author Kristine McKenna collaborated for a biography/memoir with David Lynch. And, writer Kirk Walker Graves unpacks the significance of Kanye West’s masterpiece “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”.

Humorist Dana Schwartz talks about her memoir, “Choose Your Own Disaster.” Also, Nafissa Thompson-Spires on her short-story collection, "Heads of the Colored People." And writer Danny Wallace politely digs into the culture of rudeness.

Comedian Kevin Allison tells us how taking a risk led to a hit podcast. Plus, journalist Matt Taibbi explains why the news can be hazardous to your health. And filmmaker Lisa D'Apolito puts a lens on the beloved comedian Gilda Radner in her documentary, "Love, Gilda.”

Journalist Mark Harris tells us how “The Matrix” redefined our relationship with reality. Plus, Wisconsin’s Bill Malone on his lifelong love affair with country music. And standup comedian Zainab Johnson on how growing up in a large Muslim family shaped her sense of humor.

Comedian Chris Gethard shares how failure can lead you to happiness. Plus, rapper Shad Kabango on his Peabody award-winning Netflix docu-series, “Hip-Hop Evolution.” And, media professor Janet Murray on the boundless frontier of digital narratives.

Fasten your seat belts and put your tray tables in the upright position. Jim Abrahams joins us to talk about one of the most influential comedy movies of all time, "Airplane!" Also, Wisconsin filmmaker Chris Smith shares the inside story of the Fyre Festival and we learn how Howard Hughes exploited women to make his mark in Hollywood.

Twenty years later, “The Sopranos” still reverberates through prestige television. Critics Matt Zoller Seitz and Alan Sepinwall unpack why. Plus, critically acclaimed novelist Tommy Orange on his novel “There There” and comedian Jena Friedman offers a soft touch on some hard issues.