This week on "BETA," Simon Rich joins us to talk about his short story collection, "Glory Days." Helen Phillips explores Artificial Intelligence in her suspenseful novel, "Hum." And author Chris Nashawaty revisits the epic summer of 1982 - when Star Wars and Sci-Fi Fever hit it's peak.

Actor and director Sarah Polley joins us to discuss her debut book, ‘Run Towards the Danger.’ Also, showrunner George Pelecanos on the HBO mini-series, ‘We Own This City.’ And Elaine […]

Documentary film directors Maclain and Chapman Way talk about their incredibly weird Netflix documentary, “The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga.”

Also guitarist Ripley Johnson sits down to discuss the new record from his current project, Rose City Band.

And novelist/screenwriter Richard Price joins us to discuss his explosive novel, “Lazarus Man.”

Singer/songwriter Anaïs Mitchell talks about her first solo album in a decade. Also, the Mountain Goats’ frontman John Darnielle on his haunting novel, ‘Devil House.’ And Jeff Yang looks back […]

Charlie Brooker sits down with us to discuss two of

his incredible TV creations – the mind-bending “Black Mirror”

and the hilarious documentarian Philomena Cunk.

Kyle Chayka tells us how algorithms and social media

are flattening our culture in his book “Filterworld.”

Author Peter Ames Carlin talks about the trail-blazing

band from Athens, Georgia that helped create alternative

rock – R.E.M.

This week on "BETA," Rachel Kushner returns to discuss her latest novel, "Creation Lake." Documentary director Sam Green talks about his fascinating film "32 Sounds: Exploring the Audio World." And Carrie Courogen on her biography of one of the greatest comic geniuses of all time, Elaine May.

Jim O’Heir joins us to talk about playing Jerry Gergich on the beloved sitcom, “Parks and Recreation.” Also, comedian Jim Gaffigan brings the funny and the skinny with his new stand-up special for Hulu. And film critic Craig D. Lindsey revisits the best-selling soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino’s hit indie film, “Pulp Fiction.”

This week on BETA, David Schurmann discusses his documentary My Penguin Friend. Award-winning music journalist Erin Osmon talks with us about music from the Midwest. Also, we'll hear from horror writer Paul Tremblay on his new book, Horror Movie.

This week on "BETA," comedian Paul Scheer discusses his candid memoir, "Joyful Recollections of Trauma". Author Mateo Askaripour on his sophomore novel "The Big Departure. Also, biographer James Kaplan tells us how three musical geniuses led by Miles Davis created the landmark album "Kind of Blue.

This week on "BETA," ...Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen join us to discuss their critically acclaimed HBO series, “Somebody Somewhere.”

Also, best-selling graphic novelist Adrian Tomine, on his latest book, “Q & A,” finds him answering questions from his devoted fans.

And legendary record producer and writer Joe Boyd takes us on a journey through global music.