This week on "BETA," Milwaukee chef Dan Jacobs shares his experience making it to the finals of Top Chef. Actor Griffin Dunne tells of his childhood experience in a Hollywood family and why he wanted to write his memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club. Author Kaliane Bradley talks about her debut novel and her unique twist on time travel.

This week on "BETA," ...music journalist Mark Blake on his latest book, “Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac.” And Nora Lange joins us to discuss her incredible debut novel, “US Fools.” Author Charles Yu also discusses adapting his novel Interior Chinatown into a mind-bending Hulu streaming series.

This week on BETA, guitarist Chris Stein reflects on his pivotal role as a founding member of the rock band Blondie. Also, film writer Ian Nathan takes us on a post-apocalyptic tour of the Mad Max Cinematic Universe. And novelist Holly Wilson introduces us to one of the most intriguing female characters you’ll ever meet.

Musician JD McPherson sits down with us to discuss his latest album – “Nite Owls.”

Also, Jean Hanff Korelitz joins us to talk about the sequel to her best-selling novel, “The Plot.” It’s called…”The Sequel.”

And one of our favorite film critics, Ian Nathan, returns to share his thoughts on Steven Spielberg’s movies.

This week on BETA, comedian Demetri Martin deconstructs his Netflix special. Also, filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo tells all in her memoir, “Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones.” And Alexandra Tanner on her Seinfeldian debut novel, “Worry.”

This week on "BETA," ... Britain’s greatest living songwriter, Nick Lowe, joins us to talk about his newest album, “Indoor Safari.”

Also, Emily St. James and Noel Murray take us back to the island to revisit the significance of the TV series, “Lost.”

And Dan Kois revisits selling newspaper subscriptions on a cold winter’s night in Milwaukee.

This week on “BETA,” film critic Glenn Kenny takes us behind the scenes of the 1983 gangster film, “Scarface.” Also, tragedienne, Julia Masli, is ready to solve problems. And author […]

This week on "BETA," comedian Sarah Silverman joins us to discuss her stand-up tour, “Postmortem.” Also, Gabino Iglesias on his incredibly intense novel, “House of Bone and Rain.” And comedian Jenny Slate shares the complicated beauty of motherhood in her essay collection, “Lifeform.”

This week on "BETA," we are joined by Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello, the co-creators of the Max original series, “Hacks.” Also, Jahmal Mayfield joins us to talk about his debut noir novel, “Smoke Kings.” And folk singer Aoife O’Donovan pays tribute to Wisconsin suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt on her album, “All My Friends.”

This week on "BETA," award-winning actor and director David Duchovny on learning from failure. Plus, a look at the long-awaited solo album from music legend T Bone Burnett and a crash course on writing from author, Steve Almond.