This week's special fundraising podcast guest is Ben Winters, author of the New York Times bestselling book "Underground Airlines". In this expansive conversation, Ben and Chauncey talk about the "what if?" scenario of how white on black chattel slavery continues into present-day America that drives "Underground Airlines", writing race and the color line as a white author, as well as the rise of Donald Trump and what the popularity of his bigotry says about America. Ben and Chauncey also discuss their mutual love of comedy, Ben's time trying to be a stand up comedian, and of course, the nuts and bolts about the craft of writing.

During this week's Christmas and holiday season episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show, per the tradition of Festivus, Chauncey airs his grievances, talks about the Christmas Card industrial complex, and shares a clip of what happens when Jean Shepherd of "A Christmas Story" fame meets the Ku Klux Klan.