Irwin Weil is a fine storyteller we have known for years. As professor of Slavic Languages and Literature at Northwestern, he is also an expert on Russian life and culture. He has just penned an autobiography, and joined Milt to talk Russian life, music, a bit of politics and culture and to share some of his memories of his encounters with great some of the great figures from Russian 20th century history.

Victor Davis Hanson is, quite simply, one of the finest minds in America. Professor Emeritus, Classics, at the University of California, Fresno, he is also one of the foremost writers on American politics and foreign policy. It is always an education speaking with him and today is no different.

Decades ago, the grade most given to high school students was a C. Today? Its an A. Does anyone honestly believe that American youth are smarter than they were 50 years ago? What has changed? Cultural Literacy is a theme we will be visiting again on this program. Its an ongoing theme. Mark Bauerlein and Adam Bellow, both longtime friends of the show, have collaborated on a new book, The State of the American Mind. Where have we stumbled? What can be done. The answers are contained within this broadcast.

Jesus is one of the greatest philosophers the Earth has ever known. He is the Son of God to many, a great prophet to others, and a rabble-rousing revolutionary to some. Then theres the claim claim he didnt exist. On the latter point, we feel that it is no point at all. To deny that Jesus was a living, breathing man is no longer consider an academic theory of any value. He walked, he talked, and he certainly was a thorn in the side of Rome. As to his relevance in the spiritual realm, that is another point altogether.

One of the foremost authorities on the life of Jesus is John Dominic Crossan. He just so happened to be back in town and we welcomed him to the studio for another in-depth discussion. He has a new book out, and was joined by our friend at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicagos Ray Pickett. What a valuable and intriguing discussion!

Compiling lists of our top ten songs, favorite ball players or films is always a fun endeavor. Who makes the list? Who did we anguish over having to leave out? We turned to our learned panel of film scholars and critics. Sitting in, Pete Sobczynski of RogerEbert.com and EFilmCritic.com, filmmaker and scholar Spencer Parsons of Northwestern and one of our favorites, John Kupetz. of the Medill School.

What? Why? How? The basic questions are sought after by scientists, men of religion, and some of our favorite people: philosophers. From Socrates to Descartes, to Wittgenstein to Locke to Lao Tzu, these were learned and wise men who sought answers to those questions. Two fantastic philosophers from contemporary times are Rick Lee of DePaul and Ray Waymack of Loyola University Chicago. They joined Milt for a marvelous discussion on Philosophy, and we are eager to share it with you.

Jefferson, Reagan, Goldwater. Those are the names youd expect to see on a list of influential conservatives. But interestingly, Mr. Tucker has compiled a fascinating list of others whom he deems worthy of study. It may surprise you. Well researched, and oozing with passion for this nation and what it stands for, Conservative Heroes: 14 Leaders Who Shaped America is a great study in this line of political ideology.

A question often bandied about is how Americans feel about our involvement overseas. Maybe a better one is how our leaders feel about it, and whether or not their feelings are in line with the citizens. Thats just one of the many that are posed in this informative entry into the series, as Milt is joined by Craig Kafura of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Rich Sobel, esteemed professor political science and public opinion. Regardless of your belief of Americas role in foreign entanglements, the fact is that we are very much involved globally. This is a fine study into the opinion of the governed on such matters.

Chicago Crime. It sounds like the newest dramatic series coming to a network near you. Unfortunately, its not. Its a big, big problem. And theres no shortage of people who believe they know how to fix it, or whos to blame. But on this program, we always leave the passion behind and use our minds. To do that, we enlist some of the best at our disposal. On this important topic, we bring you Lance Williams, Professor of Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois, Joseph Ways, head of the Chicago Crime Commission and former FBI and police officer, and Robert Lombardo, also a former police officer (in Chicago) and now professor of Criminal Justice at Loyola University, Chicago.

Much has been written about our 40th president. Many are hagiographies, many are hit pieces. But few are as even handed as this latest biography by the great H.W. Brands of the University of Texas at Austin. Milt and professor brands speak in depth on Reagans boyhood life, particularly the psychological wounds Reagan took from having an alcoholic father, to the revelation that, despite the warm exterior, Reagan could be rather cold and withdrawn. And, of course, no talk on Reagan would be complete without studying his great oratory skills and humor. Brands latest is Reagan: The Life.