As our nation pauses to celebrate 243 years of the experiment called democracy, we sit down with Clay Risen, author and opinion editor at The New York Times to discuss his book, The Crowded Hour: Teddy Roosevelt, the Rough Riders and the Dawn of the American Century.

The American military had been little respected by foreign powers until the often-disparaged but highly motivated Rough Riders decisively beat the Spanish, ushering in a new era of American expansionism. Using diaries, letters, and memoirs, THE CROWDED HOUR explores the motivations behind the rush to war, and the day-by-day narrative of the men who joined.

The new documentary “Uppity” tells the story of “Auto Racing’s Jackie Robinson”. Despite being one of the most talented young drivers on the racing scene in the late 70s and early 80s Willy T. Ribbs had to deal with engine sabotage, unwarranted suspensions and death threats throughout his racing career. The establishment did everything in their power to keep this great driver down but Ribbs was never one to back down from a fight and would go on to become one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Trans Am series. He shattered the color barrier in professional racing by becoming the first Black man to race in the Indy 500.

With recent advancements in technology and increasing attention from the media, much has been in the news about genetic testing for cancer risk. Although the genes a person is born with may contribute to their risk of developing certain types of cancer, only about 5-10 percent of all cancers are genetic. These cancers are caused by a broken or mutated gene that is passed down in families from one generation to the next. We talk with Katie Lang a genetic counselor and Coordinator of Northside Hospital Cancer Institute (NHCI) Cancer Genetics Program.

Johnetta Patton, mother to R&B superstar Usher stops by to share her latest passion. Patton is coming out of retirement to partner with an organization called Hungry. The group says Hungry will do for corporate catering what Uber did for ride sharing. Patton, while not a chef, is a foodie and operates a shared kitchen for rising chefs. The partnership of "J's Kitchen Culinary Incubator with Hungry will bring new meaning to the phrase "working lunch" around Atlanta. What makes the partnership stronger is the fact that for every 2 meals served, Hungry will feed a person in need. Atlanta is the third and first southeastern market for Hungry and Usher along with Jay-Z, restaurateur Tom Colicchio are also project investors.

Tonya and Jaqueline have been best friends for years. That's why Tonya knew something was not right with Jacqueline more than a decade after Jacqueline's mother died. Jennifer knew she was off, but was unsure about what to do. While at the South Fulton Service Center to get her tag, Tonya saw a sign for River Edge a service provider for the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. She urged her friend to make the call, and 60 days later Jennifer is emerging from the darkness of depression.

Today, 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely in the United States each year, including more than 14,000 in Georgia. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of moms and strength of babies everywhere. Atlanta March of Dimes, in partnership with presenting sponsor Northside Hospital, is providing Atlanta Jeans & Jerseys: Provisions With A Purpose, a first-time event where top restaurants and some of their chefs are paired with local athletes to prepare dishes for guests who come to the College Football Hall of Fame dressed in their finest jeans and team jerseys on June 8, 2019 from 7-10 p.m. Chefs will be on hand to share delectable dishes for event supporters to enjoy. Working alongside the restaurants partners at the tasting stations will be some of Atlanta’s best athletes from the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Dream, and Atlanta United. Attendees will not only be able to rub elbows with athletes from these sports franchises, they will get to taste some of the best food Atlanta has to offer and tour the College Football Hall of Fame.

After seven years of faithfully following her spiritual teacher, Renee Linnell realized she was in a cult and had been severely brainwashed. She had graduated magna cum laude with a double degree. She had traveled to nearly fifty countries alone before she turned thirty-five. She was a surf model and a professional tango dancer. She had started five different companies and was getting an MBA from NYU. How does someone like her end up brainwashed in a cult? Renee Linnell’s The Burn Zone is an exploration of how we give up our power—how what started out as a need to heal from the loss of her parents and to understand the big questions in life could leave a young woman fighting for her sanity and her sense of self; ultimately emerging from the battle stronger than ever.

When you hear stories about the desegregation of the University of Georgia the names mentioned are of the late Dr. Hamilton Holmes and Journalist Charlayne Hunter. The name you'd not heard belonged to Mary Frances Early. This music educator graduated from Atlanta's Turner High School and Clark College. She was awarded a scholarship to pursue her master's degree in education at the University of Michigan because it was more accepting of black students. But when she saw how her Turner High classmates were being treated at UGA in 1961, Early transferred to UGA to complete her post-graduate education and in 1962 became the first African American graduate of the country's oldest land grant university. UGA plans to name the college of education in her honor. She was a 'Hidden Figure.' Not anymore.

As spring moves into summer, we are outdoors more, enjoying the weather and all the activities living in the south affords us. That also means we are entertaining more. Whether that’s trying a new dish with the family or spending time with friends, there’s always time for something new. Which brings us to our guest today – from Sister Circle and Bravo’s Married to Medicine – Quad Webb whose new book is Cooking with Miss Quad: Live, Laugh, Love and EAT! The book features more than 100 delicious recipes.

Valerie Jarrett is one of the most influential women of the 21st century. She is a mother, daughter, entrepreneur and public servant. She is the longest serving senior adviser in the Obama White House. She's written a memoir at the urging of her daughter who asked her what she'd tell her 35 year old self. She discusses being bullied as a child; ending her marriage and her friendship with Barack and Michelle Obama. Her book is available everywhere now.