Eric Weiner is a popular speaker and author of the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss, Man Seeks God, The Geography of Genius and The Socrates Express. He is a former foreign correspondent for NPR and the author of numerous articles about travel and culture. He spent a decade overseas for NPR, based in New Delhi, Jerusalem and Tokyo.

This episode is sponsored by Lelo.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Big Jet Plane," written by Angus and Julia Stone, performed by Tuka.

I respond to some of the feedback I've received in the past day or two in response to my posts on wearing masks. The article I mention in Nature is here.

Music: "I Don't Think You Understand," by Goliath Flores.

Some thoughts on the difference between ignorance and stupidity, competing authority figures, the corruption of institutions, and the role of common sense in navigating all of the above. Music: "Watch it Fall," by Billy Strings.

This commercial-free episode of What Makes This Book Great? includes listener responses to "Cat Person," and a reading of Ursula K. LeGuin's story, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," written in 1974.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range.

Jake and Belinda are close friends of mine and have been married to each other since before either of them can remember. This is what happens when the three of us hang out WITHOUT wine.

Belinda's show on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram.

Jake on Twitter, Instagram.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Making Do," by Lake Street Dive; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.

TK Coleman is a writer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, teacher, and a few other things -- but that's enough to give you the idea. He's smart, funny, thoughtful, and overflowing with optimism. We talk about race, Muhammed Ali, and whether the free market can save us from the free market. Learn more about TK and what he's up to at fee.org/rev1.

TK on Instagram and Twitter.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Sometimes," by Daniel Lanois; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.

Miguel has become a good friend, due to his always-smart comments on many episodes of this podcast, his help with editing and graphic design, and his insights on everything from UFOs to Mexican culture and history (which can be found at The Daily Grail). I always enjoy our conversations, and am thrilled we finally got around to recording one!

Miguel's graphic design site, and his Twitter.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "God's Child," by Selena and David Byrne; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Too bad it’s usually boring as sh*t. Enter Kyle Creek, aka "The Captain," the ultimate storyteller who brings history to life (and to your life) in this hilarious, intelligent, brutally honest, and crude compendium to events that happened before any of us were born.

Find F*cking History on Amazon here, and The Captain on Twitter and Instagram.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Contract on the World Love Jam," by Public Enemy; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.

Beth Ryan, my younger sister, has lived in a multitude of places and now resides in Los Angeles. She attended college in Boston and worked for two start-up computer companies. Wanting to get a better work-life balance, she took a year off and traveled around the world. This trip allowed her to find her passion and her voice.  She now runs a non-profit called Stepping Forward LA (www.steppingforwardla.org) supporting foster youth who age out of the foster care system. She was my first "listener" and probably has more embarrassing stories of me than anyone else.

Stepping Forward LA Instagram feed.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "I Wish," by Stevie Wonder; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.

Julie Carr married my dad, Frank Ryan in 1960, and had me two years later. My sister, Beth, was born four years after that. While raising us, she worked as a teacher in Middle and High Schools and in various administrative positions. She's smart, sweet, and a hell of a mom. She doesn't do social media, bless her heart, but you can leave her messages when you order swag from "the cottage," as many of you have done over the years -- much to her delight.

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Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "All Along the Watchtower," by Bob Dylan; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.