In their first interview of the new year, Mike and meteorologist Rick DiMaio talk about last week's American Meteorological Society conference in Phoenix and the latest science regarding global climate change.

Mike once again presents It's a Wonderful Slice of It's a Wonderful Life, this year live in studio. Featured performers are Ron Cowgill, Robbie Earhardt and Rich Cowgill from Mighty House, Scott Duff from Out Chicago, Kellen Kiernan and Rob Kartholl from The Mike Nowak Show, and WCPT staff Dennis Schetter and Kerry D'Auben. It's worth the listen just to catch the readings of Guiseppe Martini (via phone, no less) and Zuzu. Just saying.

Roy Diblik from Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlingston, Wisconsin, is author of the The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden, published by Timber Press. He sits in as Mike's co-host for the entire show as they was poetic on the value of wood mulch, rototilling, native v. non-native plants and other horticultural topics. Shawna Coronado stops by to talk about her book, the Illinois Getting Started Garden Guide, published by Cool Springs Press. Susan Lendroth explains why she wrote the children's book Old Manhattan Has Some Farms, and how she wants to teach toddlers to respect the art and science of growing things. Listener Steve, who called in the previous week to vent about the state of national protest, did something about it this week and calls back to tell his tale.

Randy Schultz from Home Garden and Homestead has some suggestions for holiday gifts for the gardener in your life. Green Diva Meg promotes the launch of the GDGD (Green Divas Global Digital) Radio Network, of which The Mike Nowak Show will be a part, and she talks about how you can support them through Fanbacked. Carson Starkey from the Illinois Fair Trade Coalition explains why the proposed Trans-Pacific Parnership (TPP) is a bad deal for the environment, among other things.