We take a trip to Melissa Caughey’s chicken coop in Barnstable to meet her flock, observe their interactions and hear their vocalizations. Melissa’s latest book is titled How to Speak Chicken, Why Your Chickens Do What they Do & Say What They Say.

As wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt was the longest serving First Lady. She was also a leader in her own right, championing humanitarian and social reform issues. Much has been written about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and activism, but the new book Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady sheds light on another aspect of her life; the 30-year relationship she had with journalist Lorena Hickok . Author Susan Quinn joins Mindy Todd for this interview.

In 2007 the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico, was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. A popular tourist destination, this archaeological site once belonged to Edward Herbert Thompson (1857-1935) of West Falmouth, Massachusetts. Evan Albright has written a book, part biography, which investigates how Thompson, an archaeologist who had owned and explored Chichen Itza for nearly half a century, made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in North America. Mr

On The Point, we take a closer look at the dictionary. What insight can dictionaries give us about society and our history? What’s the process for words to be included in a dictionary? Are words ever removed? Steve Kleinedler is the executive editor for the American Heritage Dictionary and he joins us from the studios of WHYY in Philadelphia. Mindy Todd hosts.

The U.S. is a country of immigrants who often re-created a tangible piece of their homeland in the kitchen: Italian sausage, German Schnitzel, Jewish Kugel, and so many other flavors. On The Point, we talk about the influence of immigrant cuisine on American foods and food traditions.

WCAI News Director Steve Junker hosts a roundup of some of the top local and regional news of the week. His guests include: Cindy McCormick of the Cape Cod Times; Sara Brown of the Vineyard Gazette; Tim Wood of the Cape Cod Chronicle; Ann Wood of the Provincetown Banner; George Brennan of the Martha's Vineyard Times; and Josh Balling of the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror.

From the design features in a passive solar house to new technologies in building materials and appliances, there are numerous ways for buildings to become more energy efficient.

On The Point, Larry Tye joins host Mindy Todd to talk about his new book Bobby Kennedy, the Making of Liberal Icon . Known as a civil rights leader and advocate for the poor, the lesser known Bobby Kennedy worked for Joe McCarthy and employed questionable tactics to help his brother get elected. We talk about the transformation of a privileged young man, ill qualified for his early positions in government, into the principled, articulate and passionate candidate for president.

On The Point, we discuss books for the holidays. Vicky Titcomb from Titcomb's Books in Sandwich, and Reference Librarian Jill Erickson from the Falmouth Public Library, bring along their suggestions for book gift giving, crafts, and recipes. Something for all ages and interests. Mindy T odd hosts. Click here for a list of books from the program.

Working mothers in a typical family contribute nearly 40% of the household income and in poor families they contribute 86% of the total income. Yet women earn less than men at every education level: an average of 82 cents on the dollar. On The Point, we discuss pay inequity and other barriers to economic security for families, along with policies and programs to help break down those barriers.