The Point

Author Nicholas Basbanes talks about book collectors past and present in his new book A Gentle Madness.

Barnstable school district teachers and author Mick Carlon talks about his novel Travels with Louis, and his efforts to introduce people to jazz music through fiction.

For some the Thanksgiving holiday entails eating a large meal with family whose company you may or may not enjoy. The thankful part is often an afterthought. Research shows that being thankful and expressing gratitude is something that makes us not only happier but healthier. Psychologist Michael Abruzzese and Psychiatrist Marc Whales talk about the positive physical and psychological effects of being thankful.

Our region has many dichotomies- we’re a resort community with multi-million dollar beach front properties, but we also have issues of poverty, a lack of affordable housing and a fragile environment. Rose Resnick, Vice President of Development Solutions of New England and Mike Brogiolio Executive Director of The Cape Cod Foundation talk about some of the challenges for our regional non-profits and new strategies to better leverage charitable giving for the needs of our community.

When it comes to environmental impacts, what you eat is as important as what you drive. David Freudberg, host of Human Kind, talks about his new documentary The Diet-Climate Connection and shares tips on eating for personal and planetary health.

A look at some of the week's top news.

With the passage of the federal Affordable Care Act, and new state cost containment measures, Massachusetts health care will undergo some changes. Jim Purcell former CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Rhode Island and David Rehm, President of Hope Health talk about these reforms and how they are impacting the health care we receive.

The holiday season presents a great opportunity for family discussions about topics that are sometimes difficult or sensitive. Bob Mauterstock, author of "Can We Talk? A Financial Guide for Baby Boomers Assisting Their Elderly Parents" and Janie Culbert, a family mediator join us. We’ll talk about how to get family conversations started and why they are important.

We listen to Senior Reporter Sean Corcoran's series on ticks, "Tiny Predators."

Living Lab: all about pteropods (sometimes called sea butterflies) and ocean acidification. Heather Goldstone's guest is Woods Hole Oceanographic assistant scientist Gareth Lawson.