On this week's episode with guest host Gillian Findlay: This searing novel about domestic violence is a damning exposé of India's big problem (0:40); 'Excommunicate me from the church of social justice': an activist's plea for change (33:18); Documentary: 'Time is the great editor': Brian Brett chooses his literary executor (42:10); Donald Trump is the logical outcome of America's fascination with irrationality (01:01:16); What rumours reveal about our deepest hopes and fears (01:26:10).

Children seeking asylum face extortion, rape and murder before they even arrive at the U.S. border? (0:37); Trees are essential infrastructure in our towns and cities, say urban foresters? (22:43); Doc: An unusual family finds joy, connection and love in a remote Inuit community (43:51); Nick Mount on how Canadian literature came to be CanLit (1:08:17); Robert Harris on everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask about 'O Canada' (1:33:09); Doc: Newfoundland reunion (2:11:18).

Michael's essay - What would Mr. Rogers say? (0:37); Meet Herménégilde Chiasson (5:58); Mail: Slow news (36:00); Doc: Just to Have Had You (43:27); Why Canada doesn't have a national pharmacare program (1:10:51); A wearable medical device that could help Canadians move again (1:32:17); Trinity Western University Supreme Court of Canada ruling (1:48:12); Mike Check (2:10:58).

Michael's essay: News fatigue (00:37); The history of Canada-US tensions (4:59); My son's Facebook history might help me understand why he died. But Facebook won't let me see it.(29:13); Doc: Llandovery castle opera (37:11); Racism in Britain's middle class (1:14:51); Doc: My Own Private Twillingate (1:41:45); Mail: Fountain pens (2:01:03).

Michael's essay: Public vulgarity is nothing new, and vulgar words aren't all created equal (00:38); Ontario election panel (5:25); Mail: Moot Court (36:40); Documentary: Co-housing update (43:29); Peter Fleming Pt. 2 - Changing the way we work to build a more livable society (59:39); Miriam's essay: Being bipolar is not the sum total of who I am, nor is it a life sentence (1:24:35); Mail: Deaf employment (1:32:30); Jessica Matthews on Iran/North Korea nuclear deal (1:38:53); Llandovery Castle promo (2:05:13); Documentary: Meet the first black woman to ski to the North Pole: Barbara Hillary (2:09:11)

Michael's essay: Public vulgarity is nothing new, and vulgar words aren't all created equal (00:38); Ontario election panel (5:25); Mail: Moot Court (36:40); Documentary: Co-housing update (43:29); Peter Fleming Pt. 2 - Changing the way we work to build a more livable society (59:39); Miriam's essay: Being bipolar is not the sum total of who I am, nor is it a life sentence (1:24:35); Mail: Deaf employment (1:32:30); Jessica Matthews on Iran/North Korea nuclear deal (1:38:53); Llandovery Castle promo (2:05:13); Documentary: Meet the first black woman to ski to the North Pole: Barbara Hillary (2:09:11)

Michael's essay (0:40); Peter Fleming (6:59); Essay: Smile, Girl, You're in Court (46:24); Doc: Down the Rabbit Hole (51:48); Mail: Gaza (1:07:51); Deaf employment (1:13:04); Declan Kiberd (1:34:04); Abortion Caravan (2:06:46)

Last week's historic vote to overturn Ireland’s ban on abortion grabbed attention around the world. And it reminded us of a gem in our documentary vault. In 1970, a group of Canadian women set out on a cross-country trek to Ottawa in what became known as the Abortion Caravan. Hear Karin Wells's 2010 documentary, "The Women are Coming."

Michael's Essay: Getting used to the threat of nuclear war again;Yair Rosenberg on truth and bias in Gaza; Sabreena Delhon's essay "Yuppie", Panel on homeless youth in Canada; Donald Schaffner on food safety and debunking the 5-second rule; Professor Robert Frank on luck's influence on gaining wealth; Jennifer Chrumka’s Sisters of St. Anne documentary.

Michael's Essay: Racial profiling and stereotypes; Jagmeet Singh on dousing fires in his NDP caucus; Singing the Heavenly Music of 18th Century Quebec Nuns; Documentary: Table Stakes; late author Tom Wolfe on the foundation of fiction; scholar Cheryl Wall and writer Edwidge Danticat on the late author Zora Neale Hurston.