Think from KERA

The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” sets the standards for how psychologists and psychiatrists should treat patients. Lina Zeldovich joins us to talk about how the latest revision of the manual may exclude some people on the spectrum. Her story “Why the Definition of Autism Needs to be Refined” appears in the autism journal Spectrum.

True downtime – with no work, no television and definitely no phones – is a scarce resource. MIT professor Alan Lightman joins us to talk about the importance of allowing our minds to wander, which he writes about in his new book, “In Praise of Wasting Time” (Simon & Schuster).

About 55,000 women who served in the U.S. military are homeless. Jas Boothe was one of them, and she joins us to talk about how female veterans are not cared for as well as their male counterparts – and about the “Ms. Veteran America” pageant, which is trying to change that. She’s part of the Independent Lens documentary “Served Like a Girl,” which airs Monday at 9 on KERA-TV.

Even if we like the people we’re around, so often our interfaces revolve around mindless small talk and boring meeting agendas. Priya Parker has studied how people around the world are making the most of the time they spend together, and she joins us to talk about how we can improve these interactions. Her new book is called “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters” (Riverhead Books).

Every day, refugees are rescued while trying to cross the Mediterranean for a better life in Europe. As a pediatrician, Dr. Seema Jilani has been aboard those rescue boats, pulling people out of the water to save their lives. She joins us to talk about the dangers experienced by those fleeing Syria and other war-torn countries. Her story “What Refugees Face on the World’s Deadliest Migration Route” appeared recently in The New York Times magazine.

The “1 percent” is the typical target for those upset by income inequality. Matthew Stewart joins us to talk about why that ire should be broadened to include a larger chunk of the populace. His story “The 9.9 Percent Is the New American Aristocracy” appears in The Atlantic.

The 20th Century growth of global democracy fostered a history-making economic boom for many. But stagnant wages and growing inequality over the last few decades have frustrated millions and inspired nationalist and protectionist political movements. In her new book, “Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy Is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth – and How to Fix It” (Basic Books), economist Dambisa Moyo explores what it will take to preserve both representative government and economic opportunity.

While his one-of-a-kind humor made millions of TV viewers laugh in “Mork & Mindy” and his thoughtful approach to character garnered an Oscar for “Good Will Hunting,” Robin Williams also struggled with addiction, self-doubt and depression. New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff joins us to talk about his new biography of the legendary performer simply called “Robin” (Henry Holt).

While his one-of-a-kind humor made millions of TV viewers laugh in “Mork & Mindy” and his thoughtful approach to character garnered an Oscar for “Good Will Hunting,” Robin Williams also struggled with addiction, self-doubt and depression. New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff joins us to talk about his new biography of the legendary performer simply called “Robin” (Henry Holt).

High-profile accusations and convictions of sexual assault have made lots of headlines this year. There has been less reporting though, about what happens to the perpetrators of sex crimes – who often end up in mandatory therapy. We’ll talk this hour with journalist Eliana Dockterman whose Time Magazine cover story is “Can Bad Men Change? What It’s Like Inside Sex Offender Therapy.”