Think from KERA

For dedicated crafters, knitting someone a scarf is about more than creating a homemade gift. Alanna Okun joins us to talk about how a simple roll of yarn and a set of needles can offer a sense of control in a chaotic world. Her new book is called “The Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater: Essays on Crafting” (Flatiron Books). Tune in Friday, April 13, at 1pm.

It seems as if so much of our daily living is focused on not dying. And for all of our efforts, death comes for us all. Barbara Ehrenreich joins us to make the case that we should stop expending so much energy on wellness and let go of the idea that we can really alter the inevitable. Her new book is called “Natural Causes: An Epidemic of Wellness, the Certainty of Dying, And Our Illusion of Control” (Hachette).

It’s easy to assume that Tyra Banks has been a success at everything she’s ever tried – from modeling to television to the business world. She – along with her mother, Carolyn London – joins us to talk about the behind-the-scenes struggles the world never saw – and how they worked through them as a team. Their book is called “Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss” (TarcherPerigee), and they’ll talk more about it tonight at the Wyly Theatre.

Jennifer Palmieri served as Hillary Clinton’s communications director during her presidential run. She joins us to talk about what she learned from working on an unsuccessful campaign – and about what future female politicians can take away from her experience. Her new book is called “Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World” (Grand Central Publishing).

When Donald Trump won the presidency, many Republicans were relieved after eight years of Democratic rule. During the first year of his presidency, though, Trump has charted a new path for the GOP – one that has some conservatives questioning the future of their party. Michael Kirk joins us to talk about how the president has divided Republicans – and the country – with his bold leadership style. Kirk’s Frontline documentary “Trump’s Takeover” airs tonight at 9 on PBS stations.

In 1829, Chang and Eng Bunker arrived in Boston and were an immediate sensation, as most people had never encountered a set of conjoined twins. University of California English professor Yunte Huang joins us to tell the Bunkers’ story – how they won their freedom, entertained the masses and found love along the way. Huang’s new book is called “Inseparable: The Original Siamese Twins and Their Rendezvous with American History” (Liveright).

Texas schools have one of nation’s largest diversity gaps – meaning students of color are rarely taught by teachers who look like them. Michael Hansen, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, joins us to talk about the effect this gap has on students – and about what it will take to narrow the divide.

Lidia Matticchio Bastianich has taught millions of people the basics of Italian cooking on her PBS television show, “Lidia’s Kitchen.” She joins guest host Courtney Collins to talk about her journey from Italian farm girl to celebrity chef, which she writes about in “My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family, and Food” (Knopf). “Lidia’s Kitchen” airs Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. on KERA-TV, and Bastianich speaks tonight as part of DMA Arts & Letters Live! at First United Methodist Church of Dallas.

Jorge Ramos was born in Mexico City and moved to the United States in his early 20s. The Univision broadcaster has been critical of both President Obama and President Trump on immigration, and he joins us to talk about why even after 35 years of living here, he still feels like an outsider. His new book is called “Stranger: The Challenge of a Latino Immigrant in the Trump Era” (Vintage Books). He’ll speak to the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth on Friday.

One of the most profound ways the internet has changed the world is as a tool for connecting like-minded people, allowing the many to seize power from the few. Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms join us to talk about how this concept has played out in everything from Airbnb to Black Lives Matter, which they writes about in “New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World — and How to Make It Work for You” (Doubleday). They’ll talk about the book more tonight as part of Authors Live! at Highland Park United Methodist Church.