Fame is a fickle thing. Even Claude Debussy experienced a sharp decline in popularity at the end of his life. It took the valiant work of friends, family, and devoted followers known as Debussyists to rehabilitate and then firmly anchor Debussy’s reputation for posterity. Marianne Wheeldon, author of "Debussy's Legacy and the Construction of Reputation," joins us to discuss this effort. 

Open to the public with free admission, the British Museum is a collection of unmatched grandeur, boasting incredible artifacts from pilfered pieces of the Parthenon to the language lover’s Rosetta Stone.

It’s hard to believe it had its beginning in the efforts of just one man, a fellow by the name of Hans Sloane. Joining us today is James Delbourgo, author of “Collecting the World: Hans Sloane and the Origins of the British Museum.”

Charity Tillemann-Dick, opera singer and recipient of two separate double-lung transplants, joins the show to discuss her life, career, family, and new memoir, The Encore.

Steven Sloman & Philip Fernbach, authors of The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone, share their insights about how humans create intelligence within communities.

Marcus Smith speaks with Carrie Tirado Bramen, a professor of English who's written a cultural history of American niceness. Join them as they discuss the often contradictory nature of national stereotypes.

2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. In this episode, we explore the life and character of Martin Luther with BYU history professor Craig Harline, who has written a book called "A World Ablaze: The Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation."

Langston Hughes is often erroneously accused of being an opponent of religion, but an understanding of the religious culture of Hughes's Harlem and his religious poetry shows otherwise. Wallace Best, author of "Langston's Salvation: American Religion and the Bard of Harlem," joins the show. 

French curator Alexandre Colliex joins the show to give a brief update on the world of art museums: where they're going, how they've changed, and why they're experiencing an uptick in popularity.

Marcus Smith and Ed Cutler discuss Walt Whitman's commitment to America, his love for the self, and its connection to others.

Join host Marcus Smith and food expert Linda Civitello as they discuss the history and significance of baking powder.