Host Marcus Smith talks to poverty researcher H. Luke Shaefer, coauthor with Kathryn J. Edin of the new book $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America. $2.00 a Day details and explores the stories of real American families who have no choice but to fight every day for their literal survival; it also examines potential solutions to the problem of poverty in America—in particular, our need for an improved, more effective welfare system.

Anthony Aveni, author of In the Shadow of the Moon: The Science, Magic, and Mystery of Solar Eclipses, joins us to discuss the human experience of solar eclipses--where we look, how we feel, and what they mean to us. 

Joining us on the show is Jeanne Marie Laskas, author of “Hidden America.” Her book lifts up the metaphorical rug to examine all the workers who make our modern lives possible, but about whom we often forget.

Asteroid Hunter Carrie Nugent joins Marcus Smith to talk about looking for asteroids and preventing them from colliding with Earth.

The Full Belly Project devises prototypes for small-scale gizmos and contraptions that have already solved some urgent problems in the Third World. Their philosophy may hinge on keeping solutions simple, small, and easy, but whatever they do, they seem to be all about putting the right tools in the right hands.

This man is making a big difference, even though his organization is very small. Neil Millman with his small cadre of recruits is assisting refugees and street orphans practically one at a time. Courage and persistence against great odds, in a righteous cause, is at the heart of it all. 

Tonight's show (8:00pm Classical 89, 6:00pm BYU Radio) is an interview with Salt Lake City homeless and refugee advocate Pamela Atkinson.  Over many decades, Atkinson has worked tirelessly with both state politicians and on the ground to improve the lives of many people.  She is gifted to be both a one-on-one healer and friend, and an effective lobbyist in the halls of the state capitol.  On today's Thinking Aloud, she speaks to Marcus Smith about her life of service.

Two members of the Open Education Group at BYU join Marcus Smith. They represent a rising movement to make educational resources such as textbooks free for everyone--not just to make the lives of students easier, but to better our society as a whole.

Noenoe Silva is a scholar who has dedicated vast amounts of time and attention to the story of Hawaii's cultural identity as seen through its language.

D.C. insider and biographer John Richardson visits with Marcus Smith about Alexander Robey Shepherd, the public works czar that was influential in making Washington, D.C. the iconic city it is today.