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Distinguished economist Claudia Goldin is the Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University, the 2023 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences, and one of TIME’s 2024 Women of The Year. This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Goldin for a captivating conversation on the evolution of women's participation in the workforce. Claudia shares the exhilarating moment she was awarded the Nobel Prize and her path to discovering a deep-seated passion for economics, and sheds light on the complex intersection of economics and gender equality. The pair also discuss Claudia's unconventional advice to her students about planning their futures and her reflections on the new lifecycle of women’s employment. Tune in for a masterclass on the economic history of the American woman, and enlightening lessons on progress, policy, and personal growth. • Read more about Claudia Goldin’s groundbreaking work and all of TIME’s 2024 Women of The Year here: https://time.com/collection/women-of-the-year

Danielle Brooks, an award-winning actress and singer who has captivated audiences from Broadway to the big screen, sits down with host Charlotte Alter in this week's episode. Fresh from her acclaimed role as ‘Sofia’ in the film adaptation of “The Color Purple” musical, Danielle shares her journey from an arts education in South Carolina to the set of her anticipated “Minecraft” movie. She delves into the impact of her church roots on her artistic expression, her thoughtful process for selecting roles, how marriage and motherhood have shaped her work, and her deep connection to the story, characters and legacy of “The Color Purple.” Brooks also shares a behind-the-scenes look at her days on “Orange Is the New Black,” and reveals the secrets behind hosting an unforgettable game night. Tune in for a moving conversation filled with laughter, song, and the power of storytelling.

Sheila Heti is a beacon of contemporary literature, renowned for her unique narrative voice and groundbreaking novels such as "Pure Colour," "Motherhood," and "How Should a Person Be?" This week, Sheila joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss her latest literary endeavor, "Alphabetical Diaries," a profound exploration of life distilled from a decade's worth of diary entries, showcasing her innovative approach to storytelling. The pair delve into the intricate relationship between fiction and reality in Heti’s work, and unpack the concept of "autofiction," a term frequently associated with her inventive writing style. Sheila reflects on the evolution of her writing style and her recent experiments with artificial intelligence in crafting narratives. Join Charlotte, Sheila, and Sheila’s dog Feldman for a deep dive into the art of writing, the blurring of life and literature, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity in modern storytelling.

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Jon Batiste, a celebrated musician, composer, and bandleader with deep Louisiana roots. Known as the "crown prince of jazz," Batiste's journey spans from New Orleans' vibrant streets to Juilliard's halls, extending to international acclaim. Charlotte and Jon discuss the formation of his band, Stay Human, Batiste’s tenure on “The Stephen Colbert Show,” his Grammy-winning 2022 album "We Are," and the resilience portrayed in his 2023 film "American Symphony." Jon delves into the challenges and victories documented in the film, and the inspiration behind his Oscar-nominated song "It Never Went Away." They also cover his latest album, "World Music Radio," and his upcoming "Uneasy Tour," which focuses on social change and voter registration. Tune in for an insightful look into one of the greatest artistic minds today, and a celebration of the unique musical perspective, commitment to healing, community building, and spreading joy that Jon Batiste shares with the world.

Filmmaker Lulu Wang is known for her poignant storytelling and unique voice in cinema. This week, Wang joins host Charlotte Alter to take us behind the scenes of her latest project, the Amazon series “Expats,” starring Nicole Kidman. The pair delve into Wang's vision for the series and its impactful exploration of privilege, home, family, and motherhood. They also journey back to the biographical roots of Wang's acclaimed 2019 film, “The Farewell,” unraveling the personal connections and experiences that fueled its creation. Tune in for an insightful look into the power of storytelling in connecting cultures, and discover how Wang’s own journey from her early life in China to her initial steps into the world of LA filmmaking have shaped the stories she tells. • "Expats" premieres on Amazon Prime Video on January 26th.

In the second of two episodes focused on the forces shaping the modern GOP, Sarah Longwell, a formidable figure in the political communications world and a leading Republican strategist, joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucus and the implications of Donald Trump's win for the upcoming election season. As the President and CEO of Longwell Partners and the driving force behind several influential political organizations, Sarah shares an insider's look at the transformation of the Republican Party over the past two decades and voters’ enduring support for Trump. The first female national board chair of the Log Cabin Republicans, Longwell recounts how her early life in rural Pennsylvania sparked her interest in politics and reflects on the challenges and triumphs of navigating identity in politics. Tune in for a compelling exploration of one woman's mission to rebuild trust in American institutions and foster understanding among diverse points of view.

Tim Alberta, a distinguished journalist and author renowned for his deep dives into American politics, joins host Charlotte Alter for an insightful and personal conversation on faith, politics, and the evolving American landscape. Known for his best-selling book "American Carnage" and his incisive reporting for The Atlantic, Alberta recounts his early life growing up in the church and the intellectual journey with Christianity that influenced his worldview. Discussing his latest book, “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism” Alberta explores the complex relationship between Evangelical Christians and American politics and shares his unique perspectives into the cultural and political factors at play. This discussion is particularly timely as the pair examine the potential impact of the Evangelical voting bloc on the upcoming Iowa Republican caucus and the broader implications for the 2024 presidential election. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that cuts to the core of America's political and cultural divides.

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by award-winning actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, for a captivating conversation on his Hollywood journey. Ruffalo shares stories about his childhood in Wisconsin and Virginia and the path that led him to discover his passion for acting. He opens up about the influential time he spent studying under the legendary Stella Adler and reflects on how each role he’s played has shaped his career. Ruffalo shares unique insight into the impact Marvel movies have had on the film landscape and takes us behind the scenes of his latest role in Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.” Ruffalo also discusses his dedication to climate activism, revealing how his personal beliefs intersect with his professional life, and what drove him to take up the causes he fights for.  • Mark Ruffalo and Gloria Walton on Climate Solutions: Let’s Fund Communities ‘Like We Want Them To Win’ | TIME • https://time.com/collection/earth-awards-2023/6274444/mark-ruffalo-and-gloria-walton-local-climate-solutions/

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by TIME Executive Editor Naina Bajekal and Tech Correspondent Billy Perrigo to hear how OpenAI revolutionized technology this year, and why Sam Altman was chosen as TIME's 2023 CEO of the Year. Later, Altman joins Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs on stage at TIME's Person of the Year event on December 12th in New York City. The pair cover everything from the the turmoil at OpenAI, to next year's election, to, of course, Taylor Swift. We're going on a short holiday hiatus, but we'll be back in January with brand-new episodes about what shapes the people who shape the world.

As you've probably heard by now, TIME's 2023 Person of The Year is Taylor Swift. In this special bonus episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with TIME’s Editor in Chief, Sam Jacobs, and Senior Executive Editor, Kelly Conniff, for a behind-the-scenes look at the history of TIME's legendary, annual Person of the Year issue and to hear all the reasons why Taylor Swift is this year's Person of The Year. • Person of The Year 2023: Taylor Swift | TIME | https://time.com/6342806/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift/ • For all of TIME's 2023 Person of the Year coverage, visit time.com.

Every year, TIME recognizes a person or group whose done the most to influence the events of the last 365 days. This year, we partnered with Smartsheet to celebrate teamwork by honoring an enterprise whose commitment to communication, collaboration, and innovation made a significant impact on the world. In this special bonus episode, you'll hear how Pfizer’s women leaders are breaking barriers in vaccine science, how the Social Impact Team at HP is accelerating digital equity for 150 million people worldwide, and how the research and development team at Syngenta is driving innovation in agriculture.  Join us as we hear from some of the top companies that are driving meaningful change and the people who make it all possible – and learn how some of the most successful  teams in the world operate today.

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes Cord Jefferson – the Emmy award-winning writer and director, known for his work on shows like ‘Succession,’ 'Watchmen' and 'The Good Place.' As Jefferson prepares for the theatrical release of his directorial debut, 'American Fiction,' he shares insight into how the film came to life, and the stories behind its story. Retracing his journey from seasoned journalist to Hollywood stalwart, the pair explore how his early days in Tucson, Arizona influenced both his worldview and his work, and Jefferson candidly discusses the challenges faced by Black creators and the often-unfair pigeonholing the face at the hands of industry gatekeepers. Tune in for a fun and thoughtful conversation with one of the most dynamic figures in modern storytelling, and check out ‘American Fiction’ in theaters on December 15. • www.mgm.com/movies/american-fiction