The state of debate and Colson Whitehead's 'Underground Railroad' Historian Jill Lepore explains why the art of presidential debate has hit a new low. And David Remnick talks with Sharon Horgan, creator of the new HBO show, Divorce.

Gary Johnson, Angel Olsen, and a bee stylist Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson on his new pot-free life, Social Security reform, and arming school teachers. Singer-songwriter Angel Olsen's latest album. Plus, spiffing up a dead bee, actor Reed Birney reading from Donald Barthelme, and Joshua Rothman on our obsession with travelling to Mars.

Russia then and now, and the Bard of Katonah David Remnick and Masha Lipman recall reporting from Moscow during the August Coup and discuss how its aftermath shaped Vladimir Putin's path to power. Also, Jake Sullivan, Hillary Clinton’s top policy adviser discusses how Russian hacking has affected Clinton’s campaign.

The Honorable John Lewis, and the Inimitable Paul Simon Paul Simon explains why he thinks songwriting gets harder -- not easier -- with age.  And he gives a line-by-line breakdown of how he wrote two of his hits.

Donald Trump's Ghostwriter and a Poet Fighting Cancer The ghostwriter of Donald Trump's best-selling business book The Art of the Deal breaks a 30-year silence to share his fears about the nominee.

The Wisdom of John McPhee, and the Agony of an iPod Lockout In this episode, John McPhee reflects on a lifetime of writing; we explore the future of Brexit; and a reporter nearly loses everything after forgetting his iPod passcode.

Fear and the NRA, and a Hymn for Orlando The New Yorker writer Evan Osnos talks to Mike Weisser about guns, the N.R.A., and his unusual stance on firearms. And The writer Mary Karr has a fetish for high-heeled shoes. She just can’t wear them anymore.

Awkward Dog Banter, and the Marxist Who Brought Us 'Hamilton' The story of Kalief Browder, who spent three years in jail without being convicted of a crime. His case drew national attention to the overuse of solitary confinement, and its psychological effects.