Shelf Life

Brown University professor James Morone talks with Kai Ryssdal about how different presidents have dealt with health care, and lessons President Obama can learn.

Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine, and author of "Free: the Future of a Radical Price," talks to Kai Ryssdal about pros and cons of giving away media online for free. His critics say it's killing print media, but Anderson shares his rebuttal.

The Wall Street Journal's Roger Thurow, co-author of the book "Enough," talks with Kai Ryssdal about why the markets may be impeding getting food to poor countries, and what may help.

Author and Atlantic correspondent Ellen Ruppel Shell talks with Kai Ryssdal about the hidden costs of U.S. discount culture and how many consumers don't understand how prices are set.

Man Booker Prize-winning author Aravind Adiga's new book "Between the Assassinations" looks at life in India in the 1980s, prior to the economic reforms of the following decade. Kai Ryssdal talks to Adiga about his second novel.

Time's Justin Fox talks with Kai Ryssdal about why so many people once believed in the rational market theory, which suggests that the stock market knows what it's doing and is always right, and what the next economic model might look like.

Vans has long been the footwear of choice for skateboarders, but it didn't start that way. Kai Ryssdal visits the company's Southern California headquarters and talks with author Doug Palladini about how the shoes caught on.

Playboy Magazine editor and author A.J. Baime talks with Kai Ryssdal about the great racing rivalry between Ford and Ferrari in the 60s and lessons the U.S. auto industry can learn from racing's golden age.

Success or failure in life can be attributed to different factors: drive, intelligence and . . . height? Author Arianne Cohen talks with Kai Ryssdal about why tall people are more likely to succeed professionally and financially than others of shorter stature.

Professor Peter Leeson talks with Kai Ryssdal about high-seas piracy, and what we can learn about Somali pirates from their 18th century forebearers.