Tanya Erzen, n associate professor of religion and gender studies at the University of Puget Sound, joins us to discuss her new book: “God in Captivity: The Rise of Faith-Based Prison Ministries in the Age of Mass Incarceration”, explains what brought her to work inside the prison system and the ...

Cliff Schecter mourns the loss of Leonard Nimoy and reflects on the cultural importance of Star Trek. The Department of Homeland Security funding bill and the ongoing Republican fail on immigration. Was winning bad for the Republicans? Why President Obama is paying no price for being progressive....

Think Progress Justice Editor Ian Millhiser explains what was at stake in the Harris v Quinn decision, how the right wing majority attacked healthcare workers, how the right is “weaponizing” the first amendment, how the Court can do more to destroy unions in the future and the radical departure f...

James C. Goodale attorney the New York Times during the release Pentagon Papers explained why the defense establishment always defends secrecy, why President Obama has been played by the national security state, why secrecy is distinct from confidentiality, the Nixonian roots of today’s attacks o...

Historian and journalist Rick Perlstein discusses the political roots of Mitt Romney, the enslavement of Santorum’s grandfather and today’s conservatism.  Plus, Jeff Smith on Occupy Congress, his experience in our nation’s capitol and why D.C. is so out of touch.  Plus, your calls and IMs.

Friday favorite, Cliff Schecter joins Sam.  Today, rights that are ok for Rick Santorum’s family but not for yours?  And at the root of Ron Paul’s ”good” positions is a dark, dangerous belief system.  And on the lighter side - reviewer Rosen returns!  Plus, the state of job growth, Santorum on ga...

Matt Taibbi on Iowa caucus results, GOP primaries as a meaningless sideshow and why Ron Paul resonates with voters.  Plus, Obama’s recess appointment of Richard Cordray, fracking earthquakes.  And in the better half, capital gains as income inequality driver, God reveals results of 2012 election ...

News and posturing from Iowa: Santorum, Paul, Romney and the others.  Dave Weigel, Slate.com, talks candidates and caucus process with Sam.  Also, Occupy update: New Year’s Eve clashes and arrests at Zuccotti Park.  In better half, Ross Brockley pledges support to Ron Paul, the discussion continu...