Robert Reich on “Saving Capitalism”; Tukufu Zuberi on African Independence; Sonia Manzano on Leaving “Sesame Street”

On this week's podcast:

Robert Reich, the former U.S. Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration and now a professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley, joins us to discuss his new book, “Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few,” which examines factors that have corrupted the free market and have caused what Reich describes as the pre-distribution of wealth upwards to benefit the financial elite.

Tukufu Zuberi, host of the popular PBS television series “History Detectives” and a professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary, “African Independence,” and recently published the film’s companion book, “African Independence: How Africa Shapes the World.” He joins us to discuss key moments in Africa’s various independence movements and the role of African nations in global affairs. 

Since first gracing television screens in 1971, Sonia Manzano has touched the lives of millions with her portrayal of Maria on “Sesame Street.” Now, after 44 years, she has retired from the show. In addition to her acting work, she has won 15 Emmys as part of the “Sesame Street” writing team, and she’s an accomplished author. She joins us to discuss her life and career, and her new memoir, “Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx.”