Robert Wright speaks with Jim Holt, author of the new book When Einstein Walked with Gödel: Excursions to the Edge of Thought, about how Einstein conceived his relativity theories.

Bill Scher and Matt Lewis make sense of partisan reactions to Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un.

Stephen Asma, author of the new book Why We Need Religion, and Rami Gabriel discuss the possible evolutionary origins behind Donald Trump’s demeanor and popularity.

Fashion journalist Connie Wang explains how her thoughts about cultural appropriation have changed.

Adam Frank, author of the new book Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth, speculates that climate change may be the “great filter” that stops extraterrestrial civilizations from reaching maturity.

Glenn Loury and John McWhorter discuss whether John’s upbringing disqualifies him from speaking on blackness in America.

Robert Wright speaks with Wajahat Ali, who wrote a controversial Atlantic article on visiting the West Bank, about how the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is framed.

Ross Douthat, author of the new book To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism, speaks to Father William Dailey about the relevance of the Vatican to the lives of most Catholics.

Bill Scher and Matt Lewis analyze Trump’s criminal pardons, including a rumored pardon for disgraced Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

Jason Zinoman, author of the biography Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night, reviewed all of Trump’s appearances on Letterman’s shows over the past 30 years.