1. Tim O'Brien On Redefining Himself Through Parenthood
In this interview, “The Things They Carried” author spoke on his latest effort — a book of stories and letters about parenthood called “Dad’s Maybe Book.” Here, O’Brien shares his wisdom and insights on fatherhood, military service and the “Grand Theft Audio” video his kids can’t get enough of.

2. Members Of The MIT Media Lab Referred To Jeffrey Epstein As 'Voldemort,' Concealed His Involvement
Reporter Ronan Farrow’s investigation into the MIT Media Lab’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein unveiled that the disgraced financier directed contributions to the lab far exceeding the amounts MIT had publicly admitted. Our interview with Farrow allowed listeners to hear just how far the prestigious local organization went to conceal their relationship with Epstein.

“There were so many anonymized secret references to Epstein and his contacts at the lab that they started to refer to him as 'Voldemort,' or 'He who must not be named,'" said Farrow, referring to the character from "Harry Potter."

3. The Future Of Design Can Be Found In Your Toilet
Industrial designer Garrett Benisch taught us to think outside of the box — and into the toilet — to explore how design and sustainability can be united for good. At a time when the climate crisis is past its tipping point, it's hopeful to see people like Benisch find creative ways to incorporate environmentally friendly design methods into our everyday items. While the Green New Deal hopes to make sweeping national changes, we hope to see a poop-derived pen in the hand of every American.

4. Moby-Dick The Musical Comes To Boston
Our conversation with the director and lyricist of "Moby-Dick" stands out because it worked on both a national level and on a local one. The American Repertory Theater used its Cambridge space to workshop a show destined for Broadway. This conversation was also a reminder of the importance of exploring topics outside of the unrelenting breaking news cycle.

5. Fighting Mobsters And Bankers: Preet Bharara Looks Back On His Career In New Book
As the drama within the Trump administration unfolded this year, this interview with former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara stands out. We spoke with Bharara shortly before the anticipated release of the Mueller Report. In this interview, he comments on the relationship between justice and the law, and how the two — while interrelated — are not necessarily interchangeable.