WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

David Corn has been an investigative journalist for more than 20 years. During the recent presidential election, Corn published the now-infamous "47 percent" video of Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Now, Corn has another secret tape: this one of Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell. He's heard talking about using damaging personal information against would-be candidate Ashley Judd. McConnell has called the tape an invasion of privacy, but Corn insists it was obtained legally and he won't reveal his source. Diane talks with Mother Jones' Washington Bureau Chief David Corn about the Romney and McConnell tapes and investigative reporting in the digital age.

Placing armed guards in schools around the country is just one idea contained in proposed gun legislation. Diane and guests discuss the effects on students and teachers.

Despite its longevity, the English crown has had few enduring dynasties. Even Britain's most famous royal family, the Tudors, stayed on the throne for just over a century. But the Plantagenets — who directly preceded the Tudors — reigned longer than any family before or since. From 1154 to 1399, eight generations of Plantagenet kings and queens ruled England in unbroken succession. Their names are legendary: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart and King John. They transformed a broken kingdom inherited from the Normans into the powerful realm we know today. And they created institutions we regard as essentially British, from parliament to Magna Carta. Diane and her guest, British historian Dan Jones, talk about a new history of the Plantagenet dynasty.

The world braces for a possible missile launch by North Korea. Al-Qaida in Iraq merges with a Syrian rebel group. And the legacy of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

President Barack Obama offers his 2014 budget plan. The Senate clears the way to debate gun control legislation. And the U.S. Postal Service will continue Saturday delivery. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Sexual assault on campus used to be something few people talked about, but not because it wasn't happening. It's estimated that one in five college students is sexually assaulted. Too often victims don't get help and alleged perpetrators are never charged. But this may change: the Violence Against Women Act includes a provision to address sexual assault on campus. And activists are increasingly using social media to connect with each other and share information on how Title IX of the Civil Rights Act can be applied to college rape cases.

North Korea continues to warn of nuclear war and has advised foreigners to leave South Korea. A panel of experts joins Diane to assess the North Korean threat.

Even after The Carol Burnett Show ended its 11-year run, Carol Burnett did anything but slow down. She starred on television and performed on Broadway. Burnett also wrote a play with her daughter, Carrie Hamilton, which opened in 2002. But its debut came at a difficult time for Burnett. Not long before, Carrie passed away. Carrie had a turbulent childhood, addicted to drugs and she was in and out of rehab. But once sober and in college, Carrie found that like her mother, she had a talent for performing. Burnett's new memoir is part of a promise Carrie asked of her mother before dying. Carol Burnett joins Diane to talk about being a mother, losing a daughter and her decades-long career.

President Barack Obama's 2014 budget includes a plan to slow the growth of Social Security and other federal benefits. Join us to discuss the details of the proposal and prospects for compromise with Congress.

Despite its longevity, the English crown has had few enduring dynasties. Even Britain's most famous royal family, the Tudors, stayed on the throne for just over a century. But the Plantagenets — who directly preceded the Tudors — reigned longer than any family before or since. From 1154 to 1399, eight generations of Plantagenet kings and queens ruled England in unbroken succession. Their names are legendary: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart and King John. They transformed a broken kingdom inherited from the Normans into the powerful realm we know today. And they created institutions we regard as essentially British, from parliament to Magna Carta. Diane and her guest, British historian Dan Jones, talk about a new history of the Plantagenet dynasty.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. An estimated 80 million Americans have one or more types of the deadly disease. For many years, numerous studies stressed the link between a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol with hardening of the arteries. But critics of these studies doubted they had found the true dietary cause. Now, new research from doctors at the Cleveland Clinic finds that a compound in red meat and supplements leads to higher heart disease risk. For our Mind and Body Series: the latest research on red meat and what it might mean for heart disease treatment and prevention.

A Wharton school professor re-examines what it takes to succeed and finds many misconceptions. What we can learn from people who are both extremely giving and extremely successful.

A handful of states from North Dakota to Alabama recently passed laws limiting abortion rights. But Washington State is considering requiring health insurers to cover the procedure. A look at states and the debate over abortion rights.

David Stockman, the former budget director under President Ronald Reagan, says the economy will not improve until the United States rethinks its habits of borrowing, spending and money printing. His new book, "The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America," argues that Washington has enabled Wall Street to fuel financial bubbles and alter the markets, all while crushing middle class families.

North Korean threats prompt the U.S. to boost missile defenses in the Pacific. Syria's civil war claims a record 6,000 lives in March. And the U.N. adopts a global arms trade treaty. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top international news stories.