WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

Jeff Faux of the Economic Policy Institute argues Americans are in denial. Everyone knows, he says, but no one faces up to the fact that the United States can no longer afford to have subsidized unregulated markets, be the world's global power and provide a steadily rising standard of living. One of these is possible, maybe two, but not all three, according to Faux. No group — and certainly no politician of either party — is addressing this new reality, he contends. Despite public posturing to the contrary, it's America's middle class that will be sacrificed on this current path. Please join us for a conversation with Jeff Faux on why he believes we're moving from a service to a servant economy.

Juan Pujol Garcia is an unfamiliar name today. Born in Barcelona in 1912, he dropped out of school at an early age and was a failed businessman. Yet he is considered one of the greatest spies of World War II. In 1941, Pujol became an informer for the German forces, but what no one knew was that he was working as a double agent for the British. In what a British spy called "the greatest double cross operation of the war," Pujol helped divert Nazi forces from the beaches of Normandy, making an Allied victory possible. Author Stephan Talty talks about this in his new book, "Agent Garbo."

New research on a rare gene mutation could offer clues about Alzheimer's disease. Another study could lead to early treatment. The latest on a disease expected to affect 10 million Americans by 2050.

The traditional four-year college experience is in danger of becoming a thing the past. As more students graduate with staggering debt and fewer job prospects, many are questioning the value of a college degree. College is becoming a place where a growing number of students go to gain credentials. It used to be a place where young people discovered their passions and tested ideas with the help of teachers and peers. Andrew Blabanco says that kind of experience remains central to America's democratic process. He and Diane discuss why he believes a liberal arts education still matters.

A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

The traditional four-year college experience is in danger of becoming a thing the past. As more students graduate with staggering debt and fewer job prospects, many are questioning the value of a college degree. College is becoming a place where a growing number of students go to gain credentials. It used to be a place where young people discovered their passions and tested ideas with the help of teachers and peers. Andrew Blabanco says that kind of experience remains central to America's democratic process. He and Diane discuss why he believes a liberal arts education still matters.

The brutal execution by the Afghan Taliban of a married woman falsely accused of adultery has sparked international outrage. The killing of the 22-year-old also heightened concern for Afghan women after the U.S. ends its combat mission. Some women's advocates were encouraged by protests this week in Kabul against the execution, calling the reaction evidence of progress. But the reality is that physical, sexual and psychological abuse of women occurs across the globe. In many places it exists in epidemic proportions. Diane and her guests will talk about efforts to empower women and change cultural attitudes among men and boys.

Pandas, tigers and African elephants have captured worldwide attention from conservationists. But an even more endangered species struggles on American shores - the Hawaiian monk seal. Fewer than 1,100 survive today. Scientists predict that without intervention the species could become extinct within 50 years. When the chance to house and study an abandoned pup arose, a California marine biologist took the seal in. In a new book, she tells the story of KP2 - how the boisterous young seal became a celebrity, charmed everyone around him and gave scientists clues to saving his species.

Super PACs have been called the wild card in this years presidential election. Following the Supreme Court's 2010 decision on Citizens United these groups are allowed to accept unlimited donations and advocate for and against specific candidates. By November 2012 super PACs aligned with Governor Mitt Romney estimate they will have raised about $800 million dollars, about eight times what the pro-Obama super PAC hopes to bring in. Please join us for a conversation on super PACs and their role in the 2012 presidential race.

American society is obsessed with speed, productivity and efficiency. We are told to never put off until tomorrow what can been done today. Quick decision making is considered a virtue, while procrastination is a sin. But University of San Diego law and finance professor Frank Partnoy says not so fast. In ancient Egypt and Rome, procrastination was thought to be useful and wise. Partnoy spent more than three years combing through scientific studies and interviewing experts in different fields to study the role of timing in decision making. He tells us why the longer we can wait before acting, the better.

In this month's environmental outlook, a look at rising sea levels and what's at stake. Whether it's caused by natural variability or human activity, the fact remains that sea levels are rising. The U.S. Geological Survey recently estimated that the Eastern Seaboard — coined a "hotspot" by scientists — will rise to four feet by 2100. A separate study by the National Research Council says ocean levels on the California coast could rise by three feet by the end of the century. Diane and her guests look at the causes and consequences of rising sea levels.

A high-level defection in Syria divides the Assad regime's inner circle, and the commander of U.N. peacekeeping forces there says violence has undermined their mission. In Pakistan, NATO supply routes to Afghanistan reopen after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is sorry. The routes were closed after Pakistani soldiers were killed in a U.S. air strike last November. The United States and its allies impose sweeping new sanctions on Iran, and Tehran says the sanctions won't affect nuclear negotiations. Palestinians may exhume the body of Yasser Arafat to investigate claims that he was poisoned. Guest host Susan Page speaks with Yochi Dreazen of National Journal Magazine, Nadia Bilbassy of Middle East Broadcast Centre and Mark Mardell of BBC North America Editor.

Four months before Election Day, another disappointing jobs report: the nation's unemployment rate remains at 8.2 percent. President Barack Obama takes his reelection campaign on the road to the Rust Belt, and announces a trade complaint against China on auto imports. Republican challenger Mitt Romney joins conservatives in saying the health care mandate is a tax, raising a furor over whether he has flip-flopped on the issue. More fallout from the Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act. And the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration goes on record to deny the existence of mermaids. A panel of journalists joins guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

In 2003, Pat Tillman wrote a "just in case" letter to his wife before leaving for Afghanistan to serve with the Army Rangers. The former NFL football player was killed while on duty on April 22, 2004. The military first blamed an enemy ambush, and later revealed Tillman was killed by friendly fire. Years of inquiries and hearings into his death followed. During this time, Marie Tillman tried to stay out of the media as she dealt with her grief. She talks about her new book, "The Letter: My Journey Through Love, Loss and Life."