Midday on WNYC

Jared Koch tackles how to eat organic and well. The Clean Plates Cookbook: Sustainable, Delicious, and Healthier Eating for Every Body offers sensible, sustainable, and healthful home cooking ideas and shows readers how to shop for the best ingredients no matter what their diet (omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans) and how to prepare food that’s simple and delicious. And his Clean Plates Manhattan 2013 guide includes over 100 reviews of restaurants serving organic, local, sustainably raised plant and/or animal foods.

Cheryl Henson, president of the Jim Henson Foundation, and co-curator of BAM's third annual Puppets on Film Festival, discusses the series, along with Rick Moranis. He’ll be appearing  at the opening night sing-along of Frank Oz’s “Little Shop of Horrors.” Puppets on Film is playing October 25-27 at BAM.

Egyptian-American filmmaker Jehane Noujaim discusses directing the documentary “The Square,” along with activist/actor Khalid Abdalla, who is a subject in the film. “The Square” tells the story of the Egyptian Revolution, as it follows a group of passionate Egyptian activists for over two years as they risk their lives to build a new society. It opens at Film Forum October 25.

Kinks' singer/songwriter Ray Davies talks about falling in love with American movies, music, and culture as a boy in post-War England. He toured the United States with the Kinks until they were banned from performing there from 1965 to 1969. Then, when he was living in New Orleans, he was shot as a result of a botched robbery and nearly died. In Americana: The Kinks, the Riff, and the Road, the Story, Davies tries to make sense of his long love-hate relationship with the country that has both inspired and frustrated him.

In 1967, Joan Didion wrote an essay called Goodbye to All That, on loving and leaving New York. Now, in Goodbye to All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York, 28 writers, including Ruth Curry, Meghan Daum, Sari Botton, and Emma Straub, take up Didion’s literary legacy by sharing their own stories of the allure of New York and the grief that comes when the city loses its magic. Mia Dillon Reading "Goodbye to All That" on Selected Shorts Mia Dillon’s reading of Didion’s “Goodbye to All That” was originally broadcast on SELECTED SHORTS, and is featured on Selected Shorts: Travel Tales; more information at selectedshorts.org 

Howard G. Buffett, his son Howard W. Buffett, and father, the investor Warren Buffett, discuss their philanthropic work and how to bring food security to those around the world who need it. In 2006, when Warren Buffett announced that he was leaving the bulk of his fortune to charity, he posed this question to his son: If you had the resources to accomplish something great in the world, what would you do? Howard G. Buffett set out to help the nearly one billion individuals who lack basic food security. His book 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World is about Howard’s journey and the lessons he’s learned in places from his own back yard to some of the most dangerous places on earth.

Composer Philip Glass discusses “In the Spirit,” a benefit concert for the Garrison Institute, at Town Hall. The concert features the New York premiere of “Songs of Milarepa,” by Glass; as well as sacred music from the Renaissance; Mandingo kora music from Gambia, West Africa; Sufi music of the Middle East, and Wu Man performing Chinese traditional music and original music by Glass.

Tony and Emmy Award-winner Cherry Jones talks about playing Amanda Wingfield in the American Repertory Theater production of Tennessee Williams’ "The Glass Menagerie." She's joined by Celia Keenan-Bolger, who plays Laura, and Brian J. Smith who plays Jim, the Gentleman Caller. It’s playing at the Booth Theater through February 23.

Bobby Orr, often referred to as the greatest ever to play the game of hockey, discusses his career on the ice, from 1966 through the mid-1970s, and his life afterward. No defenseman had ever played like he did, received so many trophies, or set so many records, several of which still stand today. His memoir  Orr: My Story is about where he came from, what drove him, and what he thinks of the game of hockey today.

Rock legend Boz Scaggs talks about his latest album, "Memphis," a love letter of sorts to the album's namesake city that showcases both original songs and choice covers.  William Royce “Boz” Scaggs began a long and storied career in 1965 with the release of his first solo recording “Boz.” He developed into an iconic singer songwriter, playing with Steve Miller and honing his rock and R&B chops working with the likes of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Duane Allman.

Renowned scientist J. Craig Venter explains the new field of synthetic genomics, detailing its origins, current challenges and controversies, and projected effects on our lives. In 2010, scientists led by Venter became the first to successfully create “synthetic life,” and  he looks at how it can lead to chemical and energy generation, health, clean water and food production, and possibly even our own evolution. In Life at the Speed of Light, Venter presents a study of this emerging field from the inside.

Academy Award winning director Costa-Gavras discusses his latest film, “Capital,” a high-paced drama set in the world of global finance. It’s a pointed commentary on how the Darwinian world of contemporary capitalism, and stars Gad Elmaleh, Gabriel Byrne, and Liya Kebede. “Capital” opens October 25 at the Paris and Regal Union Square.

Oscar and Lucinda is Peter Carey's Booker Prize-winning 1988 novel, that tells the story of an unusual romance in 19th-century Australia. Oscar is a nervous Anglican minister, and Lucinda is an heiress who impulsively buys a glass factory, and the two share a guilty passion for gambling. The story culminates in a crazy expedition to transport a glass church across the Outback. Buy, borrow, or download the book today and start reading now so you can join the conversation with Peter Carey! You can leave your thoughts and questions about the book as a comment, below.

Doug Rauch, former president of Trader Joe’s, talks about food insecurity, food waste, and his new project, The Daily Table. Rauch plans to open a restaurant/grocery store that will sell prepared food, fruits and vegetables that are past their sell-by dates yet are still fresh and safe to eat. He wants to use some of the grocery industry’s estimated $47 million of wasted food each year to help feed low-income communities.

Martha Stewart shares her expertise on baking cakes! Her new recipe book, Cakes, includes classics like German Chocolate, New York-Style Cheesecake, crowd pleasers like Baked Alaska, and cakes with unique, sophisticated flavors and embellishments.