Allan Gregg In Conversation (audio)

Policy Advisor Jeremy Rifkin continues his conversation about environmental issues. He talks about the three most pressing challenges facing our planet, which are; global warming caused by three hundred years of industrial pollution and of which the consequences are potentially catastrophic; the sustainability of bio-diversity which is under contstant threat of being damaged by over-zealous extraction of resources demanded by a global market; the control of the gene pool. (Originally aired May 1995).

Activist and author Jeremy Rifkin warns of the perils of bio-engineering. He believes the potential of being able to re-assemble the blueprint of evolution is dangerous and the implications are not fully understood. Scientists should not have the sole responsibility of being the architects of the biological destiny of this planet. (Originally aired May 1995).

Law Professor Joel Bakan discusses his new book "Childhood Under Siege: How Big Business Targets Children". The book exposes the widespread exploitation of children at the hands of big business and how parents and families are often left helpless to defend them. The advent of social media and mobile technology has provided even greater opportunity for corporations to access children. Bakan even suggests there is a link between the explosion of children's mental health issues and business both in the diagnosis and the medication.

Historian Sir Martin Gilbert is the author of "The Jews in the 20th Century". In it, he states that in western Europe, the beginning of the 20th century was an optimum time for Jews. Later into the century, Europe suffered an economic collapse and Jews became the scapegoats. Gilbert realized that there was very little written about Jews in the history books and even the holocaust was relegated to a footnote. (Originally aired March 2002)

Joseph Boyden talks about his novel "Three Day Road", which tells the story of two Cree hunters who serve as snipers during World War I, where their skills in tracking and marksmanship are much valued. The novel starts after the war, in 1919, when an elderly Oji-Cree woman, Niska, meets Elijah, one of the two snipers, who has returned gravely injured and addicted to morphine. As Niska paddles him home in her canoe on the three-day journey, she tells him stories of her life and Xavier wrestles with his conscience about the horrifying experiences on the battlefield. (Originally aired June 2005.)

Joyce Carol Oates latest book, "A Widows's Story", is a memoir of widowhood written in the six months after the death of her husband Ray Smith, after a marriage of forty seven years. She talks about the insomnia and the importance of good friends who buoyed her up. Looking ahead, she has no shortage of ideas for new novels.

American journalist Jeffrey Toobin's book "A Vast Conspiracy" is subtitled "The Real Story of the Sex Scandal that Nearly Brought Down a President." It's the definitive history of the Clinton sex scandals; from Little Rock Arkansas to the Senate. Toobin believes there was some kind of conspiracy against Clinton. (Originally aired February 2000).

Historian Elizabeth Abbott's book "A History of Celibacy" is an exploration of male and female celibacy from ancient times up to modern day. Celibacy played an importance role is history and is not just a religious phenomenon but cultural also. (Originally aired May 1999)

Medical Ethicist Dr. Margaret Somerville believes that as medical and scientific breakthroughs are happening so quickly, it is imperative that society sets limits on the ethical implications these breakthroughs may cause. She talks about the inherent dangers of reproductive and therapeutic cloning; xenotransplantation i.e. the implanting of animal organs into human beings and doctor assisted suicide. (Originally aired January 2001)

Malachy McCourt is the younger brother of Frank McCourt, author of "Angela's Ashes". Malachy McCourt has written his memoirs, "A Monk Swimming". It chronicles Malachy's life from leaving Ireland in the hopes of finding a promised life in New York. In this interview he recalls this boistrous time of drinking and hob-nobbing with celebrities and of course, he talks fondly of his brother Frank. (Originally aired October 1999).

In her new book "Misconceptions", feminist Naomi Wolf rages about the treatment of women during pregnancy and childbirth, a process she found to be completely de-humanizing. Written after she gave birth to her first child, she challenges the myths surrounding childbirth and motherhood. (Originally aired February 2002)

Founder of "The Body Shop", Anita Roddick, charts the progress of her business and herself in her new book "Business As Unusual". She talks about how her "Trade Not Aid" slogan actually works and as an example, cites her attempt to puchase Brazil nut oil from Kayapo Indians. Sadly, Anita Roddick died in 2007. (Originally aired March 2001).

Craig Kielburger gives an update on the work of "Free The Children". the charity he founded. He also tells us about a new initiative called "Leaders Today", which has been responsible for sending hundreds of Canadian students abroad to volunteer. His latest book is "Me ToWe", which teaches a culture of giving and community building. (Originally aired March 2005)

Martin Amis talks about his memoir "Experience" which was written five years after the death of his father, writer Kingsley Amis. This was deliberate as Martin felt it would have been too intrusive to have written while his father was still alive. He recalls his often turbulent relationship with his father and feels that writing this memoir was somewhat cathartic. He talks also of his admiration for and relationship with Saul Bellow; of the demise of American Jewish writers and his love for America. (Originally aired September 2000)

Pioneer of "positive psychology" Martin Seligman, believes that by identifying and enhancing your signature strengths, you can learn to make yourself happy. His new book is "Authentic Happiness". (Originally aired February 2002).

Social commentator Fran Lebowitz pours forth with opinions on the cult of celebrity, New York, television phone-ins, Bill Clinton, talking versus writing, being expected to always be funny, being lazy, children and middle age. (Originally aired May 1996)

U.K.-based Policy Advisor Charles Leadbeater's new book is "The Weightless Society", in which he calls for governments and companies to radically change their way of thinking in order to flourish in the new economy. (Originally aired January 2001)

Historian Lynne Olson, is the author of "Citizens of London" which is about Americans who lived in London during the second world war and who played a vital role in maintaining Anglo-American relations. Mentioned are Averell Harriman and Edward Murrow.

Chef Anthony Bourdain, of "Kitchen Confidential" fame, has compiled a cookbook of classic French bistro recipes. It is called "Les Halles Cookbook", Les Halles being the New York brasserie where Bourdain was once their executive chef. In the interview, he extols the simplicity of true bistro cuisine; stresses the importance of using a good stock when cooking and admits that the relevance of haute cuisine is fading. (Originally aired December 2005).

Anthony Bourdain was the author of the bestseller "Kitchen Confidential", which exposed the underbelly of the restaurant business. His new book is "A Cook's Tale", which is a travelogue of his journey to find the perfect meal. (Originally aired April 2002).