Orson Welles was born a hundred years ago, in 1915. His movies are among the most acclaimed ever made, and, thirty years after his death, lost and unfinished works by Welles continue to resurface. But has the reputation of his most famous film obscured the greatness of his other works? Alex Ross and Richard Brody join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss the particular genius of Orson Welles, and his evolving legacy.

Your favorite team can stir your soul or break your heart. With the Mets—New York’s perennial baseball underdogs—in the playoffs, many New Yorkers are walking around with their sports-loving hearts on their sleeves. Sports lovers and New Yorkers Nicholas Dawidoff and Adam Gopnik join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss why we love the teams we love.

The Weeknd, a formerly shadowy figure whose songs are dark and sometimes disturbing, has reached the top of the pop charts. He’s part of a new crop of artists who are set to redefine a genre whose limits can be hard to define in the first place. What does their music share with chart-topping R. B. predecessors who range from Aretha Franklin to R. Kelly? And what are they doing that is truly new? Carrie Battan and Kelefa Sanneh join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss what R. B. has been and what it might become.

From bugs and rats to mold and mucus, everyone is disgusted by something. But why? And why are we also attracted to the things that disgust us? Nicola Twilley and Joshua Rothman join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss our complicated relationship with all things icky.

On the occasion of a new biography, Louis Menand and Thessaly La Force join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss the pervasive influence of Joan Didion, both on and off the page.

Podcasts have been around for a decade now, but in the past year they have attained a new degree of mainstream popularity. What makes the format distinct? And why are there so many podcasts aimed at self-improvement? Sarah Larson and Andrew Marantz join hosts Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss what makes a great podcast and whether or not podcasts can make you great.

Over the next two weeks, tennis fans around the world will tune in to the U.S. Open. With Serena Williams in position to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam, and the foursome of Djokovic, Federer, Murray, and Nadal atop the men’s field, the stage is set for a memorable tournament. Nick Paumgarten and Reeves Wiedeman join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss the players who are likely to dominate.

Which do you prefer: a rich Chardonnay with fine acidity or a Garnacha with notes of orange zest and crushed stone? Wine criticism has become increasingly baroque, and it can be difficult to simply describe what you like to drink. Bianca Bosker and Rachel Arons join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to discuss the language of wine.

Adam Gopnik and Sarah Larson join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to talk about how children’s books have evolved and why they’re worth revisiting as adults.

Hua Hsu and Karan Mahajan join Amelia Lester and David Haglund to talk about the MTV documentary “White People” and contemporary conversations about whiteness.