Shelf Life

In his recent novel, author Christopher Buckley offers a modest proposal of sorts toward dealing with America's impending Social Security problem — government incentives for suicide. He discusses the idea with Kai Ryssdal.

Author Benjamin Barber says the American economy has taken a wrong turn toward encouraging consumption — and that's not what capitalism was supposed to be about. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

You know those people in your office who love making your life miserable? Your boss? A co-worker? Author Bob Sutton says we should have a rule against them. They're bad for morale and business. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

British Airways announced it's buying four new jets from Boeing — not Airbus — with the option to buy four more. John Newhouse, author of a new book on the Boeing-Airbus rivalry talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Cash Peters digs around inside JanSport to bring us a behind-the-scenes look at how the popular backpack maker made it happen.

Yale sociologist Rachel Sherman did some hands-on research into what it's like to work in a low-wage job at a five-star hotel. She talks with Kai Ryssdal about her experience.

Author Margaret Heffernan has researched women-owned businesses and come to the conclusion that they're doing a lot of things right - and, in some ways, better than their male counterparts.

Software projects like Microsoft's Windows Vista are notoriously late getting to market. Salon.com co-founder Scott Rosenberg has a new book on the perils of software programming. He talks with Kai Ryssdal.

Smart companies can use environmental strategy to their advantage. Yale professor Daniel Esty tells us which companies are making it work — and there are some surprises on the list.

Duke University professor Joel Fleishman says that despite their good intentions most foundations have plenty of problems. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about his new book on the subject.