Donald Johanson, Paleoanthropologist. It’s the 50th anniversary of Dr. Donald Johanson’s discovery of the Australopithecus afarensis Lucy in Ethiopia. We learn how Dr. Johanson continues to emphasize the importance of science communication at the Institute of Human Origins at ASU, which he founded. His continuing mission is to advance our understanding of human history.

Ryan Costella and Rod Hearn, Democracy Suicide. Can art help us bridge the divides that grip our country? Ryan Costella has created Democracy Suicide, a nonpartisan stage play that is the result of his own soul searching, which he expressed in the form of poetry, and eventually a staged performance with actors. Rod Hearn plays one of the four characters who create a moving and powerful experience intended to challenge and inspire audiences.

Meet George Lam, the Assistant Director of Nevada Humanities, who introduces the 2024 Literary Crawl, happening Saturday, Oct 12 in Reno. The event features a wide spectrum of experiences for visitors: Family friendly activities, writers workshops, panel discussions with authors, readings, screenings and even an open mic.

How does a curator create a unique and exciting experience for museum visitors? Ann Wolfe is the Andrea and John C. Deane Family Chief Curator and Associate Director at the Nevada Museum of Art, and the curator of the brand new exhibit Deep Time: Sea Dragons of Nevada. She tells us about the 2 year process to curate a presentation as complex as Deep Time and how she was able to include a personal contribution to the exhibit, a children’s book.

Frances Melhop has created unique art experiences since she abandoned the traditional gallery setting for a nomadic approach. Her latest exhibit is in the last place you might expect an art gallery – the former Nevada State Prison building. Melhop tells the story of this unlikely but powerful exhibit and describes how it came to be.

Michelle Aguilar-Ficara, Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival. The first annual Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival arrives this year at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. Film Producer and Festival Director Michelle Aguilar-Ficara introduces listeners to this new event as well as her own entry into the festival, Momentum, which is currently available for viewing on the PBS App.

Scott Faulkner is well-known for his work with the Reno Philharmonic and Reno Chamber Orchestra, but as one of the writers of Art Views, Scott covers subjects far beyond classical music, and as the faculty director of the League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management seminar he helps shape future leaders in the industry.

What does it take to do improvisational acting? Actor and improv comedian Ian Sorensen takes us through his thinking in an improv performance and introduces us to the Midtown Improv Jam at Reno Little Theatre.