Larry Mantle talks with NPR's Ken Rudin about President-Elect Barack Obama's announcement of Bill Richardson as his Commerce Secretary.

Larry Mantle discusses the latest news in the proposed auto industry bailout. Guests include Sharon Terlep of Dow Jones Newswire, Robert Scott of The Economic Policy Institute, and Shikha Dalmia of the Reason Foundation.

Before President Bush leaves office, he plans to put into effect a new law which is being referred to as the "Right of Conscience" rule. The new law would expand protections for healthcare workers who refuse to participate in procedures they are morally opposed to. Guests include David Savage of the Los Angeles Times, Dr. David Stevens of the Christian Medical Association, and Dr. Anita Nelson of the Geffen School of Medicine.

Few people know the story of the Jews in Kurdistan. Settled by Israelites nearly 3000 years ago and protected by towering mountains, Kurdish Jews spoke the ancient tongue of Aramaic until emigrating to Israel only decades ago. Larry Mantle talks with author and journalist Ariel Sabar, whose father was born in the former Jewish enclave of Zakho in Northern Iraq. Saban's new book, "My Father's Paradise," explores his father's heritage and the little-known and nearly forgotten culture of the Kurdish Jews. Yona Sabar, Ariel's father joins the discussion as well.