Todd is joined this week on the show by Dr. Terry Hunt, the University of Oregon as Dean of the Clark Honors College and professor of anthropology, to discuss Easter Island.

Dr. Hunt’s recent book, "The Statues that Walked: Unraveling the mystery of Easter Island", co-authored with Carl Lipo, revisits the dramatic story of Rapa Nui’s prehistory.  The book won the Society for American Archaeology’s book of the year award, 2011, in the public audience category. Dr. Hunt’s research was the focus of a National Geographic Magazine cover story (July, 2012) and a full-length Nova-National Geographic TV documentary that aired on PBS in November 2012.

Author Miguel Connor joins Todd to talk about his latest book, "Voices of Gnosticism.  For several years,  Conner has engaged the most prominent writers and scholars on Gnosticism and early Christianity. These interviews with 13 leading scholars represent one of the best ways to get to know ancient Gnosticism, the movement that has inspired Dan Brown, Philip Pullman, Philip K. Dick and The Matrix movies.

Todd is joined on the show by authors Dennis, Matt and Sheila Linn. Near-death experiences (NDEs) are common, well-documented, and similar across cultures throughout the world. Current estimates are that between 4 and 15 percent of the world's population have had an NDE. Some of the fascination with NDEs comes from the fact that they often result in great leaps in personal growth. These leaps are characterized by the loss of the fear of death, the healing of deep hurts, an increase in self-esteem and compassion for others, a sense of union with all things, and a clearer sense of how to fulfill one's purpose in life.