Former U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk describes what happened behind the scenes when President Clinton tried to broker peace in the Middle East and offers advice to President Obama. Oscar-nominated actress Viola Davis describes her role in Doubt and the isolation of growing up in a predominantly Catholic community in Rhode Island.

Multitalented comedian-actor Garry Shandling reminisces about getting his start in the business and talks about the humor in the recent presidential race and the current economic situation.

Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn recollects the early influences on his decision to pursue the entertainment business and his activism and talks about why he chose to play the lead in the film Milk.

Award-winning actor, producer and activist Danny Glover talks about the Oscar-nominated documentary Trouble the Water, which tells the story of Hurricane Katrina from the inside. Hip-hop artist and producer Q-Tip describes his passage through various record labels and comments on maintaining artistic integrity.

Legendary singing and songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson tell the stories of how they met and the first time they pitched to Motown record producer Berry Gordy and comment on why people respond to their songs.

Personal finance expert Suze Orman weighs in on the battle over President Obama's economic stimulus plan and offers her take on the current crisis, including job losses, real estate, credit cards, student loans and retirement investments.

Cuban activist Carlos Moore explains the name of his new book, Pichon, and offers his thoughts on Fidel Castro's legacy. Best actress Oscar nominee Melissa Leo describes what drew her to the character she plays in the film, Frozen River.

New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, a member of the Banking Committee, weighs in on the economic stimulus package and the Treasury secretary's plan for how the government should spend remaining TARP funds. Pennies for Peace founder Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea, shares why he thinks his books remain on best-seller lists and argues that unless girls are educated, society can't change.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Graham Nash comments on the love and outrage theme in his music, the influence of spending his childhood in bombed-out Europe and why he's still hopeful. He also performs.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains how he generated the media attention around Pluto. The New Yorker's David Denby distinguishes between "snark"—the title of his new book—and public commentary.

Former President Jimmy Carter weighs in on the new president's performance so far, offers his take on Israel's elections and suggests a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Lamont Dozier reflects on the 50th anniversary of Motown and tells the story of how The Supremes were launched to stardom. Neo-soul singer-songwriter Raphael Saadiq performs a track from his Grammy-nominated CD, "The Way I See It."

In an exclusive conversation, via satellite from Colombo, Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona discusses the country's ongoing civil war and responds to controversial comments about the Sri Lankan government made by Oscar- and Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist M.I.A. during her recent appearance on our show. The AP's Sri Lanka bureau chief, Ravi Nessman, comments on the media's lack of access to the conflict.

Tavis revisits his conversations with some of this year's Oscar nominees, including Mickey Rourke, Sean Penn, Frank Langella, Richard Jenkins, Ron Howard, Danny Boyle, Melissa Leo, Marissa Tomei, Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis, and with film critic David Denby.

Iconic folk artist Joan Baez, who's celebrating 50 years in the business, shares how she got into music and humanitarian advocacy, talks about meeting Dr. Martin Luther King and the career effect of her activism and tells the story of discovering Bob Dylan.

Tavis revisits his conversation with Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, who, last night, won his second best actor statuette for his portrayal of the first openly gay elected official in the U.S. in the biopic Milk.

Journalist Adam Cohen, author of Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America, compares the current crisis and the Great Depression. Rising jazz star Esperanza Spalding reminisces about her early music career and her teaching days at Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music; she also performs the track "Look No Further."

Comedian Bill Maher, host of HBO's Real Time, gives his take on President Obama and comments on the danger of religion.

Becky Quick, co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Box, explains what the administration's mortgage plan means for everyday Americans and offers advice for people facing foreclosure. Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston talks about his summer job as a minister and explains his character in AMC's Breaking Bad.

Economist Jeffrey Sachs discusses the end of American dominance and how the U.S. can afford to do what it has to do globally. Writer T.C. Boyle talks about finding the comfort zone fictionalizing historical figures and explains why he wrote a book about Frank Lloyd Wright.