Sarah R. Wartell, executive vice president at the Center for American Progress, talks about what President Obama can do to advance a progressive agenda without the help of Congress. The organization has published a report recommending the use of executive orders in the face of division and probable gridlock between the House and the Senate. 

Charles Armstrong, director of the Center for Korean Research at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs discusses the current flare in tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The countries exchanged artillery fire today, with two South Korean soldiers killed. This followed North Korea's unveiling of a new uranium enrichment facility on Saturday. 

Felix Salmon, finance blogger for Reuters, talks about Federal raids on hedge funds suspected of insider trading.

John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker, discusses his recent article "What Good is Wall Street", which argues that the work investment bankers do today is socially worthless.

Stephen Goldsmith, New York City's deputy mayor for operations and author of The Power of Social Innovation: How Civic Entrepreneurs Ignite Community Networks for Good, talks about the city's recent request for cost-cutting suggestions.

How do you suggest NYC can save money?

Danielle Sacks, Fast Company senior writer, reports back on the state of the advertising industry in the shifting media landscape.

Global prices of cotton, coffee and chocolate are on the rise. WNYC business and economics editor Charles Herman talks about the possible effects on inexpensive t-shirts, your morning latte, and candy bars.