Filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff was on the Lopate Show recently to talk about a new director's cut of his film, "The Tin Drum," as well as a new documentary, featuring conversations with director Billy Wilder. He also told us what his favorite comfort food is. (We were not exactly surprised.)

Guesthost Elliott Forrest spoke with Damien Echols. One of the Memphis Three, Echols was convicted of murdering 3 girls in 1993 and served almost 20 years of his sentence for a crime he didn't commit. He told us what he's been reading, watching and eating since his release.

When Alex Prud'homme was here for the Lopate Show Book Club conversation about Julia Child's memoir My Life in France, he shared some memories of his great-aunt and talked about what she was like to work with.

Michael Chabon was on the Leonard Lopate Show to talk about his latest novel, Telegraph Avenue (Benedict Cumberbatch and Chabon's love of vinyl records also came up along the way). He also told us that people seem to think that he likes everything...Find out what Michael Chabon really likes.

Filmmaker and author Errol Morris was on the Leonard Lopate Show to discuss his 20-year investigation into the case against Jeffrey MacDonald, who was convicted of killing his wife and daughters in 1970. He also told us about his love surfing bull-dogs. Find out what else Errol Morris is a fan of!

Elgin James was on the Lopate Show to talk about his journey from being a gang member to making his first film, "Little Birds." He also told us about his love "Dawson's Creek." Find out what else Elgin's a fan of!

Mike Birbiglia was on the Lopate Show (along with "This American Life" host Ira Glass) to talk about writing, directing and starring in the new film, "Sleepwalk With Me." He also told us what he's been listening to and that he's a fan of "Friday Night Lights." Find out what else he's a fan of!

Denis O'Hare was on the Lopate Show, along with co-star Amy Adams, to discuss playing The Baker in the Shakespeare in the Park production of "Into the Woods." He also told us about watching his son grow up and his love of science fiction. Find out what else Denis O'Hare's been reading recently.

Amy Adams was on the Lopate Show recently, along with co-star Denis O'Hare, to talk about playing The Baker's Wife in the Shakespeare in the Park production of "Into the Woods." She also told us that she's a fan of crime documentaries. Find out what else Amy Adams has been watching recently!

Graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi was on the Leonard Lopate Show recently to talk about writing and directing the film, "Chicken with Plums," based on her book. She also told us about throwing knives and why she listens to klezmer music...

In 1962, Helen Gurley Brown wrote Sex and the Single Girl, arguing that women could have it all – career, fun, and a satisfying sex life. Then she took over Cosmopolitan in 1965, and redefined what a women’s magazine could be. She ran the magazine for over 30 years. Throughout her career, she identified herself as a “mouseburger,” an ordinary woman who had worked extraordinarily hard for her successes. Often controversial, Gurley Brown considered herself a feminist, despite being criticized by Betty Friedan and others. She spoke to Leonard in February of 2000, when her memoir I’m Wild Again was published. You can listen to that conversation below.

Jeffrey Eugenides talks about his literary influences, the city of Detroit, and why he's grown to hate the word "sucks."

Karen Thompson Walker was on the show to talk about her debut novel The Age of Miracles. Find out what books she's been reading lately.

Jenny Brown, founder of the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, has strong, passionate opinions about animal welfare. She shares some of her opinions about what to read and listen to.

9-time Grammy Award winner Eddie Palmieri was on the Lopate Show recently. He talked about his career and he also told us what his favorite comfort food is. (It sounds perfect for the summer heat!)

Cheryl Strayed spoke to guesthost Julie Burstein on the Leonard Lopate Show recently. They discussed Strayed's advice column. She's collected some of her favorite columns in the book, Tiny Beautiful Things. And she also told us about some of her favorite things, tiny, beautiful or otherwise.

It’s hard to list all the professions Gore Vidal managed to juggle over the course of his long life.  He wrote his first novel while he was still in a US Army uniform at the end of WWII.  The grandson of Senator T.P. Gore of Oklahoma, he ran unsuccessfully for the US Congress as a Democratic-Liberal candidate in New York in 1960. And you can see his play, “The Best Man,” in a revival on Broadway right now. The novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and essayist (to name just some of his accomplishments), did not suffer fools (or conservatives!) lightly, and was gifted with an acerbic wit.  He always enjoyed being interviewed by Leonard over the years, however.  He recently died at the age of 86, and you can hear some of their conversations below.

Bravo executive Andy Cohen spoke to guesthost Jonathan Capehart about his love of pop culture and bringing the Real Housewives to televisions everywhere. He shared some of the books he's read -- and loved -- recently.

Makes 4 servings

For the Salad:
2 carrots, peeled and trimmed
10 cups shredded Napa or regular cabbage (about 1/2 head)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint (or use cilantro or basil)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts (optional)
1 prepared rotisserie chicken, shredded

For the Spicy Vinaigrette:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive or peanut oil
1 teaspoon Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce (see note)
Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lime
Pinch cayenne
1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1. In a food processor fitted with the large grating attachment, shred the carrots. Turn them out into a large bowl. Add the cabbage and mint and season with salt and pepper. Cover and toss well. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 hours.

2. To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, olive or peanut oil, fish sauce, lime juice, and cayenne. In a mortar and pestle or with the back of a knife, mash the garlic to a paste: whisk into the vinaigrette.

3. To assemble, add just enough of the vinaigrette to the salad to coat it and toss well. Taste and add more dressing or salt or lime juice if desired. Place the salad onto the center of a platter and top with the chicken. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts, if desired, drizzle with more vinaigrette, and serve.