Gabriel Byrne, a PBS Special on the Black Church, a History of Closed Adoptions, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

Actor Gabriel Byrne joins us to discuss his acclaimed memoir, Walking With Ghosts, about his childhood growing up on the outskirts of Dublin, his brief time in a seminary, and the various jobs he took in the 1960s before joining an amateur drama group.

A new four-hour PBS series celebrates the rich history of the Black church in American life. Stacey L. Holman, series producer and director, joins us to discuss the series, which is hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Part One of “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song” will air on PBS on February 16 at 9 pm ET.

A new book investigates a coercive system of adoption under which 3 million young mothers surrendered their babies for closed adoptions in the post-war years, and how it influenced today’s adoption practices and parenting norms. Journalist Gabrielle Glaser joins us to discuss her book, American Baby: A Mother, a Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption. We will also take calls from listeners who were affected by the coercive adoption system during the post-war baby boom.

Composer and trumpet player Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah is up for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the Grammys this year for his live album, Axiom. He’s also nominated in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category. He also has a new live album with the Robert Glasper-led supergroup, R+R=Now, which features Terrace Martin, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin, and Justin Tyson. He joins us to talk about both projects and, since it's Mardi Gras, we’ll also speak with Adjuah about growing up in New Orleans, participating in the masking tradition, and becoming a Chief himself.