On this edition of Conversations, Duff McDonald talks with host Dan Skinner about “tickled: A Commonsense Guide to the Present Moment.” McDonald is the author of the New York Times bestseller “The Firm: The Story of McKinsey and Its Secret Influence on American Business.” His other books include “Last Man Standing,” and “The Golden Passport.”

On this edition of Conversations, Mary Doveton talks with host Dan Skinner about the Theatre Lawrence production of “Elf: The Musical.” Doveton is directing the musical, which is based on the movie "Elf." The show runs December 3rd through the 19th with both live performances and streamed performances. Tickets and more information are available at theatrelawrence.com.

On this edition of Conversations, Kelefa Sanneh talks with host Dan Skinner about “Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres.” Sanneh has been a New Yorker staff writer since 2008, before which he spent six years as a pop-music critic at “The New York Times.” He is also a contributor to “CBS Sunday Morning.”

On this edition of Conversations, Anthony Doerr talks with host Dan Skinner about “Cloud Cuckoo Land.” Doerr is the author of numerous novels including “About Grace,” “For Seasons in Rome,” “The Shell Collector” and “All the Light We Cannot See,” which was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

On this edition of Conversations, Marta McDowell talks with host Dan Skinner about “Unearthing The Secret Garden – The Plants and Places that Inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett.” McDowell consults for public gardens and private clients, writes and lectures on gardening topics, and teaches landscape history and horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden.