Jeremy Rifkin, an adviser to a number of heads of state and the European Union, discusses his new book The Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis (Tarcher, 2009), with Joseph Planta.

Books on the Radio’s Sean Cranbury talks to Joseph Planta about the Real Vancouver Writers Series, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the closing of Duthie’s Books, and more.

As it’s year’s end and I’m on hiatus from the interview program, I figured it apt to reflect on the program and what’s been wrought. This year, 171 interviews were produced for this website, of which all but three I conducted.

In less than a week, I’ll find myself on a long haul flight. It’s not the destination that worries me, rather it’s the journey. I’m not enthusiastic about the several hours I’ll be flying, and so I’ve sought advice from regular travellers like Rafe Mair and Rona Maynard. They have both suggested reading mid-air.

A few weeks ago, Sean Holman, the talented and prodigious editor of Public Eye Online was on the program to discuss the year that was and the year to come in provincial politics. We got to talking movies, when I’d asked him if he’d seen State of Play, the fine American film based on the British miniseries of the same name. This got me thinking about what films had the best depictions of politics, media, journalism and the writing process. I came up with a few, and limited myself to twenty which seemed a workable number. Twenty favourites, as it were.

Blogger (www.michaelkwan.com) and freelance writer Michael Kwan talks to Joseph Planta about a new book he’s co-writing (with John Chow), the new BlackBerry Bold and other gadgets such as readers and the sort–in Planta’s final interview of the year; Sean Cranbury, who’ll be filling in on the program, joins the discussion over readers and the future of books.

George Froehlich, editor of the Savvy Insider, veteran journalist and former television executive talks to Joseph Planta about the Savvy Insider, the abrupt departure of Tony Parsons from Global BC, restaurants to go to, and movies to see this holiday season.

Books on the Radio’s Sean Cranbury talks books, his new co-production the Advent Book Blog, Christmas book buying, and Vancouver book shops, with Joseph Planta; as well it is announced that Planta will be taking a break from the program, and that Cranbury will be filling in.

Mike McCardell of Global BC’s News Hour, returns to the program to discuss his new book, The Expanded Reilly Method: Or Have a Great Day, Forever (Harbour Publishing, 2009), with Joseph Planta.

The writers and marketers Darren Barefoot and Julie Szabo discuss their new book Friends With Benefits: A Social Media Marketing Handbook (No Starch Press, 2009), with Joseph Planta; they also discuss the world of social media and how people and business can use it, their writing, their blogs, and more.