Numbers out today show that despite an 11th hour shopping spree by American consumers, retail sales are likely to fall just short of expectations. Analysts have been watching the numbers closely to gauge whether the economy is slipping into a recession. With Nigel Gault, chief US economist at the economic forecasting firm Global Insight.

A re-broadcast of a conversation with Cullen Murphy, author of "Are We Rome: The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America. In the book, Murphy argues that in many ways, 21st century America does resemble the Roman empire before it fell. This interview aired originally on Here and Now on July 16, 2007.

In the debate about climate change there's one idea that's getting some attention. Instead of capping carbon emissions at the production end, why not cap carbon consumption at the consumer end? We speak with Nathaniel Keohane, director of economic policy and analysis at Environmental Defense.

Producer Amanda Wilde talks with singer Margaret Whiting about her recording of the wintertime classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside," with Johnny Mercer.

We revisit a conversation that Renee Graham had with three-time Oscar winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker on the art of film editing and her long time collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. Thelma Schoonmaker has been Scorsese's regular film editor since his 1980 classic "Raging Bull".