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In our third episode we begin the show discussing Steve Martin\\u2019s autobiography \\u201cBorn Standing Up\\u201d with comedian Dan Van Kirk, looking into the incredible career of the legendary comedian. We also delve into the art and challenges of stand up comedy, the improvised stand up show \\u201cSet List\\u201d, audience dynamics, and how fame and popularity change everything.

Next, we get a visit from a \\u201cHelicopter Mom\\u201d in New Canaan Conn., Julia Ballentine Peter, who tells us how a children\\u2019s book by James Patterson of \\u2018Alex Cross\\u2019 fame, \\u201cTreasure Hunters\\u201d, got her daughter Nel, 8, to fall in love with reading. It turns out that\\u2019s something he\\u2019s passionate about, and he has a great website called readkiddoread.com that promotes reading for kids and does lots of great work.

Next, we talk to comedian Doug Dixon about a fascinating non-fiction book, \\u201cHow We Got To Now: Six innovations That Made the Modern World\\u201d - by Steven Johnson. Based on the television series of the same name, hosted by Steven Johnson of the same person, seen on BBC2 and PBS. It\\u2019s an amazing multi-media project about innovation and how things change our world in surprising ways. Read it or watch it, you can choose! (You\\u2019re probably gonna watch it, aren\\u2019t you?) This project reminds me of another multi-media project I love, The Big History Project, a collaboration between Bill Gates and David Christian that\\u2019s about, well, everything. I highly recommend checking it out. It\\u2019s fun, easy, and informative.

We wrap it up with a timely selection from Raj Desai, \\u201cBilly Lynn\\u2019s Long Halftime Walk\\u201d: by Ben Fountain. Currently being made into a movie by Ang Lee, this provocative novel leads us into a great discussion about late bloomers, heroes, Raj\\u2019s hometown of Arlington Tx., Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, a young Alan Arkin, Malcolm Gladwell, The Dallas Cowboys, and so much more. Enjoy!

Related Links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdoQ5XwLxb4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Van_Kirk https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home http://video.pbs.org/program/how-we-got-now/ http://www.readkiddoread.com