The final year of World War II in the Pacific, told by men who came back and kept silent about the harrowing ordeal that changed their lives.

More information here.

Every day, an active duty soldier is discharged from the military and returns home to start a new part of his or her life. Some return because service has ended, others because of injuries obtained while serving. All of them will face a period of readjustment to civilian life, and many will be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety problems, and fear about their future outside of the military.

We try so hard to be perfect, to never make mistakes and to avoid failure at all costs. But mistakes happen -- and when they do -- how do we deal with being wrong? In this episode, TED speakers look at those difficult moments in our lives, and consider why sometimes we need to make mistakes and face them head-on.

Learning is an integral part of human nature. But why do we -- as adults -- assume learning must be taught, tested and reinforced? Why do we put so much effort in making kids think and act like us? In this hour, TED speakers explore the different ways babies and children learn -- from the womb, to the playground, to the web.

Hear it again and find out more information here.

The 1871 Mother's Day Proclamation for Peace (Peace Talks Radio)
The story of Julia Ward Howe's 1871 Proclamation for Peace and her call for a universal Mother's Day to promote peace and disarmament, plus the author of a book called "Long Time Passing: Mothers Talk About War and Terror."

Hear the program again and read more here.

The newest novel by the versatile and prolific Liz Rosenberg – poet, critic, professor of English at Binghamton University – is The Laws of Gravity. She joins Bill Jaker to tell about the story of a family struggling with life, death, medical and legal issues.

more Off the Page

This May, listen Mondays at noon (with a rebroadcast at 9:00pm as part of By Special Invitation) to WSKG’s latest season of the Expressions: Classical Series.

Presented by Classical Pianists of the Future, Gretchen Hull is currently earning her master’s degree at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University under Charles Abramovic. Hull is a 2011 graduate of Houghton College, where she studied piano performance under Fleisher student William Newbrough.

New Yorkers face some of the highest taxes in the country, and local governments across the state are struggling to make ends meet. One idea to address some of these issues is consolidation - but many communities have refused to consider the idea. What is consolidation? Can it really save the day?

Join Crystal Sarakas for this discussion LIVE, Tuesday, May 7th at 7 p.m

Call or with your questions: 1-888-359-9754

or email communityconversation@wskg.org.

From Athens Georgia, this week's From the Top features an unusually expressive teenage cellist performing Ravel's sacred masterpiece, "Kadish." We also meet a 17-year-old pianist, who has a strong case of synesthesia -- so strong, she can occasionally taste the music ... and a young guitarist performs one of the most famous of all Spanish guitar pieces by Francisco Tarrega.

From the Top, with host Christopher O'Riley, is a weekly radio series that showcases the nation's most outstanding young classical musicians. Each one-hour program presents pre-collegiate musicians whose stunning individual performances are combined with lively interviews, unique pre-produced segments, lighthearted sketches and musical games.

This May, listen Mondays at noon (with a rebroadcast at 9:00pm as part of By Special Invitation) to WSKG’s latest season of the Expressions: Classical Series.

On Monday, May 6, hear the Dave Eggar Quartet. Dave Eggar has performed throughout the United States and Asia, specializing in bothtraditional and innovative repertoire. Their recent release, The Yoga Sessions: Mozart, is an innovative fusion of Mozart and World Music created with yoga icon Derek Beres.