Award-winning journalist Warren Olney hosts the show; it was syndicated nationwide by PRI and aired in 15 states and Washington, D.C. by Public Radio International.

Olney then introduces the topics for the day's program, followed by a break for carrier stations to play syndicated news headlines, typically provided by NPR.

In the opening segment, Olney discusses a recent or breaking news development with a guest, typically a newspaper journalist.

The following segment, which occupies most of the show, features a roundtable discussion of a topic of national or international interest, including issues of politics, policy, war, and science.

When major national or international events occur, the show will occasionally scrap its pre-scheduled main segment in favor of bringing in commentators on the breaking stories.