Words can change lives. Just look at the "at-risk" students in Erin Gruwell's class. Many of them were branded "unteachable." Then they read Anne Frank's diary, and started to keep their own journals. The experience was electrifying. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the power of words – and the art of conversation.

Historian Theodore Zeldin, author of "Conversation: How Talk Can Change Our Lives," tells Steve Paulson that the old model of conversation was about hierarchy — one person laying down the law while others listened. He says we have a chance now to evolve a model where people really listen to each other for mutual growth.

Erin Gruwell and two of her former students talk with Judith Strasser. They describe the hostile situation in their school in Long Beach, California, and Miss Gruwell's solution. She made the kids keep journals, which became a book called "The Freedom Writers Diary." And the students read excerpts. Also, Natalie Goldberg tells Jim Fleming that people who want to become writers should just write, and find themselves a writing mentor. Goldberg's latest book on the craft of writing is "Thunder and Lightning."

Playwright and actress Anna Deveare Smith tells Steve Paulson about her book "Talk To Me: Listening Between the Lines." Smith did over 400 interviews with Washington residents, including President Clinton. She says he's a very original speaker and recreates his comments on the Whitewater investigation. Smith also performs Studs Terkel on the importance of human communication.

Distribution dates:

• week of 10/28/2001 - hour 2
• week of 11/12/2000 - hour 2