Federal Reserve Board chair Ben Bernanke is bursting through longstanding boundaries between the Fed and the federal government, some which could fundamentally change the Fed’s place in the American economy. Is this a good thing for the independent Fed?

In an unusual turn, oil prices have dropped $10.58 over two days, a result of falling fuel demand, a rising consumer price index and signs of easing geopolitical tensions, including a historic meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials in Switzerland.

Despite promises from the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board that they will protect Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, shares in the mortgage lenders remained unstable. The Treasury is asking Congress to approve a multibillion-dollar rescue plan, while Ben Bernanke is set to testify on monetary policy this week.

After another roller coaster of a financial week, senior Washington officials are trying to reassure investors that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have enough money to continue financing America's loans after the two lenders' stocks plunged to 17-year lows.

Guest: Steve Hindy, founder of Brooklyn Brewery

Guest: Stephen Dubner, "Freakonomics" author

Guest: Michael Grynbaum, The New York Times

Guest: Louis Uchitelle, The New York Times

Guest: Nicolas Retsinas, director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

Federal authorities have charged the first executives in the aftermath of the subprime mortgage collapse. The Takeaway talks with a reporter with a first-hand account of the arrest and the case, WNYC's Bob Hennelly.

Guest: Kate Kelly, The Wall Street Journal

Saudi Arabia wants to call a meeting between oil-producing and oil-consuming countries to discuss record high prices. President Bush has called for the United States to be less dependent on hydrocarbons. The Takeaway speaks with Lisa Margonelli to discuss the persistent high price of energy and its social and cultural effects.

After a 26-year reign of the auto market, the Honda Civic has dethroned the Ford pickup. What does this mean for Detroit and a super-size-truck-loving nation? David Welch, Detroit bureau chief for BusinessWeek, has some answers.