All Of It

WNYC and Gothamist education reporter Jessica Gould shares her reporting on how the cellphone ban at NYC's public school has changed the nature of lunchtime for kids around the city. She also shares her insights on school news to watch for in the new year. Plus, listeners call in with their questions, and to report how the cellphone ban has impacted their students.

Lunch has a long history in New York, and the midday meal has looked different throughout different eras of the city. In today's world of corporate bowls and fast casual spots, we want to know where your go-to lunch places from back in the day, whether it was meeting a friend, hosting a "power lunch," or taking a simple lunch break. In 2012, the New York Public Library organized an exhibit, "Lunch Hour NYC," about the history of lunch in the city. Co-curators Rebecca Federman and Laura Shapiro speak about what they learned.

Eater editor Nadia Chaudhury shares her list of New Years Eve celebrations around the city, and her tips for celebrating at home. Plus listeners call in to shout out their plans to celebrate the start of 2026.

On December 31, the MTA will stop selling new MetroCards for subway and bus riders, continuing the transition to a contactless tap-and-ride fare system. Jodi Shapiro, New York Transit Museum curator, discusses the end of the MetroCard and its legacy in the history of NYC Transit, and speaks more about the museum's exhibit, "FAREwell, MetroCard," on view now.

Before the New Year, hear updates from the world of podcasts, including industry trends, new and rising shows, and highlight episodes from 2025. Podcast industry expert Lauren Passell, curator of Podcast The Newsletter and podcast writer for LifeHacker, shares her recommendations and insights.

Photographer Jamel Shabazz grew up in Brooklyn. Naturally, he learned his craft of street photography through one of his favorite place's in his home borough: Prospect Park. This fall, Shabazz released a new photography book, Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025. Shabazz discusses his photographic inspiration in the park, and listeners share their favorite parts to hang out or walk around in Prospect Park.

Novelist, writer and Macarthur Fellow Dinaw Mengetsu has been tapped to lead PEN America. He discusses his mission for the organization in the midst of attacks on free speech and efforts to reinterpret history.

What is the best movie you saw in 2025? New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson discusses her list of the best movies of the year, and takes calls from listeners who want to share their favorite movie of 2025.

The Radio City Rockettes are a New York institution. But what is it like to be a real Rockette, and how does one get the gig? Joining us are Rockettes Kayla Hsu and Maya Addie to talk more about their experience, and listeners share their questions with the dancers.

The Radio City Rockettes are of course a celebrated New York tradition around the holidays, but did you know the group was formed in St. Louis? This year marks the centennial of The Rockettes. Julie Branam, director and choreographer of the Christmas Spectacular, speaks to the history of the institution, and listeners share their memories of seeing The Rockettes throughout the years.

An exhibition at The New York Historical explores Black LGBTQ+ nightlife, arts, and culture during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. Lead curator Allison Robinson and chief historian George Chauncey, author of Gay New York and the DeWitt Clinton Professor of American History at Columbia University, discuss "The Gay Harlem Renaissance", on view through March 8, 2026. 

The holidays are thought to be a time of gathering with friends and family, but many also spend the season alone, either by choice or not. Being alone especially around the holidays can feel challenging, but it doesn't have to be! Comedian Josh Gondelman, known for his pep talks, discusses how to break the stigma of being lone during the holiday season, and listeners share their stories and tips.

[REBROADCAST FROM Sept. 8, 2025] Gene Pressman was the former co-CEO, creative director, and head of merchandising and marketing for Barneys New York before the beloved department store closed in 2020. Now, he chronicles the history of his family's business, and his own experience there, in the new memoir They All Came to Barneys: A Personal History of the World's Greatest Store. Pressman discusses the book, and listeners share their memories of Barneys. 

[REBROADCAST FROM May 14, 2025] Celebrated poet and author Ocean Vuong discusses his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness. It follows the relationship between a young man and an elderly woman who meet after the man's suicide attempt.

[REBROADCAST FROM June 9, 2025] "Somebody Somewhere" star Jeff Hiller discusses his new memoir, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success. Hiller will be speaking at Symphony Space on June 10 with "Somebody Somewhere" co-stars Bridget Everett and Murray Hill.

[REBROADCAST FROM March 14, 2025] Social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney rose to fame through her series documenting her gender transition on TikTok. But along with love from many in the LGBTQIA+ community, the videos attracted hate and transphobia. Mulvaney found herself embroiled in a national controversy after her turn as a spokesperson for Bud Light led some to declare a boycott of Bud Light's products. Now, Mulvaney is chronicling her journey into womanhood and national fame in her new memoir, Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer.  

[REBROADCAST FROM Oct. 2, 2025] The novel The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and is a Kirkus Prize finalist. Author Kiran Desai discusses the novel, which tells the story of one couple throughout their lives in India and New York City.

[REBROADCAST FROM October 20, 2025] Both Steve Martin and Alison Brown share a love of the banjo. Videos of the two playing together have gone viral online, and Martin's banjo videos during the pandemic were particularly comforting to many. Brown and Martin talk about their new album, Safe Sensible and Sane, and perform live in the studio.

[REBROADCAST FROM June 10, 2025] On June 6, The Doobie Brothers, now reunited with Michael McDonald, released their latest album, Walk This Road. And on June 12, the band is being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Ahead of their induction, tune in for a Listening Party with all four members: Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee.

[REBROADCAST FROM January 8, 2025] Lakecia Benjamin is an alto saxophonist and composer who is nominated at this year's Grammy Awards in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Jazz Performance categories for her album, Phoenix Reimagined (Live). The project is a live performance of her 2023 album, Phoenix. Benjamin joins to perform live with her band and discuss her New York upbringing in music.

[REBROADCAST FROM February 20, 2025] Powerhouse country and Americana duo The War and Treaty joined us live in the studio to perform songs from their brand new album, Plus One.

The new Netflix documentary "The Cover-Up" spotlights the career of investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, who is known for breaking stories like the My Lai Massacre and the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. Documentarian Laura Poitras discusses the documentary, which is paying now at Film Forum and is streaming on Netflix. 

We are getting you set for the holiday season with local shop enthusiast Caroline Weaver, aka, The Locavore. She will join us each week through the holiday season, to go to explore each borough's local shopping options, for shoppers who want their holiday spending to support their communities. Today, the Locavore takes on Queens.

The Rom-Com is as synonymous with Christmas as the Christmas Tree itself. For the next installment of our debate series, Small Stakes, Big Opinions, we ask the question: What is the best Holiday rom-com and why? Rebecca Alter, Vulture staff writer, gives us her list of favorite movies, and listeners share their picks.

Gen Z moviegoing attendance grew by 25 percent over the last 12 months, according to Cinema United's Strength of Exhibition report. IndieWire executive editor Ryan Lattanzio breaks down the report's findings and explains the factors that encourage people to become "habitual" moviegoers, defined as those who see at least six films a year.

Christmas is just a week away. Members of the West Village Chorale return once again this year to ring in the holiday spirit and perform some classic carols live. And on Saturday, December 20, you can join the Chorale for their longtime annual free caroling walk around the Village.

The National Dance Institute was founded 50 years ago to provide free dance education to children who would not be able to afford it, and children with physical disabilities that most programs are not equipped to work with. Today, it serves over 6,500 children in the NYC area. Artistic director Kay Gayner and board member Daniel Ulbricht, who is also principal dancer of the New York City Ballet, discuss the organization's mission, and it's work over the past five decades.

The Whitney's exhibit, "High Wire: Calder's Circus at 100" celebrates the centennial anniversary of Alexander Calder's iconic work by bringing it together with other examples of his circus-themed wire sculptures and drawings. Whitney curators Jennie Goldstein and Roxanne Smith discuss the exhibit.

The new documentary "Happy and You Know It" celebrates the history of children's music and musicians. Director Penny Lane discusses the documentary, and listeners share their favorite children's musician or song. "Happy and You Know It" premieres on HBO and HBO Max on December 25.

Though it had a relatively quiet 1955 release, the klezmer album Tanz!, from Dave Tarras and the Musiker Brothers, is now considered a landmark of the genre. On the new album, Michael Winograd Plays Tanz! Live In New York City, Michael Winograd celebrates its legacy. He and his band will perform a few pieces live and talk about the album's influence on him, and preview a show Thursday evening at the Center for New Jewish Culture.

Looking to give a book as a Christmas gift, but not sure what to get? All Of It and Get Lit producer Jordan Lauf provides a gift guide for every kind of reader, from history lovers to romance novels. Plus, listeners chime in with their own suggestions.

25 years ago this month, the Coen brothers' Americana Odyssey "O Brother, Where Art Thou" was released in theaters. While the movie saw a paucity of award recognition, its soundtrack managed to land a Grammy for Album of the Year, giving rise to a major revival of American roots and bluegrass music in the mainstream. Music writer Allison Hussey discusses the soundtrack and its legacy as part of our Silver Liner Notes series, and listeners share their feelings about the film, and the soundtrack.

Actor Tim Blake Nelson is known for his work in "O Brother Where Art Thou," "Watchmen" and most recently, "The Lowdown." In addition to his work as a playwright, photographer, director and filmmaker, his second novel, Superhero, a satire about the Hollywood industry of blockbuster films, is available now. Nelson discusses the book and his many other projects.

A new book about puzzles claims 36 million Americans solve crosswords once a week or more, and nearly 23 million solve them daily. Natan Last, a researcher, policy advisor, writer, and crossword constructor in New York City, joins us to discuss his book, Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle.

Recently, vocalist Kate Kortum won NJPAC's Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, a prestigious award for Jazz vocalists that includes previous winners like Samara Joy. Kortum is originally from Houston, now embarking on her early career in New York. She discusses her emotions around winning the competition, and performs live from her latest album, Wild Woman. You can also see her perform at Big Band Holidays with The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra through December 21.

Actor Carol Kane, known for her roles in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the Princess Bride and Taxi, lives with her 98 year old mother in Manhattan. A new documentary short called "Carol & Joy" spotlights a day in the life of two singular talents as well as touches on the demands of caregiving. Carol and Joy Kane discuss their lives together, along with director Nathan Silver.

Penn Station is one of the busiest transport hubs in NYC and has had its share of problems. New York Times architecture critic Michael Kimmelman and transit hub economics reporter Patrick McGeehan discuss ideal solutions, and practical ones, as well as the obstacles to getting them implemented. Plus, listeners call in with their questions.

Through her Instagram and TikTok account, ghostlyarchive, Rosie Grant documents recipes she finds on gravestones and her own process trying to recreate them. She talks about her recently published the book, To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes, and take calls from listeners who family recipes from their (deceased) loved ones.

The final season of the beloved sci-fi series "Stranger Things" is underway. Star Gaten Matarazzo, who has been playing Dustin on the show for a decade, discusses the final season and takes calls from listeners.

Cameron Crowe discusses his new memoir, The Uncool, which chronicles his time working for Rolling Stone, covering some of the biggest rock bands in the world, as a very young journalist.

"Tartuffe" is the classic Molière comedy and satire first performed in the 1660s. Matthew Broderick is currently starring in the lead role of a new off-Broadway production of the play at New York Theatre Workshop. Broderick discusses his process for taking on the role, along with Lisa Kron, who plays Dorine, and director Sarah Benson. "Tartuffe" is running through January 24.

The Americana band Old Crow Medicine Show has a new holiday album, OCMS XMAS. Band members Ketch Secor, Morgan Jahnig and Cory Younts join for a listening party to get listeners in the holiday spirit.

Local New Jersey poet and Princeton professor Patricia Smith has won the National Book Award for her poetry collection, The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems. The collection covers her poetry from 1991 to 2024, and includes poems about jazz, family, Black identity, Hurricane Katrina, and more. Smith discusses the collection, and read some poetry.

We are getting you set for the holiday season with local shop enthusiast Caroline Weaver, aka, The Locavore. Each week through the holiday season, she offers her insights to help explore each borough's local shopping options, for shoppers who want their holiday spending to support their communities. Today, the Locavore takes on the Bronx.