All Of It

The singer-songwriter Annie DiRusso debuted this year with the album Super Pedestrian and already has a Tiny Desk concert under her belt. She performs live from WNYC's studios, and discusses her music.

"All the Walls Came Down" is a documentary short — short listed at the 98th Academy Awards — that provides a candid look at the aftermath of 2025's Eaton fire that devastated Alta Dena, California. Writer/director Ondi Timoner, who lost her own home in the fire, discuss the film and her own journey to rebuild, along with the director of My Tribe Rise, Heavenly Hughes, who is working to help neighbors rebuild.

Chris Duffy is an award winning comedian with experience working on comedy shows with Wyatt Cenac and John Oliver, and host of the podcast "How To Be A Better Human". He discusses his new book, Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy, which explores the science behind laughter, and why it is important. 

Condé Nast Traveler recently published a list of “The Best Places to Go in the US in 2026.” Associate director of articles Megan Spurrell shares their most budget and family friendly travel destinations.

Our January Get Lit with All Of It book club selection is the novel The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. The story follows a young man named Hai who is struggling with addiction and mental health when he becomes the caretaker for an elderly woman with dementia. Vuong previews the the novel ahead of our January 20th event. Click here to grab your free tickets!

The Under the Radar Festival returns this year with more than 25 examples of groundbreaking stage productions from around the world.  The festival's co-creative directors Meropi Peponides and Kaneza Schaal preview the program, which begins tomorrow. 

Sometimes long lines for food can be worth it. Tammie Teclemariam, the Underground Gourmet columnist at New York Magazine, joins to discuss her piece "The Best Lines of 2025" and take calls from listeners who want to share what lines they think are worth waiting in.

Looking for a way to reset your mental health, and activate your brain in 2026? Dana G. Smith of the New York Times is spearheading a five day brain health challenge, with five different activities to help boost your brain. Smith discusses the project, and provides other tips for how to benefit your brain in the new year.

Five years ago today, a violent mob broke into the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to halt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. Mary Clare Jalonick, a reporter for the Associated Press, discusses her new book, an oral history of January 6th, titled Storm at the Capitol: An Oral History of January 6th, and listeners share their memories and thoughts on the event.

What television shows and streaming series should we look forward to in the new year? Vulture TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk shares her recommendations.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which marked the founding of the United States of America. Much important revolutionary history occurred right here in New York. To kick off our coverage of America's 250th birthday, Melissa Lauer, Manager of Education and Public Programs at the Fraunces Tavern Museum, paints a picture for us about what New York looked like in 1776, who lived here, and how the city viewed independence from Britain.

The new book The Sea Captain's Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World tells the story of Mary Ann Patten, who became the first woman to captain a merchant ship in the 19th century after her husband fell ill in the midst of a voyage. Author Tilar J. Mazzeo discusses the book.

Michelle Williams is currently starring in an off-Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play '"Anna Christie." The show centers around Anna, a former sex worker and famous character in the history of American theater. The show's director Thomas Kail ("Hamilton"), who also happens to be Williams's husband, and actors Brian d'Arcy James, who playsChris Christopherson, and Mare Winningham who plays Marthy Owen, discuss their production of "Anna Christie," running at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn through February 1.

[REBROADCAST FROM March 17, 2025] Actor Brian Tyree Henry discusses his starring role in the new series "Dope Thief." The show follows two friends who decide to pose as Drug Enforcement agents to rob a house, a decision that leads to unforeseen consequences. 

[REBROADCAST FROM March 13, 2025] The Hulu series “Paradise,” which is nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, follows the twists, turns and mysteries in the wake of a president's murder. Two-time Emmy nominated actor Julianne Nicholson plays the world's wealthiest self-made woman, Samantha ‘Sinatra' Redmond, who has gained control and influence amid chaos. Nicholson reflects on the series for an All Of It Watch Party, and listeners share their thoughts about the show.

[REBROADCAST FROM June 30, 2025] "The Gilded Age" star Morgan Spector discusses the third season of the period drama, in which his character heads to the saloons of the American West to shore up his railroad empire. 

[REBROADCAST FROM March 6, 2025] Based on Tony Hillerman's novels, the AMC thriller series "Dark Winds" returned last spring with its third season, in which Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and his loyal deputy Bernadette investigate a case of two missing boys and a possible human trafficking operation. Zahn McClarnon, who stars as Leaphorn alongside Jessica Matten as Bernadette and Kiowa Gordon as Jim Chee, discuss Season 3, and what it means to be a part of the series's largely Native American cast.

[REBROADCAST FROM Sept. 18, 2025] Actor Eugene Levy has been pushing himself out of his comfort zone for his documentary travel series, "The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy." For Season 3, Levy tackles his bucket list, from celebrating the Day of the Dead in Mexico to playing cricket in India. Levy discusses the ltest season of the show.

[REBROADCAST FROM Sept. 25, 2025] In the new series "Alien: Earth," Timothy Olyphant plays Kirsh, a fully artificial humanoid robot who is tasked with caring after a group of a new creation, robots that have been downloaded with human consciousness. That task gets a lot more complicated when a spaceship full of aliens crash lands on Earth. Olyphant discusses the series, which is available to stream on Hulu.

Tracy K. Smith, former poet laureate of the United States, shares some poetry, and her hopes for 2026. Plus, listeners, All Of It producers and Alison share their resolutions and aspirations for the new year.

[REBROADCAST FROM Oct 3, 2025] Director Kim A. Snyder discusses her new documentary called "The Librarians," which explores the role of libraries and the people who run them in today's politically fraught atmosphere. Focusing on librarians in Texas, responding to efforts to ban books about race and the LGBTQIA+ experience, the film illuminates a key angle in the conflict over access to information and art, and library patrons' so-called 'freedom to read.' Plus, New Jersey librarian Martha Hickson, who is featured in the film, shares her experiences and insights.

[REBROADCAST FROM Sept. 10, 2025] Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy discusses his new film, "Steve." Murphy stars as the exhausted head teacher of a last-chance boys reform school in the U.K.

[REBROADCAST FROM May 14, 2025]  Actor Wunmi Mosaku discusses her role in Ryan Coogler's vampire film "Sinners." She plays Annie, a spiritual healer who is reunited with her ex-lover, Smoke, and later has to fight some vampires.

[REBROADCAST FROM Sept. 5, 2025] The new film "Preparation for the Next Life" tells the story of a Uyghur immigrant working in Chinatown when she meets and falls in love with an American soldier who has returned from the Middle East. Director Bing Liu and actor Fred Hechinger join to discuss the film, which is in theaters Friday.

[REBROADCAST FROM Oct. 10, 2025] Harris Dickinson makes his directorial debut with the film "Urchin," which he wrote, directed, and stars in alongside actor Frank Dillane. Dickinson and Dillane discuss the film, which follows a young man living on the streets of London as he is given an unlikely chance at a new future.

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.