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Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening - all while you support NPR's mission. Learn more at plus.npr.org/freshair

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    • Aug 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 1,596 EPISODES

    4.3 from 32,449 ratings Listeners of Fresh Air that love the show mention: terry gross, terri gross, whyy, love terri, davies, thank you terry, terry's, best interview show, love fresh, questioner, teri gross, listening to terry, individual segments, venturing, best interviewer ever, code switch, that's a really, love teri, iphone users, we're talking.


    Ivy Insights

    The Fresh Air podcast is a long-standing and highly acclaimed show that features in-depth interviews with a wide range of fascinating guests. Hosted by Terry Gross and featuring co-hosts Tonya Mosley and Dave Davies, the show offers a diverse mix of topics and perspectives that keep listeners engaged and informed. With its impressive archive of past interviews and a commitment to exploring important issues, the Fresh Air podcast continues to be a go-to source for thought-provoking content.

    One of the best aspects of the Fresh Air podcast is the caliber of its hosts and their interviewing skills. Terry Gross has been honing her craft for decades, consistently delivering compelling conversations that delve deep into the lives and work of her guests. Her ability to ask insightful questions and create an intimate atmosphere allows listeners to truly connect with the subjects being discussed. Likewise, co-hosts Tonya Mosley and Dave Davies bring their own unique styles to the show, adding fresh perspectives to the mix. Together, they form a strong team that keeps the interviews engaging and dynamic.

    Another strength of the Fresh Air podcast is its vast library of past interviews. With over 40 years' worth of episodes available, there is a wealth of content to explore on a wide range of topics. From music and literature to politics and social issues, there is something for everyone in this extensive archive. This allows listeners to discover new interests or delve deeper into subjects they are already passionate about.

    However, one potential downside to the Fresh Air podcast is that it may not appeal to all listeners. The show primarily focuses on long-form interviews, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. Additionally, some episodes may cover niche or specific subjects that may not resonate with all listeners. While variety is one of the strengths of this podcast, it can also be seen as a downside for those seeking more consistent themes or genres.

    In conclusion, The Fresh Air podcast continues to be an outstanding source for in-depth interviews with a diverse range of guests. With its skilled hosts and vast archive of content, the show offers an engaging and thought-provoking listening experience. While it may not appeal to all tastes, for those seeking intellectual stimulation and insightful conversations, this podcast is well worth a listen.



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    Latest episodes from Fresh Air

    Roots of R&B: Charles Brown & Ray Charles

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2025 49:06


    All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. We listen back to a 1989 interview with singer and pianist Charles Brown. Brown is credited with creating an expressive style of music that blended rough Texas blues with the soft glamour of Hollywood. And we revisit a 1998 interview with soul singer Ray Charles, who helped shape American music, beginning with his 1955 hit, “I Got a Woman.”Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Roots of R&B: 'Stand By Me'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 46:36


    All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Soul singer Ben E. King began his career in the ‘50s with The Drifters but it was the '61 hit "Stand by Me" that sealed his musical legacy. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1988. We also listen back to a 1991 interview with lyricist Jerry Leiber and composer Mike Stoller, who wrote and produced music for King. Plus, we'll revisit Terry Gross' 1993 interview with Jerry Wexler, the hitmaker who coined the term "rhythm and blues."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Roots of R&B: Johnny Otis & Etta James

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 46:15


    All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Singer, songwriter, producer and talent scout Johnny Otis got his start leading a big band that had the 1945 hit “Harlem Nocturne.” Later, as a talent scout, he discovered such performers as Big Mama Thornton, Esther Phillips and Etta James. James' career took off in the '60s with hits including “At Last," “A Sunday Kind of Love” and “I'd Rather Go Blind."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Roots of Rock: Sun Records & Johnny Cash

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 46:41


    All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Sam Phillips discovered Elvis Presley and produced his first records, which many consider Elvis' best. He also founded Sun Records and launched the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and Johnny Cash. Cash is one of the most influential figures in country music. His collaboration with producer Rick Rubin, starting in the late 1990s, transformed Cash's image and gained him a new, young audience. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Roots Of Rock: "Blue Suede Shoes"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 45:25


    All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. We're kicking it off with Terry Gross's interviews with Elvis Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore, who tells stories about playing with the King and recording "Blue Suede Shoes." That song was written by rockabilly musician Carl Perkins, who also spoke with Terry about his career. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Remembering Actor Terence Stamp

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 45:48


    We remember British actor Terence Stamp, who died last week at age 87. He starred in the film The Limey, as an ex-con out for revenge, and in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as a transgender performer on the road with a lip-synch club act. Stamp got his start in the '60s, starring in the films Billy Budd, Far From the Madding Crowd and The Collector. Stamp grew up in a working class cockney neighborhood and as a teenager, when he let it be known he wanted to be an actor, his father told him, "People like us don't do things like that." He spoke with Terry Gross in 2002.Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews the new hit horror film Weapons.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Robert Reich: The Baby Boomers Fell Short

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 43:43


    Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich served under President Clinton from 1993 to 1997. He opens his new memoir, Coming Up Short, with an apology on behalf of the Baby Boom generation for failing to build a more just society. Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the books Pariah and The Dancing Face.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The Dramatic Overhaul Of The Justice Dept.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 45:10


    The New Yorker's Ruth Marcus says Bondi has presided over the DOJ's most convulsive transition of power since Watergate, aggressively reversing policies, investigating Trump's foes and firing staff.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Spike Lee On Dynamic Duos & Reimagining Kurosawa

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 44:41


    Spike Lee's new film, Highest 2 Lowest, centers on a music mogul (Denzel Washington) who faces a moral dilemma when kidnappers mistakenly hold his friend's son ransom instead of his own: Will he risk it all to save a child who isn't his? The Oscar-winning filmmaker spoke with Tonya Mosley about his decades-long partnership with Denzel, an upcoming docuseries about Hurricane Katrina, and Do The Right Thing, 35+ years later.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Bowen Yang's 'Wicked' White Lie

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2025 45:52


    The Emmy-nominated Saturday Night Live cast member talks with Terry Gross about his favorite pop culture in the aughts, his SNL audition, and his recent trip to China. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Thomas Mallon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025 44:53


    Writer Thomas Mallon looks back on the early years of the AIDS epidemic, when he was in his 30s, living in Manhattan. His friends were sick or dead, and he was terrified that he'd die, too. Excerpts of his journals from those years are collected in The Very Heart of It. He'll also talk about his latest novel, Up with the Sun, based on the life and murder of a little-known gay actor from the 1950s and '60s.Also, we remember jazz singer Sheila Jordan, who died Monday at age 96. And Justin Chang reviews Spike Lee's new film, Highest 2 Lowest.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Best Of: AI's Writing Critique / The Rise And Fall Of Condé Nast

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2025 48:50


    After writing chapters of her new book about how tech companies help and exploit us, tech journalist and novelist Vauhini Vara fed those chapters to ChatGPT. She told the AI chatbot she needed help with her writing. But her real goal was to analyze and critique the chatbot's advice. Her book is Searches.  Also, before social media, before influencers, the magazines Vanity Fair, Vogue, GQ, and Architectural Digest were among the most significant tastemakers, informing readers what clothes, celebrities, and trends were hot. We'll talk with Michael Grynbaum about how Condé Nast cultivated a mystique that captivated subscribers. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Pedro Pascal Got Fired A Lot

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 43:46


    Chilean-born actor Pedro Pascal has faced countless on-screen challenges, including cosmic battles and cartel kingpins. He's nominated for an Emmy for his role on the HBO series, The Last of Us. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about getting fired from restaurant jobs, his dance training, and his parents' exile from Chile. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Musician Charley Crockett's Road From Busking To The Grammys

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2025 45:49


    Crockett grew up poor and got his start in music busking for tips on the street and in the subway. He's since played the Hollywood Bowl and been nominated for a Grammy. The country/roots musician talks with Terry Gross and plays songs from his new album, Dollar a Day. John Powers reviews The Diary of Lies, a new mystery novel about a reporter. TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new series Alien: Earth, a TV prequel to the film Alien.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Jeff Hiller's Big Break Came In His 40s

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2025 43:47


    Hiller spent years scraping by in Hollywood by taking on various small roles and commercials. Then he landed the role of Joel on HBO's Somebody Somewhere and everything changed. His new memoir is Actress of a Certain Age. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Daniel Dae Kim Fakes His Own Death In 'Butterfly'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2025 46:44


    Daniel Dae Kim became the first actor of Asian descent to be nominated for a Tony, for his performance in Yellow Face, in the role of a playwright trying to deal with Asian American representation. His new Amazon Prime Video spy series Butterfly premieres today. Kim spoke with Ann Marie Baldonado about his career, his big break with Lost, and filming his new series in his hometown in Korea. Book critic Maureen Corrigan reflects on Gentlemen Prefer Blondes for its 100th anniversary. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Best Of: Making 'Born To Run' / Why We Can't Sleep

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2025 48:16


    This month marks the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's album Born to Run. We'll talk with Peter Ames Carlin, author of a Tonight in Jungleland, about the making of this now classic album.Also, we'll talk with Jennifer Senior about her Atlantic article "Why Can't Americans Sleep?" And, David Bianculli reviews season two of Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Remembering Eddie Palmieri / Funk Innovator George Clinton

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2025 46:47


    We remember Eddie Palmieri, the pianist, bandleader and composer whose contributions to Afro-Caribbean music shaped the genre for decades. He died Wednesday at the age of 88. Also, Parliament's now classic funk album Mothership Connection turned 50 this year. We listen back to Terry Gross's 1989 interview with funkmaster George Clinton. David Bianculli reviews the new season of Wednesday and film critic Justin Chang reviews two comedy remakes: The Naked Gun and Freakier Friday.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The Making Of Springsteen's 'Born To Run'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 46:21


    Bruce Springsteen's groundbreaking album, Born to Run, came out 50 years ago this month, marking a turning point for rock and roll — and for "The Boss." Before he recorded that record, Springsteen's label, Columbia, was on the verge of dropping him because his first two albums, though critically acclaimed, had sold poorly. Biographer Peter Ames Carlin describes the creation of Born to Run as an "existential moment" for Springsteen. His book is Tonight in Jungleland. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The Nihilistic War In Sudan

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 45:27


    Fourteen million people in Sudan have been displaced by war and famine. The Atlantic's Anne Applebaum says the scale of destruction is vast and, as the conflict rages, people are overwhelmed by chaos.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Sarah Silverman Gets the Last Laugh in 'PostMortem'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2025 44:50


    Silverman's father and stepmother are buried under one tombstone that reads: "Janice and Donald, who loved to laugh." The loss was a starting point for Silverman's "cathartic" Netflix comedy special, PostMortem. She spoke with Terry Gross about their final days, finding the joy in grief, and she reflects on the boys' club of the comedy scene when she was starting out.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    How The 1979 Revolution Transformed Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 44:41


    For decades, Iran has been an adversary of the United States. Scott Anderson examines the Iranian revolution of 1979, the upheaval that deposed the reigning monarch and transformed the country from a U.S. ally to an Islamic Republic. He says blunders by American policymakers played a key role in the outcome. Anderson's new book is King of Kings.Later David Bianculli reviews the new HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So it Goes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Best Of: Mariska Hargitay / Marc Maron

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2025 43:08


    Emmy-winning Law & Order: SVU actor Mariska Hargitay talks about her new documentary, My Mom Jayne, an intimate portrait of her mother, the late Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield. Mansfield's life was cut short in a tragic car accident when Hargitay was just 3 years old. Also, comic and actor Marc Maron talks about grief, his problematic cats, and why he's ending his popular podcast WTF, which he started in the early days of podcasting. Maron has a new HBO comedy special called Panicked, and he's the subject of a new documentary. Plus, Ken Tucker has an appreciation of Parliament's album Mothership Connection which turns 50 this year.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Correcting The Record On Elvis's Manager

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 43:08


    Terry Gross talks with rock historian Peter Guralnick, author of the definitive two volume biography of Elvis Presley. His new book is about Elvis's longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Guralnick says researching the book led to many surprises and made him question the many preconceptions about Parker. It's called The Colonel and the King: Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, and the Partnership that Rocked the World. John Powers reviews Code of Silence, a new British crime series.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Has NASA Ceded Its Mission To Elon Musk?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 44:51


    The Atlantic journalist Franklin Foer explains how SpaceX and the Trump administration are changing the face of NASA, and why Musk's dream of Mars may come at the cost of the agency's mission. Also, Ken Tucker commemorates the 50th anniversary release of George Clinton's album Mothership Connection.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Comic Marc Maron On Grief, Cats, And Being Openhearted

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 44:52


    As he winds down his podcast, WTF, after 16 years, Marc Maron reflects on what he'll miss: "These conversations are very real conversations for me ... and that is kind of nourishing for the spirit and the soul." He spoke with Terry Gross about being the subject of a documentary, dreams he has of his late girlfriend Lynn Shelton, and cringing at his old comedy. Maron stars in the Apple TV+ series Stick, and his new HBO comedy special, Panicked, is out on August 1.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Mariska Hargitay On Freeing Herself From Generational Trauma

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 44:35


    The Law & Order: SVU actor was just 3 years old in 1967 when her movie star mom, Jayne Mansfield, died in a car crash. Hargitay's new documentary highlights the intelligent woman behind her mom's crafted persona. Hargitay has a new HBO documentary about her "archeological dig" on her family, called My Mom Jayne. She also talks about learning the identity of her biological father, her love of comedy, and working with survivors of sexual assault.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Best Of: Actor Leslie Uggams / Martha's Vineyard's Indigenous Past & Present

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2025 48:13


    Actor and singer Leslie Uggams talks about her remarkable career, which started when she was 6. She was later the first Black woman to host a TV variety show. In the 1977 TV miniseries Roots, she played Kunta Kinte's daughter. More recently she's been in Empire, American Fiction, and the Deadpool films — and is still going strong at 82. Also, writer Joseph Lee talks about what it means to be a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe from Martha's Vineyard. His new book, Nothing More of This Land, peels back the postcard image of the Vineyard to reveal a powerful story of Indigenous identity and survival. Plus, rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new music from the band HAIM and Addison Rae.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Remembering Lyricist Alan Bergman / The 'Outrageous' Jessica Mitford

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2025 46:38


    The lyrics for the songs "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life," "The Way We Were," "Nice 'n' Easy," "You Must Believe in Spring," and "The Windmills of Your Mind" were written by the husband and wife lyric-writing team of Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Alan Bergman died last week at the age of 99. The two wrote songs together for more than 60 years. They spoke with Terry Gross in 2007. The aristocratic, unconventional British Mitford sisters are the subject of the new BritBox TV series Outrageous. We listen to our 1989 interview with Jessica Mitford, who wrote The American Way of Death, an exposé of the funeral industry that became a best seller in 1963. Mitford also was a communist who refused to give information to the House Un-American Activities Committee. Also, TV critic David Bianculli review Dexter: Resurrection.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The Shifting Landscape Of Higher Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 44:33


    The Trump administration has been pressuring elite universities, like Harvard and Columbia, with widespread demands, and threats of federal funding cuts. So why are they now investigating George Mason University? ProPublica education reporter Katherine Mangan tells us why GMU's president thinks it's driven by a backlash to DEI efforts. Also, jazz historian Kevin Whitehead reflects on a James Moody release. He would've been 100 this year. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    A Chatbot Reacts To A Book About Tech

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 45:17


    After writing chapters of her new book about how tech companies help and exploit us, tech journalist and novelist Vauhini Vara fed those chapters to ChatGPT. She told the chatbot she needed help with her writing, but her real goal was to analyze and critique the AI's advice. Her new book is Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age.Also, TV critic and historian David Bianculli reacts to the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Leslie Uggams Looks Back On Her Decades In Show Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 46:07


    Uggams performed in Beulah, Hallelujah Baby, Roots, Empire, American Fiction and the Deadpool films. She was the first Black woman to host a TV variety show. At 82, she's appearing in The Gilded Age. She spoke with Terry Gross about her long, winding career.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Martha's Vineyard's Indigenous Past & Present

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 44:35


    In Nothing More of This Land, Aquinnah Wampanoag writer Joseph Lee takes readers past the celebrity summer scene and into the heart of Noepe, the name his people have called the island for centuries. Also, Ken Tucker reviews new music from HAIM and Addison Rae.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Best Of: Stacey Abrams / Raphael Saadiq

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2025 46:58


    Stacey Abrams is known as a voting rights activist, former candidate for Georgia governor, and founder of Fair Fight Action. But she's also a bestselling author, and has a new novel, a thriller revolving around a former Supreme Court clerk investigating a murder inside an AI company. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends two summer non-fiction books.And we hear from musician and producer Raphael Saadiq. He's known for his work as a member of Tony! Toni! Toné! and as a solo artist. He's produced and written for artists like Solange, D'Angelo, Beyoncé, John Legend, and many more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    In The Dugout With Baseball All Stars

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 47:06


    As Major League Baseball celebrates a memorable All Star Game, we feature some of our favorite baseball interviews – with crafty veteran pitcher Jamie Moyer, cerebral and successful manager Tony La Russa, and slugger Mike Piazza on his epic confrontation with Roger Clemens in the World Series. John Powers reviews Cloud, the new psychological thriller from Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2025 2:01


    Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The Dominance & Decline Of The Condé Nast Magazine Empire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 43:55


    For decades, Condé Nast publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair were consequential tastemakers. Writer Michael Grynbaum explores the heyday of these magazines and how they lost their footing. His book is Empire of the Elite: Inside Condé Nast, the Media Dynasty That Reshaped America. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Rising Floods, Cuts To FEMA And Future Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 44:47


    ProPublica Editor-at-Large Abrahm Lustgarten says the deadly flooding in Central Texas — which has killed over 130 people — underscores the dangers of a more volatile climate. Despite clear scientific evidence, the federal government has made cuts to research and forecasting, even threatening to dismantle FEMA. "We could talk about the floods in Texas as being an early warning sign of policy degradation to come," he says. "And we can expect to be more on our own and unsupported by those policies when these disasters continue to happen in the future. Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews Sorry, Baby.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Stacey Abrams On American Autocracy & Her New Chapter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025 44:32


    Abrams isn't running for office — but she's not ruling it out, either. "Politics is a tool ... for getting good done, but it's not the only one." Her new thriller novel is Coded Justice. She spoke with Tonya Mosley about voter suppression, her faith, and collaborating with her siblings on her books. Also, David Bianculli reviews the BritBox period drama Outrageous.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The 'Jailhouse Lawyer' Who Freed Innocent People — Including Himself

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 44:19


    While serving a life sentence for a murder he didn't commit, Calvin Duncan studied law, hoping to appeal his case. In the process he became a jailhouse lawyer. We'll talk about how he managed to help free many wrongly convicted prisoners, including himself, while facing countless legal obstacles confronting people who are poor and Black. His memoir is The Jailhouse Lawyer. Maureen Corrigan recommends two summer non-fiction books: The Salt Stones By Helen Whybrow and A Marriage at Sea By Sophie Elmhirst.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Best Of: A 'Failed' Child Star / A Novel About Pregnancy Post-Roe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2025 48:43


    Tamara Yajia grew up Jewish in Argentina, intent on becoming a child star. But just when her break was coming along, her family emigrated to California. Her new memoir is Cry for Me, Argentina. TV critic David Bianculli reviews a new HBO Max documentary about Ms. magazine.Leila Mottley's novel The Girls Who Grew Big follows a group of teenage mothers in the Florida Panhandle who form a close-knit community to support each other through the challenges of young motherhood.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Danzy Senna Writes Herself (& Other Mixed-Race People) Into Existence

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025 44:22


    Novelist Danzy Senna spoke with Terry Gross about racial identity, growing up with a Black father and white mother in an era when "mixed-race" wasn't a thing. "Just merely existing as a family was a radical statement at that time," she says. Her latest book is Colored Television. Also, Justin Chang reviews the new Superman movie.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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