World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Follow World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians

NPR

Donate to World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN


    • Jun 26, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 828 EPISODES

    4.2 from 330 ratings Listeners of World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN that love the show mention: live performances, delicate, music podcast, npr, great music, songs, otherwise, interviews, full, show, favorite, awesome, thanks, like, love, world cafe.


    Ivy Insights

    The World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN podcast is an absolute gem for music lovers. Hosted by talented interviewers, the show offers listeners a unique view into the world of music and musicians. With each new episode, I find myself eagerly looking forward to discovering new artists that I can now follow and explore further. The hosts are exceptional interviewers, delving deep into the creative process of their guests and providing insightful conversations that give listeners a deeper understanding of the music.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diversity of guests that are featured. From well-known musicians like Sting, John Mayer, and Steve Jones to up-and-coming artists like Waxahatchee, there is always something for everyone. The interviews are informative and introspective, offering a different perspective on these artists that you won't find elsewhere. Additionally, the live performances included in each episode are a real treat. They showcase the talent and artistry of the musicians in a unique way that adds another layer to the listening experience.

    However, one minor drawback of this podcast is the frequency with which one of the hosts identifies herself throughout each interview. While it's not a major issue, it can be slightly annoying and disrupts the flow of conversation at times. It would be better if she took a step back and allowed the focus to remain on the artist being interviewed.

    In conclusion, The World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN podcast is an awesome resource for any music lover. It provides a wealth of knowledge about various artists and genres while also offering unique live performances that showcase incredible talent. Despite a minor annoyance with host identification, this podcast remains highly recommended for its engaging interviews and diverse range of guests.



    More podcasts from NPR

    Search for episodes from World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

    Todd Rundgren remembers his formative years in Philly

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2026 29:07


    The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree looks back at his childhood influences and early musical projects that preceded his ascent to stardom.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Master bassist Stanley Clarke's 'quest in life' is simple: Sound great

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2026 21:26


    World Cafe sits down with a Grammy Award-winning jazz master as part of its Sense of Place: Philadelphia series.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Record producer Will Yip says Philly is the 'center of indie rock music'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2026 16:34


    World Cafe steps inside the Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer's new studio in South Philly as part of its latest Sense of Place series.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    There's no part of the music industry Dyana Williams hasn't touched

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 43:06


    The radio DJ, journalist and activist shares tales from her storied career for the first installment of our series, Sense of Place: Philadelphia.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Acadiana Music Showcase: Dwight James & the Royals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2026 14:29


    The Lafayette, La., band channels the spirit of classic soul, blues and R&B with a sound that is as timeless as it is fresh.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Hiss Golden Messenger doesn't want to throw in the towel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2026 30:59


    Frontman MC Taylor talks about infusing the band's latest album, I'm People, with a sense of hope.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Personal Records: Michael Imperioli

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 25:15


    The Emmy Award-winning actor sits down with World Cafe's Raina Douris to share some of the songs that have defined his story so far.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    On his latest album, Rostam asks what it means to be American

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 37:37


    The musician, producer and Vampire Weekend cofounder shares musical insights from American Stories.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Tune in to a mini-concert with Sotomayor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 17:31


    The Mexico City duo performs songs from their latest album, WABI SABI.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    How Courtney Barnett's meeting with a mantis led to 'Creature of Habit'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 33:50


    The Australian musician's search for meaning amid a sea of change in Southern California set the backdrop for her new album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Say She She on their latest album, 'Cut & Rewind'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 34:26


    Piya Malik, Nya Brown and Sabrina Cunningham join us to talk about their third studio album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Why did José González use generative AI on his latest album?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2026 25:44


    The Swedish songwriter and humanist says Against the Dying of the Light is "an urgent call to preserve the light of humanity."See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Jazz guitar legend Bill Frisell looks back on his 40-year career

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 27:14


    Bill Frisell performs a song made famous by Barbra Streisand, live for World Cafe.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Joshua Ray Walker on his latest album, 'Ain't Dead Yet'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 46:44


    Following a cancer diagnosis, the Dallas country musician confronts mortality on his latest record.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Jack Antonoff on Bleachers' new album, 'everyone for ten minutes'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2026 34:51


    The Bleachers frontman and record producer talks about making everyone for ten minutes.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Tune in to a mini-concert with The Belair Lip Bombs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2026 15:00


    The Australian indie rock band performs songs from their latest album, Again.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    In 1971, Aretha Franklin captured the energy of the counterculture movement

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 11:40


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison reflects on the legacy of Aretha Live at Fillmore West.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Genesis Owusu on his latest album, 'Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 28:36


    The Australian musician's third studio album reflects on the social and political turbulence of modern times.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Acadiana Music Showcase: Corey Ledet

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 16:41


    The Grammy Award-nominated zydeco musician performs songs from his latest album, Live in Alaska.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Tune in to a mini-concert with Julianna Riolino

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2026 21:03


    The Ontario musician performs songs from her sophomore album, Echo in the Dust.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Sally Baby's Silver Dollars pours their heart into every performance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2026 38:01


    The New Orleans band performs songs from their new self-titled debut EP.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    MUNA makes 'all-consuming limerence' sound so good on new album

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 20:24


    The Los Angeles trio joins World Cafe to talk about their fourth studio album, Dancing on the Wall.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Amy Grant returns with 'The Me That Remains'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2026 32:11


    The Christian pop mainstay's latest record is her first in 13 years.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Samm Henshaw on his latest album, 'It Could Be Worse'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 33:30


    The English musician joins World Cafe to talk about his second studio album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Kacey Musgraves is having the time of her life in the 'Middle of Nowhere'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 29:27


    Following a trip back to her Texas hometown, Musgraves imbued her new album with a traditional country sound, plus features from Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert and more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Tune in to a mini-concert with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2026 20:13


    Since their formation almost two decades ago, this Baltimore group has become one of the premier attractions in the jam band world.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Beverly and Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland are facing mortality with unadulterated joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 40:23


    Glenn-Copeland and his wife worked together on Laughter in Summer, a record that contends with the electronic music pioneer's recent diagnosis with a major cognitive disorder.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Acadiana Music Showcase: Grand Nathaniel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 12:36


    Grand Nathaniel, a fixture in the Lafayette, La., scene for over 30 years, performs songs from his latest album, Lonely Wanderer.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Squeeze closes the loop on songs they first started writing as teens

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 19:50


    The English rock band's latest album, Trixies, consists of material Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook wrote when they were 19 and 16 years old.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Jessie Ware dances toward something deeper on 'Superbloom'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 27:18


    On her sixth studio album, the English singer crafts a place where pleasure, joy and real connection commingle.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    How Rage Against the Machine's 'Evil Empire' unified the masses

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 11:44


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says the rock band's second studio album was "one of the most inspired, quintessential mainstream rock records of the '90s."See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Billy Idol has lived to tell his tale

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 38:05


    The rock icon is the subject of a documentary called Billy Idol Should Be Dead. He's also among 2026's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Mariachi music and punk rock have more in common than you might think

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 37:42


    Matt Caughthran, lead singer of The Bronx, talks about the punk band's foray into mariachi music.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Tune in to a mini-concert with MT Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 16:16


    The musician from Liverpool, England, performs songs from his debut album, Joy.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    Personal Records: Tim Heidecker

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 19:52


    The comedian and musician joins World Cafe to share the songs that have shaped his life.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

    30 years in, hip-hop duo Atmosphere still has a lot to say

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 25:04


    The Minneapolis duo, Ant and Slug, join us to talk about their latest studio album, Jestures.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Watch: On his debut solo LP, Flea fulfills a lifelong promise

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 28:55


    Long before he became bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea was enamored with jazz music. On Honora, he puts that love to practice.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Langhorne Slim on his latest album, 'The Dreamin' Kind'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2026 29:41


    The singer-songwriter's eighth studio album takes a turn toward rock.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    The Nude Party on their latest album, 'Look Who's Back'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2026 29:49


    The North Carolina band drew influences from some of their favorite artists, like Neil Young and Natural Child.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Acadiana Music Showcase: Malentina

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2026 15:15


    Malentina mixes musical influences from her birthplace in Puerto Rico with the culture of Southern Louisiana.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Lyn Collins encoded 'a bit of the future' into 'Think (About It)'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2026 16:58


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison explains how the influential single released in 1972 has lived on through hip-hop, Baltimore club and viral TikTok dances.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Ratboys on their latest album, 'Singin' to an Empty Chair'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 30:05


    The Chicago rock band's new record was partly shaped by vocalist Julia Steiner's experience in therapy.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Claim World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel