World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

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

NPR

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    • May 19, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 812 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.



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    Latest episodes from World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

    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

    50 years into his career, Vince Gill feels at the top of his game

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 28:01


    The Country Music Hall of Famer is in the midst of releasing a new EP every month for a year for his 50 Years From Home project.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

    Silvana Estrada's latest album came after experiencing profound grief

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 38:08


    The Mexican musician explains how the late ranchera icon Chavela Vargas helped her find her way back to songwriting after the death of her best friend.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

    Kashus Culpepper's first 'Act' started just 6 years ago, when he picked up a guitar

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 32:56


    The rising country act from Alabama went from performing covers in the Navy to sharing stages with Wyatt Flores and Jelly Roll.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: Andrina Turenne

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 11:53


    This Canadian folk singer-songwriter has strong ties to 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

    Cate Le Bon didn't want to write about heartbreak. She did it anyways.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 32:37


    The Welsh songwriter channeled a sense of calmness to create the lush world of Michelangelo Dying.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

    On 'Cutthroat,' South London band Shame thrives in moral ambiguity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 31:56


    Lead vocalist Charlie Steen talks about the band's fourth studio album, plus Shame performs live.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

    Looking forward to the music of the African diaspora

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 8:51


    On the final installment of World Cafe's Black History Month series, John Morrison talks about what's happening today in Black music.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Soccer Mommy's signature 'bubblegrunge' sound takes center stage in this exclusive mini-concert

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026 18:27


    The Nashville musician performs a live set, recorded at the Xponential Music Festival in Camden.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    World Cafe: Don Was

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 33:26


    The record producer, director and composer talks jazz, being in the room with stars like Willie Nelson and Paul Simon, and we find out the backstory of one of the most curious albums of the 90's.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    How DJ culture helped connect Black music communities worldwide

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 11:50


    For Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison shares another segment exploring the music of the African diaspora. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Introducing: Personal Records, a new mixtape series

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 41:16


    The Canadian mockumentary sitcom series hits the silver screen. Show creators Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol join us for a brand new segment called "Personal Records." Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    How a Scorpio took Lucinda Williams' 'Joy' and more stories from her catalog

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 18:29


    The Americana icon talks about the songs that played a special role in her career in World Cafe's latest edition of Backtracking. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    Flock of Dimes (Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner), live in concert

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 15:29


    Hear live versions of songs from The Life You Save, the latest album from Jenn Wasner's solo project.Set List"Long After Midnight""Keep Me In The Dark""Defeat""The Enemy"This episode of World Cafe was produced by Will Loftus. Our programming and booking coordinator is Chelsea Johnson and our senior producer is Kimberly Junod.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    How technology amplified Black music's cultural exchange

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 11:47


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison explores the cultural exchange between different musical communities.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    How This Is Lorelei gave old songs a new life on 'Holo Boy'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2026 32:49


    For his latest album, Nate Amos rerecorded songs from across his catalog, plus This Is Lorelei performs live for World Cafe.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

    From work songs to hip-hop, this 'fundamental concept' shaped Black music

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2026 10:30


    For Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison kicks off a weekly series with a deep dive into the history of "call and response."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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