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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    • Apr 20, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 800 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

    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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

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    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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    From local radio to global influence, the rise of Baltimore club music

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2026 24:16


    Musician Abdu Ali and DJ Ducky Dynamo reflect on the rise of Baltimore club music and the efforts to preserve its history in the city where it began.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    Why Dan Deacon never wants to leave Baltimore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2026 19:59


    The electronic musician talks about building a life and a career in the city that gave him room to experiment.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    In Baltimore, a volunteer-run theater company embraces rock, gore and excess

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2026 9:45


    The Baltimore Rock Opera Society creates original productions powered by DIY spectacle and a love of the unconventional.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    What does Baltimore sound like?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026 17:24


    The World Cafe team heads to Charm City for our latest Sense of Place series.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    Acadiana Music Showcase: The Blue Monday Allstars

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2026 13:27


    Once a month, this group of seasoned musicians from Lafayette, La., gather to help support aging and retired musicians.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    Tune into a mini-concert with jazz quintet SML

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2026 25:18


    The Los Angeles-based group joins World Cafe in the studio for an otherworldly set of improvisational music.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    17 years after retiring, Canadian icon Anne Murray returns with new music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2026 30:18


    The country star breathes new life into long-forgotten recordings on Here You Are.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    'It's a very Irish thing': CMAT on why making country pop felt inevitable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026 50:27


    On Euro-Country, the Dublin-born artist draws on country music's knack for storytelling to revisit her memories of Ireland's economic crash in the 2000s.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    On his latest album, William Prince writes his way back to Peguis First Nation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 29:45


    The Canadian songwriter reflects on home and ambition as his sound grows bolder on Further from the Country.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    The unsung classic that helped define hip-hop's golden age

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2026 12:04


    World Cafe correspondent John Morrison joins us to talk about why the East Coast rap group Main Source deserves a spot as one of the best hip-hop groups of the '90s.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    Jazz obsession fuels Hether's genre-bending album, 'Holy Water'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026 21:34


    Guitarist and producer Paul Castelluzzo channels jazz foundations and years of pop studio work into Holy Water.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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    The song Josh Ritter was nervous to share and more stories from his catalog

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 35:18


    The singer-songwriter joins World Cafe for a new installment of Backtracking, where musicians revisit songs from their back catalog that have shaped their careers.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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