Podcast appearances and mentions of Maureen Corrigan

Pope Leo XIV's Creole family roots inspired New Orleanian journalist Susan Saulny to research her Creole great-uncle who moved to Chicago, identified himself as white and never returned. She describes her journey to reunite her family. Her piece in the New York Times is called "A Family Secret No More."As the United States turns 250, scholar Eddie Glaude Jr. has blunt advice: “America has to grow up.” In ‘America, U.S.A.,' the Princeton African American Studies professor looks at the country through the lens of its previous anniversaries and centennials. "The divided soul of the nation is in full view," he says.Book critic Maureen Corrigan shares three book recommendations: ‘The Family Man,' by James Lasdun, ‘The Hill,' by Harriet Clark and ‘A Beautiful Loan,' by Mary Costello.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

Pope Leo XIV's Creole family roots inspired New Orleanian journalist Susan Saulny to research her Creole great-uncle who moved to Chicago, identified himself as white and never returned. She describes her journey to reunite her family. Her piece in the New York Times is called "A Family Secret No More."As the United States turns 250, scholar Eddie Glaude Jr. has blunt advice: “America has to grow up.” In ‘America, U.S.A.,' the Princeton African American Studies professor looks at the country through the lens of its previous anniversaries and centennials. "The divided soul of the nation is in full view," he says.Book critic Maureen Corrigan shares three book recommendations: ‘The Family Man,' by James Lasdun, ‘The Hill,' by Harriet Clark and ‘A Beautiful Loan,' by Mary Costello.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

Glaude's book, 'America, U.S.A.,' looks at the country through the lens of its previous anniversaries and centennials. Today, as in the past, he tells Tonya Mosley, "the divided soul of the nation is in full view." As the 250th anniversary approaches, he says it's time for the U.S. to acknowledge the ways it has failed to deliver on its founding principles. "America has to grow up. It can no longer hide in its adolescence," he says.Also, Maureen Corrigan recommends three books to help you jump into summer reading.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

Glaude's book, 'America, U.S.A.,' looks at the country through the lens of its previous anniversaries and centennials. Today, as in the past, he tells Tonya Mosley, "the divided soul of the nation is in full view." As the 250th anniversary approaches, he says it's time for the U.S. to acknowledge the ways it has failed to deliver on its founding principles. "America has to grow up. It can no longer hide in its adolescence," he says.Also, Maureen Corrigan recommends three books to help you jump into summer reading.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

Maggie O'Farrell wrote the novel ‘Hamnet' and co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. She has a new book called ‘Land,' about a father and son mapping 19th-century Ireland after the devastation of the Great Famine. Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the latest by classics scholar Mary Beard.Also, we hear from historian Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor. She has spent much of her career tracing the N-word through slavery, Jim Crow, the civil rights movement, and hip hop. For a long time she kept it a secret that her father was Richard Pryor, the man who put the word at the center of American comedy. "I was a scholar of the N-word — and so, obviously, is he." Her new book is ‘Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.' 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

Maggie O'Farrell wrote the novel ‘Hamnet' and co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation. She has a new book called ‘Land,' about a father and son mapping 19th-century Ireland after the devastation of the Great Famine. Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the latest by classics scholar Mary Beard.Also, we hear from historian Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor. She has spent much of her career tracing the N-word through slavery, Jim Crow, the civil rights movement, and hip hop. For a long time she kept it a secret that her father was Richard Pryor, the man who put the word at the center of American comedy. "I was a scholar of the N-word — and so, obviously, is he." Her new book is ‘Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me.' 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

Popstar Billie Eilish has a new 3D concert film that she co-directed with James Cameron. She and her brother and co-producer Finneas spoke with Terry Gross in 2024 about the album ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft.' Also, for Memorial Day, book critic Maureen Corrigan reflects on the history of pocket-size books that soldiers were given in WWII. 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

Popstar Billie Eilish has a new 3D concert film that she co-directed with James Cameron. She and her brother and co-producer Finneas spoke with Terry Gross in 2024 about the album ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft.' Also, for Memorial Day, book critic Maureen Corrigan reflects on the history of pocket-size books that soldiers were given in WWII. 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

‘Baby Reindeer' was an unexpected hit on Netflix in 2024. Now its creator and star is back with ‘Half Man,' an HBO series about two boys who become brothers after their mothers fall in love in 1980s Scotland. Gadd spoke with Tonya Mosley about exploring toxic masculinity, becoming famous overnight, and bombing stand-up sets. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends three playful novels: ‘Yesteryear,' ‘American Fantasy,' and ‘Enormous Wings.'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

‘Baby Reindeer' was an unexpected hit on Netflix in 2024. Now its creator and star is back with ‘Half Man,' an HBO series about two boys who become brothers after their mothers fall in love in 1980s Scotland. Gadd spoke with Tonya Mosley about exploring toxic masculinity, becoming famous overnight, and bombing stand-up sets. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends three playful novels: ‘Yesteryear,' ‘American Fantasy,' and ‘Enormous Wings.'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

Malala Yousafzai was 15 when a Taliban gunman shot her for advocating for girls' education in her native Pakistan. She understood that she was a target. “I had pictured it many times that this could happen. I had pictured it at school. I had pictured it in my school bus. I knew that the Taliban could do anything,” she told Terry Gross. Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize when she was just 17 years old. In an interview from a live event onstage, she talks about her childhood before the incident and finding herself after being in the public eye for so long.Also, we hear from actor Oscar Isaac. He's currently starring in the Netflix series ‘Beef' and recently played Dr. Victor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of ‘Frankenstein.' Book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends three books for the spring: ‘Yesteryear,' by Caro Claire Burke; ‘American Fantasy,' by Emma Straub; and ‘Enormous Wings,' by Laurie Frankel.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

Malala Yousafzai was 15 when a Taliban gunman shot her for advocating for girls' education in her native Pakistan. She understood that she was a target. “I had pictured it many times that this could happen. I had pictured it at school. I had pictured it in my school bus. I knew that the Taliban could do anything,” she told Terry Gross. Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize when she was just 17 years old. In an interview from a live event onstage, she talks about her childhood before the incident and finding herself after being in the public eye for so long.Also, we hear from actor Oscar Isaac. He's currently starring in the Netflix series ‘Beef' and recently played Dr. Victor Frankenstein in Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of ‘Frankenstein.' Book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends three books for the spring: ‘Yesteryear,' by Caro Claire Burke; ‘American Fantasy,' by Emma Straub; and ‘Enormous Wings,' by Laurie Frankel.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

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist St. Vincent is known for her powerful guitar riffs and dark, poetic songs. Her early influences were Nirvana and David Bowie. “I've always felt like gender and identity were a performance. I've been aware of that since I was a young child and learning how to code switch growing up in Texas,” she told Terry Gross in 2024. She's backed by an orchestra at London's Royal Albert Hall on her new live album.  Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Nancy Foley's debut novel ‘I am Agatha,' and TV critic David Bianculli reviews the brief return of the TV sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle.' 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

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist St. Vincent is known for her powerful guitar riffs and dark, poetic songs. Her early influences were Nirvana and David Bowie. “I've always felt like gender and identity were a performance. I've been aware of that since I was a young child and learning how to code switch growing up in Texas,” she told Terry Gross in 2024. She's backed by an orchestra at London's Royal Albert Hall on her new live album.  Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Nancy Foley's debut novel ‘I am Agatha,' and TV critic David Bianculli reviews the brief return of the TV sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle.' 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

The Trump era has brought a resurgence of the “alpha male.” ‘New Yorker' writer Charles Bethea reports on camps where men crawl through mud and sit in ice baths, in an effort to reclaim masculinity. Bethea says what he found underneath all the warrior posturing surprised him: men in genuine pain who felt lonely and desperate for connection. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about his reporting. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the new novel by Tana French, ‘The Keeper.'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

The Trump era has brought a resurgence of the “alpha male.” ‘New Yorker' writer Charles Bethea reports on camps where men crawl through mud and sit in ice baths, in an effort to reclaim masculinity. Bethea says what he found underneath all the warrior posturing surprised him: men in genuine pain who felt lonely and desperate for connection. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about his reporting. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the new novel by Tana French, ‘The Keeper.'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

Daniel Okrent's new biography, ‘Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn't Easy,' offers new insights into the renowned Broadway composer and lyricist. Okrent talks with Terry Gross about Sondheim's often toxic relationship to his mother, his drinking and substance use, and finding himself through his art. “There are two major arcs to [Stephen Sondheim's] life. One is from absolute alienation to finally, near the end of his life, connection,” he says. “The other is from an ambivalence that could be crippling at times, to resolution, to knowing who he was and what he was capable of doing.”Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel ‘Now I Surrender.'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

Daniel Okrent's new biography, ‘Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn't Easy,' offers new insights into the renowned Broadway composer and lyricist. Okrent talks with Terry Gross about Sondheim's often toxic relationship to his mother, his drinking and substance use, and finding himself through his art. “There are two major arcs to [Stephen Sondheim's] life. One is from absolute alienation to finally, near the end of his life, connection,” he says. “The other is from an ambivalence that could be crippling at times, to resolution, to knowing who he was and what he was capable of doing.”Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel ‘Now I Surrender.'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

Aside from the evil Baron Harkonnen in ‘Dune,' actor Stellan Skarsgård doesn't really believe in bad guys. He looks for nuance in every role. He's Oscar-nominated for his performance in ‘Sentimental Value,' as a successful filmmaker who is estranged from his grown daughters. Skarsgård spoke with Dave Davies about improvising with Robin Williams in ‘Good Will Hunting,' raising actor children, and how a stroke impacted his acting. Also, critic Maureen Corrigan reviews ‘This is Not About Us,' by Allegra Goodman. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Aside from the evil Baron Harkonnen in ‘Dune,' actor Stellan Skarsgård doesn't really believe in bad guys. He looks for nuance in every role. He's Oscar-nominated for his performance in ‘Sentimental Value,' as a successful filmmaker who is estranged from his grown daughters. Skarsgård spoke with Dave Davies about improvising with Robin Williams in ‘Good Will Hunting,' raising actor children, and how a stroke impacted his acting. Also, critic Maureen Corrigan reviews ‘This is Not About Us,' by Allegra Goodman. 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

We look back at the 1992 siege at Ruby Ridge in Idaho, where gunfire left two civilians and a deputy U.S. Marshal dead. Chris Jennings' new book explores the apocalyptic religious beliefs that led Randy Weaver and his family to move to a remote cabin, armed to resist government intrusion. He traces the impact of Ruby Ridge on the spread of conspiratorial anti-government and white-supremacist movements. His book is ‘End of Days.'Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the memoir 'Dizzy,' by Rachel Weaver.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We look back at the 1992 siege at Ruby Ridge in Idaho, where gunfire left two civilians and a deputy U.S. Marshal dead. Chris Jennings' new book explores the apocalyptic religious beliefs that led Randy Weaver and his family to move to a remote cabin, armed to resist government intrusion. He traces the impact of Ruby Ridge on the spread of conspiratorial anti-government and white-supremacist movements. His book is ‘End of Days.'Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the memoir 'Dizzy,' by Rachel Weaver.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Liz Moore's bestselling book, ‘Long Bright River,' was set in a troubled Philadelphia neighborhood where she'd worked on a photo essay. “My own family has a long history of addiction. I was kind of emotionally drawn back to the neighborhood over and over again because of that,” she tells Dave Davies. The resulting thriller about a policewoman searching for her missing sister was made into a series on Peacock. Moore's latest book, ‘The God of the Woods,' where a child goes missing from a remote children's camp, will be adapted to a Netflix series.Also, we hear from one of England's most acclaimed writers, Julian Barnes. He has a new book, which he says will be his last. It's called ‘Departures.' He spoke with Terry Gross. Maureen Corrigan reviews George Saunders' new novel, ‘Vigil.'Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Liz Moore's bestselling book, ‘Long Bright River,' was set in a troubled Philadelphia neighborhood where she'd worked on a photo essay. “My own family has a long history of addiction. I was kind of emotionally drawn back to the neighborhood over and over again because of that,” she tells Dave Davies. The resulting thriller about a policewoman searching for her missing sister was made into a series on Peacock. Moore's latest book, ‘The God of the Woods,' where a child goes missing from a remote children's camp, will be adapted to a Netflix series.Also, we hear from one of England's most acclaimed writers, Julian Barnes. He has a new book, which he says will be his last. It's called ‘Departures.' He spoke with Terry Gross. Maureen Corrigan reviews George Saunders' new novel, ‘Vigil.'Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Brooke Nevils was a young NBC producer working the 2014 Sochi Olympics when, she says, ‘Today Show' host Matt Lauer sexually assaulted her. Lauer has denied her account, calling their relationship consensual. Now, in her new memoir, ‘Unspeakable Things,' Nevils doesn't just revisit what happened – she interrogates why it took years to understand it. She spoke with co-host Tonya Mosley. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews George Saunders' new novel, ‘Vigil,' and Ken Tucker reviews music from country artist Stephen Wilson Jr.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Brooke Nevils was a young NBC producer working the 2014 Sochi Olympics when, she says, ‘Today Show' host Matt Lauer sexually assaulted her. Lauer has denied her account, calling their relationship consensual. Now, in her new memoir, ‘Unspeakable Things,' Nevils doesn't just revisit what happened – she interrogates why it took years to understand it. She spoke with co-host Tonya Mosley. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews George Saunders' new novel, ‘Vigil,' and Ken Tucker reviews music from country artist Stephen Wilson Jr.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright has written a debut novel that asks a provocative question: What if a woman claimed the right to a spiritual quest like men have done for centuries in literature? 'The White Hot' follows a young mother from Philadelphia who walks away from everything to find herself. She spoke with Tonya Mosley about her antihero April, her collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda on 'In The Heights,' and her mother's spiritual gifts. Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the mystery novel ‘Even the Dead,' by John Banville. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Will Arnett stars in the new film ‘Is This Thing On?' about a man going through a divorce, who finds himself onstage doing stand-up. He spoke with Terry Gross about trying out stand-up under a fake name, and his voiceover work.  Also, director Craig Brewer talks about his film, ‘Song Sung Blue.' It's based on the true story of a Milwaukee couple who became local legends performing as a Neil Diamond tribute band.Plus, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the roadtrip novel ‘The Rest of Our Lives,' by Benjamin Markovits. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

MS NOW journalist (and Palisades native) Jacob Soboroff says covering the 2025 wildfires was the most important assignment he's ever undertaken. His new book, ‘Firestorm,' offers a minute-by-minute account of the catastrophe. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about the systems that failed during the disaster and the effort to rebuild. Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the roadtrip novel ‘The Rest of Our Lives,' by Ben Markovits. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Michael Shannon understands he's associated with some intense, menacing characters he's played, like Agent Nelson Van Alden in ‘Boardwalk Empire.' “I'm a big fella, and I got this giant head, and it's not too difficult for me to seem intimidating I suppose, but it couldn't be further from what I'm actually like,” he tells Dave Davies. In two new projects, though, Shannon plays good guys. He's President James Garfield in the new series ‘Death by Lightning' and he's a prosecutor trying Nazi leaders for war crimes in the new film ‘Nuremberg.'Also, we hear from Rhea Seehorn, star of Apple TV's ‘Pluribus.' The series has a sci-fi premise, but the themes of the show are more existential. Like, what is happiness? What is the importance of individuality? She spoke with Terry Gross. Maureen Corrigan shares her list of the best books of the year.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It’s that time of the year when PBS News Hour invites two of our regular literary critics, Ann Patchett and Maureen Corrigan, to highlight their favorite books of the year. Jeffrey Brown picks up the conversation for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In New York City, 100,000 people sleep in shelters every night. Patrick Markee has spent decades fighting for them with the Coalition for the Homeless. He's written a new book that gives an on-the-ground view of what he's learned. It's called ‘Placeless: Homelessness in the New Gilded Age.' He asks, what if homelessness isn't a personal failing, but the result of policy choices? Also, Maureen Corrigan shares her picks for the 10 best books of the year. You can see her list here. Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

For 25 years, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario has covered conflicts and humanitarian crises across the globe, from Sudan to Syria. She's been kidnapped twice, thrown from a car, and shelled in war zones more times than she can count. A new Nat Geo/Disney+ documentary called 'Love+War' follows Addario as she is torn in two directions – her all-consuming reporting in Ukraine and her life at home as a wife and mother of two young kids. Addario spoke with Fresh Air contributor, host of Talk Easy, Sam Fragoso. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Some Bright Nowhere,' by Ann Packer.Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

'Atlantic' journalist David Graham describes how President Trump could potentially use troops near polling places, pressure local election workers and have federal agents seize voting machines.Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews Patti Smith's ‘Bread of Angels,' a prequel/sequel to ‘Just Kids.' Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Filmmaker Richard Linklater doesn't speak French, but that didn't stop him from directing a movie that's almost entirely in French. ‘Nouvelle Vague' focuses on the beginning of the New Wave of cinema, specifically Jean-Luc Godard and his landmark 1960 movie ‘Breathless.' "I know that sounds insane," Linklater says, "but me not having the language wasn't even in my top 10 concerns about if I could pull off the movie." Linklater spoke with Terry Gross about the impact of the French New Wave, and his other new film, ‘Blue Moon.' It's about Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, the former creative partner of Richard Rodgers.Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel Heart the Lover by Lily King. Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Filmmaker and writer Julian Brave NoiseCat is the son of an Indigenous Canadian father and white mother. After a cultural genocide, he says, living your life becomes an existential question. "To live a life in an Indigenous way is a kind of profound thing, and it has been really beautiful to get to make art and tell stories from that position." NoiseCat spoke with Terry Gross about his father's origin story, dancing at powwows, and the bonds of kinship. His new memoir, We Survived the Night, takes its name from a translation of the Secwépemc morning greeting. His Oscar-nominated documentary Sugarcane is on Hulu/Disney+.Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews Daphne Du Maurier's collection of short stories, After Midnight. Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A film about a man trying to fund a gender-affirming operation by robbing a bank sounds like a modern-day plot. But 50 years ago, that was the scenario for the classic film Dog Day Afternoon. We're featuring our interviews with director Sidney Lumet and with Al Pacino, who starred as the bank robber. Lumet gave his lead license to take the role as far as he wanted, and then pushed Pacino to do more. "It's really one of the best pieces of movie acting I've ever seen. It was blinding in its intensity, agonizingly painful," he told Terry Gross in 1988.Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai which has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize.  Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for gems from the Fresh Air archive, staff recommendations, and a peek behind the scenes.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Before 2026's midterms, President Trump wants to ban mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines, and change voting rules. Legal expert Richard Hasen discusses the future of free and fair elections in America. "What's it going to mean to have to stand up to the government to make sure that people have their right to vote?" Hasen says. "I think it's very unlikely that the president would say the elections are canceled, but there's lots of things he could do with his power, with the military, with his power over federal government machinery that can make it very difficult for some people to vote."    Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Patrick Ryan's novel Buckeye. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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

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

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

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

What happens when a former federal government employee turns his lens on the psychology of panic? You get Hysterical, a podcast series from Dan Taberski. In it, Taberski investigates a mysterious illness that swept through a group of high school students in upstate New York. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about his award-winning podcast.Book critic Maureen Corrigan recommends some mystery and suspense novels for your summer reading list. Also, we'll hear from Larry Charles who has been a writer, director and/or executive producer on a number of culturally impactful TV shows and films including Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, and Borat. He spoke with Terry Gross about his new memoir.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Dan Taberski's award-winning podcast Hysterical investigates a bizarre and unsettling phenomenon: a mysterious illness that swept through a group of high school students in upstate New York. Taberski unpacks the story behind this modern-day case of possible mass hysteria and reflects on his approach to investigative storytelling. We also dig into his past work, including Missing Richard Simmons. Book critic Maureen Corrigan shares a round-up of this summer's best mystery and suspense titles.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Poet and novelist Ocean Vuong talks with Tonya Mosley about his new novel, The Emperor of Gladness. Set in a fictional small town in Connecticut, it follows a 19 year old grappling with addiction and despair, who forms an unexpected bond with an 82-year-old widow living with dementia. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan has a review of the book. And, we hear from comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. She's known for finding humor in the dysfunction of her immigrant family, and the daily responsibilities of being an adult. Her new standup special is about her father, who reappeared in her life after decades away.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Washington Post Reporter Hannah Natanson says DOGE's mass firings made the government more inefficient. She also explains the risks of DOGE creating a massive database for the Trump administration. "There's a great deal of concern over how basically the Trump administration has taken every tool at their disposal and weaponized a lot of the federal government," she tells Terry Gross.Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews The Very Heart of It, by Thomas Mallon. It's a new collection of his diaries from 1983 to '94, which includes when he came out, and the years of the AIDS crisis and how it decimated the gay community.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Escola gives former first lady Mary Todd Lincoln a wild second act in the Tony-nominated play Oh, Mary! "This play is about a woman with a dream that no one around her understands," Escola says. The actor spoke with Ann Marie Baldonado about growing up in rural Oregon, the inspiration for the play, and making sense of its surprise success. Maureen Corrigan reviews Ocean Vuong's new novel, The Emperor of Gladness.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When NYT critic-at-large Amanda Hess learned her unborn child had an abnormality, she turned to the internet — but didn't find reassurance. "My relationship with technology became so much more intense," she says. She talks with Tonya Mosley about pregnancy apps, online forums, and baby gadgets. Her new book is Second Life: Having A Child In The Digital Age. Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews Daniel Kehlmann's new novel, The Director. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

After 11 seasons on ER, Noah Wyle thought he was finished with medical dramas: "I spent 15 years avoiding — actively avoiding — walking down what I thought was either hallowed ground or traveled road." But then COVID happened, and he felt compelled to tell more of these stories. He spoke with Dave Davies about the making of The Pitt, the medical jargon, and his mom's feedback on the show. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Poems by Dorothy Parker and The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Author Chris Whipple says Biden's family and closest advisors operated in denial regarding his ability to serve another term: "There's no doubt that they were protecting the president." Whipple spoke with campaign insiders to get a behind-the-scenes look at what happened in 2024. His book is Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History. Our book critic Maureen Corrigan shares an appreciation of The Great Gatsby for its 100th anniversary.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy