Fresh Air
Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening - all while you support NPR's mission. Learn more at plus.npr.org/freshair
Episodes
May 20, 2024 • 45 mins
McDonald says that earlier in his career, he tended to avoid writing about himself directly in songs. He opens up about his life and career in the memoir, What a Fool Believes. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about his first band as a tween, his songwriting process, and being big in the Black community.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Mark as Played
May 18, 2024 • 48 mins
Musician, activist, and punk pioneer Kathleen Hanna talks about being at the epicenter of the '90s riot grrrl movement. She talks about the early days of Bikini Kill and writing the anthem "Rebel Girl."
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Claire Messud's new novel.
Also, actor Tyler James Williams shares the motivation behind his role as a no-nonsense teacher on the hit series Abbott Elementary.
Learn mor...
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Claire Messud's new novel.
Also, actor Tyler James Williams shares the motivation behind his role as a no-nonsense teacher on the hit series Abbott Elementary.
Learn mor...
Mark as Played
May 17, 2024 • 46 mins
Filmmaker Roger Corman, the "King of the B" movies, died last week at the age of 98. He made hundreds of films, such cult classics as Little Shop of Horrors, A Bucket of Blood, House of Usher, The Last Woman on Earth, and The Cry Baby Killer. We feature our 1990 interview with him, and with those whose careers he helped launch – including actors Peter Fonda and Bruce Dern, as well as directors James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, and Jo...
Mark as Played
May 16, 2024 • 43 mins
Wallace is known for his celebrity profiles, but his new memoir, Another Word For Love, is about his own life, growing up unhoused, Black and queer, and getting his start as a writer at the age of 40.
David Bianculli shares an appreciation of John Mulaney's six-part live Netflix talk show, Everybody's in L.A.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
David Bianculli shares an appreciation of John Mulaney's six-part live Netflix talk show, Everybody's in L.A.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Mark as Played
May 15, 2024 • 45 mins
The Economist Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom explains why some Arab leaders hate Hamas, fear Iran and have some sympathy for Israel — although not for how Israel is waging the war.
For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to Fresh Air+ via Apple Podcasts or here.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR P...
For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to Fresh Air+ via Apple Podcasts or here.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR P...
Mark as Played
May 14, 2024 • 45 mins
Williams was thrust into the public eye as a kid, when he starred in Everybody Hates Chris. Now, playing a teacher on Abbott Elementary, he strives to make the child actors on set feel comfortable. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about the trauma of fame as a kid, his Crohn's diagnosis, and tuning out online chatter.
Justin Chang reviews the Japanese film Evil Does Not Exist, by Drive My Car director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi.
Justin Chang reviews the Japanese film Evil Does Not Exist, by Drive My Car director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi.
Mark as Played
May 13, 2024 • 45 mins
Kathleen Hanna's band Bikini Kill was the epicenter of the riot grrrl feminist punk movement of the '90s. Their song "Rebel Girl" was the anthem. Now Hanna has a memoir (also called Rebel Girl) about her time in the punk scene, her childhood, and finding joy in expressing anger in public.
Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Claire Messud's new novel, This Strange Eventful History.
Learn more about sponsor...
Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Claire Messud's new novel, This Strange Eventful History.
Learn more about sponsor...
Mark as Played
May 11, 2024 • 48 mins
WNBA star Brittney Griner talks about the physical and emotional hell of her nearly 300 days in Russian prisons. Russian authorities apprehended Griner at the Moscow Airport when she was found carrying a tiny amount of medically prescribed cannabis — then charged her with drug smuggling. Her memoir is Coming Home.
Jazz historian Kevin Whitehead reviews a 1959 Sonny Rollins reissue.
And we'll talk about plant int...
Jazz historian Kevin Whitehead reviews a 1959 Sonny Rollins reissue.
And we'll talk about plant int...
Mark as Played
May 10, 2024 • 45 mins
Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Sympathizer has been adapted into a series on HBO/MAX. It's set in Vietnam during the last days of the war, and in LA, just after. The narrator becomes a consultant to a Hollywood film about the war. The novel is written from a Vietnamese perspective. "It's my revenge on Francis Ford Coppola, my revenge on Hollywood, to try to get Americans to understand that Vietnam is a country...
Mark as Played
May 9, 2024 • 44 mins
We remember painter and sculptor Frank Stella, whose early work was considered revolutionary. He died last week at age 87. Stella became famous and controversial in the 1950s for his "black paintings," which were a stark contrast to the abstract expressionism of the time, and made him one of the fathers of minimalism.
Later, we'll feature an interview with one of the most influential early rock and roll guitarists, Duane ...
Later, we'll feature an interview with one of the most influential early rock and roll guitarists, Duane ...
Mark as Played
May 8, 2024 • 42 mins
#BlackLivesMatter. #OscarsSoWhite. #ICantBreathe. Filmmaker Prentice Penny's docuseries about Black Twitter celebrates the voices and movements that impacted politics and culture. Penny was also the showrunner of the HBO series Insecure.
Also, John Powers reviews the four-part series Shardlake, based on C.J. Sansom's first novel in a series about a crime-solving lawyer in 16th-century England.
Learn more about sp...
Also, John Powers reviews the four-part series Shardlake, based on C.J. Sansom's first novel in a series about a crime-solving lawyer in 16th-century England.
Learn more about sp...
Mark as Played
May 7, 2024 • 44 mins
Griner spent nearly 300 days incarcerated in Russia after authorities at the Moscow airport found two nearly empty cartridges of cannabis in her luggage. The WNBA star spoke with Terry Gross about the dehumanizing prison conditions, her release, and return to the court. Griner, who is 6'9", says she felt like a zoo animal in prison. "The guards would literally come open up the little peep hole, look in, and then I would hear them l...
Mark as Played
May 6, 2024 • 45 mins
Climate journalist Zoë Schlanger explains the fascinating science behind how plants learn, communicate, and adapt to survive. She says plants can store memories, trick animals into not eating them, and even send alarm calls to other plants. Her new book is called The Light Eaters.
TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new Netflix series A Man in Full, starring Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane.
Learn more about sponso...
TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new Netflix series A Man in Full, starring Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane.
Learn more about sponso...
Mark as Played
May 4, 2024 • 49 mins
In a new Hulu docuseries, Jon Bon Jovi looks back on his career and his recovery after vocal surgery. He spoke with Terry Gross about his breakthrough hit "Runaway" and how he's evolved as a musician.
Also, we'll hear from fantasy author Leigh Bardugo. She's best known for her YA series Shadow and Bone. Her new adult novel, The Familiar, set in 16th century Spain, is about a young woman who can perform miracles.
Also, we'll hear from fantasy author Leigh Bardugo. She's best known for her YA series Shadow and Bone. Her new adult novel, The Familiar, set in 16th century Spain, is about a young woman who can perform miracles.
Mark as Played
May 3, 2024 • 45 mins
The New York Times described Paul Auster as the "Patron Saint of Literary Brooklyn." He died Tuesday of complications of lung cancer. He was 77. We'll listen back to some of our interviews with him, including one about his early career when he was desperately trying to make a living as writer, and even tried writing porn.
Justin Chang reviews the new film The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
Learn...
Justin Chang reviews the new film The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
Learn...
Mark as Played
May 3, 2024 • 43 mins
Congress and President Biden say TikTok must shed its financial ties to China or face a ban in the U.S. But Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell says selling the company is complicated.
For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to Fresh Air+ via Apple Podcasts or here.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Priv...
For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to Fresh Air+ via Apple Podcasts or here.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Priv...
Mark as Played
May 2, 2024 • 45 mins
In The Demon of Unrest, author Erik Larson chronicles the five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and the start of the Civil War, drawing parallels to today's political climate.
Also, David Bianculli reviews the FX/Hulu spy thriller series The Veil, starring Elisabeth Moss.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Also, David Bianculli reviews the FX/Hulu spy thriller series The Veil, starring Elisabeth Moss.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Mark as Played
April 30, 2024 • 46 mins
Leigh Bardugo is best known for her YA Shadow and Bone series. Her adult novel, The Familiar, centers on a young woman in 16th century Spain who must hide her identity as a Jew who converted to Catholicism. She spoke with producer Sam Briger.
Also, jazz historian Kevin Whitehead looks at a reissue of Sonny Rollins.
For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to F...
Also, jazz historian Kevin Whitehead looks at a reissue of Sonny Rollins.
For sponsor-free episodes of Fresh Air — and exclusive weekly bonus episodes, too — subscribe to F...
Mark as Played
April 30, 2024 • 45 mins
A few years ago, Bon Jovi stopped performing because of a vocal cord injury. The Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight offers a career retrospective, plus a view of his surgery and return to the stage. He spoke with Terry Gross about his voice, writing "Livin' on a Prayer," and his forthcoming album, Forever.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Mark as Played
April 27, 2024 • 48 mins
Songwriter, guitarist and singer St. Vincent talks about her new album, All Born Screaming. Also, we talk with child psychiatrist Harold Koplewicz. His latest book is called Scaffold Parenting: Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant and Secure Kids in an Age of Anxiety.
To get staff recommendations, highlights from our archive, and intel on what's coming up on the show, subscribe to our newsletter.
Learn more about spo...
To get staff recommendations, highlights from our archive, and intel on what's coming up on the show, subscribe to our newsletter.
Learn more about spo...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.