DiscoverFresh Air
Fresh Air
Claim Ownership

Fresh Air

Author: NPR

Subscribed: 383,913Played: 15,095,548
Share

Description

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
300 Episodes
Reverse
Casting director Allison Jones is considered one of the greatest comedy casting directors of our time. Her credits include films and TV shows like Freaks and Geeks, The Office, Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bridesmaids, and now Barbie. She spoke with Terry Gross about some of these projects. Maureen Corrigan reviews Lauren Groff's new novel, The Vaster Wilds. Also, NPR's Scott Simon gives the history of why jazz was banned in Hitler's Germany, and how it was repurposed as propaganda on shortwave radio. His new audiobook is Swingtime for Hitler.
Actor Billy Crudup

Actor Billy Crudup

2023-09-2249:56

Billy Crudup stars in The Morning Show, now back for its third season. We also talk about going to rock star camp for his role in Almost Famous and his iconic Mastercard commercials.Also, Justin Chang reviews A Haunting in Venice.
Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones

2023-09-2147:424

Leslie Jones says performing stand-up for the first time as a freshman in college felt like putting on a shirt that fit perfectly: "It was just so natural." She talks with Tonya Mosley about the best advice she got, her bittersweet time at SNL, and why she loves physical comedy. Her memoir is Leslie F*cking Jones.Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews Lauren Groff's new novel, The Vaster Wilds.
Hitler's Germany banned jazz because it was deemed degenerate music made by Jews and Black people. But NPR host Scott Simon says the Nazis used it abroad to weaken British and American resolve. His new audiobook about this history is Swingtime for Hitler.
Comic Aparna Nancherla

Comic Aparna Nancherla

2023-09-1948:491

Comedian, writer, and actor Aparna Nancherla has starred in the TV shows BoJack Horseman, Master of None, and Corporate. She's written for Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, and Late Night with Seth Meyers, and has comedy specials on Netflix and Comedy Central. She spoke with Ann Marie Baldonado about her anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome, despite her career success. Her new book is Unreliable Narrator.John Powers reviews the Paramount TV+ heist drama series The Gold.
New York Times reporter Alan Blinder says the kingdom poured millions into a pro golf circuit to rival the PGA. The two sides recently announced a joint venture, raising anti-trust issues. Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new season of The Morning Show.
Grammy and Oscar-winning music producer Mark Ronson is known for his party hits, pop songs, soulful arrangements, and producing for stars like Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and Adele. His latest project is the Barbie soundtrack and score.We talk with Bethann Hardison about her 50+ year career as a trailblazer in the fashion world. She started modeling in the late '60s during the height of the Black is Beautiful movement. There's a new documentary about her life and career called Invisible Beauty.
Wall Street Journal reporter Erich Schwartzel says that film studios increasingly rely upon Chinese audiences to break even — which can result in self-censorship. His book is Red Carpet. Also, Justin Chang reviews the film Cassandro.
Atlantic staff writer Franklin Foer tells stories behind some of the Biden administration's biggest successes and failures. Foer's new book is The Last Politician.
The Army and Navy are testing weapons with remarkable capabilities, using cutting edge technology and AI. Terry Gross spoke with Eric Lipton of the New York Times about his investigation into the weapons, the need to modernize, and the obstacles in the way.
The Barbie movie is just the latest example of why Allison Jones is considered one of the greatest comedy casting directors of our time. She casted films and TV shows like Freaks and Geeks, The Office, Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Superbad and Bridesmaids. We talk about casting Steve Carell in The Office, auditioning Jason Segel as a teenager, and what she's learned about acting from doing cameos of herself. Also, Ken Tucker reviews Allison Russell's new album, The Returner.
We talk with Bethann Hardison about her 50+ year career as a trailblazer in the fashion world. She started modeling in the late '60s during the height of the Black is Beautiful movement. With her brown skin and short afro, Hardison describes herself as being the first "Black Black" looking model. Later, she was one of the first Black women to own a modeling agency. There's a new documentary about her life and career called Invisible Beauty.John Powers reviews two films about the 1973 coup in Chile.
Zadie Smith talks about her new book, The Fraud. It's a historical novel, but its themes of gender inequality, class, and the enduring damages of slavery, are very connected to the present. David Bianculli reviews the new Apple+ series The Changeling, starring LaKeith Stanfield. Comic Maria Bamford's new memoir, Sure, I'll Join Your Cult, is about the lengths she's taken to fit in — from self-help books, to 12-step programs — and why making fun of her anxiety, depression, and OCD has been a powerful medicine.
The son of Taiwanese immigrants, New Yorker staff writer Hua Hsu defined himself as a teen by the music he loved. The murder of a close friend when he was in college changed the course of his life. He tells this story in his memoir, Stay True, which won a Pulitzer this year.David Bianculli reviews the new Apple+ series The Changeling, starring LaKeith Stanfield.
Grammy and Oscar-winning music producer Mark Ronson is known for his party hits, pop songs, and soulful arrangements, producing for stars like Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and Adele. His latest project is the Barbie soundtrack and score. We talk about the year he and his collaborator Andrew Wyatt spent conceptualizing, producing, and composing songs for the album which features Nicki Minaj, Sam Smith, Billie Eilish, and Dua Lipa. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright.
Comic Maria Bamford talks about — and jokes about — serious and dark topics like her anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts from OCD. Her new memoir is about the lengths she's gone to fit in, from self-help books to 12-step programs. It's called Sure, I'll Join Your Cult. Also, John Powers reviews the Danish crime series Face to Face.
Zadie Smith is known for her essays and novels about contemporary life and art. But her new book, The Fraud, is a historical novel, set in Victorian England. Her characters are dealing with some of the same issues we face today — gender inequality, class divisions, and the perpetual consequences of slavery. Smith spoke with Terry Gross about the novel, aging, history, and how writing is an exercise in control rather than creativity.
Hip-Hop Week: Jay-Z

Hip-Hop Week: Jay-Z

2023-09-0449:185

We wrap up our hip-hop history series with our 2010 interview with Sean Carter, A.K.A. Jay-Z, one of the most successful rappers of all time. He's won 24 Grammys and holds the record for the most No. 1 albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. In 2019 he became the first hip-hop billionaire.
Our celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop continues with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, drummer and co-founder of The Roots. He was born in 1971 and says he and hip-hop grew up together. Also, Public Enemy's Chuck D talks about the song "Fight the Power" and the powers they were fighting. And we'll listen back to a conversation with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, A.K.A. Puff Daddy. He made his name—or names—in the hip-hop world as a record producer and rapper.
We continue our celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and feature interviews from our archive with the RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, and André Benjamin, A.K.A. André 3000, from Outkast. Both have done solo work and have acted in films.
loading
Comments (428)

Bea Kiddo

The real rap time era.

Aug 24th
Reply

Bea Kiddo

What a great interview. I watched pee wee and a fan of Paul Rueben. If you haven’t listed you this yet, do yourself a favor and do it. It’s funny and great info about Paul Rueben.

Aug 4th
Reply

Catherine Nguyen

Very interesting and informative! I can't wait to learn more.

Jul 31st
Reply

Jeff B

crack and freebase aren't the same

Jul 24th
Reply

Scott Ellsworth

Why didn't she talk about organic clothing? That's such an important part of the solution, but most people don't know to even look for it because people like her never bother to mention it.

Jul 22nd
Reply

Scott Ellsworth

Great episode. Nice to get to know about her.

Jul 14th
Reply (1)

timmy 7

Hey there! I understand you're looking for some reliable bookmakers and could use some assistance. Well, you're in luck because I have a suggestion for you. If you're interested in exploring bookmakers, you might want to check out Nigeria Melbet. They offer a wide range of betting options and have gained a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy. You can visit their website at https://nigeria-melbet.com/ to learn more about the services they provide. When it comes to choosing a bookmaker, it's essential to consider factors like reputation, security, and the variety of options they offer. It's also a good idea to explore customer reviews and feedback to get a better understanding of their reliability.

Jul 12th
Reply

Jessica z

Good evening everyone here. Guys, I need your assistance right now because I want to find some reliable bookmakers so can you please recommend me something?

Jul 12th
Reply

Ann Urban

z

Jul 7th
Reply

Milania Greendevald

Betting on sports is very simple - even a beginner can handle it. Here https://ggongnara.com/ you will find a lot of useful information that will help you cope with this task. Choosing a bookmaker is the first thing you can make a mistake. Today, a huge number of companies provide services.

Jun 30th
Reply

Nima Zardbani

Hi does this podcast has note?

Jun 26th
Reply

Angela Lowell

I love that you addressed all the theories I've heard over the years.

Jun 3rd
Reply

Jenny Mummert

extremely informative

Jun 1st
Reply

Draconius

Great podcast

May 31st
Reply

Rachael Wratislaw

Piers Morgan is destested by many in the UK. His racist viewpoint is not the viewpoint of the majority. I don’t know anyone who watches Good Morning Great Britain it’s not like Good Morning America. Please don’t taint us all with the same brush.

Apr 17th
Reply

Jennifer Jennifer

Being lonely is one of the toughest phases of life. Just you can visit https://sports-no1.com/%EC%96%91%EB %B0%A9%EB%B0%B0%ED%8C%85/ and manage your sports game. Being alone can make you feel pathetic, unwanted, and even dejected. But there's always someone who would love to make our lives better by just being around us. Although we can't force these people to change their ways we can make them accept us despite our differences in our respective domains be it religion or country.

Apr 10th
Reply

New Jawn

why does this stupid MF giggle at himself throughout the interview?

Apr 4th
Reply (1)

Bea Kiddo

I love Buster Keaton. Filmmakers can learn a lot from his films. Buster Keaton made silent films that are incredible and funny. A great artist and was a really talented and good looking man. If anyone reading this hasn’t seen a buster keaton film, do yourself a favor and watch one. You will literally laugh out loud. #busterkeaton

Mar 11th
Reply

Aj the gangster

Bb

Mar 10th
Reply

Bea Kiddo

The new movie Weird the Weird Al Yankovic movie is great. I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s a silly moc/documentary and if you grew up in the time with weird Al , you’ll love it. Daniel Radcliffe is just great in his role of weird Al. There’s a lot of cameos in it and I laughed my a$$ off thru the whole movie especially the Jim Morrison scene. I have to say it’s one of the best movies of 2022 and if you know who weird Al is, you will love it. Even if you don’t care for his parodies of songs, it’s a damn good movie. #weirdalyankovic

Dec 20th
Reply
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store