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 and Tonya Mosley, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including weekly bonus episodes and curated playlists of archive interviews from Fresh Air. And subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Fresh Air Weekly, to get interview highlights, staff recommendations, gems from the archive, and the week's interviews and reviews all in one place. Sign up at www.whyy.org/freshair
This episode explores the experiences of Ramy Youssef, an Egyptian-American Muslim, navigating his identity and career in comedy and acting, particularly in the context of post-9/11 America and contemporary sociopolitical issues. Against the backdrop of his new animated series, "Number One Happy Family USA," which port...
This episode explores Danny McBride's creative journey, focusing on his work as a writer, actor, and producer, particularly his show "The Righteous Gemstones." McBride discusses the origins of the show, initially inspired by the Memphis Mafia and later influenced by the prevalence of megachurches in the South, detailin...
This episode explores themes of female friendship, sexual liberation, and personal growth through the lens of Michelle Williams's role in "Dying For Sex." Williams discusses her initial emotional connection to the podcast and script, emphasizing the series' exploration of bravery and fear. The conversation highlights t...
This episode explores the work and life of underground cartoonist R. Crumb, featuring excerpts from two interviews with Terry Gross. The initial interview delves into Crumb's artistic style, influenced by a significant LSD experience that led him to embrace older, "vulgar" comic styles and create characters like Mr. Na...
This episode explores the impact of technology on pregnancy and early motherhood, featuring Amanda Hess, author of "Second Life, Having A Child In The Digital Age," who shares her personal experiences and critical insights. Hess recounts her journey through a high-risk pregnancy, triggered by an abnormal ultrasound, an...
This episode explores President Trump's potential conflicts of interest regarding his family's business ventures and their intersection with U.S. foreign policy and regulatory decisions. The discussion begins with an explanation of stablecoins and the Genius Act, legislation that could legitimize stablecoins within the...
This episode explores Michelle Williams's career, focusing on her role in "Dying For Sex" and her perspectives on acting, friendship, and personal growth. Williams discusses how the podcast and pilot episode of "Dying For Sex" deeply moved her, leading her to take on the role and how female friendships can be soulmate ...
This episode explores Sarah Snook's career, highlighting her recent Tony nomination for her performance in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and her role as Shiv Roy in "Succession." Snook discusses the challenges and rewards of playing all 26 characters in "Dorian Gray," detailing her vocal and physical techniques for diff...
This episode explores the resurgence of the pronatalist movement and its diverse motivations. Against the backdrop of declining U.S. birth rates and Trump-backed policies offering baby bonuses and a National Medal of Motherhood, pronatalists warn of potential economic collapse or even extinction. More significantly, t...
This episode explores the historical account of a disastrous 18th-century British naval expedition and the subsequent mutiny, as detailed in David Grann's book, The Wager. Against the backdrop of the War of Jenkins' Ear, five British warships embarked on a secret mission to capture a Spanish galleon, facing perilous co...
This episode explores Terry Gross's remembrance of her late husband, Francis Davis, a renowned jazz critic and writer. Against the backdrop of her return to her radio show after a two-and-a-half-week absence following his death, Gross shares excerpts from Davis's essays and plays music he praised, offering a poignant t...
This episode explores the resurgence of pronatalism in the United States, examining its various factions and motivations. Against the backdrop of declining birth rates, the discussion delves into the arguments of pronatalists who warn of economic collapse and even extinction if birth rates continue to fall. More signi...
This episode explores Project 2025, a policy blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation for a second Trump term, and its influence on the current administration. Against the backdrop of the 2024 election, Democrats criticized the project's proposals, including replacing civil servants with Trump loyalists. More s...
This episode explores the profound impact of childhood trauma on adult life, using the memoir "Of My Own Making" as a lens. Against the backdrop of Daria Burke's seemingly successful career in marketing, the interview delves into her upbringing in 1980s and 90s Detroit, marked by parental addiction and poverty. More ...
This episode explores the themes of identity, cultural appropriation, and the legacy of the blues through an interview with filmmaker Ryan Coogler, director of the new vampire thriller Sinners. Against the backdrop of 1930s Mississippi, Coogler discusses his personal experiences and how they shaped the film's narrativ...
This episode explores the life and career of country music star Merle Haggard, focusing on his early life, struggles with the law, and eventual rise to fame. Against the backdrop of his difficult childhood and time spent in and out of reform schools and prisons, Haggard's journey is highlighted through his experiences ...
This episode explores the complexities surrounding ADHD diagnosis and treatment, particularly questioning the long-held assumptions about its nature and efficacy of common treatments. Against the backdrop of rising ADHD diagnoses in children, particularly among boys, the discussion delves into a landmark study (MTA) th...
This episode explores the creative process and thematic elements behind Ryan Coogler's new film, Sinners, a genre-bending thriller set in 1930s Mississippi. Against the backdrop of Coogler's decision to postpone Black Panther 3 to pursue this project, the interview delves into his personal motivations, revealing how h...
This episode explores the potential decline of American democracy and the role of the Trump administration in this process. Against the backdrop of Freedom House's lowered rating of the U.S. democratic standing, Harvard professor Steven Levitsky discusses the threat of a slide into "competitive authoritarianism," cit...
This episode explores the making of the new Max series, The Pitt, through an interview with its executive producer, writer, and star, Noah Wyle. Against the backdrop of Wyle's extensive experience playing a doctor on ER, the discussion delves into the show's realistic portrayal of a hospital emergency room, highlighti...
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