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
Arsenio Hall discusses his career, the challenges he faced hosting "The Arsenio Hall Show," and his new memoir, "Arsenio." He reflects on feeling pressure from Paramount to make his show more palatable to white audiences while also facing criticism from the Black community for not being Black enough. Hall recounts an i...
This episode of Fresh Air Weekend features two interviews. First, actor John Lithgow discusses his role as Roald Dahl in the play "Giant," which explores Dahl's antisemitism. Lithgow shares insights into Dahl's troubled life and the play's relevance to current events, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He a...
The podcast features an interview with Julio Torres, a comic actor, director, and writer, focusing on his film "Problemista" and his HBO special "Color Theories." Torres discusses how his personal experiences as an immigrant from El Salvador navigating the U.S. immigration system influenced "Problemista," highlighting ...
John Lithgow discusses his role as Roald Dahl in the Broadway play "Giant," exploring Dahl's complex character and the play's timely themes of anti-Semitism and political conflict. Lithgow reflects on Dahl's difficult life and how it may have contributed to his dark side, while also noting the play's unsettling paralle...
The podcast explores the pervasive impact of plastic production, arguing it's Big Oil's "Plan B" as fossil fuel demand decreases. Journalist Beth Gardiner, author of "Plastic Inc.," discusses how major companies like ExxonMobil are increasing plastic production despite growing environmental and health concerns. Gardine...
The conversation explores the phenomenon of men's masculinity camps and the appeal of the "alpha male" concept. Charles Bethea, a New Yorker staff writer, shares his experiences embedding in these camps, revealing that beneath the surface of warrior posturing lies loneliness and a search for connection. He contrasts pr...
A former video editor and field producer for Alex Jones' Infowars, Josh Owens, recounts his experiences working within the conspiracy-driven media outlet. Owens details how Jones manufactured outrage and conspiracy theories, often based on flimsy evidence or outright fabrications, such as a staged ISIS border crossing....
This episode of Fresh Air Weekend features two interviews, exploring themes of artistic influence, identity, and cultural representation. First, Tonya Mosley interviews singer Jill Scott, discussing her new album, "To Whom This May Concern," and the influence of poet Nikki Giovanni on her work. Scott reflects on her up...
This episode of Fresh Air features two interviews and two reviews. The first interview is a re-airing of a 1988 conversation with Chuck Norris, focusing on his transition from martial arts champion to action film star. Norris discusses his early career, fight choreography with Bruce Lee, and the challenges of breaking ...
The U.S. military's increasing reliance on AI in warfare is explored through the lens of Project Maven, focusing on its capabilities, risks, and ethical implications. Bloomberg reporter Katrina Manson, author of "Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare," discusses how AI tools like Claude ...
The interview with Bryan Stevenson explores the legacy of racial injustice in America and the importance of truth and reconciliation. Stevenson discusses President Trump's efforts to erase parts of American history and his own work in creating the Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama, to confront the past. He recounts t...
The discussion centers on the possibility of U.S. intervention in Cuba, given its current economic struggles and President Trump's interest. Jon Lee Anderson, a staff writer at The New Yorker who recently reported from Cuba, describes the shockingly bad conditions on the island, including widespread malnutrition, disea...
Riz Ahmed, award-winning actor, writer, and musician, discusses his new Prime Video series, Bait, and his reimagining of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Bait explores the feeling that life is one big audition, focusing on the gap between our public and private selves, using James Bond as a symbol of unattainable success. Ahmed a...
The podcast features an interview with Harrison Ford, who discusses his role in the series Shrinking, where he plays a therapist with Parkinson's disease. Ford shares his approach to portraying the character's physical limitations, noting how the writers gradually reveal the progression of his symptoms. He reflects on ...
This episode of Fresh Air features two segments: an interview with James Marsden about his role in "Jury Duty" and other projects, and a remembrance of blues musician Roy Book Binder, including excerpts from a 1987 interview. Marsden discusses the unique premise of "Jury Duty," where he plays a satirical version of him...
Jill Scott discusses her new album, "To Whom This May Concern," and the personal inspirations behind her music. The conversation explores themes of being desired but not claimed, and the courage to defy societal expectations. Scott reflects on the influence of Nikki Giovanni's poetry on her work, particularly Giovanni'...
Francis Spufford, British writer, discusses his new novel, Nonesuch, set in London during the Blitz, exploring themes of survival, societal constraints, and the allure of the unearthly. The conversation delves into the historical importance of the Blitz in shaping British identity and how Spufford's novel interacts wit...
The interview explores the escalating conflict between Iran, the United States, and its allies, focusing on the implications of a potential succession crisis within the Iranian leadership. It examines the power dynamics between Mojtaba Khamenei, the presumed successor, and the Revolutionary Guard, highlighting the chal...
Daniel Okrent, author of "Stephen Sondheim, Art Isn't Easy," explores the life and work of the celebrated composer. The discussion highlights Sondheim's complex relationship with his mother, which influenced themes of revenge and alienation in his musicals, particularly "Sweeney Todd." Okrent elucidates Sondheim's crea...
This episode of Fresh Air Weekend features two interviews. First, Tonya Mosley interviews Delroy Lindo, who is nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Delta Slim in the film Sinners. Lindo discusses his preparation for the role, which included reading books about blues music and musicians. He shares a story abou...
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