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NPR · Arts & Culture

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 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

Episodes

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Miranda July Wants Women To Read Their Inner Lives In 'All Fours'

19 Dec 2024
47m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Miranda July discusses her novel All Fours, which delves into a woman's journey through perimenopause and her reevaluation of life and marriage. Initially worried about how readers would react to the book’s explicit themes and focus on midlife struggles, July has been pleasantly surprised b...

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The Looming TikTok Ban

18 Dec 2024
46m
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In a recent Fresh Air interview, the ongoing legal dispute over a potential TikTok ban in the U.S. is explored. Lawmakers and lower courts have labeled TikTok a national security threat due to its Chinese ownership and the risk of data exposure. However, TikTok counters that such a ban violates free speech rights. The ...

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Billie Eilish & Finneas

17 Dec 2024
47m
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In this Fresh Air interview, siblings and musical partners Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell share insights into their journey in music. They delve into their evolution as artists and their distinctive approach to songwriting, while Billie reflects on the challenges of being a teenage star and the intricacies of thei...

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Comedian Ronny Chieng Didn't Tell His Parents He Got A 'Daily Show' Job

16 Dec 2024
47m
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In this Fresh Air interview, comedian Ronny Chieng opens up about his new Netflix comedy special, his role on The Daily Show, and his journey as a Chinese Malaysian comedian navigating life in America. He shares his parents' initial reactions to his career choice, discusses his unexpected path to The Daily Show through...

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Someone Once Told Elton John He Would Never Be A Pop Star

15 Dec 2024
21m
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In this bonus episode of Fresh Air, we hear highlights from two captivating interviews with Elton John. The first, from 2019, delves into his memoir "Me," where he shares his experiences with fame, his challenging childhood, battles with addiction, and the musical influences that shaped him. The second segment, dating ...

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Best Of: Jon Batiste's 'Beethoven Blues' / Visual Artist Mickalene Thomas

14 Dec 2024
47m
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In this episode of Fresh Air Weekend, host Terry Gross interviews Jon Batiste about his new album, "Beethoven Blues," where he reinterprets Beethoven’s works through a blues perspective. Batiste shares his insights on the rhythmic similarities and emotional resonance between Beethoven's compositions and the blues. The ...

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Cynthia Erivo Sings With 'A Bit Of A Smile'

13 Dec 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Cynthia Erivo opens up about her career, musical influences—especially from Aretha Franklin and Stephen Sondheim—and her personal life. She discusses the vital role of breath control in singing, sharing memorable stories from her training. Erivo also reflects on her upbringing and her close...

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Stephen & Evie Colbert Share The Taste Of Home

12 Dec 2024
44m
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Stephen and Evie Colbert, a married couple who collaborate professionally, chat about their new cookbook, "Does This Taste Funny? Recipes Our Family Loves." They share insights from their show business journey, Stephen's recent appendicitis ordeal, and the contrasts in their religious backgrounds. Their discussion expl...

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The Housing Shortage, Explained

11 Dec 2024
44m
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In a Fresh Air interview, housing expert Ben Keys delves into the ongoing housing crisis in the U.S., marked by high prices and a lack of available homes. He traces the roots of this crisis back to the 2008 financial collapse, which has been compounded by soaring material and labor costs, daunting financing challenges ...

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Actor Danielle Deadwyler 'Overprepared' For 'The Piano Lesson'

10 Dec 2024
44m
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In this Fresh Air interview, actress Danielle Deadwyler shares insights about her performances in Netflix's adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson and the film Till. She delves into her acting process, highlighting her emphasis on physicality and thorough preparation, often drawing from her own life experiences...

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Jon Batiste Almost Got Kicked Out Of Juilliard

09 Dec 2024
44m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Jon Batiste, a celebrated multi-Grammy-winning musician, talks about his latest album, "Beethoven Blues," which offers a fresh take on Beethoven's works. He delves into the intriguing links between Beethoven's music and the blues, pointing out their shared rhythms and emotional resonance. B...

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Werner Herzog Isn't The 'Wild Guy' You Think He Is

06 Dec 2024
44m
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In this Fresh Air interview, filmmaker Werner Herzog shares insights into his life and career, which are deeply rooted in a fascination with extremes. He explains that his interest lies not in risk itself, but in delving into the darker sides of human nature, often requiring intense settings for his films. Herzog refle...

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Best Of: Folk Musician Jerron Paxton / Lyricist Ira Gershwin's Legacy

06 Dec 2024
48m
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This Fresh Air Weekend episode features an engaging interview with folk musician Jerron Paxton, who shares insights about his new album, "Things Done Changed." He draws on older musical styles while weaving in contemporary themes. The episode also includes a review of the Beatles' new Disney+ documentary, "Beatles 64,"...

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A Cultural History Of Hypochondria

05 Dec 2024
44m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Caroline Crampton, author of "A Body Made of Glass," delves into the complexities of hypochondria, drawing from her own experiences and historical insights. Having faced cancer twice, Crampton shares her thoughts on illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder, highlighting the fin...

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Trump's 2nd Term & The Economy

04 Dec 2024
45m
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In a Fresh Air interview, David Wessel explores the possible economic effects of a second Trump administration. He examines Trump's proposed policies, such as imposing high tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, implementing tax cuts, and reducing government spending. Wessel expresses doubt about the effectiveness ...

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Artist Mickalene Thomas Gives Black Women Their Flowers

03 Dec 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, multidisciplinary artist Mickalene Thomas discusses her work that highlights Black women in roles of leisure and power, challenging conventional portrayals in fine art. The conversation delves into her exhibition "All About Love," where she reinterprets classic paintings to celebrate Black ...

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Folk Musician Jerron Paxton Transports Us To the '20s

02 Dec 2024
46m
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In this Fresh Air interview, musician Jerron Paxton discusses his new album, "Things Done Changed," which features his original songs. Paxton's music draws inspiration from early 20th-century folk, blues, and jazz, while also addressing modern themes. He describes himself as a "throwback," highlighting the expressive p...

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Best Of: Making 'The Piano Lesson' / Selena Gomez

30 Nov 2024
50m
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In this episode of Fresh Air Weekend, John David and Malcolm Washington share insights about their Netflix film adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson, which explores the tension between a brother and sister over a cherished family piano. The show also features Selena Gomez discussing her role in the Spanish-la...

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Pharrell Thinks He Sounds Like Mickey Mouse

29 Nov 2024
47m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Pharrell Williams shares insights about his new Lego-animated biopic, "Piece By Piece." The film creatively combines music, documentary, and animation to narrate his life story, from growing up in public housing in Virginia Beach to achieving success in the music industry. Pharrell discusse...

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A Yo-Yo Ma Thanksgiving

28 Nov 2024
46m
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In this Fresh Air interview, celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma shares insights into his life and career. He reflects on his journey from a child prodigy playing for presidents to his current views on music and existence. Ma discusses his distinctive upbringing, the struggle to maintain artistic integrity in the spotlight, an...

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