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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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Canonical Lyricist Ira Gershwin Gets His Due

27 Nov 2024
48m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Michael Owen, the author of Ira Gershwin, A Life in Words, delves into the life and career of the legendary lyricist. The conversation highlights the dynamic partnership between Ira and his brother George, showcasing their contrasting personalities and songwriting styles. Owen also discusse...

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The Washington Family Brings 'The Piano Lesson' To Film

26 Nov 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Malcolm and John David Washington discuss their collaboration on the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. They share their personal connections to the play and film, reflect on their relationship with their father, Denzel Washington, and explore the legacy of August Wilso...

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A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extremes

25 Nov 2024
46m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Bailey Williams, author of the memoir "Hollow," shares her journey through disordered eating and sexism during her time in the Marine Corps. She highlights the alarming prevalence of eating disorders among female Marines, attributing it to the military's focus on physical strength and self-...

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Best Of: Comedy Writer Michael Schur / Actor Jimmy O. Yang

23 Nov 2024
48m
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In this episode of Fresh Air Weekend, host Terry Gross interviews Michael Schur, the creator of Netflix's "A Man on the Inside," and Jimmy O. Yang, the star of Hulu's "Interior Chinatown." Schur shares the inspiration behind his new series, which draws from a Chilean documentary about an elderly man going undercover in...

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The Exile Of Charlie Chaplin

22 Nov 2024
45m
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In a Fresh Air interview, Scott Eyman delves into his book, Charlie Chaplin vs. America, shedding light on the controversial aspects of Chaplin's life beyond his legendary films. The conversation reveals how Chaplin faced multiple investigations by U.S. agencies like the FBI and CIA, largely due to his anti-Hitler film...

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'Parks And Rec'& 'Good Place' Creator Michael Schur On His New Show

21 Nov 2024
46m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Michael Schur, the creator of Netflix's A Man on the Inside, shares insights about his comedy series inspired by a Chilean documentary about an elderly man going undercover in a nursing home. He delves into the show's creative origins, his collaboration with Ted Danson, and the ethical chal...

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Trump, Journalism & The Rough Road Ahead

20 Nov 2024
46m
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In a Fresh Air interview, former Washington Post editor Marty Baron and New Yorker editor David Remnick delve into the dangers Donald Trump poses to the American press. They express deep concern over Trump's threats of retribution against journalists he labels as "enemies," which could include legal actions, harassment...

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Selena Gomez Has Found Her Balance

19 Nov 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Selena Gomez opens up about her new Spanish-language musical film, Emilia Perez, and reflects on her journey through acting and music. She shares her experience of intensive Spanish language training for the film, connecting it to her cultural roots and the emotional richness of the languag...

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Actor/Comic Jimmy O. Yang Breaks Out Of The Background

18 Nov 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Jimmy O. Yang, the star of Hulu's Interior Chinatown, shares insights about his character's journey from a background extra to a leading role, reflecting his own path as an Asian American in the entertainment industry. He reminisces about his childhood in Hong Kong, his family's immigration...

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Best Of: Why Do We Itch? / Writer Richard Price

16 Nov 2024
47m
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In this episode of Fresh Air Weekend, the focus is on chronic itch, a debilitating condition that often goes unnoticed in the medical field. Annie Lowrey, a staff writer for The Atlantic who experiences chronic itch due to a rare liver disease, shares her struggles with this intense and consuming ailment, highlighting ...

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Kerri Russell On 'The Diplomat'/ Remembering Dorothy Allison

15 Nov 2024
47m
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In this Fresh Air interview, actress Kerri Russell discusses her performances in "The Diplomat" and "The Americans," while also reminiscing about her early days on "The Mickey Mouse Club." She offers valuable insights into her characters, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of portraying complex women in intense sit...

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How Screenwriting Saved Novelist Richard Price

14 Nov 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, author Richard Price talks about his latest novel, Lazarus Man. Set in Harlem in 2008, the story delves into the lives of residents affected by a devastating building collapse. Price shares insights into his writing journey, reflecting on his transition from self-referential novels to scree...

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What Trump's Foreign Policy Could Look Like

13 Nov 2024
46m
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In a recent Fresh Air interview, Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, delves into what a second Trump presidency could mean for global affairs. She examines Trump's likely foreign policy team, suggesting they may adopt a more serious and focused stance, especially towards China. Beddoes warns of a po...

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Why Do We Itch?

12 Nov 2024
45m
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In a Fresh Air interview, Annie Lowrey shares her experiences related to her Atlantic article on itch. Living with a rare liver disease, she endures a chronic and debilitating itch that can be so intense it feels hallucinatory. The discussion delves into the science behind itch, emphasizing that it is a separate sensat...

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Veteran Phil Klay On A 2nd Trump Administration & The Military

11 Nov 2024
45m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Phil Klay, a Marine Corps veteran and author, shares his thoughts on how a Trump presidency could affect the military and U.S. foreign policy. He raises concerns about the potential for Trump to politicize the military, his unpredictable deployment of troops for domestic issues, and his iso...

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Best Of: Al Pacino / Saoirse Ronan

09 Nov 2024
48m
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This Fresh Air Weekend episode features captivating interviews with Al Pacino and Saoirse Ronan. Pacino opens up about his memoir, "Sonny Boy," sharing stories from his South Bronx upbringing, his legendary acting career—especially his iconic role in "The Godfather"—and how childhood trauma shaped him. Meanwhile, Ronan...

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Jenny Slate Finds Strength In Sensitivity

08 Nov 2024
46m
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In this Fresh Air interview, comedian and actress Jenny Slate opens up about her comedy special "Seasoned Professional" and her new book "Lifeform," both of which explore the theme of motherhood. She shares her personal experiences with childbirth, her sensitive nature, and how she channels her vulnerabilities into her...

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Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

07 Nov 2024
45m
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In a Fresh Air interview, historian Justene Hill Edwards explores the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, a bank founded in 1865 to serve newly freed Black Americans. Although it started off strong, the bank suffered from mismanagement by its white trustees, who made risky loans to white businessmen while neglecting ...

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Saoirse Ronan Says Being A Child Actor Shaped Her — For The Better

06 Nov 2024
46m
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In this Fresh Air interview, Saoirse Ronan opens up about her roles in two new films: "The Outrun," where she plays a young woman struggling with alcoholism, and "Blitz," which tells the story of a mother in WWII London. Ronan reflects on the complexities of portraying addiction, the unique challenges and joys of worki...

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Remembering Quincy Jones

05 Nov 2024
47m
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This 2001 Fresh Air interview reflects on Quincy Jones's remarkable life and career following his passing. It explores his early days with Lionel Hampton's big band, his friendships and collaborations with legends like Ray Charles and Dizzy Gillespie, and his evolution into a producer and arranger for major artists suc...

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