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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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Erik Larson On The Dawn Of The Civil War

02 May 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores the historical context and themes of Erik Larson's book "The Demon of Unrest" and its connection to the present-day political climate in America. It delves into the phenomenon of chivalry and its reflection of a deep sense of honor, as well as the treatment of enslaved blacks and the growi...

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Fantasy Writer Leigh Bardugo On Magic & Miracles

30 Apr 2024
46m
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This podcast episode explores the themes and storylines in Leigh Bardugo's latest novel, The Familiar, set in 16th century Spain, where the protagonist, Lucia, possesses the ability to perform small miracles. The section also delves into the history and importance of Ladino, a language spoken by Jewish communities in e...

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Jon Bon Jovi

29 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode features interviews with Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen, discussing their vocal challenges, career longevity, and personal experiences in the music industry. Both artists underwent surgery and therapy to overcome vocal cord issues and shared their determination to continue making music. Bon Jov...

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Best Of: St. Vincent / Kids In An Age Of Anxiety

27 Apr 2024
48m
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This podcast episode explores the themes of vulnerability, authenticity, and mental health in the context of art and personal experiences. It delves into the inspirations behind St. Vincent's music, highlighting the influence of David Bowie and the impact of her father's incarceration on their relationship. The episode...

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Novelist John Green On The 'Invasive Weed' Of OCD

26 Apr 2024
44m
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This podcast episode explores the theme of intrusive thoughts and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through the lens of John Green's novel, "Turtles All the Way Down." It dives into the struggles and experiences of characters dealing with OCD, the physical manifestations of the disorder, the significance of death and...

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Why Writers Are Losing Out In Hollywood

25 Apr 2024
44m
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This podcast episode explores the impact of streaming on the entertainment industry, particularly on writers and creatives. It discusses the positive aspects of streaming, such as disrupting traditional business models and providing opportunities for diverse content. However, it also highlights the challenges, includin...

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The Life & Legacy Of 'Rulebreaker' Barbara Walters

24 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores the life and career of Barbara Walters, focusing on her journey to becoming a co-anchor of the ABC Evening News, her groundbreaking interview style, and her influence on women in journalism. It delves into the challenges she faced, including a hostile work environment and personal struggle...

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St. Vincent

23 Apr 2024
43m
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This podcast episode explores the personal and transformative nature of music, the role of identity and performance in artistic expression, and the impact of personal experiences on the creative process. Through discussions with St. Vincent and others, the podcast delves into themes of authenticity, mental health, and ...

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How Minority Rule Threatens Democracy

22 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores the historical tensions between majority rule and minority rights in American democracy. It discusses how the founding fathers attempted to address this tension by creating institutions like the Electoral College and the Senate, but also highlights that they primarily protected the rights ...

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Best Of: Salman Rushdie's Survival / A New Kind Of Whodunit

20 Apr 2024
48m
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This podcast episode explores the experiences and reflections of Salman Rushdie after a shocking attack on him, as well as highlights the musical range of Tierra Whack's new album and introduces Diarra Kilpatrick and her new series. Salman Rushdie reflects on the aftermath of the attack, questioning why he was targeted...

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Remembering PBS Anchor Robert MacNeil

19 Apr 2024
46m
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This podcast episode explores the experiences and insights of journalist Robert MacNeil, covering major historical events such as the building of the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. MacNeil's firsthand accounts provide a unique perspective on these pivotal moments in history. The episode also delves into MacN...

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Our Fragile Food System

18 Apr 2024
44m
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This podcast episode explores the impact of concentrated market power on consumer choice, the stability of the food supply, and the health consequences of the industrialized food system. It highlights the dangers of unchecked corporate power, the decline of family farms, the influence of money in politics, and the need...

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A Death Doula Says 'Get Real' About The End

17 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores the importance of thinking about death, facing mortality, and the role of death doulas in providing support to individuals and their families during end-of-life care. The speakers discuss how contemplating death can help us live more fulfilling lives, making choices that align with our val...

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Salman Rushdie On Surviving Attempted Murder

16 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores Salman Rushdie's harrowing experience of being attacked on stage, the physical and emotional sensations he felt during the attack, and his reflections on life, writing, and religious fundamentalism. Rushdie's memoir, Knife, meditations after an attempted murder, serves as a therapeutic out...

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A First Date Turns Into A Whodunit In 'Diarra From Detroit'

15 Apr 2024
44m
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This podcast episode dives into the inspiration behind the podcast's case and the role of humor in the show. It follows Diarra Kilpatrick's journey to create a show that showcases her talent and has a cultural impact. The episode also discusses her experience with accents and her connection to Detroit. Diarra Kilpatric...

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Best Of: Andrew Scott / Women Behind The Wheel

13 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores the character of Tom Ripley in the Netflix series "Ripley," the portrayal of the character by actor Andrew Scott, the challenges of filming in black and white, Andrew Scott's personal beliefs and experiences with the Catholic Church, Lionel Shriver's controversial keynote address and her n...

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The History Of King Kong & Godzilla

12 Apr 2024
46m
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This podcast episode explores the significance of film scores and sound effects in classic movies such as "King Kong" and "Godzilla." The speakers discuss Max Steiner's groundbreaking score for "King Kong," highlighting its use of leitmotifs and percussive effects to enhance the film's dramatic impact. They also delve ...

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The 'Land Grab' Displacing The Maasai People

11 Apr 2024
43m
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This podcast episode explores the conflict between the Maasai people and the Dubai royal family over hunting rights in Tanzania, as well as the government's efforts to conserve the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. It discusses the displacement of the Maasai people, their traditional land manage...

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The High Pressure Experiments That Made D-Day

10 Apr 2024
44m
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This podcast episode explores various aspects of hyperbaric medicine and the physiological effects of extreme environments. It discusses the sensory experiences inside a hyperbaric chamber, ethical challenges of studying decompression sickness, dangers of oxygen in extreme environments, effects of oxygen toxicity on th...

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Internet Brain & The Age Of Overthinking

09 Apr 2024
45m
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This podcast episode explores the clash between our innate cognitive biases and the information age. It discusses the negative effects of cognitive biases, such as the halo effect and the illusory truth effect, in the face of overwhelming information access. It also delves into the dangers of thought-terminating cliché...

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