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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.
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Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening - all while you support NPR's mission. Learn more at plus.npr.org/freshair
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
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5After the tremendous success of Salt Fat Acid Heat, chef and author Samin Nosrat realized she needed to recalibrate her life. "I really believed on some level if I achieved all of these things, that that would fill this hole of loneliness in my heart," she tells Fresh Air's Sam Briger. Nosrat's new book, Good Things, is about sharing food with the people you love. Also, Justin Chang reviews Big Bold Beautiful Journey, starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Elizabeth Gilbert's new memoir, All the Way to the River, is an unflinching personal account of addiction, grief, and healing. The book tells the story of her relationship with Rayya Elias, first her hairstylist and friend, and later her romantic partner, who died of pancreatic and liver cancer in 2018. Gilbert writes about leaving her marriage for Rayya, the devotion and chaos of that love, and her own dangerous impulses. The Eat, Pray, Love author spoke with Tonya Mosley about her recovery from sex and love addiction, caregiver collapse, and why she isn't reading book reviews.Also, John Powers reviews the FX series The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jude Law now stars in the thriller series Black Rabbit on Netflix. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about the show, working with a dialect coach, and why he worked with a perfumer to play Henry VIII. Rock critic Ken Tucker shares some of his favorite music releases of the fall, and Pedro Pascal talks about how his dance training helped him become a better actor in action roles. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The legendary actor died Tuesday at age 89. He spoke with Terry Gross about his movies, creating the Sundance Film Festival and Institute, and why he couldn't wait to leave school and Southern California. "I wasn't learning the way I was supposed to learn. I realized that my education was going to happen when I got out in the world." Interviews are from 1998 and 2013. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jude Law's new Netflix series Black Rabbit with Jason Bateman follows two brothers in New York City, one a successful restaurateur, the other on the run and in debt. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about the series, using a perfumer to get into character to play Henry VIII and why he almost turned down his break-out role in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination on Sept. 10, NYT reporter Robert Draper talks with Terry Gross about the conservative activist's rise and legacy. Draper profiled Kirk earlier this year and stayed in touch up to the day before his death. We also discuss right-wing extremist Nick Fuentes, a rival of Kirk’s with a large following. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Science writer Mary Roach is fascinated by the human body, especially, she says, the "gooey bits and pieces of us that are performing miracles on a daily basis. Roach has done deep dives on human cadavers, the digestive system and the science of sex. Now, in Replaceable You, she chronicles both the history of body part replacement (including prosthetic noses that date back to the 1500s), and more recent medical breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. Roach spoke with Terry Gross. This month marks Terry's 50th anniversary as host of Fresh Air. To commemorate the milestone, Sam Fragoso interviewed Terry for his podcast Talk Easy. In this excerpt, Gross shares her life motto and tells a story about writing song lyrics in high school. Listen to the full episode of Terry Gross on Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso.Follow Fresh Air on instagram @nprfreshair, and Talk Easy @talkeasypod. The video version will be on YouTube this week. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Trymaine Lee's new memoir, A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America, is part history, and part personal. He traces the bloody history Black Americans have with firearms, recalls the gun violence in his own youth and follows his ancestors’ path back to Ghana. The book reads like a plea for people to see the humanity of those lost to gun violence — and for this country to care enough to act. Lee spoke with Tonya Mosley about the toll of writing about Black death. Also, Kevin Whitehead reviews a new anthology of Joni Mitchell's jazz connections. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
This month marks 50 years of Terry Gross as the host of Fresh Air. What began in 1975 as a local experiment at WHYY in Philadelphia has since grown into a national institution—one that not only transformed public radio, but laid the groundwork for the world of podcasting.To commemorate a half-century on the air, Terry Gross joins us for a rare appearance in the interview seat. At the top, we discuss her Brooklyn upbringing (11:39), early memories of writing (14:13), and her improbable road to public radio (30:51). Then, Terry walks us through the formative years of Fresh Air (34:50) and its seminal conversations with Kurt Vonnegut (41:34), John Updike (47:43), Monica Lewinsky (50:43), Joan Didion (1:02:08), and more.On the back-half, Gross reflects on forty-seven years of partnership with her late husband, jazz writer Francis Davis (1:04:37), their shared affinity for reading and music (1:07:10), the future of public media (1:20:29), and why she continues to have faith in (and love for) the long-form interview (1:32:48).Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Rob Reiner talks with Terry Gross about directing the new sequel to Spinal Tap, the mockumentary about a heavy metal band. He’ll also talk about his remarkable life and career, like directing When Harry Met Sally and starring in All in the Family. Also, singer songwriter and guitarist Billy Strings is one of the rare bluegrass musicians who can fill arenas with tens of thousands of fans. He’s been working to get to where he is for a long time. "I slept with my guitar when I was four or five years old, I'd put it right under the blankets with me, and I used to kiss it good night." Strings spoke with Fresh Air's Sam Briger and brought his guitar to the studio. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The Netflix miniseries follows a 13-year-old accused of murdering a girl from his school. Co-creator and star Stephen Graham says he read about similar crimes and wanted to know: "Why is this happening?" Graham spoke with Sam Briger about the crime that inspired the show, fatherhood, and the unusual way the show was shot — in one single take. Adolescence has 13 Emmy nominations. Film critic Justin Chang reviews Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Veteran Air Force linguist Reality Winner was working at the NSA in 2017 when she leaked a classified document to the press about Russian election interference. Soon after, the FBI showed up at her door. She was sentenced to five years in prison and was released in 2021. Winner's new memoir is I Am Not Your Enemy. She spoke with Terry Gross.Also, John Powers reviews the MUBI series Mussolini: Son of the Century about the ferocious rise of the Italian dictator. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Before 2026's midterms, President Trump wants to ban mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines, and change voting rules. Legal expert Richard Hasen discusses the future of free and fair elections in America. "What's it going to mean to have to stand up to the government to make sure that people have their right to vote?" Hasen says. "I think it's very unlikely that the president would say the elections are canceled, but there's lots of things he could do with his power, with the military, with his power over federal government machinery that can make it very difficult for some people to vote." Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Patrick Ryan's novel Buckeye. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Reiner's 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap sparked a new genre of satire. Now, more than 40 years later, the band is back in a new sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues. "They have grown neither emotionally or musically," Reiner says. The filmmaker spoke with Terry Gross about When Harry Met Sally, growing up around comedy legends, and starring in Norman Lear's seminal sitcom All in the Family. Also, David Bianculli reviews the new comedy series The Paper. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist has one foot in traditional bluegrass and another in improvisational jam music. He has a new album, Live at the Legion, and he brought his guitar to our studio. He spoke with Sam Briger about healing himself through songwriting, performing the day his mom died, and how being a father has changed him as a musician. "I sing now from a place of freedom and joy in my belly," Strings says. Also, jazz critic Martin Johnson reviews an album from harpist Brandee Younger. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
At 87, Oscar-winning actor Jane Fonda is pouring her energy into activism. She’ll reflect on her decades-long career, and how she first began her fitness empire to fund her activist work. Also, we hear from Spike Lee. His latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, but through the lens of modern-day America and hip-hop culture. Both guests spoke with Tonya Mosley. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
After 11 seasons on ER, Noah Wyle thought he was finished with medical dramas: "I spent 15 years avoiding — actively avoiding — walking down what I thought was either hallowed ground or traveled road." But then COVID happened, and he felt compelled to tell more of these stories. He spoke with Dave Davies about the making of HBO's hit show The Pitt, the medical jargon, and his mom's feedback on the show.Justin Chang reviews the new film Caught Stealing, from director Darren Aronofsky.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new book examines the world of pain — why we feel it, and how we can treat it. He says distraction and meditation can be useful tools for managing pain. He spoke with Terry Gross about how the brain gets pain signals wrong, alternatives to painkillers, and how a family of circus performers inspired a new drug. Gupta's book is It Doesn't Have to Hurt.Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the HBO series Task, by the creator of Mare of Easttown, starring Mark Ruffalo. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
We look at the stormy tenure of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg discusses how RFK Jr.'s cuts to government staff and expert groups will impact everyday Americans. A vaccine skeptic, Kennedy fired the CDC director last week. Also, John Powers reviews the Prime Video thriller series Butterfly, starring Daniel Dae Kim. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Earlier this year, Fonda made headlines for delivering a fiery critique of the Trump administration during a SAG-AFTRA award acceptance speech. "This is not the time to go inward," Fonda says. She spoke with Tonya Mosley about her career onscreen and off, as an activist. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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So so wonderful, this episode. Terry Gross is a treasure, a real gem.
What a great episode. I’ve listened to Terry gross and fresh air among all the npr shows in my state of Michigan since I was a young adult. It’s just a waste that Trump cut funding for public radio. It’s one of the crimes he’s committed. Thank God I had npr in my life. #NPR #terrygross
fantastic episode!
はわや
Also, many patients think benzos equal opioid and doctors are shy because of liability.
What I see in the last 10 years with younger adult women is that they are having more babies without any thought for the future and how they will provide for them. It’s crazy to me to keep having kids when they can’t afford the first one. It’s hard enough for younger adults to get by and have a job, a home and food for their kids. But yet they continue to have another and another. I wish schools would teach girls how easy it is to get pregnant and how they’d have to provide for them.
The grad speaker was a heroine!!!! And the positive reaction shows that she was not alone. I was active during the 70's and 80's when sex was NOT SHAMEFUL. I feel such sadness that these young women are being dragged back into the the dark ages of the 1950's.
This is a really interesting conversation but the vocal fry in the voice of the guest was really grating .
Excuse me, but who the fuck wants to hear about the future of maga?? We're ready for the demise!
No--hard NO. You ALL are disgusting on so many levels. we are slipping into authoritarianism and you're sensationalizing an ex-president with cancer...while the current president--who has more scandals of consequence in a single afternoon than Biden EVER did-- and whose actions are killing people every day. I just removed ALL CNN media from my feeds
Also, men are not a monolith. Talking about men as though we all share the same patriarchal beliefs and goals is a bit dishonest and is not going to help persuade any man on the fence to come to your way of thinking. this was not done so literally or directly, but it was certainly implied in a number of statements here. There's also a lack of admission that some of the public figures and writers that perpetuate the stereotypes or expectations mentioned in this episode are themselves women.
I feel like the host and the guests both miss the point of the fact that there were diary entries going back to the 1800s all with the same theme of girls pursuing whatever the ideal was at that time. To me, the fact that each of those decades had a different ideal, and yet the girls were all still doing the same thing means that pursuing an ideal version of yourself is more of a human trait and not something that is exclusive to women.
What are ANY of these crazy lunatics doing to make the Earth a better place to be? A place women actually want to bring children into?
Teachers and doctors have no problem suggesting any adhd meds and especially in grade school. There’s so much more than adhd meds to deal with adhd or add. Especially in grade school meds are really pushed to keep the kids from fidgeting and not sitting still all day. Drs and teachers really need to learn how to approach children and their opinions on adhd meds.
Because I wasn't "hyperactive", I was teased by the cousins, etc. and punished by my understand ably clueless parents for being " absent minded " careless " lazy " "tardy". Meanwhile Stanford Benet said 149 IQ. Teacher strike destroyed my referral to the only Gifted/Talented (That's what they used to call it) program in the parish. I am living to my full potential now,, but it needn't have been so hard to get here if I had only been diagnosed when girls weren't considered hyperactive.
I wonder my potential as a female in the '70s undiagnosed ADD impulsive type. I'm grateful my family MD recognized it in my 30s. Meds AND systems in place (e.g.spiral keyring on my elbow loading/unloading car prevent locked keys in car, white board checklist, stickies could have changed my life alone) Diagnosed, got AAS. COTA/ age 47. Meds and behavior systems in place can coexist without all the judgement. BTW, don't need meds now but will never rule out arbitrarily without an expert opine
In an odd way this was comforting to learn that there is heartfelt conviction behind this project rather than just the insatiable ego of one unhealthy man. That aside, what has caused me the most anguish is the Nazi-ish power and cruelty of ICE and the lack of our constitutionally enshrined and rightfully cherished due process for the "others" who are being deported. Is white supremacy and the creation of a secret police part of Project 2025?
Also that this episode focuses only on medication is an oversimplification of what we currently know about treatment of ADHD. It takes a multi-modal approach to improve outcomes. For some people, medication is a part of that, but for others it is not. Other important things are strategies and tools for managing tasks and emotional regulation, physical exercise, nutrition, sleep, the flexibility to use unconventional strategies/accomodations at school and work.
I think one of the issues with focusing on kids is that research has to focus on what the symptoms and behavior looks from the outside. Someone may look like they aren't that impaired from the outside, but might really be struggling inside. Even when it comes to choosing the right medication. There can be a difference between what the parents and teachers feel like is the best result, vs what the kid actually feels is the best result.
Did he run what he said by his wife