The Pan-Detroit Ensemble is the new band from native Detroiter, Grammy-winning producer and longtime Blue Note Records president Don Was. Their debut album, Groove In The Face of Adversity, was released this year and on Monday January 12 the group will perform at the Blue Note. Was joins us for a Listening Party.

"No Other Choice," the latest film from director Park Chan-wook, follows a recently laid-off father and husband who resorts to violent means to eliminate the competition as he hopes to reenter the workforce. The film is up for the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy; Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy; and Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language. Park joins us.

250 years ago tomorrow, a relatively unknown colonist swept up in revolutionary fever, Thomas Paine, wrote and published a pamphlet called Common Sense, criticizing King George III of England. The document would be one of the most sold and circulated written works published in America, before or after independence, and helped tip the scales for Independence from Great Britain, which was realized just 6 months later. For the anniversary, Julie Silverbrook, vice president of Civic Education at the National Constitution Center, reflects on the legacy and present implications of "Common Sense."

[REBROADCAST FROM Dec. 1, 2025] A provocative re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, “Hedda” stars Tessa Thompson as the aristocrat caught between a past love and a stifling marriage. Thompson and director Nia DaCosta discuss the film.

Following 2024's "All In: Comedy About Love," writer Simon Rich is back on Broadway with "All Out: Comedy About Ambition," a production of live readings of his short stories by featuring a rotating cast of all-star talent. He talks about the show, along with current cast members Cecily Strong and Beck Bennett.

NYC Winter Jazzfest will celebrate the 35.5 year legacy of legendary party promoter, record label and creative agency Giant Step on January 11 at Elsewhere. Giant Step founder Maurice Bernstein and DJ Nickodemus will join to preview the event.

The jazz collective Freedom Riders celebrates the history of the namesake civil rights activists as well as the musicians who advocated for equality. Their show ‘My Country ’Tis of Thee’ will be part of NYC Winter Jazzfest at LPR on January 12 and features special guests including Arturo O'Farrill, Kurt Elling, and Samora Pinderhughes. The group performs live in WNYC's studio, fronted by vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles, who also discusses their music, and the event.

Performer Credits:

• Carmen Staaf - piano
• Joe Dyson - drums
• Noah Garabedian - bass
• Alfredo Colon - alto sax
• Milena Casado - trumpet

What foods will be in, and what will be out, in 2026? Kim Severson, who covers food and food culture for the New York Times, joins to discuss her latest piece "How We’ll Eat in 2026: More Caution, More Crunch." Plus, listeners share what food trends they like and dislike.

A recent YouGov poll found that nearly 40 percent of Americans did not read a single book in 2025. So 2026 is a perfect time to help turn that trend around, and get reading! All Of It and Get Lit producer Jordan Lauf discusses her most anticipated new books of the year. Plus, stay tuned for a very special announcement.

The singer-songwriter Annie DiRusso debuted this year with the album Super Pedestrian and already has a Tiny Desk concert under her belt. She performs live from WNYC's studios, and discusses her music.