All Of It with Alison Stewart

Yesterday, Queen Elizabeth II died surrounded by family at the age of 96. She was Britain's longest serving monarch, sitting on the throne for 70 years and seeing the nation through many crises, from the Cold War to Brexit. But her legacy is not without controversy, as Britain's colonialism, the death of Princess Diana, and accusations of racism within the royal family from Meghan Markle show the cracks within the monarchy. Kristen Meinzer, host of The Royal Report podcast for Newsweek, joins us to discuss the Queen and her legacy, as well as take calls from British ex-pats here in our listening area about how they're feeling about Queen Elizabeth's life and reign. Plus, our very own associate producer Simon Close just so happens to be in the U.K. on vacation--he calls in to tell us what he's seeing on the ground in a small English village.

NFL stars Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Lamar Jackson are all-star quarterbacks dominating in a position once rarely held by Black men. As the NFL season kicks off, we hear from Jason Reid, senior NFL reporter for ESPN's Andscape, and author of the book, The Rise of the Black Quarterback: What it Means for America.

A new USA Today and Public Agenda poll shows people still value higher education but think the cost of a degree is too expensive and time-consuming for working adults. USA Today's education enterprise reporter Chris Quintana explains the results of the survey and discusses the health of the nation's higher education system.

On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the MTA would lift its mask mandate on the subway system. WNYC/Gothamist transit reporter Stephen Nessen joins to explain how the change could impact riders and ridership, given that many riders didn't comply with the mandate anyway when it was still in effect.

A new novel uses magic and academia to show how damaging cultural appropriation can be. Novelist R.F. Kuang's Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution grapples with colonialism, the act of translation and student resistance. Plus, the book asks whether powerful institutions can change from within -- or whether violence is sometimes justifiable. R.F. Kuang, who also authored the Poppy War series, joins us to discuss.

Patricia Highsmith was a celebrated American author in the mid-20th century known for novels like Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley. But at the same time, Highsmith lived a troubled life, held controversial views and struggled with her own identity. A new documentary, "Loving Highsmith," is screening at Film Forum this month and is based on Highsmith's journal entries and accounts by friends, lovers and family. Director Eva Vitija joins to discuss the film.

As we look towards the beginning of New York Fashion week, we sit down with someone who has been changing conceptions of what the face of fashion can look like. Edward Enninful, the first Black editor-in-chief of British Vogue, recounts his rise to that position, his childhood in Ghana and experiences as a refugee in Britain in his new memoir, A Visible Man. Enninful will be speaking tonight at the Apollo Theater at 7:30 and tomorrow at The Strand at 7:00.

A new book explains how to build lasting relationships using the insights of attachment theory and the latest scientific research on friendship. Psychologist and friendship expert Dr. Marisa G. Franco discusses her new book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends, and offers tips to listeners. 

[REBROADCAST FROM NOVEMBER 24, 2021] “The Beatles: Get Back,” made by Peter Jackson, uses footage of The Beatles in recording sessions for the album that would become Let It Be. The docuseries was the final piece of a months-long campaign that includes a photobook of the same name and Let It Be (Super Deluxe), a remastered and expanded box set of the original album. Giles Martin, the son of Beatles producer George Martin, helmed the new box set and mixed the music for the docuseries. He joins us to discuss both.

Over the weekend, "The Beatles: Get Back" won several Creative Arts Emmys including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program.

"It's Corn" is one of the internet's latest obsessions, the result of a viral video being remixed into a song that has itself become viral. Brookyn's The Gregory Brothers are the group behind the hit and many other songified memes from the last decade, including "Bed Intruder Song," "Double Rainbow Song," and recently, "Chrissy, Wake Up," uploaded via their Youtube and TikTok handle Schmoyoho. Evan Gregory joins us.