All Of It with Alison Stewart

Singer/songwriter Connie Converse was a groundbreaking folk artist years before people like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell arrived on the scene. But she's better known for getting in her VW Beetle in 1974 and driving off, never to be heard from again. In recent years, her work has been released as an album in 2009 and played on WNYC's "Spinning on Air," which led to more recognition. Writer, performer and musician Howard Fishman sought to understand her music and her life, and he joins us to discuss his biography, To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse.

The 2023 Tony Nominations were released today and we'll talk about them with TimeOut's Theatre and Dance Editor, Adam Feldman.

W. Kamau Bell’s latest documentary, "1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed," profiles the joys and struggles of children growing up mixed-race. Beginning with his own family, Bell speaks with kids and family members as they describe the experience of defining themselves -- and shows that when it comes to talking about race, kids have no trouble have complex conversations.

A new cookbook from culinary couple Rick Easton, owner of Bread & Salt Bakery in Jersey City, and Melissa McCart, a food journalist who has worked for Mark Bittman and Eater, explores the many wonders of bread baking. They join us on publication day to discuss their cookbook Bread and How to Eat It and take calls from listeners.

A new exhibition at The Ukrainian Museum features the work of artist Lesia Khomenko, who fled Ukraine in March 2022 after Russia invaded her country. She left behind her husband, also an artist, who is currently serving in Ukraine's military. Lesia Khomenko: Image and Presence, is her first solo exhibition in the U.S., and her paintings on view examine identity, politics, and violence in the context of the war. Khomenko joins us alongside curator Lilia Kudelia to discuss the show, which is on view until September 2.

The debut novel from Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah tells the story of two female fighters who are the stars of the Criminal Action Penal Entertainment program Chain Gang All-Stars, which pits incarcerated people against each other in deadly fights for entertainment. If they win enough fights, they might be able to earn their freedom. But at what cost? Adjei-Brenyah joins us to discuss Chain Gang All-Stars. Event: Adjei-Brenyah spoke at the Schomburg Center with Mitchell S. Jackson.

We air highlights from our Get Lit with All Of It book club event with author Mona Simpson. We discussed her new book, Commitment, which tells the story of three siblings trying to survive after their mother is checked into a state hospital for depression.

Writer and philosophy professor Clancy Martin has attempted to end his own life more than ten times. Now, he has written a candid, frank, and hopeful book exploring his own experience with suicidal desires, and examining suicide through the perspective of writers and philosophers throughout the centuries. The book also provides valuable resources and advice for anyone struggling. We speak with Martin about his book How Not To Kill Yourself: A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind, to kick off our series, Mental Health Mondays, as part of our Mental Health Awareness Month coverage.

If at any time you need support, please call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

A new book sheds light on the experiences of Black LGBTQ college students on campuses across the United States. Author Michael P. Jeffries joins us on National College Decision Day to talk about his new book, Black and Queer on Campus.

Singer-songwriter Hamilton Leithauser joined us for a special performance at our Get Lit with All Of It book club event in the midst of his reunion tour with his band, The Walkmen. We present our interview with Hamilton, and two live performances.