All Of It with Alison Stewart

Eugenia Leigh is a Korean American poet based in Brooklyn, and her sophomore collection, Bianca, features work that explores many aspects of Leigh's identity, family, and past. With poems about her abusive father, mental illness, and motherhood, Leigh leans in to difficult topics, and uses poetry as a means to explore her life. Leigh joins us in studio to discuss the collection, and perform a reading.

A new, large scale exhibition, In the Blood: Four Caribbean Artists, created by Arco Gallery and Anderson Contemporary, explores the Caribbean diaspora. We speak to two featured artists Laura James and Francks Deceus, as well as curators Valentina Puccioni and Ronni Anderson. In the Blood is on view until May 3.

In the 1980's child actor and model Brooke Shields was one of the most photographed faces in the world. A new documentary series, "Pretty Baby," revisits her life and career, including the sexual exploitation she endured. Emmy award-winning director Lana Wilson joins to discuss.

Spring is springing, and the New York's bloom will be underway soon, where it isn't already. Also blooming are more opportunities to enjoy our outdoor spaces. Rossilynne Skena Culgan, Time Out New York's 'Things to Do' editor, brings her favorite local springtime activities and events, including the best places to look at cherry blossoms. Plus, listeners share where they go to soak up the seasonal turn.

[REBROADCAST FROM March 1, 2023] We speak to the winners of the Public Song Project and hear to their submissions. Kat Lewis discusses her summer-fun rewrite of “(I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for) Ice Cream.” Alice Lee explains her modern take on the archetypal country hit, “The Prisoners Song.” And Chloe and Lily Holgate, who perform as sybil, share the inspiration for their musical setting of the Edna St Vincent Millay poem, “Afternoon on a Hill.” 

Then we take a tour through highlights from the listener-generated WNYC Public Songbook, and hear more creative submissions. Public Song judges Paul Cavalconte (host of New Standards), Shanta Thake (chief artistic officer of Lincoln Center), and musician DJ Rekha join us to reflect on the project and some favorite tunes.

*NSYNC released their debut, self-titled album internationally on March 24, 1998. The album introduced the world to one of the soon-to-be-best-selling boybands of all time, spawned hits like "Tearin' Up My Heart" and "I Want You Back," and set the stage for Justin Timberlake's eventual success as a solo artist. We revisit the album on its 25th anniversary as part of our series Silver Liner Notes, with Maria Sherman, author of Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS.

[REBROADCAST FROM January 3, 2023] On January 1, a new cohort of works entered the public domain, including Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse, the films "Metropolis" and "The Jazz Singer," and the songs “Ol’ Man River“ and “(I Scream You Scream, We All Scream for) Ice Cream.“ Jennifer Jenkins, director of the Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke University, highlights some of the newly public works and explains the meaning of the public domain. You can read more about the public domain and new works in it in her Public Domain Day 2023 blog post.

Destiny's Child released their debut, self-titled album on February 17, 1998. The album introduced the world to one of the soon-to-be-best-selling girl groups of all time, spawned the hit "No, No, No," and set the stage for Beyonce's eventual success as a solo artist. We revisit the album on its 25th anniversary as part of our series Silver Liner Notes, with journalist Emil Wilbekin, as well as album producer (and founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné!) D'wayne Wiggins.

We discuss some of the best books about or set in New York City to recommend to newcomers or longtime residents hoping to learn more about the city they call home. Julie Golia, the associate director of manuscripts, archives, and rare books and the Charles J. Liebman curator of manuscripts for The New York Public Library, shares some of her favorite titles and we take listener suggestions. Also, the library created its own list of 125 books to celebrate their 125th anniversary year.

[REBROADCAST FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2022] Sophie B. Hawkins joined us last November to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her debut album Tongues and Tails. The album launched Hawkins's career and went platinum thanks to tracks like the single, "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover." She joined us to discuss her career and music, and took listener calls. We present excerpts of this conversation again, following her release last Friday of a new record, Free Myself, and her upcoming performance at City Winery on Wednesday, 3/29.