All Of It with Alison Stewart

After talking about the new FX series Kindred, author and editor Nisi Shawl, a friend of the late Octavia Butler, who in 1979 published the time travel sci-fi novel from which the series was adapted. Shawl discusses Butler's book, her broader body of work, and the themes and ideas that Butler explored.

In the final installment of our 2022 Debut series, we discuss The Lemon by S.E. Boyd, which tells the story of the fallout from the death of a Anthony Bourdain-like figure. S.E. Boyd is actually the creation of journalists Kevin Alexander and Joe Keohane, and editor Alessandra Lusardi. All three join us to discuss.

A new FX series from creator, writer and showrunner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins adapts Octavia Butler's "Kindred," which follows an African American woman from modern times who experiences episodes of time travel to an antebellum plantation. Series premiers Dec. 13.

We discuss tips for caregiving during the holidays as some of us prepare to see loved ones. Longtime NPR journalist Kitty Eisele and host of Twenty-Four Seven podcast joins us to offer some advice and take your calls.

Actor and musician Vanessa Williams joins us to discuss her 54 Below Diamond Series debut, which will feature a retrospective look at her career, spanning original music, Broadway tunes, and old classics. Williams will perform at 54 Below from December 13 through 18 at 8:30pm.

Ina Garten's new cookbook, Go-To Dinners, goes back to the basics of preparing dinner. The pandemic caused Garten to cook straight forward, easy meals in her home kitchen, and the book provides recipes that you can prep, freeze, or quickly assemble to feed family and friends. Garten joins to talk simple home cooking and take your calls.

grilled porterhouse steak with rosemary & fennel

The difference between a porterhouse and a T-bone steak is that the porterhouse has a larger “filet”portion than the T-bone so it’s a little more expensive. This is a luxurious dinner for a party and socelebratory. I make the herbed oil in advance so all I need to do is grill the steak before dinner. This wasinspired by my favorite steak at Lilia in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

SERVES 41 (2-inch-thick) dry-aged porterhouse steak (2 to 2¼ pounds) (see note)Good olive oilKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary2 teaspoons ground fennel

Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for one hour before you grill it.

Prepare a fire in a charcoal grill, mounding all the coals on one side of the grill to make a hot side and acool side. Brush the steak all over with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle it on both sides with 2teaspoons salt. Sear the steak over the hot coals for 2 minutes on one side without moving it at all, thenturn the steak and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Transfer the steak to the cool side of the grill andclose the lid, making sure the vents are open so the fire doesn’t go out. Cook the steak for 10 to 12minutes, until the internal temperature is 115 to 120 degrees for rare and 125 degrees for medium-rare.Transfer to a plate to rest.

Meanwhile, prepare the herb oil. Place ¼ cup of olive oil and the garlic in a small saucepan. Place it overmedium-low heat and watch closely until the garlic starts to sizzle. Continue cooking for 15 to 30seconds, until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned. Turn off the heat, add the rosemary, fennel,1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and set aside.

As soon as the steak comes off the grill, brush half of the herb oil on top, turn, and brush the rest on theother side. Cover the plate with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice the steak and servewarm.

PREP AHEADPat LaFrieda’s dry-aged porterhouse steaks, which you can order online, are amazing.

A new play from Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl stars Tony winner Deirdre O'Connell as Becky Nurse, a descendent of one of the witches executed in Salem. Becky still lives in Salem, and wants to provide a good life for her granddaughter, who has been struggling with her mental health. But when Becky loses her job, she turns to witchcraft for aid. Ruhl and O'Connell join us to discuss "Becky Nurse of Salem" which is running at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater through December 31.

The New York Times' chief film critic A.O. Scott, and critic-at-large Wesley Morris, who also co-hosts the culture podcast, Still Processing, discuss the paper of record's picks for the top screen acting performances of the year.

We discuss some the most fun and festive activities of the season with Jennifer Tripucka, editor-in-chief of both The Montclair Girl and The Hoboken Girl. We also take your suggestions on winter-themed carnivals, holiday pop up shops and events.

[REBROADCAST FROM October 27, 2022] Acclaimed author and short story master George Saunders joins us to discuss his new collection, Liberation Day.