Fresh Air

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Fresh Air episodes

August 17, 2021 Tennis Legend Billie Jean King
King is known for winning a record 20 Wimbledon titles and defeating Bobby Riggs in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes." But she's also remembered for taking on the tennis establishment and fighting for recognition and pay for women players, a high-risk undertaking that opened doors for generations of women that followed. In a new memoir, King describes her battles for equity and inclusion in the game, becoming an activist for women's and LGBTQ rights, and some difficult moments in personal life, including having a closeted lesbian relationship outed in a lawsuit. Her new book is 'All In: An Autobiography.'

Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews a new film about Broadway, from 1959 through the '80s.
46 min
August 16, 2021 Why America's Colleges Have Always Been Unequal
In his new book, 'The State Must Provide,' Adam Harris explains how slavery, segregation and continuing racism prevented or stymied Black education. He examines some of the turning points when higher education could have been made equal and centuries of discrimination could have been remedied. He also writes about the important role Historically Black Colleges and Universities have played, and the reasons why they have been underfunded. Harris went to an HBCU, Alabama A&M University. He's now a staff writer at 'The Atlantic.'
47 min
August 14, 2021 Best Of: Sondheim Collaborator James Lapine / SNL's Cecily Strong
Lapine collaborated with Stephen Sondheim to create three musicals — 'Sunday in the Park with George,' 'Into the Woods' and 'Passion.' Lapine's new book is about the making-of 'Sunday in the Park' called 'Putting it Together.' It's based on Lapine's memories, as well as interviews with Sondheim, and members of the cast and crew.

Then, Ken Tucker reviews a new posthumously released Prince album.

Finally, Strong is nominated for an Emmy for 'Saturday Night Live.' She also stars in the new show 'Schmigadoon,' about a couple that ends up trapped in a town where life is a musical and the townspeople frequently burst into song. Her new memoir is about the depression, anxiety, and grief she experienced during the first months of the pandemic.
51 min
August 13, 2021 Remembering Longtime NPR Host Neal Conan
Conan, who died Aug. 10, worked at NPR for 36 years, as a reporter, executive producer of 'All Things Considered' and host of 'Talk of the Nation.' He spoke with Terry Gross in 2002.

Also, Justin Chang reviews the new Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect.'

And Ken Tucker shares his songs of the summer.
49 min
August 12, 2021 Investigating Trump's Efforts To Subvert The Election Results
'New York Times' reporter Katie Benner discusses the latest revelations about how former President Donald Trump pressured the Justice Department to undermine the results of the 2020 election.

Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the debut album by singer Samara Joy.
48 min
August 11, 2021 Kenan Thompson On 'SNL' And 'Kenan'
Thompson is currently nominated for two Emmys — one for starring in his sitcom 'Kenan,' and another for 'Saturday Night Live.' He's been a cast member on 'SNL' since 2003, which makes him the performer with the longest tenure in the history of the show. Thompson talks about some of his most memorable 'SNL' sketches. He also talks about playing the Bill Cosby character Fat Albert in a 2004 movie, and later feeling disappointed by Cosby. "He was a prime example of a career that I wanted to have," Thompson says. "I felt super betrayed."

Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Agatha Of Little Neon,' a novel about nuns that she calls "sharp and, by turns, melancholy and wry."
47 min
August 10, 2021 Trump Impeachment Key Witness Alexander Vindman
The retired Army officer who testified about President Trump's call to the president of Ukraine, talks about the experience and the price he paid. Vindman's new memoir is 'Here, Right Matters: An American Story.'

Also, John Powers reviews the novel 'Bullet Train,' a thriller about five assassins boarding the same train.
48 min
August 09, 2021 Cecily Strong On 'SNL,' 'Schmigadoon,' And Her New Memoir
Strong is nominated for an Emmy for 'Saturday Night Live.' She also stars in the new show 'Schmigadoon,' about a couple that ends up trapped in a town where life is a musical and the townspeople frequently burst into song. Her new memoir is about the depression, anxiety, and grief she experienced during the first months of the pandemic. "I just kept thinking, all the work I've done on myself with anxiety, I'm going to lose it all because of this," she says.

Also, Ken Tucker reviews a new posthumously released Prince album.
46 min
August 07, 2021 Best Of: Writer Tarell Alvin McCraney / Osama Bin Laden Biographer
After winning an Oscar for co-writing the film 'Moonlight,' McCraney says he received a lot of opportunities, many of which he turned down. "Some of it had to do with waiting for the other shoe to drop," he says. He's now the creator of the TV series 'David Makes Man,' which is in its second season on OWN. The series begins with a Miami boy whose mother struggles with addiction — and has echoes of McCraney's own childhood.

Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews Anthony Veasna So's posthumously published short story collection 'Afterparties.'

And as the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks approaches, a new biography traces Osama bin Laden's path from a shy, religious teenager to the leader of a global jihadist group dedicated to mass murder. Journalist Peter Bergen, who met the al-Qaida leader in 1997, says that a series of events kept pushing bin Laden "further and further down the path of radicalization." Bergen's new book is 'The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden.'
50 min
August 06, 2021 'The Hiroshima Cover-Up'
76 years ago, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Historian Lesley M.M. Blume's book, 'Fallout,' tells the story of John Hersey, the young journalist whose on-the-ground reporting in Hiroshima exposed the world to the devastation of nuclear weapons. "Hersey had seen everything from that point, from combat to concentration camps," Blume says. "But he later said that nothing prepared him for what he saw in Hiroshima."

Also, we remember Ron Popeil, the inventor and TV pitchman whose products included the Veg-O-Matic, Mr. Microphone, and the smokeless ashtray.
48 min

About Fresh Air

From the publisher's feed

Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, the show…

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FAQ about Fresh Air

What's this show about?
Fresh Air, hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, features intimate conversations with luminaries in contemporary arts and issues.
What's it like to listen to?
The show delivers in-depth interviews in a conversational format. Expect a focus on the guest's work and life, with thoughtful questions and a relaxed atmosphere.
What are recent episodes about?
Recent episodes feature Jessie Buckley discussing her role in the film *Hamnet*, Delroy Lindo reflecting on his career, and discussions about Paul McCartney's post-Beatles life and plans to restrict voting in the U.S..
Who's behind the mic?
Terry Gross has hosted Fresh Air since 1975, winning a Peabody Award and countless other honors for her insightful interviews. Tonya Mosley is a Peabody Award-winning journalist and co-host of Fresh Air.
How long is each episode?
Each episode is typically around 45 minutes to an hour.
When do new episodes drop?
The show releases new episodes regularly.
What are the main topics?
Arts, books, film, society, culture, interviews, music, politics
Who should listen to this?
Listeners interested in the arts, film, music, and society, as well as those who enjoy in-depth interviews with a wide range of notable figures.