Fresh Air

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Fresh Air episodes

May 27, 2021 How States Are Making It Harder To Vote
'New York Times' reporter Nick Corasaniti says Republican-led state legislatures are restricting voting and seizing more power over how elections are run — making previously non-partisan jobs political.

David Bianculli reviews three documentaries the commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre.
47 min
May 26, 2021 'Exonerated Five' Member Yusef Salaam
In 1990, Yusef Salaam was one of the five boys wrongly convicted in the so-called Central Park jogger case. Salaam spent nearly 7 years behind bars and wasn't exonerated until 2002, when a serial rapist confessed to the crime. "When the truth came out, that's when we got our lives back," Salaam says. "But for those of us who had five to 10 years prison sentences, we had done all of someone else's time. ... We will never know what our life would have been like had we not gone through this horrible experience." Salaam tells his story in his memoir 'Better, Not Bitter.'

And podcast critic Nick Quah reviews a stunning new series called 'The Line.'
47 min
May 25, 2021 The History Of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, formerly Emancipation Day or Jubilee, celebrates the day slavery ended in Texas, June 19, 1865. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed studies the early American republic and the legacy of slavery. "It was a very, very tense time — hope and at the same time, hostility," Gordon-Reed says. Her book is 'On Juneteenth.'
45 min
May 24, 2021 'Opal & Nev' Author Dawnie Walton
Dawnie Walton's novel, 'The Final Revival of Opal & Nev,' is a faux oral history about a '70s interracial rock duo. Opal is a Black proto Afro-punk singer from Detroit, and Nev is a goofy white British singer-songwriter. Walton was inspired by Grace Jones, Betty Davis, Elton John and Bowie. We talk with Walton about how her career in journalism and her taste in music growing up informed the book.

And John Powers reviews 'Whitstable Pearl,' a crime drama on Acorn TV.
47 min
May 22, 2021 Best Of: Seth Rogen / Jean Smart
Seth Rogen returns to talk about his new memoir, 'Yearbook,' which is filled with funny and surprising stories — starting with the first time he did stand-up when he was 12 and continuing through his life and film career. He's produced, directed, written and starred in many films, including 'Knocked Up,' 'Superbad,' and 'The Interview.'

Justin Chang reviews the Indian film 'The Disciple' about an aspiring classical singer.

Jean Smart's breakout role was on the '80s sitcom 'Designing Women.' She's had recent great roles as the head of a crime family on 'Fargo' and as an FBI agent on 'Watchmen.' Now she co-stars in the HBO series 'Mare of Easttown' and stars in HBO Max comedy 'Hacks,' as a veteran comic forced to update her act.
51 min
May 21, 2021 Remembering Actor Charles Grodin / Delmark Records' Bob Koester
Actor Charles Grodin, of 'Midnight Run' and 'Heartbreak Kid' fame, died May 18. He was known for his deadpan humor and his ability to make even the most unpleasant characters likable and funny. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1989. Also, we remember Bob Koester, who died May 12. He was the founder of Delmark Records, which released records by blues and jazz artists, and he also operated the Jazz Record Mart in Chicago. He was a mentor and father figure for many Chicago musicians, and he was considered one of the major forces behind the blues revival in the mid '60s.

Justin Chang reviews 'The Killing of Two Lovers' and TV critic David Bianculli reviews two shows, 'The Bite' and 'Solos.'
47 min
May 20, 2021 Inside The COVID Crisis In India
Jeffrey Gettleman of the 'New York Times,' based in New Delhi, says the air has been filled with smoke from crematories. Meanwhile, the health care system is collapsing and the black market for oxygen and medicine is thriving. "What we're seeing now is the nightmare that we really wanted to avoid," he says. "And that is this virus just tearing through a really large country. 1.4 billion people, many of them living in close quarters, a perfect recipe for disaster for a highly contagious disease."
46 min
May 19, 2021 Actor John Boyega On 'Star Wars' & 'Small Axe'
Boyega played Finn in the 'Star Wars' sequel trilogy and he won a Golden Globe for his leading role in the anthology series 'Small Axe,' as a Black British police officer who joined the force in the '80s to try to change the system. Boyega has been outspoken about systemic racism — including in Hollywood. Last year, he talked about how his character in 'Star Wars' was sidelined, along with the other characters played by actors of color. He spoke with guest interviewer Sam Sanders.

Ken Tucker reviews Sophia Kennedy's new album 'Monsters' and John Powers reviews Rachel Cusk's novel 'Second Place.'
48 min
May 18, 2021 Seth Rogen
Rogen returns to talk about his new memoir, 'Yearbook,' which is filled with funny and surprising stories — starting with the first time he did stand-up when he was 12 and continuing through his life and film career. He used to be the youngest person in the room, but now that he's approaching 40, he's reconsidering a lot of things, from what message not to give teens in his films to how to create a set where everyone feels comfortable and safe. He's produced, directed, written and starred in many films, including 'Knocked Up,' 'Superbad,' 'Pineapple Express,' 'This is the End,' 'The Interview' and 'Long Shot.'
47 min
May 17, 2021 Failure & Dysfunction In The Secret Service
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Carol Leonnig's new book, 'Zero Fail,' examines how the Secret Service is underfunded, overworked, and increasingly relying on luck. "They strongly believed that it was a matter of time before a president was shot on their watch," Leonnig says. We talk about the impact of JFK's assassination on the agency, the prostitution scandal in Colombia ahead of Obama's trip there, and how Trump's golf trips drained the agency's resources.

Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Notes on Grief' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
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…

Best of Fresh Air

Ranked by our users in the last 21 days

Number 1: Is Jared Kushner a 'walking conflict of interest'?
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Number 3: Investigating the system that protected Sean “Diddy” Combs
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Number 4: Inside the 'modern slavery' where cyber scammers are victims themselves
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Number 5: Kyle MacLachlan was David Lynch’s ‘submersible’ into dark places
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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.