Fresh Air

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Fresh Air episodes

August 27, 2019 Emmys Week: Phoebe Waller-Bridge / Ben Stiller & Patricia Arquette
Phoebe Waller-Bridge is nominated for 5 Emmys for creating and starring in the Amazon series 'Fleabag.' She plays a 30-something single Londoner who is navigating tense relationships with her family, grieving the loss of her best friend — and falling in love with a Catholic priest.

Also, Ben Stiller talks about directing the Showtime series 'Escape at Dannemora,' based on a real-life prison break story. The series has a total of 12 nominations, including one for Patricia Arquette, who plays a prison employee who helped the two convicted murders escape.
49 min
August 26, 2019 Emmys Week: Bill Hader & John Mulaney
Actor Bill Hader is nominated for acting in and writing the HBO dark comedy series, 'Barry,' in which he plays a hitman who enrolls in acting classes. He talks about coming up with the concept of the series and struggling with anxiety during his years on 'Saturday Night Live.'

Comic John Mulaney spent five years as a writer and producer on 'SNL,' but was "absolutely terrified" when he came back to host. Now he's up for an Emmy for his episode. Mulaney talks about writing monologues for famous guests and his cameo in the series 'Crashing.'
49 min
August 24, 2019 Best Of: Exploring Underwater Caves / Character Actor Stephen Root
Diver and photographer Jill Heinerth talks about some of her most dangerous and exhilarating experiences underwater — like getting trapped inside an iceberg in Antarctica. Heinerth also shares how she stays calm when things go wrong: "I take a really deep breath and try and slow my heart, slow my breathing, and then just focus on pragmatic small steps," she says. Her new book is 'Into the Planet.'

Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Brittany Runs a Marathon,' starring Jillian Bell.

And after appearing in nearly 800 TV episodes and 100 films, character actor Stephen Root received his first Emmy nomination for his role as a handler to a hitman in the HBO series 'Barry.' He also talks about his role in 'Office Space.'
51 min
August 23, 2019 Remembering Peter Fonda
The Oscar-nominated actor and screenwriter, who died Aug. 16, spoke to Terry Gross in 1998 about 'Ulee's Gold,' 'Easy Rider' and his acting philosophy of "doing less — and making more of it."

Also, Ken Tucker reviews three songs that he says offer different takes on — and moods for — the summer.

And John Powers reviews the Netflix documentary 'American Factory,' about what happens when a Chinese company opens a factory in Ohio.
49 min
August 22, 2019 Tracing The Course Of The Opioid Epidemic
'Washington Post' investigative journalist Scott Higham says recently released evidence shows the drug industry purposely shipped large quantities of pills to certain communities in pursuit of greater profits. "Small cities and counties in places like Ohio and Pennsylvania have just been devastated," he says. "The death rates just soared in those places where the pills were being dumped." Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Late Migrations' by Margaret Renkl, which she calls "a perfect book to read in the summer."
49 min
August 21, 2019 Character Actor Stephen Root
After appearing in nearly 800 TV episodes and 100 films, Root received his first Emmy nomination for his role as a handler to a hitman in the HBO series 'Barry.' He also talks about his iconic roles in 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' and 'Office Space.'

Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the album 'Begin Again' from pianist Fred Hersch, and film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Brittany Runs a Marathon,' starring Jillian Bell.
50 min
August 20, 2019 The Renegade Anthropologists Who Reinvented How We Think About Race & Gender
In his new book, 'Gods of the Upper Air,' Charles King tells the story of Franz Boas, Margaret Mead and the other 20th century anthropologists who challenged outdated notions of race, class and gender.

Also, linguist Geoff Nunberg discusses the language he calls "chatspeak."
49 min
August 19, 2019 Exploring Underwater Caves
Diver and photographer Jill Heinerth talks about some of her most dangerous and exhilarating experiences underwater — like getting trapped inside an iceberg in Antarctica. Heinerth also shares how she stays calm when things go wrong: "I take a really deep breath and try and slow my heart, slow my breathing, and then just focus on pragmatic small steps," she says. Her new book is 'Into the Planet.'

Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews two mystery novels — Laura Lippman's 'Lady in the Lake' and Ruth Ware's 'The Turn of the Key.'
49 min
August 17, 2019 Best Of: Colson Whitehead / A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle With Opioids
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Colson Whitehead's new book, 'The Nickel Boys,' is based on the true story of a notorious Florida reform school where many boys were beaten and sexually abused. Dozens of unmarked graves were discovered on the school grounds, which the state shut down in 2011. Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel, and then the author speaks with contributor Dave Davies.

Travis Rieder became dependent on opioids after a motorcycle accident in 2015 that crushed his left foot, and forced him to endure six surgeries. His book 'In Pain' draws on his insights as a patient, and his subsequent research into pain medicine, to examine the larger problems and dilemmas surrounding prescription opioids and the larger opioid crisis.
50 min
August 16, 2019 Actor Jonathan Groff
Groff stars in the crime-thriller series 'Mindhunter,' now in its second season on Netflix. He also talks about his roles on HBO's 'Looking,' and as King George III in 'Hamilton' on Broadway. (Originally broadcast October 2017)

Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Where'd You Go, Bernadette?' starring Cate Blanchett, directed by Richard Linklater.
50 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.