Fresh Air

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Fresh Air episodes

April 20, 2019 Best Of: Robert Caro / Christopher Meloni
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Robert Caro was never interested in only telling the stories of great men. Instead, he says, "I wanted to use their lives to show how political power worked." He talks about his two most famous works — biographies of Lyndon Johnson and New York City planner Robert Moses. His new memoir about his process is called 'Working.'

Also, Ken Tucker reviews The Mekons' new album 'Deserted,' their first in 8 years.

After 12 seasons on 'Law & Order: SVU,' Christopher Meloni plays a disgraced policeman-turned-hit man in the second season of the Syfi Channel series 'Happy!.' Meloni talks about playing tough guys, and life after 'Law & Order.'
50 min
April 19, 2019 The Remarkable Life Of Frederick Douglass
David Blight's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography describes Frederick Douglass' escape from slavery, his passionate leadership in the abolitionist movement and his gift as a writer and orator. Blight spoke with 'Fresh Air' in December of 2018.

Aretha Franklin has been awarded a posthumous "Special Citation" Pulitzer Prize. We'll hear an excerpt of her 1999 interview with Terry Gross.

Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Long Day's Journey Into Night,' the second feature from the Chinese writer-director Bi Gan.
50 min
April 18, 2019 From Fastballs To Greaseballs, A History Of Baseball In 10 Pitches
'New York Times' baseball writer Tyler Kepner spoke to 22 hall-of-fame pitchers about what they throw, and how they get a mental edge over hitters. His new book is 'K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches.'

Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel 'Lost and Wanted' by Nell Freudenberger, about an MIT physicist who finds her rational understanding of the universe challenged by the death of a friend.
49 min
April 17, 2019 Actor Christopher Meloni / Tiger Woods' Historic Comeback
After 12 seasons on Law & Order: SVU, Christopher Meloni plays a disgraced policeman-turned-hit man in the second season of the Syfi Channel series Happy!. Meloni talks about being a bouncer before he broke into acting, playing tough guys, and life after 'Law & Order.'

Tiger Woods' recent Masters title follows a 10-year drought of major tournament victories. Jeff Benedict, co-author of the biography 'Tiger Woods,' says the golfer's comeback "transcends sports."
50 min
April 16, 2019 How Climate Change Threatens Humanity
Bill McKibben, who first warned of climate change 30 years ago, says its effects are now upon us. He talks about heat waves, fires, flooding, drought, and, soon, millions of climate refugees. "The idea that anybody's going to be immune from this anywhere is untrue," he says. His new book is 'Falter.'

Also, Ken Tucker reviews The Mekons' new album 'Deserted,' their first in 8 years.
48 min
April 15, 2019 Robert Caro
The two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist was never interested in only telling the stories of great men. Instead, he says, "I wanted to use their lives to show how political power worked." He talks about his two most famous works — biographies of Lyndon Johnson and Robert Moses. His new memoir about his process is called 'Working.'

Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album from trumpeter Tom Harrell.
49 min
April 13, 2019 Best Of: Henry Winkler / Rob Delaney
After wrapping up his role as 'Happy Days' iconic cool guy, The Fonz, in 1985, Winkler struggled with typecasting. Eventually he was able to move on. He plays a self-involved acting teacher on HBO's 'Barry.' He talks with Terry Gross about his early career, his own experience in acting classes, and struggling with dyslexia.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Billie Eilish's debut album, 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?'

Rob Delaney, the co-creator, co-writer and co-star of the Amazon comedy series 'Catastrophe,' talks about his experience writing the fourth season with Sharon Horgan while grieving the death of his young son. Though working on 'Catastrophe' didn't lessen or distract Delaney from his grief, he says he found grief and work "compatible" in that work gave him the structure he needed to "approximate normal behavior." He spoke with 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger.
51 min
April 13, 2019 Ray Romano / Remembering Seymour Cassel
Ray Romano spoke to Terry Gross in 2016 about life after 'Everybody Loves Raymond,' and how fame has affected him. "Here's what I say: Before I thought my cab driver hated me; now I think my limo driver hates me." His new Netflix special is 'Right Here, Around the Corner.'

Actor Seymour Cassel, who died April 7, performed as a child during matinees of his mom's burlesque shows. He went on to appear in movies directed by John Cassavetes and Wes Anderson. He spoke with Terry Gross in 2006.
48 min
April 11, 2019 Henry Winkler
After wrapping up his role as 'Happy Days' iconic cool guy, The Fonz, in 1985, Winkler struggled with typecasting. Eventually he was able to move on. He plays a self-involved acting teacher on HBO's 'Barry.' He talks with Terry Gross about his early career, his own experience in acting classes, and struggling with dyslexia.

Also, John Powers reflects on 'Game of Thrones' as it enters its final season.
50 min
April 10, 2019 American Prosecution & Mass Incarceration
The U.S. prison population is booming; an estimated 2.1 million people were incarcerated in America in 2016, and as many people in the U.S. have criminal records as have graduated from four-year colleges. Journalist and Yale Law lecturer Emily Bazelon attributes America's high incarceration rates to prosecutors more than judges. Bazelon spent 2.5 years reporting on the Brooklyn district attorney's office. Her new book, 'Charged,' examines the power of prosecutors and looks at alternatives to bail, plea bargains and incarceration.

Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Her Smell,' starring Elisabeth Moss as a out-of-control punk rock musician struggling with substance abuse.
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.