Fresh Air

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Fresh Air episodes

March 06, 2019 'Never Look Away' Asks: Why Make Art? Who Is It For?
The film 'Never Look Away' is about a painter who is first exposed to modern art as child growing up in Nazi Germany. His aunt takes him to an exhibit of modern art curated by Nazis, meant to show what degenerate art looks like — the kind of art the Nazis banned. By the time the boy becomes an art student, Russian communists have taken over East Germany where he lives, and all art is expected to be propaganda, showing images of happy working people. Later, he flees to West Germany and attends an art school known to be avant garde. The artists there consider representational painting—the kind of painting he does—to be obsolete.

Implicit in the movie are questions like: Why make art? And who is it for? The movie is inspired by the life of Gerhard Richter, one of the most famous German painters of his generation. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, who wrote and directed the film, spoke with Terry Gross.
49 min
March 05, 2019 Living With Gun Violence And Trauma In Chicago
Journalist Alex Kotlowitz spent a summer in Chicago chronicling people whose lives were changed or lost due to gun violence. He likens the trauma of living with gun violence to the PTSD some veterans experience. "Once you've had one act of violence around you it's hard to escape it, and so I just wanted to get at how the violence gets in people's bones," he says. His book is 'An American Summer.'

Also, Ken Tucker reviews Maren Morris' new album 'Girl.'
48 min
March 04, 2019 The 'Orchid' Vs. 'The Dandelion': The Science Of Sensitive Kids
Pediatrician Thomas Boyce has treated children who seem to be completely unflappable and unfazed by their surroundings — as well as those who are extremely sensitive to their environments. Over the years, he began to liken these two types of children to two very different flowers: dandelions and orchids. He talks about his research and gives advice on how to parent "orchid children." Boyce's book is 'The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive.'

Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the true crime story 'Say Nothing' by Patrick Radden Keefe, which takes place during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
49 min
March 02, 2019 Best Of: Pamela Adlon / Inside The Real 'Green Book'
Pamela Adlon directs, co-writes and stars in the FX comedy series 'Better Things,' which begins its third season on Thursday. The show centers on a single working mother of three daughters who is also trying to help her elderly mother and keep her acting career alive. Adlon tells Terry Gross about her decision to continue making 'Better Things' after cutting ties with series co-creator Louis C.K.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the HBO documentary 'Leaving Neverland,' which explores whether Michael Jackson used his fame and money to seduce young boys and their families into enabling a hidden pattern of serial pedophilia.

Filmmaker Yoruba Richen's documentary, 'The Green Book: Guide to Freedom,' tells the story of the manual, first published in 1936, that helped African-Americans find safe places to stay, eat, shop and do business on the road.
50 min
March 01, 2019 Remembering 'Singin' In The Rain' Co-Director Stanley Donen
"Dance numbers are anything but spontaneous," Donen told Fresh Air in 1996. Donen, who died Feb. 21, also directed 'On the Town,' 'Funny Face' and 'Damn Yankees,' among other films.

Also, we remember 'Philadelphia Daily News' obituary writer Jim Nicholson, who died on Feb. 22, by listening back to a 1987 interview. Plus, 'Philadelphia Inquirer' journalist David Gambacorta reflects on the legendary obit writer with Dave Davies.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the HBO documentary 'Leaving Neverland,' which explores whether Michael Jackson used his fame and money to seduce young boys and their families into enabling a hidden pattern of serial pedophilia.
48 min
February 28, 2019 How Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Translates Trump
According to journalist Mattathias Schwartz, a major part of Pompeo's job is traveling the world and cleaning up the president's messes. Schwartz writes about Pompeo in the 'New York Times Magazine.' He says Pompeo was the primary architect of Trump's negotiations with North Korea about its nuclear arsenal—talks which just collapsed.

And jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album from Allison Miller's band Boom Tic Boom.

Critic Justin Chang reviews the German film 'Transit,' about a man who flees Nazi-occupied Paris and assumes the identity of a dead author.
48 min
February 27, 2019 Why Older Women Are Often The 'Happiest Demographic' In America
Mary Pipher's new book, 'Women Rowing North,' chronicles the positive aspects of transitioning from middle age to old age: "At this life stage, women start granting themselves the power of no," she says.

Jennifer Stockburger runs the "Test Track" for Consumer Reports, where the magazine tests out hundreds of cars, trucks and SUVs. She says there are more than 50 tests that drive each vehicle's rating. She spoke with 'Fresh Air' contributor Sonari Glinton.

Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Valeria Luiselli's latest novel, 'Lost Children Archive' about the so-called crisis at the border.
49 min
February 26, 2019 Pamela Adlon On 'Better Things'
Adlon directs, co-writes and stars in the FX comedy series 'Better Things,' which begins its third season on Thursday. The show centers on a single working mother of three daughters who is also trying to help her elderly mother and keep her acting career alive. "It's an exaggerated version of my life," Adlon says. Adlon also tells Terry Gross about her decision to continue making 'Better Things' after cutting ties with series co-creator Louis C.K.
47 min
February 25, 2019 Documentary Chronicles The Real Life 'Green Book'
Filmmaker Yoruba Richen's documentary, 'The Green Book: Guide to Freedom,' tells the story of the manual, first published in 1936, that helped African-Americans find safe places to stay, eat, shop and do business on the road. Also, rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two Ray Charles albums of country music that have just been re-issued. And John Powers reviews a debut novel titled 'American Spy.'
49 min
February 23, 2019 Best Of: 'Surviving R. Kelly' Filmmaker dream hampton / Adam Savage Of 'MythBusters'
R. Kelly was charged on Friday with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving four victims. In an interview recorded Wednesday, Feb. 13, activist, filmmaker and writer dream hampton tells Terry Gross about her six-part docuseries 'Surviving R. Kelly,' which chronicles sexual abuse allegations against R. Kelly. Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews 1960s live recordings featuring singer Jeanne Lee and pianist Ran Blake. Finally, former 'MythBusters' co-host Adam Savage spoke with 'Fresh Air' about working with kids in 'MythBusters Jr.' and a near-death experience he had in a car underwater.
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.