Person of The Week

By Time

What's Person of The Week about?

TIME Senior Correspondent Charlotte Alter hosts candid conversations with the people who shape the world, about the forces that shape them. Tune in each Thursday to meet TIME's Person of the Week.

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Person of The Week episodes:

04.25.2024
Maya Rudolph • The Music and Language of Comedy
Maya Rudolph is a comedy legend, and a 2024 TIME100 honoree. The multitalented actor, acclaimed for her iconic tenure on Saturday Night Live and unforgettable performances in “Bridesmaids,” “Big Mouth,” and more, joins host Charlotte Alter this week to dive...
04.18.2024
Lauren Groff • The Mind, The Body, and The Natural World
Acclaimed novelist Lauren Groff is a singular voice in American fiction and a 2024 TIME100 honoree. This week, Groff joins host Charlotte Alter to delve deep into the essence of creativity and the intricacies of the natural world and the...
04.11.2024
Christiane Amanpour • Reporting From The Front Lines
Distinguished, award-winning journalist Christiane Amanpour is known for her fearless reporting from some of the world's most volatile regions. CNN's chief international anchor of the network's flagship global affairs program, "Amanpour," Christiane joins host Charlotte Alter this week to reflect...
04.04.2024
Gillian Anderson • Recreating Reality
Gillian Anderson, the illustrious actor renowned for her iconic role as Dana Scully in "The X-Files," joins host Charlotte Alter this week on the show. Gillian reflects on the profound impact of portraying such a pivotal character so early in...
03.28.2024
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. • Presenting The Past
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a renowned historian, author, scholar, filmmaker, and is the Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. This week, Gates joins host Charlotte Alter and reflects on his formative...
03.21.2024
David Axelrod • Winning Strategy
David Axelrod is a preeminent political strategist and the mastermind behind some of the most successful political campaigns in American history. This week, David sits down with host Charlotte Alter and shares his journey from his childhood in New York...
03.14.2024
Kate Cox • The Legal Fight for Care
Kate Cox, a Texas mother of two, was thrilled to find out she was pregnant with her third child last year. But the dream of expanding her family quickly turned into a nightmare when Cox and her husband were told...
03.07.2024
Jennifer Lame • On The Cutting Edge
Jennifer Lame is a remarkably talented film editor, whose keen eye and unique storytelling abilities have contributed to some of the most iconic films of our time. From her early days as an apprentice to Sidney Lumet to her celebrated...
02.29.2024
Kara Swisher • Decrypting Silicon Valley
Kara Swisher is a titan in the realms of tech journalism and media. Known for her fearless interviews with the biggest names in Silicon Valley and her incisive commentary on the tech industry, Kara sits down with host Charlotte Alter...
02.22.2024
Claudia Goldin • Women and the Workforce
Distinguished economist Claudia Goldin is the Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University, the 2023 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences, and one of TIME’s 2024 Women of The Year. This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Goldin...
02.15.2024
Danielle Brooks • Owning Her Power
Danielle Brooks, an award-winning actress and singer who has captivated audiences from Broadway to the big screen, sits down with host Charlotte Alter in this week's episode. Fresh from her acclaimed role as ‘Sofia’ in the film adaptation of “The...
02.08.2024
Sheila Heti • Writing New Realities
Sheila Heti is a beacon of contemporary literature, renowned for her unique narrative voice and groundbreaking novels such as "Pure Colour," "Motherhood," and "How Should a Person Be?" This week, Sheila joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss her latest literary...
02.01.2024
Jon Batiste • Harmonizing an American Symphony
This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Jon Batiste, a celebrated musician, composer, and bandleader with deep Louisiana roots. Known as the "crown prince of jazz," Batiste's journey spans from New Orleans' vibrant streets to Juilliard's halls, extending to...
01.25.2024
Lulu Wang • Navigating New Narratives
Filmmaker Lulu Wang is known for her poignant storytelling and unique voice in cinema. This week, Wang joins host Charlotte Alter to take us behind the scenes of her latest project, the Amazon series “Expats,” starring Nicole Kidman. The pair...
01.18.2024
Sarah Longwell • Defending Democracy
In the second of two episodes focused on the forces shaping the modern GOP, Sarah Longwell, a formidable figure in the political communications world and a leading Republican strategist, joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential...
01.11.2024
Tim Alberta • Inside the American Evangelical Electorate
Tim Alberta, a distinguished journalist and author renowned for his deep dives into American politics, joins host Charlotte Alter for an insightful and personal conversation on faith, politics, and the evolving American landscape. Known for his best-selling book "American Carnage"...
01.04.2024
Mark Ruffalo • Heartland to Hollywood
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by award-winning actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, for a captivating conversation on his Hollywood journey. Ruffalo shares stories about his childhood in Wisconsin and Virginia and the path that led him to discover...
12.14.2023
Sam Altman • CEO of The Year
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by TIME Executive Editor Naina Bajekal and Tech Correspondent Billy Perrigo to hear how OpenAI revolutionized technology this year, and why Sam Altman was chosen as TIME's 2023 CEO of the Year. Later,...
12.06.2023
Person of The Year
As you've probably heard by now, TIME's 2023 Person of The Year is Taylor Swift. In this special bonus episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with TIME’s Editor in Chief, Sam Jacobs, and Senior Executive Editor, Kelly Conniff, for a...
12.05.2023
Team of The Year | Red Border by TIME
Every year, TIME recognizes a person or group whose done the most to influence the events of the last 365 days. This year, we partnered with Smartsheet to celebrate teamwork by honoring an enterprise whose commitment to communication, collaboration, and...
11.30.2023
Cord Jefferson • Exposing American Fiction
This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes Cord Jefferson – the Emmy award-winning writer and director, known for his work on shows like ‘Succession,’ 'Watchmen' and 'The Good Place.' As Jefferson prepares for the theatrical release of his directorial debut, 'American...
11.16.2023
Brian Chesky • Designing Trust
This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes visionary entrepreneur Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. Chesky recounts how a simple idea between friends transformed into a global phenomenon that reinvented how people perceive and interact with strangers, and shares...
11.09.2023
Gabby Douglas • Defying Gravity
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, the trailblazing superstar athlete whose aerial feats have etched her name in history. Gabby recounts the sacrifices of leaving home at a young age to pursue greatness and...
11.02.2023
Tim McGraw • Standing Together
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined in-studio by legendary country music superstar Tim McGraw. They journey back in time to Tim's childhood in Louisiana and the moment he discovered that his father was famous baseball player Tug McGraw, and...
10.26.2023
Sohla El-Waylly • Becoming A Better Cook
This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with cookbook author, chef, restaurateur, and social media sensation Sohla El-Waylly to talk about her new cookbook "Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook." The pair discuss how El-Waylly skillfully incorporates diverse...
10.19.2023
Matthew Desmond • Solving America's Poverty Puzzle
This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes renowned sociologist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and MacArthur Fellow Matthew Desmond to the show. Desmond shares insights from his latest book, "Poverty, by America," and discusses how his upbringing in Arizona led to a life...
10.12.2023
Kesha • Finding Freedom in Reinvention
This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Kesha – the dynamic pop sensation whose chart-topping hits have set the tempo for dancefloors worldwide. The pair delve into Kesha's musical odyssey, starting from her childhood in Nashville and spanning her...
10.05.2023
Ken Burns • What Is and What Was
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Ahead of the release of Burns’ upcoming series, “The American Buffalo,” the pair dive deep into America’s past, and discuss the troubling challenges around teaching that history...
09.28.2023
Richard Branson • Innovating Earth and Beyond
This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Sir Richard Branson – the mastermind behind the iconic Virgin brand. The pair retrace Branson's journey from his adventurous youth and pioneering career in music, through Branson’s groundbreaking...
09.21.2023
R. F. Kuang • Expanding Lived Experience Through Fiction
This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with 2023 TIME100 Next Phenom R.F. Kuang. The #1 New York Times bestselling author shares insight into crafting characters with empathy, the emotional rollercoaster of being a novelist, the nuanced function of literary...
09.19.2023
Executive Spotlight: Closing the Digital Divide with Hans Vestberg | Red Border by TIME
In this first Executive Spotlight –presented by Verizon and TIME– Verizon Chairman & CEO Hans Vestberg joins TIME CEO Jess Sibley for a thoughtful conversation on digital equity and how improving connectivity will better people's lives.
09.14.2023
Fran Drescher • The Fate of The Union
This week, multifaceted phenom Fran Drescher joins host Charlotte Alter for a journey through the labyrinth of Hollywood. From Drescher’s early days in Queens, to her iconic role as Miss Fine in "The Nanny," to her current role as the...
09.07.2023
Douglas Rushkoff • Decoding Digital Humanism
This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with acclaimed media theorist, author, and internet biographer Douglas Rushkoff. Credited by MIT as one of the "world's ten most influential intellectuals," Rushkoff shares his unique insights into how technological advancements shape our...
08.31.2023
TIME x GPB • Too Hot To Work
We're off this week and wanted to bring you something special from our colleagues at TIME and Georgia Public Broadcasting. Earlier this summer, TIME Senior International Climate and Environment Correspondent Aryn Baker teamed up with GPB reporter Sofi Gratas to...
08.24.2023
Jean Twenge • Breaking Down the Generational Gap
This week, renowned psychologist, author and professor Jean Twenge joins host Charlotte Alter to delve deep into the corridors of generational differences. Just in time for back-to-school, the pair discuss the profound impacts of smartphones, screentime, and social media on...
08.17.2023
Jack Antonoff • Creating the Sound of Right Now
This week, 8-time Grammy award-winner Jack Antonoff joins host Charlotte Alter to talk about the indelible mark he’s left on music history. The pair discuss the magnetic pull of their shared hometown of New Jersey, the profound impact that Antonoff’s...
08.10.2023
Eddie Ndopu • Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by the formidable Eddie Ndopu. Recognized as one of the world's most influential disabled individuals, Ndopu has continually broken barriers, including making history this July by delivering the opening keynote address at the...
08.03.2023
Candace Bushnell • Sex, the City, and Beyond
On this week's episode, Charlotte Alter sits down with the iconic Candace Bushnell – the creative force behind the cultural phenomenon "Sex and the City." Bushnell shares her journey from her childhood in Connecticut to becoming a leading figure in...
07.27.2023
Maxwell Frost • A Fresh Face In Congress
This week, host Charlotte Alter chats with America’s youngest congressperson, Maxwell Frost. A representative of Generation Z's political ambitions and changing viewpoints, Frost provides an unfiltered look into his groundbreaking first year in Congress. The pair explore the breadth and...
07.20.2023
Alexis McGill Johnson • One Year Post-Dobbs
In this week's episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood. The pair discuss the Supreme Court's landmark 2022 Dobbs decision, the repercussions of the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, and the...
07.13.2023
James Ijames • Bessemer to Broadway
This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, James Ijames. Known for his groundbreaking Broadway debut, "Fat Ham" –a unique adaptation of Hamlet set in the backdrop of a backyard barbeque– Ijames shares stories of his personal...
07.06.2023
Gov. Wes Moore • Redefining Patriotism
This week, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and host Charlotte Alter dive deep into the heart of patriotism, unpacking the often-misunderstood term, the symbolism of the American flag and what it means to be an American in today's changing world.
06.29.2023
Whitney Wolfe Herd • Revolutionizing Connection
Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd joins host Charlotte Alter for an intimate conversation on tech, equality, loneliness, and Wolfe's future plans for her business – and herself.
06.22.2023
Elliot Page • Unfolding The Story
This week, host Charlotte Alter and Elliot Page discuss Page's new memoir, "Pageboy," milestones, music, acting, and the highs and lows of industry.
06.15.2023
Ethan Hawke • Unmasking Movie Stars
Ethan Hawke joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss his documentary series, "The Last Movie Stars," creative partnership, generational differences, family, and the evolving landscape of filmmaking.
06.15.2023
Person of The Week • A New TIME Podcast with Charlotte Alter
In this new podcast from TIME, Senior Correspondent Charlotte Alter hosts candid conversations with the people who shape our world about the forces that shape them.
05.31.2023
AI Is as Risky as Pandemics and Nuclear War, Top CEOs Say, Urging Global Cooperation…and more stories
Stories included in this episode: 1 - AI Is as Risky as Pandemics and Nuclear War, Top CEOs Say, Urging Global Cooperation 2 - A Few Lawmakers Are Trying To Torpedo the Debt Ceiling Deal. Here’s How 3 - China's Aggressive Maneuver Against...
05.30.2023
Here’s What’s in the Debt Ceiling Deal…and more stories
Stories included in this episode: 1 - Here’s What’s in the Debt Ceiling Deal 2 - Russia Launches Pre-dawn Attack on Ukraine’s Capital 3 - New York City Is Slowly Sinking Under Its Own Weight, Study Finds 4 - Scandal Over Son’s House Party...
05.30.2023
The Cover Story: Florence Pugh Might Just Save the Movie Star From Extinction
Florence Pugh is featured as one of TIME's Next Generation Leaders, a list of 10 trailblazers shaping a brighter future. The British actor has had a string of remarkable performances including in 'Midsommar' and 'Little Women' and is on the...
05.29.2023
North Korea Says It’s About to Launch Its First Military Satellite. Here’s What We Know So Far…and more stories
Stories included in this episode: 1 - North Korea Says It’s About to Launch Its First Military Satellite. Here’s What We Know So Far 2 - Texas House Impeaches Attorney General Ken Paxton. Here’s What to Know 3 - What Erdoğan’s Victory Means...

What's Person of The Week about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Person of The Week episodes:

Maya Rudolph • The Music and Language of Comedy

Lauren Groff • The Mind, The Body, and The Natural World

Christiane Amanpour • Reporting From The Front Lines

Gillian Anderson • Recreating Reality

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. • Presenting The Past

David Axelrod • Winning Strategy

Kate Cox • The Legal Fight for Care

Jennifer Lame • On The Cutting Edge

Kara Swisher • Decrypting Silicon Valley

Claudia Goldin • Women and the Workforce

Danielle Brooks • Owning Her Power

Sheila Heti • Writing New Realities

Jon Batiste • Harmonizing an American Symphony

Lulu Wang • Navigating New Narratives

Sarah Longwell • Defending Democracy

Tim Alberta • Inside the American Evangelical Electorate

Mark Ruffalo • Heartland to Hollywood

Sam Altman • CEO of The Year

Person of The Year

Team of The Year | Red Border by TIME

Cord Jefferson • Exposing American Fiction

Brian Chesky • Designing Trust

Gabby Douglas • Defying Gravity

Tim McGraw • Standing Together

Sohla El-Waylly • Becoming A Better Cook

Matthew Desmond • Solving America's Poverty Puzzle

Kesha • Finding Freedom in Reinvention

Ken Burns • What Is and What Was

Richard Branson • Innovating Earth and Beyond

R. F. Kuang • Expanding Lived Experience Through Fiction

Executive Spotlight: Closing the Digital Divide with Hans Vestberg | Red Border by TIME

Fran Drescher • The Fate of The Union

Douglas Rushkoff • Decoding Digital Humanism

TIME x GPB • Too Hot To Work

Jean Twenge • Breaking Down the Generational Gap

Jack Antonoff • Creating the Sound of Right Now

Eddie Ndopu • Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw

Candace Bushnell • Sex, the City, and Beyond

Maxwell Frost • A Fresh Face In Congress

Alexis McGill Johnson • One Year Post-Dobbs

James Ijames • Bessemer to Broadway

Gov. Wes Moore • Redefining Patriotism

Whitney Wolfe Herd • Revolutionizing Connection

Elliot Page • Unfolding The Story

Ethan Hawke • Unmasking Movie Stars

Person of The Week • A New TIME Podcast with Charlotte Alter

AI Is as Risky as Pandemics and Nuclear War, Top CEOs Say, Urging Global Cooperation…and more stories

Here’s What’s in the Debt Ceiling Deal…and more stories

The Cover Story: Florence Pugh Might Just Save the Movie Star From Extinction

North Korea Says It’s About to Launch Its First Military Satellite. Here’s What We Know So Far…and more stories