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Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics.
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Courtesy of University of Oregon 5:38pm Jun 29, 2022Books Books ArtsReal life or satire? Novelist Mat Johnson says it can be hard to tell the difference
by Terry GrossSet in the future, Johnson's new satirical novel, Invisible Things, takes place on one of Jupiter's many moons, where humans have created an artificial ecosystem designed to replicate life on Earth. -
1:25pm Jun 28, 2022Arts Arts
'Reality' podcasts draw on the appeal of reality TV — with mixed results
by Nick QuahThe podcast world is abundant with shows about reality TV. Now a few podcasts are trying to capitalize on reality TV popularity more directly, by emulating the genre's conceits, mechanics and style. -
Karen Maria Photography / Soho Press 12:11pm Jun 28, 2022Books Books ArtsA novelist's time in the MMA cage informed his book on memory loss and identity
by Dave DaviesJohn Vercher trained in mixed martial arts as a young man. His novel, After the Lights Go Out, centers on a veteran MMA fighter who struggles to remember everyday things. -
3:01pm Jun 27, 2022
Joel Kim Booster reflects on the 'Pride and Prejudice' of Fire Island's party scene
by Sam SandersBooster's film Fire Island, which he wrote and stars in, was inspired by the Jane Austen novel. The movie is a rom-com about a group of gay friends and explores racism and classism in their community. -
Raymond Roig / AFP via Getty Images 12:02pm Jun 25, 2022Fresh Air Weekend: The sensory world of animals; Mothering as social change
Ed Yong talks about the diversity of perception in the animal world. Justin Chang reviews Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Cha Cha Real Smooth. Angela Garbes says raising kids is undervalued. -
1:25pm Jun 24, 2022Arts Arts
Baz Luhrmann's gaudy 'Elvis' is a shapeless blur of a musical biopic
by Justin ChangElvis' longtime manager Col. Parker plays an oversized role, but that's not this film's only problem. There may be a great movie hiding in Elvis, but it's buried under an awful lot of visual clutter. -
1:25pm Jun 24, 2022Books Books Arts
Fasten your seat belts, flight attendant-turned-novelist shares stories from the sky
by Dave DaviesT.J. Newman began writing the hijack thriller Falling while she was a flight attendant. She'd jot down ideas on paper napkins in the quiet moments on red-eye flights. Originally broadcast July 2021. -
1:45pm Jun 23, 2022Books Books Arts Politics & Government
Why overturning Roe isn't the final goal of the anti-abortion movement
by Terry GrossLaw professor Mary Ziegler explains how the anti-abortion movement upended the GOP establishment and helped push the courts to the right. Her new book is Dollars for Life. -
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images 12:41pm Jun 22, 2022Books Books Arts Health & SafetyRaising kids is 'Essential Labor.' It's also lonely, exhausting and expensive
by Terry GrossIn her book, author Angela Garbes makes the case that the work of raising children has always been undervalued and undercompensated in the U.S. Then came the pandemic, and everything got harder. -
Raymond Roig / AFP via Getty Images 12:09pm Jun 22, 2022Science Science Books Arts EnvironmentThe human sensory experience is limited. Journey into the world that animals know
by Terry GrossIn his new book, An Immense World, science writer Ed Yong explores the diversity of perception in the animal world — including echolocation, magnetic fields and ultraviolet vision. -
1:25pm Jun 20, 2022Music & Culture Music & Culture
3 songs prove just how elastic the definition of country music has become
by Ken TuckerThe range of country music is on display in Kane Brown's hit single; a duet by Wynonna Judd and the alt-rocker Waxahatchee; and the title song of Big Time, indie singer-songwriter Angel Olsen's album. -
1:25pm Jun 20, 2022Music & Culture Music & Culture
Rhiannon Giddens sings slave narratives
by Terry GrossGiddens' Freedom Highway is an exploration of African American experiences, accompanied by an instrument with its own uniquely African American story: the banjo. Originally broadcast May 11, 2017.