Fresh Air
Weekdays at 7:00pm
Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics.
Celebrating singer Sarah Vaughan, on what would have been her 100th birthday
by Kevin Whitehead
Born in 1924 in Newark, N.J., Vaughan came up in the '40s, alongside bebop, a new jazz style she instantly took to. In the following decades, she proved to be one of the best singers of any genre.
How medications like Ozempic are revolutionizing the weight loss industry
by Tonya Mosley
Bloomberg News reporter Emma Court explains how these so-called "miracle drugs" work, and discusses side effects, long-term impacts, and what it all means for the body positivity movement.
Remembering 'Full Monty' actor Tom Wilkinson
by Dave Davies
The British actor, who died Dec. 30, appeared with Helen Mirren in the series Prime Suspect and later earned Oscar nominations for In the Bedroom and Michael Clayton. Originally broadcast in 2005.
Restaurateur Rose Previte shares recipes she learned from women around the world
by Tonya Mosley
Previte's restaurants serve food inspired by her extensive travels and the home-cooked Lebanese dishes of her childhood. Her new cookbook is Maydān: Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond.
'Prophet Song' is a beautifully-written, slow descent into fascism
by Maureen Corrigan
Most of the characters in Paul Lynch's Booker Prize-winning novel don't want to believe that tyranny is taking shape before their eyes, even as power is cut off and democratic freedoms evaporate.
Barbra Streisand shares her secret for keeping performances honest
by Terry Gross
When she was starring in Funny Girl on Broadway, Streisand says she'd alter the music slightly each night. Her new memoir is My Name is Barbra. Originally broadcast Nov. 8, 2023.
Jazz band the EarRegulars stop in for live music and conversation
by Sam Briger
Trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso and guitarist Matt Munisteri, founding members of the NYC band The EarRegulars, play tunes from their new album, Live at the Ear Inn. Originally broadcast Nov. 22, 2023.
In a tough year for podcasts, these 3 stood above the rest
by Nick Quah
The podcasting world faced layoffs, retrenchment, and cancellations in 2023, but amidst the turmoil, "If Books Could Kill," "You Didn't See Nothin" and "The Retrievals" topped the list of offerings.
'Music was there for me when I needed it,' The Roots co-founder Tariq Trotter says
by Tonya Mosley
Trotter, aka Black Thought, reflects on his childhood in Philly, his decades-long friendship with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. Trotter's memoir is The Upcycled Self. Originally broadcast Nov. 7, 2023.
'Pretty Baby' chronicles Brooke Shields' career and the sexualization of young girls
by Tonya Mosley
Shields has worked as a model and an actor. A two-part Hulu documentary looks at her childhood roles and the toxic culture that perpetuates misogyny. Originally broadcast April 4, 2023.
A music critic revisits 2 artists he overlooked in 2023: King Tuff and Danny Brown
by Ken Tucker
Given the ceaseless torrent of music being released, it's almost inevitable that worthy artists slip through the cracks. Rocker King Tuff and hip-hop's Brown deserve a special mention.