Best Fresh Air From WHYY Podcasts (2025)

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Best Of : Jane Fonda / Spike Lee 48:21

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37m ago48:21

48:21

At 87, Oscar-winning actor Jane Fonda is pouring her energy into activism. She’ll reflect on her decades-long career, and how she first began her fitness empire to fund her activist work. Also, we hear from Spike Lee. His latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, but through the lens of modern-day America…

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Noah Wyle, Star Of 'The Pitt' 44:10

2d ago44:10

44:10

After 11 seasons on ER, Noah Wyle thought he was finished with medical dramas: "I spent 15 years avoiding — actively avoiding — walking down what I thought was either hallowed ground or traveled road." But then COVID happened, and he felt compelled to tell more of these stories. He spoke with Dave Davies about the making of HBO's hit show The Pitt,…

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How Does Pain Work? Dr. Sanjay Gupta Explains 45:26

3d ago45:26

45:26

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new book examines the world of pain — why we feel it, and how we can treat it. He says distraction and meditation can be useful tools for managing pain. He spoke with Terry Gross about how the brain gets pain signals wrong, alternatives to painkillers, and how a family of circus performers inspired…

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RFK Jr.'s Impact On Americans' Health 45:30

4d ago45:30

45:30

We look at the stormy tenure of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg discusses how RFK Jr.'s cuts to government staff and expert groups will impact everyday Americans. A vaccine skeptic, Kennedy fired the CDC director last week. Also, John Powers reviews the Prime Video thriller serie…

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Jane Fonda Is Not Backing Down 45:15

3d ago45:15

45:15

Earlier this year, Fonda made headlines for delivering a fiery critique of the Trump administration during a SAG-AFTRA award acceptance speech. "This is not the time to go inward," Fonda says. She spoke with Tonya Mosley about her career onscreen and off, as an activist. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Pri…

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Roots of Rock and R&B: Dion and Allen Toussaint 46:40

6d ago46:40

46:40

All week we're revisitingarchival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly andR&B. We listen back to a 2000interview with former teen idol Dion. Plus we’ll hear an interview Terry Grossrecorded in 1988 with New Orleans songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint. Andjazz critic Kevin Whitehead profilesjazz saxophonist Art Pepper, …

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Roots of R&B: Charles Brown & Ray Charles 49:06

6d ago49:06

49:06

All week we're revisiting archival interviews with keyfigures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. We listen back to a 1989 interview with singer and pianistCharles Brown. Brown iscredited with creating an expressive style of music that blended rough Texasblues with the soft glamour of Hollywood. And we revisit a 1998 interview withsoul sing…

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Roots of R&B: 'Stand By Me' 46:36

9d ago46:36

46:36

All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Soul singer Ben E. King began his career in the ‘50s with The Drifters but it was the '61 hit "Stand by Me" that sealed his musical legacy. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1988. We also listen back to a 1991 interview with lyricist Jerry Leiber and c…

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Roots of R&B: Johnny Otis & Etta James 46:15

11d ago46:15

46:15

All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Singer, songwriter, producer and talent scout Johnny Otis got his start leading a big band that had the 1945 hit “Harlem Nocturne.” Later,as a talent scout, he discovered such performers as Big Mama Thornton, EstherPhillips and Etta James. Jam…

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Roots of Rock: Sun Records & Johnny Cash 46:41

12d ago46:41

46:41

All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. Sam Phillips discovered Elvis Presley and produced his first records, which many consider Elvis’ best. He also founded Sun Records and launched the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and Johnny Cash. Cash is one of the most …

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Roots Of Rock: "Blue Suede Shoes" 45:25

11d ago45:25

45:25

All week we're revisiting archival interviews with key figures in early rock and roll, rockabilly and R&B. We're kicking it off with Terry Gross's interviews with Elvis Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore, who tells stories about playing with the King and recording "Blue Suede Shoes." That song was written by rockabilly musician Carl Perkins, who also…

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Remembering Actor Terence Stamp 45:48

14d ago45:48

45:48

We remember British actor Terence Stamp, who died last week at age 87. He starred in the film The Limey, as an ex-con out for revenge, and in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as a transgender performer on the road with a lip-synch club act. Stamp got his start in the ’60s, starring in the films Billy Budd, Far From the Madding Crowd…

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Robert Reich: The Baby Boomers Fell Short 43:43

15d ago43:43

43:43

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich served under President Clinton from 1993 to 1997. He opens his new memoir, Coming Up Short, with an apology on behalf of the Baby Boom generation for failing to build a more just society. Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the books Pariah and The Dancing Face. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoi…

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The Dramatic Overhaul Of The Justice Dept. 45:10

16d ago45:10

45:10

The New Yorker’s Ruth Marcus says Bondi has presided over the DOJ's most convulsive transition of power since Watergate, aggressively reversing policies, investigating Trump’s foes and firing staff. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Spike Lee On Dynamic Duos & Reimagining Kurosawa 44:41

19d ago44:41

44:41

Spike Lee's new film, Highest 2 Lowest, centers on a music mogul (Denzel Washington) who faces a moral dilemma when kidnappers mistakenly hold his friend's son ransom instead of his own: Will he risk it all to save a child who isn't his? The Oscar-winning filmmaker spoke with Tonya Mosley about his decades-long partnership with Denzel, an upcoming …

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Bowen Yang's 'Wicked' White Lie 45:52

18d ago45:52

45:52

The Emmy-nominated Saturday Night Live cast member talks with Terry Gross about his favorite pop culture in the aughts, his SNL audition, and his recent trip to China. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Thomas Mallon 44:53

21d ago44:53

44:53

Writer Thomas Mallon looks back on the early years of the AIDS epidemic, when he was in his 30s, living in Manhattan. His friends were sick or dead, and he was terrified that he’d die, too. Excerpts of his journals from those years are collected in The Very Heart of It. He'll also talk about his latest novel, Up with the Sun, based on the life and …

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Best Of: AI's Writing Critique / The Rise And Fall Of Condé Nast 48:50

23d ago48:50

48:50

After writing chapters of her new book about how tech companies help and exploit us, tech journalist and novelist Vauhini Vara fed those chapters to ChatGPT. She told the AI chatbot she needed help with her writing. But her real goal was to analyze and critique the chatbot’s advice. Her book is Searches. Also, before social media, before influencer…

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Pedro Pascal Got Fired A Lot 43:46

22d ago43:46

43:46

Chilean-born actor Pedro Pascal has faced countless on-screen challenges, including cosmic battles and cartel kingpins. He's nominated for an Emmy for his role on the HBO series, The Last of Us. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about getting fired from restaurant jobs, his dance training, and his parents' exile from Chile. Learn more about sponsor messag…

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Musician Charley Crockett's Road From Busking To The Grammys 45:49

25d ago45:49

45:49

Crockett grew up poor and got his start in music busking for tips on the street and in the subway. He's since played the Hollywood Bowl and been nominated for a Grammy. The country/roots musician talks with Terry Gross and plays songs from his new album, Dollar a Day. John Powers reviews The Diary of Lies, a new mystery novel about a reporter. TV c…

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Jeff Hiller's Big Break Came In His 40s 43:47

24d ago43:47

43:47

Hiller spent years scraping by in Hollywood by taking on various small roles and commercials. Then he landed the role of Joel on HBO's Somebody Somewhere and everything changed. His new memoir is Actress of a Certain Age. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

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Daniel Dae Kim Fakes His Own Death In 'Butterfly' 46:44

27d ago46:44

46:44

Daniel Dae Kim became the first actor of Asian descent to be nominated for a Tony, for his performance in Yellow Face, in the role of a playwright trying to deal with Asian American representation. His new Amazon Prime Video spy series Butterfly premieres today. Kim spoke with Ann Marie Baldonado about his career, his big break with Lost, and filmi…

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Best Of: Making 'Born To Run' / Why We Can't Sleep 48:16

30d ago48:16

48:16

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's album Born to Run. We'll talk with Peter Ames Carlin, author of a Tonight in Jungleland, about the making of this now classic album. Also, we'll talk with Jennifer Senior about her Atlantic article "Why Can't Americans Sleep?" And, David Bianculli reviews season two of Wednesday, starring…

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Remembering Eddie Palmieri / Funk Innovator George Clinton 46:47

1M ago46:47

46:47

We remember Eddie Palmieri, the pianist, bandleader and composer whose contributions to Afro-Caribbean music shaped the genre for decades. He died Wednesday at the age of 88. Also, Parliament's now classic funk album Mothership Connection turned 50 this year. We listen back to Terry Gross's 1989 interview with funkmaster George Clinton. David Bianc…

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The Making Of Springsteen's 'Born To Run' 46:21

1M ago46:21

46:21

Bruce Springsteen's groundbreaking album, Born to Run, came out 50 years ago this month, marking a turning point for rock and roll — and for "The Boss." Before he recorded that record, Springsteen's label, Columbia, was on the verge of dropping him because his first two albums, though critically acclaimed, had sold poorly. Biographer Peter Ames Car…

Fresh Air From WHYY Podcasts

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Fresh Air

NPR

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Fresh Air From WHYY

Fresh Air From WHYY

1
Best Of : Jane Fonda / Spike Lee 48:21

1
Noah Wyle, Star Of 'The Pitt' 44:10

1
How Does Pain Work? Dr. Sanjay Gupta Explains 45:26

1
RFK Jr.'s Impact On Americans' Health 45:30

1
Jane Fonda Is Not Backing Down 45:15

1
Roots of Rock and R&B: Dion and Allen Toussaint 46:40

1
Roots of R&B: Charles Brown & Ray Charles 49:06

1
Roots of R&B: 'Stand By Me' 46:36

1
Roots of R&B: Johnny Otis & Etta James 46:15

1
Roots of Rock: Sun Records & Johnny Cash 46:41

1
Roots Of Rock: "Blue Suede Shoes" 45:25

1
Remembering Actor Terence Stamp 45:48

1
Robert Reich: The Baby Boomers Fell Short 43:43

1
The Dramatic Overhaul Of The Justice Dept. 45:10

1
Spike Lee On Dynamic Duos & Reimagining Kurosawa 44:41

1
Bowen Yang's 'Wicked' White Lie 45:52

1
Thomas Mallon 44:53

1
Best Of: AI's Writing Critique / The Rise And Fall Of Condé Nast 48:50

1
Pedro Pascal Got Fired A Lot 43:46

1
Musician Charley Crockett's Road From Busking To The Grammys 45:49

1
Jeff Hiller's Big Break Came In His 40s 43:47

1
Daniel Dae Kim Fakes His Own Death In 'Butterfly' 46:44

1
Best Of: Making 'Born To Run' / Why We Can't Sleep 48:16

1
Remembering Eddie Palmieri / Funk Innovator George Clinton 46:47

1
The Making Of Springsteen's 'Born To Run' 46:21