Fresh Air Best Of: Malala Yousafzai / Ken Burns On The Revolutionary War
9 snips
Oct 25, 2025 
In this engaging dialogue, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate and outspoken education activist, opens up about her complex college life, the challenges of PTSD, and her thoughtful hesitations around marriage. She shares her rebellious spirit through a thrilling rooftop escapade, revealing her quest for independence. Meanwhile, esteemed filmmaker Ken Burns dives into his new documentary on the Revolutionary War, exploring often-overlooked perspectives, including those of women and Black Americans. His insights on the struggle for democracy and the moral complexities of the era are both enlightening and provocative.
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Rooftop Night Of College Freedom
- Malala describes sneaking to a rooftop at midnight at Oxford to feel ordinary and free.
- She felt a surreal triumph breathing fresh air and experiencing college independence for the first time.
Bong Night Triggered Hidden Trauma
- Malala recounts getting high at college and suddenly reliving the Taliban shooting in vivid detail.
- The episode revealed unresolved trauma that resurfaced years after her recovery.
Try Therapy For Delayed Trauma
- Malala accepted a friend's suggestion to try therapy despite family skepticism.
- She learned she had PTSD and found therapy helpful in addressing delayed trauma.
