The New Yorker Radio Hour

Bradley Cooper discusses his journey directing and starring in 'Maestro,' a film about Leonard Bernstein. The movie focuses on Bernstein's personal life, including his nonmonogamous bisexual relationships. Cooper reveals his challenges getting the film made, including rejection from major studios. He shares the experience of conducting the London Symphony Orchestra for the film, calling it 'the scariest thing' he's ever done.

The podcast discusses Biden's determination for reelection despite challenges, his disdain for Trump, and potential impact of global conflicts on the election. It explores media coverage, threats to Biden's campaign, and the unique elements of the upcoming election landscape.

Journalist Kara Swisher reflects on tech billionaires' lack of care for users, government's failure to regulate, and the megalomania and mental health impacts of wealth. She criticizes the influence of tech giants, their disregard for privacy, and the need for regulations. Additionally, the podcast explores a tech billionaire's apocalypse plan and Swisher's humorous 'Burn Book.'

Lily Gladstone discusses her groundbreaking role in 'Killers of a Flower Moon' and her historic Academy Award nomination, highlighting the importance of representation for Native actors. Film critic Richard Brody presents the Brody Awards, poking fun at Oscar favorites like 'Oppenheimer'.

Ty Cobb, former special counsel to Donald Trump, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Trump White House during the Mueller investigation. He discusses Trump's unusual admiration for Putin and critiques his failure to condemn Alexey Navalny's tragic death. Cobb argues that while Trump faces numerous legal challenges, the January 6th case poses the greatest threat to his political future. He believes Trump's quest for power mirrors authoritarianism, presenting a significant risk to democracy as he positions himself for a potential return to office.

Brontez Purnell, a multi-talented artist, challenges traditional memoir writing by blurring the lines between truth and fiction. He discusses how he protects himself in his writing and addresses controversial topics like HIV and raw sexuality with a unique perspective.

Former speechwriter in the Obama Administration and co-founder of Crooked Media, Jon Lovett, discusses the importance of reliable political coverage, concerns about Biden's age, Trump's media strategy, and the lack of consequences for Trump after the January 6 insurrection.

Comedian Jacqueline Novak discusses her successful comedy special, Get on Your Knees, which boldly explores the intricacies of sex and power. She dives into the complexities of the penis and the impact of cancel culture on comedians. Novak's unique style focuses on embarrassment instead of shame, while also commenting on male fragility and the challenges faced by artists.

Michelle Zauner, musician and author, discusses her memoir 'Crying in H Mart' in an interview with The New Yorker. The podcast also explores the impact of memes on politics, the role of younger artists in addressing internalized misogyny and racism, and Zauner's decision to move to Korea for her second book.

Novelist Sheila Heti and critic Parul Sehgal discuss Heti's experimental book 'Alphabetical Diaries' where she alphabetizes sentences from her own diaries. They explore the balance between experiment and narrative, patterns in relationships, and the inclination towards formal experimentation in novels.