Cole Escola is the star and creator of Oh Mary!, an upcoming Broadway play about Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln. But there's a twist: Mary is reimagined as a raging alcoholic with cabaret dreams and Lincoln is portrayed as an evil closeted gay man plotting on her misery. On the cusp of the show's Broadway debut, Brittany chats with Cole about the inspiration behind Oh Mary!, their favorite joke and why it's fun to play older women.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What is our justice system for? Many Republicans over the past week have suggested it's for revenge, calling for the prosecution of Democrats across the country following Trump's guilty verdict. Brittany looks at how the justice system can be politicized with NPR's national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. Plus, we all have examples of how bad those those new artificial intelligence search engine results can be. So why does it seem like every tech company is all in on the hottest tech trend? Brittany gets into it with NPR's technology correspondent Bobby Allyn and disinformation correspondent Shannon Bond.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Cheerleaders are canonical when it comes to teen media - but is it time we expand our idea of who cheerleaders can be? Devery Jacobs's new film, Backspot, explores the internal life of a cheerleading backspot - the person making sure those high-flying cheerleaders don't break their necks. Devery joins Brittany to talk about redefining the cheerleader for a new generation, and keeping her sense of integrity while navigating the film industry.Want to be featured on the show? Record your response to Brittany's question at the end of 'Hey Brittany' via voice memo and send it to ibam@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Summer is supposed to be for vacation and more relaxation, right? Well, for climate watchers, this season goes by a more sinister name. Brittany and NPR climate correspondents Lauren Sommer and Nate Rott get into what changes in summer weather mean for how and where we live.Then, it's prom season and high schoolers are showing out! But styles have changed since the days of poofy dresses and bedazzled purses: prom fashion has reportedly become more adult. For many young people, prom reflects their ideas of glamour, so does this shift say something new about the fantasies of girlhood? Brittany sits down with writer Hilary George-Parkin who wrote about the blurring of age in fashion. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fresh Air co-host Tonya Mosley and her nephew Antonio Wiley discuss their documentary podcast 'She Has A Name,' unraveling the disappearance of Tonya's half-sister. They delve into breaking stereotypes in true crime podcasts and how the show brings closure to Anita's family by humanizing the victim. The conversation also touches on embracing vulnerability, family secrets, and even speculates on the potential song of the summer for 2024.

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jasmine Crockett exchange heated words on the House floor, touching on misogyny and transphobia. The discussion expands to 'The Matrix' and its red pill metaphor's appeal. A deep dive into the historical significance and societal impact of these topics.

Playwright Jocelyn Bioh discusses her Tony-nominated play 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding' and the importance of African comedy. They explore themes of representation, the artistry of braiding, and finding humor in dark situations. The podcast also delves into revolutionizing African storytelling, ensemble casts, and the complexities of Black culture in playwriting.

This week, the dating app Bumble could not stay out of the news. First, the company launched an anti-celibacy advertising campaign mocking abstinence and suggesting women shouldn't give up on dating apps. Then, at a tech summit, Bumble's founder suggested artificial intelligence might be the future of dating. Both efforts were met with backlash, and during a time when everyone seems irritated with dating - where can people turn? Shani Silver, author of the Cheaper Than Therapy substack, and KCRW's Myisha Battle, dating coach and host of How's Your Sex Life? join the show to make sense of the mess. Then, it's been four years since the start of the COVID pandemic. So much has changed - especially attitudes towards public health. Brittany talks to, Dr. Keisha S. Ray, a bioethicist, to hear how public health clashed with American culture - how we're supposed to live among people with different risk tolerance - and what all this means for the next pandemic.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Miranda July, a celebrated author and filmmaker, delves into the nuances of middle age, particularly for women, in her latest novel 'All Fours.' The conversation highlights the need to reshape societal narratives around aging, showcasing the transformational journeys many women face. They explore the intertwining of creativity and trauma, emphasizing how loss and desire can fuel artistic expression. Miranda also shares insights into self-acceptance, the complexities of relationships, and the poignant beauty found in embracing this evolving life stage.

Sidney Madden and Tirhakah Love discuss the heated beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, touching on dark accusations in their diss tracks. They then delve into the societal reliance on women as a social safety net, exploring the implications of lacking universal support systems.