Fresh Air
NPR
Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Subscribe to Fresh Air Plus! You'll enjoy bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening - all while you support NPR's mission. Learn more at plus.npr.org/freshair And subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Fresh Air Weekly, to get interview highlights, staff recommendations, gems from the archive, and the week's interviews and reviews all in one place. Sign up at www.whyy.org/freshair
Episodes
Mentioned books
39 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 1h 41min
Terry Gross On 50 Years Of Fresh Air (Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso)
Sam Fragoso chats with the legendary Terry Gross, reflecting on her incredible 50-year journey redefining public radio. They discuss her Brooklyn roots, the challenges of merging personal and professional life, and the impact of feminist literature on self-advocacy. Terry shares stories from iconic interviews that shaped her career, touching on the emotional complexities of intimate conversations, like the one with Monica Lewinsky. Amid funding cuts to public media, she expresses an unwavering dedication to the art of long-form interviews and storytelling.
9 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 49min
Best Of: Rob Reiner On 'Spinal Tap II' / Billy Strings
Rob Reiner, the iconic director behind classics like When Harry Met Sally, chats about his new sequel, Spinal Tap 2, sharing insights about its creative process and the enduring legacy of the beloved mockumentary. Billy Strings, an acclaimed bluegrass artist, reveals his lifelong bond with music, recounting how he first embraced his guitar as a child. Together, they explore the balance of creativity and struggle in their respective fields, along with the healing power of music that resonates through personal experiences.
25 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 44min
Inside Netflix's 'Adolescence'
Stephen Graham, co-creator, co-writer, and star of the Netflix miniseries 'Adolescence', discusses the show's gripping narrative based on real-life youth violence. He shares insights into the emotional complexity of familial relationships and the challenges of portraying intense characters. The series was uniquely filmed in one continuous take, highlighting a collaborative approach between crew and young actors. Graham reflects on his personal evolution in the industry, from Liverpool dreams to Hollywood realities, filled with encounters with cinematic icons.
10 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 45min
NSA Whistleblower Reality Winner
Reality Winner, a former NSA contractor and Air Force veteran, discusses her decision to leak classified documents on Russian election interference, reflecting on the intense moral dilemmas and the repercussions of her actions. She shares her harrowing experiences during incarceration, particularly the unique struggles faced by women in federal prison. Winner also opens up about navigating life after prison, including the challenges of reintegration and her evolving identity as a whistleblower. Additionally, John Powers reviews the MUBI series exploring Mussolini's rise to power.
91 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 46min
The Future Of Free And Fair Elections
Richard Hasen, a renowned law scholar and political science professor at UCLA, dives into the precarious landscape of free and fair elections in America. He warns about President Trump's potential moves to ban mail-in ballots and manipulate voting systems ahead of the 2026 midterms. Hasen emphasizes the need for grassroots movements to safeguard democracy and discusses the implications of ongoing legal challenges to voting rights. This conversation sheds light on the delicate balance between authority and citizens’ right to vote.
12 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 46min
Rob Reiner's 'Spinal Tap' Still Goes To 11
Rob Reiner, the brilliant filmmaker behind classics like 'This Is Spinal Tap' and 'When Harry Met Sally,' talks about the absurdity of aging rockers in the new sequel 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.' He shares insights into the legacy of his iconic film and the lack of growth in its characters. Reiner reflects on his upbringing around comedy legends and the creative process behind classic cinematic moments, like the famed line 'I'll have what she's having.' The conversation dives deep into love, legacy, and the evolution of television.
37 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 45min
Bluegrass Star Billy Strings
Billy Strings, a Grammy-winning singer and guitarist, blends traditional bluegrass with jam music. He shares how songwriting has been his healing journey, especially after losing his mother on the day of a performance. Billy reflects on the transformative power of fatherhood in his music, explaining he now sings with 'freedom and joy.' He also recounts his evolution as a musician, the influence of his father, and how embracing bluegrass became a key part of his identity during turbulent times.
Sep 6, 2025 • 48min
Best Of : Jane Fonda / Spike Lee
Join Jane Fonda, an Oscar-winning actor and passionate activist, as she shares how herHollywood career and fitness empire support her social causes. Spike Lee, the iconic filmmaker, discusses his reimagined film 'Highest to Lowest,' which tackles modern moral dilemmas through a hip-hop lens. Both guests emphasize the importance of empathy and activism in today's political climate while reflecting on their personal experiences and the evolving landscape of storytelling in cinema.
79 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 44min
Noah Wyle, Star Of 'The Pitt'
Noah Wyle, an actor and executive producer, is best known for his role on ER and his new HBO Max series The Pitt. He shares his unexpected return to medical dramas, spurred by the COVID pandemic. Wyle discusses the authenticity of medical jargon in storytelling and the influence of feedback from his mother. He reflects on his growth as an actor, the emotional challenges of portraying grief, and the importance of addressing mental health issues. The conversation highlights the show's commitment to depicting real-life hospital experiences.
30 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 45min
How Does Pain Work? Dr. Sanjay Gupta Explains
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is CNN’s chief medical correspondent and a renowned neurosurgeon, recently authoring 'It Doesn't Have to Hurt.' He discusses how our brains can misinterpret pain signals and the surprising role of emotional factors in chronic pain. Gupta also highlights alternatives to painkillers, including distraction and meditation. Intriguingly, he shares how a family of circus performers inspired a groundbreaking non-opioid drug. Plus, TV critic David Bianculli offers insights on the new HBO series 'Task' starring Mark Ruffalo.
