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
28 snips
May 6, 2025 • 45min
Michelle Williams Insists On Finding Pleasure & Humor Alongside Pain
Michelle Williams, an award-winning actor celebrated for her roles in Dawson's Creek and The Fablemans, discusses her latest series Dying for Sex. She emphasizes the delicate balance of humor and vulnerability as characters navigate intimacy amid terminal illness. Williams shares her journey of personal growth, touching on friendship, motherhood, and the power of shared experiences. She reflects on her early career and the transformative impact of embodying iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe, advocating for empowerment in the entertainment industry.
20 snips
May 5, 2025 • 44min
Sarah Snook Almost Didn't Audition For 'Succession'
Sarah Snook, a talented stage and screen actor best known for her role as Shiv Roy in Succession, shares her journey, including her incredible one-person show where she plays 26 characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray. She reveals her initial hesitations about auditioning for Succession and the quirky challenges she faced in mastering American accents. Snook also reflects on the complex dynamics of her character, Shiv, in a male-dominated world, and dives into the emotional depth of pivotal scenes in both her theatrical and television roles.
10 snips
May 3, 2025 • 48min
Best Of: Inside The Pronatalist Movement / Making Sense Of Trauma
Lisa Hagen, an NPR reporter, delves into the pro-natalist movement, highlighting its belief that increasing birth rates can save society from decline. Sociologist Karen Guzzo discusses the complexities behind why people choose to have children and critiques current policies. Daria Burke shares insights from her memoir about overcoming childhood trauma in 1980s Detroit, revealing how early experiences shape our identities. Together, they unpack the intersections of societal pressures, personal history, and the journey towards resilience.
35 snips
May 2, 2025 • 46min
A Story Of Shipwreck, Mutiny And Murder
Best-selling author David Grann, known for his gripping non-fiction works, delves into the harrowing saga of an 18th-century British warship, The Wager. He discusses the despair faced by castaways, including starvation and mutiny, and shocking survival tactics like cannibalism. Grann shares the tumultuous journey of the surviving sailors, where only 29 out of 81 made it to Brazil, highlighting their struggle against nature and each other. He also reflects on the impacts of narratives and public perception as they returned to England.
60 snips
May 1, 2025 • 46min
Terry Gross Remembers Her Late Husband, Francis Davis
George Clooney, acclaimed actor and director, joins Terry Gross as she reflects on her late husband, Francis Davis, a notable writer and jazz critic. They share the heartwarming story of how Terry and Francis met, celebrating their 47 years together. Clooney discusses the legacy of Edward R. Murrow through his Broadway role, touching on themes of authenticity in journalism. The conversation meanders through the power of music, the weight of criticism in film, and the profound connections between personal experiences and artistic expression.
62 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 45min
Baby Bonuses, Trad Wives & The Pronatalist Movement
Join sociologist Karen Guzzo and NPR reporter Lisa Hagen as they delve into the provocative world of pronatalism. They discuss the motives behind the push for higher birth rates, exploring the ideological diversity and controversial figures within the movement. Highlights include a critique of pronatalist policies and their impact on marginalized groups, as well as the interplay between motherhood, societal challenges, and reproductive rights. The podcast reveals how this once-fringe movement is reshaping discussions about family and future generations.
80 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 45min
How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America
Journalist David Graham, an Atlantic staff writer and author of 'The Project,' discusses the significant impact of Project 2025, a conservative initiative designed to reshape U.S. governance. He reveals how this plan aims to push federal policy to the right, emphasizing traditional family structures and expanding presidential power. Graham also critiques the implications for marginalized communities and the health care system, while exploring the fractures within conservative ideology as it navigates modern challenges like climate and trade.
24 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 46min
How Trauma Shapes Us
Daria Burke, author of 'Of My Own Making' and a marketing executive, shares her gripping journey from a turbulent childhood in 1980s Detroit, shaped by her mother's addiction. She reflects on the lasting impact of trauma and the challenge of navigating her identity amidst family struggles. Daria discusses how her grandmother provided stability, the emotional toll of loss, and the complexities of estrangement. Her insights into healing, resilience, and the science of neuroplasticity offer hope and inspiration for overcoming adversity.
12 snips
Apr 26, 2025 • 49min
Best Of: 'The Pitt' Star Noah Wyle / 'Sinners' Director Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker known for hits like Black Panther and Creed, shares insights about his latest film, Sinners, which intertwines horror with themes of race and faith in 1930s Mississippi. Noah Wyle, who starred in ER and is now the lead in The Pit, discusses the challenges of portraying life in a busy emergency room. Both guests illuminate how personal experiences shape their storytelling, offering a fascinating look at the creative process behind cinematic and medical narratives.
28 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 45min
Merle Haggard On Hopping Trains And Doing Time
Merle Haggard, a legendary country music singer and songwriter, discusses his rugged past of hopping trains and doing time, recalling a harrowing trek through a snowstorm. He reflects on how his prison experience became a catalyst for his music career, exploring themes of redemption and identity. Haggard also shares anecdotes about acquiring an observation car that now serves on the Virginia Scenic Railway. The conversation reveals the profound connection between his life experiences and his soulful songwriting.
