SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham

Tom Needham
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Semiweekly

The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham features in-depth conversations with leading filmmakers, composers, authors, politicians, artists, scientists, actors and philosophers. The SOUNDS Podcast also brings listeners classic interviews from the deep archives of America's longest running film, music and ideas themed radio show, THE SOUNDS OF FILM. For more information, visit: https://soundsoffilm.com

  1. 2d ago

    Oscar Nominee Josh Fox Talks HBO’s THE WELCOME TABLE

    Josh Fox joins Tom Needham on this episode of Sounds of Film to discuss his latest documentary and his career as one of the most distinctive independent filmmakers working today. An Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-winning director, Fox is best known for Gasland, Gasland Part II, How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change, and The Truth Has Changed. In this conversation, he reflects on the origins of his work, the challenges of confronting urgent social and environmental issues through film, and the role documentary filmmaking can play in shaping public debate. Fox’s films take a critical look at the intersection of politics, the environment, and public policy, often centering on questions of power, accountability, and the human cost of major crises. Through interviews, archival material, and a deeply personal approach, his work explores the impact of corporate and government decisions on communities and the broader lessons that can be drawn from these conflicts. Hosted by Tom Needham, Sounds of Film is the nation’s longest-running film and music-themed radio show and podcast, featuring conversations with filmmakers, actors, musicians, composers, authors, and cultural leaders. Past guests have included Billy Joel, Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Jordan Peele, Michael Moore, Stephen Schwartz, Taylor Dayne, DMC, Chuck D, Rob Reiner, Alexander Payne, Laurie Anderson, Dionne Warwick, Howard Shore, Phil Rosenthal, Barbara Kopple, Rory Kennedy, Jay Jay French, Garland Jeffreys, members of Twisted Sister, Public Enemy, The Tokens, and many others. Each episode offers listeners an engaging look at the creative process and the stories behind films, music, books, and important cultural events.

    23 min

  2. 3d ago

    Academy Award Winner Alex Gibney Talks Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie

    Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney joins Tom Needham on this episode of Sounds of Film to discuss his powerful new documentary, Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie. Widely regarded as one of the most important documentary filmmakers of his generation, Gibney has earned acclaim for such films as Taxi to the Dark Side, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Going Clear, and In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon. In this conversation, Gibney discusses the origins of Knife, his collaboration with Salman Rushdie and Rachel Eliza Griffiths, and the challenges of documenting one of the most shocking attacks on a writer in modern history. Inspired by Rushdie’s memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, the documentary chronicles the celebrated author’s physical, emotional, and creative recovery following the 2022 attack that nearly took his life. Featuring deeply personal footage filmed by Griffiths in the aftermath of the stabbing, the film explores resilience, free expression, love, and survival while examining the long shadow cast by political and religious extremism. Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and will open HamptonsFilm’s 2026 SummerDocs series at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Saturday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a conversation with Gibney. Hosted by Tom Needham, Sounds of Film is the nation’s longest-running film and music-themed radio show and podcast, featuring conversations with filmmakers, actors, composers, musicians, authors, and cultural leaders. Past guests have included Billy Joel, Alec Baldwin, Julie Andrews, Jordan Peele, Michael Moore, Dionne Warwick, Chuck D, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Nile Rodgers, Howard Shore, Rob Reiner, Barbara Kopple, Alexander Payne, Laurie Anderson, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Jesse Ventura, Rory Kennedy, Jay Jay French, Phil Rosenthal, Rodriguez, and many more. Visit the Sounds of Film archives for hundreds of interviews exploring the worlds of film, music, and popular culture.

    23 min

  3. 4d ago

    The Wall Street Journal Opinion Doc The Lockdown Dissidents Director Michael Pack on SOUNDS OF FILM

    The Wall Street Journal Opinion Doc The Lockdown Dissidents Director Michael Pack on SOUNDS OF FILM Michael Pack joins Tom Needham on this episode of Sounds of Film to discuss The Lockdown Dissidents, the latest documentary from Palladium Pictures and WSJ Opinion Docs. Pack is an award-winning filmmaker whose career spans decades and includes documentaries on subjects ranging from American history and politics to culture and public policy. In this conversation, he discusses the origins of The Lockdown Dissidents, the challenges of revisiting one of the most controversial periods in recent history, and the role documentary filmmaking can play in examining debates that continue to shape public life. The Lockdown Dissidents takes a retrospective look at the COVID-19 pandemic through the experiences of scientists, physicians, journalists, and policymakers who questioned prevailing lockdown policies and aspects of the government response. Featuring interviews with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Dr. Scott Atlas, Dr. Robert Redfield, journalist David Zweig, and Wall Street Journal Opinion editor James Taranto, the film explores questions surrounding scientific debate, public policy, censorship, free expression, and the lessons that can be learned from one of the most consequential public health crises of the 21st century. Hosted by Tom Needham, Sounds of Film is the nation’s longest-running film and music-themed radio show and podcast, featuring conversations with filmmakers, actors, musicians, composers, authors, and cultural leaders. Past guests have included Billy Joel, Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Jordan Peele, Michael Moore, Stephen Schwartz, Taylor Dayne, DMC, Chuck D, Rob Reiner, Alexander Payne, Laurie Anderson, Dionne Warwick, Howard Shore, Phil Rosenthal, Barbara Kopple, Rory Kennedy, Jay Jay French, Garland Jeffreys, members of Twisted Sister, Public Enemy, The Tokens, and many others. Each episode offers listeners an engaging look at the creative process and the stories behind films, music, books, and important cultural events. Listen to the Sounds of Film on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

    26 min

  4. 6d ago

    PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN’s Dan Geller & Dayna Goldfine Talk Beatles, James Taylor, & Carole King

    Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine join Tom Needham on Sounds of Film to discuss their acclaimed documentary PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN. The directing team, whose previous works include Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden, and Ballets Russes, has built a reputation for creating compelling documentaries that illuminate extraordinary lives and cultural moments. Their latest film chronicles the remarkable journey of Peter Asher, one of popular music’s most influential yet often overlooked figures. PETER ASHER: EVERYWHERE MAN explores Asher’s astonishing career as a British Invasion star with Peter & Gordon, a pioneering record producer, artist manager, talent scout, and cultural connector whose life intersected with some of the most important figures in music history. Featuring appearances and insights from Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Eric Idle, Twiggy, and many others, the documentary reveals how Asher helped shape the careers of legendary artists while remaining a vital creative force himself. From Swinging London and the Beatles’ inner circle to the rise of the singer-songwriter era in Los Angeles, the film offers a fascinating look at a man who seemed to be at the center of every major musical movement of the last six decades. Sounds of Film, hosted by Tom Needham, is one of America’s longest-running film, music, and ideas-themed radio programs, airing for more than 30 years on WUSB and reaching audiences through its podcast platforms. The show features in-depth conversations with filmmakers, musicians, composers, authors, and cultural figures. Past guests have included Billy Joel, Alexander Payne, Alec Baldwin, Laurie Anderson, Bob Geldof, Julie Andrews, Jordan Peele, Dionne Warwick, Chuck D, Michael Moore, William H. Macy, Cicely Tyson, Nile Rodgers, Howard Shore, Barbara Kopple, DMC, Cornel West, Rob Reiner, Pam Grier, and many other influential voices from the worlds of film, music, and culture.

    27 min

  5. Jun 14

    Senator Bill Bradley Talks Knicks, Politics & Filmmaking on a Classic SOUNDS OF FILM featuring

    In honor of the New York Knicks winning the championship, we’re revisiting a classic episode of The Sounds of Film. Host Tom Needham sits down with Knicks legend, Hall of Famer, and former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley to discuss Rolling Along, a moving film that reflects on his remarkable journey from small-town Missouri to Princeton, the New York Knicks, the United States Senate, and a presidential campaign. Recorded at the Port Jefferson Documentary Film Series, this conversation explores storytelling, perseverance, leadership, and the lessons Bradley has learned through a lifetime of triumphs and challenges.

    21 min

  6. Jun 8

    Director Ash Mayfair Talks SKIN OF YOUTH on SOUNDS OF FILM

    In this episode of The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with acclaimed writer-director Ash Mayfair about her new feature film SKIN OF YOUTH. Mayfair, best known for her award-winning debut The Third Wife, brings a deeply personal perspective to her work, blending intimate storytelling with urgent social themes drawn from her experiences and research. SKIN OF YOUTH is a bold and emotionally charged drama set in 1990s Saigon, following the relationship between San, a transgender sex worker pursuing gender-affirming surgery, and Nam, an underground cage fighter who risks everything to support her dream. As their love unfolds in a dangerous underworld, the film explores identity, sacrifice, survival, and the limits of human resilience in a society shaped by secrecy and struggle. The Sounds of Film is a long-running film, music, and ideas podcast hosted by Tom Needham, featuring in-depth conversations with filmmakers, composers, actors, writers, and cultural figures. Past guests have included Alexander Payne, Alec Baldwin, Laurie Anderson, Bob Geldof, Billy Joel, Pam Grier, Rob Reiner, Julie Andrews, Jordan Peele, Dionne Warwick, Michael Moore, William H. Macy, Cicely Tyson, Chazz Palminteri, Peter Fonda, Jesse Jackson, Chuck D, Dionne Warwick, Carter Burwell, Howard Shore, Cliff Martinez, Nile Rodgers, Grandmaster Caz, and many others shaping film, music, and culture.

    24 min

  7. Jun 4

    Groundswell directors Josh & Rebecca Harrell Tickell Talk Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore & Agriculture

    This episode of the Sounds of Film features directors Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell discussing their new documentary Groundswell, the final installment in their regenerative agriculture trilogy following Kiss the Ground and Common Ground. The film is executive produced and narrated by Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore, and expands the trilogy’s global storytelling approach by following farmers, scientists, and Indigenous leaders working to restore soil health across five continents. Groundswell is a sweeping environmental documentary that presents regenerative agriculture as a scalable, measurable solution to climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. It captures a growing global movement focused on rebuilding living soil and restoring ecosystems through practical farming methods already being adopted on millions of acres worldwide. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Special Screenings section, where it received the Golden Globes Documentary Prize in partnership with the Artemis Rising Foundation, recognizing its achievement in solution-based documentary storytelling and real-world impact . Sounds of Film is one of the longest-running film, music, and ideas programs in the United States, hosted by Tom Needham on WUSB and now available as a podcast. Over its 30-year history, the show has featured in-depth conversations with major cultural figures including Alexander Payne, Alec Baldwin, Laurie Anderson, Bob Geldof, Billy Joel, Chris Hedges, Chuck D, Pam Grier, Jordan Peele, Julie Andrews, Michael Moore, William H. Macy, Cicely Tyson, Chazz Palminteri, Peter Fonda, Dionne Warwick, and many others, alongside emerging voices in film, music, and documentary storytelling.

    17 min

  8. May 31

    Director Yana Alliata Talks REELING & Werner Herzog on SOUNDS OF FILM

    On the next Sounds of Film Tom Needham is joined by filmmaker Yana Alliata, director of the SXSW breakout feature Reeling, executive produced by Werner Herzog. The film has drawn attention for its immersive storytelling, emotional intensity, and striking exploration of memory, identity, and family set against the backdrop of an Oahu luau. Reeling follows a young man returning to his Hawaiian family homestead after a life-altering accident that has affected his memory. As he reconnects with relatives and friends during a birthday celebration, buried tensions rise to the surface and he begins to uncover the truth behind a pivotal moment from his past that changed everything. The film blends naturalistic performances, improvisation, and atmospheric visual storytelling to create an intimate psychological drama that places the audience directly inside its protagonist’s fractured perception of reality. Set against the beauty and underlying tension of Oahu, it explores trauma, masculinity, and belonging with emotional restraint and mounting unease. The Sounds of Film is one of the longest-running film, music, and ideas programs on radio, hosted by Tom Needham on WUSB for over 30 years and now available as a podcast. Past guests on the show have included Alexander Payne, Alec Baldwin, Laurie Anderson, Bob Geldof, Billy Joel, Pam Grier, Rob Reiner, Julie Andrews, Jordan Peele, Dionne Warwick, Michael Moore, William H. Macy, Cicely Tyson, Chazz Palminteri, Peter Fonda, Chuck D, Howard Shore, Carter Burwell, and Cornel West, among many others spanning film, music, and culture.

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The SOUNDS Podcast with Tom Needham features in-depth conversations with leading filmmakers, composers, authors, politicians, artists, scientists, actors and philosophers. The SOUNDS Podcast also brings listeners classic interviews from the deep archives of America's longest running film, music and ideas themed radio show, THE SOUNDS OF FILM. For more information, visit: https://soundsoffilm.com

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