21 episodes
Wild Card with Rachel Martin Wild Card
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- Society & Culture
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4.6 • 291 Ratings
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Part-interview, part-existential game show – this is Wild Card from NPR. Host Rachel Martin rips up the typical interview script and invites guests to play a game about life's biggest questions. Rachel takes actors, artists and thinkers on a choose-your-own-adventure conversation that lets them open up about their fears, their joys and how they've built meaning from experience – all with the help of a very special deck of cards. Want more Wild Card? Support NPR by subscribing to Wild Card+. You'll get access to bonus episodes and you'll get to listen sponsor-free. Learn more at plus.npr.org/wildcard.
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Ani DiFranco found power in scaring people
Musician Ani DiFranco has never stopped growing as an artist. In the last year alone, she starred in the Broadway production of Hadestown, was featured in a documentary about her life and career, and released her 23rd album. She and Rachel talk about reinventing yourself in middle age, finding power in scaring people, and the magic of a late-night hamburger.
To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard
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Ani DiFranco on expectations + the person who helped raise LeVar Burton (Wild Card+)
Ani DiFranco talks about how she grapples with her audience's high expectations and LeVar Burton talks about a non-parental figure who helped raise him. To access this bonus episode, listen to Wild Card sponsor-free, and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard
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LeVar Burton is learning to embrace the chaos
LeVar Burton has three roles he'll forever be known for: Kunta Kinte on the TV series Roots, Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation and host of Reading Rainbow. Those roles have had profound impacts on people and he now understands, as he puts it, "my job is to be LeVar Burton." He talks to Rachel about the tension of that job, his changing definitions of success and learning to embrace the chaos.
To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard
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Nikki Giovanni doesn't think about her legacy
At 81, Nikki Giovanni isn't afraid of getting older. And the legendary poet also isn't spending any time thinking about her legacy. She's mostly focused on having fun and being able to look back on her life and feel like she did her duty. She talks to Rachel about the myth of a happy family, what she's learned on safaris and why she's fascinated with Mars.
To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Ted Danson's journey to adulthood + Nikki Giovanni's defense of marriage (Wild Card+)
Ted Danson says certain aspects of becoming a responsible adult were easier for him than others. And Nikki Giovanni has a pretty good reason for getting married (besides, you know, love). To access this bonus episode, listen to Wild Card sponsor-free, and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard.
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The light and dark of Ted Danson
Ted Danson has mastered the role of the happy-go-lucky guy with a quick wit and a quicker smile – who nevertheless has a few cracks in his sunny demeanor. It's there in Sam Malone on Cheers, in Hank Larsson on Fargo and in Michael on The Good Place. And that same duality is there in Ted's real life. He goes deep with Rachel on the light and dark sides of aging, marriage and what he calls "karmic poo."
To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard
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Customer Reviews
universal and real
I listened to Wild Card for the first time today and chose the episode with Ada Limon. I was drawn in immediately. Once I understood the way it would go, I knew I’d be hearing things I’ve never heard before from her. The questions were interesting and surprising. They made me feel like I was sitting around a campfire with you both. The questions were so accessible and universal, I sometimes paused the show and considered my own answers before hearing Ada’s. I’d actually love to hear answers to these questions from my friends and family members too. I am sharing this episode with all my poet friends! Thank you Rachel!! I”m excited to listen to all the episodes. : )
Eh
Every now and then there’s a good moment. But every time a guest starts to say something interesting, instead of digging in, Rachel says, Well, onto the next card! The format is fine in theory but for me, doesn’t beget the kind of conversations that make interview podcasts interesting. My other gripe is how frequently Rachel pathologizes her guests (I stopped after two episodes, if was unbearable in the Bowen episode) and how often she turns the conversation back to her own life and experiences. I get the idea of a two-way chat but I found myself skipping through. I came for Rachel because I loved her from UpFirst, but this just isn’t it for me.
Feeling all the feels
What a delight. It’s candy. The best podcast to listen to while traveling.
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