Fresh Air

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Channel • 15 Shows

Books

Books

Updated daily
Arts

Arts

Updated 29/10/2025
Arts

Arts

Updated 28/10/2025
Arts

Arts

Updated 29/10/2025
Arts

Arts

Updated 29/10/2025
Arts

Arts

Updated 29/10/2025
Arts

Arts

Updated 29/10/2025

3 FEB

How Rupert Murdoch built an empire and broke his family

We go inside the real succession story within the Murdoch family media empire. It includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post. In 2023 Rupert Murdoch chose his eldest son and most conservative child, Lachlan, as his successor – buying out three of his other children from the family trust and estranging them in the process. “His dream was to build a family business. And what he built was a business that destroyed his family,” journalist Gabriel Sherman says. His book, ‘Bonfire of the Murdochs,’ also examines how the Murdochs changed politics on three continents over half a century. He spoke with guest interviewer Sam Fragoso. Later, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the return of ‘The Muppets.’ Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

3 Feb

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44 min
4 DAYS AGO

The Ruby Ridge siege & conspiracy-laced politics in America

We look back at the 1992 siege at Ruby Ridge in Idaho, where gunfire left two civilians and a deputy U.S. Marshal dead. Chris Jennings’ new book explores the apocalyptic religious beliefs that led Randy Weaver and his family to move to a remote cabin, armed to resist government intrusion. He traces the impact of Ruby Ridge on the spread of conspiratorial anti-government and white-supremacist movements. His book is ‘End of Days.’Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the memoir 'Dizzy,’ by Rachel Weaver. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

4 days ago

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46 min
4 FEB

Is America headed toward dictatorship?

Atlantic writer Robert Kagan says as President Trump violates norms, laws and the Constitution, including his call to nationalize elections, we’re on the edge of the consolidation of dictatorship. “I think we're already well into a dictatorship. It's just a question of whether [Trump] will go ahead and basically disrupt the '26 elections, which I think he's made it clear he has every intention of doing now,” Kagan tells Terry Gross. “So I think that this should be a five-alarm fire for everybody.” Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

4 Feb

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44 min
5 FEB

Following independent journalists fighting for free press in Russia

Julia Loktev's acclaimed documentary, ‘My Undesirable Friends,’ follows young Russian journalists in the months before and after Putin's invasion of Ukraine — and the impossible choices they face when dissent means prison or exile. Also, jazz historian Kevin Whitehead revisits a two-night set Miles Davis did in Chicago in 1965. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

5 Feb

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44 min
1 DAY AGO

Fela Kuti and the music of political resistance

Considered the father of Afrobeat, Nigerian musician Fela Kuti used his music in the 1970s to combat colonial values and brutal dictatorship. Former Radiolab host Jad Abumrad tells his story in the podcast series, ‘Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.’ He spoke with Terry Gross. Also, Fresh Air’s longtime executive producer Danny Miller is retiring. We close out the show with an appreciation and send-off from the staff. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1 day ago

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45 min
6 FEB

A 50th anniversary celebration of ‘Taxi Driver’

Martin Scorsese's masterpiece about loneliness, urban decay, and vigilantism is 50 years old this month. We’re revisiting archival interviews about ‘Taxi Driver’ with Scorsese, screenwriter Paul Schrader and actors Harvey Keitel, Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster, and Al Brooks.Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews 'Pillion.' Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

6 Feb

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47 min
2 DAYS AGO

Excavating the Epstein files

British journalist Vicky Ward first profiled sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 for Vanity Fair. The experience was so alarming and stressful that she went into labor with her twins at 30 weeks, two months early. More than 20 years later, Ward, still following the case, talks with Tonya Mosley about the fallout from the millions of publicly released documents, and why this story took so long to come out. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

2 days ago

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45 min
7 FEB

Best Of: Fighting for free press in Russia / ‘Fear and Fury’

Julia Loktev’s latest documentary, ‘My Undesirable Friends - Part 1: Last Air in Moscow,’ follows independent Russian journalists in the months leading up to, and just after, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The film has arrived in the U.S. at a moment when questions about press freedom feel newly present. “Every day it feels like there is something to bring the story home for Americans, where it almost feels like there’s Easter eggs in the film that become more and more relevant.” she says. Also, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Heather Ann Thompson revisits a 1984 New York City subway shooting, when Bernhard Goetz, a white man, shot four Black teenagers. In the days that followed, Goetz became a hometown hero. “We are watching someone tell us exactly who they are, exactly what they did, and it will not matter. Up will become down, down will become up. And that also felt very, very familiar to where we are today.” Her book is ‘Fear and Fury.’ Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

7 Feb

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47 min
2 FEB

Ethan Hawke

"Every now and then you bump up against a part that presses you to the wall of your ability," Hawke says of playing lyricist Lorenz Hart in ‘Blue Moon.’ He’s nominated for an Oscar for his performance. Hawke spoke with Terry Gross about collaborating with Richard Linklater, losing his friend River Phoenix, and his thoughts on aging. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

2 Feb

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44 min
17 HR AGO

‘Sinners’ Songwriter Raphael Saadiq

Singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq is known for his work as a member of Tony! Toni! Toné!, as a solo artist, and for his work producing and writing for artists like Solange, D’Angelo, Beyoncé, John Legend, and more. “I Lied to You,” the song he co-wrote for the film ‘Sinners,’ has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song. He spoke with Tonya Mosley. Also, we remember jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski. His playing was influenced by classical techniques, swing and traditional jazz. Justin Chang reviews Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights.’ Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

17 hr ago

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46 min

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

4.7 (34)

BOOKS
Hear some of our favorite performers who brought their instruments into the studio and took requests. From bandleader Jon Batiste, to Sheryl Crow, to a folkier John Mellencamp.

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ARTS
Hear from the cast members who've made Saturday Night Live a comedy institution for 50 years. This collection features comedy legends who regularly inspired Monday morning watercooler conversations. People like Tina Fey, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, John Mulaney, the Lonely Island, and more.

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ARTS
Award winning authors discuss their craft and some of their classic works. From Stephen King (after his near fatal accident) to National Book Award winner Hilary Mantel, to remembrances of greats like Updike and Philip Roth.

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ARTS
This is a collection of interviews with television showrunners and creators who are responsible for keeping you on the couch long after the popcorn bowl was emptied. Hear from the creators of your favorite bingewatches: Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos, and more.

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ARTS
Hear from the (surprisingly normal) filmmakers and writers behind the scariest and most shocking horror films of the last 50 years. From legendary horror greats like George Romero and Wes Craven to a new generation keeping the frights fresh.

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ARTS

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, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries. Sign up for Fresh Air+ for bonus episodes, curated playlists by topic, and sponsor-free listening - learn more at plus.npr.org/freshair

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Fresh Air

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How Rupert Murdoch built an empire and broke his family

The Ruby Ridge siege & conspiracy-laced politics in America

Is America headed toward dictatorship?

Following independent journalists fighting for free press in Russia

Fela Kuti and the music of political resistance

A 50th anniversary celebration of ‘Taxi Driver’

Excavating the Epstein files

Best Of: Fighting for free press in Russia / ‘Fear and Fury’

Ethan Hawke

‘Sinners’ Songwriter Raphael Saadiq

Bonus episodes & playlists. Listen sponsor-free.

Trump's Foray Into Cryptocurrency

Tilda Swinton Thinks About Her Death

How Losing Everything In A Wildfire Led Pico Iyer To Seek Silence

Best Of: 'Joker' Director Todd Phillips / Actor Uzo Aduba

Getting In Sync With Your Inner Clock

Cynthia Erivo Sings With 'A Bit Of A Smile'

Best Of: Billie Eilish & Finneas / The Colbert Cookbook

Why Do We Itch?

Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today

Questlove Digs Into 50 years Of 'SNL' Musical Hits (And Misses)

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Fresh Air

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