As ‘The Bear’ wraps its final season, TV critic David Bianculli reflects on the show’s run. Also, we listen back to our interview with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Cousin Richie, the abrasive and ornery cook/maître d'. The show is known for kitchen chaos, but he says the set is calm. He spoke with 'Fresh Air' producer Ann Marie Baldonado. Film critic Justin Chang reviews Christopher Nolan’s epic ‘The Odyssey.’ Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTu

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· 2mo ago

Lee Sung Jin on the breakthrough that led him to 'BEEF' https://www.npr.org/2026/07/23/nx-s1-5904429/lee-sung-jin-on-the-breakthrough-that-led-him-to-beef #Interviews #Media #Storytelling

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Lee Sung Jin on the breakthrough that led him to ‘BEEF’ : Fresh Air

The second season of Lee Sung Jin’s Netflix series ‘BEEF’ earned 16 Emmy nominations. Set at an exclusive country club, it stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan in a story about class struggles and generational differences. The storylines of both seasons were inspired by real events in Lee's life. Before ‘BEEF,’ he spent two decades in comedy writers' rooms, often feeling alienated as the only Asian person on staff. “That's what people first thought of me when I first started – I was the diversit

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· 2mo ago

Best Of: Broadway legend André De Shields / Apache Chef Nephi Craig https://www.npr.org/2026/07/25/nx-s1-5906723/best-of-broadway-legend-andre-de-shields-apache-chef-nephi-craig #Arts #Theater #Culture

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· 2mo ago

French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani on feminism & freedom https://www.npr.org/2026/07/27/nx-s1-5909319/french-moroccan-writer-leila-slimani-on-feminism-freedom #Feminism #Literature #Culture

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Fresh Air @npr_fresh_air@robot.villas

· 2mo ago

Actor Jon Bernthal on grit, dedication & the teacher who saved him https://www.npr.org/2026/07/30/nx-s1-5913660/actor-jon-bernthal-on-grit-dedication-the-teacher-who-saved-him #Interviews #Acting #Inspiration

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Actor Jon Bernthal on grit, dedication & the teacher who saved him : Fresh Air

Bernthal often plays intense, violent, damaged characters, like Mikey from ‘The Bear’ and Shane from ‘The Walking Dead.’ When talking about himself and his characters, Bernthal says that it’s easy for someone who’s scared to turn into someone who’s scary. He currently stars in ‘The Odyssey’ and the new Spider-Man film, ‘A Brand New Day.’ He spoke with Tonya Mosley about how he went from being an angry young man to a disciplined, dedicated artist. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us

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· 2mo ago

Remembering Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard https://www.npr.org/2026/07/31/nx-s1-5913676/remembering-irish-singer-songwriter-glen-hansard #Music #SingerSongwriter #Interview

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· 2mo ago

Miss America '68, women's lib, and the politics of beauty https://www.npr.org/2026/08/03/nx-s1-5918056/miss-america-68-womens-lib-and-the-politics-of-beauty

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· 4w ago

Casey Gerald says ruining his reputation saved his life https://www.npr.org/2026/09/08/nx-s1-5961238/casey-gerald-says-ruining-his-reputation-saved-his-life #Interviews #PersonalGrowth #Storytelling

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Casey Gerald says ruining his reputation saved his life : Fresh Air

A decade ago, Casey Gerald was running a celebrated nonprofit, giving TED talks, and on magazine covers as proof that the American dream still works. Then he shut it all down and disappeared from public life. Now, in a new book, The Great Refusal, he turns his leaving into an argument about the limits of the American dream.Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews SCTV, which is now available to stream on Netflix. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouT

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· 3w ago

Colin Kaepernick is still fighting - for justice and for his football career https://www.npr.org/2026/09/14/nx-s1-5968623/colin-kaepernick-is-still-fighting-for-justice-and-for-his-football-career #Sports #Activism #Justice

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Colin Kaepernick is still fighting – for justice and for his football career : Fresh Air

It has been 10 years since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem, in protest of police brutality against Black people. Once the season ended, Kaepernick never played in the NFL again. "The NFL tried to send a very clear message that if you protest police killing Black folks, if you fight for a better society and better community, we're going to try to take your career from you," he tells Tonya Mosley. "I don't accept that that is going to be t

Fresh Air @npr_fresh_air@robot.villas

· 3w ago

Actor Danielle Brooks has blessings to count https://www.npr.org/2026/09/15/nx-s1-5969911/actor-danielle-brooks-has-blessings-to-count #Entertainment #Arts #Interview

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Actor Danielle Brooks has blessings to count : Fresh Air

Brooks grew up in a church where her mom was a minister and her dad a deacon. She went on to play Taystee in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Now she co-stars in the indie film If I Go Will They Miss Me? Brooks spoke with Terry Gross about singing in the church, playing gospel icon Mahalia Jackson, and why she hesitated to take her breakout role in Orange.Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air Archives

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· 2w ago

The Roy Cohn Playbook, from McCarthyism to Trump https://www.npr.org/2026/09/17/nx-s1-5973050/the-roy-cohn-playbook-from-mccarthyism-to-trump #Politics #History #Interviews

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The Roy Cohn Playbook, from McCarthyism to Trump : Fresh Air

In a biography of Roy Cohn, Kai Bird looks at how the lawyer taught President Trump to deny, delay, attack, sue and countersue, never admit defeat, side step paying bills and avoid a paper trail. His book, with co-author Susan Goldmark, is American Scoundrel. He spoke with Terry Gross. Also, Ken Tucker reflects on three of Dolly Parton’s performances that he says demonstrate her range and her unique takes on romance and heartbreak.

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· 1w ago

Bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings https://www.npr.org/2026/09/25/nx-s1-5981144/bluegrass-virtuoso-billy-strings #Music #Bluegrass #Interview

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Bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings : Fresh Air

The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist has one foot in traditional bluegrass and another in improvisational jam music. He has a new album, So Much for Goodbyes, inspired by his late mother. He spoke with producer Sam Briger about healing himself through songwriting, performing the day his mom died, and how being a father has changed him as a musician. "I sing now from a place of freedom and joy in my belly," Strings says. He brought his guitar to the interview. Originally broadcast

Fresh Air @npr_fresh_air@robot.villas

· 1w ago

Best Of: Rhiannon Giddens / Investigating Diddy's Rise & Fall https://www.npr.org/2026/09/26/nx-s1-5981257/best-of-rhiannon-giddens-investigating-diddys-rise-fall #Music #Interviews #Culture

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Best Of: Rhiannon Giddens / Investigating Diddy’s Rise & Fall : Fresh Air

Rhiannon Giddens doesn’t usually make pop music, but she wrote and played the banjo riff on Beyoncé’s country single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.” She comes from the Black string band tradition, is the artistic director of the Silk Road Ensemble, and studied opera in college. Giddens spoke with Terry Gross about channeling her ancestors through her instrument. Also, Rolling Stone investigative reporter Cheyenne Roundtree talks with Tonya Mosley about her new book, Bad Boy for Life. It tells the story of Se