Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
NPR
SummaryBullseye with Jesse Thorn is a masterclass in the art of the long-form conversation. Rather than focusing on the latest celebrity gossip or promotional cycles, host Jesse Thorn digs into the craft, history, and humanity behind the most compelling voices in arts and culture. Whether he is sitting down with rock icons like Ann Wilson, legendary comedic actors like Allison Janney, or groundbreaking musicians like the hip-hop trio Kneecap, the show peels back the layers of public personas to reveal the genuine people beneath. The podcast excels at bridging the gap between professional triumph and personal vulnerability. You might find yourself listening to a deep, moving reflection on the political legacy of Barney Frank one week, and a technical deep dive into the experimental guitar sounds of the Pixies’ Joey Santiago the next. Across every episode, Thorn maintains a signature blend of curiosity and warmth that encourages guests to open up about their inspirations, the challenges of their creative processes, and the life experiences that shaped their work. It is an essential listen for those who prefer their interviews to be substantive, thoughtful, and consistently surprising. If you are looking for a show that celebrates the brilliant minds shaping our world while exploring the grit and joy behind their success, Bullseye offers an intimate, insightful space where the conversation never feels thin.
Updated Jul 7, 2026
Episodes
Remembering Barney Frank
Reflecting on a trailblazing career, the late Barney Frank discusses politics, legislative pragmatism, and coming out.
"The Death of Robin Hood" director Michael Sarnoski
Director Michael Sarnoski deconstructs the Robin Hood myth by exploring the burden of a life defined by violence.
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson reflects on his journey from a punk-loving teen in Scotland to becoming an American by choice.
Andrew Rannells
Actor Andrew Rannells reflects on his career, from Broadway's Book of Mormon to his roles in Girls and The New Normal.
Allison Janney
Allison Janney reflects on her path from being discovered by Paul Newman to portraying complex, imperfect women.
'Widow's Bay' creator Katie Dippold
Writer Katie Dippold explains how she balances horror and humor in her new supernatural series Widows Bay.
Ben Vereen
Legendary performer Ben Vereen reflects on his iconic career, his craft, and his role in the drama The Grey House.
Kneecap
The Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap discusses using the Irish language to reclaim culture and spark political dialogue.
Ann Wilson of Heart
Heart frontwoman Ann Wilson reflects on fifty years of rock, vocal longevity, and the craft of being a performer.
Pixies' Joey Santiago on the Hendrix song that changed his life
Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago explains how the otherworldly sounds of Jimi Hendrix inspired his unique musical style.
Juvenile
New Orleans rap icon Juvenile reflects on his three-decade career, his bounce roots, and his live band resurgence.
Poppy Liu
Poppy Liu discusses her role in the satire I Love Boosters and how her immigrant background informs her acting.
LaKeith Stanfield
Actor Lakeith Stanfield reflects on his path to stardom, his unique collaborations with Boots Riley, and the art of acting.
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Legendary production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis discuss their four-decade journey of shaping iconic R&B hits.
Listen to Bullseye with Jesse Thorn with Podtastic
Smart Skip for Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Smart Skip automatically skips past the interruptions listeners skip in Bullseye with Jesse Thorn episodes, using aggregated listener data.
Smart Summaries for Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Podtastic generates evolving AI summaries for Bullseye with Jesse Thorn and every episode. Know what's worth listening to before you press play.
Smart Topics in Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Podtastic highlights key topics in Bullseye with Jesse Thorn episodes so you can jump straight to the sections that interest you most.
Skip Silence for Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Skip Silence auto-removes silences from Bullseye with Jesse Thorn episodes — saving you 5–15 minutes per hour.
Enhance Voices for Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Enhance Voices in Bullseye with Jesse Thorn episodes — voice-tuned EQ and compression that makes voices clearer and evens out loud and quiet podcasts.
Listen to Bullseye with Jesse Thorn in Podtastic
For listeners, not advertisers
Related Podcasts
All podcast names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Podcasts listed on Podtastic are publicly available shows distributed via RSS. Podtastic does not endorse nor is endorsed by any podcast or podcast creator listed in this directory.