Fresh Air Plus
NPR
SummaryFresh Air offers a window into the lives and minds of the people shaping our world. Hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, this program specializes in the kind of deep-dive conversations that go well beyond the standard interview. Whether the guest is a legendary filmmaker like Steven Spielberg, a music industry pioneer like Peter Asher, or a cultural critic examining the roots of our modern political divide, the show maintains an intimate, investigative focus that reveals the human story behind the headlines. The program thrives on range, bridging the gap between high-stakes cultural analysis and deeply personal reflection. You might find yourself learning about the biology of the Lone Star tick one day, and exploring the complex nuances of the mother-daughter bond the next. With its trademark curiosity, the show provides a space for icons like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova to discuss their friendship, for authors like Kennedy Ryan to dismantle tropes in romance literature, and for artists like Rose Byrne to pull back the curtain on the craft of acting. Fresh Air is more than just a series of interviews; it is a thoughtful meditation on art, history, identity, and the forces that drive us. By balancing rigorous, research-based journalism with a warm, conversational atmosphere, the program consistently uncovers the hidden dimensions of its guests, offering listeners a rare and candid perspective on the complexities of the modern experience.
Updated Jul 7, 2026
Episodes
Legendary record producer & manager Peter Asher
Legendary musician and producer Peter Asher reflects on his iconic career from the British Invasion to stardom.
Writer Rachel Aviv explores the complexity of the mother-daughter bond
Rachel Aviv examines the complex, often hidden longings and humiliations defining the bond between mothers and daughters.
How Rose Byrne creates those hilarious scenes with Seth Rogen (Fresh Air+)
Rose Byrne explains how building long-term creative chemistry with Seth Rogen helps them nail their comedic scenes.
Best Of: Tennis stars Chris Evert & Martina Navratilova / American Culture Wars
Tennis icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova discuss their rivalry, friendship, and battles with cancer.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg reflects on his childhood fears, the trauma that fueled his films, and his parents complicated divorce.
Writer Kennedy Ryan uses romance novels as a vehicle for discourse
Kennedy Ryan uses romance novels as a Trojan horse to tackle complex social issues and provide hope to the margins.
The “bullies of the tick world” are on the hunt
The aggressive Lone Star tick is spreading across the U.S., carrying a syndrome that triggers lethal meat allergies.
Banned books, shocking art & the birth of the culture wars
From school book bans to censored art, explore the origins and evolving tactics of America’s bitter culture wars.
Tennis rivals Chris Evert & Martina Navratilova team up against cancer
Tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova bond over their shared experiences fighting cancer as survivors.
When Terry asked Jay-Z why male rappers grab themselves on stage (Fresh Air+)
Jay-Z discusses the reality of his upbringing, his early days dealing crack, and the origins of his hit lyrics.
Best Of: Laverne Cox /Comic Ali Siddiq
Laverne Cox reflects on her journey to self-acceptance while Ali Siddiq shares lessons from his past behind bars.
Remembering master of the TV sitcom, James Burrows
James Burrows defined the modern sitcom by mastering the studio audience and shaping iconic hits like Cheers and Taxi.
Playwright Anna Deavere Smith turns to her family’s history for inspiration
Playwright Anna Deavere Smith explores her great-great-grandfather’s legacy in her first play about her own family.
"Masculinsim" goes mainstream: a movement to fight feminism
Masculinism is gaining political ground as a movement seeking to roll back feminism and restrict women's rights.
Wendell Pierce is a proud journeyman actor
Actor Wendell Pierce reflects on the craft, discipline, and intentionality required to build a lasting stage career.
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox reflects on her journey from a bullied child in Alabama to a trailblazing activist in her raw new memoir.
‘E.T.’ was originally more of a horror story (Fresh Air+)
Steven Spielberg originally conceived E.T. as a darker horror film titled Night Skies before pivoting to a classic.
Remembering the nation's 'Lost Founder'
James Wilson, a primary architect of our Constitution and advocate for democracy, remains a forgotten founding father.
Clarke Peters: From ‘The Wire’ to ‘The Boroughs’
Actor Clarke Peters reflects on his career, from The Wire to his starring role in the thriller series The Boroughs.
How a single decision made a century ago split a family by race
A journalist uncovers how her great-uncle’s decision to pass as white a century ago divided her family by race.
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