Fresh Air

To mark the debut of the biopic 'RESPECT,' we listen back to archival interviews with Aretha, as well as with Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler, and songwriter Dan Penn, who co-wrote "Do Right Woman." We'll hear about Aretha's upbringing in the church, the iconic "sock-it-to-me's" in Respect, and recording at Muscle Shoals.

Oh stars as chair of the English department at a prestigious university in the Netflix series 'The Chair.' The 'Grey's Anatomy' co-star joined us to talk about her upbringing in Canada, breaking barriers for Asian women in Hollywood, and the sexual tension between her 'Killing Eve' character and the psychopath Villanelle...

Cinco Paul loves musicals — unlike his long-time writing partner, Ken Daurio, with whom he created the new Apple TV+ satire, 'Schmigadoon!' Their series centers on a couple who become trapped in a musical town. We talk with Paul about what inspired the series.

Film critic Justin Chang reviews 'CODA.'

Psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke's new book, 'Dopamine Nation,' explores the brain's connection between pleasure and pain...

We remember an artist, a journalist and a musician, each of whom made significant contributions to their respective fields: Known for his giant hyper-realist paintings of faces, Chuck Close was one of the leading artists of his generation. After a stroke left him partially paralyzed, he was able to keep painting. Former war correspondent Joe Galloway was the only civilian to be awarded the Medal of Valor in the Vietnam War...

Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent, spent 3 weeks in Afghanistan, first with the Afghan military in Kandahar, just before it fell; then in Ghazni province, in territory that was taken over by the Taliban, and in Kabul, where the Taliban were celebrating their victory. After reporting on the chaos and danger at the airport, as thousands of people tried to escape on U.S. military flights, she got on an Air Force C-17 to Doha, Qatar, along with hundreds of evacuees...

Psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke's new book, 'Dopamine Nation,' explores the brain's connection between pleasure and pain. It also helps explain addictions — not just to drugs and alcohol, but also to food, sex and smart phones. "Living in this modern age is very challenging," Lembke says. "We're now having to cope with: How do I live in a world in which everything is provided? And if I consume too much of it — which my reflexes compel me to do — I'm going to be even more unhappy...

In 2018, a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL was arrested and accused of some shocking crimes. Investigators said, while Eddie Gallagher was leading a platoon of these elite commandos in the battle to retake Mosul, Iraq from ISIS, he stabbed a defenseless prisoner to death. The accusations came from SEALs in Gallagher's own platoon, who also said he was known for taking shots at civilians from his sniper's nest, and killing at least two...

Cinco Paul loves musicals — unlike his long-time writing partner, Ken Daurio, with whom he created the new Apple TV+ satire, 'Schmigadoon!' Their series centers on a couple who become trapped in a musical town. Paul talks about his songwriting process and how the Marx Brothers inspired him.

Film critic Justin Chang reviews 'CODA.'

Tennis legend Billie Jean King is known for winning a record 20 Wimbledon titles and defeating Bobby Riggs in the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes." But she's also remembered for taking on the tennis establishment and fighting for recognition and pay for women players, a high-risk undertaking that opened doors for generations of women that followed. Her new book is 'All In: An Autobiography.'

TV critic David Bianculli reviews 'Nine Perfect Strangers' on Hulu...

Tony Bennett, the singer Frank Sinatra called "the best in the business," is retiring from performing at the age of 95, after eight decades on stage and in clubs. Earlier this year it was announced he had Alzheimer's disease, diagnosed five years earlier; but he'd continued to perform. His last performance was just two weeks ago, with Lady Gaga, in sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in New York. He spoke with Terry Gross in 1982, 1991, and 1998.