All Of It with Alison Stewart

A new exhibition at The Shed called 'Open Call: Portals' spotlights the work of 12 New York City artists at the start of their careers. Curator Deja Belardo and Darren Biggart, director of civic programs at The Shed, discuss the exhibit, which runs until August 24.

It's been more than 15 years since the last album from The Swell Season. The duo, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, behind the award-winning movie and stage musical "Once" join us to perform new songs live in our studio.

[REBROADCAST FROM MAY 22, 2025] We continue our week spotlighting memoirs and biographies with a conversation about New York City LGBTQ+ rights activist Marsha P. Johnson with Tourmaline, author of the new book Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson.

Ken Jennings, host of "Jeopardy!" joins the show for an hour to discuss his role on the show and his new book of trivia, The Complete Kennections: 5,000 Questions in 1,000 Puzzles. Listeners have the chance to complete some of these trivia questions live with Ken on the air.

Director Amy Berg talks about her new documentary on the life, music, and lasting influence of Jeff Buckley. The film, "It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley," explores the mythology that’s grown around Buckley in the decades since his death, and features never-before-heard recordings and insights from those who knew him best. Berg discusses the challenges telling an artist's story when it's been defined by mystery and absence. The film releases in theaters on August 8. Listeners reflect on their connection to Buckley’s music and legacy.

All Of It producer Simon Close recaps the 2025 Public Song Project, which aired a radio special revealing its winners over the weekend. This Saturday, August 2, at 1 PM you can see the Public Song Project live in concert with the Brooklyn Public Library! Join us on the steps of the library's main branch in Grand Army Plaza for a free show.

It's time to check in on the All Of It Summer Reading Challenge! We are dedicating this week to one of the Challenge categories-- "read a memoir or biography." All Of It and Get Lit producer Jordan Lauf kicks things off with a list of recommendations for great memoirs and biographies to read this summer to help you complete the challenge. Plus, listeners share their recommendations.

Many podcasts are now recording video as well as audio, from hit interview shows like "Call Her Daddy" to the entire slate of New York Times audio podcasts. But why is an audio medium turning to video? And what do listeners think? Nick Quah, the podcast critic for Vulture and New York Magazine, joins to discuss. Plus, we take calls from listeners with their opinions on the subject for our latest installment of "Small Stakes, Big Opinions."

Patty Griffin's 11th studio album Crown of Roses is a personal record that finds her reflecting on the death of her mother and her own cancer treatment. She will be at Sony Hall on July 29. She joins us for a Listening Party.

As part of our summer food series, we're diving into one of NYC’s most iconic eats: pizza. Scott Wiener, founder of Scott’s Pizza Tours, joins us to share some of the best slices and pizzerias across the five boroughs. Plus, listeners call in with their go-to NYC pizza spots.*This episode is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hanssen.

In 2018, photographer Nat Ward stumbled upon Ditch Plains beach in Montauk, and he found a vibrant energy that he couldn't resist capturing. Ward spent four summers photographing Ditch Plains and the people who enjoy the beach, and he discusses his resulting photo collection, "Ditch: Montauk, New York, 11954," featuring 49 photographs that are also on view at Montauk Historical Society's Second House Museum through Labor Day.*This segment is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hanssen.

The new documentary "Match in a Haystack" follows members of Ukraine’s contemporary dance troupe as they prepare for their first performance since Russia invaded. Director Joe Hill and producer & movement director Stefanie Noll discuss the making of a film in a country at war --- and why dance and art matter in a time of crisis. *This segment is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hanssen.

Pulitzer Prize and Oscar-winning director and journalist Mstyslav Chernov joins to discuss his new documentary, "2000 Meters to Adriivka." The film follows an assault brigade of Ukrainian soldiers fighting to take back control of the small village of Adriivka. "2000 Meters to Adriivka" is in theaters today, and will premiere on PBS later this year.*This episode is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hanssen.

New York Times "Where to Eat" writer, Luke Fortney discusses all the best places to get a taco in the city. Listeners call in with their favorite taco recommendations.

Architectural historian William Hennessey has a new book called Along the Hudson: Walking Manhattan's Western Waterfront which traces the ups-and-downs of development along Manhattan’s western waterfront.

A recent Rolling Stone headline called Obongjayar “the Afrobeat innovator who can rock a stadium with no fear.” He joins for a Listening Party to talk about Paradise Now, which blends electro-pop with intimate storytelling.

In a new documentary, the likes of Bjork and David Byrne attest to the influence and importance of pioneering multi-disciplinary artist Meredith Monk. The film follows Monk, now in her 80s, as she creates her latest immersive work. "Monk in Pieces" will open in theaters on July 25. Meredith Monk joins us alongside director Billy Shebar.

The Infatuation, known for their restaurant recommendations, has compiled a summer essential: “The Best Ice Cream in New York City.” Editor Sonal Shah and staff writer Willa Moore discuss their favorite places to get scoops.

Sure, you could spend hundreds of dollars to take your family to a Mets or a Yankees game. Or you could spend a fraction of that amount to experience the enduring goofiness of minor league baseball, which takes itself a lot less seriously -- and has more interesting food. Benjamin Hill covers the minor leagues for MiLB.com, and Rex Doane (who is a senior producer at WNYC by day) is a serious fan. They discuss the joys of minor league baseball.

The new film "Videoheaven" presents a kind of video-essay about the history of on-screen portrayals of video stores, now mostly extinct. Writer and director Alex Ross Perry, who himself worked at Kim's Video, discusses the film alongside editor Clyde Folley. "Videoheaven" will screen on August 12 at Alamo Drafthouse, with a Q&A with Perry to follow.

The Gateway Program is a $16 billion project to build new tunnels under the Hudson River to improve service for Amtrak and NJ Transit trains. But as the project prepares to break ground, they have uncovered some mysterious — and some historically illuminating — obstacles, including a totally unaccounted for staircase to nowhere, pig bones from the Meatpacking District's meatpacking days, and a bevy of wires, cables, and other infrastructure dreamed up by the engineers of yesteryear. Stephen Nessen, transit reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about the discoveries, and how Gateway crews will have to work around these buried treasures from the past.

This week, guests discuss the best places to get NYC favorites. Today, food critics, Robert Sietsema and Melissa McCart, discuss their favorite burgers in the city and listeners call in with their favorite spots to get a burger.

In the summertime, millions of teenagers nail down a summer job, some more random, boring, odd, and mundane than others. As we are in the thick of summer, All Of It producers Kate Hinds, Jordan Lauf and Zach Gottehrer-Cohen reflect on the summer jobs of their past, and listeners share their summer job stories and how they were shaped by the experience.

[REBROADCAST FROM Jan. 11, 2023] To honor the life of the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner, we present part of his conversation about his Grammy-nominated spoken-word album, Hiding In Plain View. The poet, musician and beloved 'Cosby Show' actor died on Monday, July 21, 2025.

The latest novel from author Gary Shteyngart is told from the perspective of Vera, a kid who wants to keep her parents from splitting up, and to figure out where her birth mother has gone. It's titled Vera, or Faith, and the book is out now.

New York Magazine's Matthew Schneier & Tammie Teclemariam break down the best bites of the year so far. Whether you're hungry for a new dining spot or curious about where to find the Big Apple's best onion rings, these professional NYC foodies will share their expert recommendations.

There is so much scientists and doctors still don't know about why humans get chronic headaches, and the best way to treat them. Author and science journalist Tom Zeller Jr. discusses his new book, The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction―and a Search for Relief. Listeners call in to share their own experiences with headaches.

Actors Lorna Courtney and Casey Likes star in the new off-Broadway revival of "Heathers: The Musical," based on the 1988 teen crime comedy film. They'll talk about the show, the film it's based on, and why the musical is ripe for revival.

UK soul legend Omar’s latest album, Brighter The Days, features collaborations with India Arie, Giggs, and more. He joins us for a Listening Party and to reflect on his career.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the start-studded benefit concert aimed to help raise money to assist with the famine in Ethiopia. Director Thomas Pollard discusses his new four-part docuseries "Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On the World," which premiered on CNN on July 13.

The new thriller '40 Acres' follows an African-American and Indigenous-American blended family tending to and protecting their farm in Canada after a post-apocalyptic event has wiped out all livestock and caused society to crumble. Star Danielle Deadwyler and writer-director R.T. Thorne discuss the film and its themes.

This summer, we will feature a guide for what to do in all five boroughs. Today Rossilynne Culgan, the 'Things To Do' editor at Time Out New York, talks about her favorite summer attractions from around Manhattan. Plus, listeners share their favorite summer spots and upcoming events.

Latin Grammy-award winning Brazilian artist Liniker is town this week for her free show at Lincoln Center on July 18. Ahead of the concert, she performs live in our studio, discusses her latest album, CAJU, and reflects on what it meant to her to be the first transgender woman to ever win a Latin Grammy.

The new two-part documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" provides an in-depth look into the life and career of Long Island's beloved piano man. Co-director Susan Lacy discusses the project, which premieres episode one Friday evening on HBO and HBO Max. Listeners weigh in with their favorite Billy Joel memories and performances.

Steve Nieve is the longtime keyboard player for Elvis Costello and his various bands. He discusses his career and relationship with Costello, and previews a string of summer concerts in our area this summer, performing alongside singer and percussionist Kessada.

This summer, we will feature a guide for what to do in all five boroughs. Today Pamela Silvestri, food editor at the Staten Island Advance, talks about her favorite summer attractions from around the borough. Plus, listeners share their favorite summer spots on Staten Island.

Groundbreaking fashion designer Virgil Abloh became the first Black American artistic director of a luxury French fashion house when he became the artistic director of the menswear ready-to-wear collection for Louis Vuitton. He died in 2021 at the age of 41. Biographer Robin Givhan discusses her new book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh.

This summer, we will feature a guide for what to do in all five boroughs. Today John Major, author of the book 111 Places in Brooklyn That You Must Not Miss, talks about his favorite summer attractions from around the borough. Plus, listeners share their favorite summer spots in Queens.

Have more zucchini from the garden than you know what to do with? Melissa Clark, New York Times food reporter and recipe columnist, gives tips on how to get the best out of the abundance of summer produce the kitchen, and listeners share their ideas and questions.

"ta-da!" is a new off-Broadway production, featuring collection of stories and jokes presented in 80 minutes with 2,000 power point slides presented. Hear about it from performer Josh Sharp, who leads the show, and director Sam Pinkleton of "Oh, Mary!"

[REBROADCAST FROM Nov. 12, 2024] The acclaimed new HBO series "The Penguin" earned 24 Emmy nominations in this year's awards. Actor Cristin Milioti, who has now been Emmy-nominated for her role as Sofia, a member of the Falcone crime family, joined us for a Watch Party to discuss the final episode.

Harpist Brandee Younger returns to All Of It to perform live, and discuss her third album, Gadabout Season, featuring original compositions and Younger's playing with Alice Coltrane's restored harp.

Mark Kurlansky is a James Beard Award-winning writer whose books span fiction and non-fiction but share food-related subjects, with titles like Salt, Milk, and Salmon. He'll talk about his latest novel Cheesecake, which takes place entirely on the Upper West Side, and follows a Greek coffee shop facing rent increases that adds an ancient Roman recipe to its menu. Acclaim, imitators, and competition follow.

Our Summer in the City series continues, spotlighting great things to do in each borough. Today a look at opportunities for summer fun in the Bronx. ET Rodriguez, local journalist and NYC tour guide, shares her picks for the best things to check out in the Bronx, and we take calls from listeners.

New York and New Jersey are some of the states who have profited the most from legalized sports gambling. But at what cost to residents, and to the sports they love? Journalist Danny Funt, author of the forthcoming book Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling, speaks about how sports betting has changed the culture of fandom, and altered the experience of professional athletes.

This summer, we will feature a guide for what to do in all five boroughs. Today Rob MacKay of the Queens Tourism Council kicks off the series with the top attractions the World's Borough has to offer this season. Plus, listeners share their favorite summer spots in Queens.

The Center for Photography at Woodstock calls Larry Fink (1941-2023) "one of the last great humanist photographers." CPW has organized an exhibition of Fink's photographs, which depict his immersion in New York’s Beat scene, the Civil Rights movement, and Manhattan nightlife. "Larry Fink: Sensual Empathy," is on view at CPW in Kingston, New York through August 31. Curator Lucy Sante and CPW executive director Brian Wallis discuss the show and the importance of Fink's photographs.

C-sections are among the most commonly performed surgeries in the world. But despite interventions aimed at numbing the pain of the procedure, many women can still feel the painful surgical process while it's taking place. In the second season of the New York Times podcast "The Retrievals," Susan Burton tells the stories of some women who have been through this horrific experience, tries to understand why anesthesia sometimes fails, and explores approaches to solving this problem.

The Hollywood Ten was a group of screenwriters and directors who were jailed in 1947 for refusing to answer questions about their beliefs and associations during a hearing before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Their story is told in a new exhibit at New York Historical, titled "Blacklisted: An American Story." It explores the intersection of politics, art, culture and social dynamics during Hollywood's red scare. The exhibit also looks at Broadway and New York's theater community also responded. Curator Anne Lessy joins us to discuss.

The New York Times is spending the summer ranking 100 of the best movies of the 21st century so far, based around the voting of over 500 directors, actors and producers in Hollywood. Kyle Buchanan, New York Times pop culture reporter and awards season columnist, discusses the list, his favorite 21st century movies, and listeners share their picks.More Info:100 Best Movies of the 21st CenturyHow Actors and Directors VotedReaders Topp 100 picksThe QuizLooking for a great movie to watch?Cast Your Vote / Make Your Ballot