All Of It with Alison Stewart

Comedian Josh Gondelman discuses his new comedy special, "Positive Reinforcement," which debuts on YouTube on June 27.

As part of New York Music Month and its Radio City series, we bring you a celebration of music via a live-onstage radio broadcast with the Tony-winning band from Broadway's Buena Vista Social Club. Music director and winner of the Tony for Best Orchestrations, Marco Paguia leads the band in this hourlong special in The Greene Space, with songs performed by actors Wesley Wray, Da’Von Moody, Mel Seme, Isa Antonetti and Sophia Ramos. Choreographers Justin Peck and Patricia Delgado also join to talk about their Tony-awarded work. This is a free event, available via livestream as well. The rest of the band at this event includes Renesito Avich, David Oquendo, Roman Diaz, Javier Diaz, and Pedro Giraudo.

[REBROADCAST FROM Oct. 19, 2023] ] Last time she joined us on the show, Pulitzer Prize winning musician Rhiannon Giddens discussed her album, You're the One, her first record of all original songs. Giddens joined us in studio for a Listening Party, and a conversation about her prolific career.

[REBROADCAST FROM April 28, 2025] KEXP calls chlothegod “vivacious” and “genre-defying.” Her new EP I Feel Different Every Day (Deluxe) blends alt-rock, R&B, and raw emotion into a bold, cathartic sound. Chlo performed in WNYC’s Studio Five, and talked about her work.

[REBROADCAST FROM April 24, 2025] Uwade became known to the All Of It team and many other listeners when Fleet Foxes featured her on their 2020 album Shore. Her debut album is called Florilegium. The singer-songwriter, who is also currently pursuing a PhD at Stanford, performed live in studio five.

On Tuesday, All Of It will host a free, live, in-person event in The Greene Space with members of the cast, orchestra and creative team behind the hit Broadway show 'Buena Vista Social Club,' which documents how the titular ensemble of mostly Cuban musicians collaborated on an album that would spark an international revival of Latin music. RSVP here. Reservations do not guarantee seating, which is 'first-come, first-served'. The program will start at 12 noon; Doors at 11:30.To preview tomorrow's event, we present some highlights from a similar event in April, "Broadway's 'Hell's Kitchen' At WNYC." Lead actors Jade Milan, Jessica Vosk, Tank, and Kecia Lewis perform the music of Alicia Keys.

Joanna Sokol spent years as an EMT, including working as a wilderness EMT and a ski patroller. She also has worked in the desert in Reno and in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. Now she chronicles 15 years of her experience as a paramedic in her new memoir, A Real Emergency: Stories from the Ambulance. Sokol discusses, and listeners call in to speak about their time working as an EMT.

This summer, from June 23rd to the end of Labor Day weekend, we are challenging YOU, our listeners, to complete our second summer reading challenge. Just like in school, but for fun!The deadline to register as a participant is July 1st! Click here to sign up!Participants will select and read at least one book in ALL FIVE of the following categories...A classic you’ve been meaning to get toA book about or set in New York CityA memoir or biographyA recent debut novelA book published in 2025You can download and fill out or print this PDF form to keep track of your selections.You can also share your selections with us, and keep us updated on your summer reading progress, by tagging us in posts on Instagram, and we’ll repost you! Tag us @allofitwnyc and use the hashtag #AOISummerReadingChallenge. Once you’ve completed the challenge, we’ll follow up about your selections to receive a prize.All summer long, our host Alison Stewart will be completing the challenge along with you, so tune in to the show for some great recommendations. Plus, some special guests will be sharing their selections as well. Visit the All Of It Summer Reading Challenge page for more info on how to participate, and more book recommendations from Jordan.

Earlier this month, the Recording Academy announced that next year's Grammy Awards will include a category for Best Album Cover. Joe Lynch, East Coast executive digital director at Billboard, explains the change, shares his thoughts on the role of album art in music, and take your calls for the best album covers of all time.

Bill Sherman wears many hats, including as the music director of "Sesame Street," orchestrating and arranging Broadway productions like "& Juliet," and "In The Heights," producing the "Hamilton" cast album, and also music director behind "Donkey Hodie," a puppet music video series for preschoolers on PBS Kids. Sherman discuss his career in music, and previews the second season of "Donkey Hodie," streaming this summer on PBS Kids and YouTube.

[REBROADCAST from March 2023] For our Full Bio selection in March 2023, in honor of Women's History Month, we learned about political trailblazer, New York congresswoman and presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm with Anastasia C. Curwood, author of the new biography Shirley Chisholm: Champion of Black Feminist Power Politics.

[REBROADCAST from Nov. 2024] Our November 2024 Full Bio selection was John Lewis: A Life, written by author David Greenberg. Greenberg interviewed Lewis before his death as well as over 250 people for a comprehensive biography about the US Congressman, Civil Rights Activist, and preacher of getting into, as he called it, "good trouble."

[REBROADCAST FROM June 2023] On Juneteenth, listen to our special presentation of all six installments of a Full Bio conversation about King: A Life, the first comprehensive account of Martin Luther King Jr. in three decades, written by Jonathan Eig, in recognition of King's fight for rights a century after enslaved people were emancipated.

Writer S.A. Cosby discusses his latest thriller, King of Ashes. It follows a man named Roman who returns home to try and save his family from the revenge of angry gang members. Cosby will discuss the book on June 18 at Barnes and Noble's Upper West Side location.

Romance novels are experiencing a surge in popularity, and the sales of LGBTQ+ novels in particular are taking off. Leah Koch is the owner of the Ripped Bodice, a romance bookstore in Brooklyn. She talks about her favorite queer romance novels, and takes listener's calls about theirs.

This summer, The Jewish Museum is examining the life and work of a local artist who dared to be different. Ben Shahn was born in present day Lithuania in 1898, but immigrated to Brooklyn as a boy after his father was exiled to Siberia. Shahn began a life of using his art to respond to historical moments with social realism, from the Great Depression to the Vietnam War. Dr. Laura Katzman, professor of art history at James Madison University, and Dr. Stephen Brown, curator at the Jewish Museum discuss, "Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity," on view through October 12.

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of when "Jaws" first terrorized a generation of children in the movie theater. Radiolab is commemorating the anniversary with a week of programming dedicated to sharks, from understanding our fears of sharks, to our recent shark-related scientific discoveries. Producer Rachael Cusick and Radiolab managing editor Pat Walters discuss Swimming With Shadows: A Radiolab Week of Sharks, and listeners share their memories of seeing "Jaws" or questions they have about one of humanity's most feared predators.

20 years ago today, the IFC Center opened with a mission to play the best independent films from the United States, and around the world. Harris Dew, vice president and general manager of the IFC Center, discusses the last two decades of movies at the IFC Center, and previews the special programming happening this evening, and over the course of the next few months. Listeners call in to share their memories of the best movies they've seen at the IFC Center.

Tony Award-winner Renée Elise Goldsberry has released her debut album, Who I Really Am, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of "Hamilton" on Broadway. Goldsberry joins for a Listening Party, and discusses playing Angelica Schuyler a decade ago.

You know Toni Morrison the writer, but what about Toni the editor? As she rose in literary fame, Morrison also worked in publishing as a senior editor for Random House, the first black woman to hold such a title in the company. Dana A. Williams, professor of African American literature and dean of the Graduate School at Howard University, discusses her new book about Toni Morrison's career as an editor, Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship, which includes stories about the authors she shaped, and her efforts to change publishing for the better.

Marlee Matlin made history in 1987 as the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award. After decades of advocacy within Hollywood and within the Deaf community, Matlin's film "CODA" took home the Oscar for Best Picture in 2022, and her co-star Troy Katsur became the second Deaf actor to win an Oscar. A new documentary follows Matlin's trailblazing life and career. Matlin and director Shoshannah Stern discuss "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore," in theaters June 20.

For the final installment of the ongoing series 100 Pieces of Art, Sarah Cho, assistant curator at the Queens Museum, recommends 10 pieces of art you should go see in New York City. Listeners share their thoughts on their favorite pieces of art in the city.

The new film from Celine Song, the writer and director of "Past Lives," follows a New York City matchmaker who is torn between her ex-boyfriend and the man who is perfect on paper. Song talks about the film, "Materialists," in theaters now.

Can you leave your dishes in the sink "to soak?" How much notice do you need to give before hosting an overnight guest? How much noise is too much after midnight? Comedian Michael Abber, host of the web series 'Roommate Court,' discusses how he thinks about the issues that arise when two independent adults share a home, and listeners call in to have their roommate disputes mediated and adjudicated.

In his latest novel, author Jess Walter focuses on the ways conspiracy theories can tear a family apart. So Far Gone follows a grandfather living off the grid who re-enters his family's life to try and locate his daughter, who has gone missing and might be with a dangerous militia group. Walter talks about the book ahead of an event tonight at Symphony Space at 7 pm.

This month, the music world lost two giants: Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone, and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. Both died at the age of 82. Music journalist and former editor-in-chief of Vibe and Spin Magazines Alan Light discusses the life, careers, and legacies of Stone and Wilson. Plus, callers share their thoughts and memories for both icons.

Ahead of Father's Day, we ask you to share stories about your dad, specifically your dad's New York story. That could mean dad's immigration story, or the story of how he started his business, or a story about his life in New York he would always recount to you. Michael Garofalo, StoryCorps chief content officer and host of the "StoryCorps" podcast, discusses some of his favorite StoryCorps stories about fathers.

The new documentary "Just Kids" follows three families who live in states where gender-affirming care for minors has been made illegal. These families must decide whether to move in order to secure treatment for their trans children. Director Gianna Toboni discusses the film, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend and is screening as part of the Festival on June 13.

Allyson Felix is the most decorated Olympic track and field athlete in history. But when she got pregnant, her sponsor Nike said her value had declined. The new documentary from directors Perri Peltz and Matthew O’Neill is called “She Runs The World” tells the story of her fight for fair pay. It’s a Spotlight Documentary at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

The new documentary "Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything" chronicles the iconic journalist's groundbreaking rise to an evening news anchor at a time when women were shut out of television journalism. Director Jackie Jesko discusses the film, which is running now at the Tribeca Film Festival and will stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on June 23.

On November 20, 1983, over one hundred million Americans tuned into ABC to watch a television movie that had a crucial impact on how the country thought about the danger of nuclear weapons. "The Day After" starred Jason Robards, and was set in Lawrence, Kansas. The movie imagined what might happen if nuclear war was to break out, and it didn't hold back on showing realistic and gruesome details. Film Forum is now screening a documentary, "Television Event," about the making of the infamous film. Director Jeff Daniels discusses one of the most controversial movies ever made and listeners share their memories of seeing "The Day After" for the first time.

The new play "Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole" focuses on the final night of the groundbreaking television show, "The Nat 'King' Cole Show," as Cole contends with what to do with this last moment in the spotlight. Actor Dulé Hill discusses starring as Cole, and director and co-writer Patricia McGregor joins to discuss bringing the story to life. "Lights Out: Nat 'King' Cole" is running at the New York Theatre Workshop through June 29.

AJR band member, climate advocate, and educator Adam Met joins us to discuss his debut book, Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage, Take Action, and Build a Better World.

Celebrated guitarist Marc Ribot has released his first album of lyrical music. It’s called Map of a Blue City. Ribot joins us live in studio to perform.

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr's third album, Bloom is "a love letter to relationships of all types." He discussed his love for classic 90's film, incorporating 00's R&B aesthetics, and other inspirations for the album ahead of his concert at Warsaw in Brooklyn on Thursday, May 8th and Friday, May 9th.

The new documentary "Raoul’s: A New York Story," puts the spotlight on the beloved SoHo French bistro, opened by two brothers in 1975. Directors Greg Olliver and Karim Raoul, who is also the son of Serge Raoul, discuss the film, which is playing now as part of the Tribeca Film Festival. Listeners call in to share their thoughts and memories of Raoul's as well.

A new drama series follows a group of longtime friends as they face challenges in their friendships, marriage, and life. Co-creator Tracey Wigfield and star Kerri Kenney-Silver discuss "The Four Seasons" which is now streaming on Netflix, and has been renewed for a second season.

On June 6, The Doobie Brothers, now reunited with Michael McDonald, released their latest album, Walk This Road. And on June 12, the band is being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Ahead of their induction, tune in for a Listening Party with all four members: Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee.

The new documentary "Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print" celebrates the legacy of Ms. Magazine, but also examines some of the publication's missteps. Directors Cecilia Aldarondo, Alice Gu, and Salima Koroma discuss the film, which premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival June 10.

Staten Island photographer Alice Austen was groundbreaking for her non-conformity to gender norms, and her street photographs of New York from the 1890s. Bonnie Yochelson, author of the new book Too Good To Get Married: The Life and Photographs of Miss Alice Austen, discusses Austen's career.

The new novel Great Black Hope follows Smith, a wealthy Black Stanford graduate, who discovers that his class can only protect him so much after he is arrested for cocaine possession. Author Rob Franklin discusses the novel, his debut. Franklin will be speaking with Katie Kitamura at PUBLIC Hotel on June 10 and with Roxane Gay at Word Up Community Bookstore on June 25.

"Somebody Somewhere" star Jeff Hiller discusses his new memoir, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success. Hiller will be speaking at Symphony Space on June 10 with "Somebody Somewhere" co-stars Bridget Everett and Murray Hill.

In the early 1980s, NASA astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space. Ride faced increased scrutiny and public attention as a result of her groundbreaking mission, but throughout her life, she kept one aspect of her identity a secret. A new documentary, "Sally," tells the complex story of Sally Ride, including interviews with Tam O’Shaughnessy, Sally’s life partner for 27 years. Director Cristina Costantini discusses "Sally," which premieres on National Geographic on June 16.

New Yorker staff writer Michael Schulman discusses the evening snubs, surprises, and musical celebrations from last night's Tony Awards. Plus, listeners call in with their thoughts and share their favorite Broadway shows of the year.

The new thriller "Relay" follows a man whose job is to secure payoffs for corrupt corporations. But his life changes when a new client comes into his life. Riz Ahmed stars in the film. He discusses the movie alongside director David McKenzie. "Relay" is screening now as part of the Tribeca Film Festival and will be released in theaters August 22.

Audra McDonald and Joy Woods have earned Tony nominations for their roles as Mama Rose and Gypsy in the revival of "Gypsy." They discuss bringing this show back to life, and the complexities of casting this story with Black actors.

[REBROADCAST FROM May 13, 2025] The new play "John Proctor is the Villain" earned seven Tony nominations, including Best Play and a Best Direction of a Play nomination for director Danya Taymor. Taymor, playwright Kimberly Belflower, and actor Amalia Yoo discuss the show, which follows a group of high school girls in rural Georgia grappling with the ways the Me Too movement has affected their own lives.

[REBROADCAST FROM May 8, 2025] Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez are Tony nominated for writing the music and lyrics for the new Broadway musical, “Real Women Have Curves.” They discuss their songwriting process. Plus, cast members Tatianna Córdoba, Aline Mayagoitia, and Florencia Cuenca perform songs from the show live in our studio.

[REBROADCAST FROM Nov 26, 2024] The new musical "Maybe Happy Ending" has earned 10 Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for star Darren Criss. Criss and co-star Helen J Shen discuss the show, which follows two obsolete robots who fall in love.

[REBROADCAST FROM Apr 4, 2025] The new play "Purpose" won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and is now nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Jon Michael Hill. Hill and playwright Branden Jacobs Jenkins discuss the show, which reveals the secrets within the family of a Civil Rights icon.