All Of It with Alison Stewart

[REBROADCAST FROM May 28, 2025] Artist Nanette Carter grew up in Montclair, the daughter of the city's first Black mayor, Matthew G. Carter. The Montclair Art Museum has organized a new homecoming solo exhibition of Carter's work, "Nanette Carter: A Question of Balance," on view through July 6. Carter discusses revisiting her art from throughout her career for this show, which is her first major museum survey.

[REBROADCAST FROM April 16, 2025] A new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the earliest days of photography and the daguerreotype. Curator Jeff Rosenheim discusses the new exhibition "The New Art: American Photography, 1839–1910," on view at the Met through July 20.

[REBROADCAST FROM April 18, 2025] Today is the opening of the Guggenheim's major survey of artist Rashid Johnson, who was born in Chicago in the late 1970s. "Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers," displays almost 90 pieces, including paintings, films, sculptures, and a site-specific installation at the top of the museum's rotunda. Johnson discusses his practice alongside Naomi Beckwith, Guggenheim deputy director and chief curator.

[REBROADCAST FROM April 9, 2025] New York-based artist Amy Sherald is best recognized for her famous portraits of First Lady Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor. Today is the opening of “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” the artist's first solo exhibition at a major New York museum. She discusses her practice, the stories of some of her most iconic portraits and the fifty paintings dating back to 2007 that comprise the exhibition, which is on view at the Whitney through August 10.

[REBROADCAST FROM May 5, 2025] Jesse Krimes was interested in art at an early age, but got caught up in the criminal justice system in his early 20's. He spent 6 years in prison, including some time in solitary confinement. Since his release, he has pursued his own art career, and worked to help incarcerated people use art as a tool for self-expression and rehabilitation. Now he has his own exhibition at The Met. His solo show is called "Corrections," and runs through July 13. He'll discuss his work and his Brooklyn-based organization, The Center for Art and Advocacy, which provides resources for formerly incarcerated artists.

As summer kicks off, a fresh wave of films is hitting screens big and small. Vulture film critic Alison Willmore joins us to break down her list of films to see in the next few weeks, from "Superman" to "The Naked Gun."

For this month's installment of Full Bio, we learn about the life of Senator Charles Sumner with Zaakir Tameez, author of the new biography Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation. Sumner was a fierce abolitionist and statesman from Massachusetts who was a pivotal advisor to President Lincoln and an influential force during the Civil War. In today's installment, we learn about Sumner's life after the Civil War.

[REBROADCAST from July 2, 2024] Bobby Finger, author and co-host of the Who? Weekly podcast discusses his second novel, Four Squares. which is now out in paperback. The story is set in the West Village of the 1990s, where Artie, a gay man working a tedious advertising job meets the love of his life, Abraham. The story interweaves through several stages of Art's life, including as an elderly man seeking belonging and connection in New York City.

Dr. Jessica B. Harris, author of High on the Hog, shares her new cookbook Braided Heritage, exploring how Indigenous, European, and African traditions shaped American cuisine, with 90+ recipes for today’s home cook.

Looking for some new podcast suggestions for the summer? Lauren Passell, curator of Podcast The Newsletter and podcast writer for LifeHacker shares her standout picks, from recent hilarious fiction to sharp cultural commentary that are perfect for road trips, beach days, or just beating the heat.

For this month's installment of Full Bio, we learn about the life of Senator Charles Sumner with Zaakir Tameez, author of the new biography Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation. Sumner was a fierce abolitionist and statesman from Massachusetts who was a pivotal advisor to President Lincoln and an influential force during the Civil War. In today's installment, we learn about Sumner's experiences as a statesman during the Civil War.

Eleri Ward's recent stage credits include starring in Florence Welch’s "Gatsby" music at the American Repertory Theatre. Now the actor and singer-songwriter is preparing to release her debut album, Internal Rituals, in September. She joins us to perform a preview of it live in the studio.

Bobbito Garcia is an influential New York DJ, author, filmmaker, radio host, and park hooper. He grew up in the city obsessed with the game of basketball, especially the unique culture of New York City outdoor pickup. He discusses his new memoir, Bobbito’s Book of B-Ball Bong Bong!: A Memoir of Sports, Style, and Soul, and listeners share stories about their time spent playing pickup ball in New York.

Summer’s just getting started, and Switched on Pop's Nate Sloan joins us to share standout new tracks from Sabrina Carpenter to Grupo Frontera that are already defining the sound of summer 2025.

For this month's installment of Full Bio, we learn about the life of Senator Charles Sumner with Zaakir Tameez, author of the new biography Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation. Sumner was a fierce abolitionist and statesman from Massachusetts who was a pivotal advisor to President Lincoln and an influential force during the Civil War. In today's installment, we learn about Sumner's upbringing in a diverse neighborhood in Boston, and how that experience led him to become an abolitionist.

A new cookbook from Nick Morgenstern, the owner of Morgenstern's Finest Ice Cream, teaches readers how to make these delicious gourmet ice cream flavors at home. Morgenstern discusses the cookbook and takes calls from listeners.

"The Gilded Age" star Morgan Spector discusses the third season of the period drama, and takes calls from our listeners who have questions about the series. "The Gilded Age" airs Sunday evenings on HBO.

Cherry Grove Archives Collection celebrates Fire Island’s LGBTQ+ legacy with a new podcast, art walks, and a drag pageant film. Creative Director Parker Sargent shares how these projects preserve and share this vital community history.

In honor of NYC Pride Weekend, baker Justin Burke talks about Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride, a cookbook inspired by queer potlucks. He shares recipes like Snickerdoodle Peach Cobbler, Lemon-Thyme Bars, and Hummingbird Blondies, along with reflections on joy, pride, and chosen family.

NYC Pride festivities will be taking place over the weekend. Co-chair of NYC Pride, Kazz Alexander, talks about the events in this year's program, and about the importance of Pride in 2025.

New York and New Jersey have hundreds of miles of coastline, and hundreds of great beaches to choose from. New Jersey journalist Brian Donohue, and Time Out New York's Rossilyne Culgan talk about their favorites, and we'll take your suggestions and calls.

The new play "Trophy Boys" follows an undefeated debate team from an all-boys school who must face off against their sister school for their final debate. The question at the center of the debate: has feminism been good for women? Playwright and actor Emannuelle Mattana and actor Louisa Jacobson discuss the show, which is running at the MCC Theater through July 27.

Madison McFerrin returns with her sophomore album SCORPIO. She joins for a Listening Party.

James Baldwin once called his friend, artist Beauford Delaney, a "spiritual father." Delaney was born in Tennessee, and arrived in New York during the Harlem Renaissance, before following other Black artists to Paris in the 1950s. This summer, The Drawing Center is presenting a new exhibition of Beauford Delaney's drawings, the first New York retrospective of Delaney's work in over thirty years. "In the Medium of Life: The Drawings of Beauford Delaney" is on view through September 14, and Laura Hoptman, executive director, and Rebecca DiGiovanna, assistant curator, discuss why Delaney's drawings are important to understand his practice.

"Adults" showrunner Stefani Robinson and actor Amita Rao, who plays “Issa,” talk about the new series, which follows a group of slightly unhinged, dysfunctional best friends in their 20s as they navigate ambition, codependence, and growing up together and apart in New York City.

A cheap date doesn't have to mean boring. In fact, it opens up a lot of possibilities. It can get you out of your comfort zone and into a shared experience that's adventurous, playful, and educational (especially if you go searching for New York City Easter eggs). Danielle Kam wrote the article "40 Cheap Date-Night Ideas That Aren’t Cringe" for The Cut. She shares her suggestions, and takes listeners questions and stories.

The new novel Flashlight tells the story of how one father's disappearance during a walk on the beach with his young daughter changes the course of the family's life forever. Author Susan Choi discusses her new novel.

Maris Kreizman and her husband, comedian Josh Gondelman, join us together to talk about different approaches to hope and optimism, and how they make their partnership fun and fulfilling.

Author and culture critic Maris Kreizman discusses her new book of essays, I Want to Burn This Place Down. The book chronicles her own journey through politics, as she becomes disillusioned with the current political system and begins to believe radical change is necessary. The book will be published on July 1.

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 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 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 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.