All Of It with Alison Stewart

Bartees Strange embraces fear on his new album, Horror. He joins us for a Listening Party, before a show at Rough Trade on February 21.

[REBROADCAST FROM Jan. 21, 2025] The Pulitzer Prize-winning play "English" is now on Broadway. The story follows a group of people practicing for their English proficiency exam. Playwright Sanaz Toossi discusses the show alongside actor Marjan Neshat and Tala Ashe, who star in the comedy. "English" is running at the Todd Haimes Theater through March 2.

Recently, the National Endowment of the Arts announced it is eliminating fundraising programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and underserved communities. New York Times theater reporter Michael Paulson discusses his reporting around the news and what it means for local arts organizations, as well as a recent unionization push in off-Broadway theaters. Plus, he previews the spring Broadway season and takes your calls.

For Black History Month this year, All Of It is focusing on the vibrant and historically influential community of Harlem. Today we discuss some of our favorite Harlem-based books with librarian Dana Bello, who works at the Countee Cullen branch of the NYPL in Harlem. And we take your calls about your favorite Harlem based books and authors.

The "Wicked" screen adaptation blew away audiences for many reasons. One underrated aspect of the film is that the actors performed on practical constructed sets, from Shiz University to Emerald City. Oscar-nominated production designer Nathan Crowley discusses his vision for designing the world of "Wicked" as part of our series, The Big Picture, spotlighting Oscar-nominated talent who worked behind the camera.

For our latest installment of our call-in series, "Small Stakes, Big Opinions," we focus on the great equalizer: the NYC Subway. Call to shout out your favorite line and why, vote whether dogs should be on the subway and your take on buskers (yes, that includes Showtime!) Josh Gondelman joins to give us subway opinions.

A new exhibition at the Transit Museum looks at the artists behind an enduring New York metro PSA, The Subway Sun. Curator Jodi Shapiro talks about Shining a Light on The Subway Sun: The Art of Fred G. Cooper and Amelia Opdyke Jones and take your calls.

[REBROADCAST FROM Dec. 19, 2024] The film "Conclave," which is nominated for 'Best Picture' at this year's Academy Awards, tells the story of a dramatic papal election. Director Edward Berger joins us to discuss alongside actor Stanley Tucci, who plays an American cardinal up for election.

[REBROADCAST FROM Dec. 12, 2024] The Colson Whitehead novel The Nickel Boys is a brutal story of an abusive reform school in segregated South Florida. Filmmaker RaMell Ross discusses writing and directing the new film adaptation of the novel, "Nickel Boys," which is nominated for 'Best Picture' at this year's Academy Awards, and shares how his background in documentary filmmaking helped him create a unique take on this novel.

[REBROADCAST FROM Feb. 12, 2025] Actor Mikey Madison discusses her Oscar-nominated performance in the Sean Baker film "Anora," which is also nominated for best picture. She plays the titular character, a stripper who believes she's beginning a new life when she meets the son of a Russian oligarch.

[REBROADCAST FROM Dec. 13, 2024] Actor Edward Norton portrays Pete Seeger in the new Bob Dylan biopic, "A Complete Unknown." His performance has been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, while the film is nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

[REBROADCAST FROM Dec. 17, 2024] The film "The Brutalist," which is nominated for 'Best Picture' at this year's Academy Awards, stars Adrien Brody as a celebrated architect who tries to build a new life in America after fleeing Europe following World War II. Brody and writer/director Brady Corbet join us to discuss the film.

[REBROADCAST FROM Jan. 10, 2025] Fernanda Torres just took home the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role as Eunice Paiva in the new Brazilian film "I'm Still Here," which is the first ever Brazilian film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Torres joins us, alongside director Walter Salles, to discuss the film, which tells the story of a woman determined to find out the truth about the disappearance of her husband in the midst of Brazil's military dictatorship.

One of the most memorable aspects of the epic film"The Brutalist" is the moving and dramatic score. Composer Daniel Blumberg discusses his work on the film, which has earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. He joins us as part of "The Big Picture," our series of conversations with the Oscar-nominated talent who worked behind the camera to make movie magic in 2024.

In honor of the "SNL 50" special airing this weekend, we take some time to reflect on the best sketches of the past 50 years of "Saturday Night Live." From cowbells to Wayne's World to What Up With That? we talk about it all with Abigail Covington, writer and contributing editor at Esquire Magazine. She's the author of the piece "50 Best Saturday Night Live! Sketches of All Time" for Esquire. Plus, we take your calls!

A new cookbook takes a look at the history of the date, a stone fruit with a long history, and compiles both savory and sweet date recipes. On Valentine's Day, we speak to author and illustrator Rawaan Alkhatib about her book, Hot Date!

In her early forties and single, journalist Nicola Slawson provides an honest exploration of single life through personal experiences and insights in her new book, Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms. Slawson discusses what she found and takes your calls about single life.

The body-horror film "The Substance" is nominated for five Academy Awards, including for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Makeup played a key role in the film, as we see Demi Moore transform from the stunning Elizabeth Sparkle into a different person altogether. Makeup artist Pierre-Olivier Persin discusses his work on the film as part of "The Big Picture," our series of interviews with Oscar-nominated talent who worked behind the camera to make movie magic in 2024.

Thursday, February 20, 7 PM: Join us for a Listening Party Live with The War and Treaty! We'll hear live music and break down their brand-new album, Plus One, out February 14. Join us in The Greene Space next Thursday. Get your tickets, here.

Actor Monica Barbaro earned an Oscar nomination for her performance as folk singer Joan Baez in the film "A Complete Unknown." She joins us to discuss the role, and how she learned to sing and play guitar like Baez.

Suzy Hopkins was taken by complete surprise when her husband of 30 years decided to leave her and begin a relationship with an old flame from 30 years prior. So, she decided to write a book about her experience, What to Do When You Get Dumped: A Guide to Unbreaking Your Heart. The book features illustrations from her daughter, New Yorker cartoonist Hallie Bateman. They join us to discuss the book, and take your calls.Event: Hopkins and Bateman will be at Books Are Magic tonight at 7 pm.

In honor of WNYC's 100th birthday, All Of It is celebrating 100 pieces of art in New York City. Each month we speak with a tastemaker in the arts world about their 10 favorites. This month we speak with Jaime Rojo and Steven P. Harrington, co-founders of the online street art community Brooklyn Street Art, about 10 pieces of street art they think all New Yorkers should see.

In the 1970s, no group loomed as large as Sly and the Family Stone. Led by the charismatic and musical savant Sly Stone, no one looked or sounded quite like the band. But the pressures of stardom and being "the first" took a toll, and Stone became a footnote in the lore of funk music history. A new documentary, "Sly Lives: the Burden of Black Genius," from Oscar-winning producer Joseph Patel, directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson ("Summer of Soul"), examines the life and legacy of Sly. Patel joins to discuss the documentary, which begins streaming on Hulu tomorrow.

New York Magazine has a launched a new newsletter, Night School, that delivers six-week courses from their writers to your inbox. The first course is How to Write, and New York executive editor Genevieve Smith discusses the lessons she plans to share with readers, from finding a writing voice to crafting better emails, and takes your calls.

In 1955 London, a glamorous model and nightclub hostess shot and killed her aristocrat lover and was sentenced to death for the crime. Her name was Ruth Ellis, and her life and crime has fascinated the British public for years, and led to the elimination of the death penalty in the UK. Ruth's story is now the subject of a four-part drama series on Britbox, starring Lucy Boynton. We speak to Boyton and showrunner Kelly Jones about "A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story."

Actor Mikey Madison discusses her Oscar-nominated performance in the Sean Baker film "Anora." She plays the titular character, a stripper who believes she's beginning a new life when she meets the son of a Russian oligarch.

Particle physicist and science communicator Brian Cox takes questions on the nature of the universe, and shares his insights on the study of the sun, the upcoming 'planetary parade,' and the 100-year anniversary of Edwin Hubble's confirmation of galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

In her new cookbook, My (Half) Latinx Kitchen: Half Recipes, Half Stories, All Latin American, food writer and recipe developer Kiera Wright-Ruiz reflects on her journey to embrace all of her cultural identities: Latinx, Asian, and American. She includes recipes such as Ecuadorian Seco de Pollo, Peruvian Ceviche with Leche de Tigre, and Okonomiyaki Quesadillas. Wright-Ruiz discusses the book before her talk at P&T Knitwear tonight at 6:30 p.m.

In her new short story collection, Little Mysteries: Nine Miniature Puzzles to Confuse, Enthrall, and Delight, beloved mystery author Sara Gran both reinvents the mystery genre and returns to one of its quirkiest tropes. Kirkus Reviews calls it a "charming, gritty explorations of the greatest mysteries of all: Who are we, and what is this life?” Sara Gran joins us to discuss her book, out today.

Years after starring in "ER," actor Noah Wyle is back in the emergency room, this time as Dr. Robinavitch in the Max original series "The Pitt." The show follows Dr. Robi and his team over the course of one 15 hour shift in an ER in Pittsburgh. Wyle joins us to discuss the series, which airs on Max Thursday nights.

[REBROADCAST FROM Jul 9, 2024] Writer Yasmin Zaher's debut novel,The Coin is a 2025 Gotham Book Prize finalist! The story is about a teacher obsessed with cleanliness who gets caught up in a Birkin bag reselling scheme. She joins me to discuss.

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, but so is Palentine's Day on February 13. Palentine's Day is a moment to spend time with friends and celebrate those platonic loved ones in your life. Lauren Phillips, senior editorial and strategy director for Better Homes and Gardens, gives us some ideas to celebrate the day and take your calls.

Valentine's Day is this Friday, and however you plan to spend the day, there can be a lot of pressure to impress. But going all out for that special someone doesn't necessarily mean you have to clean out your wallet. To give you a few days to prepare, Gabby Rello Duffy, senior editorial director of Brides magazine, discusses some budget-friendly date ideas, and we take your calls and questions.

A new five-part docuseries follows the young girls of Figure Skating in Harlem as they prepare for competitions, performances, and international showcases. "Harlem Ice" director Samantha Knowles discusses the series, which begins streaming on Disney+ this Wednesday, February 12.

For the first time, a major exhibition of German Romantic painter Caspar David Friedrich has come to the United States. Curators Alison Hokanson and Joanna Seidenstein discuss the exhibit, Caspar David Friedrich: The Soul of Nature, on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through May 11.

25 years ago this weekend, Joni Mitchell released her turning point concept album, Both Sides Now. The record saw Mitchell revisiting two of her own songs 40 years later, amid a number of American Songbook standards. For the next installment of our Silver Liner Notes album anniversary series, we reflect on this album within Joni Mitchell's career with Ann Powers, NPR music critic and author of Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell.

Kitchen fermentation lets you leverage the power of chemistry and biology to create unique flavors and textures in your food, and extend shelf life. Arielle Johnson, co-founder of Noma's fermentation lab and author of the book, Flavorama: A Guide to Unlocking The Art and Science of Flavor, shares her insights into the science of food, flavor and fermentation.

We end the show this week on a sweet note by talking about jam. Whether it's raspberry or strawberry, chutney or marmalade, we want to know what your favorite jam flavor is and why. Jessica Quon and Sabrina Valle, co-founders of The Jam Stand, discuss their love of jam, offer advice on how to make our own jars at home, and take your calls.

The film "Conclave" turns the selection of the next Pope into a dramatic tale of secrets, lies, and intrigue. Film editor Nick Emerson joins us to discuss his work on the movie, which has earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Editing. This conversation is part of our series "The Big Picture," interviews with Oscar nominees who worked behind the camera to make movie magic in 2024.

The Grammy Awards were last weekend and plenty of former All Of It guests were in attendance, including Nicole Zuraitis, who, with and Dan Pugach took home the award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. Nicole also served as a judge for the Public Song Project, performed at our concert at Lincoln Center, and recorded a song for our album: an adaptation of the Edna St Vincent Millay poem, “The Philosopher.” You can hear a version of it by getting your own copy of the Public Song Project vinyl, by donating to WNYC. To celebrate their win, we present Nicole Zuraitis at WNYC playing a musical mash-up of two Millay poems: “The Philosopher” and “Travel.”

The Latvian animated film "Flow" has become a beloved fan-favorite, and took home the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature. It is now nominated for an Academy Award. Director Gints Zilbalodis discusses the film, which follows a cat and his friends as they try to survive a flood.

Dressing gladiators, emperors, senators, and schemers in Ancient Rome for "Gladiator II" was no small task for the Oscar-nominated costume designers Janty Yates and David Crossman. Yates won the Oscar for her work on the original "Gladiator," and she has now teamed up with Crossman, who worked on the military costumes. We discuss their work as part of our series "The Big Picture," conversations with Oscar nominees who worked behind the camera to create movie magic in 2024.

A new documentary, "Paint Me A Road Out Of Here" tells the story of a group effort to transfer a Faith Ringgold painting from Rikers to a museum. The film features interviews with Ringgold, who died last year at the age of 93. Director Catherine Gund and formerly incarcerated artist Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, one of the leaders of the effort, discuss the documentary, premiering tomorrow at Film Forum.

[REBROADCAST FROM Aug. 12, 2024] Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, Samara Joy, Beyoncé, and New Orleans-based band Tank and The Bangas all won big at the Grammy's last weekend! In celebration, we air highlights of our conversation about their award-winning three-part spoken word collection titled The Heart, The Mind, The Soul. Using R&B, jazz and soul influences, vocalist Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball and guitarist/pianist Norman Spence joined for a live performance in Studio 5.

Costume designer Linda Muir had to dress 19th century German aristocrats, rural nuns, and one very thirsty vampire in "Nosferatu." She joins us to discuss her Oscar-nominated work bringing director Robert Eggers' vision to life as part of our series "The Big Picture," featuring conversations with Oscar nominees who worked behind the camera to create some of the best movies of the year.

Director Robert Eggers is known for his dedication to historical accuracy in his films. Production designer Craig Lathrop has been working with Eggers since his first film, "The Witch," and is now Oscar nominated for his work on the horror film "Nosferatu." He joins us to discuss bringing 19th century Germany to life as part of our series The Big Picture, featuring conversations with Oscar nominees who worked behind the camera to create the best movies of the year.

One day in Rome, novelist Hanif Kureishi collapsed, and woke up in a hospital room paralyzed. He began to write about his difficult recovery through a series of dictated statements to family and friends. That experience is now compiled in a new memoir, Shattered. Kureishi joins us to discuss his story.

A new collection of essays from critic, writer, and host of the Keep It podcast, Ira Madison III, documents the key pop culture moments that kicked off his interest in the subject (and later his career), and shaped his coming-of-age as a Black gay man in Milwaukee. Ira joins us to discuss Pure Innocent Fun.

As part of our 2025 "What the Hack" series, we speak with Patric Richardson, aka 'The Laundry Evangelist,' about the best way to wash clothes for fabric durability, environmental sustainability and for your own health.

"The Brutalist" cinematographer and Oscar nominee Lol Crawley shot on VistaVision, a technology rarely used today in Hollywood. Crawley discusses the film as part of our annual series The Big Picture, which features interviews with below-the-line Oscar nominees.