All Of It with Alison Stewart

There was a time when New York's LaGuardia airport was the butt of infrastructure jokes. Now, it's often cited as one of the best airports in the country. A new documentary as part of the PBS NOVA series details the engineering work that went into the makeover. We speak to writer and producer Joby Lubman about "Extreme Airport Engineering," streaming now on PBS.

Robell Awake is a designer, chairmaker, researcher, and educator. He's written a new book, A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects, that tells the stories of important yet underappreciated Black chairmakers, welders, dressmakers, basketmakers and more. Awake discusses his research and shares his own journey as a chairmaker.

Film editor Myron Kerstein had the monumental task of taking 250 hours of footage and turning it into the two part movie musical "Wicked." The film is now nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and Kerstein is nominated for his editing work. He joins us to discuss how it all came together as part of our series The Big Picture, where we speak to Oscar nominees who worked behind the camera to make the best movies of the year.

National Book Award-winning author Imani Perry previews our February Get Lit with All Of It book club event. We are spending the month reading her latest, Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People. It's an exploration of the relationship between Black Americans and the color blue, from the indigo dye trade to R&B. Perry will join us for a book club event on February 26. Grab tickets here!

A "no buy 2025" challenge is sweeping social media, with thousands of content creators posting videos about what they are NOT buying. As part of our "What the Hack" series, we speak with reporter Ann-Marie Alcántara, who has written about this trend for The Wall Street Journal. And we want to hear from you about what you're not buying.

A new historical novel follows Jessie Redmon Fauset, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C who moves to Harlem to chase her lifelong dream of becoming an editor. However, a secret affair with her boss puts her dreams at risk. Author Victoria Christopher Murray discusses Harlem Rhapsody, which publishes tomorrow.

Learning to knit or crochet can feel overwhelming, but there are some tips and tricks. Not to mention a whole community of fiber artists who want to support you. Kiana Malekzadeh is the owner and operator of West Village Knit & Needle, where she also teaches classes. She joins us to talk about getting started and take your calls.

Trumpet player Anthony Hervey performs live from our January Get Lit with All Of It book club event.

Author Richard Price discusses his new novel, Lazarus Man, which tells the story of a group of people whose lives are affected by the collapse of a tenement building in East Harlem. The novel was our January Get Lit with All Of It book club selection. We air highlights from the sold-out live event.

In the new novel All the Water in the World, the effects of climate change have caused much of Manhattan to flood. The story follows a family living in a settlement on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History. But when the floodwaters begin to rise, the family has to escape and see if they can save anything from the museum. Author Eiren Caffall joins us to discuss.

Actors Audra McDonald and Joy Woods discuss starring as Rose and her daughter Louise in the acclaimed Broadway revival of "Gypsy," running now at the Majestic Theatre.

A new cookbook, Island Vegan: 75 Flavorful Recipes from the Caribbean: Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Dominican Republic & More, celebrates the flavorful cuisine of the Caribbean without the meat. Author Lloyd Rose discusses his book and answers your questions about vegan cooking.

Kay Sohini is a South Asian researcher, writer, and graphic novelist based in New York City. In her new graphic memoir, This Beautiful, Ridiculous City, she provides an intimate portrait of the city through her lens as an immigrant, survivor, writer, foodie, and an optimist. Sohini discusses her story and we take your calls about the things you love about New York City.

25 years ago this week, D'Angelo released his now classic album, Voodoo, ushering in a new era of R&B in the 2000s. For the next installment of our Silver Liner Notes album anniversary series, we reflect on Voodoo's legacy with Naima Cochrane, journalist and NYU assistant arts professor, and we take your calls and listen to some tracks.

Blue Man Group will end its hometown run on February 2, after more than 30 years at Astor Place. Two of the show’s founders Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton talk about the history and future of Blue Man and take your calls.

For the first time, an exhibit reconstructing the hiding place where Anne Frank and her family evaded Nazi persecution is on view in New York. Ronald Leopold, executive director of the Anne Frank House, discusses the importance of Frank's story, and how it resonates today. This segment is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hansen.

When Joy Oladokun was 10 in a rural town in Arizona, a video of Tracy Chapman inspired her to learn guitar. Now, the singer-songwriter has released her fifth studio album, Observations From A Crowded Room. Oladokun joins us for a Listening Party ahead of her show at Irving Plaza tomorrow at 7.This segment is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hansen.

This Black History Month, PBS is airing a four-part documentary on The Great Migration, hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The first part of "Great Migrations: A People on the Move" aired last night, and directors Julia Marchesi and Nailah Ife Sims discuss the series and how the Great Migration continues to play out in our cities today. Check your local PBS listings for specific broadcast dates.This segment is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hansen.

A new book posits that the roots of the rise in crime in East New York, Brooklyn, can be linked directly to a subprime mortgage scandal decades earlier. Author Stacy Horn discusses her new book, The Killing Fields of East New York: The First Subprime Mortgage Scandal, a White-Collar Crime Spree, and the Collapse of an American Neighborhood.This segment is guest-hosted by Tiffany Hansen.

Mali Obomsawin had a prolific 2024, releasing two collaborative albums — with Jake Blount, and as Deerlady with Magdalena Abrego — and composing the score for the documentary “Sugarcane,” which is now nominated for an Oscar. Obomsawin talks about her various projects and performs live.

A new book from journalist Tanya Pearson, Pretend We're Dead: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Women in Rock in the ’90s, explores the surge of female rock stars in the 90's and why their popularity waned into the 2000s. Pearson discusses her book alongside musician Tanya Donelly and we take your calls.

Singer-songwriter Neko Case is known for her beautiful voice and her fierce and haunting lyrics that convey emotional truths. In her new memoir, The Harder I Fight, the More I Love You, she charts her evolution from being "raised by two dogs and a space heater" in rural Washington state by two teenage parents, to becoming an internationally acclaimed musician. She discusses her book as well as her latest project, writing songs for a musical theater adaptation of "Thelma and Louise." *Neko Case will be in conversation with Emma Straub at Books Are Magic tonight at 7.

"Presence," a new film directed by Steven Soderbergh, flips the horror genre on its head by telling the story from the ghost's point of view. It's written by David Koepp. Koepp's had success with blockbusters like "Mission Impossible" and "Jurassic Park" and he discusses his latest project and what it was like working with the prolific director, and actor Callina Liang talks about playing the lead role.

The Moth wants WNYC Listeners to be part of their upcoming storyteller season. Executive producer and director Sarah Austin Jenness joins to take calls from listeners about their "Only in New York" stories for a chance to appear on a Moth event hosted by our own Alison Stewart.

What do Post-Its, Spanx, Telfar’s Shopping Bag, and the Accessible Icon symbol have in common? Their revolutionary design. MoMA has organized a new exhibition, Pirouette: Turning Points in Design, which displays products from the museum's collection with unique and memorable design that forever changed our culture. Curator Paola Antonelli discusses the show, on view through October 18.

A growing number of experts have been sounding the alarm about increased screen time, especially for children and teenagers. As part of our series, What the Hack, psychologist Dr. Jacqueline Nesi, who studies the role of social media in adolescents’ mental health and development and writes the popular newsletter Techno Sapiens, provides a few tips to manage your screen time.

Earlier this month, Bad Bunny released his sixth studio album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, a tribute to the island of Puerto Rico. NPR producer and reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento joins us alongside University of Wisconsin-Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo, who collaborated on the album, to unpack the significance of the album.

A new shadow puppetry exhibition by the Queens-based Chinese Theatre Works rings in the Year of the Snake! Ellen Kodadek from Flushing Town Hall and Stephen Kaplin from Chinese Theatre Works discuss Red Gate: Pauline Benton & Chinese Shadow Theatre in America, which is on display through February 23.*This episode is guest-hosted by David Furst.

Last week the Supreme Court upheld the decision to ban TikTok in America and a few days later, the app briefly went dark. But on President Trump's first day he vowed to delay the ban. We'll learn about the reason for the anti-TikTok legislation, if Trump can legally stop the ban, and how the loss of TikTok might affect digital creators with Sapna Maheshwari, a business reporter from the New York Times who covers the tech industry. We'll also take listener calls.*This episode is guest-hosted by David Furst.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, artist and comedian Sam Kissajukian had a manic episode, during which he painted more than 300 works of art. His new comedy show, "300 Paintings," takes audiences on a hilarious and moving tour of some of that art, which also serves as a journey through his own mental health. He joins us to discuss the show, which is running at the Vineyard Theater through February 23. *This episode is guest-hosted by David Furst.

The hit series "Severance" is set in the near future where the distinction between work and life is extreme. After a three year hiatus, the show returned last week to glowing reviews. We're joined by actors Tramell Tillman, who plays the charming yet sinister Mr. Milchik, and Britt Lower, who plays Helly, to discuss the new season.*This episode is guest-hosted by David Furst.

[REBROADCAST FROM September 24, 2024] A new exhibition at the Whitney celebrates the life and work of influential and pioneering artist, dancer, and choreographer Alvin Ailey. Edges of Ailey presents items from Ailey's archive, as well as live performances in the museum, including AILEY in residence. Curator Adrienne Edwards discusses this innovative show, on view through February 9.This segment is guest-hosted by David Furst

This morning the Oscar nominations were announced! We break down the snubs and surprises with Oscar fanatic and Keep It podcast co-host Louis Virtel.This segment is guest-hosted by David Furst

Today it feels almost balmy after the last few days of single digit temperatures. But cold weather is great for cooking. We speak to Food & Wine assistant editor Andee Gosnell about some of her favorite one pot meals to keep you warm this winter. And we take your calls.This segment is guest-hosted by David Furst

The singular filmmaker David Lynch died on January 15, days before what would have been his 79th birthday. Film and television critic Matt Zoller Seitz joins us to reflect on Lynch's career and legacy with listeners' calls.This segment is guest-hosted by David Furst

Henry Christophe was known as a liberator of Haiti, before he switched sides and fought with Napoleon's forces. He later became the first King of Haiti, before dying by suicide. Biographer Marlene L. Daut unpacks the complicated truths behind Christophe's life in her new book, The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe.

Jonathan Van Ness pledges to provide sex ed to adults in their first standup comedy special, "Fun & Slutty." They take aim at efforts to ban sex ed in schools or stigmatize sexual freedoms. Van Ness discusses their special, streaming on Veeps tomorrow, and the current season of "Queer Eye."

In the new comedy "Laid," Stephanie Hsu plays Ruby Yao, a 33-year-old single woman who is searching for a perfect love story, however she finds herself at the center of a mystery when her exes begin dying. Hsu joins us alongside co-creator Nahnatchka Khan to discuss the series, streaming on Peacock.

This month we're speaking to Grammy-nominated artists. Bassist Divinity Roxx is a family music artist who's nominated in the Best Children's Album category for World Wide Playdate. Roxx joins us with her band for a special live performance!

Grammy-nominated pianist Donald Vega performed live on our show last week and discussed his album, As I Travel. Donald recorded an extra bonus track for us, titled "Disturbios," about his connection to his home city of Los Angeles. He dedicate this performance to those suffering from the L.A. wildfires.

In the 1970s, a woman named Marty Goddard pioneered the rape kit, a new, standardized way to collect evidence following a sexual assault. Then, a man got credit for creating the kit, and Goddard disappeared. Journalist Pagan Kennedy has spent the last few years trying to track Goddard down and tell her story. Kennedy discusses her new book, The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story.

Known for directing big hits like "Deepwater Horizon" and "Friday Night Lights," Peter Berg is known for intense and gritty stories. His latest is a Netflix limited series, "American Primeval," set in the American West in 1857. Berg speaks with Alison about the collision of religion, homesteading, greed and violence depicted in the series.

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.

Jack Shainman Gallery has opened a new venue in Chelsea featuring work from artist Barkley Hendricks. In addition, there's a new Nick Cave exhibition in the original Tribeca location. We speak with Cave about his latest, Jack Shainman about his gallery, and Elisabeth Sann, who curated the Hendricks show.

Today, we present an encore 'Full Bio' conversation with author and historian Johnathan Eig, whose book "King: A Life" is the first comprehensive, modern biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in decades. First, we'll hear about Eig's research and writing process, plus the early life of "Little Mike," King's time as a student at Morehouse and the professors who had an impact on him.Then, hear about a young King's romantic interests and his marriage to Coretta Scott, whose activist work predated his own. We also focus on 1955, the year in which the King family moved to Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to move from her bus seat, and King was drafted to lead a movement.Then, we'll hear about MLK's advisors, such as Bayard Rustin, Ralph Abernathy, and Stanley Levison, and discuss some of King's lesser known protests.And finally, we'll explore King's relationships, his disagreements with activist contemporaries, and how his work, including nearly 30 civil disobedience arrests, impacted his mental health. And finally, a look at King's civil rights efforts and priorities in the last months of his life.

Last year, more podcasts than ever decided to start turning on cameras to record video along with their audio content. In a time when the podcast industry is struggling, what impact will video have on the future of audio content? Nick Quah, podcast critic for Vulture and New York Magazine, joins us to discuss his recent piece "Will Video Kill the Audio Star in 2025?" Plus we get some podcast recommendations.

Derek Guy has become the internet’s favorite menswear expert through his blog and Twitter account, Die, Workwear!, posting informative threads and acerbic critiques. He joins us to talk about fashion and take your calls.

Baltimore artist Josh Stokes' most recent album, Won't Stop Rockin', features heavy Blues, Jazz, and experimental influences. He joins us to talk about the new album, his New Age Funk sound, and for a special live in-studio performance.

The New York Times recently released their list of the best bakeries across the country. We wanted to take a moment to recognize the best bakeries here in our beloved city. Joining us to share hers and take your calls is New York Times Food editor and writer of the "Where to Eat" newsletter, Nikita Richardson.

There's a lot of information about how to handle grief after someone dies. But often the sadness surrounding death is compounded by the sheer volume of tasks you have to take care of after, say, your parents die. Becky Robison created the website "My Parents Are Dead: What Now?" as a guide for others after she had to work her way through the labyrinth. She joins us to help us get organized and take your calls.