Best NPR Podcasts (2024)

Comic Jenny Slate spoke with Terry Gross earlier this year about finding comedy in her feelings, motherhood, and growing up in a haunted house. Her latest stand-up special on Amazon Prime Video is Seasoned Professional and she has a new book of essays out now called Lifeform. Justin Chang reviews Clint Eastwood's new film, Juror #2. Learn more abou…

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How 'Roxanne' changed Sting's life and more stories from his back catalog 24:16

Play Pause

1h ago24:16

24:16

Find out which songs the English musician chose to perform for World Cafe's new feature called Backtracking. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Is the American Dream in Decline? 53:15

13m ago53:15

53:15

The American Dream – the idea that anyone can achieve success in the U.S. through hard work and determination – is under scrutiny, and some worry it’s no longer achievable for the broader population. Those who agree say increasing healthcare, education, and housing costs create difficulty in having financial stability. Those who disagree argue that…

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What we—and AI—can learn from nature's intelligence 49:38

32m ago49:38

49:38

Artificial intelligence is powerful, but what about natural intelligence? This hour, TED speakers explore the intrinsic genius in animal language, insect behavior, plant anatomy and our immune system. Guests include neuroscientist Greg Gage, computational neuroscientist Frances Chance, social psychoneuroimmunologist Keely Muscatell and environmenta…

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New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 8 1:02:05

37m ago1:02:05

1:02:05

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen are your guides to the most compelling albums released this Friday. Featured albums: • Ab-Soul, Soul Burger • Jamey Johnson, Midnight Gasoline • Our Girl, The Good Kind • Various Artists, Like Someone I Know: A Celebration of Margo Guryan Check out the longer list of albums out Nov. 8 and stream our New …

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What we—and AI—can learn from nature's intelligence 49:38

37m ago49:38

49:38

Artificial intelligence is powerful, but what about natural intelligence? This hour, TED speakers explore the intrinsic genius in animal language, insect behavior, plant anatomy and our immune system. Guests include neuroscientist Greg Gage, computational neuroscientist Frances Chance, social psychoneuroimmunologist Keely Muscatell and environmenta…

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Trump Is Back, Now What? 50:22

18m ago50:22

50:22

To cap off our 2024 election coverage, The Latino Factor: How We Vote, Latino USA teamed up with Futuro Media’s political podcast In The Thick to bring you a special episode. In the election that many Americans said was “the most important of their lifetimes,” Maria Hinojosa spends the day speaking to voters, students, journalists and movement lead…

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Freedman's Bank & Economic Disparities Today 45:57

2m ago45:57

45:57

In Savings and Trust, historian Justene Hill Edwards tells the story of the Freedman's Bank. Created for formerly enslaved people following the Civil War, its collapse cost depositors millions. She spoke with Tonya Molsey about how this part of history reverberates today. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Vanishing Treasures. Learn more ab…

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Waterworld 56:22

1h ago56:22

56:22

A dolphin named Dr. Spock is in danger and NBA star Clifford Ray is the only man big enough to lend a hand. Plus, torrential rain is ripping through the Appalachians and the people of the mountain are all looking for Plan B. STORIES Just Another Day for Big Clifford Ray A dolphin named Dr. Spock is in danger and NBA star Clifford Ray is the only ma…

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Mondo Cozmo on his latest album, 'It's PRINCIPLE!' 25:27

1h ago25:27

25:27

The Philadelphia musician delivers his most cohesive record to date. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Moving to the American dream? (update) 23:59

2h ago23:59

23:59

Back in the 90s, the federal government ran a bold experiment, giving people vouchers to move out of high-poverty neighborhoods into low-poverty ones. They wanted to test if housing policy could be hope – whether an address change alone could improve jobs, earnings and education. The answer to that seems obvious. But it did not at all turn out as t…

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Saoirse Ronan Says Being A Child Actor Shaped Her — For The Better 46:17

33m ago46:17

46:17

Irish actor Saoirse Ronan returns to Fresh Air to talk with contributor Ann Marie Baldonado about her two new films (The Outrun and Blitz) as well as her experience as a child actor and her collaboration with Lady Bird and Little Women director Greta Gerwig. Also, Carolina Miranda reviews the Netflix film Pedro Páramo. Learn more about sponsor mess…

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Alt.Latino's Spain Soundtrack 18:29

1h ago18:29

18:29

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are in Spain for a music conference. On this episode, they share their favorite discoveries from Bilbao, San Sebastián and beyond. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Our Spain Soundtrack: Judeline, Lia Kali and more 18:29

1h ago18:29

18:29

Alt.Latino hosts Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre are in Spain this week for a music conference, so they soaked up the local sounds. Featured Songs: - Mayte Martín, "El Breve Espacio Que No Está" - Rels B and Lia Kali, "La Vida Sin Ti" - Judeline, "INRI" - Buika, "La Niña De Fuego" Listen to the playlist at https://npr.org/altlatino. Learn more a…

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Saxophonist Colin Stetson's performance style is breathtaking, literally 44:19

2m ago44:19

44:19

The saxophonist has spent his life developing his unique, physically demanding performance style. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Remembering Quincy Jones 47:29

3d ago47:29

47:29

We remember renowned composer, arranger and producer Quincy Jones and listen back to Terry Gross's 2001 interview with him. He died Sunday at the age of 91. He got his start playing with Ray Charles when they were both in their teens. Jones became famous as an arranger and producer for musicians including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin…

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#2489: The Burper 34:08

6m ago34:08

34:08

Calls about smells, burping and an incident at a topless bar on this all-too-typical edition of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

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Brave Enough To Ask 16:12

10m ago16:12

16:12

StoryCorps does a lot of different things, but they all come down to connecting people— even if they disagree. That's the idea behind our One Small Step initiative, where we pair strangers with opposing political views to have a conversation, not about politics, but about their lives. In the last episode of our season, two people who connected — ev…

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Al Pacino Looks Back On A Legendary Career 45:50

16m ago45:50

45:50

Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino talks with Terry Gross about growing up in the South Bronx with a single mother, getting his start in Greenwich Village performing in avant-garde theater, nearly dying of COVID, and his life today. We'll also talk about The Godfather, and why he almost passed on Part II. His new memoir is Sonny Boy. Learn more about sp…

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More songs to calm the nerves 59:00

4d ago59:00

59:00

In our second installment of blood-slowing songs we take a deep breath and let it out with the music of Max Richter, Hania Rani, Fleet Foxes, Yasmin Williams and more. Featured artists and songs: 1. Joan Shelley: "Easy Now," from Over and Even 2. Fleet Foxes: "Helplessness Blues," from Helplessness Blues 3. Theo Alexander: "re; Waiting," from Anima…

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Going Viral: How Influencers Are Impacting the Battle Over Young Latino Voters 36:02

34m ago36:02

36:02

Since 1986, there has been an enduring 26-point gap in youth voter turnout in presidential elections. And as the Latine population continues to grow in the US, they are making up a large portion of new young eligible voters. So, in this election, both parties aggressively courted young Latinos for their votes. We follow two young Latinos who have b…

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WWDTM: Brian Jordan Alvarez 47:16

5m ago47:16

47:16

This week, Brain Jordan Alvarez, the creator and star of English Teacher, plays our game with Brian Babylon, Luke Burbank, and Emmy Blotnick Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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Best Of: Alex Van Halen / Painter Titus Kaphar 48:37

4d ago48:37

48:37

Alex Van Halen has written a new memoir about forming the rock band Van Halen with his brother Eddie. It takes readers from their childhood to the wild ride of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Eddie Van Halen died in 2020. Alex talks with Tonya Mosley about his grief and reflects on their relationship. Also, artist Titus Kaphar talks about his new mo…

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#2488: True Master Mechanics 36:58

2h ago36:58

36:58

A true 'Master' mechanic is intimately familiar with the intricate workings of innumerable makes and models of cars, right? Yeah, but can they help Emma from Montana figure out which 'thingie' to put the blue liquid into? Let's all find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you …

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The veteran loan calamity 36:48

19m ago36:48

36:48

Ray and Becky Queen live in rural Oklahoma with their kids (and chickens). The Queens were able to buy that home with a VA loan because of Ray's service in the Army. During COVID, the Queens – like millions of other Americans – needed help from emergency forbearance. They were told they could pause home payments for up to a year and then pick up ag…

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Remembering 'Tootsie' Actor Teri Garr 47:40

5d ago47:40

47:40

We remember actor Teri Garr, who died last week at age 79. She charmed audiences in her film roles and appearances on late night TV. She's best known for her role as the dim witted seductive lab assistant to Gene Wilder's mad scientist in Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein. She was later nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Tootsie. After bein…

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Los Bitchos' 'Talkie Talkie' is a raucous 1980s discotheque 34:38

16m ago34:38

34:38

Heavily inspired by cumbia, the London-based band has a straightforward ethos: have fun. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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New Music Friday: The best albums out Nov. 1 55:54

38m ago55:54

55:54

NPR Music's Ann Powers and Daoud Tyler-Ameen are your guides to the most compelling new releases of the week, including the first album in 16 years by The Cure and a surprise release by Tyler, the Creator. Featured albums: • The Cure, 'Songs of a Lost World' • Tyler, the Creator, 'Chromokopia' • Willie Nelson, 'Last Leaf on the Tree' • Haley Heynde…

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Nate Silver on The Art of Risking Everything: Politics, Money, Power 53:15

12m ago53:15

53:15

At the moment of this episode’s release, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in election polls. How do you embrace risk, make informed decisions, and be prepared for any possible changes? In this episode, FiveThirtyEight founder and author of “On the Edge” Nate Silver discusses with Reason magazine’s Editor-at-Large Nick Gillespie his …

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A guide to being brave in relationships 49:37

17m ago49:37

49:37

From sustaining a marriage to making new friends, forming connections requires courage. This hour, TED speakers guide us through being brave during the most difficult moments in relationships. Guests include writer and podcaster Kelly Corrigan, journalist Allison Gilbert and clinical psychologists Julie and John Gottman. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers…

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A guide to being brave in relationships 49:37

9m ago49:37

49:37

From sustaining a marriage to making new friends, forming connections requires courage. This hour, TED speakers guide us through being brave during the most difficult moments in relationships. Guests include writer and podcaster Kelly Corrigan, journalist Allison Gilbert and clinical psychologists Julie and John Gottman. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers…

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Latino USA Presents: The Voter Suppression Playbook 29:37

2h ago29:37

29:37

In The Thick hosts Maria Hinojosa and Paola Ramos are joined by LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, and Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation to discuss voter suppression in Black and Latino communities. They break down the legal, social and political methods being used by the far-right and reveal how these mis…

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What About Foreign Interference In The 2024 Election? 46:06

16m ago46:06

46:06

New Yorker journalist David Kirkpatrick says a government command hub is tasked with tracking and protecting U.S. elections from foreign adversaries who try to disrupt them by sowing discord and foment violence. Guest jazz critic Martin Johnson remembers composer Benny Golson, who died last month at the age of 95. Learn more about sponsor message c…

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Chasing Thunder - Snap Classic 49:10

2h ago49:10

49:10

For 110 days Peter Hammarstedt and his group of ocean vigilantes hunted the most notorious poacher of sea bass on the high seas, known as the Thunder. Their journey turns into an epic chase across 10,000 miles, two seas, and three oceans, through massive ice floors, violent clashes, and storms-tossed seas, where only one ship makes it home. This st…

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So your data was stolen in a data breach 28:59

5d ago28:59

28:59

If you... exist in the world, it's likely that you have gotten a letter or email at some point informing you that your data was stolen. This happened recently to potentially hundreds of millions of people in a hack that targeted companies like Ticketmaster, AT&T, Advance Auto Parts and others that use the data cloud company Snowflake. On today's sh…

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The Organization Ready To Help Trump Override The Federal Gov't 47:01

19m ago47:01

47:01

New York Times reporter Ken Bensinger says the America First Policy Institute, which has nearly 300 executive orders ready to be signed, would influence a Trump second term more than Project 2025. Also, John Powers reviews the movie A Real Pain. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

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Tycho on his latest album, 'Infinite Health' 27:49

2h ago27:49

27:49

The record producer and composer sought inspiration from his beginnings in Sacramento for his latest record. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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HTDE: Josh Gad defeats earworms, and we make a pitch to Pete Buttigieg 22:09

9d ago22:09

22:09

This week on the show, when a mother can't get her four-year-old's favorite song out of her head, Mike and Ian call up Broadway's beloved Josh Gad to help. Plus, Ian has a formal request for the Secretary of Transportation, and the guys find a tip to quell those pesky election mailers. You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org. How To D…

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Alex Van Halen On Eddie, Fire & 'Feeling It' 46:24

10d ago46:24

46:24

Alex Van Halen has written a new memoir about forming the rock band Van Halen with his brother Eddie, who died of cancer in 2020. The book, titled Brothers, takes readers from their childhood to the wild ride of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about grief, lighting his drums on fire, and what he really thinks of This is Sp…

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The Culture Corner: Digable Planets' 'Blowout Comb' turns 30 13:46

17h ago13:46

13:46

The hip-hop group's second and final album took a sharp sonic turn away from their radio-friendly debut. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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#2487: Leah Returns 36:55

9d ago36:55

36:55

A while back, Leah wrote to Click and Clack despairing that while she was succeeding academically in college she had somehow lost her sense of joyful purpose. And, in a parent's worst nightmare, two mechanics who graduated college by the skin of their teeth commenced with the life advice. On this episode of the Best of Car Talk Leah checks in to te…

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How hip-hop reached global domination 1:01:23

1d ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Over half a century, hip-hop has grown into a globally dominant musical and cultural force while remaining stubbornly, vitally local. When DJ Kool Herc spun records at a small party in the Bronx in August of 1973, no one would have predicted his unique style would give birth to the most influential and dominant music in the world: hip-hop. In this …

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12 Feet From a Bomb 17:51

1d ago17:51

17:51

On the morning of January 29th, 1998, a terrorist bombed the New Woman All Women Health Care Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, killing a police officer and severely injuring a nurse. Both victims risked their own safety to show up for others—despite having different beliefs—and will forever be linked by the same act of political violence. Leave us a v…

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How The Culture Wars Split A Church 46:00

1d ago46:00

46:00

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eliza Griswold says complaints about homophobia, white privilege and diversity are splintering progressive organizations — including one particular church in Philadelphia. Her book is Circle of Hope. It's a finalist for the National Book Award. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices …

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Cassandra Lewis on her debut album, 'Lost in a Dream' 34:05

1d ago34:05

34:05

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter sought inspiration from Dorothy's journey in The Wizard of Oz. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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The Misinformation Web 54:59

5d ago54:59

54:59

The 2024 presidential election has seen a rise in Spanish-language misinformation and in the content creators making a living by pushing out false content. For months, Futuro Investigates in collaboration with Latino USA, tracked how lies and conspiracies about the election and the candidates that originated in English soon found their way to Spani…

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#2486: Tire Afire 33:31

4d ago33:31

33:31

Ann spent a winter day snowboarding in Oregon, but as she and her Saab tried to negotiate the mountain road home she smelled smoke and realized her tire was on fire. Being a risk taker, Ann kept driving. Apres ski with Click and Clack on this episode of The Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign u…

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Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le Carré's Son 48:41

4d ago48:41

48:41

The HBO series Somebody Somewhere is about a 40-something woman who returns home to Kansas to care for her dying sister, then stays, but feels like an outsider until she finds a place in the LGBTQ community. We talk Bridget Everett, star of the series, who is also an acclaimed (and bawdy) cabaret singer. Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his n…

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WWDTM: Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe 46:58

4d ago46:58

46:58

This week, sports power couple Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe talk about their podcast, who's more competitive, and where they keep their medals Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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