Best WFMT Podcasts (2024)

1
Henry Fonda and John Houseman discuss the play "Clarence Darrow" 32:21

1h ago32:21

32:21

Henry Fonda and John Houseman talk about working with one another on "Clarence Darrow: A One-Man Play". Houseman is in awe of Fonda's portrayal of Clarence Darrow, explaining that in the play, the audience can really see the growth of Clarence Darrow, from a young lawyer to an experienced, wise one. Fonda talks about the opening scene when Darrow r…

1
Interviewing Chicagoan Kid Pharaoh : part 1 1:07:35

7d ago1:07:35

1:07:35

An interview with Kid Pharoh, a former prize fighter, is included in Terkel's book, "Division Street: America."

1
Interviewing Chicagoan Kid Pharaoh ; part 2 51:34

11d ago51:34

51:34

An interview with Kid Pharoh, a former prize fighter, is included in Terkel's book, "Division Street: America."

1
Interview in Montgomery, Alabama 49:09

14d ago49:09

49:09

First broadcast on March 25, 1965. Interviewing in Montgomery, Alabama on March 25, 1965 (Montgomery #1). Speaks with Reverend William Franklin Pascal, cab driver, two barbers

1
French humorist Jacques Tati talks with Studs Terkel 31:58

21d ago31:58

31:58

First broadcast on November 01, 1962. Filmmaker Jacques Tati and Studs discuss finding the humor in everyday life and people becoming their gadgets. The two also go in-depth about Tati's film "Mon Oncle" and the development of the character Monsieur Hulot.

1
Excerpts from the Division Street recordings Oral Histories, regarding race, religion and humanity 26:26

1M ago26:26

26:26

Studs presents excerpts from the Division Street recordings, regarding race, religion and humanity.

1
Edward Albee discusses the arts and the meaning of plays 29:15

1M ago29:15

29:15

First broadcast on December 31, 1967. Every play is political and art isn’t easy, according to Edward Albee. People need to realize that going to the theatre is an arena of engagement rather than one of escapism, says Albee. Due to people’s lack of knowledge and self-awareness, we in society, we deserve everything bad that we get, are also part of …

1
Jake Holtzman, piano 44:34

1M ago44:34

44:34

Pianist Jake Holtzman performs works by Mel Bonis, Franz Schubert, and Enrique Granados, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Jake Holtzman, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Lawrence Ferlinghetti discusses his poetry 20:13

1M ago20:13

20:13

First broadcast on October 15, 1959. Includes Lawrence Ferlinghetti reading and discussing his poems from his books "A Coney Island State of Mind" and "Big Table."

1
Annie Jacobs-Perkins, cello and Kyle Orth, piano 45:44

2M ago45:44

45:44

Cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins and pianist Kyle Orth perform works by Robert Schumann, Sergei Prokofiev, and Nadia Boulanger, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Annie Jacobs-Perkins, cello and Kyle Orth, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Allen Ginsberg discusses poetry and meditation 45:14

2M ago45:14

45:14

First broadcast on November 29, 1976. Studs Terkel and Allen Ginsberg talk about poetry, meditation, and the shifting of American socio-political consciousness between the 50's and 70's.

1
Geirþrúður Guðmundsdóttir, cello and Liang-yu Wang, piano 45:54

2M ago45:54

45:54

Cellist Geirþrúður Guðmundsdóttir and pianist Liang-yu Wang perform works by Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Florence Price, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Geirþrúður Guðmundsdóttir, cello and Liang-yu Wang, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Chicago residents Alice and Bob Taylor talk with Studs Terkel 0:01

2M ago0:01

0:01

Recorded in the Taylor's home against a backdrop of sounds created by a nine-children family, Studs, Alice and Bob discuss aspects of a white family living in a predominately African-American amidst an exodus of the white, Christian community. Includes a performance of "Onward, Christian Soldiers" by the family around their piano, and "Jesus Loves …

1
Discussing and reading from the book "Shoeless Joe"with W. P. Kinsella 47:24

2M ago47:24

47:24

First broadcast on May 24, 1982.

1
Parker Van Ostrand, piano 36:49

2M ago36:49

36:49

Pianist Parker Van Ostrand performs works by J.S. Bach, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wang Jianzhong, and Maurice Ravel, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Parker Van Ostrand, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Discussing the book "Maus: Survivor's Tale" with the artist and author Art Spiegelman 54:52

2M ago54:52

54:52

First broadcast on October 01, 1986.

1
Sirena Huang, violin and Chih-Yi Chen, piano 15:36

2M ago15:36

15:36

Violinist Sirena Huang and pianist Chih-Yi Chen perform works by Amy Beach, Francis Poulenc, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Chen Gang, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Sirena Huang, violin and Chih-Yi Chen, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Discussing the triple revolution with Bayard Rustin, W. H. Ferry and Ralph Helstein ; part 2 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

1
Discussing the triple revolution with Bayard Rustin, W. H. Ferry and Ralph Helstein ; part 1 28:26

3M ago28:26

28:26

First broadcast on August 01, 1964. Discussion about the triple revolution

1
Wynona Wang, piano 26:13

3M ago26:13

26:13

Pianist Wynona Wang performs music by Zhang Zhao, Wanghua Chu, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Ludwig van Beethoven, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Wynona Wang, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Dick Gregory discusses his career 58:15

3M ago58:15

58:15

First broadcast on May 14, 1970. Lillian Smith excerpt opens the program.

1
Bill Ayers discussing education and Ayers's book "To Teach: The Journey of a Teacher" 49:22

3M ago49:22

49:22

First broadcast on June 23, 1993.

1
Miriam K. Smith, cello and Julia Siciliano, piano 40:52

3M ago40:52

40:52

Cellist Miriam K. Smith and pianist Julia Siciliano perform music by Luigi Boccherini, Nadia Boulanger, and Ludwig van Beethoven, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Miriam K. Smith, cello and Julia Siciliano, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Wynton Marsalis discusses his musical upbringing 16:47

3M ago16:47

16:47

First broadcast on November 05, 1985. Terkel comments and presents a musical performance by Wynton Marsalis

1
John Bitoy, piano 32:30

3M ago32:30

32:30

Pianist John Bitoy performs music by J.S. Bach, James Lee III, Maurice Ravel, and Margaret Bonds, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post John Bitoy, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Studs Terkel discusses adults with young adults 23:37

4M ago23:37

23:37

Discussing adults with young people.Subjects are:Ed Bocsel, age 16Becky Milton, age 24Chick Marmor, age 19Stacy Goings, age 22Danny Paul Yates, age 17Paul Me, age 19Jerry J., age 20Lucky Miller, age 19Lily, age 16Topics include: Relationships with adults and family members, social alienation, religion, the Vietnam War, and the rise of corporate Ame…

1
Leonard Bernstein discusses his career, music, and education 38:30

4M ago38:30

38:30

First broadcast on February 01, 1985. Leonard Bernstein discusses his career as a composer along with his thoughts on American culture, musical theater, Black music, classical music, and education; music is played throughout the program including songs from Marc Blitzstein's play "The Cradle Will Rock."…

1
Anita O'Day discusses her career 26:41

4M ago26:41

26:41

First broadcast on May 21, 1975. Studs Terkel interviews jazz musician Anita O'Day.

1
Discussing the book "Hocus Pocus" with the author, novelist Kurt Vonnegut 53:43

4M ago53:43

53:43

First broadcast on October 11, 1990.

1
Byeol Kim, piano 31:34

4M ago31:34

31:34

Pianist Byeol Kim performs music by Ottorino Respighi, Franz Schubert, Friedrich Kalkbrenner, and Fazıl Say, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago The post Byeol Kim, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Gloria Steinem discusses the 10th anniversary of "Ms." magazine 56:25

5M ago56:25

56:25

First broadcast on June 17, 1982. According to Gloria Steinem, "Ms." magazine is not only a national feminist magazine, but it's also a portable friend. A regular feature of the magazine is to celebrate found women, women who are not celebrities but who should be celebrated for what they do. This interview also includes an excerpt of Aunt Molly Jac…

1
Julia Yang, cello, and Mika Sasaki, piano 30:03

4M ago30:03

30:03

Cellist Julia Yang and Pianist Mika Sasaki perform music by Thomas Adès, Shih-Hui Chen, and Frédéric Chopin, live from the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago. The post Julia Yang, cello, and Mika Sasaki, piano appeared first on WFMT.By WFMT

1
Odetta talks about her music career with Studs Terkel 33:55

5M ago33:55

33:55

Odetta (often referred as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement") talks about her music career and sings to Studs Terkel. The interview segments are between songs. This record is part of the Studs Terkel Almanac.

1
Ralph Nader discusses his book "Unsafe at Any Speed" 32:31

5M ago32:31

32:31

1
Studs, teachers and students have a conversation at a high school where there is controversy over the use of the book "Working" 55:37

5M ago55:37

55:37

Discussing the controversy over the use of the book "Working" by author Studs Terkel in a senior vocational class. Interviews with Kay Nichols, teacher, and two high school classes, as well as Bob Burns and Jim Richardson. The students talk of how the "bad" language in the book is heard from their peers on a daily basis and they don't find it offen…

1
Stokely Carmichael, Charlie Cobb, and Courtland Cox discuss the SNCC ; part 2 34:47

5M ago34:47

34:47

First broadcast on July 23, 1965. Stokely Carmichael, Charlie Cobb, and Courtland Cox discuss civil rights and African Americans in politics. Discussing the philosophy of SNCC.

1
Stokely Carmichael, Charlie Cobb, and Courtland Cox discuss the SNCC ; part 1 39:24

5M ago39:24

39:24

First broadcast on July 23, 1965. Stokely Carmichael, Charlie Cobb, and Courtland Cox discuss civil rights and African Americans in politics. Discussing the philosophy of SNCC.

1
John Malkovich and Gary Sinise discuss the film "Of Mice and Men" 47:03

6M ago47:03

47:03

First broadcast on September 29, 1981. Studs Terkel discusses the upcoming new film "Of Mice and Men", based on the novel written by John Steinbeck with the starring actors, John Malkovich (Lennie) and Gary Sinise (George). The program begins with the opening excerpt from the play "Of Mice and Men" featuring Terkel (George) and Win Stracke (Lennie)…

1
Interviewing Francois Truffaut director of "400 Blows" 36:07

6M ago36:07

36:07

First broadcast on January 27, 1960.

1
Barrett Deems discusses jazz drumming 29:10

6M ago29:10

29:10

First broadcast on March 27, 1979. Barrett Deems discusses his upbringing where he began drumming at age 4 and recalls touring with Louis Armstrong and other musicians. He also talks about meeting drummers in Africa. Music is played throughout: "Flip"- Joe Venuti, "Shine"- Barrett Deems Hottet, "Now You Has Jazz"- Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong (f…

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