Maya Rudolph is a comedy legend, and a 2024 TIME100 honoree. The multitalented actor, acclaimed for her iconic tenure on Saturday Night Live and unforgettable performances in “Bridesmaids,” “Big Mouth,” and more, joins host Charlotte Alter this week to dive deep into her creative process and personal journey. Maya takes us behind the scenes of grow…

Acclaimed novelist and 2024 TIME100 honoree Lauren Groff is a singular voice in American fiction. This week, Groff joins host Charlotte Alter to delve deep into the essence of creativity and the intricacies of the natural world and the human body. Lauren shares her unique perspective on how time acts as the "secret currency" of art, reflecting on t…

Distinguished, award-winning journalist Christiane Amanpour is known for her fearless reporting from some of the world's most volatile regions. CNN's chief international anchor of the network's flagship global affairs program, "Amanpour," Christiane joins host Charlotte Alter this week to reflect on her experiences as a war reporter over the past f…

Gillian Anderson, the illustrious actor renowned for her iconic role as Dana Scully in "The X-Files," joins host Charlotte Alter this week on the show. Gillian reflects on the profound impact of portraying such a pivotal character so early in her career and unpacks the "Dana Scully effect," which empowered a generation of women to pursue careers in…

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a renowned historian, author, scholar, filmmaker, and is the Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. This week, Gates joins host Charlotte Alter and reflects on his formative years in the working-class mill town of Piedmont, West Virginia, his early education during …

David Axelrod is a preeminent political strategist and the mastermind behind some of the most successful political campaigns in American history. This week, David sits down with host Charlotte Alter and shares his journey from his childhood in New York City to the halls of the Obama White House, with more than a few stops in Chicago along the way. …

Kate Cox, a Texas mother of two, was thrilled to find out she was pregnant with her third child last year. But the dream of expanding her family quickly turned into a nightmare when Cox and her husband were told that their fetus had an anomaly called Trisomy 18 that, in their case, was fatal. In December 2023, Cox asked a Texas court to temporarily…

Jennifer Lame is a remarkably talented film editor, whose keen eye and unique storytelling abilities have contributed to some of the most iconic films of our time. From her early days as an apprentice to Sidney Lumet to her celebrated work with writers and directors like Noah Baumbach, Christopher Nolan, Ryan Coogler and Ari Aster, Jennifer shares …

Kara Swisher is a titan in the realms of tech journalism and media. Known for her fearless interviews with the biggest names in Silicon Valley and her incisive commentary on the tech industry, Kara sits down with host Charlotte Alter to share insights from her latest book, "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story." The pair discuss Swisher’s early days chroni…

Distinguished economist Claudia Goldin is the Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University, the 2023 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences, and one of TIME’s 2024 Women of The Year. This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Goldin for a captivating conversation on the evolution of women's participation in the workforce. Claudia s…

Danielle Brooks, an award-winning actress and singer who has captivated audiences from Broadway to the big screen, sits down with host Charlotte Alter in this week's episode. Fresh from her acclaimed role as ‘Sofia’ in the film adaptation of “The Color Purple” musical, Danielle shares her journey from an arts education in South Carolina to the set …

Sheila Heti is a beacon of contemporary literature, renowned for her unique narrative voice and groundbreaking novels such as "Pure Colour," "Motherhood," and "How Should a Person Be?" This week, Sheila joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss her latest literary endeavor, "Alphabetical Diaries," a profound exploration of life distilled from a decade'…

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Jon Batiste, a celebrated musician, composer, and bandleader with deep Louisiana roots. Known as the "crown prince of jazz," Batiste's journey spans from New Orleans' vibrant streets to Juilliard's halls, extending to international acclaim. Charlotte and Jon discuss the formation of his band, Stay Huma…

Filmmaker Lulu Wang is known for her poignant storytelling and unique voice in cinema. This week, Wang joins host Charlotte Alter to take us behind the scenes of her latest project, the Amazon series “Expats,” starring Nicole Kidman. The pair delve into Wang's vision for the series and its impactful exploration of privilege, home, family, and mothe…

In the second of two episodes focused on the forces shaping the modern GOP, Sarah Longwell, a formidable figure in the political communications world and a leading Republican strategist, joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucus and the implications of Donald Trump's win for the upcoming election season. As …

Tim Alberta, a distinguished journalist and author renowned for his deep dives into American politics, joins host Charlotte Alter for an insightful and personal conversation on faith, politics, and the evolving American landscape. Known for his best-selling book "American Carnage" and his incisive reporting for The Atlantic, Alberta recounts his ea…

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by award-winning actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, for a captivating conversation on his Hollywood journey. Ruffalo shares stories about his childhood in Wisconsin and Virginia and the path that led him to discover his passion for acting. He opens up about the influential time he spent studying under the leg…

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by TIME Executive Editor Naina Bajekal and Tech Correspondent Billy Perrigo to hear how OpenAI revolutionized technology this year, and why Sam Altman was chosen as TIME's 2023 CEO of the Year. Later, Altman joins Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs on stage at TIME's Person of the Year event on December 12th in New…

As you've probably heard by now, TIME's 2023 Person of The Year is Taylor Swift. In this special bonus episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with TIME’s Editor in Chief, Sam Jacobs, and Senior Executive Editor, Kelly Conniff, for a behind-the-scenes look at the history of TIME's legendary, annual Person of the Year issue and to hear all the reaso…

Every year, TIME recognizes a person or group whose done the most to influence the events of the last 365 days. This year, we partnered with Smartsheet to celebrate teamwork by honoring an enterprise whose commitment to communication, collaboration, and innovation made a significant impact on the world. In this special bonus episode, you'll hear ho…

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes Cord Jefferson – the Emmy award-winning writer and director, known for his work on shows like ‘Succession,’ 'Watchmen' and 'The Good Place.' As Jefferson prepares for the theatrical release of his directorial debut, 'American Fiction,' he shares insight into how the film came to life, and the stories behind …

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes visionary entrepreneur Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. Chesky recounts how a simple idea between friends transformed into a global phenomenon that reinvented how people perceive and interact with strangers, and shares insights into how his artistic background and childhood travel experiences …

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, the trailblazing superstar athlete whose aerial feats have etched her name in history. Gabby recounts the sacrifices of leaving home at a young age to pursue greatness and how her life changed overnight following her 2012 Olympic triumph. In discussing the pressures of fame…

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined in-studio by legendary country music superstar Tim McGraw. They journey back in time to Tim's childhood in Louisiana and the moment he discovered that his father was famous baseball player Tug McGraw, and revisit Tim’s early years playing in local restaurants and clubs before breaking out and onto the bigge…

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with cookbook author, chef, restaurateur, and social media sensation Sohla El-Waylly to talk about her new cookbook "Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook." The pair discuss how El-Waylly skillfully incorporates diverse influences, flavors, and techniques into her culinary practice and her cre…

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes renowned sociologist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and MacArthur Fellow Matthew Desmond to the show. Desmond shares insights from his latest book, "Poverty, by America," and discusses how his upbringing in Arizona led to a life dedicated to studying economic struggle. The pair explore the complexities and …

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Kesha – the dynamic pop sensation whose chart-topping hits have set the tempo for dancefloors worldwide. The pair delve into Kesha's musical odyssey, starting from her childhood in Nashville and spanning her diverse influences of pop, punk, and rock-n-roll. Kesha offers insights into her collaboration …

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Ahead of the release of Burns’ new series, “The American Buffalo,” the pair dive deep into America’s past, and discuss the troubling challenges around teaching that history today. From the beginnings of his illustrious career and the principles that drive him, t…

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Sir Richard Branson – the mastermind behind the iconic Virgin brand. The pair retrace Branson's journey from his adventurous youth and pioneering career in music, through Branson’s groundbreaking voyage to the cosmos. Diving into Branson’s recent work to comba…

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with 2023 TIME100 Next Phenom R.F. Kuang. The #1 New York Times bestselling author shares insight into crafting characters with empathy, the emotional rollercoaster of being a novelist, the nuanced function of literary genres, and the vibrancy of BookTok. Through the lens of Kuang’s latest novel, “Yellowfac…

In this first Executive Spotlight –presented by Verizon and TIME– Verizon Chairman & CEO Hans Vestberg joins TIME CEO Jess Sibley for a thoughtful conversation on digital equity and how improving connectivity will better people's lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TIME

This week, multifaceted phenom Fran Drescher joins host Charlotte Alter for a journey through the labyrinth of Hollywood. From Drescher’s early days in Queens, to her iconic role as Miss Fine in "The Nanny," to her current role as the Screen Actor’s Guild president, Fran and Charlotte recount the steps that led Drescher to becoming one of the most …

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with acclaimed media theorist, author, and internet biographer Douglas Rushkoff. Credited by MIT as one of the "world's ten most influential intellectuals," Rushkoff shares his unique insights into how technological advancements shape our relationship with media, money, power, and each other. Together, they…

We're off this week and wanted to bring you something special from our colleagues at TIME and Georgia Public Broadcasting. Earlier this summer, TIME Senior International Climate and Environment Correspondent Aryn Baker teamed up with GPB reporter Sofi Gratas to document the impact that extreme heat has had on the most vulnerable members of America'…

This week, renowned psychologist, author, and professor Jean Twenge joins host Charlotte Alter to delve deep into the corridors of generational differences. Just in time for back-to-school, the pair discuss the profound impacts of smartphones, screentime, and social media on the formative years of today's youth. From discerning the subtle changes b…

This week, 8-time Grammy award-winner Jack Antonoff joins host Charlotte Alter to talk about the indelible mark he’s left on music history. The pair discuss the magnetic pull of their shared hometown of New Jersey, the profound impact that Antonoff’s family has had on his work, and the intimate and intricate processes behind today’s chart-topping h…

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by the formidable Eddie Ndopu. Recognized as one of the world's most influential disabled individuals, Ndopu has continually broken barriers, including making history this July by delivering the opening keynote address at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals in the Genera…

On this week's episode, Charlotte Alter sits down with the iconic Candace Bushnell – the creative force behind the cultural phenomenon "Sex and the City." Bushnell shares her journey from her childhood in Connecticut to becoming a leading figure in the New York City publishing scene, and ultimately, a worldwide influencer. They delve into the glamo…

This week, host Charlotte Alter chats with America’s youngest congressperson, Maxwell Frost. A representative of Generation Z's political ambitions and changing viewpoints, Frost provides an unfiltered look into his groundbreaking first year in Congress. The pair explore the breadth and depth of American politics, from the victories and challenges …

In this week's episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood. The pair discuss the Supreme Court's landmark 2022 Dobbs decision, the repercussions of the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, and the challenges of supporting patients and practitioners amidst a shifting legal landscape. Stay tuned…

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, James Ijames. Known for his groundbreaking Broadway debut, "Fat Ham" –a unique adaptation of Hamlet set in the backdrop of a backyard barbeque– Ijames shares stories of his personal journey into theater and growing up in the South. The pair discuss how James weaves his …

This week, decorated public servant and Maryland Governor Wes Moore dives deep into the heart of patriotism with host Charlotte Alter. Together, they unpack what patriotism truly means, the significance of reclaiming this often-misunderstood term, and explore the powerful symbolism of the American flag. On the heels of the 4th of July, the pair als…

This week, Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd and host Charlotte Alter take a deep dive into the journey that led Wolfe Herd to launch one of the most successful dating apps today. Join Whitney and Charlotte as they cover everything from accountability in the tech world, equality, and loneliness to Wolfe's future plans for her business – and…

From "Juno" to "The Umbrella Academy," Elliot Page's career has been filled with memorable roles. On this week's episode, host Charlotte Alter and Elliot Page step away from the silver screen to discuss something more personal: his new memoir, "Pageboy". The pair delve into an inspiring conversation about milestones, music, acting, and the industry…

Critically acclaimed actor, director and father Ethan Hawke joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss his documentary series, "The Last Movie Stars." Their conversation spans creative partnership, generational differences, family, life, and the evolving landscape of filmmaking. Drawing from his decades-long career in front of and behind the camera, Haw…

Person of the Week, a new podcast from TIME, highlights the people who shape the world, and the forces that shape them. Each week, TIME Senior Correspondent Charlotte Alter hosts candid conversations, unearthing unexpected stories that shed light on the way our world works. Get to know household names and emerging leaders in a way you never have, o…