Segments by Date

Known for her roles in The Last Picture Show and Taxi Driver, Cybill Shepherd has refocused her career and is now making her name as a jazz singer.

The actor portrays Jonestown leader Jim Jones in a new television movie about the infamous mass suicide. Boothe talks about the difficulties of making the film, as well as the research that went his portrayal of the cult leader.

Conga player Mongo Santamaria moved from Havana, Cuba to the United States to play jazz music. He later made his name leading salsa bands.

Fresh Air broadcasts a lecture by sociologist Ann Beuf, who looks at how patriarchal traditions have led to a strict division of gender roles within marriage and the family, the legal disenfranchisement of married women, and men's sometimes violent displays of power.

Dr. Demento, whose real name is Barret Eugene Hansen, hosts a popular radio show where he plays humorous and obscure records.

In his regular feature "Interval," jazz critic Francis Davis shares his thoughts on jazz pianist Jaki Byard.

Sheldon Harnick spent years building his reputation as a lyricist before he began collaborating with composer Jerry Bock. He talks to Terry Gross about honing his craft and two of his most significant works, Fiorello! and Fiddler on the Roof.

Writer Sonia Sanchez returns to Fresh Air to discuss her upcoming book of children's stories, A Sound Investment. She explains the importance of literature and storytelling with her own children, as well as the role of political poetry and the stereotypes of African Americans in television and movies.

Jazz critic Francis Davis takes a look at the brief life and career of baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff.

Musical theater actress Chita Rivera has made her career on Broadway. She talks about her roles in West Side Story, Bring Back Birdie, and Chicago

Novelist Chaim Potok's most recent book, Wanderings, is a non-fiction history of Judaism. He talks about the tradition of the hybridization of Judaism with dominant cultures around the world, the exploration of identity in literature, and the trajectory of Western society.

Episcopal priest Ralph Moore and Rabbi Mayer Selekman return to Fresh Air to talk about their perspectives on faith traditions beyond Christianity and Judaism, morality, and death.

Documentary filmmaker Robert Drew has revolutionized the genre by dispensing with narrators and adopting a more dramatic, theatrical approach. His best known movie, Primary, follows the presidential run of John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.

Selma James and Wilmette Brown are members of the group Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics (COYOTE), which advocates for the decriminalization of prostitution and protections of sex workers. This is part one of their interview.

Actress Linda Lovelace discusses her terrifying history of sexual abuse, assault and exploitation--often at the hands of her ex-husband Chuck Traynor--which led to her to star in pornographic films like the iconic Deep Throat. Her new memoir is called Ordeal.

In his regular feature "Interval," jazz critic Francis Davis explains the work of post-bop pianist John Lewis.

The United Way's Southeastern Pennsylvania branch recently rejected Women's Way petition for membership because of the latter's support for abortion rights and services. In light of this development, representatives of the three philanthropic organizations explain to host Terry Gross and Fresh Air callers different models of fundraising for charities and other groups working for social change.

Part two of the Fresh Air interview with Selma James and Wilmette Brown. They argue that women who perform housework need to be paid a fair wage to achieve economic independence from men.

Jazz singer Nancy Wilson talks about her career, how she selects what songs to sing and record, and challenges of traveling and performing.

A panel of experts join Terry Gross to talk about the opium trade, the treatment of opiate addicts in Britain, and the often racist origins of drug laws in the United States.