Skip to main content
Terry Gross at her microphone in 2018

Terry Gross

Terry Gross is the host and an executive producer of Fresh Air, the daily program of interviews and reviews. It is produced at WHYY in Philadelphia, where Gross began hosting the show in 1975, when it was broadcast only locally. She was awarded a National Humanities Medal from President Obama in 2016. Fresh Air with Terry Gross received a Peabody Award in 1994 for its “probing questions, revelatory interviews and unusual insight.” America Women in Radio and Television presented her with a Gracie Award in 1999 in the category of National Network Radio Personality. In 2003, she received the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s Edward R. Murrow Award for her “outstanding contributions to public radio” and for advancing the “growth, quality and positive image of radio.” Gross is the author of All I Did Was Ask: Conversations with Writers, Actors, Musicians and Artists, published by Hyperion in 2004. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and received a bachelor’s degree in English and M.Ed. in communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She began her radio career in 1973 at public radio station WBFO in Buffalo, NY.

Sort:

Newest

20:56

Actor Gabriel Byrne on a Man's Role in "Little Women"

Byrne got his big break playing a slick gangster in the Coen Brothers' "Miller's Crossing." One reviewer wrote, "a subtle yet forceful performance as an impassive man, concealing deep pain." He was the executive producer of "In the Name of the Father," and also starred in and produced the films "A Dangerous Woman," and "Into the West." Byrne is now appearing as Prof. Baer in the remake of "Little Women," directed by Gillian Armstrong.

Interview
16:13

The Rise of the Eagles, and How Success Affected the Players

Sportswriter Mark Bowden. He covered the Philadelphia Eagles for "The Philadelphia Inquirer" for three seasons, and now has a book about the team, "Bringing the Heat." It follows the team through the 1992 season, after their coach was fired and after the death of their star defensive lineman, Jerome Brown.

Interview
22:49

The Blues Stylings of Saffire

Musicians Ann Rabson, Gaye Adegbalola and Andra Faye McIntosh, who make up the blues group Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women. The "Chicago Tribune" says "these women have [attitude] in abundance," in their songs about "domestic violence, self-respect and being a woman." Their fourth album is "Old, New, Borrowed & Blue."

14:37

Rethinking the Arab World

Journalist Youseff Ibrahim, reporter at "The New York Times" since 1977. He has been the regional Middle East correspondent for the paper for seven years. He talks about the current debates among Arab intellectuals about the current political and cultural trends in the region.

Interview
22:21

The Worldwide Growth of Pentecostalism

Theologian Harvey Cox. His new book is "Fire From Heaven: The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and the Reshaping of Religion in the Twenty-first Century." It is estimated that by the year 2010, there will be more Pentecostals than all other non-Catholic Christians put together. Cox traces the growth of the religion from its origins in a converted stable in Los Angeles in 1906 to its present membership of 410 million worldwide.

Interview
22:09

R&B and Gospel Singer Etta James

James was a teenager when she was discovered by bandleader/talent scout Johnny Otis, who helped her record her first single, "Dance with Me Henry." Her career took off in the sixties, until she battled a drug addiction at the end of that decade. "Etta James Live From San Francisco," a recording of a 1981 performance at the Boarding House, has just been released. (Rebroadcast)

Interview
11:53

Julia Child on Learning "The Way to Cook" at Home

Child spent three decades explaining the mysteries of classic French cuisine to modern American audiences. She hosted several cooking shows on public television, earning Peabody and Emmy Awards in the process, and written many cookbooks. Her most recent TV series, "Cooking with Master Chefs" was aired in February and March and will be continued in April 1995. We replay our 1989 interview with her. (Rebroadcast)

Interview
22:37

Director David Lynch on His Fascination with the Body

Lynch is the director of several critically acclaimed films, including "Eraserhead," "The Elephant Man," "Dune" and "Blue Velvet." He is also the creator of the popular but short-lived TV series, "Twin Peaks." Lynch has published a book of photographs of his movies and his art, called "Images."

Interview
13:35

Actor Graham Payn on His "Life with Noel Coward"

Payn's new memoir is about his life with the the legendary theater songwriter. Coward is the author of "Hay Fever," "Private Lives," and "Blithe Spirit." Payn met him as a child, when he acted in Coward's "Words and Music" in 1932. The two were friends for thirty years until Coward's death in 1973.

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Advertisement

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue