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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.

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16:56

The Rise of Peru's Drug Economy

Anthropologist and documentary filmmaker David Feingold talks about the Peruvian Shining Path guerrillas, their connection to the drug trade, and their impact on the elections in Peru. His new film, "Washington/Peru: We Ain't Winning," is about U.S. efforts to stop the drug flow from Peru.

Interview
22:44

Argentine Exile and Poet Alicia Partnoy

Patrons was among the 30,000 Argentines who disappeared during military rule in the mid 70s. She was imprisoned for almost three years, released in 1979, and forced to leave the country. While in prison, her poetry was smuggled out by human rights groups. The U.S. granted Partnoy refugee status. She is the author of 'The Little School," and edited "You Can't Drown The Fire," an anthology of exiled Latin American women's writings. Her new collection is "Revenge of the Apple."

Interview
16:53

George Anastasia on the Next Generation of Mobsters

Anastasia is a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer. His beat is the Mafia; most recently he's been covering the Robert Simone trial where the prosecution rested its case today. Simone was attorney for Philadelphia mob boss Nicky Scarfo and has been accused of crime activity, attempted extortion and participating in discussions of murder. Simone was turned in by a government informant.

Interview
22:29

A Reporter on Surviving Leavenworth Prison

Pete Earley spent two years observing life at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was given complete access to the prisoners, guards, staff, and warden -- on the condition that he did not hold the prison staff responsible for his safety. He writes about prison life in his book, "The Hot House."

Interview
15:53

Poet Rita Dove on Her First Novel

Dove is a Pulitzer Prize winning poet; her collections include, ''Grace Notes," "Thomas and Buela," and "Museum," among others. Her first novel, "Through the Ivory Gate," is about a woman who returns to her hometown, only to unleash a flood of memories.

Interview
15:40

Writer and Gay Activist John Preston

Preston is quickly emerging as a voice for gay writing; his work is being archived in many universities for new gay and lesbian studies departments. He has edited many anthologies including "Hometowns" and "Safe Sex." He is a former editor of "The Advocate," and occasionally writes for "Harper's" and "Interview." Preston also writes and defends gay pornography. He recently finished editing "A member of the Family: Gay Men Write About Their Families."

Interview
16:06

Novelist and Peacekeeper Shashi Tharoor

In addition to his literary work, Tharoor also works at the United Nations, and is currently heading up the U.N. peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia. His newest novel, "Show Business" is about the Indian film industry.

Interview
46:43

British Film Actor Michael Caine

Caine has made over 70 films, from Alfie to Sleuth to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to Hannah and Her Sisters. He has a new autobiography called "What's It All About?," and will be appearing in the upcoming Muppet's Christmas movie.

Interview
21:35

Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist Randy Newman

Newman joins Terry in the studio for music and conversation. Known for his satiric songs, he has sung from the perspective of a racist, a rapist and even God in songs like "Suzanne" and "Rednecks." He is currently working on a musical based on "Faust."

Interview

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