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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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37:28

How Muhammad Ali Became "King of the World"

David Remnick is the author of the new book "King of the World" (Random House) about heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Remnick was appointed editor of the New Yorker Magazine this year, and is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of "Lenin's Tomb."

Interview
45:55

German Filmmaker Werner Herzog

Herzog's latest movie is a documentary, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly: Escape from Laos" the true story of Dieter Dengler, the only U.S. pilot to have sucessfully escaped from a North Vietnamese-controlled prison. Herzog's other works include the feature films "Aguirre: The Wrath of God," "Heart of Glass," "Fitzcarraldo," and "Nosferatu."

Interview
31:34

Groundbreaking Computer Scientist Daniel Hillis

Hillis is one of the world's leading computer scientists and is the designer of the world's fastest computer. He's also Vice President and Disney Fellow at Walt Disney Imagineering. His new book is "The Pattern on the Stone: the simple ideas that make computers work" (Basic Books)

Interview
12:57

In Light of the Matthew Shepard Murder, a Filmmaker Re-examines Anti-Gay Violence

In light of the recent beating death of gay student Matthew Shepard, a discussion of anti-gay violence with documentary film maker Arthur Dong. In his 1997 film "Licensed to Kill," Dong interviews convicted murderers of gay men and asks them "Why did you do it?" Twenty years ago, Dong himself was the victim of a gay bashing. Dong is a Peabody Award winner and Oscar and Emmy nominated independent filmmaker. His other films include "Coming Out Under Fire," and "Forbidden City, U.S.A."

Interview
27:11

Rabbi Burton Visotzky on Contemporary Lessons from Exodus

Visotzky who last examined The Bible's Book of Genesis, now interprets Exodus. His new book is "The Road To Redemption: Lessons from Exodus on Leadership and Community." (Crown) Visotzky's work on Genesis, led a Cover story in Time Magazine and PBS' Genesis series. His work on Exodus caught the attention of Dream Works. The film studio hired him to be a consultant on the animated feature on Exodus, "The Prince of Egypt." Visotzky is chairman of Inter-religious studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in America.

Interview
20:59

The Rediscovery of Ramses II's "Lost Tomb"

American Egyptologist Kent Weeks talks about his discovery of the largest tombs ever found in Egypt. It's called KV5 and is the burial ground for the sons of the Pharaoh Ramses the Second who many scholars believe ruled during the Jewish exodus from Egypt. Weeks and his team have discovered more than 150 corridors and chambers buried deep below the hills in the Valley of the Kings. He hopes it will be open to tourists in ten years. He has written about his 1995 discovery and the excavation in his new book "The Lost Tomb" (Morrow).

Interview
26:41

A Live Concert with R&B Singer Tracey Nelson

Nelson is best known for her work leading the Mother Earth band from the 1960s and 70s. Her hits included "Down So Low" and "Mother Earth." A collection of her hits "The Best of Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth" (Reprise) came out in 1996. She has a number of albums on Rounder: "Homemade Songs/Come See About Me," "In the Here and Now," "I Feel So Good" and "Move On." She's also got a new recording in which she teams up with Marcia Ball and Irma Thomas, "Sing it!" (Rounder).

13:37

Filmmaker Ethan Coen Reflects on His Career So Far

Ethan Coen makes movies with his brother Joel Coen. Their films include, "Blood Simple," "Raising Arizona," "Barton Fink," "Fargo," and "The Big Lebowski." His stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Playboy, and Vanity Fair. He's written his short story collection, called "Gates of Eden."

Interview
44:15

A Heart Surgeon Finds Many Ways to Care for His Patients

Dr. Mehmet Oz is the author of "Healing from the Heart: A Leading Heart Surgeon Explores the Power of Complementary Medicine." (Dutton) He is a cardiovascular surgeon at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He combines leading western medicine with ancient methods of self healing. The result is faster recovery for patients. He believes our physical health is linked to our spirituality, psychological make-up and emotional well being.

Interview
50:24

Soul Singer Ray Charles' Country Side

Singer and pianist Ray Charles has a new four CD box-set out that captures his contribution to country music. "Ray Charles: The Complete Country and Western Recordings 1959-1986. (Rhino) Charles may be best known for his blues, R&B and soul music. He has won 12 Grammy Awards.

Interview

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