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David Shields Turns Stuttering Into a Metaphor.

Novelist David Shields. His second novel, Dead Languages, uses the experience of stuttering as a metaphor for the difficulty of all interaction. It's the story of Jeremy Zorn and his efforts - sometimes comic - to overcome his stutter. The story parallels Shields' experiences. Shields says the inspiration for the novel grew from the paradox between his own comfort and security in the written word, contrasted with his virtual paralysis with speech. (Rebroadcast. Original date 5/10/89).

08:44
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Other segments from the episode on November 20, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 20, 1989: Interview with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth; Review of the New Music America Festival; Interview with David Shields; Review of the television…
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22:02

Husband and Wife Musicians.

The husband-and-wife rhythm section, drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth. The two co-founded Talking Heads with David Byrne in 1974, and married in 1977. The two also founded the band "Tom Tom Club," a loose conglomeration of friends, relatives and neighbors. Tom Tom Club has had hits with the songs "Genius of Love," and "Wordy Rappinghood," from their 1981 debut album "Tom Tom Club," and since has recorded two other albums, "Close to the Bone," and "Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom." (Rebroadcast.

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07:56

Mixed Feelings about "New Music America," 1989.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the annual New Music America festival just completed in New York and sponsored by the Brooklyn Academy of Music and corporate donations. Whitehead questions the value of the 10 year-old festival.

Review
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03:37

Marginalized Girls Speak Out In PBS Documentary.

Television critic David Bianculli reviews "Girltalk." It's a documentary that explores the lives of several women...all of them runaways, many of them from abusive homes. The program airs as part of Public Television's series, "P.O.V." (That's short for point of view).

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09:21

Novelist David Shields on Written and Spoken Language

Shields went to speech therapy the same time he attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Like the author himself, the protagonist of his new novel, Dead Languages, has a stutter. Shields' writing explores the gap between his mastery of written language and his difficulties speaking.

Interview
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38:42

Tom Hooper, Putting Words To 'The King's Speech'

In 1936, George VI reluctantly ascended to the British throne after his older brother abdicated. Tom Hooper's new film, The King's Speech, tells the true story of George VI's stammer and his relationship with an unconventional speech therapist who helped him speak.

Interview

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34:41

Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most

Journalist ANNIE LOWREY is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers economic policy. Her new book is The Time Tax: How the Government Wastes Our Time, and How to Fix It. She argues that the red tape in American life isn't an accident. It's a policy choice, one that determines who gets food assistance, health care, even the ability to vote. Her previous book is Give People Money about universal basic income. (INTERVIEW BY TONYA MOSLEY) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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23:07

'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn says no thanks to a world dictated by groupthink

(2.) Actor RHEA SEEHORN<RAY Seehorn>. The former co-star of “Better Call Saul” is nominated for an Emmy for her starring role in “Pluribus,” the Apple TV series created by Vince Gilligan. Terry Gross spoke with RHEA SEEHORN last year about the “Pluribus”. “Pluribus” is nominated for eighteen Emmys, including one for SEEHORN as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The Emmys are scheduled for September 14th. (THIS INTERVIEW ORIGINALLY AIRED 12.09.2025)

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