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Fresh Air Weekend: Zayd Ayers Dohrn's childhood on the run; Writer Jesmyn Ward

Sat, 23 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Dohrn's parents helped found the Weather Underground. His memoir is Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young. Ward learned the term "respair" — the recovery of hope after despair — during the pandemic.

(Image credit: David Handschuh)

Colbert initially avoided discussing politics on 'Late Night.' Then he leaned in

Terry Gross — Fri, 22 May 2026 09:31:51 -0400

Last night, Stephen Colbert said goodbye to The Late Show after 11 years. We listen back to his '16 interview, in which he talked about embracing his "sharp and satirical and highly opinionated" side.

Remembering Rep. Barney Frank, a trailblazing advocate for LGBTQ rights

Terry Gross — Fri, 22 May 2026 09:29:32 -0400

Frank, who died May 19, was known for being the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay. He also co-authored the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. Originally broadcast May 16, 2026.

'Widow's Bay' is cursed -- but manages to be both funny and frightening

John Powers — Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

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In Apple TV's new horror-comedy, Matthew Rhys plays a mayor who wants to turn his New England island into a popular tourist destination. There's just one problem: The island may be a source of evil.

Stephen Colbert exits 'The Late Show' with a mix of defiance and celebration

David Bianculli — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:44:02 -0400

Colbert has approached the last weeks of his show on his own terms, with A-list guests like Tom Hanks, David Letterman and David Byrne — but the guests for tonight's finale remain a mystery.

'It's one of my dreams,' Rose Byrne says of her comic turn on Broadway

Ann Marie Baldonado — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:40:02 -0400

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Byrne is one of the few actors to receive both an Oscar and a Tony nomination in the same year —for the indie film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, and for Fallen Angels on Broadway.

(Image credit: Andreas Rentz)

The Justice Department gives Trump an unprecedented settlement

Terry Gross — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:16:26 -0400

D.O.J. gave Trump and his family immunity from tax audits and set up a $1.8 billion fund for victims of "government weaponization." Former government lawyer Andrew Weissmann explains the settlement.

Tomeka Reid expands the possibilities of jazz avant garde on 'Dance! Skip! Hop!'

Martin Johnson — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:48:07 -0400

Reid's quartet makes music that seems inspired by a variety of sources, ranging from modern dance to children's games. Her latest album is one of her most compelling.

In the face of devastating loss, Jesmyn Ward holds onto 'respair'

Tonya Mosley — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:47:46 -0400

Ward learned the term "respair" — meaning the recovery of hope after despair — during the pandemic. Her new book On Witness and Respair is an essay collection on grief, motherhood and survival.

(Image credit: Beowulf Sheehan)

Son of radicals, Zayd Ayers Dohrn details a childhood underground and on the run

Terry Gross — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:51:47 -0400

Dohrn's parents, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, helped found the the Weather Underground. "I knew that the FBI was chasing us," he says. His memoir is Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young.

(Image credit: David Handschuh)