Padma Lakshmi has always been deeply curious about food, and how it serves as a vehicle for celebrating the cultural diversity of America. In her new book, "Padma's All American," she shares stories and recipes from people she’s encountered all across the U.S. Padma talks to Rachel about the life lessons her grandma taught her through cooking and why life is better in her 50s. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for inf...
Nov 06, 2025•38 min
Brandi Carlile sought out some alone time to work on her newest album, “Returning to Myself,” but she came out of the experience realizing she needed the people around her more than ever. Brandi talks to Rachel about owning different sides of her identity even when they’re at odds with each other and shares her memory time machine trip with Joni Mitchell. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...
Oct 30, 2025•51 min
Shonda Rhimes has created some of the most successful TV shows of the 21st century, but she says the secret to her success is not caring whether or not people will like her shows. The “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” creator is out with a new version of her memoir, “Year of Yes.” She talks to Rachel about the freedom she feels when she writes and the imaginative potential of a pantry.To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com fo...
Oct 23, 2025•34 min
Nick Offerman is an Emmy-winning actor, but that’s a small part of his identity. He’s also a woodworker, an author, and a devoted acolyte of the naturalist writer Wendell Berry. He talks with Rachel about the art of being satisfied, building up the courage for a home project and what he learned from a childhood that felt like “Little House on the Prairie.” To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our co...
Oct 16, 2025•47 min
Jeff Hiller never expected to win an Emmy. He was used to side roles like “Mexican restaurant waiter” and “frazzled salesman,” and then his big break came as Joel on the HBO show “Somebody Somewhere.” He tells Rachel that not only did the role bring him critical acclaim, it also serves as an example of kindness and decency that has become a kind of moral compass for him. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for informati...
Oct 09, 2025•47 min
As a researcher and professor, Brené Brown has always sought to understand and navigate the emotions that make us human – vulnerability, shame, courage. In her latest book, "Strong Ground," she's exploring how to redefine leadership in a rapidly changing world. She spoke with Rachel about being stubborn about her faith, embracing mystery, and how moments of vulnerability can unite us. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com...
Oct 02, 2025•35 min
Matthew McConaughey likes finding the rhythm in every role he takes – whether it’s delivering a monologue in “The Wolf of Wall Street” or a tearful goodbye in “Interstellar.” And now, as author of the book “Poems & Prayers,” he is finding the rhythm and prose in his own life, and sharing what he’s learned. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorsh...
Sep 25, 2025•40 min
At 68 years old, Bobby Brown still has a competitive spirit. She lives by the words “watch me,” which has led to her success as a makeup artist, business mogul and TikTok star. She's written several books on makeup and beauty, but in her upcoming book "Still Bobbi," for the first time, she's telling her own story. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for spons...
Sep 18, 2025•36 min
Raphael Bob-Waksberg says working in animation lets him get away with things. He’s able to dive into heavy topics, like grief and faith, without his stories getting too dark or saccharine. It’s a skill he honed as creator of “BoJack Horseman” and he’s putting it to use again with his new series “Long Story Short” on Netflix. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal dat...
Sep 11, 2025•36 min
Elizabeth Gilbert's 2006 memoir “Eat, Pray, Love” was about her journey of self-discovery in the aftermath of a painful divorce. It was a massive hit, but it wasn’t nearly the whole story. In her new book “All the Way to the River,” Gilbert examines her self-destructive patterns as she contends with addiction and grief. She and Rachel talk about learning to show herself and others mercy. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard . For handpicked...
Sep 04, 2025•38 min
The more Ocean Vuong writes, the more he sees his craft as less of a skill and more a condition. He feels compelled to pay attention to the small details around him and turn those details into a story. But he tells Rachel that he actually hopes a day comes when he can stop writing. Vuong’s latest book is “The Emperor of Gladness.” To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of person...
Aug 28, 2025•41 min
Despite being decades into a career that can only be described as iconic, Harrison Ford is still experiencing firsts – like his first Emmy nomination for his role in Apple TV+’s "Shrinking." He spoke with Rachel about staying busy at 83, why he doesn't fear death, and why Jay Leno called him mid-interview to talk about a toilet seat. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of per...
Aug 21, 2025•33 min
At the end of each Wild Card episode, Rachel invites guests to take a trip in our Memory Time Machine and revisit a moment they wouldn’t like to change anything about – a moment they would like to stay in a little longer. We’re sharing some of our favorite trips in the Memory Time Machine, from David Lynch, Brett Goldstein, Jenny Slate, Barry Jenkins and more. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ...
Aug 14, 2025•27 min
LeVar Burton has three roles he'll forever be known for: Kunta Kinte on the TV series Roots, Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation and host of Reading Rainbow. Those roles have had profound impacts on people and he now understands, as he puts it, "my job is to be LeVar Burton." He talks to Rachel about the tension of that job, his changing definitions of success and learning to embrace the chaos. To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Car...
Aug 07, 2025•26 min
Father James Martin has become one of the most well-known Catholic priests in the U.S, in part due to his appearances on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." He's hosting a new podcast called "The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin." He talks to Rachel about giving up his need to be liked and his rebellious adolescence. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data ...
Jul 31, 2025•40 min•Ep. 70
Anxiety has always played a major role in Aparna Nancherla's comedy — whether she's joking about her internal preoccupations, or fighting stage fright. Her experience of living with anxiety and depression as a stand-up comedian landed her in the upcoming documentary, "Anxiety Club." She spoke with Rachel about growing into her rage and feeling godlike when she's alone. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information...
Jul 24, 2025•39 min•Ep. 69
Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Jul 18, 2025•2 min
Marc Maron can project cynical misanthrope, but those who have spent countless hours listening to him know that his secret weapon is his vulnerability. He tells Rachel why he's ending his podcast "WTF" despite its enduring popularity and why he's as committed as ever to his work as a standup. His latest special, "Panicked," is out next month. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...
Jul 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 68
Celine Song's films, "Past Lives" and "Materialists," invite the viewer to just slow down. To take in the silence, a gaze, the moments in between words. In her conversation with Rachel, Celine describes how she tries to slow down in her own life, how she's making peace with laziness and how she thinks of enjoying a good meal as something close to prayer. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...
Jul 10, 2025•35 min•Ep. 67
Jenny Han feels like the same person as her teenage self – which might explain why her books and their adaptations connect so strongly with teen audiences. Her "To All The Boys" and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" franchises are streaming juggernauts – among teens and adults. Jenny spoke with Rachel about the importance of writing about love and why embarrassment feels so close to the surface. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswi...
Jul 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 66
Michelle Obama says she's never truly been able to realize her own ambition. But now she's changing that. She's saying "no" to what's expected of her and "yes" to what she wants to do, including starting a podcast with her brother, "IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson." She reflects with Rachel on owning her decisions and the words her mom told her at the end of her life. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for i...
Jun 26, 2025•40 min•Ep. 65
Kyle MacLachlan says he wouldn't have a career without his friend and longtime collaborator David Lynch, who died earlier this year. His first gig was on Lynch's "Dune" which was followed up by "Blue Velvet" and then by their iconic run together on the series "Twin Peaks". In this bonus episode, MacLachlan shares what it was like to live in Lynch's world. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...
Jun 22, 2025•14 min•Ep. 64
Kyle MacLachlan is known for his iconic roles in David Lynch classics like "Blue Velvet" and "Twin Peaks," but he's reinvented himself again and again throughout the years. His recent work includes roles in the TV series "Fallout" and "Overcompensating." He's also cultivated a huge following on TikTok and Instagram where his harm is on full display for a new generation of fans. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for in...
Jun 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 63
Jason Reynolds writes stories that don't talk down to kids. In young adult books like "Long Way Down," "Ghost" and two Miles Morales Spider-Man novels, there is a clear understanding: kids are complicated people, and Jason treats them that way. His newest audio-only book is called "Soundtrack." He talks with Rachel about the value of being a crier and the advice about rest he got from LeVar Burton. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See p...
Jun 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 62
Orville Peck is full of apparent contradictions. As a kid in South Africa, he went from dancing ballet to playing drums in a punk band. He loves musical theater but made a name for himself as a country singer. He sings about vulnerability but covers his face with a mask. Peck talks to Rachel about embracing those contradictions and about starring in "Cabaret" on Broadway. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for informat...
Jun 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 61
Ramy Youssef's creative pursuits range from stand-up to his semi-biographical Hulu show, "Ramy," to his new animated series, "#1 Happy Family USA." In all of his efforts, he says he's just trying to make work that feels exciting to him. Ramy is one of the costars of the new HBO film, "Mountainhead." He talks to Rachel about his gripe with Santa Claus and reckoning with his mortality. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com ...
May 29, 2025•39 min•Ep. 60
When Mike Birbiglia tells a story, he tries to make it relatable to everyone in the audience – whether it's tapping into his childhood anxiety, relating his clumsy attempts at self improvement or sharing his earnest fears about his aging parents. Mike's new Netflix special is The Good Life . He shares with Rachel how he learns valuable lessons from writing jokes, and explains how found some peace. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pc...
May 22, 2025•38 min•Ep. 59
Jonathan Groff has brought his killer vocals and Disney-hero charm to Broadway hits like "Spring Awakening," "Hamilton" and "Merrily We Roll Along." He's nominated for a Tony award for his latest Broadway show, "Just in Time," a musical about singer Bobby Darin. He talks to Rachel about responding to criticism like a 7-year-old and realizing he didn't believe in God at a Youth for Christ camp. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.ad...
May 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 58
Wanda Sykes life has been defined by one act of courage after another. Leaving a safe career for comedy, getting divorced, coming out and surviving breast cancer all took a lot of guts. She shares with Rachel what she learned from each chapter of her life, and how it has made her stand-up stronger. Wanda is on the road for her new tour - it's called Please and Thank Yo u. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for informat...
May 08, 2025•37 min•Ep. 57
When Weird Al's debut single, "My Bologna," came out, there wasn't really a model for how a parody artist could have any longevity in their career. Yet Al's figured out how to stay popular for over four decades. Ahead of his summer "Bigger and Weirder" tour, he talks with Rachel about staying weird as he ages, parenthood, and his devoted (some might say obsessive) fans. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard See pcm.adswizz.com for informatio...
May 01, 2025•33 min•Ep. 56
