Episodes

  • Raphael Bob-Waksberg doesn’t forgive, but he forgets

    Raphael Bob-Waksberg doesn’t forgive, but he forgets
    Sep 11 2025

    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.

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    36 mins
  • Elizabeth Gilbert no longer believes she’s a bad person

    Elizabeth Gilbert no longer believes she’s a bad person
    Sep 4 2025
    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.


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    38 mins
  • Ocean Vuong doesn’t erase pain from beauty

    Ocean Vuong doesn’t erase pain from beauty
    Aug 28 2025
    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.”


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    41 mins
  • Harrison Ford knows how weird his life is

    Harrison Ford knows how weird his life is
    Aug 21 2025
    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.

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    33 mins
  • Our favorite Memory Time Machine trips

    Our favorite Memory Time Machine trips
    Aug 14 2025
    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.

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    27 mins
  • LeVar Burton is learning to embrace the chaos (encore)

    LeVar Burton is learning to embrace the chaos (encore)
    Aug 7 2025

    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 Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

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    26 mins
  • Father James Martin is okay with not being liked

    Father James Martin is okay with not being liked
    Jul 31 2025
    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.

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    40 mins
  • Aparna Nancherla doesn't know why she's here

    Aparna Nancherla doesn't know why she's here
    Jul 24 2025
    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.

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    39 mins