• Kate Bowler wants to tame her inner efficiency monster
    Jan 9 2025
    Duke professor Kate Bowler was 35 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Her memoir about the experience, "Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved," became a New York Times bestseller. She now hosts the podcast, "Everything Happens." She talks to Rachel about accepting that religion won't give you all the answers and learning how not to be an "efficiency monster."

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    34 mins
  • Michelle Buteau thought she was too happy for stand-up
    Jan 2 2025
    When you see Michelle Buteau perform, she gives off a blended vibe of, "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm here!" and also, "Of course I am here!" Last year, she starred in the movie "Babes" and the TV show based on her memoir, "Survival of the Thickest," was renewed for a second season. Her brand new Netflix comedy special is "Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall."

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    32 mins
  • BONUS - Wild Card in the Wild
    Dec 26 2024
    Usually for this show, Rachel is in the NPR studio in Washington, D.C., and the guests are famous people in another studio. But Rachel recently brought the Wild Card deck to Washington Square Park in New York City and asked the questions to people face-to-face in the park. Today, we're sharing some of the answers we heard.

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    23 mins
  • Wild Card: Best of the deck
    Dec 26 2024
    As 2024 winds down, we're sharing some of our favorite answers from the earliest Wild Card episodes.

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    36 mins
  • Barry Jenkins chooses to believe in chaos
    Dec 19 2024
    Barry Jenkins is best known for indie films like "If Beale Street Could Talk" and "Moonlight." Now he's helming Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King." He talks to Rachel about the connections he sees between his old work and the new movie, and he also tells her about the place he sought refuge as a child and why he's compelled to believe that there's no order in the universe.

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    41 mins
  • Ilana Glazer is connecting with their inner animal
    Dec 12 2024
    2024 has been a big year for Ilana Glazer. First they co-wrote and co-starred in "Babes." Now, they have a new stand-up special coming out on Hulu, called "Human Magic." The "Broad City" co-creator and star talks to Rachel about learning how to rebel at age 37, figuring out how to be alone and tapping into their inner animal.

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    32 mins
  • Ilana Glazer on responsibility and a belief John Lithgow let go of
    Dec 12 2024
    Comedian Ilana Glazer talks about being prepared at a young age for grown-up responsibilities and John Lithgow discusses a belief he had to let go of.

    This normally would be a bonus episode just for Wild Card+ listeners. With this being the season of giving, we're sharing this one with everyone! To hear more bonus content like this, regular episodes sponsor-free, and support the work of NPR, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org.

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    10 mins
  • John Lithgow just wants a good ending
    Dec 5 2024
    Everyone has their own role that made them fall in love with John Lithgow. It could be "Footloose" or "Shrek" or "3rd Rock from the Sun." And as he approaches 80, Lithgow keeps giving us more memorable roles. This year alone, he was in "The Old Man," "Conclave" and "Spellbound." He tells Rachel what makes him so easy to work with and how he's become more comfortable with death.

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    33 mins