Distinguished, award-winning journalist Christiane Amanpour is known for her fearless reporting from some of the world's most volatile regions. CNN's chief international anchor of the network's flagship global affairs program, "Amanpour," Christiane joins host Charlotte Alter this week to reflect on her experiences as a war reporter over the past four decades and share what concerns her most about the current state of global affairs. In discussing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the ongoing...

Gillian Anderson, the illustrious actor renowned for her iconic role as Dana Scully in "The X-Files," joins host Charlotte Alter this week on the show. Gillian reflects on the profound impact of portraying such a pivotal character so early in her career and unpacks the "Dana Scully effect," which empowered a generation of women to pursue careers in science and technology. She shares scenes from her bicultural upbringing, moving between the UK and America, and her transformative punk phase...

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a renowned historian, author, scholar, filmmaker, and is the Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. This week, Gates joins host Charlotte Alter and reflects on his formative years in the working-class mill town of Piedmont, West Virginia, his early education during the pivotal era of school desegregation, and his experiences watching the civil rights movement unfold in America. The pair delve into the power of...

David Axelrod is a preeminent political strategist and the mastermind behind some of the most successful political campaigns in American history. This week, David sits down with host Charlotte Alter and shares his journey from his childhood in New York City to the halls of the Obama White House, with more than a few stops in Chicago along the way. David reflects on his early political awakenings, the unmatched education he received at The Chicago Tribune, and what ultimately drove him from...

Kate Cox, a Texas mother of two, was thrilled to find out she was pregnant with her third child last year. But the dream of expanding her family quickly turned into a nightmare when Cox and her husband were told that their fetus had an anomaly called Trisomy 18 that, in their case, was fatal. In December 2023, Cox asked a Texas court to temporarily block the state's abortion ban so she could receive urgent medical care, becoming the first pregnant woman to sue for the right to terminate her...

Jennifer Lame is a remarkably talented film editor, whose keen eye and unique storytelling abilities have contributed to some of the most iconic films of our time. From her early days as an apprentice to Sidney Lumet to her celebrated work with writers and directors like Noah Baumbach, Christopher Nolan, Ryan Coogler and Ari Aster, Jennifer shares her incredible journey to the top of the film industry with host Charlotte Alter on this week’s show. Jennifer takes us behind-the-scenes of...

Kara Swisher is a titan in the realms of tech journalism and media. Known for her fearless interviews with the biggest names in Silicon Valley and her incisive commentary on the tech industry, Kara sits down with host Charlotte Alter to share insights from her latest book, "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story." The pair discuss Swisher’s early days chronicling the rise of the internet, the transformations of the media industry over recent decades, and the perplexing gap between Silicon Valley's...

Distinguished economist Claudia Goldin is the Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University, the 2023 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences, and one of TIME’s 2024 Women of The Year. This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Goldin for a captivating conversation on the evolution of women's participation in the workforce. Claudia shares the exhilarating moment she was awarded the Nobel Prize and her path to discovering a deep-seated passion for economics, and sheds light on...

Danielle Brooks, an award-winning actress and singer who has captivated audiences from Broadway to the big screen, sits down with host Charlotte Alter in this week's episode. Fresh from her acclaimed role as ‘Sofia’ in the film adaptation of “The Color Purple” musical, Danielle shares her journey from an arts education in South Carolina to the set of her anticipated “Minecraft” movie. She delves into the impact of her church roots on her artistic expression, her thoughtful process for...

Sheila Heti is a beacon of contemporary literature, renowned for her unique narrative voice and groundbreaking novels such as "Pure Colour," "Motherhood," and "How Should a Person Be?" This week, Sheila joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss her latest literary endeavor, "Alphabetical Diaries," a profound exploration of life distilled from a decade's worth of diary entries, showcasing her innovative approach to storytelling. The pair delve into the intricate relationship between fiction and...

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with Jon Batiste, a celebrated musician, composer, and bandleader with deep Louisiana roots. Known as the "crown prince of jazz," Batiste's journey spans from New Orleans' vibrant streets to Juilliard's halls, extending to international acclaim. Charlotte and Jon discuss the formation of his band, Stay Human, Batiste’s tenure on “The Stephen Colbert Show,” his Grammy-winning 2022 album "We Are," and the resilience portrayed in his 2023 film "American...

Filmmaker Lulu Wang is known for her poignant storytelling and unique voice in cinema. This week, Wang joins host Charlotte Alter to take us behind the scenes of her latest project, the Amazon series “Expats,” starring Nicole Kidman. The pair delve into Wang's vision for the series and its impactful exploration of privilege, home, family, and motherhood. They also journey back to the biographical roots of Wang's acclaimed 2019 film, “The Farewell,” unraveling the personal connections and...

In the second of two episodes focused on the forces shaping the modern GOP, Sarah Longwell, a formidable figure in the political communications world and a leading Republican strategist, joins host Charlotte Alter to discuss the 2024 Iowa Republican presidential caucus and the implications of Donald Trump's win for the upcoming election season. As the President and CEO of Longwell Partners and the driving force behind several influential political organizations, Sarah shares an insider's look...

Tim Alberta, a distinguished journalist and author renowned for his deep dives into American politics, joins host Charlotte Alter for an insightful and personal conversation on faith, politics, and the evolving American landscape. Known for his best-selling book "American Carnage" and his incisive reporting for The Atlantic, Alberta recounts his early life growing up in the church and the intellectual journey with Christianity that influenced his worldview. Discussing his latest book, “The...

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by award-winning actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, for a captivating conversation on his Hollywood journey. Ruffalo shares stories about his childhood in Wisconsin and Virginia and the path that led him to discover his passion for acting. He opens up about the influential time he spent studying under the legendary Stella Adler and reflects on how each role he’s played has shaped his career. Ruffalo shares unique insight into the impact Marvel movies...

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by TIME Executive Editor Naina Bajekal and Tech Correspondent Billy Perrigo to hear how OpenAI revolutionized technology this year, and why Sam Altman was chosen as TIME's 2023 CEO of the Year. Later, Altman joins Editor in Chief Sam Jacobs on stage at TIME's Person of the Year event on December 12th in New York City. The pair cover everything from the the turmoil at OpenAI, to next year's election, to, of course, Taylor Swift. We're going on a short...

As you've probably heard by now, TIME's 2023 Person of The Year is Taylor Swift. In this special bonus episode, host Charlotte Alter sits down with TIME’s Editor in Chief, Sam Jacobs, and Senior Executive Editor, Kelly Conniff, for a behind-the-scenes look at the history of TIME's legendary, annual Person of the Year issue and to hear all the reasons why Taylor Swift is this year's Person of The Year. • Person of The Year 2023: Taylor Swift | TIME |...

Every year, TIME recognizes a person or group whose done the most to influence the events of the last 365 days. This year, we partnered with Smartsheet to celebrate teamwork by honoring an enterprise whose commitment to communication, collaboration, and innovation made a significant impact on the world. In this special bonus episode, you'll hear how Pfizer’s women leaders are breaking barriers in vaccine science, how the Social Impact Team at HP is accelerating digital equity for 150 million...

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes Cord Jefferson – the Emmy award-winning writer and director, known for his work on shows like ‘Succession,’ 'Watchmen' and 'The Good Place.' As Jefferson prepares for the theatrical release of his directorial debut, 'American Fiction,' he shares insight into how the film came to life, and the stories behind its story. Retracing his journey from seasoned journalist to Hollywood stalwart, the pair explore how his early days in Tucson, Arizona influenced...

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes visionary entrepreneur Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. Chesky recounts how a simple idea between friends transformed into a global phenomenon that reinvented how people perceive and interact with strangers, and shares insights into how his artistic background and childhood travel experiences uniquely shape his approach to business, leadership, and community-building strategies. The pair discuss the complex regulations that Airbnb...

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined by Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, the trailblazing superstar athlete whose aerial feats have etched her name in history. Gabby recounts the sacrifices of leaving home at a young age to pursue greatness and how her life changed overnight following her 2012 Olympic triumph. In discussing the pressures of fame and the focus required to remain at the peak, Gabby opens up about her decision to step back from the spotlight after the 2016 Olympics and her...

This week, host Charlotte Alter is joined in-studio by legendary country music superstar Tim McGraw. They journey back in time to Tim's childhood in Louisiana and the moment he discovered that his father was famous baseball player Tug McGraw, and revisit Tim’s early years playing in local restaurants and clubs before breaking out and onto the biggest stages in the world. Tim gives us an inside look at the creative collaborations and positive vibes behind his latest album "Standing Room Only,"...

This week, host Charlotte Alter sits down with cookbook author, chef, restaurateur, and social media sensation Sohla El-Waylly to talk about her new cookbook "Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook." The pair discuss how El-Waylly skillfully incorporates diverse influences, flavors, and techniques into her culinary practice and her creative process for developing new dishes. They trace Sohla’s path from working in her parents’ ice cream shop to conquering the New York culinary...

This week, host Charlotte Alter welcomes renowned sociologist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and MacArthur Fellow Matthew Desmond to the show. Desmond shares insights from his latest book, "Poverty, by America," and discusses how his upbringing in Arizona led to a life dedicated to studying economic struggle. The pair explore the complexities and consequences of poverty and uncover its unseen impact on all Americans, while outlining the systemic changes necessary to combat this pervasive...