Best Jason Tyree Podcasts (2025)

1
#536 Jason Flom with the Virginia 3 33:49

3h ago33:49

33:49

On July 12, 1994, 19-year old Steven Smith was killed after being struck by a single bullet to the head in Newport News, VA. Within weeks three individuals, two teenage boys, and one in his twenties, were arrested for the crime. Darryl Hunter, his older brother Nathaniel Pierce, and his friend Reginald Fletcher, were each tried and convicted solely…

1
Abraham Anghik Ruben is one of Canada’s most celebrated sculptors 34:13

5h ago34:13

34:13

Abraham Anghik Ruben is a world-renowned sculptor who’s been creating groundbreaking and genre-defining work for the last five decades. The Inuk artist is best known for his multidimensional sculptures, which he carves out of stone, ivory, bronze and bone, but more recently, he’s also taken up painting. With an ongoing solo show at the Winnipeg Art…

1
How an edible changed Charlie Houston’s life and career 13:17

6h ago13:17

13:17

When Canadian musician Charlie Houston was a student at NYU a few years ago, she took a weed edible that gave her a really bad trip. It was so bad that she quit music, dropped out of school and moved back in with her parents in Toronto. Earlier this year, Charlie released her debut album, “Big After I Die,” which explores the precarious and often s…

1
Prabal Gurung explains why Kamala Harris’s pockets matter 31:20

1d ago31:20

31:20

World-renowned fashion designer Prabal Gurung grew up in a turbulent household, with an abusive father at home and bullies at school who teased him for being too feminine. It was only when he moved to New York City to work with designers like Donna Karan and Cynthia Rowley that Prabal began to embrace the things that made him different. His new mem…

1
Cate Blanchett forgot the sound of her real voice 12:15

1d ago12:15

12:15

Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, The Aviator, Tár) is one of the most respected actors of our time. She's an on-screen chameleon who transforms into whatever role she plays, taking on whatever accent is required of her — so much so that she says it’s easy to forget what she actually sounds like. At last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Cate sa…

1
Heather and Arizona O'Neill find a bit of magic on the Montreal Metro 27:14

2d ago27:14

27:14

Heather and Arizona O'Neill are more than just mother and daughter — they're creative partners, storytellers and travel companions. Their latest collaboration, a novel called “Valentine in Montreal,” is already an instant bestseller. Heather wrote the book, which was first published in weekly installments in the Montreal Gazette, and Arizona illust…

1
How Brian Tyree Henry overcame his imposter syndrome 24:27

2d ago24:27

24:27

Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Causeway, The Book of Mormon) has become one of Hollywood's busiest actors. On the new series “Dope Thief,” he plays Ray Driscoll — a complex character who’s dealing with generational trauma, addiction and grief. Back in April, Brian joined Tom Power to talk about the role, the epiphany he had that reframed the way he lo…

1
The pressure of being a Palestinian American comedian 40:56

3d ago40:56

40:56

Mo Amer's comedy career couldn't be going any better right now. His semi-autobiographical TV show “Mo” is a big success and he’s currently on a massive stand-up tour. But even though his professional life is thriving, certain things in his personal life are a bit more complicated. Mo joins Tom Power to talk about the pressure he’s feeling as a Pale…

1
WWDTM: Laufey 47:09

5d ago47:09

47:09

This week, special guest Laufey joins panelists Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Peter Grosz, and Adam Burke Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Angélique Kidjo’s life and work is defined by one thing: freedom 30:14

6d ago30:14

30:14

Multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo is now the first Black African performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This past March, she joined Tom Power from our Montreal studio to talk about her incredible career in music. Angélique reflected on her childhood in Benin, how she fled to France to escape her home country…

1
Thriller writer Ruth Ware has never done a sequel — until now 23:09

6d ago23:09

23:09

Bestselling author Ruth Ware doesn’t do sequels, or so she’s said. After nine standalone psychological thrillers, the British novelist has released “The Woman in Suite 11,” which is a follow-up to her hit 2016 book, “The Woman in Cabin 10.” Ruth sits down with guest host Ali Hassan to tell us how her readers persuaded her to take another look at he…

1
Robby Hoffman’s unconventional path to comedy 33:33

7d ago33:33

33:33

Comedian Robby Hoffman is having a big year. She was just nominated for an Emmy for her role in the hit HBO show “Hacks,” where she plays a character based on her own experiences. Plus, her Just For Laughs show in Montreal this summer is sold out. But Robby hasn’t had a conventional path into comedy. From leaving an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community…

1
Yves Jarvis gave himself a concussion making music 15:41

7d ago15:41

15:41

The Montreal musician Yves Jarvis spent a year listening only to Frank Sinatra when he wrote his sixth and latest album, “All Cylinders.” He says it’s the least contrived thing he’s ever done. Not only did he produce the record, but he also plays every instrument on it, blending genres like bluegrass, jazz, folk and even yacht-rock in unexpected wa…

1
#535 Ben Bowlin with Reynaldo Munoz 41:29

7d ago41:29

41:29

On September 8, 1985, dozens gathered on Keeler Avenue in Chicago, IL for a friend's birthday party. In the early morning hours, while walking back to the party after getting cigarettes, 19-year-old Ivan Mena and 21-year-old Bouvier "Bobby" Garcia broke up a fight between 16-year-old Reynaldo “Scooby" Munoz and another partygoer. Munoz walked home …

1
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne 22:13

8d ago22:13

22:13

Yesterday, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at age 76. The Black Sabbath frontman will be remembered for his music, his antics on stage and his family’s reality television show, “The Osbournes.” In 2022, Tom Power sat down with the Prince of Darkness himself to discuss his new album at the time, “Patient Number 9.” But they also spoke about the legacy tha…

1
Joseph Kahn on Ick, music videos and the magic of '80s horror flicks 25:39

8d ago25:39

25:39

Acclaimed music video director Joseph Kahn has worked with everyone from the Backstreet Boys to Taylor Swift, but in 2004, he expanded into feature films. His latest creature feature “Ick” is a horror-comedy that just had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Back in September, Joseph joined Tom to talk about the movie, wha…

1
Blake Shelton fell back in love with music, all thanks to Post Malone 35:29

9d ago35:29

35:29

Blake Shelton is back with his first new album in nearly four years, “For Recreational Use Only.” The country star joins Tom Power to talk about retiring from the hit TV show “The Voice” after 23 seasons, feeling burned out, and being unsure about whether he would ever release a new record. Plus, Blake shares how an unexpected collaboration with Po…

1
Saya Gray on her debut album and gigging as a teen with a fake ID 13:52

9d ago13:52

13:52

Saya Gray might have just released her debut album earlier this year, but it’s far from her first foray into music. She’s been gigging since she was a teen, performing alongside much older musicians at Toronto jazz clubs where she had to use a fake ID to get in. Eventually, she started touring with the likes of Daniel Caesar and Willow Smith. Now, …

1
Why Rhys Darby thinks robots can’t do stand-up comedy 25:21

10d ago25:21

25:21

When Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords, Our Flag Means Death) started to notice the way AI had sunk its teeth into Hollywood, he decided to speak up. In his new stand-up show, “The Legend Returns,” the New Zealand actor and comedian sets out to prove that robots could never do what he’s doing live on stage. Rhys joins Tom Power to tell us what’s …

1
Jessica B. Hill’s childhood dream came true 23:44

10d ago23:44

23:44

When Jessica B. Hill was a kid, she saw a play at the Stratford Festival that she found so inspirational she wrote the word “Stratford” on a piece of paper and put it on her ceiling. Now, she’s an award-winning actor and playwright who’s appearing in three plays at Stratford this season: “As You Like It,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Dangerous Liai…

1
WWDTM: James Gunn 47:46

12d ago47:46

47:46

This week, special guest James Gunn joins panelists Adam Burke, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Paula Poundstone Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media 2:01

13d ago2:01

2:01

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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Zarna Garg treats comedy as a business, not an art form 24:50

13d ago24:50

24:50

After 16 years as a stay-at-home mom, Zarna Garg felt like she needed to reinvent herself. She tried a few different business ventures (disposable toothbrushes, vegan chilli and matchmaking), but none of them stuck. Then she decided to give comedy a go and everything changed. Now, Zarna has released a new stand-up special, "Practical People Win,” w…

1
Why Josh Homme wanted to perform inside the Paris Catacombs 18:48

13d ago18:48

18:48

Last summer, Queens of the Stone Age became the first-ever band to perform inside the Catacombs of Paris, where the remains of six million people are kept. That performance was captured in a new concert film and live five-song EP, “Alive in the Catacombs.” Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme joins Tom Power to talk about the project, his li…

1
Little Simz split with her producer. Now she’s unstoppable 25:09

14d ago25:09

25:09

Little Simz is one of the most acclaimed rappers in the world right now. In 2022, she won the prestigious Mercury Prize for her album “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.” But after falling out with her longtime producer and collaborator, the British rapper started thinking maybe music wasn’t for her anymore. Little Simz joins Tom Power to tell us why …

1
How Stratford’s Richard Manuel became a rock and roll legend 27:53

14d ago27:53

27:53

In his new book, “Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band,” renowned music archivist and podcaster Stephen T. Lewis explores the life and legacy of Richard Manuel, one of Canada’s most talented and influential musicians. Stephen joins Tom Power to tell why he was so enthralled by the story of a self-taught music…

1
#534 Ben Bowlin with Robert Johnson 34:43

14d ago34:43

34:43

In the evening of April 14, 1996, Edward Binion was shot in the head during a home invasion in Chicago, IL. After a series of arrests, since-disgraced Cook County Detectives William Moser and James O’Brien were led to 16-year-old Robert Johnson. Johnson was with his grandmother at the time of the shooting and no physical evidence implicated him. Ne…

1
Nathan Fillion was a shy comic book kid. Now he stars in Superman 32:14

15d ago32:14

32:14

When actor Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle, The Rookie) was growing up as a quiet comic book kid in Edmonton, he never imagined he would one day be up on the big screen with Superman. Now, he’s living out his childhood dream with his latest role as Guy Gardner — one of the characters known as Green Lantern — in the new “Superman” movie. Nathan join…

1
Why PIQSIQ wrote a song about Mahaha, the Inuit tickling demon 17:55

15d ago17:55

17:55

What if the bad guy in your nightmare didn’t chase you, but tried to tickle you to death? That’s just one of the Inuit legends reimagined by the Inuit throat singing duo PIQSIQ on their haunting new album, “Legends.” Sisters Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay of PIQSIQ join Tom Power to talk about the record and why they’re embracing Inuit tradition…

1
Simple Plan was both loved and hated for being pop-punk 35:40

16d ago35:40

35:40

For nearly three decades, Simple Plan has been one of the most successful bands to come out of Canada, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide. Now, a new documentary, “Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd” offers a look into the band's journey from playing basement shows in Montreal to achieving global stardom. Simple Plan’s Pierre Bouvier and…

1
How Tarralik Duffy uses pop art to show her memories of Nunavut 16:49

16d ago16:49

16:49

Jerry cans, bottles of soy sauce and canned meats — these are just some of the everyday objects portrayed in Tarralik Duffy’s exhibit, “Gasoline Rainbows.” Back in 2023, the multidisciplinary Inuk artist joined guest host Saroja Coelho to talk about finding beauty in everyday objects, the unexpected ways we remember home, and how her art connects h…

1
Steph Tolev wants to make farting less shameful for women 23:08

17d ago23:08

23:08

Toronto-born comedian Steph Tolev has been described as "gross,” "dirty” and "painfully real.” She’s built an entire career on raunchy jokes about everything from bad dates to bathroom humour. Now, she’s releasing her first Netflix special, "Filth Queen.” Steph joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us how she developed her niche, why she had to …

1
The forgotten history of classical music among the Labrador Inuit 28:09

17d ago28:09

28:09

Deantha Edmunds is Canada’s first Inuk professional opera singer. Last year, she was appointed to the Order of Canada, and earlier this month, she was honoured at the Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa. In this conversation with Tom Power from 2024, Deantha talks about the forgotten classical music tradition of the Labrador Inuit, as well as her own jou…

1
WWDTM: Jan Jensen 47:13

19d ago47:13

47:13

This week, we're live in Iowa with coach Jan Jensen and panelists Emmy Blotnick, Hari Kondabolu, and Faith Salie Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
How Emma Donoghue’s new musical stands up for immigrants then and now 25:22

20d ago25:22

25:22

Award-winning Irish Canadian novelist, screenwriter and playwright Emma Donoghue (Room, The Wonder) is back with her first musical, “The Wind Coming Over The Sea.” It’s based on the true story of Henry and Jane Johnson, a young married couple who left Ireland in the 1840s in search of a better life in Canada. Emma joins Tom Power to talk about what…

1
The dark side of writing a life-changing hit 21:48

20d ago21:48

21:48

Twenty years ago, Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Powter wrote the song “Bad Day,” which quickly became one of the biggest hits of 2005. It earned him a Grammy nomination, sold millions of copies and launched his career as an artist. But when “Bad Day” got bigger than anyone could have ever imagined, Daniel’s mental health started to decline, lea…

1
Finn Wolfhard's childhood 10-year plan worked out 44:09

21d ago44:09

44:09

At age 12, Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard shot to fame after landing the role of a lifetime on “Stranger Things.” But growing up in the spotlight wasn’t always easy. Finn often felt like he didn’t have control over his public identity or his artistic life. Now, as his tenure on “Stranger Things” comes to a close, he’s launched a music career with the…

1
#533 Maggie Freleng with Selma Butler 38:36

21d ago38:36

38:36

This week, we are bringing to you a special episode of Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng featuring Selma Butler. Maggie has returned to share this remarkable story with you, and to set the stage for another special announcement next week alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning author and creator of the Bone Valley podcast, Gilbert King. So please ma…

1
Jason Mantzoukas wants to be the ugly American villain 32:08

22d ago32:08

32:08

When actor and comedian Jason Mantzoukas (The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation) finally got the chance to appear on his favourite TV show — the weird and hilarious British game show “Taskmaster” — he didn’t want to play along normally. He wanted to be the ugly American villain who creates chaos. Jason joins Tom Power to tell us …

1
Evan Redsky is exploring the cosmos 17:03

22d ago17:03

17:03

When Evan Redsky sat down to write a song about his culture, he thought about three things: the movie “Interstellar,” the movie “Contact” with Jodie Foster, and the Ojibwe word that essentially means "see you later" (because there is no word for goodbye in Ojibwe). In this chat with guest host Talia Schlanger, Evan tells us how these elements make …

1
Atsuko Okatsuka was technically kidnapped by her grandma 25:14

23d ago25:14

25:14

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka is able to make the most difficult life experiences seem funny. In her new stand-up special, “Father,” she takes a look at her complex childhood growing up undocumented in the U.S. (she was technically kidnapped by her own grandma, though she doesn’t see it that way). Atsuko joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about tu…

1
This play is an adaptation of the longest poem ever written 24:09

23d ago24:09

24:09

The longest poem ever written is a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic called the “Mahabharata,” which clocks in at roughly 1.8 million words. But the poem’s daunting length didn’t stop Toronto’s Why Not Theatre from adapting it into a large-scale play of the same name. A few months ago, Miriam Fernandes, the co-creator and star of the show, joined Tom Po…

1
How The Young and the Restless led to more Black women becoming doctors 34:29

24d ago34:29

34:29

Canadian actor Tonya Williams spent two decades playing Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” which made her one of the first Black actors to star on a soap opera. In 2001, she founded the Reelworld Film Festival, which champions diverse Canadian talent in the TV and film industry. Now, she’s been named an Officer of the Order of Cana…

1
The Bear's Liza Colón-Zayas on the “cult” that tried to brainwash her 17:43

24d ago17:43

17:43

On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. With Season 4 of “The Bear” out now, we revisit Liza’s conversation with Tom Power about the scarcity and struggle she ha…

1
WWDTM: Amanda Seyfried, mxmtoon, and more! 47:29

26d ago47:29

47:29

This week, we celebrate the 4th of July with some of our favorite guests, including Amanda Seyfried, mxmtoon, Jim Gaffigan, Roy Wood, jr., and Lauren Graham! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Jason Tyree Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide