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City Arts & Lectures

City Arts & Lectures
San Francisco
Climate Change
Literature
Feminism
Supreme Court
Poverty
Grief
Racism
Angela Davis
Social Justice
Activism
Covid-19
Adoption
Mortality
Abortion
Artificial Intelligence
Werner Herzog
Belonging
Spirituality
Homelessness

Since 1980, City Arts & Lectures has presented onstage conversations with outstanding figures in literature, politics, criticism, science, and the performing arts, offering the most diverse perspectives about ideas and values. City Arts & Lectures programs can be heard on more than 130 public radio stations across the country and wherever you get your podcasts. The broadcasts are co-produced with ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes429Founded8 years ago
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Arts

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Artwork for City Arts & Lectures

Latest Episodes

Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton, is one of today’s leading voices addressing issues of income inequality.  Reich served in three presidential administrations, and recently retired from teaching at UC Berkeley’s School o... more

Essayist and novelist Edwidge Danticat moved from Port-au-Prince to the United States at the age of twelve and began writing about Haitian culture and the immigrant experience when she was just 13. Danticat has gone on to write numerous critically ac... more

Emmy-nominated actress and activist Laverne Cox rose to fame through her role on Orange is the New Black, quickly becoming an important voice for transgender rights. In her debut memoir Transcendent, Cox delves into her traumas, gender identity, tran... more

This is an encore presentation of a program originally broadcast in October of 2025. Arundhati Roy’s internationally best-selling novels include The God of Small Things and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness.  Her nonfiction works engage elegantly and ... more

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Recent Guests

Edwidge Danticat
Essayist and novelist discussed in depth about her recent work and experiences
Author of Dey (novel)
Episode: Edwidge Danticat
Laverne Cox
actress and activist
Orange Is the New Black
Episode: Laverne Cox
Arundhati Roy
Author and public intellectual
Author of The God of Small Things; Minister of Utmost Happiness
Episode: Encore - Arundhati Roy
Vivek Murthy
Former United States Surgeon General
United States Government
Episode: Encore - Vivek Murthy
Yotam Ottolenghi
Chef and cookbook author
Ottolenghi
Episode: Yotam Ottolenghi
Eddie Huang
Author and culinary/creative figure, subject of the discussion
Episode: Eddie Huang
Bella Freud
Clothing designer, host of Fashion Neurosis
Independent designer
Episode: Bella Freud
David Szalay
Author of Flesh; discusses character Ishtván, structure, realism
Author
Episode: David Szalay
Elizabeth Pryor
Professor of history at Smith College; author of Something We Said, Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word, and Me
Smith College
Episode: Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 509 ratings
  • Roz Chast

    Listening to a podcast of a slide show is like a Roz Chast cartoon. Absurdly funny.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    writemor
    United States3 years ago
  • Zamora great.

    Liked this interview a lot. Look forward to A. Davis, R. Reich and (fingers crossed) Patti Smith interviews…..so far enjoyable and timely.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Love theVibe
    United States3 years ago
  • Authors

    Why are all the authors female?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    gentle julia
    Canada4 years ago
  • Thiebaud - Lesser 2005 replay

    Splendid interview, a wide roaming, good personal insights on painters and painting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linkin Steff
    United States5 years ago
  • Miranda July!

    Great in-depth interview!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    riribex
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate the depth and intimacy of conversations with high-profile guests.
Some episodes polarize or disappoint when guests clash with expectations or pacing.
Listeners value thoughtful, well-researched discourse and candid guest moments.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#185
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#226
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#227
New Zealand/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#239
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#250
Philippines/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Laverne Cox
Q: What is truly like some advice for us being proud and being trans and showing up as researchers and creatives?
Stand tall by building a clear vision, cultivating a supportive network, and creating your work with intentional boundaries and self-respect. Also remember to pace yourself, protect your energy, and prioritize collaborations with like-minded people who can sustain you.
Encore - Arundhati Roy
Q: How did your mother's activism shape your own writing and sense of justice?
Her forceful commitment to gender equality and social reform taught me to look at power structures critically and to use writing as a tool to illuminate injustice, even when it is uncomfortable.
Encore - Vivek Murthy
Q: If you could change one thing as Surgeon General, what would it be and who might oppose it?
I would place love at the center of our lives as a galvanizing force, because love manifests as compassion and generosity while fear drives anger and insecurity; leading with love would transform how we listen, judge less, and engage with one another.
Yotam Ottolenghi
Q: What does it mean for a dish to be Ottolenghi, and how do you maintain that identity in recipes?
There is an expectation of curve balls and contrasts in Ottolenghi dishes; the identity comes from surprising, multi-layered flavors and careful presentation, not just traditional ingredients.
Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor
Q: How did the incident reshape your teaching and your research?
The incident became a catalyst that pushed me to connect classroom experiences with broader historical and social contexts, leading me to integrate more personal narrative into scholarship and to think more deeply about how to facilitate conversations about race.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About City Arts & Lectures

What is City Arts & Lectures about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-form conversations with eminent writers, artists, journalists, and cultural figures across literature, food, film, design, and politics. Episodes typically center on the guest's body of work, creative process, and personal histories, weaving in memoir, activism, and social context, often with readings, live Q&A, and candid reflections on identity, trauma, and community. A notable pattern is the depth of personal storytelling paired with broader cultural and political themes, making it a rich listening room for listeners who value thoughtful dialogue and intellectual curiosity.

The program stands out for its intimate, philosophy-in-motion style—giving guests space to trace how childhoods, migrations, and social movements shape their ar... more

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Which podcasts are similar to City Arts & Lectures?

These podcasts share a similar audience with City Arts & Lectures:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. Fresh Air
3. KQED's Forum
4. The Book Review
5. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

How many episodes of City Arts & Lectures are there?

City Arts & Lectures launched 8 years ago and published 429 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on City Arts & Lectures?

Recent guests on City Arts & Lectures include:

1. Edwidge Danticat
2. Laverne Cox
3. Arundhati Roy
4. Vivek Murthy
5. Yotam Ottolenghi
6. Eddie Huang
7. Bella Freud
8. David Szalay

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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