Episode 604 – Terry Gross

In Episode 604 of the 'WTF with Marc Maron Podcast,' Marc Maron interviews Terry Gross, the esteemed host of NPR's 'Fresh Air.' The conversation is set against the backdrop of a live audience at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Maron opens by sharing his nervousness and excitement about interviewing someone he considers the best interviewer in the country. Gross's reputation as an interviewer is well-established, and Maron expresses both respect and intimidation at the prospect of interviewing her.

The episode unfolds with Maron and Gross discussing her career, her approach to interviewing, and her personal life. Gross reveals her origins in radio, starting with her involvement in a feminist radio show in the 1970s. She talks about the evolution of her career, including her early challenges as a teacher and her eventual realization that radio was her calling. Gross discusses the importance of being able to ask personal questions during interviews and how she navigates the boundaries of her subjects' privacy.

Throughout the interview, Gross and Maron touch on themes of personal growth, the impact of the women's movement on Gross's life choices, and the role of radio as a medium for storytelling and connection. Gross shares anecdotes from her past, including her experiences of hitchhiking across the country, which provided her with a wealth of life experiences that informed her interviewing style.

The conversation also delves into Gross's personal life, including her relationship with her husband, her decision not to have children, and her love for music and the arts. Gross's reflections on the trajectory of her life and career offer insights into the person behind the microphone, providing a rare glimpse into the private life of a public figure who is usually the one asking the questions.