Wild Card with Rachel Martin
NPR
Life’s too short for small talk. Rachel gets right to the questions that matter most. Once a week, famous guests pull questions from a deck of cards and open up about the kind of stuff we all think about but rarely say out loud. Actors, authors, and thinkers are prompted to talk about everything from their insecurities and dreams to grief and God. Named one of the 10 best podcasts of 2024 by The New York Times, Wild Card stands out among celebrity interview podcasts. When modern life feels chaotic or overwhelming, listen to Wild Card for a joyful, grounding reminder of our shared humanity. Want to listen to Wild Card sponsor-free? Support NPR by subscribing to Wild Card+. Learn more at plus.npr.org/wildcard.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 9, 2026 • 44min
Tim Blake Nelson
Tim Blake Nelson, actor and novelist known for O Brother, Where Art Thou and Superhero, shares tales from a Tulsa meatpacking job to studying classics at Brown. He describes solitary fishing in Jamaica, why writing gave him control, the Hollywood spark behind his novel, and how marriage and artistry reshaped his risks and priorities.
Apr 2, 2026 • 57min
George Saunders
George Saunders, award-winning author of empathetic, imaginative fiction. He talks about his new novel Vigil and its tug-of-war between mercy and accountability. He explores liminal spaces like life-afterlife settings and why they sharpen human neuroses. He also reflects on ambition, work ethic, parenting pressures, and the longing to quiet the self.
6 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 38min
Julio Torres
Julio Torres, comedian and filmmaker known for surreal, whimsical work like Color Theories, chats about inventing interior lives for colors, letters, and numbers. He reflects on childhood math fears, turning rejection into material, curious beliefs shaped by family lore, and the stylish outfits he imagines wearing in old age.
13 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 41min
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate, actress and author known for her film and TV work and memoir You with the Sad Eyes. She reflects on life shaped by sets, dancing and Broadway highs. She talks about parenting a teen, naming painful past relationships, living with illness and finding joy in small comforts like Bravo. The conversation balances resilience, memory and the gift of motherhood.
10 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 52min
Chris Fleming
Chris Fleming, a comedian and physical performer known for manic movement and vivid observations, shares stories about his career, dance roots, and creative rituals. He talks about pushing past industry skepticism, the theatrical choices behind his stage persona, and why certain symbols like birds keep showing up in his work. Short, lively, and full of eccentric charm.
Mar 5, 2026 • 29min
Lena Waithe (Encore)
Lena Waithe, writer, producer, and actress known for The Chi and Emmy-winning work on Master of None. She talks about how writing builds empathy and the creative friendships that shaped her career. She reflects on lessons from The Wizard of Oz, admits she struggles with being wrong, and considers legacy and resilience in her work.
Feb 26, 2026 • 35min
'Weird Al' Yankovic (Encore)
Weird Al Yankovic, parody musician and comedian with a decades-long career, chats about staying weird as he ages and balancing family life. He recounts his early breakthrough with “My Bologna.” He talks about why live shows matter and shares stories of devoted fans. The conversation ends with tour plans and reflections on identity and longevity.
20 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 51min
Dan Harris
Dan Harris, journalist-turned-mindfulness teacher and author of 10% Happier, talks about long silent retreats and why solitude brings up buried feelings. He recalls moments of unexpected kindness and finding true peers after war reporting. He critiques optimization culture, shares a simple mindfulness prompt, and explains how small practices can reshape the mind.
10 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 44min
Wagner Moura
Wagner Moura, Brazilian actor and filmmaker known for Narcos and an Oscar nomination for The Secret Agent. He talks about choosing projects that bring joy, the ritual and spirituality of theater, aging with grace and jiu-jitsu, and how art can be a form of political engagement. Short personal stories punctuate the conversation.
12 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 43min
Melinda French Gates
Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and author focused on women’s health and social progress, reflects on rebuilding her life and work after major transitions. She discusses prioritizing reproductive and cardiovascular research for women. She opens up about writing her memoir, learning to trust again, forgiveness as self-healing, and how community and nature sustain hope.
