A podcast posted every Sunday featuring extended interviews and discussions from Bookwaves, Art-Waves, and Bookwaves Artwaves Hour programs on KPFA, and newly digitized and edited archive interviews from the pre-digital Probabilities series dating back to 1977. Literature, theater, film, the visual arts: in-depth interviews from a progressive and artistic viewpoint, with long-time KPFA/Pacifica host Richard Wolinsky.
Edmund White (1940-2025) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA Studios, September 20, 2012 while on tour for the novel “Jack Holmes and His Friend.” Edmund White, who died on June 3, 2025 at the age of 85, was often called the Grandfather of gay literature. Equally at home writing novels, biographies, plays, memoirs, essays and various hybrids, he was a pioneer in the LBGT world. Third of four interviews. Photo: David Shankbone.
Joseph Heller, author of “Catch-22” and its sequel, “Closing Time,” in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff, recorded in San Francisco on October 17, 1994. In this interview, not heard in two decades, Heller talks about both books, the film based on “Catch-22” and some of the themes of his works. First posted May 21, 2019.
J.K. Fowler, Executive Director of the Bay Area Book Festival in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, discussing this year’s festival, Saturday May 31st and Sunday June 1st throughout the City of Berkeley.
Jacques d’Amboise (1934-May 2, 2021) spent thirty years as the principal dancer of the New York City Ballet under the direction of the choreographer George Balanchine, and founded the National Dance Institute. He discusses his life and career in this April, 2011 interview with Richard Wolinsky. First posted May 9, 2021.
Paul Mazursky (1930-2014) was a major film director during the 1970s and 1980s. Among his films were Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Harry & Tonto, An Unmarried Woman, Enemies: A Love Story, and Down and Out in Beverly Hills. On June 8, 1999, he was interviewed by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in the KPFA studios while on tour for his memoir, “Show Me The Magic.” This podcast was first posted on July 18, 2021.
Ann Patchett, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studio on a book tour for “Bel Canto,” September 20, 2001. Photo: AnnPatchett.com
Kate MacKay, Associate Film Curator at Pacific Film Archives, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, discussing the films of John Cassavetes and specifically his work with Gena Rowlands. Kate MacKay is the curator of a retrospective of their filmsat Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives from May 2 through May 14, 2025. (Photo from “Love Streams” courtesy BAMPFA)
Composer/lyricist William Finn, who died on April 7th, 2025 at the age of 73 and director/librettist James Lapine, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded March 20, 2019 at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco, discussing “Falsettos,” and their careers.
Walter Mosley in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded March 5, 2025 discussing his two most recent novels, “Been Wrong So Long It Looks Like Right,” a Joe King Oliver novel, and “Farewell, Amethystine,” an Easy Rawlins novel. Complete 40-minute interview.
Richard Chamberlain, who died on March 29, 2025 two days before his 91st birthday, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded June 10, 2003 while on tour for his memoir, “Shattered Love.” Originally a television heartthrob, he went on to a long and distinguished career as a leading man in various films as well as a stage actor on Broadway. In this interview he discusses his career and the people he worked with, and on American politics shortly after the invasion of Iraq, when the parallels to today are unmistakeable. (Photo: Richard Wolinsky and Richard Chamberlain, outside KPFA.
