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.
James Salter (1925-2015) was what’s known as a writer’s writer. Author of several novels, screenplays collections of essays and short fiction and travel works, he came on tour to Berkeley for his memoir, Burning the Days, which discussed his life as an army pilot and as a writer. He was interviewed at KPFA on October 7, 1997 by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff.
KJ Sanchez, director and co-adapter (with Karen Zacarias) of “Romeo y Juliet” at Cal Shakes, California Shakespeare Theatre, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. in the interview she discusses the play and her work as a director, and teaching directing. She is also an Associate Professor at the University of Texas in Austin, and discusses the current political situation in Texas.
Jasson Minadakis, Artistic Director of Marin Theatre Company and director of “The Sound Inside,” by Adam Rapp, which runs May 26 – June 19, 2022, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. A comprehensive interview about how Covid impacted Marin Theatre Company, and how it continues to impact the company, including a look at “The Sound Inside” and the challenges of directing under unusual circumstances.
An interview with legendary author J. G. Ballard (1930-2009), conducted for KPFA’s Probabilities radio program in 1988, digitized and re-edited in 2016 by Richard Wolinsky. J. G. Ballard, who died in 2009 at the age of 78, was one of the greatest of all British speculative fiction writers, and one of the major writers of the period known as the British New Wave. On May 8th, 1988, KPFA’s Probabilities crew (Lawrence Davidson, Richard A. Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky) had a chance to sit down with J. G. Ballard while he was on tour for his novel, The Day of Creation. It turned into a fascinating career retrospective. Originally posted May 13, 2016.
A conversation with Hanya Yanagihara, author of the best-selling novel, “A Little Life,” hosted by Richard Wolinsky. This encore podcast was originally posted on March 17, 2016 and was recorded on February 22, 2016. (Photo: Creative Commons, Wirasathya Darmaja)
Don Winslow discusses his latest novel, “City on Fire,” a retelling of the story of the Trojan War and its aftermath, set in the world of organized crime in Rhode Island in the 1980s. He also discusses his political work and videos on Twitter. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky, and recorded in person at Book Passage bookstore on April 27, 2022.
Jim Harrison (1937-2016), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in 2007 while on tour for the novel “Returning to Earth.” Encore podcast originally posted on March 31, 2016, following Harrison’s death.
A conversation with A.O. Scott, co-chief film critic of the New York Times and author of Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think about Art, Pleasure, Beauty and Truth, Hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Encore podcast originally posted on April 7, 2916.
Miranda July in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded in 2015 while on tour for her novel “The Last Bad Man,” which remains her most recent book to date. This encore podcast was first posted in December, 2015. “Kajillionaire,” written and directed by Miranda July and released in 2020, is now available on HBO Max and for rental via Apple TV.
Margo Hall, Artistic Director of Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, the legendary African American Bay Area theatre company, and noted Bay Area actor, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Margo Hall is a featured player in the film and TV series “Blindspotting.”
