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.
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.
Michael Socrates Moran, Executive and Co-Artistic Director of Oakland Theater Project, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. Michael Moran is one of the founders of Oakland Theater Project, formerly Ubuntu Theatre Project. He is also the director of “I Am My Own Wife” by Doug Wright, playing at Oakland Theater Project through April 6, 2025. In this interview he discusses the origins of the company, how it fared during the pandemic, and the upcoming season.
Anthony Lewis (1927-2013) discussing “Freedom for the Thought that We Hate: A Biography of the First Amendment,” with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded February 4, 2008 in the KPFA studios. In the first half of the interview, he discusses the history of free speech in America, and then discusses the unconstitutional excesses of the George W. Bush Administration.
Martin Amis (1949-2023), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studio on a book tour for “Lionel Asbo, State of England,” September 20, 2012.
