Accessibility links
Wild Card with Rachel Martin 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.
Wild Card with Rachel Martin

Podcast Directory

Wild Card with Rachel Martin

From NPR

See More

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.

Most Recent Episodes

Julio Torres doesn’t need to prove himself

Julio Torres doesn’t need to prove himself

In his stand-up, films and TV shows, Julio Torres considers the beauty and absurdity of the structures that make up the world around him, and tries to make sense of them. In his latest HBO special, "Color Theories," he explores the interior lives of colors. He spoke with Rachel about how his existential dread has changed over time and his excitement for the outfits he’ll wear in his old age.

Julio Torres

Listen · 38:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5761352/nx-s1-mx-5761352-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Christina Applegate on learning to live with joy and pain

Christina Applegate doesn't need anyone's pity or approval. That’s the takeaway from her new memoir, "You With the Sad Eyes." She looks back at some of the toughest moments in her life, from abusive relationships to her recent multiple sclerosis diagnosis. But she also shares with Rachel the joys in her life, like raising her 15 year old daughter and watching Bravo reality television.

Christina Applegate

Listen · 40:53
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5752250/nx-s1-mx-5752250-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Chris Fleming’s moment has come, but it took time for culture to catch up

Chris Fleming’s moment has come, but it took time for culture to catch up

Chris Fleming takes his unique observations about the weirdness of everyday life and runs (and catapults and crawls and prances) with them. In his latest HBO special, "Live at the Palace," his manic physicality and singularly rich descriptions are the perfect recipe for comedy magic. He spoke with Rachel about overcoming skeptical industry gatekeepers, his love of dance, and his muse, Terry Gross.

Chris Fleming

Listen · 52:11
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5745135/nx-s1-mx-5745135-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Lena Waithe (Encore)
Vivien Killilea / Getty Images

Lena Waithe (Encore)

At 41, Lena Waithe already has an impressive legacy, with dozens of writing, acting and production credits. She was the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing (for "Master of None"). And she’s also the creator of "The Chi," which recently wrapped its seventh season. She tells Rachel one of her core beliefs is a lesson from "The Wizard of Oz." They also discuss being bad at being wrong.

Lena Waithe (Encore)

Listen · 28:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5736091/nx-s1-mx-5736091-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Weird Al' Yankovic (Encore)

'Weird Al' Yankovic (Encore)

When Weird Al’s debut single, “My Bologna,” came out, there wasn’t really a model for how a parody artist could have any longevity in their career. Yet Al's figured out how to stay popular for over four decades. Ahead of his “Bigger and Weirder” tour, he talked with Rachel about staying weird as he ages, parenthood, and his devoted (some might say obsessive) fans.

'Weird Al' Yankovic (Encore)

Listen · 34:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5723973/nx-s1-mx-5723973-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Dan Harris on how to make peace with a chaotic mind

Dan Harris on how to make peace with a chaotic mind

In an ever-growing world of mindfulness teachers and wellness influencers, Dan Harris has remained grounded with modest goals. One of those goals is baked into the name of his best-selling book and podcast, “10% Happier.” Dan talks to Rachel about his unconventional path from “self-centered journalist” to “alleged happiness expert,” and whether being a “good-ish” person is good enough.To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

Dan Harris

Listen · 50:47
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5718472/nx-s1-mx-5718472-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Wagner Moura on 'The Secret Agent,' aging and privileging joy

Wagner Moura on 'The Secret Agent,' aging and privileging joy

Wagner Moura doesn’t compromise when it comes to doing work that feels meaningful and aligned with his values. That much is clear in the politically-charged Brazilian film, "The Secret Agent," for which he's earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He spoke with Rachel about getting better with age, the sacredness of performing onstage and why he's made seeking joy a priority.

Wagner Moura

Listen · 43:45
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5711470/nx-s1-mx-5711470-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Melinda French Gates on moving past the ‘muck’ and building a beautiful life

Melinda French Gates on moving past the ‘muck’ and building a beautiful life

Melinda French Gates has been through some painful and public transitions — ending her marriage of 27 years, stepping away from the foundation she built with her ex-husband Bill Gates and turning her professional focus to women’s health and social progress. She talks to Rachel about forgiveness, learning to trust, and her ex-husband’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

Wild Card with Rachel Martin-02.05.2026

Listen · 43:19
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5701471/nx-s1-mx-5701471-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Oprah reflects on her public battle with her weight and finally feeling free

Oprah reflects on her public battle with her weight and finally feeling free

Oprah could never just ignore her weight. Everyone else was always talking about it – from tabloids to late-night shows. She talks to Rachel about her weight journey and her new embrace of GLP-1s, the topic of her new book, “Enough,” co-written with Dr. Ania Jastreboff. Oprah also opens up to Rachel about her childhood in Mississippi and the lessons she learned from Maya Angelou and Sidney Poitier.To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

Oprah

Listen · 1:01:54
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5691872/nx-s1-mx-5691872-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Jennette McCurdy says after a stressful childhood, ‘Adulthood is quite fun’

Jennette McCurdy says after a stressful childhood, ‘Adulthood is quite fun’

In her early 20s, Jennette McCurdy left her childhood acting career and turned to writing. In both her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” and her debut novel, “Half His Age,” she confronts the kinds of abuse and power dynamics she had to navigate long before she was ready. But she tells Rachel she has been able to move past it and find acceptance on the other side. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

Jennette McCurdy

Listen · 48:01
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5684302/nx-s1-mx-5684302-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
or search npr.org