I've been listening to NPR's Fresh Air for 10 years and host Terry Gross never ceases to amaze me in her ability to tease out a fascinating conversation with some of the world's most interesting and provocative writers, politicians, intellectuals, movie and tv stars, directors, stage actors, producers and other people in the arts or cultural worlds.

Though it's from a couple of weeks back, I was fascinated by her recent interview with writer and Onion contributor, Baratunde Thurston. He talks about (and reads from) his book, a satirical "manual" on How to Be Black. He talks about growing up in Washington, DC and suburban Maryland, about "living" the HBO show The Wire (though without all the critical acclaim, he announces).

The interview is funny, touching, historically relevant, and, of course, fascinating. Terry Gross has a way of engaging with the author (as she often does) just enough to get the author energized and willing to open up in an unguarded and honest way .

Anyone who wants a great podcast to listen to regularly, consider Fresh Air. It really is the best of what's being written, written about, listened to, and talked about today.