Accessibility links
Ryan Benk
Stories By

Ryan Benk

Ryan Benk

Story Archive

Sunday

Author Interviews

Stephen Graham Jones on his novel 'I Was a Teenage Slasher'

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to author Stephen Graham Jones about his latest novel, "I Was a Teenage Slasher," which tells a gory tale through the eyes of a teenage killer in a small Texan town.

Stephen Graham Jones on his novel 'I Was a Teenage Slasher'

Listen · 8:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-4819331/nx-s1-e731c3d3-9cf4-4d58-9e53-cf8d00f184bc" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Movies

Horror film icons get starts on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Some horror greats will be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year: "Halloween" director John Carpenter and actor Robert Englund - famous for playing Freddy Krueger.

Horror film icons get starts on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Listen · 2:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5021519/nx-s1-ea623e6d-6866-401d-8b6b-adc0d670ec96" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Music Interviews

Agalisiga Mackey reflects on writing songs in his native Cherokee language

We hear from singer Agalisiga Mackey, whose song "Tsitsutsa Tsigesv" was a standout submission to this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

Agalisiga Mackey reflects on writing songs in his native Cherokee language

Listen · 4:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5013739/nx-s1-788ef256-3eb0-4702-9308-e004b5ae691e" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Technology

The U.S. healthcare industry has been the target of two ransomware attacks this year

NPR's Lauren Frayer talks with Wired senior writer Andy Greenberg about how healthcare hacks are on the increase after a major attack against Change Healthcare earlier this year.

The U.S. healthcare industry has been the target of two ransomware attacks this year

Listen · 5:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5004998/nx-s1-588530e4-6aa6-4f00-a49a-10a207a3795f" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Culture

New fathers celebrate Father's Day and reflect on the joy of becoming dads

New fathers Alex Thompson, Andy Cottrell, Dave Bluhm, and Colton Canton reflect on becoming dads.

New fathers celebrate Father's Day and reflect on the joy of becoming dads

Listen · 3:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5003730/nx-s1-d3f98c78-717c-461c-b371-cc9ac98bd2bd" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Television

A new docuseries 'Ren Fair' follows the creator of a Texas Renaissance fair

The docuseries "Ren Faire" looks at what happens when the creator of a Texas Renaissance fair plans to retire. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with director Lance Oppenheim.

A new docuseries 'Ren Fair' follows the creator of a Texas Renaissance fair

Listen · 7:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-4993529/nx-s1-b6adb3d0-3407-4f65-947c-449dd561e262" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Music Interviews

Jon Lampley, a veteran of Stephen Colbert's talk show, releases his debut album

Musician Jon Lampley has been a fixture in the band on Stephen Colbert's talk show. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to the trumpet player about his debut album, "Night Service: Live at LunÀtico."

Jon Lampley, a veteran of Stephen Colbert's talk show, releases his debut album

Listen · 7:40
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-4971593/nx-s1-ee7ec0c0-5b7b-4f90-9c4c-aac9f292b2dc" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Movies

Francis Galluppi on 'The Last Stop In Yuma County', his feature debut

Francis Galluppi wrote and directed the new film "The Last Stop In Yuma County." His says his feature debut is a genre mix of neo-noir and westerns. He talks to NPR's Ayesha Rascoe.

Francis Galluppi on 'The Last Stop In Yuma County', his feature debut

Listen · 6:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1250805078/1250805079" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Health

Walmart is ending its telehealth service and closing over 50 health clinics

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Forbes senior healthcare contributor Bruce Japsen about why Walmart is closing 51 health clinics and what this means for the rural populations they served.

Walmart is ending its telehealth service and closing over 50 health clinics

Listen · 5:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249231441/1249231442" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Books

From 'Magnum, P.I.' to dancing with royalty, Tom Selleck shares his journey in new memoir

Tom Selleck became a TV star in the 1980s as the Hawaii-based detective of "Magnum, P.I." He talks with NPR's Scott Simon about what it took to get there and his new memoir, "You Never Know."

From 'Magnum, P.I.' to dancing with royalty, Tom Selleck shares his journey in new memoir

Listen · 7:46
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249166969/1249166970" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Theater

'Cabaret' comes back to Broadway starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, who star in the new Broadway revival of "Cabaret."

'Cabaret' comes back to Broadway starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin

Listen · 10:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246083026/1246083027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Movie Interviews

David and Nathan Zellner on their absurdist film 'Sasquatch Sunset'

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with David and Nathan Zellner about their new, absurd film "Sasquatch Sunset," which is about a family of sasquatches.

David and Nathan Zellner on their absurdist film 'Sasquatch Sunset'

Listen · 7:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1244683921/1244683922" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Music Interviews

Sam Evian's new LP 'Plunge' is his most personal yet

Scott Simon talks with musician and indie producer Sam Evian about his fourth LP, "Plunge." Evian says the record is his most personal yet and it touches on themes of family, depression and sobriety.

Sam Evian's new LP 'Plunge' is his most personal yet

Listen · 7:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1244583150/1244583151" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

History

Tropicana, the Las Vegas casino once associated with the mob, closes its doors

Las Vegas loses one of its classic casinos this week. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with UNLV historian Michael Green about the glamor, gambling, and one-time mob connections of the Tropicana.

Tropicana, the Las Vegas casino once associated with the mob, closes its doors

Listen · 5:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1241853140/1241888378" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
In AMC's 'Parish,' actor Giancarlo Esposito drives the story

Giancarlo Esposito as Gracian (Gray) Parish. Eliot Brasseaux/AMC hide caption

toggle caption
Eliot Brasseaux/AMC

Television

In AMC's 'Parish,' actor Giancarlo Esposito drives the story

Giancarlo Esposito calls his newest role "the highlight" of a decades-long career. He's known for playing a drug kingpin on Breaking Bad.

In AMC's 'Parish,' actor Giancarlo Esposito drives the story

Listen · 7:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1241853171/1241888396" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Author Interviews

Maurice Vellekoop on his graphic memoir and growing up gay in a conservative household

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Canadian graphic artist Maurice Vellekoop about growing up gay in a conservative household and his new illustrated memoir, "I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together."

Maurice Vellekoop on his graphic memoir and growing up gay in a conservative household

Listen · 8:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1235606503/1235606504" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Books

GennaRose Nethercott on her short story collection 'Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart'

NPR's Elissa Nadworny talks with GennaRose Nethercott about the power of folklore and her collection of strange and fantastic short stories, "Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart."

GennaRose Nethercott on her short story collection 'Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart'

Listen · 8:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1228913204/1228913584" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Television

Clive Owen on playing Sam Spade in the AMC series 'Monsieur Spade'

NPR's Scott Simon asks Clive Owen about playing an older, slower Sam Spade in the AMC series "Monsieur Spade."

Clive Owen on playing Sam Spade in the AMC series 'Monsieur Spade'

Listen · 6:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1225794991/1225794992" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Saturday

Health Care

Outdated provider lists on health insurers' websites may be costing you

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with The Lever's Helen Santoro about her reporting on outdated health insurer directories and lower reimbursement rates for providers and patients.

Outdated provider lists on health insurers' websites may be costing you

Listen · 4:40
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1223287102/1223287103" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Author Interviews

'The Old Gays' of TikTok publish their first book, a guide to life and living for all

We hear from a group of friends known as "The Old Gays" on TikTok, who have just published a book called "The Old Gays Guide to the Good Life" — part self-help, part memoir, and intended for all ages.

'The Old Gays' of TikTok publish their first book, a guide to life and living for all

Listen · 4:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1221436217/1221436218" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Movies

'Pianoforte' director on his film featuring piano prodigies competing for a top prize

A new documentary follows talented young pianists as they compete in the International Chopin Piano Competition in Poland. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with director, Jakub Piatek, about Pianoforte.

'Pianoforte' director on his film featuring piano prodigies competing for a top prize

Listen · 7:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1219882804/1219882805" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Culture

Meet the people working on the holidays so you don't have to

The holidays aren't a holiday for everyone. We check in with people — from zookeepers to police officers — to hear what it's like to work on days when others are celebrating at home with loved ones.

Meet the people working on the holidays so you don't have to

Listen · 3:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1218386090/1218386091" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Health Care

Amazon is getting into health care. Will it actually make care more accessible?

Amazon is now offering discounted subscriptions to primary care. Ayesha Rascoe talks to healthcare writer Bruce Japsen about what ventures like these signal for patients.

Amazon is getting into health care. Will it actually make care more accessible?

Listen · 5:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1212534782/1212534783" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org