Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

Alan Alda — yes, that Alan Alda, Hawkeye Pierce himself — started a podcast in 2018 and it turns out he's a remarkably good interviewer. Clear+Vivid focuses on the art and science of human communication, and at 404 episodes it has become one of the most consistently engaging conversation shows out there. The premise is centered on people who have figured out how to connect with others, and Alan approaches each guest with the genuine curiosity of someone who has spent decades thinking about what makes communication work. The guest list is eclectic and impressive. Marlo Thomas, Michael J. Fox, philosopher Rebecca Goldstein, neuroscientist Steve Ramirez, activist Loretta Ross, skeptic Michael Shermer. The conversations run about 35-40 minutes each, and Alan has a way of steering them toward surprising depth. He's not doing quick promotional interviews. He genuinely wants to understand how his guests think, and his years of acting and science communication (he hosted Scientific American Frontiers for over a decade) give him an unusually broad frame of reference. The show releases weekly and carries a 4.7-star rating from over 3,600 listeners on Apple Podcasts. Production is straightforward — no elaborate sound design, just well-recorded conversation. Alan's warmth and wit come through clearly, and at 90 years old, his intellectual energy is remarkable. For curious minds who care about how people relate to each other — and who appreciate conversations that go beyond surface pleasantries — this is a standout show.