Aha Moments

Art can change everything.

How has a work of art changed your life? Artists (including the author Jon Ronson, the comedian Sandra Bernhard, and the band Devo) and listeners share how a song, a story, or a painting transformed their view of the world and changed the course of their lives.

Aha Moment: ‘The Metamorphosis’

March 28, 2019

Helen Phillips remembers her most devastating reading experience.

Aha Moment: John Zorn with a schmear

March 07, 2019

Having the chutzpah to join the family business.

Aha Moment: Willie Nelson on ‘Amazing Grace’

February 07, 2019

“I love the song and I would sing it every night ... Just one of those magic songs.”

Aha Moment: An odd path to Plath

January 17, 2019

Where a troubled teen discovered Sylvia Plath: in a Charlie Sheen TV movie.

Aha Moment: Whoopi Goldberg

September 06, 2018

How the hilariously profane comedian inspired a young girl from the Bronx.

Aha Moment: Mary Karr's 'Entering the Kingdom'

May 10, 2018

Finding inspiration in a poem.

Aha Moment: ‘The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax'

March 08, 2018

A spy novel made Maureen Sestito realize it wasn’t too late to achieve her dream.

Aha Moment: Billy Joel’s ‘Lullabye’

February 08, 2018

An old ballad teaches a new parent about fatherhood.

Aha Moment: ‘Practical Magic’

January 25, 2018

How a cheesy movie helped a listener through some serious grief.

Aha Moment: Ronald D. Moore on ‘Star Trek’

January 18, 2018

Killing your heroes.

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