Best Of: Record producer Peter Asher / Romance writer Kennedy Ryan

NPR / WHYY· Jul 11, 2026· 49m 9s

Record producer and manager Peter Asher discovered James Taylor and launched Carole King’s career. Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in his family’s basement. He spoke with Terry Gross about having a front-row seat to some of the biggest moments in recording history. Also, romance novelist Kennedy Ryan talks about how she fell for the genre in middle school, even though her mother, a preacher, didn't approve. Ryan’s best-selling books center on people who are usuall

Now playing

🇬🇧English→🇬🇧English

Sample transcript — click Live captions above to run Whisper on the actual audio in your browser.

Welcome to the program. I'm your host.
Welcome to the program. I'm your host.
0:00
Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.
Today we look at the major stories shaping the news cycle.
0:04
We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.
We start in Europe, where leaders met in Brussels.
0:09
The summit focused on energy policy and migration.
The summit focused on energy policy and migration.
0:14
Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.
Reporting from the ground, our correspondent has more.
0:19
Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.
Thank you. The mood here was tense but constructive.
0:24