Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond cover art

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

By: Pushkin Industries
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Music and storytelling meet on Broken Record, where artists across genres and generations sit down to explore the joy, chaos, and vulnerability of creating—and what it means to devote a life to music. From legendary icons to groundbreaking new voices, each episode captures artists in conversation sharing the inspirations and experiences that shape their craft.

2026 Pushkin Industries 2025
Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien
    Jun 23 2026

    Ed O'Brien has spent decades crafting some of the most textured, expansive guitar in modern rock. From the fragmented beauty of Kid A and Amnesiac to the experimental layers of The King of Limbs, with the more straightforward muscle of OK Computer somewhere in between, few players have done more to expand what the instrument can do in a rock context.

    In recent years, Ed has been building a parallel universe, one where he's at the center. It started with Earth in 2020, released under the moniker EOB. Now comes Blue Morpho, out under his full birth name, Ed O'Brien. The title isn't incidental: like the striking butterfly it references, Ed went through a genuine transformation over the six years it took to make this record, and the album reflects it.

    On today's Broken Record, Ed walks us through the journey, beginning in solitude, playing guitar figures purely for himself, then gradually moving toward collaboration, eventually pulling in a crew of talented friends to help bring the songs to life. He also talks about how his playing has evolved over time, what Brazil has meant to him musically, and which producer he wishes Radiohead had worked with back in the '90s.

    You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Ed O'Brien HERE.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Earth, Wind & Fire
    Jun 16 2026

    Just before the premiere of Earth, Wind & Fire's new Questlove-directed documentary , the three OGs of the group stopped by Broken Record: vocalist Phillip Bailey, singer and percussionist Ralph Johnson, and bass player Verdine White.

    Host Justin Richmond will tell you straight up that talking about Earth, Wind & Fire's music feels a little beside the point. It exists on a level that resists explanation — spiritual, emotional, somewhere in the body before it reaches the brain. What the conversation reveals instead is the kind of people these three are: warm, grounded, and deeply committed to what they've built together. And maybe that's the whole answer.

    In this episode, they talk about Maurice White, founder and spiritual leader of the group and Verdine's brother. They listen to some music together. And Phillip finally spills on what "Reasons" is actually about.

    You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Earth, Wind & Fire HERE.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    54 mins
  • Fania Takes Nueva York | From Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York
    Jun 11 2026

    The 1960s brings social and political change to the world and to New York City, where a young Johnny Pacheco keeps people dancing with his orchestra and charanga music. The Dominican musician is also going through a divorce and his lawyer, Jerry Masucci, happens to be a fan of Johnny’s music. The two form a music partnership that will forever change music. They call their music label Fania Records.

    Hosted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated actress and Brooklyn native Rosie Perez and produced by Pulitzer Prize-winning Futuro Media. “Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York,” is the most comprehensive audio narrative yet made about the birth and wild heights of salsa, a genre that continues to shape global culture today.

    Listen to Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York wherever you listen to podcasts.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    36 mins
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Amazing people discussing musically pertinent topics with expertise to keep the professional and casual listener interested.

incredible value to the music community

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