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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fresh-air-214340/best-of-record-producer-peter-asher-romance-writer-kennedy-ryan
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fresh-air-214340/best-of-record-producer-peter-asher-romance-writer-kennedy-ryan.md
Podcast: [Fresh Air](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fresh-air-214340)
Published: 2026-07-11T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/11/nx-s1-5888576/best-of-record-producer-peter-asher-romance-writer-kennedy-ryan
Audio file: https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-381444908/npr.simplecastaudio.com/49850946-31c1-4953-8129-0d718420c400/episodes/dec1170a-a713-4335-82dc-69f50f8aea3c/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=49850946-31c1-4953-8129-0d718420c400&awEpisodeId=dec1170a-a713-4335-82dc-69f50f8aea3c&feed=jBsBZBHh&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5888576&p=381444908&d=2949&size=47194366
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fresh-air-214340/episodes/best-of-record-producer-peter-asher-romance-writer-kennedy-ryan
Duration seconds: 2949

## Resource

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 usually at the margins – Black women, queer women, and women with chronic illnesses and disabilities. TV critic David Bianculli has a review of the ‘Little House on the Prairie’ remake. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to our YouTube channel Check out the Fresh Air Archives See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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## Transcript

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