The choose-a-question format, the variety of guests, and the thoughtfully crafted questions make it a fascinating listen.

I have been listening for some time and I look forward to each new episode. Wild Card takes me on an adventure every week and introduces me to new people every week. The format of the show keeps every episode fresh and unexpected. You never know what question will be asked next. You also never know what will be the answer. The guests on this show help me understand this wild world we live in better. I also have gained an appreciation for how diverse the human perspective can be. I always finish every show with a smile and a renewed sense of curiosity. If you want a show that will always keep you wondering, give Wild Card a listen or three!

Your episode with John Green was my favorite yet! The depth, insight and humor of this conversation made my heart overflow with gratitude.

Such great questions and your guests really seem to open up and connect with you. I really loved Uzo Aduba.

This is my first podcast review! I listen to so many great ones—SmartLess, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and Dateline (gotta have my murder content)—but I’ve never actually taken the time to write a review until now. There’s just something special about the chemistry between Rachel Martin and her guests. It feels effortless, like you’re listening in on two people who’ve known each other forever—even when it’s their first time meeting. I’ve only listened to three episodes so far, but I’m already hooked. Can’t wait for more!

I have listened to several episodes of the show, and I love the concept and I love the questions. It is fun to get a behind the curtains look at some thoughts of beliefs of well-known people. However, please please please stop interrupting the guests or finishing their sentences for them. Silence and pauses are okay while the guests come up with an answer, and they do not need a host trying to explain their own answers back to them.

I loved Rachel as an NPR correspondent, she had to most sincere, exuberant voice. Listening to her felt like eating a bowl of deliciousness. I understand that her work with NPR was tough and exhausting and I get she needed a break. However, this show is so insipid, so shallow. What a waste of her excellence.

After reading high praise for this podcast all over, I was excited to finally listen. The host, sounding nothing like she typically does on NPR, scoffed at a number of Ronnie Chieng's earnest answers, talked over him, and was loud and dismissive when "calling him out." I though the point was to learn about the guest. If he answers earnestly about a belief/value/situation in his life, scoffing is really rude and inappropriate. She was like a loud, uninformed teen with no depth of ability to read the room. Not what I expected from NPR. Not sure I'll try another episode. Do better!

I loved the entire Jesse Eisenberg episode. He’s so thoughtful in his answers. Shoutout to the editing team for keeping his pauses in the last cut. I think it showcased his approach to the answers. Well done!

I first listened to this show after hearing the little snippet advertising it many times and it wasn’t what I expected. Even though I often don’t know the guests and their work, the content and atmosphere of vulnerability, nostalgia, hope, and reflection bring me so much comfort to listen to. I feel like this show realizes the sorts of conversations I have with myself and long to have more with others. I love the warmth and sincerity Rachel and the team behind this show bring to it, and I really do find it to be a unique gem, and a little island of respite every time I listen.

So tired of hearing that portion of the news that that covers ethnic minorities and women. If women are 50% of the population, shouldn’t they be 50% of the stories?

Durng the pandemic, my adult niece got the We’re Not Really Strangers card game. We set up a weekly FaceTime call to play, and it was such a great way to connect and learn more about each other. Your podcast reminds me of that special time. I can see why the guests often say they’re nervous when you begin, because your interviews are so different than what is common on the podcast circuit. Thank you for your unique vision for this podcast, and the way it sounds like friends talking, even when you are meeting your guests for the very first time.

It’s a afternoon tea, it’s a brisk fall day, it’s a weird talk with David Lynch. This podcast is a treat.

PLEASE STOP PLAYING ON NPR RADIO BROADCASTS! I don’t subscribe to the podcast and I am still forced to hear it on their radio broadcasts. Ahhhhh! Make it stop! Original review: Over saturation may have been the cause, but sick of this podcast. It’s fine a couple times, but gets old quick. SUPER tired of hearing about it on the radio and hearing its segments in my NPR news shows too. Not interested anymore, please stop putting this everywhere, Rachel Martin and everyone!

Show is like a weird quest to gain trust and then ask people about their faith. Also I'm pretty sick of celebrities. So many are brats and it show. And I definitely don't have any interest in hearing their takes on spirituality.

Ann Patchett

I love the guests and interviews I’ve heard on this podcast so far. Great choice of interviewees! Two ruses need reconsideration: the first time you listen, having the rules explained is fine. Upon the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, it’s a little unbearable to sit through all of that, but also to hear interviewees pick a card from three choices. Why pick a card from 3 downturned cards? You don’t need this—let your guests pick the top card (or from three upturned). Second—interviews are not about the host unless that host is famous and their presence is why guests come on the show. That’s why guests don’t choose the “flip” option (to flip a question on the host). Martin has had to awkwardly ask a guest if they want the card flipped. Guests don’t know who Martin is or want her opinion on a tough question—that’s info you want to hear from people you are close to in some way, not strangers. The audience wants to hear what guests have to say. I see why Martin would have thought that could be useful…but it misperceives the point of an interview. Lose some of the ruse and this will be an exceptional podcast.

I am loving this show, Rachel Martin makes it into something funny and rich. A real conversation that makes you think.

The random nature of each episodes questions makes this show pretty fun! I might not listen to every episode (there are too many podcasts!) but I always check out to see who the guest is.

I love Wild Card. I can’t stop listening and telling my friends how meaningful this podcast is for me. I find myself making that little noise made when I hear someone saying something that touches me deeply. Every episode has a different flavor, with Rachel’s constant guidance. Do yourself a favor and listen to.

This podcast launched around the same time as the New York Times’ “The Interview,” and I vastly prefer this one. Where “The Interview” is somewhat haughty, self-important, and indulgent to the point of parody, this podcast is fun, lighthearted, yet deeply sincere. It takes you placed you’d never expect and teaches you things you didn’t even know you didn’t know. I love it.

I started listening to this podcast as soon as it dropped, but since then it has become my go to calming and centering podcast. It already has conversations about the existential thing that I love to ponder and think about, and then when we’re in this crazy world of upsetting news every other day, it is the best escape. These are the things that really matter.

This is without a doubt one of the best new podcasts I’ve heard in awhile! Well done and keep up the good work.

This podcast is so refreshing and fun! Kudos to NPR for putting out a winner!

I enjoyed several of the episodes but I can’t get past the “political neutrality”/both-sidesism and talking about the relief people are feeling after a fascist who wants people like me dead got elected to the White House

I love this podcast so much! A new staple in my podcast rotation! Thanks to everyone who puts it together.

Amazing idea, and it gets super emotional and deep very quickly, but sometimes the guests are very B-list BUT the very good episodes are so deep and full of wisdom. The Jenny Slate and Levar Burton eps were my favorite.

I’m not sure how I stumbled on this, but it sent me into a deep-dive of previous episodes. Absolutely fascinating and very personal takes from smart & successful artists and creators. Sprinkled with raw, unscripted emotions and stories along with brilliant guidance & questions from the host. This is a national treasure! First of all - is there a feedback button for who we’d love interviewed next? I have a percolating list… And second - has NPR made the deck of cards into a game yet? I would buy sets for my whole family! I appreciate the gentle tone and probing guidance! I’ve already written down some very beautiful life wisdoms from your thoughtful guests.

It starts with cringe. Which card will the guest pick? OH MY GOSH! IT’S SO SUSPENSEFUL! Then it’s just blather from a self-involved B-list celebrity and a fawning host. I actually feel embarrassed for the people on this podcast whenever I hear it playing on my local NPR station.

I tried, but I just can’t believe how bad this is. The idea is that guests choose a card with a question, and this is what they talk about. The questions are faux-deep and invite all sorts of self-centered, over-long answers about nothing. If you like to hear C-list celebrities prattle on, encouraged by a fawning host, this is for you. Otherwise, stay away!

I absolutely love Wild Card. The best word I can use to describe it is “lovely.” Sometimes funny, sometimes a little sad, but always illuminating and fascinating. It’s the podcast I put on when I want to hear something that’s mellow and feel-good.

Listening for the time tonight and I have to immediately say this show is special and something different. The personal one on one connections, interesting and probing questions, really makes for an easy and impactful listen. Well done Rachel!

Great guests and a well-thought out format makes this one of my favorite podcasts! I look forward to it every week. Rachel Martin’s easy rapport with guests and the true authenticity that she brings to every conversation brings me joy!

When will NPR start selling the cards used in the show?

Ponderings of abstract questions pulled at random (or intuition?) with integrity, wit, and realism . Thanks Rachel!

Always been a big fan of Rachel Martin. This is a great format that focuses on the guests. Though I find I want to provide my own responses. Always excited when a new episode drops. I think you should make a “Play at Home” version.

Very deep emotionally and intellectually engaging podcast I could not stop listening and ended up, listening to every episode in one evening. Looking forward to more! The guests are all exceptionally bright and self reflective. the questions are just excellent. These are the types of conversations you wish you could have with the best friend!

I like Rachel and the guests, but the cards are just too gimmicky and I don’t quite find that this is more fun, interesting, etc than a proper interview. It can be a bit cringe tbh, “oh which card?!” Really? I get you don’t want to be just another podcast where you interview celebrities, but it’s kind of what you are. Just own it and ditch the cards. We won’t be mad at you if you re-brand. Except the ad campaign for this podcast was quite annoying so maybe we would be just a little mad :)

I’ve always enjoyed listening to Rachel Martin, the joy in her voice, her style. This is an excellent format for Rachel, it’s obvious she’s having a great time. So far, I’ve enjoyed the LeVar Burton episode the most. Thank you to the whole team behind Wild Card.

I have been hearing this advertised everywhere and I generally like Rachel Martin, so I checked it out. I’m unimpressed. The cards are silly; they don’t add much besides gamifying the same interview questions that all celebrities always get asked. And the cards really disrupt the flow of conversation.

I like Rachel Martin’s style in this podcast. She’s gentle and good at asking questions and is, at least to me, very curious about her guest. The Nikki Giovanni episode is my favorite. I give it five stars, not super long, or too short, intriguing guests, and a genuine host - I think it’s delightful. Good job here!

This pod started so strong. However, chopping up the episodes so as to partition off sections behind a pay wall just hits wrong. It's so disingenuous a thing to do to a podcast and host that centers on the genuine and the idea of being real. I am out.

Every now and then there’s a good moment. But every time a guest starts to say something interesting, instead of digging in, Rachel says, Well, onto the next card! The format is fine in theory but for me, doesn’t beget the kind of conversations that make interview podcasts interesting. My other gripe is how frequently Rachel pathologizes her guests (I stopped after two episodes, if was unbearable in the Bowen episode) and how often she turns the conversation back to her own life and experiences. I get the idea of a two-way chat but I found myself skipping through. I came for Rachel because I loved her from UpFirst, but this just isn’t it for me.

I listened to Wild Card for the first time today and chose the episode with Ada Limon. I was drawn in immediately. Once I understood the way it would go, I knew I’d be hearing things I’ve never heard before from her. The questions were interesting and surprising. They made me feel like I was sitting around a campfire with you both. The questions were so accessible and universal, I sometimes paused the show and considered my own answers before hearing Ada’s. I’d actually love to hear answers to these questions from my friends and family members too. I am sharing this episode with all my poet friends! Thank you Rachel!! I”m excited to listen to all the episodes. : )

It's that simple. You finish the episode and go "what was the point of listening to that?"

What a delight. It’s candy. The best podcast to listen to while traveling.

It’s very gimmicky with the cards, which ultimately prove to be pretty boring. The promos play it up, but it’s just kind of dumb. I’ve tried to listen because it’s been featured on other podcasts I do like, but it’s just so bland. She’s not a v good interviewer and after trying to listen a few times, I’ve given up. I wanted to listen to the Bowen Yang epi, bc I really like him, but I find her irksome and couldn’t get through it. She’s fine on npr, but this is not a good format.

But too bad Ted Danson is a jerk. Thanks for helping me see that before I wasted my time with his pod.

I absolutely love this show. I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with a podcast before. I really enjoy a lot of them. But this one…this one is like food for the soul. It’s the kind of conversation I would love to have with friends. And I love when answers of my own come to mind and I love when I have to dig a little deeper for them. Rachel, I’d love to have you over for an afternoon of Wild Card. Let me know when you’re in Greenville, SC.

I didn’t know that this was just the podcast I was hoping for. It’s like a perfect meeting of The Late Show’s Colbert Questionert and Esther Perel’s game, Where Should We Begin - a dive into shared humanity via the ease of conversation. Well played all. Thank you.