Great Listens: Best Movies, Justin Bieber, Dating Men

July 25, 2025

This week: Debate The New York Times’s 100 best movies of the 21st century, revisit a classic high-school read, and unpack the trouble with wanting men.

Plus, Episode 3 of “The Retrievals,” Serial Production’s moving new series, dropped this week — but all episodes are available now for New York Times Audio subscribers.

Great Listens

Devin Oktar Yalkin for The New York Times

‘TO BE AWAKE IS A GOOD THING'

Sandra Oh Knows What’s Great About Middle Age

The actress discusses discrimination in Hollywood, what she’s learned about herself in her 50s and her iconic role on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

EPA, via Shutterstock

2 FORMER VIDEO STORE CLERKS

We Love ‘Parasite.’ But Where the Hell Is Steven Spielberg?

Wesley Morris and the film curator Eric Hynes debate The Times’s 100 best movies of the 21st century.

A woman in a pink medical gown, with her back to the camera, looks over her right shoulder.

Photograph by Erik Tanner for The New York Times

‘THE RETRIEVALS,’ SEASON 2

Episode 3: The Guidelines

From Serial Productions: Ask the patients about their pain.

In a pile of books, "The Great Gatsby" lies in the center. It has a dark blue cover with a woman's face on it.

Abigail Cole/University of South Carolina Libraries

A HIGH SCHOOL STAPLE

100 Years of ‘The Great Gatsby’

Hear how F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel took over pop culture.

Illustration by Kristina Tzekova

‘HETEROFATALISM’

The Trouble With Wanting Men

Women are fed up with dating men. So what do they do with their desire?

News and Ideas

Eyad Baba/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

How seeking food in Gaza became deadly. “The Daily” examines the aid hubs set up by an Israeli-backed system.
An Israeli historian on the case against Israel: The country’s conduct in Gaza constitutes genocide, he argues.
Ezra Klein on why American Jews no longer understand one another.
Does the government believe in U.F.O.s? Aliens and the Deep State on “Interesting Times.”
The playbook for Democrats might be in Kansas. Can moderate governors like Laura Kelly save the party?
Inside the dangerous push for more organ transplants. Listen to our investigation.
Trump Fights ‘Woke’ A.I. Kevin and Casey break it down on “Hard Fork.”

Unwind

Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

'MODERN LOVE’

Reneé Rapp on Blurring the Line Between Bestie and Lover

Anna Martin talks to the singer and actress about friendships that feel like more.

NYT Wirecutter; source photos by iStock/LuckyTD

WIRECUTTER

How to Get Rid of Ants and Roaches for Good

Our expert explains the right way to tackle infestations, offers practical advice and debunks myths.

Justin Bieber holding his baby overhead while sitting on couch

Photo Illustration by The New York Times

‘POPCAST’

Jon and Joe Talk Justin Bieber’s Most Adventurous Album Yet

“Popcast” unpacks “Swag,” the singer’s latest release.

FOR NYT AUDIO SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Great listens beyond The Times

via MacMillan Audio

Audiobook Excerpts

Great Thrillers: ‘The Man Made of Smoke,’ by Alex North

A criminal profiler is back home after the apparent suicide of his father — and discovers a killer on the loose.

4 MIN LISTEN

Photograph by Jordan Vonderhaar

Texas Monthly

‘The River House Broke. We Rushed in the River.’

On July 4, the Guadalupe ripped our home from its pillars, pulling my family into its waters.

26 MIN LISTEN

For more audio journalism and storytelling, visit the Listen Tab in our News app (available for iOS).

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