The interview covers Regina Spektor’s life story, from her childhood in Moscow and immigration to the U.S. to formative experiences in New York, music education, and her deep gratitude toward her parents’ sacrifices. She reflects on memory, trauma, Jewish identity, antisemitism past and present, the value of artistic expression, and how imagination, nuance, and human connection shape both her worldview and songwriting. The conversation also explores her career—early influences, collaborations with figures like Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, her approach to touring and setlists, and her belief in music and the arts as essential tools for personal freedom and collective humanity.