Explore every episode of the podcast The Great Creators with Guy Raz
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Tiger King’ Creator on Joe Exotic and Watching a Murder-for-Hire Plot Unfold Before His Eyes | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:54:50 | |
Eric Goode is a filmmaker, conservationist, and a former nightclub owner. His Netflix docuseries Tiger King, about zookeeper and convicted felon Joe Exotic, became a massive cultural phenomenon at the start of the pandemic. In this episode, Eric joins Guy to discuss his eclectic career path - from pinning dead flies to canvas as an eccentric young artist to opening the infamous Area nightclub in 1980s New York, frequented by the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michael Basquiat, and Keith Haring. He also shares how his lifelong fascination with animals led him to conservation work and filmmaking, and behind the scenes of documenting Joe Exotic and the murder plot that unfolded while filming for Tiger King. Watch Eric Goode’s latest documentary “Chimp Crazy” on HBO Max here: https://www.hbo.com/chimp-crazy Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Mark Foster (Foster the People): I Delivered Pizza and Worked Graveyard Shifts for Years Before ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ Blew Up | 20 Aug 2024 | 01:14:32 | |
Mark Foster is the frontman for Foster the People, which rocketed to fame in 2011 on the strength of their very first single, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’. Mark talks about growing up as a pastor’s son in Cleveland; nearly joining the military but choosing instead to move to L.A. to pursue his music dreams; falling into addiction and getting sober; feeling afraid to perform on SNL after becoming famous overnight; and his process for getting into a flow state in the studio. Mark also reflects on the meaning of ‘Pumped Up Kicks’, more than a decade later – and shares how current events influenced the themes on the band’s newest album, ‘Paradise State of Mind’. Check out the new album here: https://store.fosterthepeople.com/products/paradise-state-of-mind-cd Links from the Show: For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Indie Icon Phil Elverum on Capturing His Life Story in Song | 18 Jun 2024 | 01:01:01 | |
Phil Elverum has recorded more than 40 albums and documented decades of his life in song – first as “The Microphones” and then as “Mount Eerie”. In this episode, Phil talks with Guy about his musical beginnings playing the tuba, the 40-minute song that tells his life story, and the album he wrote about his wife's death – a project that resonated strongly with countless people experiencing grief. Check out Phil’s latest album, Microphones in 2020, here: https://www.pwelverumandsun.com/products/microphones-in-2020-cd Links from the Show:
Connect with Phil: • 💻Website: https://www.pwelverumandsun.com/ • 📺Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PWElverumandSun • 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flutelistener/ Connect with us: •💻Website: TheGreatCreators.com •📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatcreatorspodcast and https://www.instagram.com/guy.raz • 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guyraz For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Audra McDonald: The Power of Taking On Work That Scares You | 27 Sep 2022 | 01:03:22 | |
Audra McDonald (Master Class, Ragtime, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill) has won six Tony Awards--more performance wins than any other theater actor. (She's also won two Grammys and one Emmy along the way.) Still, each new role she takes scares her. Audra tells Guy why that fear is actually essential to her work, about her never-ending quest to know her characters better, and how it felt to have her friend and mentor Stephen Sondheim publicly pan one of her shows. Links from the show:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Stephen Colbert: How “Breaking” on Stage Unlocked His Comedic Powers | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:50:31 | |
Stephen Colbert has played many roles--an officious high school teacher in Strangers with Candy, and a bumbling blowhard on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Now, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he's facing his biggest challenge: being himself. Stephen talks to Guy about working through that challenge, about the early and enduring influence Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello had on his work, and about how Stephen Colbert the man related to Stephen Colbert the blustering pundit. Links from the show:
Full show notes: Social media:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Coming Soon – The Great Creators with Guy Raz | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:03:01 | |
Trailer for The Great Creators with Guy Raz, which premieres September 20th. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Storytelling Secrets from Michael Lewis (The Big Short, Moneyball, The Blind Side) | 11 Jun 2024 | 01:14:30 | |
Michael Lewis is one of the most successful authors in recent memory. And in this episode, he dives deep into exactly how he tells unforgettable stories… from “Moneyball”, “The Big Short”, and “The Blind Side” – all adopted into feature films – to his newest bestseller, “Going Infinite” (about Sam Bankman-Fried). You’ll learn how to “surf the world” for ideas like Michael; how to bring stories to life; how Michael structures narratives using a notecard system; and how he blocks out distractions and conquers procrastination. Whether your goal is to become a better writer or a more persuasive communicator in general, this is an opportunity to learn from a master. Want to go deeper? Michael has a new MasterClass on how to tell a great story. You can find it here: https://www.masterclass.com/series/tell-a-great-story Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Inside the Mind of Ben Platt, the “Dear Evan Hansen” Star 1 Oscar Short of an EGOT (at 30!) | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:54:44 | |
Ben Platt is an actor, singer, and songwriter who’s quickly become one of the most decorated performers of his generation. He sits down with Guy to talk about his first professional acting role at age 9, breaking out in “Pitch Perfect” and the runaway success of “Dear Evan Hansen,” finding his voice as an “authentically” queer artist, and the secret ingredient behind his success: “sacrifice”. Buy Ben’s new album, “Honeymind”, here: https://interscope.com/collections/ben-platt/products/honeymind-cd Ben’s current residency at the Palace Theatre on Broadway: https://www.broadway.org/shows/details/ben-platt-live-at-the-palace,842 Links from the Show: • Ben performing “I’ve Got the Magic in Me” in Pitch Perfect • Ben singing “You Will Be Found” (from “Dear Evan Hansen”) on America’s Got Talent • “The Politician” on Netflix • Ben’s duet with Lin-Manuel Miranda • “Cherry on Top” Official Music video (from “Honeymind”) For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Audra McDonald to David Duchovny, Jason Sudeikis, and Tom Hanks – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Seth Meyers: Lessons in Comedy from 20 Years Inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza (2023) | 28 May 2024 | 01:05:32 | |
Seth Meyers was a key player in creating some of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live. Now he's hosting Late Night in the very same building. In this classic episode from 2023, you’ll hear how his two-person comedy show in Chicago randomly landed him in front of just the right person to get him an audition at SNL. Seth also opens up about the anxiety he felt competing with his extremely funny co-stars. And he explains some of the ways he has managed to lead Late Night to new heights. Links from the show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Michael McDonald: I Went from “Couch Surfing” to Playing Arenas… in Just a Few Days! | 21 May 2024 | 01:08:38 | |
Michael McDonald brought his legendary singing voice and songwriting talent to not one but two legendary bands: Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, the latter of which earned him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Michael sits down with Guy to talk about writing classic songs on envelopes and forgetting about them for years; feeling self-conscious on stage as a frontman; his solo career; what he thinks of the term “yacht rock”; and how getting sober saved his life. Michael’s memoir is called “What a Fool Believes”. You can buy it here. Links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| “Bob Dylan Pushed Me Way Out of My Comfort Zone”: T Bone Burnett, the Mysterious 13X Grammy Winning Producer and Soundtrack Wizard | 14 May 2024 | 00:57:46 | |
T Bone Burnett is one of the most accomplished music producers of the past 50 years. He sits down with Guy to talk about buying a recording studio at age 17; being pushed out of his creative comfort zone by Bob Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour; building soundtracks for the Coen Brothers and True Detective; and why, at age 76, he’s the happiest and most creative he’s ever been. T Bone’s new album, The Other Side, is available here: https://shop.tboneburnett.com/ Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Diplo to Jewel to Andy Garcia to Tom Hanks – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| David Duchovny: His Journey from PhD Student to The X-Files, Why He Writes Novels and Music, and Failure as a "Rich" Experience | 07 May 2024 | 01:03:32 | |
David Duchovny sits down with Guy to talk about his wide-ranging creative life. He describes the “gut instinct” that led him to drop out of a Yale literature program and pursue acting; his iconic roles as Agent Mulder in The X-Files and Hank Moody in Californication; why he writes novels and makes music; and embracing failure as a critical learning experience in life and work. David’s new podcast is called “Fail Better”, and his film Bucky F*cking Dent comes out in June 2024. Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Hilary Swank to Diplo – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Lainey Wilson: The Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Who "Felt Like a Complete Outsider Moving to Nashville to Chase My Dreams" (2023) | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:49:30 | |
Lainey Wilson burst onto the country music scene in 2022 with her album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. But for seven years before that, she struggled to make it in the high-pressure Nashville music scene. And before that, she was a kid from a tiny town in rural Louisiana with a dream of being a country star. In this encore episode from 2023, Lainey joins Guy to talk about how she handled the hard times, what she’s learned about the art of collaboration during the making of two acclaimed albums, and what defines her unique style – which she calls “Bell Bottom Country”. Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Billy Idol: “Underneath the Drugs and Acting Out is Someone Who Really Believes in What He’s Doing” | 23 Apr 2024 | 01:15:52 | |
One of the first – and biggest – stars of the MTV era, Billy Idol is nothing short of a rock icon. He sits down with Guy Raz to share how the Sex Pistols inspired him to start a band instead of working for his dad; the stories behind the songs “Dancing with Myself” and “Rebel Yell”; his famously edgy image and lifestyle; and the workout routine that allows him to tour internationally into his late 60s. Buy the 40th anniversary expanded edition of Billy’s album “Rebel Yell” here: https://billyidol.lnk.to/RebelYellExpanded Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Oskar Eustis: Bringing “Hamilton” to the Stage and Making Theater Accessible to All | 16 Apr 2024 | 01:04:53 | |
Oskar Eustis is the Artistic Director at the Public Theater in New York City. He sits down with Guy to talk about “falling into the avant-garde rat hole” early in his career; convincing Lin-Manuel Miranda that Hamilton was more than a concept album; bringing theater to senior centers, women’s shelters, and prisons; and why he believes performing arts are essential to democracy. See what the Public theater has playing here: https://publictheater.org/ Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – including interviews with theater legends like Audra McDonald and Nathan Lane – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ellie Goulding: From Writing Acoustic Songs in Her Bedroom to Making Smash Pop Hits like “Burn” and “Lights” (2023) | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:52:21 | |
Singer Ellie Goulding has had 35 different songs chart in the UK, the most of any female artist ever. In this conversation from 2023, Ellie shares how she first broke out of her shell performing original songs to her college classmates. She also talks about finding her own sound by using her unique voice in collaboration with some of the biggest producers in the world of EDM. And she explains why she calls her album ‘Higher than Heaven’ her “least personal” record yet. Links from the show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| X Ambassadors: How a "Fake Manager" and an Accidental Jeep Jingle Ignited the Band’s Massive Success | 09 Apr 2024 | 01:19:44 | |
Sam Harris is the frontman for X Ambassadors, a multi-platinum pop rock trio from Ithaca, New York. Sam sits down with Guy to talk about his bond with his brother and bandmate Casey, who was born blind; how X Ambassadors felt “so not cool” and faced lots of rejection while trying to make it in the Brooklyn indie rock scene of the late 2000s; and how getting tricked into writing the song “Renegades” for a Jeep commercial turned into a big break. Sam also shares the story behind getting discovered by Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds; his daily routine and habits; the two recent, emotional events that inspired the band’s new Ithaca-focused album; and much more. You can buy X Ambassadors’ latest album, Townie, here: https://shop.xambassadors.com/ Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Natalie Merchant: Loneliness is My Signal to "Get Busy" and Create | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:48:27 | |
Singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant shot to fame as the lead vocalist for the indie-folk band 10,000 Maniacs, then left the band at the height of their popularity to build a successful solo career. She sits down with Guy to talk about the political concerns that animate her work; what a dinner with Allen Ginsberg and Philip Glass taught her about creativity; how a degenerative spinal disease almost ended her artistic career; and her newest project honoring a late Italian poet who’s been nearly erased from history. Natalie’s ninth studio album is called Keep Your Courage. Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Rainn Wilson on Becoming Dwight Schrute the “Nerd Bully”, Anxiety, and his Spiritual Reawakening (2023) | 26 Mar 2024 | 01:01:39 | |
Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing Dwight on "The Office," but in recent years he has become a mental health and spirituality advocate through his books and production company, SoulPancake. He joins Guy to talk about auditioning for the role of Michael Scott, the deep anxiety he faced as a young actor, his ensuing search for inner peace, and why he believes performing can be a spiritual act. Rainn’s book is called “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution”. This episode originally aired in April 2023. Links from the show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Stephen Colbert to Ice Cube to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| From $100k in Debt to #1 Independent Country Artist (NO Record Deal) | Cody Jinks | 19 Mar 2024 | 01:10:14 | |
Singer-songwriter Cody Jinks shares his journey from heavy metal frontman and part-time bouncer and forklift driver to country music’s top independent artist. He talks about enduring years of poverty in order to keep 100% ownership over his publishing (“it was worth it”); how he wrote the 2x-platinum track “Loud & Heavy”; finding sobriety; and evolving his sound into his 40s. Cody’s new album is called “Change the Game”. Links from the Show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Lainey Wilson and Shania Twain to Jeff Tweedy and The Smiths’ Johnny Marr – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Louis Cato: Stephen Colbert’s Soulful Band Leader on Spiritual Music, Lessons from a Near-Death Experience, and Becoming Himself on Stage | 12 Mar 2024 | 01:17:59 | |
Every weeknight, Louis Cato performs live in front of a few million people as the band leader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He arranges the tunes, sets the tone, and plays multiple instruments himself; Colbert calls him a “musical genius”. Today, Louis talks about the multi-decade journey that led him here – from listening to “only Jesus music” in his youth and then having his mind blown by the Rolling Stones, to dropping out of the Berklee College of Music and touring the world, to a near-fatal accident that still affects him to this day. He even sings us a few beautiful bars. Louis’ most recent solo album is called “Reflections”. Links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Viral Music Phenom Jacob Collier: This “Life-Changing” Moment Unlocked New Creative Powers | 05 Mar 2024 | 01:05:28 | |
Jacob Collier has been called the “Mozart of Gen Z” by the New York Times. As a teen, his one-man-band performances went viral and led to a cold email from (and friendship with) music legend Quincy Jones – something he discusses in this episode. He also talks about his childhood, where he gets his ideas, why doesn’t make pop hits, and his most recent album, Djesse, Vol. 4. The album features an eclectic range of collaborators, from T-Pain to Chris Martin of Coldplay… plus, 100,000 other voices. Really! Get Jacob’s album Djesse Vol. 4 here: https://shop.jacobcollier.com/ More links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Songwriting Secrets Behind 70 BILLION Streams: Ryan Tedder (2023) | 27 Feb 2024 | 00:57:34 | |
Ryan Tedder is the lead singer of OneRepublic and the producer and songwriter behind countless hits including Adele’s Rumor Has It and Beyonce’s Halo. Tedder even sold his own catalog for a reported $200 million. He joins Guy to talk about growing up in a religious family, tackling his stagefright (“I was shaking backstage”), using personal experiences to write hits, working with star musicians, and how to choose singles in the TikTok age. This episode was originally released in 2023. Links from the Show
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Hilary Swank: Moving to Hollywood with $75 and Whether She’d Do “Boys Don’t Cry” Today | 20 Feb 2024 | 00:45:39 | |
Hilary Swank is one of just 14 women to win not one but two Academy Awards for Best Actress (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby). And as you’ll learn today, her life story just as remarkable as her career: from growing up in a trailer park (“it was no big deal”) to moving to L.A. as a teenager and living with her mom in their car for a time while chasing her dreams, to her breakthrough role as Brandon Teena in the indie film “Boys Don’t Cry” – a performance that earned Hilary an Oscar, and just $3,000. She also reflects on playing a transgender character as a cisgender woman; which movie she feels doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves; and how she envisions the next chapter of her career after becoming a mother last year. Hilary’s newest film is called Ordinary Angels. Links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Regina Spektor: From Temping as a Receptionist to Your Favorite Artist's Favorite Artist | 13 Feb 2024 | 01:01:14 | |
Regina Spektor is one of the most critically-acclaimed and respected singer-songwriters of the past 25 years. She’s also one of the most thoughtful and open guests we’ve had on this show. Today, you’ll learn how Regina went from medical receptionist writing lyrics on post-it notes to rising star in the NYC music scene; how she overcame her fear that record labels would meddle with her art; why “invisibility” has been her greatest creative asset; the songwriting process behind beloved songs like “Samson”; and her thoughts on finding fresh ideas while handling “adult” responsibilities and raising her two young children. Links from the show:
Listen to, or watch, all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Chef David Chang (Momofuku): “I’m Addicted to Creative Excitement” | 06 Feb 2024 | 01:08:32 | |
David Chang is the founder of Momofuku, a culinary brand that grew from a single 600-square-foot location to include a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bakery and dessert chain, and a line of consumer packaged goods. David joins Guy to talk about opening his first restaurant after his epiphany about ramen on a trip to Japan; the panic and anxiety he felt in those early days; and how he’s learned to become a better leader and reject the toxic elements of “kitchen culture”. Links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Kenan Thompson: How an Atlanta Kid “Manifested” a Mighty Ducks Role, Starred at Nickelodeon, and Became SNL’s Longest-Running Cast Member (2023) | 06 Aug 2024 | 01:01:45 | |
Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live, Good Burger, Kenan & Kel, All That) is perhaps the most consistently funny TV performer of his generation. He’s the longest-running SNL cast member, and is beloved for early roles in Good Burger, D2: The Mighty Ducks, and the TV shows All That and Kenan & Kel. In this conversation from 2023, Kenan joins Guy to talk about his Nickelodeon days, why some of his big breaks have felt like kismet, his awkward SNL audition, impersonating celebrities, and whether – given the chance – he'd consider taking over for SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Links from the show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| How Dan Aykroyd Created "Ghostbusters" and His Thoughts on the Female-Led Reboot | 30 Jan 2024 | 01:01:20 | |
Dan Aykroyd was the youngest cast member on a brand new comedy show called Saturday Night Live when it premiered in 1975. In addition to iconic performances as Julia Child and a Conehead, Dan also created a real blues band called The Blues Brothers with fellow cast mate John Belushi. In this episode, Dan talks with Guy about playing drums behind Muddy Waters, his fascination with paranormal science that led him to create Ghostbusters, what he thinks of the female-led Ghostbusters reboot he helped produce, and the reason he thinks he's done with acting. Links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Jake Johnson: His Creative Crisis on “New Girl”, Anna Kendrick Chemistry, and the “Dog” Mentality that Carried Him from Dropout to Director | 23 Jan 2024 | 01:23:20 | |
Jake Johnson is an actor, comedian, writer, and director who is best-known for playing Nick Miller on the sitcom New Girl. He’s also one of the voices of Spiderman in the animated movies and he wrote, directed, and stars in the new comedic thriller Self Reliance. In this episode, Jake shares a life story filled with hilarious and poignant moments – from struggling with dyslexia and dropping out of high school, to finding his calling in the arts, to his complicated and ultimately close relationship with his late father. Plus: Jake’s highs and lows on the set of New Girl, dealing with occasional performance anxiety that “physically hurts”, his chemistry with co-stars Max Greenfield and Anna Kendrick, keeping his addictive personality under control, and how the inspiration for “Self Reliance” came from a Japanese game show. Links from the show:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Jesse Tyler Ferguson: Playing a Gay Parent on Modern Family Was a Lot of Pressure | 16 Jan 2024 | 01:03:07 | |
Jesse Tyler Ferguson played one of the most important TV characters of the past 25 years. The role of Mitchell Pritchett – the openly gay lawyer and father on Modern Family – brought Jesse fame; praise; a deep sense of meaning; and as you'll hear in this episode, some criticism, too. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jesse talks about trusting his intuition and going all-in on acting despite financial struggles; the powerful influence of a mentor early in his career; stereotypes and the perils of representing an entire group of people on TV; his one-man show on Broadway; and where he's taking his career next. Jesse's podcast is called Dinner's On Me. Links:
See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Jewel: When I Was Poor, I Rejected $1M and Built a Plan for My Happiness | 09 Jan 2024 | 01:27:21 | |
Singer-songwriter Jewel shares her incredible life story, from yodeling in bars as a kid to becoming homeless as a teenager and shortly thereafter becoming one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. She tells Guy about the mental exercises and Stoic philosophy she relied on as she climbed out of homelessness; why she declined a $1 million signing bonus; her "business plan" for her career and happiness; the conversation with Bob Dylan that may have saved her career; and why she's still making music but choosing not to publish it. Links from the show:
Photo credits: Dana Trippe, Brendan Walter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Logic on His "Farewell" Album and Retiring to Rural Oregon | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:55:35 | |
Bobby Hall -- better known by his stage name Logic -- first started making waves in the rap scene with his 2010 mixtape "Young, Broke, and Infamous". In 2018, he blew up and received two Grammy nominations for a song he titled 1-800-273-8255, which is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. But just a couple years later, he announced his retirement and moved to rural Oregon to focus on his family. In this episode, Guy and Bobby talk about the methods he’s been using to cope with his persistent anxiety, and why he’s gearing up to release what he's calling his last "rap" album ever. Links from the show: Guy's How I Built This interview with Logic Logic: Young, Broke, and Infamous Logic's edited Instagram photo that fooled everyone John Cleese on Open and Closed Creativity Interview with Andre 3000 about why he stopped rapping See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Andy J. Pizza: This Author-Illustrator Wants to Give You a Creative Pep Talk | 26 Dec 2023 | 00:58:43 | |
Andy J. Pizza is the best-selling author-illustrator of Invisible Things and the host of Creative Pep Talk, his long-running podcast about building a creative career. In this episode, Andy talks about growing up as a hyper-creative but unfocused kid; his rocky journey to developing a unique artistic style; a medical diagnosis that changed his life and work forever; the neuroscience behind artistic taste; what he does when he feels stuck; and the epiphany that led to his biggest creative breakthrough. Links from this Episode:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| DJ Shadow on Creating the First Ever Completely Sampled Album | 19 Dec 2023 | 01:05:04 | |
DJ Shadow, aka Josh Davis, was and is a famous crate digger. He could spend hours in a record store collecting obscure albums, looking for interesting melodies and beats to sample and mix together on his turntables. And in 1996, Josh used this encyclopedic knowledge of music to create the first ever completely sampled album as DJ Shadow. The album, "Endtroducing", became one of the most important albums in experimental hip-hop, and you can still hear its influence today. In this episode, Guy talks with Josh about how he discovered hip-hop on his college radio station, his love of putting people on to new music, and how curiosity became his biggest superpower. Links from the show: Licensed to Ill - The Beastie Boys Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Brian Grazer: How Curiosity Led to $15 Billion at the Box Office | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:57:19 | |
Brian Grazer is the award-winning producer of many iconic and successful films and TV shows, like Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, Friday Night Lights, 24, and Arrested Development. More than 40 years ago he co-founded Imagine Entertainment with director Ron Howard. Together their films have made more than 15 billion dollars. In his conversation with Guy, Brain talks about his accidental start in Hollywood, what it was like working there in the early 70s, and the steps he took that helped him advance in the movie industry. He talks about meeting and working with Ron Howard, and what makes their collaboration so successful and enduring four decades later. And he talks about the power of curiosity, a quality he ultimately credits for his creative success, and explores in his best-selling book A Curious Mind. Links from the show: Night Shift (1982) Movie Trailer Splash (1984) Movie Trailer Bowfinger (1999) Movie Trailer Frost/Nixon (2008) Movie Trailer Brian's book A Curious Mind Brian's and Ron Howard's production company Imagine Entertainment See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Sir Patrick Stewart: I Almost Turned Down Captain Picard on Star Trek | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:41:16 | |
Sir Patrick Stewart is beloved for his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Next Generation and its spinoff films. But Patrick was 47 years old when he took that life-changing role... and he almost turned it down! He sits down with Guy to talk about the extraordinary life that led to Picard: his working-class upbringing, how he learned to tame perfectionism on stage and embrace his own dark side when playing "horrible" men, and why he wants to focus on comedy in the final chapter of his career. Sir Patrick has written a memoir about his life and career called "Making It So". Links from this episode:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| James Blunt: How the “You’re Beautiful” Singer Saved Us From World War III | 28 Nov 2023 | 01:20:42 | |
When James Blunt released "You're Beautiful" in 2004, it quickly became the most popular song in the world. The album it was on, Back to Bedlam, became the best selling album of the 2000s in the UK. But James was already in his 30s when that song broke, and before that he lived a completely different life. In this episode, you'll hear about James' time in the British army leading NATO troops in Kosovo, his stint as one of Queen Elizabeth's ceremonial bodyguards, and how he randomly became roommates with Carrie Fisher while recording his first album. Links from the show: James' new album Who We Used To Be Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story James' Pub The Fox and Pheasant See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Bjork: The Icelandic Superstar on Being a Child Prodigy, the Power of Nature, and How to Stay Creative (2022) | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:58:58 | |
Bjork, a singular artist whose work extends beyond music to include acting and conceptual art, discusses her career and artistic vision in this wide-ranging interview from 2022. She talks with Guy about forming her unique vocal style; recording her first album at 11 years old; her album, Fossora, which features a bass clarinet ensemble; and why she uses symbols from nature to define each of her albums. Links from the show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Jeff Tweedy: “I Loved It” When My Label Said Wilco Would Fail | 21 Nov 2023 | 01:08:16 | |
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo is an iconic indie musician and songwriter. He joins Guy to talk about Uncle Tupelo's unexpected breakup, how that inspired him to explore new musical territories, and the story behind the classic album that cost Wilco their record deal -- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Jeff has a new book out, it's called "World Within A Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music". Links from the show: Wilco playing "New Madrid" Live Trailer for "I am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco" Wilco at NPR's Tiny Desk Wilco performs "California Stars" live on KEXP Jeff on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" Jeff's new book "World Within A Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Gavin Rossdale (Bush): The Failures That Led to 90s Rock Immortality | 14 Nov 2023 | 01:10:26 | |
Gavin Rossdale and his band Bush were at the forefront of the grunge movement in the 90s. Their debut album Sixteen Stone was a huge success, selling over 6 million copies. Almost overnight, Bush went from playing pubs in London to headlining arenas across the US. But before that, during a time when Britpop was dominating the British airwaves, Rossdale struggled for years to find success. In this episode, Gavin talks with Guy about being bullied while growing up in England, and how learning how to channel his anger into music helped him create one of the most commercially successful bands of the 90s. Links from the show: See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Rob Thomas on Writing the #3 Most Successful Song of All Time | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:14:03 | |
Rob Thomas is best known as the frontman and songwriter for rock band Matchbox Twenty. He initially dropped out of high school and considered joining the army before forming Matchbox Twenty with some friends in Orlando, Florida. They quickly were offered a record deal, but the very day they released their debut album, the label went bust and they only sold 600 copies. In this episode, Rob talks with Guy about the marketing tactic that made them global superstars, writing Matchbox Twenty's hit song "3AM", and joining forces with Carlos Santana on the smash hit "Smooth." Links from the show: 3AM original recording by Tabitha's Secret America by Simon and Garfunkel Smooth by Santana (feat. Rob Thomas) Where the Light Goes full album See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Jason Derulo: 11x Platinum (!) Singer Who Used to Hand Out CD’s in Strip Clubs for Free | 31 Oct 2023 | 01:15:00 | |
It's hard to say Jason Derulo's name without singing his famous tagline too. Since 2009, Jason's 11 platinum singles have gotten a ton of radio air time, and he's recently played a huge part in transforming the music industry on TikTok. In this episode, Jason talks with Guy about his early beginnings in musical theater, how he willed his debut song "Whatcha Say" to number 1 on the charts, and the secret to blowing up on social media. Links from the show: Jason Derulo singing his name for 1 minute See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Alex Gaskarth: How All Time Low Captured the Pop-Punk Zeitgeist by Staying True to Themselves | 24 Oct 2023 | 01:06:26 | |
Alex Gaskarth is the frontman of pop punk band All Time Low. He formed the band with his friends when he was just a freshman in high school, and by the time he was a senior, the band already had a record deal. In time, All Time Low joined bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance to define the emo-pop sound of the 2000s. In this episode, Alex talks with Guy about All Time Low's sleeper hit, “Dear Maria, Count Me In”, the band's secret to staying together after 20 years, and how a grueling tour schedule inspired their biggest chart topper "Monsters". Links from the show: All Time Low's first album The Party Scene Head on Collision by New Found Glory See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Johnny Marr: The Smiths Legend on His Creative Chemistry with Morrissey, Playing with Modest Mouse, and Changing Guitar Music Forever | 17 Oct 2023 | 01:08:00 | |
Johnny Marr of The Smiths went from working in a clothes shop to founding one of the most influential bands of the past 40 years... as a teenager! Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest guitarists, Johnny sits down with Guy to discuss his fruitful but short partnership with Morrissey, how he wound up joining Modest Mouse and making a #1 album, where he finds inspiration, and why he's done some of his best creative work when his back was against the wall. Johnny's new is book is called Marr's Guitars. The Smiths - This Charming Man The Smiths - How Soon Is Now? The Smiths - The Headmaster Ritual The Smiths - The Boy with the Thorn in His Side Electronic - Getting Away with It Modest Mouse - Dashboard Johnny's book - Marr's Guitars See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Melissa Etheridge: Her Scrappy Start, Coming Out as a Rockstar in the 90's, and How Cancer Changed the Way She Sees Everything | 10 Oct 2023 | 01:04:40 | |
Melissa Etheridge is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of the past three decades. She sits down with Guy to talk about her incredible career and life – opening up about her decision to come out as gay at the height of her fame, the reason she calls her 2004 cancer diagnosis "the best thing that's happened to me," and how, in her early 60's, she's still getting better at her craft every day. Melissa's new memoir, Talking to My Angels, is out now. And her autobiographical show Melissa Etheridge: My Window is currently on Broadway, starring, of course, Melissa. Links from the show: Like the Way I Do" music video Melissa performing "Piece of My Heart" between chemotherapy treatments at the 2005 Grammy Awards Etheridge Foundation for opioid abuse relief Melissa's new book: Talking to My Angels Melissa's autobiographical Broadway show Melissa Etheridge: My Window See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Bobby Berk: His Journey from Small-town Missouri to Queer Eye Design Guru, His Approach to Interior Design, and How He Turns Doubt into Drive | 03 Oct 2023 | 00:55:37 | |
Bobby Berk is an interior designer, author, and co-host of the hit Netflix original Queer Eye. In this episode, Bobby tells Guy about the challenges of growing up gay in a small, conservative town, how he left home at a young age and bounced around the country before ending up in New York City, and how he went from retail management to owning his own design firm. Bobby and Guy also discuss his unique approach to interior design and why he thinks your home is like…your phone charger. Bobby's new book is called "Right at Home: How Good Design is Good for the Mind". Links from the show: Michael Graves’ Target Collection Queer Eye Reveals Inside Bobby’s Home Bobby's New Book See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Lainey Wilson: The Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Who "Felt Like a Complete Outsider Moving to Nashville to Chase My Dreams" | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:50:25 | |
Lainey Wilson burst onto the country music scene in 2022 with her album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. That year, she won Female Vocalist of the Year and Best New Artist at the CMA’s. But for seven years before that, she struggled to make it in the high-pressure Nashville music scene. And before that, she was a kid from a tiny town in rural Louisiana with a dream of being a country star. She joins Guy to talk about how she handled the hard times, what she’s learned about the art of collaboration during the making of two acclaimed albums, and what defines her unique style, which she calls Bell Bottom Country. Links from the show: Tougher Music Video Things A Man Oughta Know Music Video Lainey’s French Bulldog Hippie Mae’s Instagram Hillbilly Hippie Official Lyrics Video Lainey’s Female Vocalist (2022) Acceptance Speech Lainey’s New Artist of the Year (2022) Acceptance Speech Tougher (2016) Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ (2021) Bell Bottom Country (2022) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Carly Rae Jepsen: How The Pop Superstar Handled her Meteoric Rise to Fame, Learned the Art of Collaboration, and Why She Says Friendship Is the Key to a Great Song | 19 Sep 2023 | 01:00:46 | |
At the beginning of 2012, Carly Rae Jepsen was working as a waitress in Vancouver, BC, dropping off demo tapes and playing coffeeshops in her free time. By the end of that year, she was a global superstar thanks to her hit song "Call Me Maybe". Since then, Carly has become a pop fixture with four chart-topping albums. She joins Guy to talk about how she handled the pressure of her sudden rise to fame and built a career, her secret to good collaboration, and the inspiration behind her latest albums: "The Loneliest Time" and "The Loveliest Time". Links from the show: Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor Carly’s Canadian Idol Audition Call Me Maybe Music Video Carly as Cinderella on Broadway Bends Official Lyric Video See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Jim Parsons: From Dreaming to Doing By Trusting Your Talent and Saying 'Yes' (2022) | 23 Jul 2024 | 01:00:58 | |
Jim Parsons is an actor who’s best known for starring as Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. While many know him as the on-screen super-nerd, he is also a classically trained stage actor. And in this conversation from 2022, Jim reflects on his entire creative journey: from playing the same character for 12 years to embracing new challenges (Hollywood, Spoiler Alert, A Man of No Importance) that have allowed him to flex some different creative muscles. Plus, the uncertainty Jim felt when he came out; his love of New York City; and the first, scary steps involved in taking on new roles. Links from the show:
For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Mark Ronson on His Instant Connection with Amy Winehouse, Producing the Music for "Barbie", and Staying Relevant | 12 Sep 2023 | 01:07:44 | |
Mark Ronson’s work has found its way into tons of the biggest pop hits in the world over the past two decades. And in that time he became a new kind of artist: a producer whose style is so distinct that his name became the marquee name. In this episode, Guy talks with Mark about his start DJing in New York, his instant connection with Amy Winehouse while producing "Back to Black", and working with Greta Gerwig to produce the music for "Barbie". Links from the show: Everybody Got Their Something - Nikka Costa Mark's TED Talk on the history of sampling See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||