Fail Better with David Duchovny David Duchovny Gets Weird with Pete Holmes
Dec 23, 2025
David Duchovny, the multifaceted actor and author, joins comedian Pete Holmes for a deep dive into creativity and vulnerability. They explore the nuances of shame, the importance of storytelling through performance, and how public personas can affect personal lives. David candidly shares insights on fame, coping mechanisms, and the healing power of acting, while Pete opens up about using performance as emotional catharsis. Together, they reflect on spirituality, the creative process, and the ephemeral beauty of inspiration.
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Failure As A Creative Lens
- David Duchovny frames life and creativity as repeated failures punctuated by occasional successes.
- He explores failure to ask how we grow resilience and live with shame rather than offer answers.
Invite Vulnerability, Don't Ambush
- Be willing to remove things people regret from a conversation and collaboratively edit the work.
- David Duchovny uses invitation and consent to create safe, non-'gotcha' interviews.
Shame As A Driving Force
- Shame compounds and shapes behavior, often pushing people into coping strategies.
- Duchovny locates much of adult struggle in shame rooted in childhood attachment and original sin narratives.