Maureen Ryan, author of 'Burn It Down', discusses the discrimination and toxicity hidden behind the scenes in Hollywood. Topics include incidents of racism and sexism, mistreatment of marginalized groups, and the importance of addressing exploitation and toxic behavior. Ryan also reflects on their own experience and the impact of speaking out, while promoting support for trans youth.

Maureen Ryan, author and journalist, joins Adam Conover to discuss Hollywood's toxic underbelly, exposing its abusive working environments. They delve into the cycle of abuse and accountability, highlighting the need for change in the entertainment industry. The conversation also uncovers the challenges of reporting on high profile individuals and the toxic culture within comedy spaces.

On this week’s episode of The Waves, we’re talking the Hollywood strikes. Slate senior supervising producer Daisy Rosario is joined by longtime journalist and author of Burn It Down, Maureen Ryan to unpack the systematic oppression that has taken place behind the scenes of your favorite movies and television shows for decades. They dig into the structures in place to keep women and marginalized voices from getting to the top of the ladder, and how none of these stories are examples of one bad apple. They also explore how the ongoing writers and actors strikes are an inevitable result of years of injustice - and what they need to bargain for to make true change in Hollywood.In Slate Plus: A recap of episode 8 of Max’s And Just Like That…If you liked this episode, check out: How to Survive in Hollywood Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery. Additional help from Paige Osburn.Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices