Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Penn Badgley, famed for his roles in Gossip Girl and You, dives deep into the finale of You and its cultural implications. He reflects on his childhood as a child actor and the solitude of his West Coast upbringing. Badgley shares transformative experiences from his 2012 trip to South America and how it shaped his spiritual journey with the Baha'i Faith, ultimately leading to his partner, Domino. The conversation touches on masculinity through the lens of his character, Joe Goldberg, revealing thought-provoking insights about identity and the modern male experience.

Viola Davis, an EGOT-winning actor and producer, shares her journey from a challenging childhood in Rhode Island to her groundbreaking work in film and theater. She discusses her transformative roles in projects like The Woman King and the impact of her memoir, Finding Me. Viola reveals insights from her Juilliard experience and the struggles of being a Black actress in Hollywood. With reflections on legacy and authenticity, she emphasizes the importance of representation in storytelling and connects deeply with the audience through her artistic process.

An outspoken advocate for working families, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) has made a career out of taking on Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and the Beltway. And while she may be tired of Washington, she’s not too tired to make it better. At the top, we discuss the constitutional crisis (5:00) surrounding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia (9:00), this administration’s attack on public education (12:00), and the GOP’s fealty to Donald Trump (13:25). Then, we dive into Senator Warren’s proposed bill to limit the power of special government employees like Elon Musk (25:48), her fight for campaign finance reform (28:05), and the values her Oklahoma upbringing instilled in her (35:43). On the back-half, Senator Warren reflects on her early work in bankruptcy law (39:47), why she’s devoted her career to fighting for the middle class (45:45), the challenges she’s faced in the past decade in office (1:00:19), and what she sees for the future of the Democratic party (1:05:30). Feedback, guests ideas, or a power-ranking of your favorite Warren takedowns? Email us at mail@talkeasypod.com. This episode was recorded at Spotify Studios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, an award-winning Nigerian author and feminist icon, discusses her latest novel, Dream Count. She opens up about overcoming a decade-long writer's block, the impact of profound loss on her creativity, and her awakening to feminism following childhood experiences during the Biafran War. Adichie emphasizes the importance of representation in literature, the erosion of free speech, and the necessity of intellectual curiosity in a polarized society, all while reflecting on her personal evolution and aspirations.

Jenny Slate, a talented actor and author known for her roles in Obvious Child and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, delves deep into her creative journey. She shares how her role in FX’s Dying for Sex allowed her to stretch her acting wings. Slate discusses her relationship with family, motherhood, and overcoming societal pressures. She reflects on the impacts of social media toxicity and weaves in wisdom from her poet father. With aspirations for the future, Slate merges personal growth with creative expression, leaving listeners inspired.

Seth Rogen, the versatile actor and creator behind hits like Superbad, dives deep into Hollywood's evolving landscape. He discusses the influences shaping his Apple TV+ show, drawing from classics like The Player and The Larry Sanders Show. Rogen shares a pivotal piece of advice from Judd Apatow and reminisces about his early days in comedy and work on Freaks and Geeks. The conversation reveals the constant balance between creativity and commerce, reflecting on the intricate realities of today's entertainment industry.

Ezra Klein, a journalist and author at The New York Times, discusses his vision for a hopeful future in America from his book, "Abundance." He tackles the challenges faced by the middle class and the housing market while advocating for regulatory reform to boost infrastructure projects like California's high-speed rail. The conversation also delves into the potential impact of AI on jobs and the need for meaningful policy changes that inspire hope and progress for future generations.

From Mean Girls to Mamma Mia! to First Reformed, Amanda Seyfried has repeatedly displayed her versatility as a performer. Today, we return to one of our favorite conversations with the illustrious actor. At the top, we discuss her Oscar-nominated portrayal of 1920s and '30s screen star Marion Davies in David Fincher's Mank (6:53), her early years working in the industry (13:13), and the joy of making Mean Girls (15:26). Then, she reflects on the parallels between 1930s Hollywood and today (36:08), how she found her footing (41:51), and where she'd like to go in the years ahead (45:32). Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at mail@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does photography need to do now? Artist Tyler Mitchell has been asking (and attempting to answer) that question since making history as the first Black photographer to shoot a Vogue cover back in 2018. Since then (he was only 23-years-old at the time) his work has been celebrated in museums around the world, featured in publications like Vanity Fair and W, and, ultimately, published in his debut monograph, I Can Make You Feel Good. He joins us this week around the opening of his revelatory exhibition, Ghost Images, now available at the Gagosian Gallery in New York City. View the works discussed in our virtual gallery here or visit talkeasypod.com/tyler-mitchell-gallery/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monica Barbaro, an Oscar-nominated actress known for her roles in Top Gun: Maverick and A Complete Unknown, shares insights into portraying Joan Baez. She discusses vocal lessons that prepared her for the role and reflects on her artistic journey influenced by a California upbringing. Monica candidly addresses her struggles with perfectionism and the importance of authenticity in her work. The conversation also touches on her shift from dancing to acting and her aspirations for the future, all accompanied by her captivating music rendition of House of the Rising Sun.