Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Join Sean Fennessey, head of content at The Ringer and co-host of The Big Picture, as he dives into the magic of movies with a focus on recent hits and upcoming films. He explores the emotional depths of M. Night Shyamalan's 'Trap' and highlights compelling documentaries like 'Brats.' The conversation shifts to the impact of the WGA and SAG strikes on Hollywood, along with excitement for Sean Baker’s film 'Nora.' Sean reflects on his career journey from Ithaca College to launching The Ringer, sharing insights on creativity and the film industry's future.

Amelia Dimoldenberg, the witty creator and host of the YouTube series Chicken Shop Date, shares insights into her quirky show where awkward first dates unfold over fried chicken. She talks about memorable moments with stars like Hugh Jackman and Billie Eilish, revealing how her early obsession with Mary-Kate and Ashley inspired her creative journey. Amelia discusses the rise of the 'anti-interview' genre and her evolving comedy style, while reflecting on the challenges of staying authentic as an independent creator in today's digital landscape.

Vinson Cunningham, a seasoned staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into his debut novel *Great Expectations* and reflects on the upcoming US election. He discusses the rise of a new Democratic ticket, the unpredictable nature of online hype, and his personal political journey rooted in Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. Cunningham also examines the intersection of faith and politics, sharing emotional insights on loss and hope for future generations. The conversation intertwines literary critique with poignant personal anecdotes, leaving listeners inspired.

Zadie Smith, a celebrated author known for her sharp insights and historical narratives, is joined by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, a masterful storyteller. They dive into Smith's latest novel, 'The Fraud,' exploring themes of historical authenticity and identity. Smith reflects on her London upbringing, the media frenzy after 'White Teeth,' and her evolving artistic vision. The discussion also touches on the nuanced politics in her writing, her desire for reinvention, and the challenges of merging personal narratives with broader societal issues.

Taffy Brodesser-Akner, a staff writer at The New York Times and author of 'Long Island Compromise', chats about her new book inspired by real-life crime. She delves into themes of wealth, trauma, and inheritance. Taffy shares her transition from celebrity profiles to fiction, alongside insights from interviews with Nicki Minaj and Bradley Cooper. She also reflects on the personal journey that shaped her writing, highlighting the tension between public personas and private lives, as well as her hopes for storytelling in the future.

Celebrated actor Tom Hanks discusses his debut novel, nomadic upbringing, inspiration from Stanley Kubrick, early work in Shakespeare, dramatic roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, making Cast Away, receiving AFI Lifetime Achievement award, reflecting on human experience, kinship with Joe DiMaggio, friendship with Holland Taylor and Nora Ephron, and his desire to keep telling the Cecil B. DeMille story.

Award-winning author Isabel Allende discusses motherhood, falling in love in her seventies, advice from Elizabeth Gilbert, and staying present in life. The podcast also explores themes of individuality, power, mother-daughter relationships, marriage, motherhood complexities, signs in life, writing, and aging.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) is a national treasure with more primetime Emmys than any performer in the history of television. Then there’s her latest decade in film: two collaborations with Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said and You Hurt My Feelings) along with a devastating turn in the heart-rending fairytale from A24, Tuesday. Her range is unparalleled, including in the role of host on her excellent, award-winning podcast, Wiser Than Me from Lemonada. We sat with Julia as part of this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival, where we discussed her powerful new film, Tuesday (6:33), her early performances in the basement of her childhood home (15:45), a formative high school yearbook quote (16:45), landing at SNL in the 1980s (22:06) with Larry David (24:56), the legacy of Seinfeld (28:42), and where she stands on the issue of “political correctness in comedy” (31:54). On the back-half, a celebration of her uproarious turn as Selina Meyer on Veep (36:47), a life-changing diagnosis on the heels of her historic Emmy win (40:00), and the support she received from showrunner David Mandel (42:52) and President Biden (46:23). To close, we sit with the stakes of this upcoming election (50:40), words of wisdom from Jane Fonda (52:14), and the poem “Explanation” by Julia’s father, the late Gérard Louis-Dreyfus (54:00). You can watch this conversation on YouTube. Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the heels of his first Emmy win, actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach joins us on the show to unpack the return of The Bear. At the top, we dive into the making of the hit series (9:22), a powerful scene with co-star Jeremy Allen White (11:20), and how Moss-Bachrach manages to keep adding layers to his portrayal of Cousin Richie (14:26). Then, he describes the mounting pressures around this new season (19:23), the day he knew he wanted to be an actor in Williamstown, Massachusetts (27:35), and the early days of his collaboration with actor Jon Bernthal (30:26). On the back-half, Ebon reflects on a formative role as a jazz musician in Warren Leight’s play Side Man (35:34), his ideas about success and living a more balanced life (38:19), his experience playing Desi in Girls (43:33), a philosophy depicted in The Bear (47:35), and the work he hopes to continue making in years to come (50:38). Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“You’re never gonna forget where you were last night at 7:30,” says James Carville. “It has the potential to be that consequential.”  Carville is regarded as one the most influential (and animated) operators in the Democratic Party. He came to prominence as the chief architect behind Clinton’s 1992 Presidential campaign, and has remained one of the most incisive political analysts in the country.  He joins us this week from the Aspen Ideas Festival, the day after the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump (8:15), to discuss what he saw from each candidate (10:30), whether Biden should (or will) step aside in the months ahead (16:16), and who, theoretically, would be fit to run come August at the DNC (26:00).  On the back-half, Carville shares how he would reframe the Democrats' political strategy (33:19), the “coastal condensation” that has slipped into the bloodstream of the left (36:30), his advice on winning elections (54:00), and how he aims to inspire swing voters in purple states through the American Bridge project (59:48). To close, a scene from the 1993 documentary The War Room (1:01:57), and why his love of politics remains undiminished even after this dark week in American democracy (1:05:10).  Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.