Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

“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.

Beloved playwright Annie Baker won the Pulitzer for Drama in 2014 for her play, The Flick. A decade later, she’s releasing her directorial debut, Janet Planet, through A24. We begin by talking about her striking first feature (7:55): the Western Massachusetts origins of the project (11:00), the mother-daughter love story at its center (13:24), how Thomas Mann’s “The Magic Mountain” shaped Baker’s understanding of time (22:55), and why she’s routinely sidestepped the slippery-slope of “confessional” autobiography in her own work (30:30). On the back-half, we discuss Annie’s early jobs in New York before she turned to the page and the classroom (40:00), the issues of class that continue to plague contemporary theater (45:00), a formative Rainer Maria Rilke poem as read by Sam (55:50), and whether she believes art “matters” in 2024 (1:00:18) 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.

This Father's Day, we're revisiting our special talk with actor Ethan Hawke. After a phone call with Dad Fragoso (2:00), we dive into the episode. At the top, Hawke unpacks his docuseries The Last Movie Stars (9:24), describing his introduction to Paul Newman through Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (12:13). Then, he reflects on his personal history: growing up with his mother on the east coast (16:43), his on-screen debut at fifteen in Explorers with River Phoenix (20:04), the enduring legacy of Robin Williams (25:57), and how Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy transformed his career (33:01). On the back-half, we revisit a memorable scene from Before Midnight (42:28), how capturing Chet Baker in Born to Be Blue helped Hawke process loss (52:31), what he learned about longevity from director Paul Schrader (55:29) and how that definition evolved in making The Last Movie Stars (58:32). To close– we discuss the importance of family (1:02:12), Hawke’s hopes for his third act (1:04:24), and why he continues to honor The Actor’s Vow by Elia Kazan (1:07:38). Drop us a line at sf@talkeasypod.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director Richard Linklater has made a career out of telling personal stories with universal appeal. Dazed and Confused, Waking Life, the Before trilogy, Boyhood. No matter the genre or form, Linklater's human touch remains.  He joins us this week around the release of his latest film, Hit Man (7:36), an action-packed neo-noir (9:15) that also explores the malleability of identity (12:00). Then, Linklater reflects on his athletic career in college (18:20), the health scare that ushered in a period of creative exploration (19:48), and the renegade spirit that drove his first two feature films, It’s Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books and Slacker (29:12). On the back-half, Linklater describes a formative Sundance memory with director Robert Altman (36:00), his first experience at the helm of a major motion picture (39:48), and the lived serendipity that inspired his Before films (54:22). To close: a Hollywood state of the union (1:02:54), why Richard continues to create art from the fabric of his life (1:10:00), and whether Sam should return to directing himself (1:19:36). You can watch Sam’s directorial work here, including his short film Sebastian. Drop us a line at sf@talkeasypod.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the heels of her breakout role in Stranger Things, Maya Hawke has gone her own way as an artist— both as an actor and singer-songwriter. That’s especially true on her striking new record, Chaos Angel. We begin our conversation by diving into this third record of hers (5:37), the ‘emotional pendulum’ that guided her creative process (9:15), and how director Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia inspired the first track (16:12). Then, Maya discusses a piece by novelist Flannery O’Connor (21:20) that shaped her portrayal of the Southern Gothic writer in the new film, Wildcat (25:28), directed by her father (Ethan Hawke).  On the back-half, we sit with Hawke’s childhood growing up in a household of actors (41:55), a passage from her father reflecting on Before Midnight (45:10), the connective tissue between her latest projects (55:10), and how she’s recently found a place of peace in the aftermath of her new album, Chaos Angel (59:36). For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re joined by comedian and actor Ilana Glazer.  At the top, Glazer reflects on her recent tour across the country (4:55), portraying a new mother in Babes while having her first child (8:30), and the film’s timely politics around reproductive rights (10:28). Then, we dive into the creation of Broad City with collaborator Abbi Jacobson (16:06), how the show ascended to five seasons on Comedy Central with the support of Amy Poehler (22:40), and their maternal approach to creating the series (26:14). On the back-half, we talk about her regenerative period following Broad City (37:10), why Glazer has yet to rewatch the series (39:00), her daily practice of presence (48:05), the joy of parenthood (50:05), and why she still has faith in humanity (58:10). This conversation is available to watch on YouTube. For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hacks co-creators Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello, who are also husband and wife, have been performing and writing together for over a decade. Today, we discuss the road to season three of their hit HBO series. At the top, they unpack the makings of their creative partnership (8:20), how they chronicled the evolving state of comedy in Hacks (14:38), and Jerry Seinfeld’s recent comments about the medium (20:05). Then, we walk through Paul and Lucia’s origin stories (33:45), their meeting in an improv class at UCB (38:00), and the New York comedy pipeline they fell into with Broad City (46:59). On the back-half, we talk about the making of their feature film debut Rough Night (49:35), the road trip where they first imagined the premise for Hacks (53:25), their guiding principle while creating the show (59:10), and their journey into parenthood (1:05:48). To close, a piece of advice on art-making today (1:11:30). For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com. This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios. Clips courtesy of HBO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor, writer, and director Pamela Adlon shares her journey from child actor to 'Better Things'. She discusses her new movie, directing a comedy about reproductive rights, her creative upbringing, early voice acting, and the influence of motherhood on her career. Pamela also talks about mentoring women in the industry and her tribute to her mother.

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael discusses his personal new project, Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, his view of the camera as a vessel for honesty, and the evolution of his comedy. He reflects on the artists who inspired his work, a formative performance in his first HBO special, and explores the central truth he hopes to convey in his series, aiming to set himself and his family free through his art.

Actor and author Nick Offerman discusses his role in 'Civil War', his upbringing in rural Illinois, his experiences in the entertainment industry, and the impactful message of his latest book. He reflects on lessons from mentors, his marriage to Megan Mullally, and the complicated legacy of Ron Swanson.