

The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
Welcome to The Magnificent Others, the podcast where host Billy Corgan engages in profound conversations with extraordinary individuals who have reached the pinnacle of success in their respective fields. In each episode, Billy delves into the stories and insights of high achievers, exploring the multifaceted journey that leads to greatness.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 28, 2025 • 1h 29min
Zakk Wylde | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan sits down with legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde to discuss their shared love of classic rock influences like Sabbath, Hendrix, and Elton John, and the challenges of forging an original sound in the shadow of greats like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. Zakk opens up about his time with Ozzy Osbourne, the evolution of his playing style, his influences, and the brotherhood of musicians. The conversation also touches on the impact of Pantera, Zakk’s tribute performances for Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, and the spirit of perseverance that drives his career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDeCB0oUBgw
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May 21, 2025 • 1h 14min
Susan Olsen | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Join Susan Olsen, famously known as Cindy Brady from The Brady Bunch, as she shares her captivating journey from child star to running a performing arts school. She candidly reflects on the complexities of childhood fame, including stage fright and typecasting. The conversation dives into the show's impact on Gen X viewers and how those experiences shape her current teaching methods. Susan also shares nostalgic behind-the-scenes tales, veteran TV lore, and insights into how childhood experiences in show business influenced her life and career.

May 14, 2025 • 1h 14min
Mark Laita - Soft White Underbelly | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Mark Laita, a photographer and filmmaker, is the creator of the Soft White Underbelly channel, capturing the stories of marginalized individuals. He shares why he feels compelled to document the lives of the 'invisible' people, reflecting on his Chicago upbringing and experiences in photography. The discussion dives into the complexities of poverty, addiction, and the struggle for self-worth in a society often quick to judge. They also reminisce about transformative live music moments, showcasing how storytelling and music deeply intertwine in their lives.

May 7, 2025 • 1h 23min
Al Jourgensen | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan sits down with musical trailblazer Al Jourgensen for an unvarnished dive into four decades of boundary‑pushing music. Jourgensen walks through Wax Trax’s cash‑on‑the‑table sessions, the house‑mix side hustles at Chicago Trax, he unpacks leaving Arista via bankruptcy, reclaiming control on Twitch, and bringing Paul Barker back for what he insists will be Ministry’s final record and tour; the pair compare production habits and trade stories about Timothy Leary’s psychedelic “experiments,” psilocybin‑fueled hangs with Gary Numan, and the grind of touring versus the lure of studio life; they trace the influence of the Chicago scene on countless other artists, and debate writing politics that outlast news cycles; to wrestle with whether creativity comes from a universal signal or something like a digital matrix.
https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO
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Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 42min
Carnie Wilson | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
In this episode, Billy Corgan sits down with Carnie Wilson for a frank, wide-ranging conversation that moves from childhood memories of blasting the family stereo with the Carpenters and Elton John to what it was really like growing up amid the Beach Boys’ orbit—falling asleep under control-room consoles while her dad and uncles spun out other-worldly harmonies. Carnie explains how that whirlwind of studio sessions, surfboard logos and late-night vocal stacks shaped her own ear, why she still relies on co-writers, and how Glen Ballard helped transform teenage harmony sessions into multi-platinum hits like “Hold On.” She opens up about ADD, body-image pressures, industry politics, family chaos—including her near-tragic rescue of sister Wendy—and the complex creative bond she shares with her father Brian Wilson.
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Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 27min
Dean and Robert DeLeo | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan sits down with Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert and Dean DeLeo for a frank, fast‑moving sweep across three decades of rock—scraping video budgets in the “last‑of‑the‑Mohicans” label era, MTV premieres, weathering addictions, lineup shocks, and even a near‑fatal on‑stage heart attack. Early rivalry dissolves into respect as Corgan applauds the brothers’ “guitar‑and‑bass telepathy,” the distinctly Americana road‑trip vibe woven through STP’s catalog, and Brendan O’Brien’s whirlwind sessions that bottled it all. Together they savor Scott Weiland’s genre‑hopping voice, honor Chester Bennington and Jeff Gutt, and admit that—older and battle‑scarred, their true fuel is the next left‑turn riff and the moment a crowd sings back every word.Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 31min
Dale Bozzio | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
In this lively and revealing conversation, Billy Corgan sits down with Dale Bozzio, lead singer of the hightly influential 1980s band Missing Person, to explore the remarkable journey that shaped her creative life. Dale candidly traces her start as a fearless spirit raised in Boston, recalling how Frank Zappa discovered her, encouraged her bold vocal style, and effectively jumpstarted her career. She reflects on her near-fatal accident, time spent as a Playboy Bunny, her relationships with boundary-pushing figures like Prince, navigating a male-dominated industry and her fierce determination to stay true to her own artistic voice rather than conform to what others expected.Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 37min
Carrot Top | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan chats with Carrot Top about the evolution of his unique brand of comedy, tracing the path from a shy kid fascinated by joke structure to a veteran headliner with nearly two decades on the Las Vegas stage. Carrot Top describes the early challenges of being dismissed by club owners and even his own father, as well as the thrill and pressure of eventually selling out theaters and perfecting an act that combines classic stand-up with show-stopping visual flair. Their conversation explores the delicate balance between chasing approval, embracing creative freedom, and finding genuine joy in making people laugh, while also reflecting on the comedic influences that shaped Carrot Top’s persona—most notably the legendary Gallagher—and how that mentorship evolved into a mutual respect marked by occasional tension. Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 6min
Richie Sambora | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
In this candid, in-depth conversation, Billy Corgan sits down with legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter Richie Sambora. Together they dig into how success comes at different speeds, the real story behind life in Bon Jovi, and the balancing act that happens once the show is over and you head back home to family. They talk about cutting tracks in the old days, the headspace it takes to perform for 80,000 fans, and what truly matters when the stage lights go down. Richie’s honesty reveals a side of him few get to see—how fatherhood, heartbreak, and a raw passion for making music have guided his choices. No overblown rock myths here—just two musicians talking about their craft, the road they’ve traveled, and the personal challenges that shape them both on and offstage.Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 26, 2025 • 1h 15min
Corey Feldman | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
In this episode, Billy Corgan welcomes Corey Feldman for a raw, often eye-opening conversation that transcends Corey’s iconic 80s filmography and exposes the deeper realities of life in the spotlight. Feldman shares intimate stories of survival—addiction, broken industry promises, and tabloid oversimplifications—while describing his unshakable creative passion for music. Billy digs into the near-miss roles, business pitfalls, and the resolve that drives Corey’s artistry while Feldman reflects on standing his ground after childhood fame robbed him of normalcy, grappling with public sobriety, and forging a musical path—critics be damned.If you think you already know Corey Feldman, this conversation will make you reconsider.Watch The Magnificent Others on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BillyCorganTMO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices