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The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Latest episodes

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Aug 13, 2024 • 52min

Ellie Goulding: From Writing Acoustic Songs in Her Bedroom to Making Smash Pop Hits like “Burn” and “Lights” (2023)

Singer Ellie Goulding has had 35 different songs chart in the UK, the most of any female artist ever. In this conversation from 2023, Ellie shares how she first broke out of her shell performing original songs to her college classmates. She also talks about finding her own sound by using her unique voice in collaboration with some of the biggest producers in the world of EDM. And she explains why she calls her album ‘Higher than Heaven’ her “least personal” record yet.Links from the show:The music video for Under the SheetsPitchfork: How Ellie Goulding Uses Her Voice as an InstrumentEllie singing Your Song at the Royal WeddingHigher than HeavenBurn Music VideoEllie's InstagramEllie's TwitterEllie's SpotifyFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 2min

Kenan Thompson: How an Atlanta Kid “Manifested” a Mighty Ducks Role, Starred at Nickelodeon, and Became SNL’s Longest-Running Cast Member (2023)

Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live, Good Burger, Kenan & Kel, All That) is perhaps the most consistently funny TV performer of his generation. He’s the longest-running SNL cast member, and is beloved for early roles in Good Burger, D2: The Mighty Ducks, and the TV shows All That and Kenan & Kel. In this conversation from 2023, Kenan joins Guy to talk about his Nickelodeon days, why some of his big breaks have felt like kismet, his awkward SNL audition, impersonating celebrities, and whether – given the chance – he'd consider taking over for SNL creator Lorne Michaels.Links from the show:Kenan & Kel Youtube playlistAll That Funniest Moments compilationKenan's highlights from D2: The Mighty DucksGood Burger - Ed's SauceWhat Up with That? - SNLFamily Feud: Oscar Nominees - SNLKenan's Al Sharpton impressionDarrell Hammond's Bill Clinton impressionPhoto of Kenan's inspiration: headshots lining the SNL hallway For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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25 snips
Jul 30, 2024 • 59min

Bjork: The Icelandic Superstar on Being a Child Prodigy, the Power of Nature, and How to Stay Creative (2022)

Bjork, a singular artist known for her innovative approach to music and conceptual art, reflects on her remarkable journey from a child prodigy to a cultural icon. She shares how her unique vocal style was formed and the inspiration behind her latest album, Fossora, featuring a bass clarinet ensemble. The conversation highlights her deep connection to nature and how it influences her artistic vision. Bjork also discusses the balance between solitude and collaboration, revealing the emotional significance of her creative process.
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Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 1min

Jim Parsons: From Dreaming to Doing By Trusting Your Talent and Saying 'Yes' (2022)

Jim Parsons, celebrated for his role as Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, shares his creative journey from theater to Hollywood. He reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of auditioning for iconic roles and the fears that shaped his artistry. Parsons discusses the challenges after departing from a beloved character and his strategic choices to avoid typecasting. He embraces new opportunities in storytelling, highlighting his love for New York City and how it revitalized his career. This conversation is a blend of nostalgia, personal growth, and passion for the craft.
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Jul 16, 2024 • 56min

Weird Al Yankovic: Achieving Massive Success by Leaning Into His True (Nerdy) Self (2022)

Alfred Matthew Yankovic, when he was six years old, was told by his parents to choose between accordion and guitar lessons. “And my parents being the visionaries that they were said, ‘Oh, young Alfred would love to play the accordion.’” Alfred, better known as the chart-topping musician, satirist, and beloved nerd Weird Al Yankovic, told Guy in 2022 how that decision had changed his life and decades of popular music to come. They also discussed how Kurt Cobain had saved Weird Al from a lifetime of spoofing Michael Jackson songs and how intense the process of writing silly songs can be.Links from the show:Dr. Demento, Weird Al's early major influence and later employer"Belvedere Cruising", the first song of Weird Al's to air on Dr. Demento's showWeird Al playing "My Bologna" in San Luis Obispo in 1979Eight Weird Al music videos side-by-side with with the songs they spoofMusic video for Weird Al's "Fat"Weird Al interviewing Patrick Stewart at Comic-ConTrailer for "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jul 9, 2024 • 45min

Rashida Jones Almost Gave Up on Acting Before Her Big Break on ‘The Office’

Rashida Jones is an actor, writer, and filmmaker best known for her work on ‘The Office’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’. She sits down with Guy to talk about growing up with dreams of being the President, how acting saved her during a bout of depression in college, and almost quitting acting right before the biggest break of her career. Plus, how becoming a parent and losing her own mother has changed the way she sees her work.Rashida stars in ‘Sunny’ on Apple TV+, out July 10: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/sunny/umc.cmc.7c5t9dde8dxoaxwyl5rkuw38pLinks from the Show: Rashida on “Freaks and Geeks” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQcIbWiSMU Quincy on Netflix https://shorturl.at/bMvu4The Parks and Rec Cast Breaking for 9 minutes 38 seconds Straight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jEs2OgyyaYRashida showing off her dance skills on IG https://www.instagram.com/rashidajones/reel/C192JNSJjKY/Sunny on Apple TV+ https://tv.apple.com/us/show/sunny/umc.cmc.7c5t9dde8dxoaxwyl5rkuw38pFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jul 2, 2024 • 1h 19min

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Art As We Know It?

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt reflects on the impact of artificial intelligence on art and creativity. He shares insights on AI-generated content, his personal identification with characters, and his toughest day as an actor. Joseph also discusses his latest film 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' and the intersection of technology and art.
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Jun 25, 2024 • 1h 14min

Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard Worked a Temp Job and “Ate Mustard Sandwiches” in the Band’s Early Days (2023)

Ben Gibbard is the voice of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. He talks about Death Cab’s scrappy start, recording their classic album Transatlanticism, how the band learned to defuse internal tensions, and how he approaches songwriting in middle age. This episode was recorded in 2023.Links from the Show: Ben's Tiny Desk ConcertBen breaks down his song "Black Sun"Death Cab for Cutie video for "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"Death Cab for Cutie video for "Soul Meets Body"The Postal Service video for "Such Great Heights" For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jun 18, 2024 • 1h 1min

Indie Icon Phil Elverum on Capturing His Life Story in Song

Indie icon Phil Elverum talks about his 40 albums, a 40-minute life story song, and an album about his wife's death. He discusses his musical journey, influences like Nirvana, and his creative process. The episode touches on his success, self-reflection, evolution of songwriting, and his latest album, Microphones in 2020.
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13 snips
Jun 11, 2024 • 1h 15min

Storytelling Secrets from Michael Lewis (The Big Short, Moneyball, The Blind Side)

Michael Lewis, famous for 'The Big Short' and 'Moneyball', shares storytelling secrets. He discusses ideas gathering, narrative structure, and overcoming distractions. Learn from his MasterClass on storytelling for a deeper dive into his techniques.

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