
The Great Creators with Guy Raz
Become a more inventive, imaginative you. Every week, Guy Raz (creator of How I Built This) leads a deep dive conversation with someone at the top of their game. From conquering stage fright to learning to be more present and focused, you'll learn how each guest mastered their craft and ultimately became more successful in life. The result? An arsenal of tools and techniques you can apply to your own life and work, allowing you to harness your talent and become a better version of yourself.Listen to The Great Creators on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-great-creators-with-guy-raz/ now.
Latest episodes

Aug 29, 2023 • 1h 7min
Macklemore: Why He Never Signed to a Label, His Struggle with Addiction, and Making Art that Means Something (2023)
Macklemore, the rapper who stayed independent, battled addiction, and made music that means something. They discuss his rise to fame without a label, commitment to sobriety, process of idea generation, navigating the challenges of the online music environment, and embracing imperfection in art.

Aug 22, 2023 • 56min
Andy Garcia: From Havana to Hollywood, an A-Lister Who Still Feels Like An Outsider (2022)
Andy Garcia is an actor (Ocean's 11, The Untouchables, The Godfather Part III) who is best known for playing the suave leading man alongside other Hollywood greats like Sean Connery, Diane Keaton, and Al Pacino. He talked in 2022 to Guy about fleeing the Cuban Revolution, waiting tables for celebrities in Beverly Hills, and the best advice he got from Mario Puzo on how to prepare for The Godfather Part III.Links from the show:The "stroller scene" from The UntouchablesFather of the Bride (2022) trailerAndy as Terry Benedict in Ocean's 11The Lost City trailerAndy's InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 15, 2023 • 58min
Jason Sudeikis: His Winding Path from the Basketball Court to SNL, and How Ted Lasso “Saved” Him (2023)
Jason Sudeikis is the co-creator and star of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. Earlier this year he told Guy about the origins of the football/soccer coach character, why the show has connected so deeply with audiences, and Ted's impact on Jason's own self-image. He also reflects on his Midwest roots, why his basketball coaches always knew he'd be a performer, years spent in Amsterdam and Las Vegas honing his craft, and how he transitioned from comedy writer to featured player on Saturday Night Live.Links from the show:Jason's uncle George Wendt playing Norm in CheersJason sinks a 3-pointer at a Knicks gameComedySportz: how Jason got his start in sketch comedyBoom Chicago improv theater in AmsterdamSNL: Mitt Romney drowning his sorrows in milkOriginal commercial that launched Ted LassoTed Lasso Season 3 Official TrailerGuy's Guest Appearance on Creator ScienceAt the beginning of the episode, Guy mentioned his appearance on Creator Science hosted by Jay Clouse. You can find that interview in the Creator Science podcast feed here!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 8, 2023 • 1h
Shania Twain: The Best-Selling Female Country Artist of All Time on Harnessing the Power of Optimism (2023)
Shania Twain is often referred to as the Queen of Country Pop. And rightfully so - she's sold over 100 million records, more than any female country artist in history. But before she was Shania Twain, she was Eileen Edwards from a small town in Ontario. In this episode, Shania talked with Guy earlier this year about how she got her start singing at local bars before ascending to country music stardom in Nashville. And how, after almost losing her singing ability to Lyme disease, Shania is now back with a new album – Queen of Me. Links from the show:Young Shania on the Tommy Hunter ShowWhose Bed Have Your Boots Been UnderWhat Made You Say That music videoShania at the Super Bowl Halftime ShowGiddy Up Music VideoShania Twain Limelight SessionsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 1, 2023 • 1h 12min
Tom Hanks: Telling the Truth, Letting Go of Self-Consciousness, and Embracing the Fun (2023)
Tom Hanks has had more iconic roles than most actors have had roles. From Big, to Forrest Gump, to Saving Private Ryan, to 2022’s Elvis, Tom has played countless characters spanning across different genres and different decades. In this wide-ranging interview from earlier this year, Tom discusses the trajectory of his career, the importance of bringing his own ideas to the films he’s acted in, and how he has managed to stave off self-consciousness while remaining as authentic as possible.Links from the show:Tom and Peter Scolari in Bosom BuddiesTom and Daryl Hannah in SplashThe cross-country running scene from Forrest GumpThe execution scene from The Green MileTom as Sully Sullenberger in Sullly: plane crash in the Hudson sceneTom as Colonel Tom Parker in Baz Luhrmann's ElvisThe real Colonel Tom Parker in an interview on ABC Trailer for A Man Called OttoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 25, 2023 • 52min
Stephen Colbert: How “Breaking” on Stage Unlocked His Comedic Powers (2022)
Stephen Colbert has played many roles--an officious high school teacher in Strangers with Candy, and a bumbling blowhard on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Now, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he's facing his biggest challenge: being himself. Stephen talked in 2022 to Guy about working through that challenge, about the early and enduring influence Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello had on his work, and about how Stephen Colbert the man related to Stephen Colbert the blustering pundit.Links from the show:The Second City improv troupeThe Dana Carvey ShowDana Carvey and Stephen play clips Of "The Dana Carvey Show"Strangers with CandyStrangers with Candy clipPresident Obama on The Colbert ReportThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBSNASA's COLBERT treadmillSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 snips
Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 10min
Nick Kroll: The Creative Breakthrough That Led to His ‘Exponential’ Growth (2022)
Nick Kroll is an actor and comedian (Kroll Show, Parks and Recreation) and the creator of Big Mouth and Human Resources on Netflix. He talked with Guy in 2022 about developing outrageous characters, playing over-the-top villains, his quirky writing process, why everyone can benefit from improv classes, and his thoughts on comedy vs. “cancel culture.”Links from the show:Clip from Nick's appearance on The View in full Cavemen makeup “Yogurt Water” scene from Kroll Show Oh, Hello with John MulaneyNick as “The Douche” on Parks and RecreationBig Mouth on Netflix Little Big Boy on NetflixNick’s InstagramNick's friends and collaborators: Mike Birbiglia, John Mulaney, Andrew Goldberg, Chelsea Peretti, Jessi KleinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 11, 2023 • 58min
Zooey Deschanel: Stopping Stage Fright in Its Tracks and How She Turned a “Disorder” Into a Superpower (2022)
Zooey Deschanel is an actor (New Girl,Elf, 500 Days of Summer) musician (She & Him), crafter, and entrepreneur (HelloGiggles, Lettuce Grow). In 2022 she told Guy how being diagnosed with ADHD as a child affected her life and career, how the "loneliness" of the actor's life led her to songwriting and her collaboration with M Ward, and how – right before landing her biggest role – she almost quit acting. Zooey also delivers some practical tips on how to turn fear into excitement, and makes the case that regularly pursuing new creative paths makes you better at everything else.Links from the show:Zooey's parents' filmographies: Caleb Deschanel & Mary Jo DeschanelZooey's first instrument: the Casio SK-1Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa MonicaScene from Zooey's first-ever role on TV: Veronica's ClosetZooey and Frances McDormand "Drugs & Promiscuous Sex" scene from Almost FamousThe Go-Getter (2007 film), how Zooey met M WardLet's Dance by M WardVincent O'Brien by M WardThieves by She & Him (Official Video), one of Zooey's favorites which she wrote in "12 minutes"She & Him's "pandemic project," Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian WilsonNew Girl full episodes on AmazonSaturday Night Live sketch - Bein' Quirky With Zooey Deschanel HelloGiggles Lettuce GrowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 4, 2023 • 1h 17min
Gavin DeGraw: The Singer-Songwriter Behind Hits Like "Chariot" and "Not Over You" on Why He Won't Be Boxed Into One Genre
Gavin DeGraw is the singer-songwriter behind hits such as "I Don't Want To Be" and "Not Over You." He talks to Guy about why he doesn't limit himself to one genre, the low point in his life that inspired the song "Chariot," and why he thinks music should be "invisible."Links from the show:Video for "I Don't Want to Be" Video for "Not Over You" Video for "Chariot" Video for "Hero in Our House" (Acoustic) Gavin talks to People Magazine about losing his mother to cancerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 27, 2023 • 54min
Ice Cube: His Journey from NWA and “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” to Comedies Like “Friday” and “Barber Shop”
Ice Cube, a rapper and actor known for gangsta rap, discusses his journey from NWA to Hollywood, his early life in Westmont, and the influence of Beastie Boys. He reflects on personal tragedy, controversial success, encounter with John Singleton, and transition to film. Ice Cube shares insights on staying creative at 54, his evolving creative process, and ambitions for his legacy.