The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Paul Feig is an actor and director (Bridesmaids, Spy) and the creator of Freaks and Geeks, which is considered one of the best TV shows ever made, despite being cancelled after one season. He joins Guy to talk about why he stopped pursuing a career as an actor, what he learned from directing a prestige film that flopped, and how he strives to create an environment on set where everyone can be their most creative.Links from the show:Paul shows the kids how to dance in a scene from HeavyweightsA scene from Freaks and GeeksThe trailer for I am DavidPaul breaks down a scene in BridesmaidsThe "gadgets" clip from SpyTrailer for The School for Good and EvilSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hrishikesh Hirway is a musician and the creator of the podcast and TV show "Song Exploder." He joins Guy to talk about bringing a musician's sensibility to storytelling, and his return to making music again.Links from the show:Trent Reznor on Song Exploder talking about "Hurt" Dua Lipa on Song Exploder talking about "Love Again" Hrishi's TED Talk about "what you discover when you really listen." Video for "Between There and Here" (featuring Yo-Yo Ma) Video for "Home" (featuring Jay Som) Joshua Malina and Hrishi On Their "The West Wing Weekly" Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Smith is the lead singer of the band Bastille. He sits down with Guy to discuss the meaning behind the band's breakout hit "Pompeii," why his best songwriting isn't about his own life, losing iPhones filled with lyrics that weren't backed up, and a critical review that damaged his confidence even as Bastille took the music world by storm.Links from the show:Pompeii music video (700M views)Laura Palmer music video (debut single)Overjoyed music videoEdit by Regina SpektorIgnoring Messages by DanHappier music video (1B views!)Joe Strummer FoundationThe Guardian's harsh review of Bastille's debut album "Bad Blood"From Devil's Breath: Leonardo DiCaprio climate documentarySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Actor Alan Alda played a starring role in two iconic ensemble TV shows, MASH and The West Wing, part of an award-winning career in television, film and theater that's spanned decades. He's also a writer and director. He talks with Guy about building chemistry in an ensemble cast, how he uses improvisational techniques in his acting and in real life, and how he is still taking on new roles at age 87, even as he copes with Parkinson's disease.Links from the show:Clear and Vivid with Alan Alda podcastAlan as Hawkeye video compilationAlan and Robert Alda sharing a scene in M*A*S*HAlan and Martin Sheen on The West WingAlan on the Art of Science CommunicationAlan interviews Malcolm Gladwell on Clear and VividSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Seth Meyers was a key player in creating some of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live. Now he's hosting Late Night in the very same building. In this episode of The Great Creators, you’ll hear how his two-person comedy show in Chicago randomly landed him in front of just the right person to get him an audition at SNL. He opens up about his anxiety having to compete with his extremely funny co-stars. And Seth explains some of the ways he has managed to lead Late Night to new heights. Links from the show:Seth in Northwestern's improv troupe in 1992Seth and his brother Josh on Late NightSeth at the 2011 White House Correspondent's DinnerSeth as David ZingerCompilation of Seth and StefonA Closer Look from Late NightSeth doing standupSeth's InstagramSeth's TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Singer Ellie Goulding has had 35 different songs chart in the UK, the most of any female artist ever. In this episode, Ellie shares how she first broke out of her shell performing original songs to her college classmates. She 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 new 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 SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Gibbard is the voice of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. He joins Guy to talk about forming Death Cab and recording their classic album Tranatlanticism, how the band learned to defuse internal tensions, and how he approaches songwriting in middle age.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"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Diplo is one of the most successful and influential DJ/producers working today. How did he get here? This episode traces his rise from nomadic childhood, to spinning records while working at a movie theater and zoo, to his big break that was years in the making, to performing in front of tens of thousands of fans and generating billions (yes, billions) of streams. You'll also learn exactly how he collaborates with artists like Sia and Madonna, why he approaches music like fashion, how he knows when a song is truly great, and how he plans to "age gracefully" in this next chapter of his career. Diplo's new album, "Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant," is out now.Interested in a Visual Map tracing Diplo's creative journey? We made one just for you. Check it out here.Links from the Show:Paper Planes video: M.I.A. produced by DiploWhosampled.com sample breakdown of Paper PlanesPineapple Express movie trailer feat. Paper PlanesSkrillex and Diplo - "Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber (Official Video)Diary of a Song (New York Times) "Where Are Ü Now"Major Lazer & DJ SNake - Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Music Video)LSD - Thunderclouds (Official Video) ft. Sia, Diplo, LabrinthDiplo's less well-known collaborators: country artist Sierra Ferrell and songwriters Nija Charles and StarrahDiplo's Instagram pageVisual Mind Map: Diplo's Creative JourneySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing Dwight Schrute on "The Office," but in recent years he has become a mental health and spirituality advocate through his books and production company, SoulPancake. He joins Guy to talk about the deep anxiety he faced as a young actor, his ensuing search for inner peace, and why he believes performing can be a spiritual act.Links from the show:Rainn and Steve Carell give a tour of the set of "The Office" The documentary "Laughing Matters," produced by Rainn's production company with comedians talking about mental healthRainn quizzes Billie Eilesh ("The Office's biggest fan") Rainn on the difference between The Office and Saturday Night Live Rainn and Steve Carell talk about pandemic-related stress and give advice about how to overcome it Rainn and chess master Magnus Carlsen talk chess and metaphysics Rainn and Russell Brand talk about life's big questionsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nathan Lane has been called "the greatest stage entertainer" of the 2000s. But as you'll learn in this episode, that compliment rubbed him the wrong way... and motivated him to take on a wide range of complex, nuanced, "scary" roles on stage and screen. Nathan talks to Guy about performing singing telegrams as a young man, making it to Hollywood as part of a comedy duo, working with Mel Brooks on "The Producers," and the process he goes through to embody a character on stage.Links from the show:Stack & Lane comedy duo routine on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop in 1980Actor George C. Scott (Patton, A Christmas Carol): IMDbThe NYT profile of Nathan that motivated him to pursue more challenging rolesNathan playing Roy Cohn in Angels in AmericaThe Producers (2005) movie trailerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.