The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller & Adam Scott
Audacy, Red Hour, Great Scott
Hi, we're Ben Stiller and Adam Scott. We have severed ourselves from the world for 5 years, making the workplace thriller Severance. While we have no memory of what happened during that time, we thought we should make a companion podcast for all the Innies who will have no recollection of watching, in an attempt to reintegrate them with their memory of the show. For seasons one and two, we did an episode-by-episode, behind-the-scenes breakdown with the creators, cast, crew, and fans of the Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning TV show. We shared in-depth, never-before-heard analysis, alongside guests including creator Dan Erickson, stars Britt Lower ("Helly"), Zach Cherry ("Dylan"), John Turturro ("Irving"), Christopher Walken ("Bert"), Patricia Arquette ("Cobel") and Tramell Tillman ("Milchick"), and celebrity superfans like SZA, Jon Stewart, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. Now we're bringing on special guests to talk about the tv shows, movies and cultural touchpoints that influenced us while making Severance. Sometimes we'll talk with the people behind those inspirational works, sometimes we'll talk with fellow fans, and through it all, we'll keep answering your hotline questions. If you’ve got a question about Severance or the stuff that influenced it, call us at 212-830-3816. From Audacy Podcasts, Red Hour, and Great Scott.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 2min
Your Numbers Are Bad (with Damon Lindelof and Dan Erickson)
Damon Lindelof, an Emmy-winning writer known for Lost and Watchmen, and Dan Erickson, creator of Severance, chat about the crossover between their shows. They share insights on how Lost's influence led to the creation of Severance and delve into the concept of 'mystery box' storytelling. The conversation features humor about their early careers and the emotional ties fans have to these narratives. They wrap up with whimsical queries, including the well-being of a character's fish, keeping the tone light and entertaining throughout.
Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 20min
I'm Actorbot (with Janelle Monáe & Sarah Edwards)
Janelle Monáe, a multifaceted artist known for their work in music and film, joins the conversation to explore their unique creative process and the allure of sci-fi in storytelling. They discuss themes of duality and how family gatherings inspire their work. Sarah Edwards, the costume designer behind 'Severance,' shares insights into the show's distinctive dress code and the challenges of costume design, especially during the pandemic. Their engaging banter reveals the intricate ways they navigate creativity and mentorship in the industry.
Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 10min
Fidelio (with Mike Schur and Sandra Bernhard)
Mike Schur, a prolific television writer known for hit shows like Parks and Recreation and The Good Place, joins the discussion. He unpacks the philosophical themes that inspire his work and the unique challenges of developing a show's tone. The conversation meanders through character depth and moral growth, sparked by a transformative event, while exploring the magic and difficulties of crossover episodes in TV. Additionally, Sandra Bernhard shares her experiences as Nurse Cecily, bringing her iconic moments on Severance to light.
20 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 1h 21min
What’s Your Deal? (with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Cat Miller)
Seth Rogen, renowned for his comedic hits like Superbad, teams up with Cat Miller, the creative mind behind the props for Severance. They share their childhood filmmaking experiences and the comedy influences that shaped their careers. The trio dives into whether falling is inherently funny and the challenges of balancing humor within complex narratives. Cat offers insights into the artistic intricacies of prop design, highlighting how props enhance storytelling and performance, all while keeping the conversation light and humorous.
14 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 12min
Points of Vibration (with Conan O'Brien and Allen Stare)
Join Conan O'Brien, a comedic icon and podcaster, along with Allen Stare, the host of Severed: The Ultimate Severance Podcast, as they dive into the fascinating world of 'Severance'. Conan shares how he inspired a pivotal scene and reflects on the risks of creative projects. Allen discusses his passion for the series, revealing that it sparked his podcasting journey post-retirement. The chat ventures into the emotional connections of work, the evolution of comedy, and the charm of improvisation, wrapped in their signature humor.
Jun 25, 2025 • 2min
We're coming back!
The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott is BACK this summer with five new episodes. Every week, starting Thursday, June 26th, Ben and Adam will unpack the movies and tv shows that have influenced Severance with very special guests. And they'll also talk with more Severance superfans about their burning questions. If you’ve got a question about Severance or the things that influenced it, call our hotline at 212-830-3816. We just might play your voicemail and answer your question on the podcast. From Audacy, Red Hour Productions, and Great Scott. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
75 snips
Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 6min
Who Are You? (with SZA, Dan Erickson, and We Know Severance)
In this engaging discussion, Dan Erickson, the brilliant creator of Severance, dives into the show's exploration of identity and consciousness, revealing the quirky origin of his infamous brain-in-a-jar. Grammy-winner SZA, a passionate fan of the series, shares how the themes of self-discovery resonate with her life. The conversation also touches on the real-world science behind severance, as hosts from We Know Severance examine the ethics of memory and identity. Expect laughter, insights, and a captivating take on what it means to truly know oneself.
134 snips
Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 23min
S2E10: Cold Harbor (with Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Britt Lower, and Zach Cherry)
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, the Icelandic actor known for his roles in films like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, shares his experience playing the dual role of a bureaucrat and enforcer. Britt Lower and Zach Cherry discuss their pivotal character decisions in the series finale. They touch on the show's emotional landscapes, hilarious anecdotes about filming chaotic scenes, and amusing dental hygiene banter. Plus, they tease their own upcoming podcast that might rival the hosts! Expect humor and intrigue all around!
72 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
S2E9: The After Hours (with Sydney Cole Alexander)
Sydney Cole Alexander, who captivates audiences as Natalie in the Severance series, joins the conversation. They dive into Natalie's complex dynamics with characters like Milchick and Cobel, exploring how corporate 'friendly feedback' can sting. Sydney also shares insights from her audition journey, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of launching a career in a high-pressure environment. The trio banters about revelations from the penultimate episode and answers fan hotline questions with some amusing Lumon-approved responses.
49 snips
Mar 7, 2025 • 56min
S2E8: Sweet Vitriol (with Patricia Arquette and Jimmy Kimmel)
Patricia Arquette, an Academy Award-winning actress known for her gripping roles, discusses her character Harmony Cobel and how her Newfoundland roots shaped Cobel’s complex persona. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel joins the conversation, answering quirky listener questions and reflecting on nostalgic anecdotes from their careers. The trio dives into the unique filming dynamics, creative choices in storytelling, and the whimsical nature of their experiences, blending humor with heartfelt connections in the entertainment world.
