Fail Better with David Duchovny

Jonathan Roumie is a genuinely charismatic individual, which is understandable given his acclaimed portrayal of Jesus in the immensely popular Christian historical drama The Chosen. However, long before embodying arguably the most significant main character in history, Jonathan was, to borrow the familiar lyric, “just a slob like one of us.” He spent time drumming in bands, working as a location scout, and taking on voice-acting roles, navigating the balance between his divine creative calling and the practical necessity of paying the bills. We discuss the moment that he gave up and turned to God for the answers, sending him down a path where he’s become more than just Christ-like — he’s often confused for the real thing.  Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s finally here: the one-year anniversary of the launch of Fail Better. This moment brought out a lot of feelings and jokes about what it’s meant to make this show and have the conversations I’ve had, and you get to hear me talk about that here. Then I play one of my favorite interviews I’ve had, with the one and only Rosie O’Donnell, who enthusiastically joined me in challenging the standard format and purpose of a podcast episode. It was a special conversation with a special person, and one that I think represents this show pretty damn well. Cheers to a year, and to more conversations to come. Rosie O'Donnell’s famous friends tell her she’s no good at being a celebrity. And if she’s honest, she’s never really felt like one. Despite her iconic roles and mass appeal, Rosie says she always identified more with the viewers at home rather than the stars she was interviewing on her long-running talk show. We got together in person to discuss all this, plus the devastating loss she suffered as a child, and what we both think about meeting fans at conventions. Rosie might feel iffy about fame, but that doesn’t mean the “it” factor that propelled her there isn’t still a driving force in her creative and personal life. And she’s continued to inspire others, too — just ask Eminem. Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After an illustrious tennis career, of course Chris Evert cherishes the wins and broken records. Yet, the sting of defeat is also etched in her memory, marked by days secluded in hotel rooms with the worst missteps replaying in her mind. Life as a high-profile athlete began for Chris as a teenager, and it opened her up to intense scrutiny from tabloids. But it also brought unprecedented levels of recognition and equality to the sport, introduced her to lifelong friends, and helped her grow in countless ways. Chris’s journey has continued to offer a mix of highs and lows, and as she speaks with me from retirement, she shares how she’s found even more ways to view the world around her, from her beloved sport to her ever-evolving spirituality.  Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a founding member of the band Toto, Steve Lukather is well aware of the song you probably know him for. But Steve, known to most as “Luke”, has plenty of other claims to fame. Luke is a seriously talented guitarist and writer with more than a dozen albums to his name from Toto alone, not to mention an almost infinite number of credits and Grammys from his session work with stars like Paul McCartney and Quincy Jones. It all started with the enthusiasm that Luke’s parents expressed for a musical career, guiding him toward frequent lessons, hard work, and the practice of showing up to a studio every day and putting in the hours. Being a working man is what led him to where he is — and, as any young player would dream, it’s also what got him the ultimate compliment from Jimmy Page. Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re offering another peek at the kinds of things you might hear in Lemonada Premium. At the end of each regular episode, there’s a snippet of my thoughts about the conversation, but those are just snippets. My post-mortems are much longer than that, and we publish the full versions exclusively for Lemonada Premium subscribers. Today, we’ve pulled a few for you to hear from some of my favorite interviews. If you want to get these kinds of insights each week, subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And as added incentive, you'll also be able to get bonus content from all the other Lemonada shows when you subscribe. As you’ll hear in this episode, I’m publishing my first book of poetry. You can pre-order now at https://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/about-time-preorder/  Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graydon Carter, longtime editor of Vanity Fair, shares captivating stories from his career and insights from his memoir, When the Going Was Good. He discusses transforming the magazine landscape, the balance of celebrity culture with substantial journalism, and the nostalgia for quality craftsmanship in media. Carter reflects on the competitive nature of editing and the anxiety it brings, while also expressing thoughts on public perception and the ephemeral nature of media. This engaging conversation combines personal anecdotes with valuable lessons learned throughout his journey.

In 1999, the musician Bree Sharp released a single titled “David Duchovny,” off her debut album, A Cheap and Evil Girl. Despite it being the early days of the internet, the song — with its refrain “David Duchovny, why won’t you love me?” — found its way to me, as did the surprise music video that a bunch of people came together to make for our X Files Christmas party. In the time since, Bree and I have only spoken a handful of times — so for the first time, she and I sit down to talk about how and why she wrote the song, what it’s meant for her career, and all the thoughts I’ve been sitting on about the lyrics. Then, finally, Bree gives a full performance undisturbed by my commentary, and we time-travel back to the moment this first entered the world. Or maybe you just Want To Believe that. The 25th anniversary edition of A Cheap And Evil Girl is available now on eco-friendly vinyl, and folks in New York and Pennsylvania can catch Bree on tour in April. Tickets can be found on her website, www.breesharp.com.    Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To me, there are few sitcom characters more memorable than Steve Urkel on Family Matters. So getting to talk to the actor Jaleel White — about his approach to acting, his take on Hollywood in the ‘90s and now, and what it’s meant to have a character follow him into adulthood — was as illuminating as I’d expected. As a pillar of show business and an astute observer of it, Jaleel is someone whose perspective I deeply appreciate. Plus, his new memoir ‘Growing Up Urkel’ is thoughtful and nuanced, and I’m grateful we could reflect on it together. Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I’m excited to share an episode of the podcast Happier, hosted by past guest Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen’s podcast, on the Lemonada Media network, explores how we can live a more fulfilling life. In this episode, Gretchen addresses the common feeling of not having enough time to cross all the things off your to-do list, and she offers a useful and guilt-free strategy for sorting through priorities. Plus, she talks with esteemed author Judy Blume, whose work is currently being adapted into a Netflix series for a new generation. For more episodes of Happier, listen wherever you get your podcasts or head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/happierfd Follow me on Instagram at @davidduchovny. Stay up to date with Lemonada on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our shows and get bonus content. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Singer, a renowned Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and a leading voice in animal rights and effective altruism, joins the conversation to tackle complex ethical dilemmas. He discusses the moral responsibilities we hold towards animals and each other, challenging traditional views on speciesism. The dialogue also explores the intricate relationship between altruism and capitalism, emphasizing the need for empathy in our societal obligations. Singer's insights into personal suffering and legacy add depth to this thought-provoking exchange.