Fail Better with David Duchovny

Kumail Nanjiani, an accomplished actor and comedian, shares his transformation journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading man and superhero. He reflects on his time in The X-Files, revealing its cultural impact on his life. The conversation also dives into the importance of mental health, therapy, and navigating personal identity through comedy. Kumail discusses redefining ambition by valuing relationships and emotional expression, emphasizing joy in creative pursuits over traditional success metrics.

Mary Trump, author and niece of former President Donald Trump, shares insights from her memoir, discussing how her family's dynamics shaped Donald's personality. She examines her grandfather Fred's sociopathic influence, revealing the psychological impact on Trump children. The conversation touches on the importance of therapy in navigating life's chaos, the struggles of career transitions, and the necessity of empathetic communication in a polarized world. Mary offers a poignant reflection on how family legacies affect individual identities and societal values.

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio, examines how our understanding of failure shapes personal growth and societal responses. He discusses the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, emphasizing the need for improved crisis management. Cultural perspectives on failure are explored, highlighting the stark differences between the U.S. and Europe. Dubner also delves into the complexities of personal relationships mirroring professional failures and the importance of creating nurturing environments that allow for healthy learning from mistakes.

Griffin Dunne, an accomplished actor and producer known for roles in *An American Werewolf in London* and *After Hours*, discusses his recent transition to writing with the release of his family memoir. He reflects on the weight of his family's literary legacy and the impact of personal tragedy on his storytelling. The conversation navigates themes of loss, identity, and the complexities of fame within familial relationships. Dunne also explores how grief and redemption can shape artistic expression, providing a poignant look at healing through narrative.

Sportswriter Sally Jenkins discusses the lessons learned from top athletes, including Lance Armstrong and Billie Jean King. She explores why losing can be beneficial, the impact of failure, and the importance of embracing authenticity and resilience in sports and life.

Jeremiah Fraites, co-founder of The Lumineers, discusses creativity, grief, and control. Topics include spirituality through music, childhood dreams, coping with grief through music, and the impact of therapy and boundaries on personal growth.

Fred Armisen grew up idolizing trailblazing musicians, from The Beatles to The Clash and The Talking Heads. But spending his twenties drumming in bands never seemed to land him further than moderate crowds and endless nights loading his gear into the van. In need of a change, he turned to comedy, honing the craft of creating characters we know and love him for, on shows like SNL and Portlandia. I connected with Fred while we were both on set in different locales to discuss his unusual pivot, why he still feels an intense yearning for the music he loves, and the strange intimacy of filming a fight scene. 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 show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. And if you want to continue the conversation with other listeners, join the My Lemonada community at https://lemonadamedia.com/mylemonada/ 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.

Actor David Duchovny discusses failures, parenting, and teaching, including a questionable bike lesson. They explore viewing failure positively, American attitudes towards defeat, and David's potential to teach a Kierkegaard class at Yale. The conversation touches on decision-making, learning from mistakes, and the importance of embracing failures in creative endeavors.

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk reflects on his groundbreaking '900' trick, discussing the years of trial and error, perseverance, and lessons applied to life off the board. Dive into his relentless pursuit of success and the challenges of aging in the skateboarding industry.

Actor Sean Penn shares insights on his career, childhood in Malibu, and iconic roles. Discussion includes influences from Hollywood legends, pursuit of creativity, and the importance of continuous learning. Podcast delves into the journey of being a squared-away individual in life and the challenges faced in the entertainment industry.