Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

What does a director look for in actor? How does a director create a sense of family and community on a set? How does a director get an actor to relate? Noah Baumbach is the director of films like "The Squid and the Whale," "Frances Ha," and now the critically-acclaimed film, "Marriage Story." Alan Alda sat down with Noah to ask him about his career as both a writer and director, and his take on writing compelling scripts for specific actors. Noah also speaks with Alan about how to bring out the best in each performance and how to know when to make a cut to make the greatest impact.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

She’s an icon of stage and of screen, with one of the most recognized voices in the world. And, no matter where she is in the world, Julie Andrews always brings a little bit of home with her. In this episode, Alan Alda sits down with Julie and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, to talk about how they've learned to collaborate as writing partners and how Julie has worked tirelessly throughout her career to make sure home and family never got lost in the work. As she says, it's never been easy to combine home and work together, but imagination, playfulness, and determination can help keep the feelings of home — warmth, safety, and understanding — with you throughout your life.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

Clear+Vivid returns next Tuesday, November 26th with the legendary Julie Andrews! In the meantime, check out our new favorite podcast, Curiosity Daily, presented by your hosts Ashley Hamer and Cody Gough! The Curiosity Daily podcast relies on science to help listeners understand the world — and themselves — better. In this special presentation, you'll hear some of of Cody and Ashley's favorite stories that answer the question: is it just me? You'll learn about how your friendships change as you get older, why it's so hard to exercise after work, why you talk louder while you're wearing headphones, and cutting-edge insights into the science of jealousy. Whether you're curious about relationships or your sleep habits, you'll learn more about yourself and the people around you with Curiosity Daily. Alan Alda and the team at Clear+Vivid will be back with you next week! Thanks for listening!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

As a special treat for listeners of Clear+Vivid, we're publishing two bonus episodes of Curiosity Daily on Tuesday, November 12th and Tuesday, November 19th, so you can discover this great podcast for yourself! The Curiosity Daily podcast taps the latest scientific research to make you smarter about the world. In this special presentation from hosts Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer, you'll hear some of their favorite stories about research-based life hacks, including how to get a better night’s sleep, how to better manage your time and money, and even how to get over a breakup! Plus a few other surprises we think you’ll like. So let’s talk life hacks! From your morning routine to your exercise regimen, you'll learn how to live your best life with Curiosity Daily. Enjoy! Season 6 of Clear+Vivid returns with new episodes on Tuesday, November 26th!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

What's brown fat? How do you tell when someone is lying? What's the healthiest way to cook broccoli? Ashley Hamer and Cody Gough are the hosts of the wildly popular podcast, Curiosity Daily. They've been helping listeners learn about our minds and bodies, outer space, the depths of the sea, and how history shaped the world into what it is today. In this episode of Clear+Vivd, Alan Alda, who, himself, is curious daily, wanted to know more about how Ashley and Cody dig into these subjects. And, as a special treat for our listeners, we'll be publishing two bonus episodes of Curiosity Daily on Tuesday, November 12th and Tuesday, November 19th, so you can discover this great podcast for yourself!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

Her 1982 novel The House of the Spirits, was a breakthrough for women writers in Latin America and today Isabel Allende has written 23 books, sold 74 million copies, and had her work turned into 2 major motion pictures. Alan Alda talks with Isabel about her lifelong advocacy for women’s reproductive rights, economic independence and freedom from violence. In this spirited conversation, Alan asks her about her writing, magical realism, her passions – and her thoughts on flirting. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

Allison Schrager set out to examine unusual subcultures, looking for clues that would deepen her understanding of risk and other economic realities. The result of her curious adventures is a book with the wonderfully provocative title, An Economist Walks Into a Brothel. In this episode, Allison offers her sage advice to Alan Alda on topics as varied as how to take risks and how hearing the word “no” can actually mean you’ve done well in a negotiation.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

What makes a good joke? Why do some fall flat while others are met with a LOL, even an ROTFL? Is a joke ever out of bounds? In this episode, we examine the art of communicating with humor. Alan Alda talks with writers Frank Santopadre and Alan Zweibel, who have spent their lives finding the funny in the meaningful and the meaningful in the funny. Join them as they explore the heart of "ha."Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

Despite many positive changes, women in science report continuing problems. When a colleague ignores your contribution, belittles your work, or even harasses you, what do you do? Women have been leading a revolution in science for many years, and their voices are now being heard like never before. In this special episode of Clear+Vivid, Alan Alda and his producers speak with pioneers in the revolution, their mentees, and some of today’s most outspoken advocates for professional women in the STEM fields. They have a lot to teach us about how to bring about equity for women in science— and how to keep it. Joining us in the studio and on location in their labs, we hear from Melinda Gates, Jo Handelsman, Nancy Hopkins, Hope Jahren, Pardis Sabeti, Leslie Vosshall, and many more. This special episode dives deep into the most troubling issues facing career women in science and offers real insight about what works, what doesn’t, and what we can all do to secure a more equal and fair future. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid

As Clear+Vivid listeners know, we love improvisation because of how important it can be to communication. In this episode Alan Alda had the opportunity to speak with someone who is at the forefront of combining improv and music. Alan's guest this week is legendary jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. As it happens, Pat lives close to Alan's apartment in Manhattan, so we asked him to drop by. Pat and Alan plunged into a conversation about improvisation even before the producers remembered to press the record button!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/clearandvivid