Episodes
Take 91 - Dan Rutstein, former journalist and diplomat and podcast co-host
Jan. 26, 2023
We turn the microphone round and have host Dan Rutstein as guest. Friend of the podcast Paul Bae asks the questions with Noah as Dan talks through unsuccessfully applying for 100 jobs, getting laid off during the pandemic an…
Take 90 - Showrunner Eric Guggenheim, Miracle and Magnum P.I.
Jan. 19, 2023
We talk to the fascinating Eric Guggenheim. We talk early career success, serious imposter syndrome and working with his brothers (one of whom has already been on the podcast). He tells us about his good years, his fallow ye…
Take 89 - Writer and showrunner Simran Baidwan, Manifest, Clean Slate
Jan. 12, 2023
We talk to the extraordinary Simran Baidwan. She tells us about her best and worst rooms, the transition from criminal prosecutor to Hollywood and the importance of grace in leadership. We cover inclusion, telling a good sto…
Take 88 - Showrunner Jeffrey Lieber, Lost, Charmed
Jan. 5, 2023
We talk to the amazing Jeffrey Lieber - for the second time. We take a deep dive into the world of failure, rejection and adversity in Hollywood. We talk ill-fitting jobs, managing and leading teams and shit sandwiches. Jeff…
Take 87 - Podcaster, writer Paul Bae, Black Tapes, Big Loop
Dec. 15, 2022
We talk to the fascinating Paul Bae. The teacher/comedian/podcaster/screenwriter/actor talks us through his journey. We talk failing in screenwriting and acting leading to millions of downloads for his scripted podcasts, get…
Take 86 - Showrunner Ildy Modrovich, CSI Miami, Californication, Lucifer
Dec. 8, 2022
We talk to the extraordinary Ildy Modrovich. She talks about arranged marriages, the importance of two showrunners and the pilot that was guaranteed - until it wasn't. She talks about losing her confidence, making sure other…
Take 85 - Writer, Showrunner Chris Sheridan, Family Guy, Resident Alien
Dec. 1, 2022
We speak to the amazing and hilarious Chris Sheridan. He reads out some of his rejection letters, tells us about making calls from payphones on street corners and why he really didn't want to work on Family Guy. But then he …
Take 84 - Writer and Actor Brittani Nichols, Abbott Elementary
Nov. 17, 2022
We have comedian, actress and writer Brittani Nichols on the show. A fascinating discussion about diversity, inclusive comedy and working on a rocketship of a show like Abbot Elementary. We talk happy and unhappy rooms, frie…
Take 83 - Writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, A Quiet Place
Nov. 10, 2022
We talk to the dynamic duo of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods about gimmicks in scripts, a yes after multiple nos and what happened to their directing dreams. They talk with incredible candor about their Quiet Place journey, what…
Take 82 - Daria Polatin, novelist and showrunner Devil in Ohio
Nov. 3, 2022
We talk to novelist and showrunner Dari Polatin. She talks about getting her book written at 4am and during lunchbreaks, the rarity of being allowed to adapt a novel and the struggles of a junior female writer in a room ful…
Take 81 - Writer, Showrunner Andy Siara, Palm Springs, The Resort
Oct. 27, 2022
We talk to the amazing Andy Siara. He tells us the story behind the time loop in Palm Springs, his fear of never working again and gives the most extraordinary piece of advice about hope. He talks the difficult of showrunnin…
Take 80 - Producer, Development Executive Alex Hedlund, Great Wall
Oct. 20, 2022
We talk to development executive Alex Hedlund. We talk at length about Matt Damon movie The Great Wall, why it failed, how he was involved and when he realised it was going wrong. He tells us what he learned from working on …
Take 79 - Actor, Director, Producer John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Joe Exotic
Oct. 13, 2022
We talk to the extraordinary John Cameron Mitchell. We talk failure in writing, directing and actor, the risks of coming out and how they decide which projects to work on. John talks Hedwig, passion projects and discriminati…
Take 78 - Writer and Director Peter Kosminsky, White Oleander, The Undeclared War
Oct. 6, 2022
We (by which we actually mean just Dan) talk to writer and director Peter Kosminsky. He tells us about his early firings (of which there were many including lasting only a day as a researcher because they didn't like his ide…
Take 77 - Writer and Showrunner Amy Berg, Warrior Nun, Counterpart
Sept. 29, 2022
We talk to the magnificent Amy Berg. She tells us her journey through Hollywood - taking a step down to be an assistant, her first big break on North Shore and her start with a writing partner (and then his moment of grace a…
Take 76 - TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson, showrunners Bel-Air
Sept. 22, 2022
In our first episode in the second half of the season, we talk to dynamic duo Rasheed and TJ about their journey to the top. How to decide the credits, how to share victories/commiserate losses and instances of when outside …
Take 74 - Studio President Toby Gorman, Universal Television Alternative Studio
July 7, 2022
We talk to Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. He tells us about his dream of being an airline pilot, falling into this career by accident and becoming a showrunner in his 20s. Toby tells us ab…
Take 73 - Showrunner Josh Silberman, Deadliest Catch, Fear Factor
June 30, 2022
We talk to Emmy-nominated showrunner Josh Silberman. We talk eating rats, nearly freezing to death and creating compelling TV. He tells us about his journey to the top, stolen show ideas and how to treat junior staff. Josh a…
Take 72 - Writer and Showrunner Meredith Scardino, Mr Mayor, Girls5eva
June 23, 2022
We talk to the effervescent Meredith Scardino. She tells us about the transition from late night to episodic, handling rejection of both instant and slow ideas and how her upbringing prepared her for a life of pitching ideas…
Take 71 - Showrunner and Creator Anthony Q. Farrell, The Office, Secret Life of Boys
June 16, 2022
We speak to the showrunner and creator Anthony Q Farrell. He talks about working in an office, then The Office, and then back to Macy's. We talk about the uncertainty of starting out and knowing when it is safe to give up th…
Take 70 - Actor, Writer, Producer Michael Starrbury, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, Colin in Black and White
June 9, 2022
We talk to the extraordinary Michael Starrbury. He tells us about his treasured film script that he just can't get made, his decision to not move to Los Angeles and his determination to run his career the way he wants. He ta…
Take 69 - Director and Showrunner James Roland, Blood Drive, The Purge
June 2, 2022
We speak to the fascinating James Roland. He talks about working long hours on terrible film sets, his journey into directing and rates his abilities as a showrunner. We talk diversity, the importance of treating people well…
Take 68 - Showrunner Beth Schwartz, Arrow, Sweet Tooth
May 26, 2022
We talk to showrunner Beth Schwartz. She talks about her painfully long journey from assistant, how she now treats those in that position and what she learned along the way. She happily shares her tale of her slow start, nea…