Episodes
July 7, 2022
Take 74 - Studio President Toby Gorman, Universal Television Alternative Studio
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…
June 30, 2022
Take 73 - Showrunner Josh Silberman, Deadliest Catch, Fear Factor
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…
June 23, 2022
Take 72 - Writer and Showrunner Meredith Scardino, Mr Mayor, Girls5eva
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…
June 16, 2022
Take 71 - Showrunner and Creator Anthony Q. Farrell, The Office, Secret Life of Boys
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…
June 9, 2022
Take 70 - Actor, Writer, Producer Michael Starrbury, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, Colin in Black and White
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…
June 2, 2022
Take 69 - Director and Showrunner James Roland, Blood Drive, The Purge
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…
May 26, 2022
Take 68 - Showrunner Beth Schwartz, Arrow, Sweet Tooth
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…
May 19, 2022
Take 67 - Writer, producer Tze Chun, Secrets of the Mogwai, Gotham
We talk to the amazing Tze Chun. He talks us through his mathematical approach to creativity and goal-setting - a short every six months, 100 episodes of television! - his transitions from film to tv and back again and talks…
May 12, 2022
Take 66 - Showrunner and show creator Jan Nash, NCIS: Hawaii, Without a Trace
We talk to the incredible Jan Nash. She tells us about her long and storied career in Hollywood, the importance of compassionate leadership and her time as a studio executive. She tells us what she learned as an investment b…
May 5, 2022
Take 65 - Producer, writer, showrunner Liz Hannah, The Post, The Dropout, The Girl from Plainville
We talk to the extraordinary writer, showrunner and producer Liz Hannah. She talks about working with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in her breakout script, getting tattoos after project successes and not buying her husband gift…
April 28, 2022
Take 64 - Writer, director Nida Manzoor, We Are Lady Parts, Doctor Who
In an episode with two British voices, it was a pleasure to have writer and director Nida Manzoor join us on the podcast. She tells us about the excitement and nerves of directing for British institution Doctor Who, turning …
April 21, 2022
Take 63 - Showrunner and creator Christopher Silber, NCIS, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawaii
We talk to NCIS legend Christopher Silber. He talks about his first time working on the franchise, the difficult work environment at the time and getting fired. But then also his return to the franchise, his continued love f…
April 14, 2022
Take 62 - Studio President Beatrice Springborn, Universal Content Productions and Universal International Studios
Studio president Beatrice Springborn joins the podcast to give the view from 'upstairs'. She talks about her journey through journalism, start-ups and Pixar with some Film School thrown in. We discuss her leadership style , …
April 7, 2022
Take 61 - Director Tessa Blake, NCIS Hawaii, American Horror Story
We talk to director Tessa Blake about her rise through the world of episodic TV. She talks about the balance between craft and leadership skills, what she learned as a cocktail waitress and the importance of learning people'…
March 31, 2022
Take 60 - Writer Liz Alper, WGA Board Member, Pay Up Hollywood
We talk to TV writer, WGA Board Member and co-founder of Pay Up Hollywood Liz Alper. We chat with Liz about the challenges she’s faced this year looking for work as well as what the industry is facing as a whole in the middl…
March 24, 2022
Take 59 - Mike Royce, Everybody loves Raymond, Men of Certain Age
We talk to comedian, writer and showrunner Mike Royce. He talks us through his life as a comedian, compares bombing on stage to bad pitching in a room and the joy of regular Emmy nominations. And then trying to find success …
March 17, 2022
Take 58 - Writer, Exec Craig Engler, Shudder
We talk to Shudder General Manager Craig Engler. The writer-turned-exec tells us what he’s learned about rejection as a writer and how he now behaves as an exec. Craig talks about the emotional heartbreak of a writing proje…
March 10, 2022
Take 57 - Showrunner Vaun Wilmott, Dominion, Jack Ryan
We talk to showrunner Vaun Wilmott who tells stories of giving up acting, selling shampoo and breaking into the world of writing. He tells us about his 'overnight success', taking more than ten years of writing until he crea…
March 3, 2022
Take 56 - Showrunner Patrick Macmanus, Dr Death
In one of our most in-depth and emotional interviews we talk to showrunner Patrick Macmanus. He tells us his Hollywood journey - part-time bartending, failed at acting and transition to writing. Patrick talks about giving u…
Feb. 24, 2022
Take 55 - Showrunner Simon Barry, Warrior Nun
We talk to Simon Barry about his adventures in Hollywood and are joined by guest co-host and Maze Runner writer Grant Pierce Myers. He talks about his first short film screening that no one turned up to, losing a girlfriend …
Feb. 17, 2022
Take 54 - Jen McGowan, Director, Rust Creek
The podcast shifts from writer to director and we are delighted to be joined by Jen McGowan. She tells us her journey into directing, how winning an award early in her career changed her view of Hollywood and the importance …
Feb. 10, 2022
Take 53 - Brad Wright, showrunner Travelers, Stargate
Fascinating interview with another successful Canadian - this time showrunner Brad Wright, co-creator of Stargate SG-1 and Netflix's Travelers. He talks about how he managed to avoid moving to Hollywood, why being Canadian i…
Feb. 3, 2022
Take 52 - Craig Thomas, showrunner How I Met Your Mother
We talk to the incredible Craig Thomas, co-creator and showrunner of How I Met Your Mother. He explains how he nearly derailed himself after success came early, the importance of focus on successful projects and the risk of …