Episodes

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 and nobility that ended that partnership). She talks openly about being bullied to the point of physical illness, what happened after that boss was cancelled and what she learned from the experience. We talk about the challenges facing the industry nowadays, the cycle of boom ...

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 forces have tried to pull them apart are all covered in this fun and insightful episode. We discuss bad rooms, bad jobs and bad people. But also rewarding shows, great colleagues and the joy of writing. The pair discuss what keeps them up at night, the importance of original ...

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 about killing projects, giving notes and part of the American Idol set nearly falling on him. We talk nepotism, the role of a studio president and the transatlantic cultural differences in unscripted. A fascinating insight into the unscripted world with a showrunner turned stud...

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 also talks Gene Wilder, working for Disney and constant seasickness. A fascinating insight into unscripted television by one of the best.

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. We discuss warm rooms, mean rooms and no asshole policies and what sort of leader she is. Meredith talks about the issues with virtual rooms, the joy of writing comedy and the dopamine hits of pitching a good idea. A fun romp through the world of comedy with an entertaining...

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 the day job, his animated show that he is desperate to share and 'work as therapy'. Anthony tells us about his leadership style. the 'sick cyclical journey of Hollywood, and going back to the basics of story telling. He tells us about writing his own voice, the breadth of work ...

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 talks about turning down jobs to stick to his path, ignoring the warnings of others and only moving forward with projects he believes in. Michael talks about drive, commitment and being collaborative. We also talk diversity quotas, avoiding 'bake offs' and White House invitatio...

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 and what he learned from bad bosses that helped his leadership. James talks about endangering Harry Belafonte, literally falling asleep at the wheel and giving every one in the room a voice - and a great scene from the Purge that came from that. A fun and insightful discussi...

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, nearly flying home and giving up and how she got her big break. Beth talks about respect in a room, the dangers of comparisons with other peoples' careers and finding your own unique path. A fascinating and honest discussion .

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 us through his first big break. Tze explains how his stubbornness ensured he would never give up, he explains his strengths and weaknesses and how he leads. A insightful and thoughtful episode with a committed and determined creator.

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 banker, the importance of telling your own story and the privilege of working in a career you love and putting it all into perspective. We discuss leadership styles, the benefits of co-showrunners and sharing the load, and what makes for a successful room. Jan tells us her fut...

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 gifts. We discuss the pressure of following up a big success, having two hits out at once and the anxiety of working in entertainment and the feeling of relief when getting an overall deal. Liz discusses the journey of the Post and working with Spielberg, her mum finding out abou...

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 down a chance to work on a Marvel show and bringing her show We Are Lady Parts to life. She talks us through the process of both writing and directing, how she chooses her next projects and the challenges of achieving the level of representation she wants. We talk about the d...

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 for the work and the creation of the Hawaiian iteration of the show. Christopher discusses the pressure to succeed, the difficulties of being a showrunner - and why he shares the workload with others - and the importance of understanding the toughness of the path of a writer b...

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 , her empathy when rejecting projects and whether she wants commercial success or awards. Beatrice talks about completing a writing course and what she learned about rejection and failure, how she nearly quit the industry and what keeps her up at night. She tells us the process...

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's names. Tessa tells us about early rejections, insinuations that women couldn't succeed in this part of the industry and her attempts at writing. She explains how she overcame the obstacles in front of her, her legendary levels of preparation and how she uses that preparatio...

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 middle of what feels like an industry-wide slowdown. She discusses what the guild is doing to help writers sustain their careers as well as the impetus for Pay Up Hollywood, a program designed to pressure the major studios into paying assistants more. Liz also opens up about how h...

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 post-Raymond, failing at one show yet getting into the showrunners' club and being given another chance with the next one. We discuss why showrunning is hard, what he learned from others and used in his rooms and the importance of food and going home early. Mike tells us abou...

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 project ending in turmoil and legal dispute, how that drove him back to the exec side of the business and what it meant to him. He explains why he likes to give a quick no, how sometimes they greenlight too quickly for some writers and gives a great explanation of what horror actua...

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 created Dominion and the joys of being the number two in a room. We talk about leadership over Zoom, missing out on the snacks and lunches of the old days and working on a 'dream job' like Star Trek. Vaun talks about his shows, the importance - in a world of rejection - of rememb...

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 up on the entertainment business, moving to Mongolia and breaking a promise to his mother-in-law. We go deep discussing distance from family, sacrifice and the commitment needed to make it through the tough times. A powerful, honest and painful discussion about succeeding in Ho...

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 and gaining an agent the same day and how he came to Hollywood to be a screenwriter without a script. Simon describes how he both felt he didn't belong, but also how much he loved the Hollywood process - and the creative change he needed to make to be successful. We talk dark...

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 of setting expectations. We compare boxing and the entertainment industry, the importance of an outlet for anger and frustration and how she deals with rejection and failure. Jen talks about diversity in the industry, how much things have changed since she began and why her a...