The Dinner Party Download - podcast cover

The Dinner Party Download

American Public Mediawww.dinnerpartydownload.org
Welcome to The Dinner Party Download, a fast and funny hour of culture, food and conversation: “public radio’s arts & leisure section.” In every episode you’ll learn a joke; bone up on an odd bit of history and then wash it down with a themed cocktail recipe; meet artists of note; have your burning etiquette questions answered; savor an emerging food trend; and hear your new favorite song. Plus, unconventional wisdom from hosts Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam.
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Episodes

Introducing: Not Lost

Brendan Francis Newnam was the host of a popular radio show, coasting through a happy adulthood when it all came crashing down. And so, like many before him, he decided to hit the road, but not on his own. In Not Lost, Brendan and a friend travel to a new place every week, meeting the locals in hopes of understanding their homes. And angling for an invitation to dinner. As they veer from Montréal to Mexico City, from New Orleans to Bozeman, they discover it's possible to find yourself in places ...

May 03, 20224 min

Introducing Safe For Work

Rico and Brendan aren’t exactly back, but they’re here to tell you about their new projects! Brendan has been producing The Paris Review and Rico has a new podcast called “Safe For Work.” Rico and Liz Dolan (“Satellite Sisters”) will help you make the big decisions, sort through the small stuff, and get more fulfillment […]

Jul 16, 201812 min

How to Behave: Celebrity Edition

Alas, this is our last audio treat for you (for now). In the final installment of the “How to Behave” series, you’ll hear some of the best of our favorite etiquette segments with celebrities. Master thespian Sir Ian McKellen offers a tip on how to deal with people who mispronounce your name (never correct the […]

Dec 22, 201732 min

How to Behave: Comedy Edition

We’ve got another audio treat for you! Think of these as a companion to Brendan and Rico’s book, “Brunch is Hell.” In the second installment of the “How to Behave” series, you’ll hear some of the best of our favorite etiquette segments with comedians. Our guests include “Portlandia” stars Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen, Maria […]

Dec 15, 201731 min

How to Behave: Food Edition

Surprise! You might’ve thought we posted our last DPD episode, but we’ve got a few more audio goodies over the next couple of weeks, starting with this inaugural episode of what we’re calling our “How to Behave” series. Think of it as a companion to Brendan and Rico’s book, “Brunch is Hell.” These episodes will […]

Dec 08, 201726 min

400: The Last Supper – LIVE in Seattle!

It’s our final new episode! Featuring new music from Northwest phenom Kyle Craft… A tale of howling at the moon from Snap Judgement’s Glynn Washington… Unimpeachable holiday gift ideas from New York Times columnist Lindy West… Maddening song suggestions from Luke Burbank of “LiveWire”… And a litany of good – and bad – goodbyes for […]

Dec 01, 20171 hr 31 min

The 2017 All-Food Show

This week, we re-heat some of our favorite food-related stories EVER: Celebrated chef Anthony Bourdain gets tough and tender in our etiquette segment… New York’s “The Pickle Guys” don their horseradish hazmat suits… Chef Eddie Huang makes us rethink mac and cheese … Beth Ditto serves up a party soundtrack– and great gravy… Brendan discovers […]

Nov 24, 201751 min

269: Mel Brooks, Greta Gerwig, and AC Newman

Encore Broadcast: Comedy legend Mel Brooks reanimates “Young Frankenstein” then offers priceless etiquette advice (warning: may include death threats, flatulence, gallows humor, and uncontrollable laughter)… Actress Greta Gerwig (“Frances Ha” and “Mistress America”) tries a love story on for size… AC Newman of indie rock super-group The New Pornographers spins a party soundtrack that’s so cool, […]

Nov 17, 201751 min

The Thank You Show

The title says it all, folks. Thanks for lending us your ears, ideas, laughs, taste buds, pun tolerance, and everything else! We’re blessed to have you attending our party every week, and so we figured it was high time for some audio “thank you” notes.

Nov 10, 201731 min

399: Tig Notaro, Jon Batiste, and Real American Food

Tig Notaro brings her life to TV… The Late Show’s Jon Batiste makes a case for a surprise at every dinner party… Chef Sean Sherman re-imagines indigenous American cuisine… Director Yorgos Lathimos on his follow-up to “The Lobster”… and more!

Nov 03, 201750 min

398: Abbi Jacobson, Whitney Cummings, and More Wonder Women

Actor Abbi Jacobson remembers her past recycling bottles for spare change… Comedian Whitney Cummings talks about being polite when you’re codependent… Drummer Patty Schemel makes a case for why drummers shouldn’t be the butt of the joke… The director of “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women”… The best baguette you’ll ever eat… and more!

Oct 27, 201751 min

Speakeasy Special: DPD News and Comic Relief with Whitney Cummings

Thought you were getting an encore broadcast? Surprise! It’s actually an all-new Speakeasy! First: Lots of news in the DPD universe including a big announcement about the future of the show. Up next: an almost-unedited chat with comedian Whitney Cummings! She stopped by to answer a few etiquette questions and ended up teaching us about […]

Oct 20, 201730 min

397: Willem Dafoe, Depeche Mode, Carla Hall Shares Her Grandmother’s Cornbread Recipe

Actor Willem Dafoe explains what he learns from screen newbies… Electro band Depeche Mode on how travel has made their music more socially conscious… A former Obama speechwriter convinces us that ferns are the most romantic plant… Chef Carla Hall shares her grandmother’s cast iron cornbread recipe… Rachel Bloom takes on your etiquette questions… and […]

Oct 13, 201751 min

395: Shania Twain, Sterling K. Brown, Cheese Tea

Shania Twain explains how a vegetarian can survive a country bbq… Musician Emily Haines challenges you to pick difficult music for your dinner party… Erin McCann makes a case for the mosquito emoji… The filmmakers behind “Battle of the Sexes” reveal why there was 40-year-old underwear on the set of their film… Rico drink tea […]

Sep 29, 201751 min

Dinner For One: Sterling K. Brown (‘This Is Us’) Enjoys Crying as Much as You Do

We’re back with a digital treat this week! It’s another installment of our almost-unedited “Dinner for One” series. This time around, Brendan chats with “This Is Us” actor and recent Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown about the hit NBC drama, why he found the opportunity to explore Randall’s relationship with his father “intoxicating,” his new […]

Sep 26, 201729 min

Speakeasy Special: Depeche Mode, Margaret Cho, Flying Lotus

Folks! Instead of reheating an encore episode, we’ve carefully baked a brand-new Speakeasy soufflé for you! In this episode: Margaret Cho tells morbid tales of graveyards, murder, and (gasp!) Norman Mailer. Flying Lotus shares how getting into an *ahem* higher state of consciousness helped him direct “Kuso.” “Strong Island” filmmaker Yance Ford recommends a few […]

Sep 22, 201717 min

394: Margaret Cho, Michael McDonald, And We Cover Your Kvass

Comedian Margaret Cho lets listeners know when it’s OK to ask Asian-Americans where they’re from (Hint: never)… “Strong Island” documentarian Yance Ford re-examines his brother’s murder – and his family’s search for justice – 25 years later… Yacht Rock royalty Michael McDonald gives a soundtrack that takes him back to his childhood… Brendan tastes a […]

Sep 15, 201749 min

393: Jesmyn Ward, Matt Berninger, and Future Islands’ Pet-Friendly Playlist

Author Jesmyn Ward admits to some guilty pleasures… The threesome behind Future Islands DJs the ultimate “grill and chill” playlist – pets allowed… Director Theo Anthony remembers what it’s like to have Werner Herzog as your teacher… The National’s Matt Berninger explains the perks of being a rock star *and* a dad… Librarian Annie Spence […]

Sep 08, 201749 min

392: Lake Bell, Ted Leo, and Not Dumplings

Actor-director Lake Bell turns her lens on marriage — the good, the bad, and the ugly… Author Jenny Zhang suggests a few super “sour” bites of culture… Punk Rocker Ted Leo brings us tunes that’ll make you dance and think… The Posts demonstrate how NOT to tick off your college roommate… And Brendan tries Kubeh […]

Sep 01, 201749 min

The Dinner Party Sandbox Series: Below-the-Line TV Special

Just in time for the Emmys, it’s a special episode all about TV’s unsung, behind-the-scenes heroes! The costume whiz behind “The Handmaid’s Tale” reflects on fashioning the series’ iconic headpieces — and fueling real-world protests… the music supervisor of “Insecure” explains how he secures the show’s pitch-perfect hip-hop and R&B soundtrack… A casting director for REALITY television […]

Aug 25, 201749 min

The Dinner Party Sandbox Series: Listener Letters

We know you’ve been thinking, “What’s with all the reruns, DPD?” Well, a few of us have been taking a little time off this summer to recharge our batteries. Rest assured we’re hard at work on all-new classic DPD episodes we’ll be dropping on you in September. But, over the next few weeks, we’re bringing […]

Aug 18, 201729 min

384: Kathryn Hahn, Tituss Burgess, Mac DeMarco

Encore Broadcast: The irrepressible Tituss Burgess from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” doles out etiquette advice and plays matchmaker… “I Love Dick” actor Kathryn Hahn pokes fun at the high-art world… Indie musician Mac DeMarco DJ’s his Italian family dinner… A visit to a vegan butcher… Wisdom from New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott. Plus, a […]

Aug 11, 201749 min

391: The 2017 All-Icebreaker Episode

It’s time for a cavalcade of icebreaker jokes! We’ve gathered a year’s worth of our show-starting jokes into one convenient listening experience. Brace yourselves for awesomely lame one-liners, knock-knock jokes, and more, courtesy of guests like Jordan Peele, Gillian Jacobs, Ava DuVernay, Danny Boyle, Rachel Bloom, Jane Lynch, Barry Jenkins, Norm Macdonald, and Tituss Burgess. […]

Aug 04, 201714 min

374: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ottessa Moshfegh, Beer Porridge

Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about his latest work in “Moana,” and reveals how a cross country trip helped him perfect his freestyle rapping… “Nerdette” co-host Greta Johnsen proves why Virginia is NOT for lovers… Rapper Kevin Abstract gives us a dinner party soundtrack for time travelers… Writer Ottessa Moshfegh shares her favorite characters nostalgic for other […]

Jul 28, 201750 min

390: Flying Lotus, Kyle Mooney, Teju Cole, And a Chill Playlist to Beat the Heat

“Saturday Night Live” cast member Kyle Mooney takes on some first world problems… Writer and photographer Teju Cole explains how he tried to be gangsta in his new book… Flying Lotus chats with us about his nightmarish film ‘Kuso’ and why you shouldn’t believe everything you read about it… New York Times Editor Erin McCann […]

Jul 21, 201750 min

389: Alan Alda, Mitski, and a $12 Million Card Trick

Alan Alda offers up etiquette advice (including when it’s OK to punch someone)… comedy duo the Lucas Brothers show us how to cheat at driver’s tests… rocker Mitski provides a party playlist for people who don’t party… Jody Avirgan and Rose Eveleth of ESPN’s “30 For 30” tell a tale of a $12 million card […]

Jul 14, 201750 min

Speakeasy Special: Vinyls, Tyson(s) and Bears!

Surprise! Instead of serving up delicious leftovers (i.e. a rerun), we’ve got a fresh-out-of-the-oven Speakeasy special! This time around, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains why Albert Einstein could not have used hairspray, “I Love Dick” and “Transparent” star Kathryn Hahn shares a story you should NEVER tell at a dinner party, and Rico pays tribute to […]

Jul 07, 201727 min

388: Alison Brie GLOWs, Samin Nosrat on acid, & more

How Alison Brie body-slammed her way to a role in “GLOW”… Cook and author Samin Nosrat explains why Iranians are the best hosts ever… Beth Ditto serves up a party soundtrack — and great gravy… Giancarlo Esposito (“Better Call Saul”) gives us the silent treatment… a detailed discussion on Piet Mondrian (the guy who painted […]

Jun 30, 201750 min
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