Neil deGrasse Tyson, Feist, Fleet Foxes, a talking wolf named Nick Offerman, and more join us on an audio odyssey designed to reacquaint you with the wonders of nature! Hosts Brendan and Rico — two city slickers — stumble their way through the great outdoors (and outer space!), gleaning wisdom from unexpected sources. This hour […]
This week, instead of a rerun, we’re serving up a Dinner for One special with one of the most celebrated character actors ever — Giancarlo Esposito. Known for roles in “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Do the Right Thing,” “The Get Down,” and more, Rico talks to Giancarlo about his carefully crafted acting method and […]
Encore Broadcast: Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan sharpens her skills in Broadway’s Crucible… Actor-and-author Cameron Diaz gives us impeccable advice — for the long haul… A new doc paints a portrait of David Hockney, an artist both bright and blue… One-man-band Kevin Morby recommends a few other artists (and BBQ masters) who went solo… Comedian-on-the-rise Solomon Georgio recalls […]
Showrunner supreme Damon Lindelof (“Lost,” “The Leftovers”) hops into Rico’s hot tub time machine, then considers the paradoxes of fandom… The band Phoenix toasts a purring Bryan Ferry, video games in Japan, and the sounds of le cinema… We pay tribute to late great sportswriter Frank DeFord, who throws us some etiquette curveballs… Musician Lynn […]
We’re back with another digital delight! It’s another installment of our almost-unedited “Dinner for One” series. For this mini-episode, Rico chats with former co-worker Damon Lindelof. Yes, it’s true! Listen as he and Damon reminisce about their days working together on MTV’s “Undressed” as writers (of many hot tub scenes). Damon also reflects on how […]
Director Paul Feig tracks your laughs, fights T-shirt tyranny… Producer duo Danger Mouse and Sam Cohen say Vive la “Resistance” (and French party music)… Writer Samantha Irby (of the B**ches Gotta Eat blog) fakes her way into pregnant yoga… Burlesque meets baseball (meets cocktail!)… And the Posts lead us into the ‘gaping maw’ of yawning […]
We’re serving up something different today! It’s the second installment of our new “Dinner for One” series — a single, almost-unedited conversation with a luminary in arts and entertainment. This time around, Brendan talks with writer, director, and producer extraordinaire Paul Feig. Listen as the two examine how “Bridesmaids” led to more creative freedom when […]
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 cocktail tribute […]
Surprise! It’s an all-new Speakeasy Special — a bonus mid-week treat filled with unheard bits and bobs from our interviews. Listen as “Silicon Valley” star Thomas Middleditch flexes his improv muscle and invents an entire fictional food chain (with a signature drink!) in less than 60 seconds. Then, get a mint condition etiquette answer from […]
Encore Broadcast: Peter Capaldi — star of the beloved sci-fi series “Dr. Who” — brings etiquette advice via TARDIS… Funnyman Paul Scheer revels in terrible movies, pseudo-reality… Filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi explores how the tech boom and gentrification have remade San Francisco, her hometown… Dance-pop star Shamir works it, while working retail, and whips up a […]
We’re putting on our own music festival with a special “ALL-MUSIC EPISODE”! You’ll hear sets from our favorite artists: Run the Jewels, Alice Cooper, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Punk legend Viv Albertine, Perfume Genius, folk musician Joan Shelley, Tony Bennett, and more. Plus Kristen Bell singing the praises of her favorite Disney movie (no, it’s not “Frozen”), […]
Radio kingpin Charlamagne tha God explains the concept behind his new book, “Black Privilege,” and reminds us manners will take you where money won’t… Oscar-winning screenwriter and director John Ridley looks back at the L.A. riots 25 years later… Rico takes a trip to Lawry’s to check in on the Prime Rib renaissance… and we […]
“Silicon Valley” star Thomas Middleditch gets silly and waxes poetic on his days as a Dungeons & Dragons wizard… “Dear White People” creator Justin Simien tells us how to deal with a Northerner who says y’all… Two-fifths of Cold War Kids mix a sentimental playlist… and author Elena Passarello introduces us to Mozart’s favorite pet. […]
Give Tuesday a fun boost with this Speakeasy Special! This episode covers it all: Nerds, Steve Inskeep jokes, pizza crust etiquette… need we say more? First up, you’ll get a previously unaired slice from our interview with Gillian Jacobs. Then, hear a full dose of etiquette from our South by Southwest show with “Saturday Night […]
Encore Broadcast: Multi-hyphenate Rashida Jones — one of the forces behind TV’s police farce “Angie Tribeca”– comes bearing wisdom for ‘overdogs’… Cello maestro Yo-Yo Ma gets existential… Pop sensations Tegan and Sara craft a party playlist that’s frank — and French… The man and myth behind the doughnut, as we know it… Photographing your dinner makes […]
Hank Azaria (“Brockmire”) talks about baseball in at least five different voices… Aimee Mann disses tattoo copycats, sings about actual cats … “Daily Show” expat Jason Jones — now starring in “The Detour” — relives the terrors of moving to New York City … Molly Wood unveils the latest scholarship at the University of Utah […]
Journalist Katie Couric is not flattered by her nickname of “America’s Sweetheart”… HBO’s “Insecure” showrunner Prentice Penny gives some “Upscale” advice… Swedish troubadour Jens Lekman throws a dance party in the Middle East… the creators of the hit Broadway musical “Come From Away” list some musicals based on real events. Plus, a divorce hotel, a […]
The one and only RuPaul gives some “godly” etiquette advice… filmmaker Danny Boyle reflects back on his cult film “Trainspotting” and why he decided to make a sequel more than 20 years later… Actor Alan Tudyk picks a list of his favorite robots… And sommelier protocol with the New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov. […]
(Heads up: This week’s episode features some *ahem* adult humor. It may not be suitable for young listeners.) Folks! It’s an all-new Speakeasy Special. This time, Rico and Brendan bring updates direct from the South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX about great new bands and oddball food finds (Heavy metal pizza? Check.) You’ll also […]
Actor Gillian Jacobs shares her “Love” for her Netflix show and public radio… Comedian Sam Richardson finds a friend — and his mojo — at the edge of the world… Jay Som DJs a Halloween party (springtime be damned)… And Emily Post’s scions bring tips on hotel tips. Plus, decrypting the Rorschach test, Norway’s answer […]
Comedian Jordan Peele’s hit horror film “Get Out” is a deadly serious exploration of racism…Pete Holmes used his divorce as inspiration for his new HBO comedy, “Crashing”…Nashville singer Valerie June throws a party at Elvis’ house…Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen tackles issues of race, immigration, and identity…Plus, how the film, “Nosferatu,” almost burned to […]
This week, something a little different! We’re giving you the first in an all-new series we’re calling “Dinner for One” — essentially, a single, almost unedited conversation with someone amazing. This time, comedy — and now horror — genius Jordan Peele chats with Rico about “Get Out,” the new film he wrote and directed. The […]
Director Damien Chazelle on his record-tying 14 Oscar nominations, and why he’s attracted to art forms on their way to extinction… A New York Times editor reveals the elaborate accommodations for canine competitors at the Westminster Dog Show… Author George Saunders dishes out advice and reveals his *real* first novel… Musician Rhiannon Giddens picks a […]
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 […]
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” star Rachel Bloom schools us in online stalking and making contemporary musicals… DJ Steve Aoki marries hardcore music with rap… “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal makes us all smarter… Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck pays tribute to the late, great James Baldwin in his new documentary… Comedians John Early and Kate Berlant recommend three classic […]
Holy Tuesday, it’s an all-new episode of our off-the-cuff Speakeasy podcast. This time, Brendan and Rico are in the studio together — a rare event! In this special, you’ll hear an icebreaker from the Academy Award-nominated director Ava DuVernay that didn’t make it to air. Also, “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins — who is up for […]
Encore Broadcast: “Ugly Betty” and “Superstore” star America Ferrera explains the “super” part of superstores… Comedian Norm Macdonald gives us etiquette advice and reveals why his new memoir, “Based on a True Story,” is full of lies… Childstar-turned-writer Mara Wilson confronts the hereafter… Noise rock pioneer Lou Barlow celebrates soft rock with a soundtrack for […]
We talk life, (near-)death, and tree-climbing with “The OA” creator and star Brit Marling, then learn how she broke her nose making it… Comedian Cristela Alonzo gives us some “Lower Classy” advice… Booker Prize-winning novelist Aravind Adiga teaches us a thing or two about the sport of cricket… A medical breakthrough inspires a healthy tipple…And […]
Ava DuVernay unpacks the issues at play in her searing documentary, “13th,” then reveals the cheeseball ’80s movie that’s her true fave… Legendary Sex Pistol Steve Jones tells you when it’s OK to steal from your opening act… Indie band Whitney gives a retro playlist that’ll raise the roof… Comedian Baron Vaughn meets a turn-of-phrase… […]
Filmmaker Mike Mills celebrates his mom and other “20th Century Women”… Multi-instrumentalist Natalie Mering a.k.a. Weyes Blood takes us to the opera (inside her tiny apartment)… The Posts bring etiquette gifts that never expire…We learn about the secret that brilliant cartoonist George Herriman (“Krazy Kat”) kept ’til his death… Rico samples guarapo, Cuba’s signature street […]
