Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania governor and former state Attorney General who prosecuted clergy abuse, reflects on resilience after the arson at his home. He discusses his upbringing, evolving views on Israel-Palestine, why he opposed defunding the police, prosecuting abuse cases, the VP vetting process, and the future direction of his party. Short, candid, and personal.

Joachim Trier, a Norwegian writer-director known for intimate films about memory and family, discusses Sentimental Value and its focus on father-daughter and sibling dynamics. He talks about grounding scenes in presence, collaborating with Eskil Vogt, how skating shaped his visual sense, essayistic set pieces across his films, and being inspired by Scorsese to keep stirring the sauce.

Rose Byrne, award-nominated actor known for Bridesmaids, Damages, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, discusses shaping a fragile, unraveling mother and the long collaboration with director Mary Bronstein. She talks about performing intense, compact shoots, mixing comedy with crisis, working with Conan O’Brien and Heath Ledger, and confronting early-career sexism while finding comic agency.

Ryan Coogler, filmmaker behind Creed and Black Panther, discusses how Sinners grew from Wakanda Forever and family memories. He talks blues music as a creative fuel. He recalls pivotal moments like seeing Boys n the Hood, shifting from football to film, leading with kindness, and the influence of Chadwick Boseman and his uncle.

Jacob Soboroff, veteran political reporter and author who has covered immigration enforcement and wildfires, speaks from the front lines. He describes ICE raids across US cities, community organizing and protests, contrasts media portrayals with on-the-ground reality, traces enforcement history, and reflects on accountability, recruitment tactics, and whether culture can push back on harsh policies.

Anderson .Paak, Grammy-winning singer, rapper, drummer, and songwriter known for Silk Sonic and collaborations with Dr. Dre, talks about directing his film K-Pops and how pandemic fatherhood sparked the idea. He revisits his Oxnard roots, discovering drums in church, breakout SoundCloud moments like “Suede,” and the whirlwind after Malibu. He also teases future projects from DJing to filmmaking.

George Saunders, acclaimed novelist and Booker Prize winner known for compassionate, inventive fiction. He discusses his new novel Vigil, its afterlife setting and climate themes. Brief stories about near-death moments and a formative Singapore experience. Conversations about crafting difficult voices, moral stakes of writing about climate denial, and literature’s role in comfort and connection.

Ramy Youssef, comedian, actor, writer and director known for creating and starring in Rami, discusses Ramadan as a grounding ritual. He talks about season three’s crisis of faith, growing up Muslim in New Jersey, a Bell’s palsy turning point, early TV struggles, and influences like Curb Your Enthusiasm. Conversations touch on identity, creative risk, and what he wants to make next.

Will Arnett, actor and podcaster known for Arrested Development and SmartLess, chats about turning John Bishop’s real story into his new film. He revisits early NYC hustle, voiceover roots, a pivotal Amsterdam meeting, working with Mitch Hurwitz, handling criticism and failure, and the joys of podcasting and family reactions.

Patti Smith, the Godmother of Punk and celebrated poet, shares her journey from South Jersey to New York's artistic scene. She reflects on discovering Bob Dylan and how her factory job inspired the poem 'Piss Factory.' Patti discusses her life with Robert Mapplethorpe and the whirlwind of making her debut album, 'Horses.' She also delves into her recent memoir, 'Bread of Angels,' emphasizing voice for the silenced, and shares her thoughts on political outrage and the lessons of aging. Her candid stories weave a rich tapestry of creativity and resilience.