Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Three years ago Jenny and Sam promised to reconvene in 2020 (if only they knew what 2020 would look like). Nevertheless, today they make good on that promise. In the intervening years, Jenny wrote a book, titled Little Weirds. It's a collection of (vaguely) autobiographical stories from the heart, about the heart. It's also the springboard for this discussion, which dives into her childhood desire to be seen (7:02), the therapeutic quality of writing (11:05), a life-altering trip to Norway (22:54), a Jo Stafford staple that framed her ideas around romance (29:05), and how she learned how to love again (37:41). To close, we sit with a passage from our 2017 discussion, reflecting on what those words mean now (44:33).  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Malcolm Gladwell, the best-selling author and podcaster behind Revisionist History, returns to share his insights. He reflects on teenage rebellion in Canada and discusses the backlash from the Harper's letter on free speech. Gladwell delves into the ambiguity of strangers' behaviors and argues that social media distorts nuanced discussions. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection during protests and critiques simplistic views on policing. Running provides him a unique social world, while writing outside his expertise keeps his work fresh and engaging.

With the release of her new special, Douglas, Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby sits with us this week. We discuss life after the success Nanette (5:49), how she deals with sensory overload on stage (9:11), why the pandemic hasn't been so bad for her (11:42), how she was shaped by her mother's feisty energy (19:47), living in a world where we don’t know how to let go (26:17), being a keen observer (35:34), and whether or not she ever considered quitting stand-up comedy (43:49).  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary American author and public speaker Fran Lebowitz joins us via landline. In conversation, there's nothing off-the-table for the famously persnickety sexagenarian. We discuss how she's weathering the COVID crisis as a tried-and-true New Yorker (12:28), her clear-eyed views on race and racism (15:53), the impact of her friendship with the late Toni Morrison (28:23), her lifelong disinterest in domesticity (38:04), the hostility she received as a literary wunderkind (44:12), the impact of AIDS on the artistic community (51:57), and whether she stills wants to work through her notorious “writer's blockade” (1:11:36).  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Run The Jewels is an American hip-hop super duo that features the talents of Brooklyn rapper/producer El-P and Atlanta emcee Killer Mike. This week, they sit down with us to talk about the labels the media has placed on them (7:15), the value of dreaming (16:16), the inner-workings of how they create together (21:35), their philosophies on the purpose of rap (28:00), why the night of November 24th, 2014 changed them (32:17), their role in this precarious moment (38:20), and, finally, whether they believe RTJ was destiny (47:38).  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Documentarians Bill and Turner Ross have been painting portraits of American life for over a decade. Their latest film, Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets, marks a step in a bold, new direction, blurring the line between fact and fiction. Now available through Film at Lincoln Center, the movie unfolds during the final 24hrs. of a Las Vegas dive-bar. Regulars regale one another with memories of the shuttering institution– a home away from home. It's a story of a surrogate family, bound together by this bar, forced to confront the end of an era. This week's bonus episode with Bill and Turner get into how and why this breathtaking piece of work was made.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hasan Minhaj, a renowned comedian and former Daily Show correspondent, delves into the unique stress of living through historical events and the lessons of parenting during a pandemic. He shares insights on finding his voice in comedy and the revolutionary power of political satire for immigrant families. Hasan reflects on Hollywood's challenges, the importance of personal identity in his work, and the need for safe spaces to make mistakes. He also discusses the legacy he hopes to create for his children, emphasizing the significance of faith and storytelling.

Dr. Ashish Jha (Director of the Harvard Global Health Institute) joins us this week to give us science-based updates on the global pandemic. We discuss the federal government’s inconsistent approach to COVID-19 (9:40), the truth about transmission rates (13:00), the affect masks can have on numbers country-wide (20:55), the restlessness of the older generation (32:24), predictions of the second wave (36:50), and his hope of overcoming the pandemic (40:24). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A bonus episode! And a personal one at that. Back in February I directed a music video for Radnor & Lee, the folk duo created by artists Josh Radnor and Ben Lee. Today we discuss using their platforms to take a stance on the ongoing social injustices (3:20), the process of making their latest record, Golden State (11:00), finding a balance within each other (23:00), living a life full of passion (31:09), the expectations between creators and consumers (40:02), and why their working relationship works (43:38).  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we celebrate Father's Day with the great Dolores Huerta! An icon within in my Latino family, she's a trailblazing labor leader, civil rights activist, and community organizer. At age 90, she joins us this week to share her mother's words of wisdom that compelled her to fight for people (15:34), how she co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez (22:06), our civic duty to lend a helping hand (42:37), persevering after being brutally attacked by the police (54:31), working with those who hold differing views (59:00), and why, ultimately, she loves people (1:05:28). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.