Wild Card with Rachel Martin

Celine Song, a talented film director known for 'Past Lives' and 'Materialists,' shares her creative journey and insights about love. She emphasizes the power of slowing down, savoring silence, and viewing meals as sacred moments. The conversation touches on embracing laziness for creativity, navigating the emotional complexities of intimacy, and expressing love through words. Celine also reflects on transformative experiences in filmmaking and the unexpected life lessons learned from cockroaches, injecting humor and wisdom into her artistic narrative.

Jenny Han feels like the same person as her teenage self – which might explain why her books and their adaptations connect so strongly with teen audiences. Her "To All The Boys" and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" franchises are streaming juggernauts – among teens and adults. Jenny spoke with Rachel about the importance of writing about love and why embarrassment feels so close to the surface. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Michelle Obama, former First Lady and advocate for education and women's rights, discusses her journey of self-empowerment. She reflects on embracing personal ambition, saying 'no' to societal expectations while launching her podcast with her brother. The importance of family bonds, maintaining authenticity in public life, and the transformative power of personal choices are key topics. Obama emphasizes living meaningfully and the urgency of engaging positively within communities.

Kyle MacLachlan says he wouldn't have a career without his friend and longtime collaborator David Lynch, who died earlier this year. His first gig was on Lynch's "Dune" which was followed up by "Blue Velvet" and then by their iconic run together on the series "Twin Peaks". In this bonus episode, MacLachlan shares what it was like to live in Lynch's world. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Kyle MacLachlan is known for his iconic roles in David Lynch classics like "Blue Velvet" and "Twin Peaks," but he's reinvented himself again and again throughout the years. His recent work includes roles in the TV series "Fallout" and "Overcompensating." He's also cultivated a huge following on TikTok and Instagram where his harm is on full display for a new generation of fans. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Jason Reynolds writes stories that don't talk down to kids. In young adult books like "Long Way Down," "Ghost" and two Miles Morales Spider-Man novels, there is a clear understanding: kids are complicated people, and Jason treats them that way. His newest audio-only book is called "Soundtrack." He talks with Rachel about the value of being a crier and the advice about rest he got from LeVar Burton. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Orville Peck is full of apparent contradictions. As a kid in South Africa, he went from dancing ballet to playing drums in a punk band. He loves musical theater but made a name for himself as a country singer. He sings about vulnerability but covers his face with a mask. Peck talks to Rachel about embracing those contradictions and about starring in "Cabaret" on Broadway. To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Ramy Youssef's creative pursuits range from stand-up to his semi-biographical Hulu show, "Ramy," to his new animated series, "#1 Happy Family USA." In all of his efforts, he says he's just trying to make work that feels exciting to him. Ramy is one of the costars of the new HBO film, "Mountainhead." He talks to Rachel about his gripe with Santa Claus and reckoning with his mortality.To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

When Mike Birbiglia tells a story, he tries to make it relatable to everyone in the audience – whether it's tapping into his childhood anxiety, relating his clumsy attempts at self improvement or sharing his earnest fears about his aging parents. Mike's new Netflix special is The Good Life. He shares with Rachel how he learns valuable lessons from writing jokes, and explains how found some peace.To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Join Jonathan Groff, Broadway sensation and Tony nominee, as he shares his journey of self-discovery through music and theater. He candidly discusses losing faith at a Youth for Christ camp, where he confronted his sexuality and found refuge in performance art. Groff reflects on the importance of community support, the transforming nature of fame, and the deep connections forged through storytelling. With humor and heartfelt insights, he explores the balance between personal authenticity and professional success.