How To Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black

#42 Daniel Kahneman

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 10:50:34 +0000

When Michael spoke to Five Thirty Eight’s founder Nate Silver, he highly recommended Daniel Kahneman’s groundbreaking book Thinking Fast and Slow. Now, Michael talks to Kahneman, the Nobel Prize-winning author and founder of behavioral economics, in a rare interview, in which he not only discusses his best-selling book, but also shares personal stories about growing up Jewish in Nazi-occupied Paris, his early years in the Psychology branch of the Israel Defense Forces and his fascinating research on decision making and happiness.

#41 Sonia Manzano

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 08:56:49 +0000

On this episode, Michael talks with Sonia Manzano on the heels of her recent Lifetime Achievement Emmy. Manzano is best known as “Maria” on Sesame Street, a character she played for 44 years. In the humorous and heartfelt conversation, she opens up about her early days on the iconic children’s program, learning how to work alongside the muppets and how she escaped a difficult childhood in the South Bronx to become an actress, writer, educator, and memoirist.

#40 Penn Jillette

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 09:00:18 +0000

Legendary magician and raconteur Penn Jillette has a keen eye for calling out the bullshit around him, but it took a dangerous health scare for him to realize his own eating habits were going to kill him if he didn’t make drastic changes to his diet. In this episode he and Michael discuss how his desire to never take the easy route has helped make him a great magician and showman, and pushed him to lose over 100 pounds without surgery.

#39 Harlan Coben

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:12:00 +0000

Best-selling author Harlan Coben has sold over 60 million books in 43 different languages. In this episode he talks to Michael in a remarkably practical way about how he does it - his writing process, how he dreams up his wildly imaginative and fun murder mysteries, his approach to marketing his books and more. A not-to-miss episode for anyone who aspires to write or just wants to know how a big bestseller is put together.

#38 Tim Gunn

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 09:17:23 +0000

The fashion therapist and Project Runway mentor chats with Michael about his journey from an art student to one of the most trusted names in the fashion world. In this deeply personal and heartfelt conversation Gunn opens up about his struggles with learning to be comfortable in his own skin and using his talent, creativity and passion for the arts to inspire others.

#37 Valerie Plame

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 00:07:34 +0000

As a spy, Valerie Plame’s job was for nobody to know her identity. All that changed when members of George W. Bush’s administration outed her to a reporter in retaliation for her husband public criticism of the Bush administration’s use of intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq War. Simply, her life as she knew it, was ruined. In the years since, she rebuilt her life and using what she learned in her years as a CIA operative, has become outspoken about issues concerning cyber security and nuclear threat, among others. Her experience from 2003 is eerily relevant to events happening today.

#36 Michael Showalter

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:33:49 +0000

Michael sits down with his friend and fellow member of the comedy troupes The State and Stella for a lively, hilarious and moving conversation about finding your voice in the entertainment industry. The two reminisce about their early days on MTV, and Showalter talks candidly about the rejection and failed TV shows that lead him to his true passion behind the camera writing and directing films such as the cult classic Wet Hot American Summer and the indie darling Hello, My Name is Doris; starring Sally Field.

#35 Wayne Pacelle

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 22:05:55 +0000

Wayne Pacelle took his childhood love of animals and made a career, you might even call it a crusade, helping them. As the President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, Pacelle has learned to be a master strategizer to push change, sometimes in small steps, sometimes in big reforms. For anyone who cares about an issue, but thinks it’s too big or unwieldy to ever make a dent, Pacelle’s approach to animal welfare will be inspirational.

#34 Lauren Mayberry

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 00:03:48 +0000

The lead singer, co-producer and co-writer of the Scottish pop band Chvrches talks to Michael about her journey from being a law school student and journalist in Glasgow to performing in front of thousands of people. Her openness about what it’s entailed is a fascinating glimpse into the life of ascending celebrity as she shares details of keeping it all together and her response to misogynistic attacks on social media and at shows that almost crushed her .

#33 Dan Savage

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:30:17 +0000

America’s leading sex advice columnist known for his popular Savage Love column and podcast talks to Michael about how growing up a closeted gay person in a religious Catholic family prepared him for the job of letting people know they are normal, no matter what their sexual interests may be.

#32 Memorial Day Special: Bryan Doerries

Mon, 30 May 2016 10:44:36 +0000

Bryan Doerries is possibly the least likely defense contractor who has ever existed (background in the classics, and the kid of psychologists), but has become responsible for one of the biggest collaborations in history between the U.S. Military and the arts world.

He’s using greek tragedies written more than 2,000 years ago to start conversations and a process of healing in communities that are dealing with some of the darkest things that humans have to deal with— war trauma, imprisonment, and addiction.

#31 Krista Tippett

Wed, 25 May 2016 09:48:21 +0000

On this episode, Michael goes deep with Krista Tippett. Tippett has devoted her professional life to asking the big questions on her show, On Being. Questions about faith and science and love and how we should live our lives are posed in such an engaging, thought-provoking way that it’s no wonder she has amassed a huge following on both public radio and through her popular podcast.

#30 Max Brooks

Wed, 11 May 2016 00:37:14 +0000

When you grow up the only child of two very famous parents, most people don’t expect much from you, but Max Brooks wanted to prove to himself that he was more than just “Mel Brook’s kid.” After trying his hand at various pursuits, he channeled his lifelong inclination toward the worst case scenario and wrote “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “World War Z,” which not only became huge hits among zombie fans, but in the world at large because if you drop the zombie part of the title, he has a great deal of good advice for anyone concerned with disaster survival.

#29 Suzy Favor-Hamilton

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 13:02:16 +0000

Suzy Favor-Hamilton was propelled into the spotlight at a young age as a talented middle distance runner. She went on to become a three-time Olympian. But as her running career came to an end, she experienced extreme mania from bipolar disorder which fed a dangerous desire for adrenaline that led her to become a high-end, Las Vegas escort.

#28 Jim Gaffigan

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 00:15:33 +0000

In his early years as a comedian, Jim Gaffigan struggled to find his own comedic point of view. It took him years to figure out that his best work meant being comfortable as his clean self and having faith that funny is funny, even without profanity. Along with his writing partner, and wife, Jeanie, Gaffigan has become one of the most popular comedians working today.

#27 Audra McDonald

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 11:04:57 +0000

The record-breaking, six-time Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald went from a hyper-active kid performing in the local dinner theater to Broadway mega-star. In this episode, Michael chats with her about failed auditions, letting go of her idea of perfection, and how she learned to embraces new challenges, such as learning to tap dance for her upcoming role in Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed.

#26 Chuck Klosterman

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:44:27 +0000

Chuck Klosterman is best known for his wildly popular books on music and pop cultural including the mega hits “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto” and “Killing Yourself to Live,” in which he writes about subjects he is passionate about-from heavy metal to breakfast cereals and everything in between. In this episode Klosterman discusses his rise from small town boy to finding his place as one of America’s best loved cultural critics.

#25 John Leguizamo

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 00:55:16 +0000

Actor and playwright John Leguizamo has become famous for being an open book, which is apparent in his critically acclaimed one-man shows that chronicle his life from troublemaker to film star. In his conversation with Michael, he talks seriously about how he became a performer, how money and fame were never important, and how a Latin boy from Queens was able to carve out his own career in what he calls “Hollywon’t.”

#24 Naomi Klein

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 11:43:52 +0000

Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist, syndicated columnist and author of the international bestsellers, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies, and her latest This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate. Her ability to tackle and make understandable big subjects like global warming and unfettered capitalism have made her hugely popular and even offer us a ray of hope in the face of a seemingly dire future.

#23 Dan Harris

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 11:28:17 +0000

After years of covering wars oversee, it was reading the news on Good Morning America that nearly did in newsman Dan Harris after he suffered a major panic attack live on air. His nationally televised wake-up call forced him to stop self-medicating with recreational drugs and start a search for serenity. His incredible journey navigating the self-help world and ultimately finding his key to peace, is a refreshing and convincing story for anyone who has issues embracing the spiritual scene but wouldn’t mind exploring how to be happier.

#22 Baratunde Thurston

Wed, 20 Jan 2016 10:44:22 +0000

Baratunde Thurston grew up in a poor, drug plagued neighborhood in D.C. then spent years in the elite private school Sidwell Friends before being accepted at Harvard. Having straddled these two worlds, Thurston was perfectly positioned to write THE book on race in America which became the New York Times bestseller How To Be Black. His funny, charming, accessible personality makes him a highly sought-after public speaker and thought leader. He’s now head of digital content on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah.

#21 Felicia Day

Thu, 07 Jan 2016 01:18:52 +0000

When Felicia Day moved to Hollywood after being a musical and math prodigy in college, she expected that being an actress would be as easy. She was not used to failing. But until she figured out that she had to carve her own career by writing and starring in the hit web series, “The Guild” which used her love of gaming as the basis, success eluded her. Now with the publication of her memoir, “You’re Never Weird On The Internet,” Day walks Michael through how she made her own success on her terms, and what happens when you get what you want.

#20 David Sedaris Part 2 Family

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:48:36 +0000

In Part 2 of Michael’s interview with David Sedaris, they talk about growing up Sedaris and how his relationship with his father motivated him to be the writer he is today.

#19 David Sedaris Part 1Money

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 00:30:04 +0000

Beloved author David Sedaris became a household name in his mid-thirties when he performed his iconic holiday story “SantaLand Diaries” on public radio. 20 years later he is now a bestselling author who tours the world routinely selling out venues full of loyal fans, In Part 1 of his interview, Michael talks to David about how he crafts his stories and how his career as a writer and performer became so successful.

#18 Alexis Ohanian

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:33:15 +0000

In his early 20’s Alexis Ohanian and his partner Steve Huffman started the popular social media site Reddit.com which made him a millionaire after they sold the site to Condé Nast in 2006. Ohanian has gone on to be a internet entrepreneur, activist and investor. He’s got a unique and engaging perspective on creativity and technology that is both accessible and fascinating.

#17 Bobcat Goldthwait

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 04:29:44 +0000

In the late 80’s and 90’s Bobcat Goldthwait was one of the biggest comedians in the US. His trademark voice and sharp black comedy led him to financial success in Hollywood films and videos, but he was miserable. At the height of his so-called success, Goldthwait chucked it all and decide to focus on writing, directing, and most of all, being happy.

#16 Ingrid Michaelson

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 11:00:47 +0000

Ingrid Michaelson is the best-selling recording artist of such hits as “Girls Chase Boys” and “The Way I Am.” While her voice certainly qualifies her as amazing, it’s the path she chose to follow as a recording artist that is so interesting. Michaelson bypassed the established labels so that she could release her music on her own and found success as a recording artist on her own terms.

#15 A.D. Miles

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:20:33 +0000

In this episode, Michael chats with A.D. Miles about his journey from prop stylist to his current job as head writer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The Wet, Hot American Summer co-stars discuss everything from being booed off the stage, to meeting Lorne Michaels and the behind-the-scenes of working on one of the most successful television franchises in history.

#14 Tom Colicchio

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:00:15 +0000

Superstar chef Tom Colicchio went from flipping grilled cheese in his bare feet at a concession stand to overseeing a restaurant empire. When he’s not busy in his own kitchens he can be found judging the hit Bravos show, Top Chef, working to fund food banks and testifying before Congress on behalf of the 50 million Americans struggling with hunger.

#13 Chris Hardwick

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:30:58 +0000

King of the nerds, Chris Hardwick, sits down with Michael to discuss how he figured it all out. The talk show host and CEO of Nerdist Industries got his start on the MTV game show Singled Out. After several years of abusing alcohol and not being able to pay his rent, Chris quit booze, stopped acting and decided to make a world out of the things he’s passionate about which organically led to a build-it-and-they-will-come multi million-dollar business.

#12 Megan Mullally

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:09:58 +0000

After barely paying her rent for years trying to make it as an actress, Megan Mullally hit the big time playing the wealthy, alcoholic socialite Karen Walker on the Emmy Award winning TV sitcom Will & Grace. Her funny, warm and thoughtful take on fame is nothing less than inspirational.

#11 Nate Silver

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:36:21 +0000

In this episode, Michael talks with Nate Silver, the founder and editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight.com, who is a statistical celebrity. His take on data is not only accessible and fascinating to those of us who flunked algebra, but it’s correct and has garnered him a huge following and a shout out from President Obama.

#10 Frank Rich

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:55:20 +0000

In this episode, Michael hears about the fascinating life of Frank Rich whose career includes stints as the Chief Theater Critic for The New York Times, then moving departments to become their Op-Ed columnist and now being the Executive Producer of one of the best shows on TV, Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

#9 Miranda July

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:06:15 +0000

Award-winning filmmaker, writer and multimedia artist, Miranda July seems to have dreams of conquering the world. Unlike most of us, she has wicked follow-through that demands the world’s attention in the best way. Her unusual childhood has left her with a unique, and very funny, outlook on the world.

#8 Brian Greene

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:00:06 +0000

In this episode, Michael takes listeners into the world of the theoretical physicist and string theorist, Brian Greene, who has the unusual gift for not only understanding some of the world’s most difficult mathematical equations, but being able to explain them and make them fascinating to the rest of the population.

#7 Carl Tanner

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:00:12 +0000

Operatic tenor, Carl Tanner, spent years hiding from his voice, first as a truck driver and then a bounty hunter until he finally decided to put the guns down and pursue his incredible talent. Today he sings on the biggest opera stages in the world. His fascinating story is not to be missed.

#6 Amy Schumer

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:07:22 +0000

Michael sits down with his friend and fellow comedian, Amy Schumer to discuss her years trying to make it in stand-up, how she made her hit Comedy Central show Inside Amy Schumer, and her upcoming film with Judd Apatow, Trainwreck.

#5 Kevin Smith

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 15:00:58 +0000

Michael takes us into the world of the fascinating, profane, indie movie director, Kevin Smith, who helped change the world of movie-making with his first film, Clerks. For anyone who has had a dream and failed. And failed again. And again, this guy will make you want to get up and keep trying.

#4 Bob Odenkirk

Tue, 26 May 2015 15:04:40 +0000

Actor, comedian and author Bob Odenkirk talks about his professional journey starting as a brash young writer for Saturday Night Live, to working as one half of the HBO cult comedy series, Mr. Show with Bob and David, to becoming a break out star in the hit series, Breaking Bad which spawned his own hit series, Better Call Saul. Along the way Odenkirk realized an important lesson that sometimes being a bull in a china shop isn’t always the best approach.

#3 Tavi Gevinson

Tue, 26 May 2015 15:02:08 +0000

Michael meets Tavi Gevinson, who while still a teen, now oversees a staff of fifty people at her magazine Rookie which grew out of her popular fashion blog, Style Rookie (which she began at age 11). In this conversation, we learn how Tavi is successfully navigating a life people twice her age would struggle with.

#2 Lin-Manuel Miranda

Tue, 26 May 2015 15:01:37 +0000

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the the Tony Award winning-lyricist who’s musical In the Heights catapulted him on the Broadway scene at a very young age and is now taking his new hit, Hamilton, the hip-hop, pop, rap musical about the Founding Fathers , to Broadway after a sold out run at The Public Theatre. The two discuss his passion for hip-hop music, building a hit Broadway show, working with Neil Patrick Harris and how he was able to combine his love of musical theater and hip hop to successfully make a career out of doing what he loves.

#1 Elizabeth Gilbert

Tue, 26 May 2015 15:00:50 +0000

The best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love (among many other great works) Elizabeth Gilbert talks to Michael about creative process - her own and others who have inspired her in this interview that covers some big topics, peppered with lots of laughs and that unmistakable Gilbert charm.

Welcome to How To Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black

Mon, 11 May 2015 08:20:30 +0000

Amazing people are all around us. In this new, in-depth interview show from PRX, Michael Ian Black takes us into the minds of some of the most fascinating celebrities, newsmakers and maybe even a few people you’ve never heard of (but should definitely know) to discuss how they became, well, amazing. (Note: no minds were … Continue reading