Podcast appearances and mentions of Sean Hayes

December 9-16, 2000 This week Ken welcomes pun loving comedian behind the comedy special "Hyperbolic", Matthew Broussard. Ken and Matthew discuss Pokemon, the repressed feelings from the turn of the century, giving up video games, enjoying arts and crafts, not being into sports, swimming, genius ads, homoerotic break in fantasies used to sell breath mints, Madden, sculpting, the genius of gang signs, economy of words, living in a sponsored society, SNL, the one t-shirt that offended Ken, being polite, miss opportunities with Tony Hawk, having your own rope, naked babies on Al Roker, Braveheart, the Discover E-Book, Cartoon Cartoon, Cow and Chicken, I am Weasel, how Adventure Time might just be the greatest show of the 21st Century, Emergency Vets handle vomiting monkeys, South Park, financial struggles, Sopranos, Malcolm in the Middle, Kirk Cameron hosting Santa's Funniest Moments, Brad Pitt's early days on Growing Pains, over the top acting, the heavy drama of Hey! Arnold!, Becker, Becker's 9/11 episode, silly accents, Uma Thurman for president, The Riddler, how Tom Waits influenced the Joker, the moneyball-ificiation of America, the mixed world of childhood play, limitless imagination, Looney Tunes, being shot in front of a live audience, puns, Tom Kenny, the Ice King, old school voice over talent, Sex and the City, Will and Grave, Tom and Jerry, writing for Sean Hayes, The Real World, how Puck is an a-hole, how Carrie is the Villain, how Ferris Buheler is the villain, and the man who is married to Claire Danes. 

On this special Monopoly-themed episode of ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan and constant contestant Sean Hayes invite Sean's husband Scotty Icenogle to play a new game where the instructions are very simple: Do Not Pass Go! Elliott will give a series of clues, and every answer ends in the letters G-O. The questions increase in difficulty, leading to a MegaClue round where they are worth five points each! Subscribe to ClueLess HERE.New episodes every Monday and Thursday.Puzzles in this episode are by Josh Richmond and Jason Reich.Script by Elliott Kalan.Music and sound effects by Devon Torrey Bryant. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

It was late in the night, the vibes were just right, A Seuss-style descent into a mad spoilerman's delight. Korey's last in-person pod, and the Cat wore a grin, Mike Myers went wild in prosthetic chaotic sin! Pappy, Mikey, Brett also joined the fray— One final romp before Kylo's away. In this live-action film based on the favorite children's tale, the trouble-making Cat in the Hat (Mike Myers) arrives at the home of bored young Sally Walden (Dakota Fanning) and her brother, Conrad (Spencer Breslin), while their mother (Kelly Preston) is out. The family's pet fish (Sean Hayes) objects to the Cat's presence, but that doesn't stop the hat-wearing giant feline from trying to have fun, no matter how much destruction is left in his wake. Release date: November 21, 2003 (USA) Director: Bo Welch Distributed by: Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, United International Pictures, FilmFlex Adapted from: The Cat in the Hat Box office: $133.9 million

U Guys, star of the stage and screen, and cast member of the upcoming Broadway musical Just In Time, Emily Bergl is here! Emily Bergl is a true Broadway vet, having done eight Broadway shows, from classic works like Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, to playing opposite Sean Hayes in the critically acclaimed play Good Night, Oscar as June Levant. In this episode, we dive into her amazing career, as she shares about her experience as an actor both on the Broadway stage and in front of the camera on shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shameless, and Desperate Housewives. She touches on the importance of learning as you grow, and how her life has changed since becoming a mother. We talk about working alongside your idols, and how to cultivate longevity in a career in the arts. Emily is truly one of the best, U don't wanna miss this episode! Follow Emily on Instagram: @emilybergl Follow the pod on Instagram: @ohmypoduguys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Sean Hayes makes his 5th Industrial Strength Show appearance - and as per usual - he does NOT disappoint! Sean is the former head strength & conditioning coach at the WWE Performance Center and current Director of Player Performance for the UFL. On today's episode you'll hear him discuss a number of different topics including: Sean's transition from the XFL to the [newly formed] UFL; The new technology being used in the UFL to measure recovery & performance; Training lineman vs skill position players; The difference between working with pro football players and pro wrestlers; Why there are so many machines in the UFL weight room; Why Sean & Joe incorporate "bodybuilding" methods into their athletes' programs; Funny Brian Cushing weight room story [from when Sean was a strength coach w/ the Houston Texans]; The most impressive feats of strength/power/performance Sean has witnessed as a coach; Private/Powerful conversations that Sean has had with WWE superstars during their lowest points; Hilarious wrestler impersonations...And MORE! *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com. Important Links | People Mentioned `Sean Hayes (@fla_hayes) Dave Rienzi (@daverienzi) Brian Cushing (@brian56cushing) Montez Ford (@montezfordwwe) Rhea Ripley (@rhearipley_wwe) Bianca Belair (@biancabelairwwe) Liv Morgan (@yaonlylivvonce) AMPED WARM-UP 3.0 CPPS certification [code: JOED30] 

This week Sean Hayes makes his 5th Industrial Strength Show appearance - and as per usual - he does NOT disappoint! Sean is the former head strength & conditioning coach at the WWE Performance Center and current Director of Player Performance for the UFL. On today's episode you'll hear him discuss a number of different topics including: Sean's transition from the XFL to the [newly formed] UFL; The new technology being used in the UFL to measure recovery & performance; Training lineman vs skill position players; The difference between working with pro football players and pro wrestlers; Why there are so many machines in the UFL weight room; Why Sean & Joe incorporate "bodybuilding" methods into their athletes' programs; Funny Brian Cushing weight room story [from when Sean was a strength coach w/ the Houston Texans]; The most impressive feats of strength/power/performance Sean has witnessed as a coach; Private/Powerful conversations that Sean has had with WWE superstars during their lowest points; Hilarious wrestler impersonations...And MORE! *For a full list of Show Notes + Timestamps visit www.IndustrialStrengthShow.com. Important Links | People Mentioned `Sean Hayes (@fla_hayes) Dave Rienzi (@daverienzi) Brian Cushing (@brian56cushing) Montez Ford (@montezfordwwe) Rhea Ripley (@rhearipley_wwe) Bianca Belair (@biancabelairwwe) Liv Morgan (@yaonlylivvonce) AMPED WARM-UP 3.0 CPPS certification [code: JOED30] 

On this episode of ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan and constant contestant Sean Hayes invite Sean's good friend Jeff Max to hit the gym for Word Workout! Each of the words we give you wants to slim down by one letter, and the remaining letters can be rearranged to answer the given clue. Keep track of all discarded letters to defeat the MegaClue! Subscribe to ClueLess HERE.New episodes every Monday and Thursday.Puzzles in this episode are by Josh Richmond.Script by Elliott Kalan.Music and sound effects by Devon Torrey Bryant. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Nick takes a deep dive into one of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live ever: Season 26, which aired from October 2000 to May 2001. Fueled by a memorable election and a powerhouse cast, this season delivered sharp comedy and some of the most iconic sketches in SNL history. Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon took over the Weekend Update desk, while veteran cast members like Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan, Molly Shannon, Darrell Hammond, and newcomers like Maya Rudolph and Rachel Dratch kept the laughs coming. You'll hear some of the most unforgettable sketches from this standout season, including the legendary debate sketch featuring "strategery" and "lockbox," and the Jeffrey's Clothing Store sketch with the world's smallest cell phone. Nick also shares behind-the-scenes stories—including the shocking moment when someone actually broke their neck during an episode—and revisits the work of some fantastic hosts, including Christopher Walken, Calista Flockhart, Tom Green, Julia Stiles, and Sean Hayes. Season 26 was a high point for SNL, and this episode brings back all the best moments! [Ep 115]

We present our conclusion to Black History Month with actor focus; this time we celebrate the career of Samuel L. Jackson!  We're looking 3 of his starring vehicles Snakes on a Plane, then The Great White Hype and finally Soul Men, also starring the late, great Bernie Mac!Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most iconic, prolific, and versatile actors in modern cinematic history. With a career spanning over five decades, Jackson has appeared in more than 150 films, cementing his status as a cultural icon and a box office powerhouse. His breakthrough role came in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever (1991), but it was his unforgettable performance as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994) that propelled him to global stardom. That role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and introduced audiences to his signature blend of charisma, intensity, and humor — all delivered with that unmistakable commanding voice.Throughout his career, Jackson has balanced blockbuster success with critically acclaimed performances. He's a staple in Tarantino's films, appearing in Jackie Brown, Django Unchained, and The Hateful Eight, showcasing his ability to deliver complex, morally ambiguous characters with unmatched flair. His work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury has made him a cornerstone of one of the most successful film franchises in history, introducing him to a new generation of fans.Despite his widespread popularity, Samuel L. Jackson's awards recognition has often lagged behind his cultural impact. In addition to his Oscar nomination for Pulp Fiction, Jackson has received numerous honors, including a BAFTA Award, Golden Globe nominations, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2022, recognizing his lifetime achievements and contributions to cinema.Jackson's legacy is defined not only by his memorable performances but also by his ability to elevate even the most minor roles into something unforgettable. Whether in gritty dramas, high-octane action films, or sharp comedies, his presence demands attention, often turning supporting parts into scene-stealing moments. Beyond acting, Jackson's influence extends to his advocacy for diversity in Hollywood, his mentorship of younger actors, and his efforts to champion independent filmmakers.With a career that seamlessly spans indie gems, blockbusters, and prestige films, Samuel L. Jackson stands as a living legend whose legacy is defined by his versatility, consistency, and undeniable cultural presence — a true icon whose impact will resonate for generations to come.Snakes on a Plane is a 2006 American action thriller[3] film directed by David R. Ellis and starring Samuel L. Jackson. It was released by New Line Cinema on August 18, 2006, in North America and the UK. The film was written by David Dalessandro, John Heffernan, and Sebastian Gutierrez and follows the events of dozens of venomous snakes being released on a passenger plane in an attempt to kill a trial witness.The Great White Hype is a 1996 American sports comedy film directed by Reginald Hudlin. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Berg, Damon Wayans, Jeff Goldblum, Jon Lovitz, Cheech Marin, John Rhys-Davies, Salli Richardson and Jamie Foxx.The film satirizes racial preferences in boxing, and was inspired by Larry Holmes's 1982 fight with Gerry Cooney (who was known as "The Great White Hope") and Mike Tyson's 1995 return fight vs. Peter McNeeley. Entertainment Weekly called Rev. Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson) a "Don King-clone."Soul Men is a 2008 American musical comedy film directed by Malcolm D. Lee, and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sharon Leal and Sean Hayes, released on November 7, 2008. It was one of three Mac's films that were released after his death (and was actually released on the same date as another posthumous film, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa).Mac and Isaac Hayes died on August 9 and 10, 2008, respectively. Director Lee said the film was heavily re-edited to soften the tone of the film, as a tribute to the two actors.Disclaimer: The following may contain offensive language, adult humor, and/or content that some viewers may find offensive – The views and opinions expressed by any one speaker does not explicitly or necessarily reflect or represent those of Mark Radulich or W2M Network.Mark Radulich and his wacky podcast on all the things:https://linktr.ee/markkind76alsohttps://www.teepublic.com/user/radulich-in-broadcasting-networkFB Messenger: Mark Radulich LCSWTiktok: @markradulichtwitter: @MarkRadulichInstagram: markkind76RIBN Album Playlist: https://suno.com/playlist/91d704c9-d1ea-45a0-9ffe-5069497bad59

Sean Hayes shares details of his Tony Award winning show; we talk Madonna and a missed opportunity; We get excited about new GaGa; There's more from Amanda & Alan. This time kayaking in Spain; and we celebrate 40 years of LGBTQ+ in Eastenders The show complete with music is available at mixcould.com/thisisndebz Also search for us on Apple & Spotify Podcasts Catch up with the latest via @ThisisNDebz on Instagram & X (Twitter). If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can email us via

Topics: WYWG (Babygirl), Paige DeSorbo sets the record straight, Sean Hayes turned down Ariana Grande's sleepover invite, Teddi Melloncamp opens up about divorce, Wider's car accident Nuts or NotSPONSORS:Arya: VISIT Arya.fyi AND USE CODE TAYLOR for 15% off today!Quince: Go to Quince.com/taylor for free shipping on your order and 365-day returnsBoll & Branch: Get 15% off, plus free shipping on your first set of sheets at BollAndBranch.com with promo code TAYLORAcorns: Head to acorns.com/taylor or download the Acorns app to get startedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dean Richards, entertainment reporter for WGN, joins Bob Sirott to provide the latest news in entertainment. Bob and Dean discuss summer concert announcements, the death of Gene Barge, and an update on the Lively-Baldoni legal battle. They also talk about Sean Hayes’ “Good Night, Oscar” traveling to London and Dean’s interviews with Ke Huy Quan […]

Sean Hayes, Powder Ridge President and CEO talks about the winter season being off to a great start with snow making and cold temperatures. If its skiing or tubing down the mountain or just enjoying a meal with a great view Powder ridge does it all and if you need lessons they can help with that also. www.PowderRidgePark.com for more information

The Mark Moses Show is joined by his Surfing Coach Sean Hayes to recap Surfing Santas from Christmas Eve in Cocoa Beach and to preview the Weekend Surfing Report with Mark for a Friday.  Listen to The Mark Moses Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 pm eastern on Sports Radio 107.9 FM/1560 The Fan & Sportsradio1560.com. You can also listen to Mark Mid days on 95.9 The Rocket. Follow him on social media @markmosesshow

Welcome to a brand new, bite-sized game show from SmartLess Media: this is ClueLess, where every episode contains a different main game and cliffhanger puzzle, and every episode this season also contains Sean Hayes! Host Elliott Kalan (Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, The Flop House) will lead Sean and a rotating guest through each episode's conundrum, from anagrams to pop culture math puzzles to singing robots and more! New episodes every Monday and Thursday, follow the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss a clue! Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free episodes.

Show NotesIn this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriter Sean Hayes, whose music bridges folk, soul, and introspective grooves. They delve into the creative journey behind Sean's latest album, Be Like Water, exploring its thematic inspirations drawn from the I Ching and the funky influence of James Brown. Sean also shares the whimsical backstory of the song "Gold Tooth" and offers insight into the powerful, meditative single "That Bomb You Signed." Listeners will discover Sean's unique songwriting process, which blends improvisation with deeply emotional storytelling, and get a preview of what to expect at his upcoming show at Little Saint in Healdsburg on December 28. Whether you enjoy his intimate lyrics or dynamic live performances, this episode has heartfelt anecdotes and fascinating musical insights. Guest Information: Sean Hayes: Acclaimed folk and soul-inspired singer-songwriter with a career spanning over two decades. Website: seanhayesmusic.com Facebook: facebook.com/seanhayesmusic YouTube: youtube.com/user/seanhayesmusic Call-To-Action:Love what you hear? Subscribe to Backstage Bay Area on YouTube and Apple Podcasts for exclusive artist interviews and behind-the-scenes stories. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with fellow music enthusiasts! Get your tickets for Sean Hayes' upcoming show at Little Saint in Healdsburg on December 28 at 7 p.m. here. Make it a night to remember with dinner reservations at their café downstairs before the show. Podcast Playlist: "Gold Tooth" "Be Like Water" "That Bomb You Signed" Essential Takeaways: Sean Hayes' Be Like Water is a marriage of James Brown's funk and the wisdom of the I Ching, creating a soulful and introspective listening experience. Behind every song lies a story, from lost gold crowns inspiring "Gold Tooth" to reflections on war and humanity in "That Bomb You Signed." Sean's live shows balance intimacy and energy, adapting to the vibe of seated or standing audiences. Hashtags:#BackstageBayArea #SeanHayes #BeLikeWater #FolkSoulMusic #SingerSongwriter #PodcastInterview #MusicStories #LiveMusic

Welcome to a brand new, bite-sized game show from SmartLess Media, this is ClueLess, where every episode contains a different main game and cliffhanger puzzle, and every episode this season also contains Sean Hayes! Host Elliott Kalan (Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, The Flop House) will lead Sean and a rotating guest through each episode's conundrum, from anagrams to pop culture math puzzles to singing robots, and more! New episodes every Monday and Thursday, follow the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss a clue! Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free episodes.

Every year on Nov. 20, people around the world gather to remember lost loved ones for Trans Day of Remembrance. The day was created to recognize people who were murdered because of their transgender identity. The new organization called Trans Northland is holding events in both Duluth and Superior to remember lost peers and have important conversations about resilience. Trans Northland's executive director, Sean Hayes, joins MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the day.

On the debut episode of ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan and constant contestant Sean Hayes welcome Sean's SmartLess pals Will and Jason to play a round of It's A Numbers Game - we give you a simple math problem in the form of famous TV show titles with the numbers removed, can you solve the clues faster than Sean and friends? And even if you do, can you reckon with the MegaClue?! Subscribe to ClueLess HERE. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.Puzzles in this episode are by Matt Broussard and Josh Richmond. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

John is joined by actor and director Jason Bateman to discuss the runaway success of SmartLess, his podcast with Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, which was recently snapped up by SiriusXm for $100 million. Bateman—whose Emmy and Golden Globe-winning career spans four-plus decades, carrying him from “Little House on the Prairie” and “Teen Wolf Too” to “Arrested Development” and “Ozark”—reveals the recipe for SmartLess's secret sauce; why A-list Democrats (Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Tim Walz) find the show a low-key, high-impact place to visit; why the surreal reality show that is Donald Trump's public life has finally jumped the shark; and how the hair required for his role in “Black Rabbit,” his forthcoming Netflix limited series with Jude Law, launched a thousand Jason/Jesus memes. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mark Moses Show is joined by Surfing Coach Sean Hayes to preview The Weekend Surfing Report and the Meet the Space Coast Rising Stars event going on this Saturday at the Florida Surf Museum in Cocoa Beach.  Get more details on the link below.., Meet the Space Coast Rising Stars Listen to The Mark Moses Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 pm eastern on Sports Radio 107.9 FM/1560 The Fan & Sportsradio1560.com. You can also listen to Mark Mid days on 95.9 The Rocket. Follow him on social media @markmosesshow

“Stay in your lane, Heston” The panel of peril feed their cats (cat food). They next feed their dogs. Finally… finally… they are ready to watch this week's film Cats & Dogs (Lawrence Guterman, 2001). They are joined by Harley Mumford from Fandomentals podcast, who has also just fed his dog. A look at the top-secret, high-tech espionage war going on between cats and dogs, of which their human owners are blissfully unaware, Cats & Dogs features a talented voice cast including Tobey Maguire, Alec Baldwin, Sean Hayes and Joe Pantoliano. Which species shall win this particular war? Whoever wins, we lose. Or not. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ5RCk1iCY8 ********PLOT SPOILER ALERT******** Those dastardly cats plan to take over the world in one fell swoop by releasing a pathogen which will render every human being allergic to our canine friends. Truly diabolical, I'm sure you'll agree. Will they succeed, or will those silly doggos remain our best collective best friend? Did the panel enjoy this week's cinematic soupcon? Could they find a way to improve the feline's villainous plan? And who will be named this week's most diabolical (person/podcast((er)))? https://twitter.com/diabolicalpod https://www.instagram.com/diabolicalpod/ https://www.facebook.com/diabolicalpod Email diabolicalpod@gmail.com

Episode 147 | "Goes together like hot dogs and shrimp." In this episode of REMelations, Mindy kicks things off with a dream from T.S., who ditches a family lunch to go on a spontaneous date with an attractive server, only for things to go awry when he suddenly loses his hearing. Mindy and Brooke have fun interpreting what this sudden deafness could symbolize. In the Catnap segment, they dive into short, bizarre dreams, including a friendly extinction event in Canada, evil parents persuading their kids to self-harm, floating pentagram hair in pools, and Sean Hayes' hilarious fried chicken dream during open-heart surgery from the Smartless podcast. Brooke wraps up the episode by highlighting an Australian sleep program that helps Indigenous youth develop good sleep habits to combat social inequalities. This episode blends quirky dream fun with meaningful insight, so don't miss out! Help spread the word with this week's Celebrity Hashtag - #WhatDoesSeanHayesDream   Support the Show Ready to explore your dreams, snag some exclusive merch, unlock bonus content, or simply drop us a hello? Visit www.REMelations.com/support today!   Time Stamps & Content Warnings 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:25 -Quick Chat 00:03:17 - T.S. Impromptu Lunch Date Dream 00:10:25 - Promo | Support the Show 00:10:51 - Interpretation of T.S. Dream 00:23:00 - QOTW 00:27:00 - Cat Nap  Intro 00:27:59 - Basement Fears Dream 00:30:00 - Orderly Armageddon Dream 00:35:35 - Brain Operation Dream 00:36:48 - Mean Parents Dream (CW: Self Harm) 00:40:09 - Cut Off Finger Dream (CW: Self Harm) 00:42:19 - Hair Pentagram Dream 00:46:11 - Sean Hayes Fried Chicken Dream 00:46:50 - What Does Sean  Hayes Dream 00:49:21 - Promo | Tell a Bestie 00:49:55 - Topic | Sleep Equality for Australian First Nations Peoples 01:06:19 - Chit Chat 01:12:36 - Wrap Up 01:13:22 - End   Show Links Smartless Podcast - https://www.smartless.com/ Let's Yarn About Sleep - https://letsyarnaboutsleep.org/ Let's Yarn About Sleep: Culturally responsive sleep health care for First Nations Australians - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q1djG5y_wI Sleep Health and Its Implications in First Nation Australians: A Systematic Review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8844889/ University of Queensland Sleep Program for Outback Teenagers to be Expanded - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-07/indigenous-sleep-study-expanded-in-queensland/102811908  

This episode we are joined by actor Ben Rappaport!  Ben has appeared on Broadway in Picnic, Fiddler on the Roof and most recently Goodnight, Oscar opposite Tony winner Sean Hayes! Ben has also been seen on TV in Younger, For the People, Ozark, The Good Wife, Inventing Anna, Mr Robot, and (my personal favorite) Outsourced. You can catch him next on the new NBC series Grosse Point Garden Society and the upcoming movie Albany Road opposite Renée Elise Goldsberry!We talk with about what got him into performing, working theater refreshments, his amazing career on stage and screen, giving a little history lesson on the Belasco Theatre and much more!

Send us a textHow do you make sense of the bizarre yet captivating world of Yorgos Lanthimos? That's what my brother Mike and I aimed to uncover in our latest Oh Brother Podcast episode. We kicked things off by wrestling with the perplexing narrative and stylistic choices in "Kinds of Kindness." While I couldn't get past the dissonant music and stilted dialogue, Mike helped me see the method in the madness by connecting it to Lanthimos's other works like "Poor Things" and "The Lobster." We also chatted about the stellar performances from Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, and how they navigate the unsettling territory typical of Lanthimos's films.From there, our conversation veered into the realm of shocking and artistic filmmaking, especially within a trilogy of films that left us both disturbed and intrigued. Themes of control, dependence, and sexual perversion took center stage, with unforgettable performances by Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, and Emma Stone. We couldn't help but compare these avant-garde movies to classics like "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," ultimately finding a new appreciation for Lanthimos's nuanced storytelling, even if the explicit content continued to spark debate between us.To lighten the mood, we reminisced about a hilarious Saturday Night Live skit featuring Sean Hayes, Jimmy Fallon, and Will Ferrell. This set us off on a tangent about the role of absurdity and realism in film. We marveled at how dark material can unexpectedly be punctuated with humor, thanks to performances by actors like Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. Wrapping up the episode, we gave a heartfelt shout-out to our loyal supporters, especially our friends from the Rexer Show. We raised our "Oh Brother" mugs in gratitude and shared our excitement for future episodes. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with film analysis, humor, and a dash of absurdity!Actress Karissa Lee Staples Support the showOh Brother Podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Listen on all podcast platforms Follow us on Instagram Leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts

Send us a Text Message.This week on Broadway Besties, it's all about the legendary Kristin Chenoweth! (Recorded a few weeks ago, so it's a little out of order! Please forgive us!) From her unforgettable roles on Broadway to her standout performances in movies and TV shows, Mark and Amy dive deep into the life and career of this extraordinary talent. If you know Mark, you know his admiration for Kristin runs deep, and he's thrilled to share some personal stories, surprising facts, and heartfelt insights about her humility and impact on the entertainment world. Tune in for a heartfelt tribute to a true Broadway icon!

Dean Richards, entertainment reporter for WGN, joins Bob Sirott to provide the latest news in entertainment. With the DNC in town, many celebrities have flocked to Chicago including The Daily Show team and former Northwestern Wildcat Stephen Colbert, who also highlighted Chicago events with Glen Ellyn native Sean Hayes. Dean highlights another Chicagoan with Vince […]

Sean Hayes is the owner of Brownstone Park and Powder Ridge.  He discusses things to do at the quarry and the upcoming ski season

The Mark Moses Show is joined by his good friend & Surfing Coach Sean Hayes to recap how Brevard's own Carolyn Marks won the Gold Medal last week in Women's Olympics Surfing.  Listen to The Mark Moses Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 pm eastern on Sports Radio 107.9 FM/1560 The Fan & Sportsradio1560.com. You can also listen to Mark Mid days on 95.9 The Rocket. Follow him on social media @markmosesshow

In this profound episode of Candid Conversations, Jonathan Youssef sits down with Becket Cook, author of "A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption" and host of The Becket Cook Show. Becket shares his powerful testimony of living a homosexual lifestyle until a radical encounter with Jesus transformed his life. Raised in a conservative Christian family in Dallas, Texas, Becket navigated the complexities of his identity and faith, eventually finding his true calling in Christ.Join us as Becket recounts his journey from Hollywood's elite circles to a devoted follower of Jesus. He offers insight into how the church can compassionately and truthfully engage with issues of sexuality. Becket's story is a testament to the redemptive power of God's love and the importance of unwavering faith.Don't miss this inspiring conversation, a story of transformation and a guide for churches and individuals to navigate conversations about sexuality with grace and truth.Connect with Jonathan and the Candid community:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpodTwitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpodTranscript:This transcript recounts Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef Episode 261: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption: Becket Cook[00:02] JMY: Today's guest is a very special guest. It is Becket Cook. Becket has written a book called A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption. He is the host of The Becket Cook Show, which can be found on YouTube. Raised in Dallas, Texas, Becket attended a Jesuit college preparatory school, lived the homosexual lifestyle until the Lord radically called him and drew him to Himself. And now Becket is out to help churches have the conversation about sexuality and help the church navigate. Becket, thank you so much for taking the time to be on Candid Conversations.[01:13] Becket: Thank you, Jonathan. Good to be here.[01:17] JMY: We've got to start with your story. It's profound and amazing. All salvation stories are amazing; yours is unique. I'd love it if you'd just give us a few minutes and navigate us through your testimony.[01:39] Becket: Yeah, I mean, I'm still in shock. I'm still in shock that this is my story after fifteen years. So, when I was very young I started to notice that I was attracted to the same sex, which was very a disorienting thing, especially at that time when it was very much taboo in Dallas and in my family. My family were Christians and of course, all of my peers and my schoolmates unanimously believed that, I mean, we didn't even have to say it; it was known that homosexuality was just wrong or bad or weird or sinful. And so I had this kind of dark secret. But I was very social in school. I even went steady with girls in seventh and eighth grade, and in high school, I dated three girls, seriously dated them. But it was all the while I knew I wasn't attracted to the girls. It was just like a social thing for me. And so in my junior year at Jesuit, I met a sophomore, and he was dealing with the same thing. He was dealing with the same-sex attraction. So when that happened, the floodgates opened because we became friends, and then like three months or six months, I can't remember how long into our friendship, we basically came out to each other one night at this club.And when that happened, we just started exploring gay life and gay culture in Dallas and going to gay bars. I was 15, he was 14. I don't know where my parents were, but by the time I was in high school, my parents were so checked out that I could be gone for three days, and they didn't even notice. God bless them, they're in heaven now.So we were going to gay bars in Dallas, not sure how we got into these bars, but we did, and then we were going to this one nightclub called the Stark Club. I mention this because it was such a seminal moment in my life. The Starck Club was very famous in Dallas, and it was designed by Philippe Starck, the French designer, and it was beautiful. It was just so, for lack of a better word, it was very chic. And so we started going to the Starck Club, and the first time I walked in, it was just very grand. There was this grand staircase with a red carpet that went up to these giant doors, and you walked into this beautiful space. And I walked in, and there were gay people, straight people, artists, trans people, drag queens—it's a whole mix of kind of the subculture, and the whole mix of artists.And so I walked in and it was like, ah, these are my people![05:28] JMY: You felt like you belonged.[05:29] Becket: Yeah, I belong here. And I started going. And we would go to Starck Club—it was open Thursday through Sunday, and we would go every night, Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night we would go. And sometimes I wouldn't get home until 5:00 in the morning. And one time my dad was up. My dad was a lawyer. He was up at 5:00 in the morning (he would always get up at 5:00), and I walked in the front door, and he walked past me and kind of looked at me, and I was like, “Hi, Dad.” He didn't even say anything like “Where have you been?” My childhood was very permissive, for better or worse.So then, when I went away to college, the same thing happened. I met someone at college who was same sex attracted and then we eventually came out to each other and again I had a confidant, I had someone to talk to because I still wasn't out, but at this point in my life, I wouldn't have described myself as “gay” because I just thought this was a phase. This was a phase that will probably go away and I'll probably get married to a woman and have kids.It wasn't really my identity for this whole time in high school and college until after college I moved to Tokyo with my best friend from college. And we moved to Tokyo because we didn't really know what we wanted to do with our lives. I was premed in college, and then I realized I didn't want to be a doctor, which was bad after four years of studying.[07:23] JMY: A lot of investment.[07:25] Becket: You know it was really upsetting. And so I applied to law school, and actually, then, as kind of a backup, I applied to dental school. And so I got into law school and dental school. I was kind of like, “I don't know if I want to do any of this.” So both of us moved to Tokyo to kind of have a gap year, basically, to figure out what we wanted to do. And it was when I was in Tokyo that his friend from Texas came to stay with us, we'll call him “Adam.” Adam was part of the Christo exhibition in Japan. Christo was a very famous artist who recently died, a French artist, but he and his wife used to do these dramatic art projects like covering the Reichstadt in fabric. And they did this thing in Japan where they lined parts of Japan with umbrellas, like yellow and blue umbrellas. They did it in California and Japan.And so anyway, this guy Adam was part of that exhibition. So he stayed with us for like a week in Tokyo. And it was weird, because when I first met Adam, I had no interest and didn't think anything of it, but by the time he left, we had fallen in love, quote unquote. And so that was the first time I'd experienced that rush of emotion, that romantic feeling. And then we got into a relationship, and it was my first real relationship with a guy.And so that was a game-changer, too, because that's when it became my identity, homosexuality became my identity. And I was happy to be gay. I was like, “This is who I am. This is immutable.” I was thrilled. And while I was in Japan, my sister wrote me a letter asking if I was gay because she had had her suspicions for a long time. And so I wrote her back and I said yes and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. By the way, p.s., don't tell Mom and Dad. I'll tell them when I get back home. And, of course, she told them immediately when she got my letter, which I was happy about because she did all the heavy lifting for me.[10:03] JMY: Softened the blow.[10:04] Becket: Yeah. So by the time I got home, my whole family knew. My family is very conservative, all believers, and so they, especially my siblings, were not happy about this. And my parents weren't either, but my parents' reaction was so loving and gracious. My mother, whom I was very close to, of course, was quite surprised, gay son, close mother, surprise, surprise. My mother cried. I walked into the kitchen that first night after I got back from Tokyo, and my mother just started crying, and I knew why she was crying.And I said, “Mom, what's wrong?” And she said, “I heard you're a homosexual.”And that's when AIDS was still kind of a death sentence, and so she was terrified, I was terrified about it, and so I just tried to calm her down.I said, “Mom, this is not a big deal. Don't worry about me.”The next day, my dad came up to me, and my dad is such a man's man; it surprised him to respond. Because he came up to me and he said, “Hey Beck, I heard you're a homosexual, and you know”—[11:32] JMY: Like he read it in the newspaper or something.[11:36] Becket: Yeah, and so he said, “Is there anything I did wrong as a father? Are you angry at me for this?” He listed three things, and it was basically—I can't remember what they were—did I not spend enough time with you? Did your brother beat you up or whatever, and I didn't intervene? Are you angry about that?And I was like, “Dad, no. This is not your fault. This is just who I am. It's not a big deal.”And that was kind of the end of the conversation with my parents. They never brought it up again. And what they did was so genius. Because I moved to L.A. So, when I got back from Tokyo, I realized I was not going to grad school; I was moving to Los Angeles because a lot of my friends moved here, and I was like, “I'm going to pursue writing and acting. And so I moved to L.A. My dad was so confused when I told him. It was like a couple of weeks before law school. I was enrolled in law school, and I was like, “Dad, I'm moving to L.A. tomorrow.”And he was like, “Huh?” He was so confused. And so I moved to L.A. and I had this group of friends that were brilliant in L.A. When I got here, I had this built-in group of friends because several of my friends from high school already lived here, and they all came from Brown and Princeton and moved with all their friends to the West Coast and to L.A. to work in Hollywood, in showbiz. My group of friends were so smart and funny and brilliant and ambitious. And they all were movers and shakers. All those people, guys, girls, straight, gay, the whole mix, the same people run this town now; they run Hollywood. So whatever you're watching on Netflix or whatever–[13:51] JMY: They're behind it.[13:52] Becket: And in fact, the Jeffrey Epstein whatever, Filthy Rich, was produced by one of my dear friends from back in that time. Anyway, so I had this great group of friends, I was out, and we all wanted to make it in Hollywood, which they were all—my friends were becoming huge stars or becoming huge directors or writers overnight. I mean, it was wild to see how quickly they became successful. Minnie Driver was a dear friend, and she did Good Will Hunting with Matt Damon. Suddenly, she was a movie star, and this was happening to all of my friends. Like Mariska Hargitay was Jayne Mansfield's daughter, but nobody really knew her, but then she got—I drove her to her audition for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and she's still on the show twenty-three years later. She's made a fortune on that show. Well, I won't tell that part about Mariska, but we're still friends.But this was happening to all of my friends. We all wanted to make it in Hollywood; we all wanted to find true love, and I cycled through five serious, serious boyfriends over the years in L.A., live-in boyfriends. And then we all wanted to have extraordinary experiences, which we were doing in spades because my friends were all in the business. And the guy I just talked about was Diane Keaton's producing partner. So we were always invited to everything—the Grammys the Oscars, the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the afterparties, to movie premiers every week. I was kind of in the mix.I met everyone in this town, literally everyone. I mean, name the person. I had dinner with Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep and many, many other people. Hung out at Drew Barrymore's, went to Prince's house where he performed a concert in his backyard for three hours, hung out with Paris Hilton at her house, and went to her wedding engagement. For years, this was my life.And then I was successful a little bit, and I acted. I was successful at commercial acting, and I did a couple of indie films, one was at Sundance, and that wasn't really taking off. The writing was difficult. I sold a couple of projects that didn't make it to series, so then I ended up becoming a production designer in the fashion world. I just fell into it with The New York Times Magazine because my friend was the editor for it. And so that became my career, doing fashion shoots, these super-high-end fashion shoots. And I did that for a very long time, probably twenty years, seventeen years, I'm not sure.And so after the years of all of this and years of going to all of these fun things and experiencing all these things, I just started to feel the law of diminishing returns and I just felt like, What is this all about? I can't keep going to these dinner parties and going to these events. And it all came to a head at Paris Fashion Week in March of 2009. I used to go to Fashion Week in New York and Paris and that particular week I had gone to a bunch of the runway shows and a lot of them had afterparties, and I was at this one afterparty in this club called Regine, in the middle of Paris, a legendary place. The owner just died recently. But I was there, and everyone from the fashion world was there.I was sitting with Rachel Zoe, who's a fashion girl and has a TV show, and her husband, Roger, and I just remember drinking champagne and looking out over the crowd, and everyone was dancing and having the best time of their life, and I just felt such an overwhelming sense of emptiness. I was like, whoa, where did that come from? So, I ghosted the party and went back to the apartment I'd rented in [unintelligible] and I was up all night in a panic about my future. I was like, what am I going to do for the rest of my life? This isn't satisfying me anymore. I can't just keep going to parties and fabulous things and traveling the world. Yeah, it was fun for a long time, but it's not doing it for me anymore. And I knew that Christianity was not an option because I was gay, so I can't pursue that, so what am I going to do? So I was very, very troubled.[20:07] JMY: Can I ask, did that thought enter your mind, the pursuit of faith? Was that a cognizant thought or was that just sort of part of the narrative? Did you sit there and take an account and think perhaps ...?[20:26] Becket: Well, no. I knew that from my entire life.[20:31] JMY: It was always there as a separation.[20:33] Becket: God's not an option for me. And by that time in my life I was a practical atheist. All of my friends were atheists (they still are, most of them, my old friends). And I just, by that time in my life, I really just believed or felt like the Bible was an ancient myth, like any other ancient myth. God was not real. It was weird. It was a weird kind of disconnect because I believed my family's faith was real, which was interesting. So when I would go home to Dallas, it was weird. They would talk about their faith, they would pray, and I could sense that it was real, but I just felt like it could never be something for me because—[21:21 JMY: It's like a compartmentalization, right? This works for you; that won't work for me. Interesting.[21:28] Becket: And so six months later in L.A. I was at a coffee shop with my best friend, who still is gay, although we're not nearly as close, in fact, we barely see each other, if ever, because of this. But I was with my best friend, and we were chatting, hanging out at our favorite coffee shop in Silverlake, and we looked over, and there was a group of young people with Bibles on the table. There were five physical Bibles on the table, which is a shocking sight to see in L.A. But not only L.A. but Silverlake, which is a super progressive part of L.A.We were stunned because my friend was an atheist as well. He was culturally Jewish, a secular Jew from New York, and it was just like we were shocked. But I was intrigued because of that night in Paris six months before. I was kind of intrigued about what this Christian thing was, and I wanted to explore it.So my friend said, “Talk to them. See what they're doing.”And I was like, “No, I don't want to talk to them!”And anyway, I ended up turning to them, and I always say this, it's like a Christian's fantasy come true when a gay atheist turns to you and says, “Tell me all about Christianity.” And so we got into this conversation for like an hour or two. It was a long conversation. And I said, “What is your faith? Like what do you believe? I don't remember. Just tell me what you believe.”And they were very competent with the Scriptures, and they knew what the Gospel was and were very knowledgeable. And they said they went to a church in Hollywood called Reality L.A., an evangelical church. And with my friends back in the day, evangelicals were the enemy. They were somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun. But it didn't bother me. So I, of course, get to the question and I ask them, “What does your church believe about homosexuality?”And I kind of expected this answer, so it wasn't shocking. They said, “Well, we believe it's a sin.” Of course, that was 2009. Now, who knows what people will say.[24:27] JMY: It's a grab bag now.[24:29] Becket: I wasn't surprised by their response, but I was surprised by mine because I just kind of accepted that, and I didn't protest. And it's because of that night in Paris. I was open to hearing something different. I was just open at that point. God, obviously, was working with me.So they invited me to their church the following Sunday and I said, “I don't know. Just give me the address and I'll think about it.”So I had a whole week to think about it. And it was kind of a big deal because if any of my other friends, all my other atheist, Hollywood friends, found out that I'd gone to an evangelical church, it would have been super embarrassing, and they would have thought I was crazy. So I was debating all week: Should I do this? What if nothing happens? What if it's just fake and what if it's not real?But that following Sunday I woke up and I just was like, I'm going to do this. And I got in my car, drove to this high school auditorium where it meets on Sunset Boulevard, and I walked in. Before I walked in, I put the idea of homosexuality as my identity in this imaginary white box and put it on an imaginary shelf before I walked in. It was kind of weird. I don't know how that happened.And then I heard the worship music, which kind of freaked me out a little bit a first because I was like, Oh my gosh, Christian music, because I just saw this True Blood episode where (it was an HBO show that was disgusting, but anyway they satirized evangelical Christian worship music. And so I was like, Oh, this is weird.[26:38] JMY: That's not hard to do.[26:39] Becket: Yeah, exactly. But then it was actually nice, the music's nice. And I sat down by myself, I found a seat by myself, and the pastor came out and started preaching on Romans chapter 7 for an hour, and that's when everything started happening. Everything he was saying, every word he was saying, every sentence he was saying was resonating as truth in my mind and my heart and I didn't know why. I was literally on the edge of my seat, totally riveted to the sermon and to him, his speaking. And I was just like, What? This is true. What is he saying? I remember thinking, “This is the Gospel? This is good news!”And then after the sermon there were people on the sides of the auditorium on the prayer ministry that you could go get prayed with, and after his sermon there's another thirty minutes of worship time. So I walked over to this guy, which I reluctantly walked over to this guy on the side because, again, I was embarrassed to do this because I knew the people who had invited me there were probably watching me. And so I walked over to this guy and I said, “Hey, I don't know what I believe, but I'm here.” And he said, “Okay, let me pray for you.”And he prayed for me, and it was so loving and caring, and I was like, How does this random straight dude care about me so much?[28:14] JMY: Right.[28:16] Becket: Anyway, I went back to my seat and everyone else in the auditorium (there were a thousand people in the auditorium) everyone else was standing and singing and worshiping. And I sat down because I was just so overwhelmed by the sermon, by the music, by the prayer, and as soon as I sat down, the Holy Spirit just flooded me. I mean, it was like a Road to Damascus moment. God revealed Himself to me in the most powerful way. It was like God said, in my mind, God said, “I'm God. Jesus is my Son. Heaven is real, hell is real, the Bible is true. Welcome to my kingdom.”And I just burst into tears. I was doubled over, heaving and crying and crying for twenty-five minutes. And it was the most cathartic cry I've ever had. Everything came out. I was crying over the conviction of sin, but also the joy of meeting the king of the universe, Jesus Christ. And then I got home after the service. I don't really know how I made it home because I was such a wreck, and I got into bed to take a nap. And again, God did it again. God was like, “Here, here's some more Bible.”And I just, again, I just immediately, it was so real. It was like God's presence was right—it was there. And I burst into tears again and I was bawling in my bedroom, jumped out of my bed and was like, “God, you have my whole life, I'm yours. I'm done.”In that moment I knew that homosexual behavior was a sin. I knew that it was wrong. I knew that dating guys was not my identity anymore and I knew that dating guys was not a part of my future. But I didn't care at all, because I had just met Jesus. And I'm like, I'm going with that guy, forget those guys.And that was September 20, 2009, and I've never looked back. And I've never felt like life is unfair. Because I'm single and chaste, and I've never felt like life is unfair for me or like I'm being cheated out of something. I just feel like I can't believe that God had mercy on me and I'm in the Kingdom of God. And I have, by the way, eternal life, which is cool to have. So yeah, that's the story.[31:09] JMY: Oh, it's such a wonderful story, just even the way you give us the snapshots of those moments of what you thought you knew what you wanted and you know now the Spirit was preparing you and doing the work of tilling the soil of your heart to culminate in that moment. But as we know, that's not the end of the story. Your story continues on. And so I wonder if we could just talk a little bit about your family, how your family interacted with you. So a number of our listeners will be people who have family members, friends who are near to them who are living this lifestyle and they don't know what to do, they don't know what to say. Do I say a lot? Do I say a little? Do I say nothing? Where do I go?And I know some of that will be kind of case by case, but I think it will be helpful to hear what was it that the interactions of your friends and family who were believers? How did they sort of walk this out with you?[32:35] Becket: Yeah. My family ... Well, first of all, you know, because I moved to L.A. I was very disconnected from my family. But my parents, I was very close with my mother. We talked on the phone all the time. She came out and visited many times. My family was just kind of very hands-off because there was really nothing they could do. I was an adult, I lived in L.A. What would they do, come hunt me down and drive me to church?My parents were just brilliant. I just loved how they responded to and dealt with it. Because I did this episode on my show where I recently discovered a typed prayer that my mother did. My sister-in-law sent me a text, saying, “Hey, I just found this prayer that your mother typed to God basically, and I found it in an old box from some of your mother's things.” And she sent me this prayer. And that's what my parents did. They just loved me and prayed for me.My mother and this prayer are amazing; it's like twenty-four points. And the first point, because my mother knew, I guess, which was shocking to me, she just knew instinctively that she wasn't going to convince me not to be gay. So, she went straight to the throne room of the grace of God. She knew it was a spiritual battle. I wish I had the prayer with me right now. She said, “In the all-powerful name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we come against the enemy with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.”And when I read this prayer recently when I got it, I was stunned because my mother was praying for me all this time, but she never told me. Because if she had told me, “Hey Becket, I'm praying for you,” it would have been a disaster because I would have been like, “Why are you praying for me? I don't need prayer. This is who I am. Stop praying.” It would have upset me, so she never said that. My dad never said that.My sister-in-law, who is in my book, Kim, the way she dealt with it was brilliant, too, because whenever I would go to Dallas for the holidays, she would call me. She's an evangelical Christian, and I knew where she stood on this issue, too, but she would call me all the time, which I was kind of like, Why is Kim calling me? Why does she want to hang out with me? She knows I'm gay and she's a super-conservative Christian. She would call me and invite me to coffee, and we would hang out. And I would talk about my boyfriends, she would talk about God and what was going on in her life, and she never once pulled out the Bible and said, “Hey Becket, you know in Leviticus 18 …” She never, ever once did that. She just loved me.And then she prayed, unbeknownst to me, she was praying this verse over me for twenty years. In Acts 26:18, when Paul is in front of King Agrippa, and he's talking about how God sent him to preach to the Gentiles, he says, “to open their eyes so that they may be turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. That they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those sanctified by faith in Me.”So she was praying for me, my family members were praying for me, I get the impulse for parents, family members, friends, the immediate impulse is “I want to fix this. I want to fix the problem.” That rarely, if ever, works. However, there is an exception, a caveat I'll get to. But the best thing you can do is just be diligent in prayer and go straight to God. Because it has to be a supernatural thing. The Holy Spirit has to convict a person. There's no other way. Otherwise, it's just behavior modification.[37:31] JMY: Praise the Lord. Praise God that it's His work and not ours because we'd screw it all up.[37:37] Becket: Yeah, exactly. However, because of this new sort of generation of social contagion of LGBTQ+, you know, Brown University 40 percent of the student body—this just makes me laugh—40 percent of the student body identifies as LGBTQ. I mean, that is laughable. When I was in college, it was about 1 percent.[38:05] JMY: Now everyone is.[38:06] Becket: Yeah, now it's super popular. So I came out as gay at the wrong time, and now I came out as Christian at the wrong time. [unintelligible]. But anyway, so with that aspect of it, when you're a teenager just suddenly claims, “I'm LGBTQ,” or “I'm pansexual,” or “I'm nonbinary,” “I'm queer,” I think in those cases there should be, there could be some pushback from the parents in terms of saying, “Look …” Because this happened with me with a young woman, a teenage girl who came up to me at a conference and said, “I'm pansexual and nonbinary.”And I said, “Why? Why are you?” She didn't have an answer for me, and I said, “Are you that way because you want attention, popularity, street cred? Why do you think you're... because when I was your age, there was no such thing, so why do you think you're this way?”And she just started welling up with tears, and she needed, I just sensed in that moment she needed to be pushed back on. And later that day she ended up breaking down, getting prayed for my somebody, and she came to Christ.[39:39] JMY: It was a crisis moment for her, not a … it had not become a true identity where she had been encapsulated in something. She seemed confused more than anything. I mean, obviously, you could make that argument for anyone.[39:55] Becket: Yeah, this young teenage boy was like, “Oh, and I'm asexual.” And I was like, “You haven't even gone through puberty yet.”So yeah, I do think that when it is this kind of contagion aspect, I've done episodes on this, and I talk about this. You can trace exactly how we got to where we are in the culture from obviously from if you've read Carl Truman, you can go back to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but even going back to the sexual revolution in the Sixties or the gay movement that started in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, you can trace so clearly how we've become indoctrinated into believing the lies of the world. And it's just so obvious to me, and it's like, just the TV shows, Will & Grace and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Brokeback Mountain and all these gay-themed shows and movies were so powerful in the culture, and it changed so many people's minds on this issue.Of course, I was thrilled at the time. When I was living that life, I was thrilled. I was friends with Sean Hayes on Will & Grace, and I was friends with many of the people who created these shows.[41:33] JMY: They were changing the narrative.[41:34] Becket: Yeah. And it was like Madsen and Kirk, the book After the Ball, they published. These two Harvard guys, graduates, published a book called After the Ball, and I wish I had it right here. Where's my copy? Anyway, the book was published in 1989, and basically, it was about how to normalize homosexuality in America. It was the subtitle of the book. And everything in that book has come true. Everything they said in that book has come true. Basically, it was like talking about homosexuality until it was thoroughly tiresome. That was one of their points. Another one of their points was to make heterosexuals feel like you are a victim, and they'll come to your side and to your aid.And so all these things have come to pass, and that's why, even in the church, people are falling for this and caving to it, caving to the culture and buying this lie. And again, I challenge people to, okay, would you be … would you be thinking this way fifty years ago? Would you be thinking this way a hundred years ago? So obviously, the culture—[43:16] JMY: Not critically thinking.[43:117] Becket: Obviously, like the culture has influenced you. Because some of my friends, some of my high school—I say this all the time—in my high school, everyone believed it was a sin, it was wrong, in the girls' school, in the boys' school. Now some of those same people are like allies, LGBTQ allies, and it's like, gee, I wonder what's happened over the last thirty years? Maybe it's the power of persuasion from movies and TV, which I get. It is very powerful.And so yeah, that's why I think with some cases, in some cases it is good to say, “Hey, why don't we walk through the last fifty years and see how it has shaped what we believe?” And so that can be helpful, too.[44:17] JMY: You're uniquely gifted, coming out of that world and into the Christian world, to have a voice to the church. We even laughed about the fact that some churches wouldn't even have you to come and speak because you're kind of against them.What are the things that you're putting in front of churches and trying to coach them through or equip them with? How do we deal with the culture? How do we deal with our young people who are falling into it or our children who maybe are saying and asking these questions? It sounds like there's a level of asking good questions and pushing back, as you've just given us examples. But what are some ways you're helping the church navigate all this?[45:27] Becket: There are so many different ways. But like Jesus was the master at balancing grace and truth publicly. I read through all four Gospels, not often, in one sitting, and I just watch what Jesus does and how He interacts with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners. And at the woman at the well, first of all, He's talking to a Samaritan woman, which is crazy for a Jewish man to do, and He's so loving and kind to her. And she, you know, He's like, “Oh, go get your husband.” And she's like, “Oh, I don't have a husband.” And He's like, “Yeah, you were married five times.”[46:17] JMY: “The one you're with now isn't your husband.”[46:19] Becket: “And the one you're with now isn't your husband.” So Jesus doesn't compromise the truth, but He also is super gracious and grace-full. That's what I see in the church is I see this happen all the time where parents when their kids come out, they love their kids—and I get it—like they love their kids so much that they suddenly change their theology and become [Overlapping voices] in their theology. And it's like, no, that's not the answer, because if my parents had affirmed and said, “Oh, Becket, you're fine,” I would not have respected them, number one.And my family when I got saved, the first people I contacted were my family because they never lied to me. I talk about this in my book, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; they refused to compromise God's Word by one iota. And they knew that they were going to go into a fiery furnace. They were not willing to compromise God's Word. And so that's my main thrust to the church is don't ever give up your convictions on this issue, but love your neighbor, your child as generously as you can, love them, love them. And the real key is to pray for them.The worst thing you can do is affirm them and say, “Oh, I don't think it's a sin anymore,” because that is leading them down a path of eternal destruction. That is the meanest, cruelest thing you can ever do to a child or anyone is say that to them. And so that's partly what I try to convey to churches. Also, I try to, sometimes, talk about what I go through; I spend a very long time going through every turning point in the history of the gay movement and how it has affected the culture and affected us.[48:48] JMY: I mean, just quickly if you've given that talk enough times, what kind of the high points of that? If you had to kind of—maybe you haven't prepped for that, but if you could just hit a couple of those high points for us.[49:02] Becket: The first high point was the Stonewall Inn in 1969, when police raided it. Because it was illegal to be gay in 1969 in the country. And so police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a gay bar in the West Village in New York, and then there were riots, like three nights after that there were three nights of riots. That was June 28th. That's why Pride Month is in June. It used to be just one day, but now it's a whole month. Pretty soon it'll be all year, but that's a whole thing.[49:39] JMY: Perpetuity.[49:40] Becket: Yeah. And so that was a huge turning point because the year following, San Francisco, L.A., New York, I think Chicago had gay pride marches. That's when the pride marches started. They used to be called marches and now they're parades.[49:59] JMY: Like a protest.[50:00] Becket: Exactly, and that was a huge turning point of the gay movement. Then the AIDS crisis was a huge turning point because that's when the culture, right or wrong, the culture started to see gay men as victims, and so that was a huge, huge turning point. And there were so many movies, like Philadelphia, with Tom Hanks in that, and there were so many movies about that issue. And, interestingly, AIDS was something that propelled the gay movement forward. You would think it would do the reverse, but it propelled it forward. And so that was a big deal.And then in the Nineties—I mean, I'm skipping ahead of a bunch of stuff—but the Nineties, Will & Grace, Ellen, the sitcom with Ellen DeGeneres, she came out as a lesbian on the show, her character came out as a lesbian. And Will & Grace, it's like these guys are hilarious. I mean, what could be wrong with this? So—[51:22] JMY: Yeah, they're approachable,[51:23] Becket: They're cool. What could be wrong with this? And then a significant turning point was—oh, and then Sex and the City was a big deal in the Nineties. There was a gay character on that show. And Sex and the City was created by Darren Starr. I know Darren. And a lot of the writers on the show, the showrunner, is gay. Anyway, so what was interesting about Sex and the City is there were a lot of gay male writers on that show, and they were turning these women into gay men. The way these women had one-night stands and all this stuff. My friends and I would joke about it, like these are gay guys but in women's bodies. This is crazy. It's hilarious. So that show was a big game-changer.And then Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, that was major because that was the first time—I remember when that came out in 2003, I think, and it was five gay guys giving clueless straight guys makeovers. And that's when not only women and gay guys were watching, but that's when straight guys started watching because their girlfriends were like, “Oh my gosh, honey, you've got to watch this show; it's brilliant!”I remember telling a good friend of mine at the time, “This is going to change everything. This show is going to change everything.” And it did.And then you can skip to the, I mean, there were a lot of things, but you can skip to the legalization of gay marriage in 2015.[53:18] JMY: Yeah, Obergfell, sure.[53:19] Becket: That, of course, that's where we are now. And then now, of course, every city—So I lived right next to Beverly Hills, and Beverly Hills is very conservative because it's mostly Persian Jews who live in Beverly Hills. They're a very conservative group of people. They are very family oriented. And I was riding my bike the other day, and there was a pride flag painted on the sidewalk, in the middle of the street, an intersection, a pride, yeah, just like a pride thing. And I was shocked because I was like, wow, that's interesting that Beverly Hills would do this, because I know the mayor is conservative.But what I subsequently found out is that just like corporations have these rating systems where you have to be [Overlapping voices] you support—[54:24] JMY: Cities have them as well. Wow.[54:25] Becket: They get rated by I think it's the Human Rights Campaign, HRC. They get rated, so Beverly Hills doesn't want to lose tourism, so they will go along with it and put a pride flag on the street. And so now it's so ubiquitous, and I don't even know it at this point. I don't even know at this point how an unbeliever, or even some believers, can even believe that homosexual behavior is still a sin after all that's going on in the culture now. It's a rare thing, even for Christians now, to believe that it's still a sin.[55:15] JMY: it's almost like going back to first-century Christianity, where we're just so countercultural and so bizarre. How could you think there's only one God in Rome? And it's like we have all this plethora of gods? It is a sense of returning to thinking you're so backward and all this sort of thing.But the Lord's in control, and He knows what He's doing, and He's raised individuals such as yourself, and as we mentioned before, Rosaria and others, who are helping the church think critically and think helpfully and equipping and we're so grateful for the work that the Lord's doing in you. And so I want to say, Becket Cook, I'm so grateful for our time together and pray the Lord would bless your ministry.[56:24] Becket: Thank you, Jonathan. I appreciate it. And I'm really looking forward to coming to Atlanta and meeting you guys in person.[56:33] JMY: Absolutely. 

Ring the Jimmy Burrows Alarm™️! We're back with the smash hit Will & Grace! The show that brought gay comedy to the mainstream after the despicable shunning of the Ellen Degeneres show. Join us as we learn how it came to be, the legacy it leaves, and some fascinating tidbits about pilot and character development straight from the Jimmy Burrows memoir ‘Directed by James Burrows' Come catch all your favorites Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullaley and stick around for an exhilarating round of “Guess That Guest Star!” Hosts Geoff Kerbis Max Singer Rich Inman --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pilotslicense/support

Join us as we sit down with Steve Pogatch, Senior Manager of Voice Over Operations at Studio Resonate, SiriusXM and Pandora, to uncover the transformative journey of voiceover and audio advertising over the past decade. Prepare to have your perceptions of podcast advertising turned upside down. We dive into the fascinating differences between host reads and announcer reads. Gain valuable tips on delivering standout performances, crafting compelling commercial reels, and handling ambiguous scripts with finesse. Steve underscores the importance of prompt communication and reliable turnaround times while highlighting the industry's efforts to protect voice talent amidst the rise of synthetic voices. Finally, discover the impact of the Sonic Diversity Initiative, a significant step towards inclusivity in voice casting. 00:03 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Hey bosses, upgrade your voiceover game with VIPeeps and access our extensive library of over 350 hours of pre-recorded workshops. Whether you're interested in commercials, audiobooks, corporate narration, video games, promos, our workshops cover it all. Plus, as a VIPeeps member, you'll enjoy a 15% discount on current workshops and complimentary monthly workshops to further develop your skills. Join VIPs today and take your voiceover career to new heights. Find out more at vopeepscom.  00:39 - Intro (Host) It's time to take your business to the next level the boss level. It's time to take your business to the next level, the boss level. These are the premier business owner strategies and successes being utilized by the industry's top talent today. Rock your business like a boss, a VO boss. Now let's welcome your host, anne Ganguza.  00:59 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Hey everyone, welcome to the VO Boss Podcast. I'm your host, anne Ganguza, and today I'm very excited to have with me in the studio a very special guest, senior Manager of Voice Over Operations of Studio Resonate, which is SiriusXM Media Pandora Stitcher, Steve Pogatch. In addition to producing thousands of high-quality audio ads in the past 10-plus years that he's been at Pandora, steve has been the go-to guy for all things VO casting, direction and quality. He's responsible for recruiting, auditioning and curating new talent for the Pandora VO roster, as well as managing that roster. Steve, I am so super excited to have you with us today. Thanks so much for being with us.  01:42 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Thank you. Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it. I feel like I've reached the upper echelon of the VO world now that I'm on the Boss podcast.  01:52 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So thank you so much. Well, thank you, thank you. Well, we're super excited to glean all of your years of wisdom and I'm just so excited that we had this opportunity that I saw you in person. I had to see you in person to beg you to come on the show. So let's kick off things by talking a little bit about your journey at Pandora. You've been there for 10 years and I know in the past 10 years in my voiceover career, I've seen a ton of things change. Talk to us a little bit about what you've seen as far as changes in audio advertising, casting and voiceover.  02:24 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Sure. So yeah, about 10 years ago when I started I was just a producer and our voice roster was maybe about 60 talents or so Wow, and yeah, when they started their advertising department they were getting talents off of Craigslist and other places that I really didn't know. So when I got there, that roster was on an Excel spreadsheet really and it was just filled with all kinds of information and it was really hard to manage and navigate. But a lot of the voices were that terrestrial radio, you know announcer-y style voice.  02:56 And one overarching theme is that voices and everything we've been doing for the past 10 plus years has really just escalated from the announcer-y like hey, pandora listeners, you know like radio style, to hey, pandora listener, you know it's like instead of talking to a group of people talking to one person, you're interrupting their music flow, you're tapping them on the shoulder. You know you're in their earbuds and you just hey, let me tell you about this Tide detergent or Cascade dishwashing liquid or something like that, and just the gentle approach. So it's really gravitated from the super announcer-y, terrestrial radio style to super conversational. The directional word I love to use nowadays is casual a lot. Everyone's sick of conversational already. They're like oh yeah, you're talking to a friend, blah blah, blah, you know yeah.  03:46 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) You know, what's so funny is just my own personal feelings about it is, I get that Like I think they're just sick of the conversational word, but in reality we have conversations with each other every single day, and so there's all different styles of conversational. It could be authoritative conversational, it could be like super casual conversational. I think that when it comes to advertising, though, one of the reasons why it's kind of gotten to that in your ear one-on-one sort of, I think that's what sells and I think that's the evolution of advertising over the years. Would you say that that's true?  04:18 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I think so it's. You know, the more personal you can get, or targeted, you know, with an ad, or I mean not to the point where it's creepy, but to the point where it resonates with the listener. You know where it's like, oh yeah, the same thing with VO talent getting into a script and connecting with a script. It's like you want to connect with that listener, like, oh yeah, I do use that dish soap every night.  04:38 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh, yeah, I want to.  04:40 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Oh yeah, that sounds interesting to me, you know.  04:42 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So then I guess my question would be is and this is probably something you're very familiar with is that they ask you to have that casual, like engaged, sort of sound, but yet they don't always write it so that it's easy to achieve that? Do you find that, in terms of the copy that you're seeing come across your desk over and over again, like people still want it to be very, you know, like you're talking to your best friend or that casual, but yet sometimes it's written like super announcer-y?  05:08 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, and that is hard. That is really hard when you get the bullet point style our orange juice has 100% fresh pulp and made from only Valencia oranges. It's like there's three other facts attached to that and you're squeezing that into 30 seconds spot. It's like there's three other facts attached to that and you're squeezing that into 30 seconds spot. It's like how do we get these bullet points to be super conversational?  05:30 - Intro (Host) That is hard.  05:31 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) That is very hard for a talent and for a copywriter. So we do have some great copywriters on our team on Studio Resonate that actually really write great scripts and whenever I can get scripts with humor in them or stuff like that, it just really makes the whole experience better.  05:48 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Now in the studio, are you always writing the copy, or do the clients come and provide copy as well, or do you make suggestions? Let's say, when they come with copy and then they ask for a super casual read, or they have 5,000 words when they need it in 30 seconds.  06:02 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, that happens. The struggle is real.  06:04 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) The struggle is real.  06:06 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I'd say I don't know the exact percentage, but from where I sit I don't do the writing, but it feels like maybe half and half half are our copywriters and half might be the clients, and sometimes we'll actually take the clients and go here, let us try and rewrite this in a Pandorified way or something like that. And sometimes again, it's like those bullet points-y stuff that really need to get in there and don't even get me started on like some like pharmacy disclaimers and stuff like that.  06:32 - Intro (Host) You probably know from medical narration and stuff like that.  06:34 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) It's just like woo. You know, it's like 90 words in a 30 second script.  06:39 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yeah, but they're changing too. It's interesting if you actually listen to some of them now I don't think they're as fast as they used to be, because I'm almost positive that because it's a legal disclaimer that they have to be, like, understood by the listener, and so sometimes if they're talking too fast then it's not clear, or because I've really noticed that trend and I don't know if it's the same in terms of I've seen it on television at least.  07:04 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah.  07:05 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) I don't know about Pandora, but very interesting. So then my question is is the casual read dying? Are people coming back to announcer style, or are you seeing variations on the type of casual?  07:20 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I hope it's not going back to announcer, because we've really worked hard on this whole gentle approach. Yeah, exactly, and you know personally, when I meet a voice actor who's locked into that whole radio world like I have 27 years of radio experience how do I get on your roster and I just kind of go well, how do I let you down gently?  07:41 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yeah, exactly Because you're looking for an actor.  07:44 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Some talents and again talents who haven't really evolved with us in the 10 years that I've been there at least, or may not be on our roster anymore because there has been that evolution. But yeah, it's really difficult for some people who have been locked into that radio world to actually shift and change and it's part of their muscle memories.  08:02 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Right Interesting. I know that even when it comes to, like, long format narration, I know that just reading it it doesn't cut it anymore. I mean, you have to be in their ear and that's super hard, given you've got more than a minute's worth of copy and it's not always written in a first person kind of way, so that I know the struggle is real for that as well. So, in terms of advertising, would you say that there are more advertisements from 10 years ago today, or how are you seeing the trend? Because I know in podcasting there's a lot of people who, like they find advertising annoying and so they fast forward quickly, and so I'm just curious to see how advertising is received in terms of listenership and in terms of popularity of people. Yeah, let's advertise on Pandora.  08:49 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) It's funny because when I first started this job, I would meet people at like a party or something like that, or a dinner, you know a get together, and they were like oh, where do you work?  08:57 - Intro (Host) I'm like, oh, I work at Pandora.  08:58 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) They're like I love Pandora, and then I just sit back and wait for the next sentence. They take a breath and they go, but the ads, yeah, exactly.  09:14 - Intro (Host) You, he knew it. And then I go, hey.  09:15 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) I make those ads and then talk about like an awkward. You know you can hear a glass drop in the background, but it's just like, well, we're trying to you know to make these ads gentle and not as abrasive and in your face like real radio ads.  09:22 And then they turn around and they start to agree with me. I'm like yeah, yeah, you know, okay, but I think the Free Pandora, you knowora, has really kind of survived on the advertising and I haven't really done a count in a while, but I don't think it's that many ads. I don't think it's really changed over time either, like in terms of an ad pod and an hour listening session.  09:39 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Well, I think it is what it is. I mean, you have to support the medium and I know that for myself, like on the VO Boss podcast, I've had sponsors which I wait until the end typically to say anything about the sponsors. But lately I'm like gosh, I've had this podcast for seven and a half years and I've never done any advertising, and so now I'm kind of doing my own ads. Now we'll see how that turns out. But my question to you is is that podcast advertising is now really started to become a thing just because podcasts are now becoming a thing? So what are your thoughts on that? Are you seeing trends? Are you seeing changes in how people tolerate ads and podcasts?  10:16 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I mean, I actually am guilty of fast-forwarding through a podcast ad recently, when I was listening to a podcast.  10:21 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) It better not be mine.  10:23 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Shame on me.  10:25 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) That's like a voice actor who fast-forwards through a commercial on television.  10:27 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Right, it was their own. No, no, no.  10:30 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh, I don't watch commercials Really.  10:34 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) But since SiriusXM bought Stitcher a few years ago, they were a podcast company. So we had to kind of figure out okay, we're going to do a lot more podcast ads now, so what does this sound like? So I feel like in the past few years we've been kind of sculpting this. There's a couple of different versions of what we work with in our group, on our team, and one is host reads. You know, it's like you have your Conan O'Briens and they're just handed a sheet of bullet points and they're ad living.  11:01 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yes, yes, and I think that's effective.  11:02 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, if you ever listen to Conan O'Briens ad reads, they're incredible.  11:06 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh, it's smart list. I'm going to put my vote in for SmartList. Okay, Really, really excellent. It's Sean Hayes, Dustin Bateman and oh my gosh, Will Arnett.  11:15 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah.  11:15 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) And so each one of them take turns. And you're right, they get the bullet points and they add them. They're amazing, they're funny. That's the best yeah, and so I agree. So that's just so so interesting yeah.  11:25 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) So that's the host read, and then we also do this thing called announcer.  11:29 Read now again that word announcer is not used in the same context that I just told you that we've evolved from. It's just quote announcer read, it's another package or whatever. So we've been trying to sculpt what does this announcer read sound like? Well, in my eyes it's like an offshoot of the conversational, because you're listening to a podcast and it's usually two hosts, you know, or whoever the hosts are, they're just shooting the breeze, you know, talking to one another, you know, we've all heard that. And then boom, a podcast ad comes in. So how do we want that ad to be? And it's the same thing as interrupting someone's music flow Again. But this is like. So we just want that super casual approach.  12:07 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) But you can still tell the difference, because it's not necessarily ad-libbed right Like a host Right.  12:14 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, you can definitely yeah, but we're trying to write that way as well, and we've been working on this for a couple of years already, and I feel like we're getting there and we have a select group of talent.  12:23 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) I think I'm going to hire you guys. I wrote my own and it took a long time because trying to write it as a host and in trying to like write something to sell something, I'm doing it myself, not bouncing it off anybody, and so it's a tough way to write. I mean, it's a whole different way of writing. Very interesting.  12:41 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I actually. You know, I produced a podcast for my wife and her sister my sister-in-law and my wife is a therapist and a coach and she has products and stuff like that and she finally said oh, I should advertise myself on there. Sure, I said, you know, go to chat GPT and have them write some scripts for you and adjust it.  13:03 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) She didn't ask you to write them.  13:05 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) No.  13:05 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) No, Steve, I think maybe.  13:07 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) I already do too much. Producing this podcast is a lot more work than I expected, but I said feed in your website or something like that, so they know who you are.  13:15 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Again, I'm not super experienced with it yet I did have some help with ChatGPT writing my own ad, yeah and she came up with three, and so I created three commercials for her.  13:23 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Now I put them in a rotation for her midway through her podcast, so it's cool. And then they also turn it on ads wherever they're uploading their podcast to as well, so it'll be her ad, and then whatever ads they decide to put in there as well.  13:37 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So yeah, let's talk a little bit more about when you're recruiting or trying to find new talent for your roster. What is the process and what are you looking for? What sort of qualities in a voice actor are you looking for that are suitable for your roster? I know before it used to be a thing in the industry where it would be like, oh, they're opening up the roster, so everybody would be like, oh my God, did you get an invite, or it was that kind of thing. Or did you submit? Did you submit and did you get asked to be on the roster? And it was a big thing when you weren't thing, when you weren't. I remember that it was years ago. I submitted. I just remember, like going in the underground VO circles, it was the big thing.  14:15 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, and I will say it's very hard. We have 260 talents on our roster, or 250 talents on our roster right now, and I'd say it's pretty jammed up, so it's like it's really hard to like find what are we looking for now. You know, I feel like every time someone applies or sends me something, the number one reason I have to tell people is you know, you kind of sound like one or two other people on our roster and I feel bad like you are a superstar.  14:41 But yeah you know I can't give the people on our roster a disservice and I can't give you a disservice by oversaturating those kind of voices. So it's been tough to manage and we don't open the roster at any particular time. I know at the end of the year I do a little house cleaning. So people who aren't really, who are maybe booking one or two jobs a year, it's like, let me tell you, that's the hardest thing about saying goodbye to someone because they're not booking enough, like sorry, you've only booked like two gigs in the past two years. It's like you know that's not sustainable for you as us being a client of yours. It's like you're firing me. I'm like no, I'm not. No, I don't want to use that word, no, but again, it's not sustainable for you to just book one spot a year from us. You know.  15:29 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Right, I book one spot a year from us, you know. So, right, I agree, and I also think that it's hard for talent because they take it very personally when in fact sometimes it's not. I mean, sometimes, yes, it may be performance related, correct, but myself, having been in casting and having done Vio Basta as an audition demolition, but in casting and for projects like that, I just know that sometimes it has nothing to do with the performance, it has everything to do with oh okay, I have this product and this voice is not the demographic that I'm looking for, and so a lot of it is based on the client and what kind of voice they're looking for and who they're trying to sell to. Is that similar to what you feel, as well as to why some people get picked on the roster, like is there a trending sound right now, like millennial, like that kind of thing?  16:13 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) No, I mean there was the millennial thing, I think, but we've gotten everything we need right now and I just like what I really watch out for is oversaturating certain age ranges, you know, and just like you know, okay, we already have some, you know, senior age, males only a couple and then it's like do I bring one more on? No, because again it's that oversaturation thing. That's the thing I have to watch out for the most these days.  16:38 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So what would be your tips or secrets to help voice actors deliver their best performances? Not necessarily to get on the roster, but because I mean you've been casting for years and casting talent and performances. So what would be your best tips for helping VO talent deliver a great performance?  16:59 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Sure, I mean, I think the number one thing in the way we deal with talent is we're not doing a lot of live sessions, we're booking via email. So in those cases you're going to have to send us three takes, and your confidence and your self-direction is really what's at play here. So I would say that's like the number one kind of thing that we really hope you have is that confidence and self-direction, because you're going to send us three choices and you can't be unsure and you can't send us three of the exact same carbon copy. We've had some talents in the past?  17:31 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yeah, how often does that happen?  17:33 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) It's happened where I actually have taken all three of their takes and put them on top of each other in Pro.  17:38 - Intro (Host) Tools or whatever.  17:39 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) And it's just one thing, echo and there's no difference between any of them. It's almost like it's eerie. Yeah, so that's a no do. But other stuff, definitely a good commercial reel. I think from like listening to a ton of commercial reels, I'm starting to learn like what makes a good one these days. You know, and also sitting on the speed dating with your demo panel the past few years at Solvus, I've had people give me demos that are, like you know, sound effects heavy, and then there's another voice on there and I say you have 60 seconds, add up the sound effects, add up the other voices on here. What's that? Four, five, six seconds? Okay, that's 10% of your demo.  18:18 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) That's not you. That's real estate.  18:21 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, so you can have sound effects, but not have it just be by themselves or start your demo with a big explosion or something like that, right, unless you're going for terrestrial radio or whatever I don't know. But yeah, other stuff is like. One thing I really appreciate from a talent is I call it VO intuition. If you have a script that, for example, it says finance or something like that, and you're not sure the way the client wants it, you know it's finance or finance and I want to write a book that has those words in VO data data. You know, I wonder if anyone's done that yet. A book that all the words that could be said two different ways.  18:56 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh right.  18:57 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) There's my quarter million dollar idea. I guess I don't know. But if you have a script like that and it's like 9 o'clock pm and the producer's not available, send it both ways and say hey.  19:07 I gave it to you. So that's what I call VO intuition. I really appreciate that when it's like oh, I didn't know if you wanted data or data, so I'm giving it to you both ways or I'm picking up this sentence. Stuff like that is really great, but it's not a requirement. Good communication If I send good communication, you know, if I send you a request, I want to hear back from you within, you know, three or four hours, say, yes, I got it, I got you, I'm going to hit it by the deadline, no problem, our turnarounds are like 24 to 48 hours, so we need that as well. So, yeah, stuff like that and other stuff. I mean definitely the commercial demo is number one. These are nice to have character work singing, but, again, not required got Got it.  19:45 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So what qualities in addition to like, let's say, the demo? Right, let's say you have a demo and the demo is amazing. And then, all of a sudden, do you find talent sometimes that don't equate to the demo. Meaning what you hear on the demo is not necessarily what you get back when you give them. Okay, here's a job the customer picked out for you. Can you give me three versions of it? And then, all of a sudden, it sounds nothing like their demo. And then what happens at that point?  20:09 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Do you direct them or yeah, I mean, there is always a chance for us to get on the phone or do a live session. But in terms of our recruiting and the way it works to get on our roster is we listen to the demos and if we really like it, then we'll reach out with a whole packet of auditions. Oh god, this is like 12 different scripts you know from like automotive, university, healthcare, retail, and then we've just created a podcast script and cpg, which is consumer packaged goods, and a conversational script and ad lib script. So it's like 12 of those scripts. So that gives us. So you'll find out. Yeah, did you record in a fancy studio and now you're at your kitchen table and what you did on your demo? Is that also translating as well to our scripts?  20:53 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So let's talk a little bit about I always call it like the technological disruptor in the room synthetic voices. Are you finding that you have clients that are looking for that these days and, if so, do you have a source or how do you feel about it? What's your take on synthetic voices and their place in the industry today?  21:13 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I think there are some spots where it would be good for a talent, you know, like if you had your clone and you were in control of it. I think that is number one. Again, I want to shout out to Nava and everything they're doing for. Ai Because I believe in all the stuff that their manifesto, everything about how they stand for the vo industry and ai.  21:34 I'm just so into what they're doing so I gotta shout out for them. But there are places, you know, suppose you were given something you know where you needed to read like 2500 addresses or something like that, you know, and you're just like, oh god, I can't do, I can't do this, I'm going to blow out my voice or it's going to take six hours. And then you're like, all right, I'll just do the body of the spot and then turn my clone on to do that. It's hard to figure out. What are the rates? What is a good rate for that as well? You know, and that's kind of stuff I think about, you know, when I'm what is a good rate? I always want to stand for our talents and try and get the best rates possible for them. So you know, that's something I need to think about if we ever were to go into an AI world Right now. I mean, some clients are asking for it and stuff like that.  22:16 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) And what type of applications Are they asking for it in terms of it's because they can't afford or they have, let's say, volume material that they think it's an ongoing thing where just a date will change or a price will change or a couple of things will change.  22:30 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I don't think it's gotten that expressive yet or that detailed yet. I think they're just like wanting to touch the new toys that are out there Play around yeah.  22:38 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yeah, I actually almost I agree with you on that, because I feel like it's kind of novelty. People just want to see how good it is and I think for certain things, as you mentioned and a big shout out to Nava and one of the reasons why on the VO Boss podcast and Bosses if you haven't listened to it I did an extensive set of interviews with a number of AI companies to talk to them about ethics and the industry and synthetic voices in general, and I got educated. I did a lot of work and I got educated and I think that's wonderful and Nava is a really wonderful source for being educated as well, and so I think if we own the creative license to our voices and we can control it, I think that's moving in a positive direction and we just need to get it there first so that we can do that Absolutely.  23:27 But I don't think that the technology is there yet for emotion or rhythm or that kind of thing, although there's lots of great examples out there, and the scary thing about some of the great examples is somebody will say, oh gosh, listen to this. And everybody's like, oh my God, it's really good. And then everybody panics and gets scared. And in reality there's a lot of technical things on the backend and this is just from my own education, from interviewing so many people that worked in the AI industry that there's many, many different ways that people come out with these samples and you don't know how much engineering is done on the back end to make them sound that good.  24:01 And there's different technologies too. I mean there's text-to-speech, and then there's speech-to-speech, which is an entirely different technologies too. I mean there's text-to-speech, and then there's speech-to-speech, which is an entirely different thing, which is what they use for high-end Hollywood movie dubs, and that's where it sounds scary good. And so a lot of times you don't know. You don't know how it was produced or how it was manufactured. But kudos to NAVA again. And the sooner we can get legislation in place so that we can be protected, the better. You know, I've always said that we should, as an industry, just evolve. I mean, we're not going to make it go away, that's for darn sure. So we need to evolve and somehow work with it as it evolves as well. I don't think anymore that AI's high power is in synthetic voices anymore. I really feel that it's in data manipulation and data curation, and that's where its true strength is in terms of helping the world, you know, and hopefully in a good way.  24:55 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah, I think there's also in my mind. There's a difference between, like the synthetic voices which are just like sprinkling stuff into a blender, and creating a new voice, versus a real person who owns their clone and they're in charge of their clone. That, to me, feels like the more comfortable situation.  25:12 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) And to me I feel like that's like money-wise, it's an equal split, right? I feel like I should get 50% and the company that has my voice and generates my voice and hosts my voice right with their engine should get 50%. That's where I start in terms of why not, right?  25:28 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) yeah, if you need a pickup and you're like I'm sleeping, I'm on vacation, I'm in charge, I'm going to push the button, I'll get you that pickup, but I'm just going to set it for my phone right here, you know, or, yeah, you're in charge of that locker or whatever it is.  25:40 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So yeah, well, what other predictions? So I guess I'll say, if you took a look into the crystal ball outside of synthetic voices, what sort of predictions do you have for the future, at least for yourself and audio production and advertising?  25:54 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Well, this is what I'm enjoying a lot more in my day-to-day is more immersive sound design in audio advertising.  26:05 We are starting to do some cool stuff in the 3D space, where and I'm now the go-to guy Well, I'd like to think I'm now the go-to guy on my team for horror movie trailers or all things horror, because I just did something the other day that was really cool for this horror movie coming up and I just enjoyed taking an alien and going whoo whoo, whoo, whoo whoo, but in the headphones, where it comes from the top of the head to the bottom, or you can go around in that 3D space in headphones, which is really cool.  26:41 So anytime I could do that where you're just getting more theater of the mind stuff to actually immerse a listener and just have the VO be a support to that. I think if we can get more into those kind of things almost cinematic ads in your headphones I think that might be the way to really get people to enjoy ads too and really just be like whoa, did you hear that? You know, imagine people talking about did you hear that audio ad? You know? Like when they're in the same way people talk about super bowl ads, you know it's like, yeah, I'd love to get there.  27:09 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yeah, yeah, audio ads like that. One other thing before I have to leave you, we could probably do five podcasts with all this really great conversation. Tell us a little bit about you started something called the sonic great conversation. Tell us a little bit about you started something called the Sonic Diversity Initiative. Talk to us a little bit about that. Sure.  27:23 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) This is like something we started during the pandemic. It's called Stand for Sonic Diversity and is a website we created called standforsonicdiversitycom, and basically we just started to take a look at our casting practices and other advertising agencies and we kind of put out almost like a pledge to other advertising agencies hey, will you guys pledge along with us to make your casting and your rosters more diverse and more inclusive? And as a result, I've worked really hard and I'm proud to say that our roster is now more than 50% voices of color. So I'm really proud of that work and we're trying to also make sure that our casting practices are that way.  28:10 Because, back then it was like you know, you're just like, unless a client specified, you would maybe assume like, oh, if they don't specify, then they want a white talent as their go-to and it's like no. So we decided we can move the needle from within by just making these changes internally and smartly, and it's the right thing to do. And so we also put this pledge up to other agencies and other advertising conglomerates and stuff like that, and hopefully they all join in as well.  28:38 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Wonderful, wonderful.  28:39 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Well, thank you for that, yeah if you go to that site, there's a really cool audio spot that you can play there, and I am I'm proud to produce that spot as well.  28:46 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So what's that site again? Stanforsonicdiversitycom okay, awesome, so all right. My last question, which is here's a fun question for you if you were stranded on a deserted island and you could only bring three albums or podcasts with you, what would they be? I mean, I figure you must have some music preferences, for sure yeah, oh man only three, wow all right.  29:15 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) One of them is Prince.  29:18 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Ah, Of course I say 1999.  29:21 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) No, it's a double album.  29:23 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Well, just saying Prince is enough for me. Yeah, yeah, I would absolutely.  29:27 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) I like that it's the one with Housequake and Starfish and Coffee. I don't know why the name has escaped me. It's one of my favorite albums too he's brilliant. He's brilliant. Yes, and then I'm also a metalhead and I like kind of like heavy hardcore music and there's a band I.  29:42 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Why did I know that? Why did I know that somehow?  29:44 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) I play in two bands actually, so that's my weekend. Therapy is going and playing super loud music.  29:49 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) There you go, and what do you play if I can?  29:51 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) ask I play bass.  29:52 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh, okay, awesome, my brother plays. Brother plays bass. Yeah, wow, okay, can we hear you anywhere? Is that a thing? Can we hear you somewhere?  29:59 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Uh-huh, I'm in a band, it's an all-dad band, and this is the best name for an all-dad band. It's called that Ship has Sailed. I love it, I love it. We're on all the streaming places and I'm in're called Converge and their album is called Jane Doe. Okay, and then one more.  30:25 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh God, it could be a podcast too, if you have a favorite podcast.  30:29 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Yeah.  30:30 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Because you've got to keep yourself busy.  30:32 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Right.  30:35 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So maybe the podcast would be more refreshing because it would come out on a regular basis.  30:39 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) There was one podcast I listened to by a co-worker introduced it to me and it's not something I can listen to over again because it was pretty intense, but it was really cool. It was called Sweet Bobby, I think. Okay, it was like a kind of a true crime kind of podcast.  30:51 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I think that I have.  30:53 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) I wouldn't take that with me, though. I'm sorry you put me on the spot.  30:58 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) That's okay, that's all right. I think you did really well.  31:00 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Thank you.  31:01 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) So let me ask you I'm really excited by the way that, before I let you go, that I'm going to have you as a guest director for my VO Peeps group, which is going to be really amazing coming up in July. So thank you, Very excited to have that happen. If a voice talent, Voice talent want to reach out and find you, see all the good things that you do, listen to your band and also the other website that we mentioned, when can they find you?  31:23 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) You can probably hit me on LinkedIn or my email address is spogach at pandoracom. It might change to SiriusXM shortly. But one thing I like to tell talents and I guess I'm overly nice this way is like I'm always happy to lend talents their ears, like, for example, if someone sends a mission out or they want you, they want to know oh, why didn't I get that audition? You know, I'm happy to give feedback on there. It's like almost like you're all sending resumes out in the world. You don't hear anything back. You know it's, and it's like you're sending auditions out and no one ever gets feedback. So I'm always happy to lend an ear and give feedback. Or someone's like oh, can you listen to my demo? If I have time, I'm glad to take a minute and listen to someone's demo, give them feedback and stuff like that.  32:09 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) That's wonderful, I guess I'm too nice, I don't know. Now I'm going to send everybody your way out.  32:14 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) I know.  32:19 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) By the way, I'm changing my email address. There you go, yeah, right, well, steve, it has been so wonderful to have you here. Thank you so much for taking the time. I'm going to give a great big shout out to our sponsor, ipdtl. Yes, you too can connect and network like bosses. Find out more at IPDTLcom. Steve, thank you again, it's been wonderful.  32:35 - Steve Pogatch (Guest) Thank you, can't wait to see you. It was great talking to you.  32:37 - Anne Ganguzza (Host) Yeah for VO. Peeps and bosses, you have an amazing week and we'll see you next week.  32:44 - Intro (Host) Bye-bye. Join us next week for another edition of VO Boss with your host, anne Ganguza, and take your business to the next level. Sign up for our mailing list at vobosscom and receive exclusive content, industry revolutionizing tips and strategies and new ways to rock your business like a boss. Redistribution with permission. Coast-to-coast connectivity via IP.     

Mo Rocca joins Mark to discuss profiling Johnny Carson's producer Peter Lassally, his time at The Daily Show, Sean Hayes' advice for going on Letterman, Jon Stewart, & his new book “Roctogenarians”.   Buy Mo's book, "Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs"   Follow on X (Twitter): @MoRocca   Follow on Instagram: @mobituaries

In this final episode of their second season, Tommie, Patrick, and his husband/producer Steven say goodbye to Kevin, the world's tallest dog, go sledding with the Kamchatka Sled Dog, wish a Happy Birthday to gay actor Sean Hayes, pay their respects to late actor Donald Sutherland, celebrate Equality Day, eat chocolate pudding, learn more than they ever wanted to know about coconuts, take a Pride trivia quiz, celebrate the pardon of LGBT veterans, cry foul at the Nassau County ban against trans women athletes, look at the effect of the Texas abortion ban, wonder how a corrupt Supreme Court can rule on anti-corruption laws, review the fourth season of The Boys, laugh at Donald Trump and Beth Bourne, and name their favorite Pride songs. See you in September!

Jessica Livingston is a co-founder of Y Combinator, the first and most successful startup accelerator. Y Combinator has funded over 5,000 companies, 200 of which are now unicorns, including Airbnb, Dropbox, DoorDash, Stripe, Coinbase, and Reddit. Jessica played a crucial role in YC's early success, when she was nicknamed the “social radar” because of her uncanny ability to quickly evaluate people—an essential skill when investing in early-stage startups. She's also the host of the popular podcast The Social Radars, where she interviews billion-dollar-startup founders, and the author of the acclaimed book Founders at Work, which captures the origin stories of some of today's most interesting companies. In our conversation, we discuss:• How Jessica gained the affectionate title of the “social radar”• Why defensive founders are a red flag• How to develop your social radar• What she looks for in founders during YC interviews• How YC's early inexperience in angel investing led to the batch model• Her favorite stories from interviews with Airbnb, Rippling, and more• Lessons learned from hosting her own podcast• Much more—Brought to you by:• Enterpret—Transform customer feedback into product growth• Anvil—The fastest way to build software for documents• Vanta—Automate compliance. Simplify security—Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-social-radar-jessica-livingston—Where to find Jessica Livingston:• X: https://x.com/jesslivingston• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalivingston1/• Podcast: https://www.thesocialradars.com/—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Jessica's background(02:42) Thoughts on being under-recognized(07:52) Jessica's superpower: the social radar(15:11) Evaluating founders: key traits and red flags(21:00) The Airbnb story: a lesson in hustle and determination(25:57) A YC success story(28:26) The importance of earnestness(32:45) Confidence vs. defensiveness(34:43) Commitment and co-founder disputes(37:46) Relentless resourcefulness(40:00) Jessica's social radar: origins and insights(43:24) Honing her social radar skills(45:44) Conviction and scams: a Y Combinator story(46:50) The interview process: challenges and insights(48:20) Operationalizing founder evaluation(49:38) Advice for building social radar skills(52:08) The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” quiz(55:19) Jessica's podcast: The Social Radars(01:00:34) Lessons from podcasting and interviewing(01:09:58) Lightning round—Referenced:• Paul Graham's post about Jessica: https://paulgraham.com/jessica.html• Paul Graham on X: https://x.com/paulg• Robert Tappan Morris: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tappan_Morris• Trevor Blackwell on X: https://x.com/tlbtlbtlb• Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/• “The Founders” examines the rise and legend of PayPal: https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/02/19/the-founders-examines-the-rise-and-legend-of-paypal• Patrick Collison on X: https://x.com/patrickc• John Collison on X: https://x.com/collision• Brian Chesky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianchesky/• Nate Blecharczyk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blecharczyk/• Joe Gebbia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgebbia/• Airbnb's CEO says a $40 cereal box changed the course of the multibillion-dollar company: https://fortune.com/2023/04/19/airbnb-ceo-cereal-box-investors-changed-everything-billion-dollar-company/• Parker Conrad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkerconrad/• Zenefits: https://connect.trinet.com/hr-platform• Goat: https://www.goat.com/• Eddy Lu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddylu/• Drew Houston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewhouston/• Arash Ferdowsi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arashferdowsi/• Lessons from 1,000+ YC startups: Resilience, tar pit ideas, pivoting, more | Dalton Caldwell (Y Combinator, Managing Director): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/lessons-from-1000-yc-startups•Bitcoin launderer pleads guilty, admits to massive Bitfinex hack: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/03/new-york-man-admits-being-original-bitfinex-hacker-during-guilty-plea-in-dc-to-bitcoin-money-laundering.html• Paul Graham's tweet with the facial recognition test: https://x.com/paulg/status/1782875262855663691• SmartLess podcast: https://www.smartless.com• Jason Bateman on X: https://x.com/batemanjason• Will Arnett on X: https://x.com/arnettwill• Sean Hayes on X: https://x.com/seanhayes• The Social Radars with Tony Xu, Co-Founder & CEO of DoorDash: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/Ja-tony-xu-co-founder-ceo-of-doordash• The Social Radars with Brian Chesky: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/JW-brian-chesky-co-founder-ceo-of-airbnb• The Social Radars with Patrick and John Collison: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/Kx-patrick-john-collison-co-founders-of-stripe• The Social Radars with Brian Armstrong: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/K3-brian-armstrong-co-founder-and-ceo-of-coinbase• The Social Radars with Emmett Shear: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/KM-emmett-shear-co-founder-of-twitch• The Social Radars with Paul Graham: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/JV-paul-graham-co-founder-of-y-combinator-and-viaweb• The Social Radars with Adora Cheung: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/L0-adora-cheung-co-founder-of-homejoy-instalab• Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days: https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Work-Stories-Startups-Early/dp/1430210788• Startup School: https://www.startupschool.org/• The Social Radars with Parker Conrad: https://www.ycombinator.com/library/Ky-parker-conrad-founder-of-zenefits-rippling• Rippling: https://www.rippling.com/• Carry on, Jeeves: https://www.amazon.com/Carry-Jeeves-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486848957• Very Good, Jeeves: https://www.amazon.com/Very-Good-Jeeves-Wooster-Book-ebook/dp/B0051GST06• Right Ho, Jeeves: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Ho-Jeeves-P-Wodehouse-ebook/dp/B083FFDNHN/• Life: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Keith-Richards-ebook/dp/B003UBTX72/• My Name Is Barbra: https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Barbra-Streisand/dp/0525429522• Clarkson's Farm on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Clarksons-Farm-Season-1/dp/B095RHJ52R• Schitt's Creek on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/series/schitts-creek-a2e7a946-9652-48a8-884b-3ea7ea4de273• Yellowstone on Peacock: https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/yellowstone• Sam Altman on X: https://x.com/sama• Justin Kan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkan/• Alexis Ohanian on X: https://x.com/alexisohanian• Steve Huffman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuffman56/• Breaking News: Condé Nast/Wired Acquires Reddit: https://techcrunch.com/2006/10/31/breaking-news-conde-nastwired-acquires-reddit/• Charles River Venture: https://www.crv.com/—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. Get full access to Lenny's Newsletter at www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe

Sean Hayes dropped by the JPR Steve Nelson Performance studio ahead of concert in Lithia Park in Ashland. He's known for his insightful lyrics and multi-genre soulful sound.

It's Pride Month, and folks across the state are celebrating. This weekend is Trans Joy Fest in Duluth, put on by the non-profit Trans Northland.Co-directors Ana Kruger and Sean Hayes joined MPR News guest host Nina Moini to share how they're supporting the northern Minnesota trans community.

Culture, Society, Education, Comedy - Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

In this episode of The JAG Show, we tackle the ever-persistent question: How long should a podcast be? The answer isn't one-size-fits-all. We dive into the nuances of podcast length and what makes an extended episode worthwhile. With personal anecdotes and industry insights, we explore scenarios where longer podcasts not only work but captivate. From celebrity-packed interviews, like Julian Edelman's deep dive with Ernie Adams, to niche passions such as travel hacks and Taylor Swift conspiracy theories, we illustrate why content, not length, dictates a podcast's success. Whether it's sports, politics, or entertainment, we discuss how established shows and A-listers like SmartLess can pull off hour-long episodes that leave listeners wanting more. So, if you've ever pondered the perfect podcast duration or sought to justify a lengthier listening experience, tune in as we affirm that as long as it's engaging, it's the right length. Don't forget, the best way to grow your podcast is through word-of-mouth, so if you enjoy this episode, pass it along! For all your podcast queries, reach out at jagindetroit.com.Smartless: https://smartless.comTaylor Swift Hits Different Pod: https://www.youtube.com/@ithitsdiffpodGames With Names: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFof_j6hnC2WaZWwwW41_gA Find jag on social media @JAGinDetroit or online at JAGinDetroit.com

Interviewing McCartney, Will & Grace, and the world of podcasting with Sean Hayes. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We went rogue and live and lucky people! This week, Holly goes live on IG to review Lucky! Sean Hayes plays the lovely, condescending reporter PLUS Ervin Ross (the hot tub limo driver), and Chris Regan (the political Pawnee pundit from Campaign Shake Up) stop by to give funny and informative voice memos! Plus, don't miss Ron's sexy Tiger Woods shirt, and Jerry being a government drone. Thank you all for tuning in if you did and see you on the next one!!! Merch is coming soon, so please follow us on Instagram to keep up with us! https://www.instagram.com/parkpalspodcast/Ervin Ross IG: https://www.instagram.com/ervinross/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ervin.j.ross/Chris Regan IG: https://www.instagram.com/crregan/ He's also a writer on Family Guy, amazing! Go watch! Support the showRate and review us on Apple Podcasts!Follow us @parkpalspodcast on Instagram! Or email us at parkpalspodcast@gmail.com

Miss Heard celebrates Season 5, Episode 237 with boy band 98 Degrees' wedding song “I Do (Cherish You)”. So many connections to “Saved By the Bell”, Ally McBeal, Superbowl Doritos Commercial and a straight version of actor Sean Hayes of “Will and Grace” fame. You can listen to all our episodes at our website at: https://pod.co/miss-heard-song-lyrics Or iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and many more platforms under Podcast name “Miss Heard Song Lyrics” Don't forget to subscribe/rate/review to help our Podcast in the ratings. Please consider supporting our little podcast via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MissHeardSongLyrics or via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MissHeardSongLyrics   #missheardsonglyrics #missheardsongs #missheardlyrics #misheardsonglyrics #misheardsongs        #misheardlyrics #98Degrees #IDoCherishYou #NickLachey #DrewLachey #AliLandry #DustinDiamond     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kofixtz2Us https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Do_(Cherish_You) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98_Degrees https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Hill https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vonda_Shepard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Landry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dustin_Diamond

Big 12 football sneak peak into the future. In this week's episode of the Unafraid Show, George Wrighster tells fans who he believes will run the Big XII conference in football over the next five years. Will the Pac-12 castoffs Colorado Buffaloes, Utah Utes, Arizona State Sun Devils, and Arizona Wildcats pick up where Oklahoma and Texas left off, or will teams like Tex Tech Red Raiders, Kansas Jayhawks and Oklahoma State Cowboys finally seize the Big XII conference crown? Next, United Football League (UFL) Director of Player Performance Sean Hayes sits down with George to explain just what it takes to be a professional football player training to get drafted in the NFL or UFL, as well as the day-to day of being a professional. The entire internet went crazy talking about Cam Newton brawling with opposing coaches at an Atlanta 7 on 7 event, and George Wrighster talks from personal experience about what it's like to be a former professional athlete coaching youth ball, and what he thinks is actually to blame for the blow up. Last, George gives his recipe for the United Football League to become the spring football league that can finally survive long enough to catch America by storm. The Unafraid Show is about US! Make sure to follow the Unafraid Show on all Social channels: - Follow Unafraid Show on Twitter for more exclusive content: https://twitter.com/UnafraidShow - Subscribe to The Unafraid Show on YouTube for weekly episodes! - Join our Facebook community: https://facebook.com/UnafraidShow - Get a closer look on Instagram: https://instagram.com/unafraidshow #fsrweekendsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big 12 football sneak peak into the future. In this week's episode of the Unafraid Show, George Wrighster tells fans who he believes will run the Big XII conference in football over the next five years. Will the Pac-12 castoffs Colorado Buffaloes, Utah Utes, Arizona State Sun Devils, and Arizona Wildcats pick up where Oklahoma and Texas left off, or will teams like Tex Tech Red Raiders, Kansas Jayhawks and Oklahoma State Cowboys finally seize the Big XII conference crown? Next, United Football League (UFL) Director of Player Performance Sean Hayes sits down with George to explain just what it takes to be a professional football player training to get drafted in the NFL or UFL, as well as the day-to day of being a professional. The entire internet went crazy talking about Cam Newton brawling with opposing coaches at an Atlanta 7 on 7 event, and George Wrighster talks from personal experience about what it's like to be a former professional athlete coaching youth ball, and what he thinks is actually to blame for the blow up. Last, George gives his recipe for the United Football League to become the spring football league that can finally survive long enough to catch America by storm. The Unafraid Show is about US! Make sure to follow the Unafraid Show on all Social channels: - Follow Unafraid Show on Twitter for more exclusive content: https://twitter.com/UnafraidShow - Subscribe to The Unafraid Show on YouTube for weekly episodes! - Join our Facebook community: https://facebook.com/UnafraidShow - Get a closer look on Instagram: https://instagram.com/unafraidshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UFL Director of Player Performance Sean Hayes joins George Wrighster to talk about what it's like to live life as a performance coach for pro athletes. What is the difference between in-season and offseason training? How do athletes prepare for the combine? How do strength coaches differentiate between training the different positions, and what type of insights do strength coaches get that position coaches might now? Hayes gets into all that and more! The Unafraid Show is about US! Make sure to follow the Unafraid Show on all Social channels: - Follow Unafraid Show on Twitter for more exclusive content: https://twitter.com/UnafraidShow - Subscribe to The Unafraid Show on YouTube for weekly episodes! - Join our Facebook community: https://facebook.com/UnafraidShow - Get a closer look on Instagram: https://instagram.com/unafraidshow #unafraid #unafraidshow #football #collegefootball #nfl #sports #sportsnews #nflcombine #ufl #xflSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Stewart returns to The Daily Show, Eli Zaret & WATP Karl join us, Meghan Markel's new podcast deal, country Beyonce, krazy kooky Kanye, and Super Bowl leftovers. Eli Zaret finally joins us to discuss the Super Bowl, rip CBS broadcaster Tony Romo, Tom Brady to the Fox broadcast booth, the ridiculous ratings of the Super Bowl LVIII, Eli's version of Ice Spice, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's love, face tattoos, the Super Bowl overtime rules, the Kansas City Chiefs ‘dynasty', the best Tight Ends of all time, the new super streaming sports service and more. Rolling Stone muffs the new rankings of Super Bowl Halftime Shows. The Detroit Lions have the 5th best odds for winning the Super Bowl next year. Kanye West was allegedly tossed from the big game by Taylor Swift. Ye aired the worst produced Super Bowl commercials. Thomas J.Henry is really rich and spends his money on celebrities. Jon Stewart successful return to The Daily Show. Hillary Clinton declares Joe Biden old. Meghan Markle somehow has ANOTHER podcast deal. Fyre Festival II is apparently happening, ya'll. Karl Hamburger joins the show to explain the shenanigans in Atlantic City, Tim Dillon vs celebrity podcasts, destroy the Just Jack & Will with Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack Podcast, tear Stuttering John down again and much more. Check out Karl's live show near Tampa in March! A listener sent us a Ted Templeman book. Taylor Swift fans are mad at flight tracker Jack Sweeney… for liking Drew's tweet! All you ‘poors' out there need to watch YouTube. It's very expensive to be Sharon Stone and hard to be famous. Dunkin' Donuts tracksuits are sold out. Tom Cruise is trying to suck Elsina Khayrova and her money into Scientology. Larsa Pippen is no longer nailing Michael Jordan's son. Beyoncé has gone country. It's a good day for Miles Bridges as 3 of his charges are dropped. Russell Simmons has ANOTHER accuser. Kanye West's teeth look stupid. Visit Our Presenting Sponsor Hall Financial – Michigan's highest rated mortgage company If you'd like to help support the show… consider subscribing to our YouTube Page, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (Drew and Mike Show, Marc Fellhauer, Trudi Daniels, Jim Bentley and BranDon).

Tarek El Moussa Finally Tells His Version of Gun Incident That Ended Marriage to Christina Hall (PEOPLE)(30:11)Kristin Juszczyk lands NFL deal after creating viral jackets for Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes (Page Six) (42:41)Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes' 'SmartLess' podcast is going to SiriusXM for $100 million (CNN Business) (53:51)Universal pulling out of TikTok deal (Daily Mail) (1:04:38)Lala Kent Thought Rachel Leviss 'Was Gonna Go Bag Groceries' (PEOPLE) (1:09:06)Vanderpump Rules RecapThe Toast with Jackie (@JackieOshry) and Claudia Oshry (@girlwithnojob) The Camper and The Counselor by Jackie OshryMerchThe Toast PatreonGirl With No Job by Claudia OshrySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

HUGE Earnings - Most impactful week of quarter. China continues to try to save markets Push Back? Powell Meets Markets Wednesday. PCE - FED FAV - The Latest. Announcing a new Closest to The Pin. PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm Up -  Jury Duty? - Big Week for ECO - Jobs Report Friday - Penmanship - making a comeback? - Is this a Capitulation Moment - China? -- War Brewing - Dragging US into Mid-East Conflict? Market Update - HUGE Earnings - Most impactful week of quarter - China continues to try to save markets - Push Back? Powell Meets Markets Wednesday - PCE - FED FAV - The Latest PODCAST DEAL - Sirius XM Holdings Inc. has acquired certain exclusive rights to SmartLess, the hit podcast hosted by actors Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, as part of a larger deal between the satellite radio company and SmartLess Media. - The three-year accord is worth more than $100 million, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified. SUPER- Bowl - Tickets to attend the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — a rematch between the 2020 contenders — are the most expensive ever for the event, going for an average $9,815 each so far, according to reseller TickPick. - The price is 70% more than last year's game, which was held in Arizona. The previous record of $7,046 was set in 2021 in Tampa, Florida, when the game was played at sharply reduced capacity Rate Hike Probabilities - First move for markets from Oct '23 was the HOPE and LOVE of Fed Rate Cuts to come - As soon as March - (The we got the AI 'rager' that helped support Bull markets) - - NOW, Rate CUT hopes fading - markets ignoring facts --- Rate Cut Chart Odds - Fading Rate Cut Odds Reporting this week: - Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft --- Huge components for NAZ100 and S&P500 Microsoft - Microsoft was expected to report a 15.8% jump in quarterly revenue, its best growth in nearly two years, as rising adoption of its products infused with generative AI fuels demand for its cloud services. -- ACTUAL: ---- Microsoft's Q2 revenue was $62.02 billion, a 16% increase, surpassing the estimate of $61.14 billion. ----- Earnings per share (EPS) were reported at $2.93, beating the consensus by $0.16. -- Stock even A/H Google/Alphabet - GOOGL company achieved a YoY revenue increase of 13.5%, reaching $86.31 billion, surpassing expectations. - Google Advertising reported $65.52 billion in revenue, showing an 11.0% YoY growth but falling short of expecations. -- Stock Down 4% AH More Earnings - TSLA - Horrible! - Earnings per share: 71 cents, adjusted vs. 74 cents expected. - Revenue: $25.17 billion vs. $25.6 billion expected. - Operating margin for the quarter came in at 8.2%, down from the year-ago quarter's figure of 16% - Tesla said in its investor presentation that vehicle volume growth in 2024 "may be notably lower" than last year's growth rate as the company works toward launching its "next-generation vehicle" in Texas. - Stock down 14% on the news ---- Stock market cap still down 40% since purchase of Twitter in 2022 AMD - - Met expectations but guided DOWN - So much for the big rise based on NOTHING! - Stocks DOWN 10% Tech Layoffs - Silicon Valley's tech companies are slashing headcount at a rapid pace. - Since the start of January, some 23,670 workers have been laid off from 85 tech companies, according to the website Layoffs.fyi. - Some are laying off staff in parts of the business to invest more heavily in developing AI products. China - The China Securities Regulatory Commission has said that investors will no longer be able to lend out shares for trading purpose...

EMILY BERGL “Tessie Myerson” and Kevin discuss Season 3, Ep. 7, as well as her insights into sharing scenes with Alex Borstein, and on Broadway with Sean Hayes.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An iconic duo is back! Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack return to host the ultimate Will & Grace rewatch podcast. Each week on JUST JACK & WILL, Sean, who has never seen it before, and Eric, who may have seen it too much, break down an episode of Will & Grace with charm and chemistry. They revisit jokes, share never before heard stories, reunite with their fellow cast members and fabulous guest stars, and showcase the team who helped Will & Grace win an astounding 18 Emmy Awards.Listen to Just Jack & Will: Wondery.fm/JJW_SMRT See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.