Working

Working Overtime: Finding Yourself Among Like Minded People

August 24, 2023 06:00 - 26 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler reflect on their times at different arts festivals. Being around like-minded individuals drawn together by an appreciation of art can be inspiring. Even if a festival isn’t physically possible to attend, finding creative groups and online communities can sometimes be just as rewarding. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast produ...

Working Overtime: Why Artists Should Attend Festivals

August 24, 2023 06:00 - 26 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler reflect on their times at different arts festivals. Being around like-minded individuals drawn together by an appreciation of art can be inspiring. Even if a festival isn’t physically possible to attend, finding creative groups and online communities can sometimes be just as rewarding. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast produ...

A Novelist on Genre Blending and Sucking Blood

August 20, 2023 06:00 - 55 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working, host Isaac Butler interviews author Daniel Hornsby on his new novel Sucker and his creative process. The author of Via Negativa, Hornsby’s latest tale was spun out of jokes among friends about Elizabeth Holmes being a vampire and Martin Shkreli’s failed foray as punk-rock label owner, for a deeply sardonic salad of tech world billionaires, and campy horror. Butler is also joined by co-host Nate Chinen, to discuss Hornsby’s inspired ways of generating ideas ...

The New Hamilton Actor Makes the Role His Own

August 13, 2023 07:00 - 46 minutes

This week, guest-host Nate Chinen talks to Miguel Cervantes, the actor currently playing Alexander Hamilton on Broadway. In the interview, Miguel explains why he’s not trying to mimic or channel the original performances by Lin-Manuel Miranda. He also shares how a personal tragedy changed his life and continues to impact his art. After the interview, Nate and co-host June Thomas talk about repetition and ritual as tools for creative work. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Miguel tells ...

Working Overtime: Vacation Like a Pro

August 10, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler dive into all the ways creatives should relax and vacation. Whether it’s splashing in the pool, or breezing through some books, a few days of R&R can be just what is needed to replenish the creative juices. The hosts also explore the many conversations among friends and family that can sometimes jostle loose a new creative idea and recharge your relationships. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a me...

A Radical Comic Strip, Reimagined for Audio

August 06, 2023 07:00 - 42 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to writer Madeleine George, who recently adapted the classic Alison Bechdel comic Dykes to Watch Out For into an audio drama that stars Jane Lynch, Carrie Brownstein, Roberta Colindrez, and Roxane Gay. In the interview, Madeleine discusses the challenges of turning a piece of visual art into an audio-only narrative. She also talks about the 1980’s setting of the story and the continued relevance of the characters’ personal and political lives. After the int...

A Succession Actor on Playing Unlikeable Characters

July 30, 2023 07:00 - 50 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to actor Arian Moayed, who played Stewy on the hit HBO series Succession and more recently played Torvald Helmer in a production of A Doll’s House on Broadway. In the interview, Arian talks about his early career in theater and the valuable acting techniques that he learned in college. He also discusses his experiences playing unlikeable characters, his pivot from stage to screen, and the overwhelming amount of feedback that actors receive. [NOTE: This int...

Working Overtime: The Life of Creative Work After Death

July 27, 2023 06:00 - 34 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler are joined by Lincoln Michel author of The Body Scout, for a deep dive into the legacy of creative work. Books may last forever, but vast amounts of work within the digital realm end up being ephemeral. It can be easy to worry about how a Tweet may be perceived in the future, but even major authors of their day can be lost to the annals of time. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304)...

A Grammy-Winning Jazz Composer Trusts Her Enthusiasm

July 23, 2023 07:00 - 49 minutes

This week, guest-host Nate Chinen talks to Maria Schneider, winner of multiple Grammy Awards for her big band jazz compositions, including the song “Sue (Or in a Season of Crime),” which she composed with David Bowie. In the interview, Maria discusses her two mentors Gil Evans and Bob Brookmeyer and the wisdom that helped her find her voice as an artist. She also talks about her tools for composing, what it means to “trust your enthusiasm,” and her unforgettable collaboration with David Bowie...

A TV Critic Pivots to Exposing Hollywood Abuses

July 16, 2023 10:00 - 49 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to journalist Maureen Ryan, author of the book Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. In recent years, Ryan has pivoted from TV criticism to writing stories focused on abuses of power in the TV industry. Her new book touches on troubling situations on shows like Lost, Saturday Night Live, The Goldbergs, Sleepy Hollow, and more. In the interview, Ryan discusses her reporting process and what it's felt like to watch the creators o...

Working Overtime: Consuming Art like an Artist

July 13, 2023 06:00 - 29 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler peel back the layers of great art. Whether it’s books, movies, essays, or paintings, creative work can be broken apart and used as inspirational ammunition for your own output. Through dog-earing novels, overloading a Notes app, or treating yourself to an ‘Artist Date,’ there are countless ways to consume creativity and store it for your own work. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (30...

Encore: The Writers Behind One of the Best Shows on TV

July 09, 2023 07:00 - 53 minutes

This week, we're airing an encore presentation of our interview with Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, writers and creators of the HBO series Somebody Somewhere, which just finished airing its second season on HBO. In the interview, Hannah and Paul discuss their close collaborative relationship and share some of the creative practices they developed with their theater company, The Debate Society. Then they talk about the development and writing process behind Somebody Somewhere, which is set in ru...

A Moving Comeback Album From a Country-Folk Great

July 02, 2023 07:00 - 45 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to musician Peter One, whose recent album Come Back to Me is his first in more than three decades. In 1985, he and musician Jess Sah Bi released the album Our Garden Needs Its Flowers, which was a big hit in Peter’s home country of the Ivory Coast and bolstered his reputation around the world. In the interview, Peter discusses his songwriting process for Come Back to Me and explains what it’s been like to re-connect with his fanbase and to find new admirers ...

Working Overtime: Shaking a Creative Slump

June 29, 2023 06:00 - 29 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler address the dread of slumps and how they can affect any creative career. Whether it’s breaking down your project into tiny parts, treating yourself, or simply moving on to a new career altogether, there are many ways to escape a slump. They also dig into the pangs of professional jealousy and how to let it go. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@sla...

A Tap Dancing Obsession

June 25, 2023 07:00 - 49 minutes

This week, guest-host Nate Chinen talks to Ayodele Casel, an award-winning tap dancer and one of the choreographers for Funny Girl on broadway. In the interview, Ayodele explains how she progressed quickly in the mid to late 90’s even though she didn’t take up tap dancing until college. She also discusses her award-winning film Chasing Magic and her one-woman show While I Have the Floor, in which she dances to the rhythms of her own spoken word performance. After the interview, Nate and co-...

A Painter Reveals the Beauty of Bicycles

June 18, 2023 07:00 - 43 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Taliah Lempert, an artist who specializes in paintings and prints of bicycles. In the interview, Taliah tells the story of how she first discovered a passion for riding bikes and then painting their likeness. She also explains how she’s been able to turn her artistic practice into a satisfying full-time career. After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler talk about getting into a creative “flow” and embracing your art as your “life’s work.” In t...

Working Overtime: Working on Oneself

June 15, 2023 06:00 - 27 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler discuss a listener’s query about how much importance one should grant ‘working on oneself.’ They share their different methods of pausing for self reflection, such as a quarterly, personal check-ins, mulling over problems that peers frequently encounter, and envisioning an ideal future. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast produ...

The Art of the On-Mic Interview

June 11, 2023 07:00 - 53 minutes

This week, Working producer Cameron Drews gets a masterclass in interviewing from Sam Fragoso, host of the Talk Easy podcast. They discuss in-person vs remote interviews, the importance of follow-up questions, and what it means to capture “an honest snapshot” of the guest. After the interview, Cameron and co-host June Thomas discuss the role of good taste and anxiety in creative work. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sam talks about collaborating with his producers and participating i...

A Prolific Novelist Takes a Breather

June 04, 2023 07:00 - 49 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Ellen Hart, a mystery author who’s been active since the late 80’s and who is most famous for the long-running Jane Lawless series. In the interview, Ellen talks about her early career as a chef and explains why (and how) she pivoted to writing. Then she explains why, after so many years of heavy output, she’s deciding to write less and less, and both she and June reckon with the dreaded “R” word (retirement!). After the interview, June and co-host Isaac...

Working Overtime: What Publication Day Feels Like

June 01, 2023 06:00 - 35 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler speak with Jaime Green, author of The Possibility of Life, about her experiences publishing her first book. Whether it's the repetitive promotional interviews or the countless rounds of revisions, the process of publishing a book can be surreal and exhausting. Luckily, as Green recounts, the support of a creative community and praise from strangers can make it all worthwhile. Do you have a question about creative...

The Breakout Star of HBO’s Barry

May 28, 2023 07:00 - 50 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to actor Sarah Goldberg, who plays Sally on the hit HBO show Barry. In the interview, Sarah discusses her training at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the important lessons she learned there. Then she digs into the role of Sally and discusses her first impressions of the role, the many dimensions of the character, and her ability to access powerful emotions for certain scenes. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas talk about th...

The Flawless Indie Pop of The Beths

May 21, 2023 07:00 - 49 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Liz Stokes and Jon Pearce, who make up half of the New Zealand indie rock band The Beths. In the interview, Liz and Jon walk through their songwriting process step-by-step, from initial riffs and lyrics to their complex vocal harmonies and guitar solos. They also explain why the bridge is often the hardest part of a song to write. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss why songwriting sometimes feels like magic. In the exclusive Sl...

Working Overtime: How To Promote Your Work

May 18, 2023 06:00 - 22 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Karen Han answer one listener’s question about promoting their work. They also discuss how social media isn’t always ideal but it can still be an easy way to spread the word about your business and creative endeavors. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

A Hit YouTube Channel's Whimsical English Subtitles

May 14, 2023 07:00 - 49 minutes

This week, host Karen Han talks to Hannah Yim and Justine Won, subtitle translators for the YouTube channel SBS Animal Farm. The channel features cute animal videos with Korean subtitles, which Hannah and Justine adapt for an English-speaking audience. In the interview, they discuss the challenges of translating Korean slang and other culturally specific language into English. They also discuss their fast-paced workflow and what it’s like to get feedback from YouTube commenters. After the i...

The Queen of the Amazons on Transforming Into an Iconic Danish Novelist

May 07, 2023 07:00 - 51 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working, host June Thomas interviews Danish actor Connie Nielsen on her latest role as the famed author Karen Blixen. Nielsen has an expansive career starring in such films as Gladiator, Wonder Woman, and Brothers, but this latest role in The Dreamer returns her to her Danish roots. Later in the episode co-host Karen Han joins for a discussion about making sacrifices for art and finding time for books in a busy world. Do you have a question about creative work? L...

Working Overtime: Sharing Your Work

May 04, 2023 07:00 - 24 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Karen Han dive into some of the concepts in Austin Kleon’s book Show Your Work. It can be scary to share creative work, but firing off tweets or pounding out blog posts can sometimes generate the affirmative responses that make it possible to keep working. It can also be a great way to find a creative community and let yourself be discovered. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or ema...

An Opera Singer’s Meticulous Pre-Show Routine

April 30, 2023 07:00 - 49 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to opera singer Ryan Speedo Green, who is currently starring in the show Champion at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. In the interview, Speedo shares the meticulous pre-show routine that allows him to portray the real-life boxer Emile Griffith in Champion. He also discusses the research that went into the role, the unique genre-bending qualities of Champion, and his specialization in opera and opera alone. After the interview, Isaac and co-host Jun...

A Stand-Up Comedian Explains How to Be Authentic on Stage

April 23, 2023 07:00 - 52 minutes

This week, host Karen Han talks to stand-up comedian and writer Josh Gondelman, whose hour-long special People Pleaser is now available on multiple streaming platforms. In the interview, Josh explains how he compiled material for the special and created a logical flow of jokes. He also talks about his stage presence and what it was like to find his authentic voice as a comedian. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Karen and producer Cameron Drews discuss the ideas of “persona” and “voice” ...

Working Overtime: Imagining Your Audience

April 20, 2023 06:00 - 22 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Karen Han and Isaac Butler picture who their work might be for. They discuss the benefits and implications of keeping your audience in mind, while making sure to follow your own artistic instincts. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drag Queens: Under Attack and Fighting Back

April 16, 2023 07:00 - 52 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to drag queen, author, and activist Lil Miss Hot Mess. In the interview, LMHM explains the origins of her drag persona and drag name and discusses the skills she had to build up early in her career. Then she discusses her work with Drag Story Hour and talks about what it means for drag to be simultaneously more mainstream and constantly under attack. Finally, she discusses her two children's books, The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish and If You’...

A Memoir About an Identity in Flux

April 09, 2023 07:00 - 54 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to writer John Cotter, whose new memoir Losing Music tells the story of a mysterious illness that degraded John’s hearing and caused periods of vertigo. In the interview, John explains how writing became a necessary tool that helped him make sense of his illness and his changing world. After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss how creative practices can change drastically as people get older and their lives change. They also expand on a wr...

Working Overtime: Negotiating Freelance Rates

April 06, 2023 06:00 - 29 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Karen Han and Isaac Butler explain how they navigate the often confusing world of freelance rates. They offer tips on how to negotiate, when to take less money than you’d like, and when to walk away. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Bird-Watcher Welcomes More Into the Flock

April 02, 2023 07:00 - 46 minutes

This week, host Karen Han talks to artist and ornithologist Isaiah Scott, whose popular Instagram account features vibrant photos, illustrations, and information about birds. In the interview, Isaiah talks about his process for organizing bird-watching hikes in his community and his mission to make bird-watching more welcoming. He also discusses the growing community of Black bird enthusiasts and his effort to bring more style and fun to the birding hobby. After the interview, Karen and co-...

How Raffi Makes Kids Music That’s Actually Good

March 26, 2023 07:00 - 53 minutes

This week, producer Cameron Drews talks to the legendary children’s musician Raffi Cavoukian, who’s best known for songs like “Baby Beluga” and “Bananaphone.” In the interview, Raffi discusses his pivot to kids music in the mid-’70s and the creative choices that went into one of his most beloved albums, Singable Songs for the Very Young. He also talks about his decision not to market directly to kids, his climate activism, and a philosophy he developed called “Child Honoring.” After the int...

Working Overtime: When To Let Go of the Creative Dream

March 23, 2023 06:00 - 22 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler help a listener who’s wondering whether a career in the arts is realistic. Being an illustrator has always been this listener’s dream, but breaking into the industry and finding financial success has been an uphill battle. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your a...

A ‘70s Crime Classic Gets a Musical Redux

March 19, 2023 07:00 - 52 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Suzan-Lori Parks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose most recent project is a musical theater adaptation of the 1972 Jamaican crime film The Harder They Come. In the interview, Suzan-Lori shares her flexible approach to adaptation and, more specifically, how she was able to deepen the original story of The Harder They Come while honoring the original. She also talks about the unique challenges of adapting a movie into a stage musical. After the i...

A Sommelier Without the Smugness

March 12, 2023 07:00 - 51 minutes

This week, host Karen Han talks to sommelier Miguel de Leon, who currently works as the wine director for Pinch Chinese in New York City. In the interview, Miguel explains that his job is less about defining obscure tasting notes and more about curating experiences and telling stories. He also talks about the exclusionary nature of the wine world and his efforts to make that world more accessible to everyone. After the interview, Karen and co-host Isaac Butler discuss how to be more welcomi...

Working Overtime: Is it Really Possible to Build Up Your "Idea Muscle?

March 09, 2023 07:00 - 22 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler mull over James Altucher’s habit of creating 10 new ideas every day. Altucher’s theory is that the simple act of generating a list can build a strong creative routine. The hosts put this theory to the test and while Isaac remained skeptical, June had a surprising result. Do you have a question about creative work? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin ...

An Oscar-Winning Writer's Creative Flexibility

March 05, 2023 08:00 - 55 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Sian Heder, who wrote and directed the Oscar-winning film CODA and now works on the Apple TV Plus series Little America, which tells stories that are based on real immigrant experiences. In the interview, Sian discusses the success of CODA and shares what it was like to win an Oscar. Then she digs into her work on Little America and discusses the challenges and joys of telling other people’s stories. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Sian talks about ...

The Two Brothers Who Changed Video Games Forever

February 26, 2023 08:00 - 51 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Tarn and Zach Adams, two brothers who’ve been continually crafting and updating the video game Dwarf Fortress for two decades. In the interview, Tarn and Zach discuss the earliest versions of the game, which were available online for free in the early 2000’s and served as an important influence for games like The Sims and Minecraft. Tarn and Zach also discuss the intricate details of the game and the gigantic number of narrative possibilities that players...

Working Overtime: How to Take an Editor’s Feedback

February 23, 2023 07:00 - 28 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Karen Han and Isaac Butler talk about how to properly apply feedback from an editor or another creative collaborator. They discuss when to compromise when to dig your heels in, and when to burn down a collaborative bridge. Do you need help with a creative problem? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...

A Hollywood Actor Learns to Write Novels

February 19, 2023 08:00 - 49 minutes

This week, host Karen Han talks to actor, director, and writer Tim Blake Nelson, who just came out with his first novel, City of Blows. In the interview, Tim explains why he decided to reference real life events–like the #MeToo movement and COVID–in a fictional story about Hollywood. He also talks about the challenges of writing fictional prose and offers some useful wisdom about writing in general. After the interview, Karen and co-host June Thomas discuss the best ways to juggle multiple ...

A New Way to Tell Trans Stories

February 12, 2023 08:00 - 44 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to Chase Joynt and Morgan M. Page, co-writers of the new documentary Framing Agnes, which Chase also directed and appears in. The film depicts, through reenactments, conversations with trans patients who were part of a UCLA gender study in the 1950’s. It also features interviews with trans actors who portray the patients and multiple conversations between Chase, Morgan, and others about how to tell trans stories farily. In their interview with June, Chase and...

Working Overtime: Using A Writing Grant Wisely

February 09, 2023 07:00 - 21 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Karen Han and Isaac Butler respond to listener Emily’s question about how best to plan out a period of creative freedom she’s been given through a writing grant. It can be a challenge to find motivation while working on spec, or without concrete deadlines, but Isaac and Karen share ideas for psyching yourself into a creative routine. Do you feel unable to plan out your creative future? Leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@...

The Bold Strategy That Drives One of 2023's Best Novels

February 05, 2023 08:00 - 51 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to V.V. Ganeshananthan, author of the book Brotherless Night, which takes place during the Sri Lankan Civil War and was recently featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review. In the interview, Ganeshananthan discusses her experience in journalism school and explains how it laid the foundation for her fiction writing. Then she talks about the unique POV of Brotherless Night, the book’s multi-decade writing process, and the careful research that all...

How a Doctor Became a Chef (And Kept Being a Doctor)

January 29, 2023 08:00 - 41 minutes

This week, host Karen Han talks to Yoon Sung, an urgent care doctor in Los Angeles who decided to pivot to the culinary arts…while continuing to be a physician. In the interview, Yoon talks about what his two jobs have in common, how he balances both careers, and how he fell into his latest gig as the pastry chef at Hanchic. After the interview, Karen and co-host Isaac Butler discuss the role of “service” in creative work and the decision to do work that makes you happy. In the exclusive ...

Working Overtime: How To Inspire Yourself

January 26, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes

For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Karen Han and June Thomas consider sculptor Claes Oldenburg’s ideas on reigniting the creative fire. From taking a walk to revisiting old notes, to perusing a friend's work, they’ve both found various ways to shake loose new ideas. Do you have a question about creative work, are you trying to clear away your own creative cobwebs? Call us and leave a message at (304) 933-9675 or email us at [email protected]. Podcast production by Kevin B...

Learning From the Letters of Two Great Artists

January 22, 2023 08:00 - 54 minutes

This week, host June Thomas talks to poet Chip Livingston, who recently compiled a collection of letters titled, Love, Loosha: The Letters of Lucia Berlin and Kenward Elmslie. It documents the friendship between the writer Lucia Berlin, who is now well-regarded for her short stories but was underappreciated during her lifetime, and the poet and librettist Kenward Elmslie. In the interview, Chip shares how he put the collection together and talks about his personal relationships with both Berl...

Recipe Design With Convenience in Mind

January 15, 2023 08:00 - 52 minutes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Ali Slagle, a recipe developer for the New York Times cooking section and author of the book I Dream of Dinner (so You Don't Have To). In the interview, Ali shares where her ideas for recipes come from and her trial-and-error process for getting them just right. She also talks about her commitment to convenience and explains what it was like to develop recipes for her book that require only a handful of ingredients and take 45 minutes or less to prepare. ...

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