One of his most famous stories describes the Christmas David Sedaris dressed up as an elf when he worked at Macy’s Santaland. Since then, Sedaris has written essays that are about what it was like to grow up in a family of 6 kids in Raleigh, North Carolina, his drug using days and his obsessive behaviors like walking 43 miles in one day and picking up trash in England. Sedaris also talks about why he likes to prowl New York City’s streets after midnight and the current whereabouts of his new ruffled Comme des Garcons jacket. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Tay Glass and Alex Wolfe. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
David Sedaris photo by Ingrid Christie.
Ethan Hawke has appeared in more than 60 films, been nominated for 4 Academy Awards and written 3 novels. And that’s probably all before breakfast. Hawke was 19 when he landed his breakout role in the Dead Poets Society starring Robin Williams. Now Hawke is starring in The Good Lord Bird in which he plays John Brown, the bible-toting rebel who devoted his life to abolishing slavery. Ethan Hawke talks to me about fanaticism, creativity and why he never stops until he gets it right. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Tay Glass and Alexander Wolfe. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta. Photo: Sam Jones.
He’s the best-selling author of books like Motherless Brooklyn. His latest novel is The Arrest. Jonathan Lethem is a storyteller who mixes genres like hard-boiled crime novels, post-apocalyptic science fiction and superhero comics. Growing up in Bohemian Brooklyn in the 1970s, Lethem learned everything there was to know about the music of Bob Dylan and saw Star-Wars twenty-one times during its original theatrical release. He also collected drawings of vomiting cats. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer, Tay Glass and Alex Wolfe. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
She’s had great roles on Broadway and on television. Edie Falco played a prison officer in Oz and the drug-addicted Jackie Peyton on Nurse Jackie. But Falco’s breakout role was starring as Carmela Soprano, the long-suffering wife of mob boss Tony Soprano on The Sopranos, one of the best series ever on television. Falco is also a vegan, a Buddhist, a single mother and as far away from a diva as you can get. I talked to her about how she tries to live every moment as it comes. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Gabe Zimmer, Tay Glass and Alex Wolfe. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Jane Fonda has lived about as full a life as anyone on this planet. Born to Hollywood royalty, actor Henry Fonda, Jane became a star in her own right taking home 2 Academy Awards for Best Actress. And then there’s Jane the activist who’s passionate about fighting climate change and has gotten herself arrested 5 times for civil disobedience. Jane Fonda talks to me about growing up with no confidence in herself and having to marry powerful men to feel that she counts. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Gabe Zimmer and Tay Glass. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
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Julie Taymor has scored a number of firsts. She was the first woman to win a Tony award for Best Direction of a Musical, The Lion King, which has earned more money than any entertainment title in box office history. Her latest project is a movie called The Glorias about Gloria Steinem. She’s hoping that the life story of one of the world’s most famous feminists will inspire people in these challenging times. Julie Taymor talks about her dreams, her fears and her passions on “Now What?” which is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Gabe Zimmer and Tay Glass. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta. Photo is by Marco Grob.
When David Fajgenbaum was 25, he went from being a monster athlete to death’s door. Fajgenbaum found out he had a potentially fatal disease called Castleman which was attacking his immune system. The doctors couldn’t help him so Fajgenbaum found his own treatment. Now, he’s working on Covid. In this episode we talk about life, death and what to do when everything spirals out of control. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Gabe Zimmer and Tay Glass. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
What happens when nude photos of you begin showing up on swinger websites? If you’re a 31-year old Congresswoman in your first term, you give up your dream job and resign. At least that’s what Katie Hill did. In her book “She Will Rise,” Hill says she was the victim of revenge porn by her estranged husband. We talk about what it’s like to live your life in the middle of a scandal and whether men get a pass for the kind of behavior which women get clobbered for. “Now What?” is produced with help from Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
It’s been more than 3 decades since former Senator Gary Hart dropped out of the race for President. Hart has earned a PhD in Politics at Oxford and has written more than 20 books including 5 novels and a biography of James Monroe. Hart is also a public policy and defense expert who is warning about secret powers the President has that Congress never approved and the American people don't even know about that threaten our democracy. "Now What?" is produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Oliver Stone was known as one of Hollywood's bad boys … the ultimate risk taker. He spent a lot of time in a drug-induced haze and gained a reputation as a conspiracy nut. Stone has also been called one of the great directors of his generation for making films like Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July. On this episode, Oliver Stone talks about movies, drugs, sex and marriage. "Now What?" was produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Sometimes you meet someone who is so dedicated, so inspired by an idea that it practically knocks you over. In the 1960s, Alice Waters got inspired by organic food and the farmers who grow it when she opened her iconic Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California. Known as a pioneer of the farm to table movement, Waters dreamed of serving Bill Clinton the perfect peach and she inspired Michelle Obama to plant the White House garden. I talk to Alice Waters about why she believes that food and eating is a political act. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Carl Reiner was 98 when he died. I’ll never forget the hours I spent with him sitting in his Beverly Hills home in the same chair that his best friend Mel Brooks always used when he visited. Reiner was 94 on that summer afternoon when I spoke to him about his long career in television and film, his 65-year marriage to his wife Estelle and why he’d always wanted to be an Irish tenor. Then Carl Reiner burst into song. That’s all on this episode of “Now What?” which is produced with the help of Stephen Colon, Gabe Zimmer and Steve Zimmer. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
With the world in turmoil, we could all use a little inspiration. That’s why I wanted to talk to Robert Reich. Reich is an economist, a Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, a former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration and the author of 19 books including his latest, “The System: Who Rigged it, How We Fix it. You won’t want to miss our conversation about other tough periods in American history and how the U.S. managed to move on to better times. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Ann Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
He started out writing jokes for Borscht Belt comedians for $7 a piece. Then Lorne Michaels hired Alan Zweibel to be a writer on the first season of Saturday Night Live. That’s where he met Gilda Radner and they created memorable characters like Emily Litella and reporter Roseanne Roseannadanna. He went on to co-create It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and collaborate with Billy Crystal on the award-winning 700 Sundays. I talk with Alan Zweibel about what it takes to make people laugh. “Now What?” is produced with help from Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Kathy Hochul. Not exactly a household name. But New York’s Lt. Governor has a higher profile these days now that her boss, Governor Andrew Cuomo is a political star. Before teaming up with Cuomo, Hochul’s political career was all about men behaving badly. I talk with Hochul about the nasty business of politics and what it takes to stay above the fray. Now What?” was produced with help from Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Steven Colbert has called him a smartypants and an egghead. Bard College President Leon Botstein says he’s one of those people who’s easy to make fun of and he’s okay with that. In addition to being the head of an institution of higher learning for the past 45 years, Botstein is the Conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra. And while other educators are worried about what’s going to happen to colleges now, Botstein says the creativity of students will save the day. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Marie Horton. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
He’s probably the best-known documentary filmmaker in the U.S. His work has been honored with 15 Emmy Awards including one for The Vietnam War, a 10-part series that took Ken Burns more than 10 years to make. He’s always loved history but his subjects also go beyond extraordinary events. On this episode of "Now What?" we talk about life lessons in a pandemic and what we can learn from looking at history while living in the moment. "Now What?" is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Gabe Zimmer and Stephanie Hou. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
Ann Patchett is the author of 8 novels, a memoir, a collection of essays and a children’s book. She says one of the biggest thrills in her life was the moment her friend Tom Hanks agreed to narrate the audio version of her latest best seller “The Dutch House.” What she likes best is reading, talking about books and wearing flip flops to work at her bookstore in Nashville. We talk about how a pandemic brings you face to face with what’s really important in life and how books help you to find yourself. “Now What?” was produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Hou. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
In these odd times, we don’t meet in person. For this conversation, I was in my closet in Woodstock, New York and Nick Kristof was in his study in Westchester. Kristof, who has been an Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times since 2001 is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner. His latest book is called Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope. When it comes to reporting, Kristof is an example of the best of the best and he covers the hard subjects: injustice, poverty and human rights. “Now What?” is produced with help from Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Hou. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
This conversation took place in person just days before masks, gloves and social distancing took over. Reichardt is an independent filmmaker whose movies “Wendy and Lucy” and “Certain Women” often star actress Michelle Williams and often win prizes at Festivals like Sundance. Her new film is called “First Cow” and it will be released later this year when theaters open again. In the meantime, you can hear Reichardt talk all about her journey from high school dropout to becoming an artist who creates imaginative, independent work on her own terms. "Now What?" was produced with the help of Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Hou. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta
Lili Taylor is one of those actors who can play just about any role. You probably know her from dozens of movies including “Mystic Pizza,” an iconic horror movie called “The Conjuring” and an indy called “I Shot Andy Warhol.” I particularly remember her role as Lisa in “Six Feet Under,” the hippie villain you love to hate. Taylor is also on the board of the Audubon Society and when she isn’t in front of a camera, she’s probably looking for birds. That’s how we ended up strolling through Brooklyn’s Prospect Park searching for owls and talking about acting. “Now What?” is produced with help from Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer, Rachel O’Brien and Stephanie Hou. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.
I went to the TEDWomen conference and heard from people with big ideas who think out of the box including Jane Fonda, Eve Ensler and Pat Mitchell. Mitchell is the mastermind behind this conference that focuses on the power of women and girls to be creators and change makers. You won’t want to miss our conversation about what it means to be a dangerous woman and the power of taking risks. “Now What?” is produced with help from Gabe Zimmer, Steve Zimmer and Stephanie Hou. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.