The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Ryan Tedder is the lead singer of OneRepublic and the producer and songwriter behind countless hits including Adele?s Rumor Has It and Beyonce?s Halo. Tedder even sold his own catalog for a reported $200 million. He joins Guy to talk about growing up in a religious family, tackling his stagefright (?I was shaking backstage?), using personal experiences to write hits, working with star musicians, and how to choose singles in the TikTok age. This episode was originally released in 2023.

Links from the Show

Ryan Tedder performing ?Apologize? solo for BBC MusicOneRepublic?s music video for ?I Ain?t Worried? featured on Top Gun: Maverick Music video for Adele?s ?Rumor Has It? co-written by Ryan TedderMusic video for Beyonce?s ?Halo? co-written by Ryan TedderMusic video for Paul McCartney?s ?Fuh You? co-written by Ryan TedderRyan?s InstagramHis TikTokHis Hit-Making Course

See all our episodes ? including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more ? at TheGreatCreators.com.

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Hilary Swank is one of just 14 women to win not one but two Academy Awards for Best Actress (Boys Don?t Cry, Million Dollar Baby). And as you?ll learn today, her life story just as remarkable as her career: from growing up in a trailer park (?it was no big deal?) to moving to L.A. as a teenager and living with her mom in their car for a time while chasing her dreams, to her breakthrough role as Brandon Teena in the indie film ?Boys Don?t Cry? ? a performance that earned Hilary an Oscar, and just $3,000. She also reflects on playing a transgender character as a cisgender woman; which movie she feels doesn?t get nearly the credit it deserves; and how she envisions the next chapter of her career after becoming a mother last year.

Hilary?s newest film is called Ordinary Angels.

Links from the show: 

Oscars acceptance speech for Best Actress in Boys Don?t CryAcceptance speech for Best Actress in Million Dollar BabyBoys Don?t Cry Memorable MomentsFreedom Writers (2007)Ordinary Angels (Feb 22, 2024)

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Regina Spektor is one of the most critically-acclaimed and respected singer-songwriters of the past 25 years. She?s also one of the most thoughtful and open guests we?ve had on this show. 

Today, you?ll learn how Regina went from medical receptionist writing lyrics on post-it notes to rising star in the NYC music scene; how she overcame her fear that record labels would meddle with her art; why ?invisibility? has been her greatest creative asset; the songwriting process behind beloved songs like ?Samson?; and her thoughts on finding fresh ideas while handling ?adult? responsibilities and raising her two young children.

Links from the show: 

?Samson? official music video?Fidelity? music videoHer Tiny Desk ConcertDan Smith of Bastille talking about Regina with GuyOrange is the New Black opening creditsHer new album: Home, Before and After

Listen to, or watch, all our episodes ? including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more ? at TheGreatCreators.com.

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David Chang is the founder of Momofuku, a culinary brand that grew from a single 600-square-foot location to include a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bakery and dessert chain, and a line of consumer packaged goods. David joins Guy to talk about opening his first restaurant after his epiphany about ramen on a trip to Japan; the panic and anxiety he felt in those early days; and how he?s learned to become a better leader and reject the toxic elements of ?kitchen culture?.

Links from the show: 

Bon Appetit on Momofuku Inc.Jimmy Fallon and David Chang have a hot wing eating contestDavid shows how to make chili-crunch carbonaraDavid explaining the mystery of his pork buns to ViceDavid makes leftover fried riceDavid?s Shiitake and Swiss Chard Soup with Hand-Cut Noodles RecipeMomofuku websiteDavid?s podcastDavid?s Instagram

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Dan Aykroyd was the youngest cast member on a brand new comedy show called Saturday Night Live when it premiered in 1975. In addition to iconic performances as Julia Child and a Conehead, Dan also created a real blues band called The Blues Brothers with fellow cast mate John Belushi. In this episode, Dan talks with Guy about playing drums behind Muddy Waters, his fascination with paranormal science that led him to create Ghostbusters, what he thinks of the female-led Ghostbusters reboot he helped produce, and the reason he thinks he's done with acting.

Links from the show: 

Coneheads sketchBass-O-matic sketchAsk President Carter sketchThe Blues Brothers on SNLSoul ManCrystal Head VodkaZombie Town Trailer

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Jake Johnson is an actor, comedian, writer, and director who is best-known for playing Nick Miller on the sitcom New Girl. He?s also one of the voices of Spiderman in the animated movies and he wrote, directed, and stars in the new comedic thriller Self Reliance.

In this episode, Jake shares a life story filled with hilarious and poignant moments ? from struggling with dyslexia and dropping out of high school, to finding his calling in the arts, to his complicated and ultimately close relationship with his late father. 

Plus: Jake?s highs and lows on the set of New Girl, dealing with occasional performance anxiety that ?physically hurts?, his chemistry with co-stars Max Greenfield and Anna Kendrick, keeping his addictive personality under control, and how the inspiration for ?Self Reliance? came from a Japanese game show.

Links from the show: 

Jake's film, Self Reliance, on HuluNick?s advice podcast, We?re Here to HelpJake on Drunk History, a show he?s credited with inspiringNick Miller Being Relatable for Four Minutes Straight: YoutubeMinx on StarzStumptown

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Jesse Tyler Ferguson played one of the most important TV characters of the past 25 years. The role of Mitchell Pritchett ? the openly gay lawyer and father on Modern Family ? brought Jesse fame; praise; a deep sense of meaning; and as you'll hear in this episode, some criticism, too.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Jesse talks about trusting his intuition and going all-in on acting despite financial struggles; the powerful influence of a mentor early in his career; stereotypes and the perils of representing an entire group of people on TV; his one-man show on Broadway; and where he's taking his career next.

Jesse's podcast is called Dinner's On Me.

Links:

Modern Family "Lion King" sceneTrailer for Jesse's one-man Broadway show, Fully CommittedJesse's podcast, Dinner's On MeJesse's Instagram

See all our episodes ? including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more ? at TheGreatCreators.com.

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Singer-songwriter Jewel shares her incredible life story, from yodeling in bars as a kid to becoming homeless as a teenager and shortly thereafter becoming one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. She tells Guy about the mental exercises and Stoic philosophy she relied on as she climbed out of homelessness; why she declined a $1 million signing bonus; her "business plan" for her career and happiness; the conversation with Bob Dylan that may have saved her career; and why she's still making music but choosing not to publish it.

Links from the show:

Discovery show about Jewel's family's Alaska homestead Writers who inspired Jewel: Anais Nin, Flannery O'Connor, Anton Chekhov, Charles Bukowski, Immanuel Kant, Plato, Socrates Her debut album, Pieces of You"Who Will Save Your Soul" video"You Were Meant for Me" videoNew 25th-anniversary edition of Spirit, Jewel's sophomore albumInnerworld, Jewel's online platform connecting people to mental health counseling anonymously

Photo credits: Dana Trippe, Brendan Walter

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Bobby Hall -- better known by his stage name Logic -- first started making waves in the rap scene with his 2010 mixtape "Young, Broke, and Infamous". In 2018, he blew up and received two Grammy nominations for a song he titled 1-800-273-8255, which is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. But just a couple years later, he announced his retirement and moved to rural Oregon to focus on his family. In this episode, Guy and Bobby talk about the methods he?s been using to cope with his persistent anxiety, and why he?s gearing up to release what he's calling his last "rap" album ever.

Links from the show:

Guy's How I Built This interview with Logic

Logic: Young, Broke, and Infamous

Logic: 1-800-273-8255

Logic's edited Instagram photo that fooled everyone

John Cleese on Open and Closed Creativity

Interview with Andre 3000 about why he stopped rapping

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Andy J. Pizza is the best-selling author-illustrator of Invisible Things and the host of Creative Pep Talk, his long-running podcast about building a creative career. In this episode, Andy talks about growing up as a hyper-creative but unfocused kid; his rocky journey to developing a unique artistic style; a medical diagnosis that changed his life and work forever; the neuroscience behind artistic taste; what he does when he feels stuck; and the epiphany that led to his biggest creative breakthrough.

Links from this Episode:

Andy's "Giant Markers" ExhibitHis newest book, Invisible ThingsCreative Pep Talk podcastAndy interviewing Guy on Creative Pep TalkThe ADHD talk that hit Andy like a ton of bricksHow I Built ThisAndy's next book, A Sundae with Everything On It

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DJ Shadow, aka Josh Davis, was and is a famous crate digger. He could spend hours in a record store collecting obscure albums, looking for interesting melodies and beats to sample and mix together on his turntables. And in 1996, Josh used this encyclopedic knowledge of music to create the first ever completely sampled album as DJ Shadow. The album, "Endtroducing", became one of the most important albums in experimental hip-hop, and you can still hear its influence today. In this episode, Guy talks with Josh about how he discovered hip-hop on his college radio station, his love of putting people on to new music, and how curiosity became his biggest superpower.

Links from the show:

Endtroducing - DJ Shadow

Action Adventure - DJ Shadow

Licensed to Ill - The Beastie Boys

Planet Rock - Afrika Bambaataa

Jam-Master-Jay - RUN DMC

One for the Treble - Davy DMX

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Brian Grazer is the award-winning producer of many iconic and successful films and TV shows, like Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, Friday Night Lights, 24, and Arrested Development. More than 40 years ago he co-founded Imagine Entertainment with director Ron Howard. Together their films have made more than 15 billion dollars. In his conversation with Guy, Brain talks about his accidental start in Hollywood, what it was like working there in the early 70s, and the steps he took that helped him advance in the movie industry. He talks about meeting and working with Ron Howard, and what makes their collaboration so successful and enduring four decades later. And he talks about the power of curiosity, a quality he ultimately credits for his creative success, and explores in his best-selling book A Curious Mind.

Links from the show:

Night Shift (1982) Movie Trailer

Splash (1984) Movie Trailer

Bowfinger (1999) Movie Trailer

Frost/Nixon (2008) Movie Trailer

Brian's book A Curious Mind

Brian's and Ron Howard's production company Imagine Entertainment

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Sir Patrick Stewart is beloved for his portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Next Generation and its spinoff films. But Patrick was 47 years old when he took that life-changing role... and he almost turned it down! He sits down with Guy to talk about the extraordinary life that led to Picard: his working-class upbringing, how he learned to tame perfectionism on stage and embrace his own dark side when playing "horrible" men, and why he wants to focus on comedy in the final chapter of his career. Sir Patrick has written a memoir about his life and career called "Making It So".

Links from this episode:

Star Trek: Next Generation - Picard's best speechesShakespeare play The Winter's TalePatrick playing MacbethPicard memes (CNET)Patrick's InstagramPatrick's memoir, 'Making It So'

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When James Blunt released "You're Beautiful" in 2004, it quickly became the most popular song in the world. The album it was on, Back to Bedlam, became the best selling album of the 2000s in the UK. But James was already in his 30s when that song broke, and before that he lived a completely different life. In this episode, you'll hear about James' time in the British army leading NATO troops in Kosovo, his stint as one of Queen Elizabeth's ceremonial bodyguards, and how he randomly became roommates with Carrie Fisher while recording his first album.

Links from the show:

James in Kosovo in 1999

You're Beautiful

Goodbye My Lover

James' new album Who We Used To Be

Dark Thought

The Girl That Never Was

Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story

James' Pub The Fox and Pheasant

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Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo is an iconic indie musician and songwriter. He joins Guy to talk about Uncle Tupelo's unexpected breakup, how that inspired him to explore new musical territories, and the story behind the classic album that cost Wilco their record deal -- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Jeff has a new book out, it's called "World Within A Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music".

Links from the show:

Wilco playing "New Madrid" Live

Trailer for "I am Trying to Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco"

Wilco at NPR's Tiny Desk

Wilco performs "California Stars" live on KEXP

Jeff on "Late Night with Seth Meyers"

Jeff's new book "World Within A Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music"

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Gavin Rossdale and his band Bush were at the forefront of the grunge movement in the 90s. Their debut album Sixteen Stone was a huge success, selling over 6 million copies. Almost overnight, Bush went from playing pubs in London to headlining arenas across the US. But before that, during a time when Britpop was dominating the British airwaves, Rossdale struggled for years to find success. In this episode, Gavin talks with Guy about being bullied while growing up in England, and how learning how to channel his anger into music helped him create one of the most commercially successful bands of the 90s.

Links from the show:

Gavin Rossdale in Midnight

Sixteen Stone

Man on the Run

Tickets for Bush's Tour

Loaded - The Greatest Hits

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Rob Thomas is best known as the frontman and songwriter for rock band Matchbox Twenty. He initially dropped out of high school and considered joining the army before forming Matchbox Twenty with some friends in Orlando, Florida. They quickly were offered a record deal, but the very day they released their debut album, the label went bust and they only sold 600 copies. In this episode, Rob talks with Guy about the marketing tactic that made them global superstars, writing Matchbox Twenty's hit song "3AM", and joining forces with Carlos Santana on the smash hit "Smooth."

Links from the show:

Push by Matchbox Twenty

3AM by Matchbox Twenty

3AM original recording by Tabitha's Secret

America by Simon and Garfunkel

Smooth by Santana (feat. Rob Thomas)

Rob and his wife Marisol

Where the Light Goes full album

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It's hard to say Jason Derulo's name without singing his famous tagline too. Since 2009, Jason's 11 platinum singles have gotten a ton of radio air time, and he's recently played a huge part in transforming the music industry on TikTok. In this episode, Jason talks with Guy about his early beginnings in musical theater, how he willed his debut song "Whatcha Say" to number 1 on the charts, and the secret to blowing up on social media.

Links from the show:

Jason's TikTok page

Talk Dirty To Me

Whatcha Say

Savage Love

Ridin' Solo

Jason Derulo singing his name for 1 minute

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Alex Gaskarth is the frontman of pop punk band All Time Low. He formed the band with his friends when he was just a freshman in high school, and by the time he was a senior, the band already had a record deal. In time, All Time Low joined bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance to define the emo-pop sound of the 2000s. In this episode, Alex talks with Guy about All Time Low's sleeper hit, ?Dear Maria, Count Me In?, the band's secret to staying together after 20 years, and how a grueling tour schedule inspired their biggest chart topper "Monsters".

Links from the show:

Eleanor Rigby

Brain Stew by Green Day

All Time Low's first album The Party Scene

Dear Maria Count Me In

Monsters

Head on Collision by New Found Glory

All Time Low's Spotify

Alex's Instagram

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Johnny Marr of The Smiths went from working in a clothes shop to founding one of the most influential bands of the past 40 years... as a teenager! Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest guitarists, Johnny sits down with Guy to discuss his fruitful but short partnership with Morrissey, how he wound up joining Modest Mouse and making a #1 album, where he finds inspiration, and why he's done some of his best creative work when his back was against the wall. Johnny's new is book is called Marr's Guitars.

The Smiths - This Charming Man

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

The Smiths - The Headmaster Ritual

The Smiths - The Boy with the Thorn in His Side

Electronic - Getting Away with It

Modest Mouse - Dashboard

Johnny's book - Marr's Guitars

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Melissa Etheridge is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of the past three decades. She sits down with Guy to talk about her incredible career and life ? opening up about her decision to come out as gay at the height of her fame, the reason she calls her 2004 cancer diagnosis "the best thing that's happened to me," and how, in her early 60's, she's still getting better at her craft every day. Melissa's new memoir, Talking to My Angels, is out now. And her autobiographical show Melissa Etheridge: My Window is currently on Broadway, starring, of course, Melissa.

Links from the show:

Like the Way I Do" music video

Melissa performing "Piece of My Heart" between chemotherapy treatments at the 2005 Grammy Awards

Etheridge Foundation for opioid abuse relief

Melissa's new book: Talking to My Angels

Melissa's autobiographical Broadway show Melissa Etheridge: My Window

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Bobby Berk is an interior designer, author, and co-host of the hit Netflix original Queer Eye. In this episode, Bobby tells Guy about the challenges of growing up gay in a small, conservative town, how he left home at a young age and bounced around the country before ending up in New York City, and how he went from retail management to owning his own design firm. Bobby and Guy also discuss his unique approach to interior design and why he thinks your home is like?your phone charger. Bobby's new book is called "Right at Home: How Good Design is Good for the Mind".

Links from the show:

Michael Graves? Target Collection

Bobby Berk Home

Queer Eye

Queer Eye Reveals

Inside Bobby?s Home

Bobby's New Book

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Lainey Wilson burst onto the country music scene in 2022 with her album Sayin? What I?m Thinkin?. That year, she won Female Vocalist of the Year and Best New Artist at the CMA?s. But for seven years before that, she struggled to make it in the high-pressure Nashville music scene. And before that, she was a kid from a tiny town in rural Louisiana with a dream of being a country star. She joins Guy to talk about how she handled the hard times, what she?s learned about the art of collaboration during the making of two acclaimed albums, and what defines her unique style, which she calls Bell Bottom Country.

Links from the show:

Tougher Music Video

Things A Man Oughta Know Music Video

Lainey?s French Bulldog Hippie Mae?s Instagram 

Hillbilly Hippie Official Lyrics Video

Lainey?s Female Vocalist (2022) Acceptance Speech

Lainey?s New Artist of the Year (2022) Acceptance Speech 

Tougher (2016)

Sayin? What I?m Thinkin? (2021) 

Bell Bottom Country (2022)

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At the beginning of 2012, Carly Rae Jepsen was working as a waitress in Vancouver, BC, dropping off demo tapes and playing coffeeshops in her free time. By the end of that year, she was a global superstar thanks to her hit song "Call Me Maybe". Since then, Carly has become a pop fixture with four chart-topping albums. She joins Guy to talk about how she handled the pressure of her sudden rise to fame and built a career, her secret to good collaboration, and the inspiration behind her latest albums: "The Loneliest Time" and "The Loveliest Time".

Links from the show:

Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O?Connor

Carly?s Canadian Idol Audition

Call Me Maybe Music Video

Carly as Cinderella on Broadway

The Loneliest Time

Bends Official Lyric Video

The Loveliest Time

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Mark Ronson?s work has found its way into tons of the biggest pop hits in the world over the past two decades. And in that time he became a new kind of artist: a producer whose style is so distinct that his name became the marquee name. In this episode, Guy talks with Mark about his start DJing in New York, his instant connection with Amy Winehouse while producing "Back to Black", and working with Greta Gerwig to produce the music for "Barbie".

Links from the show:

Here Comes the Fuzz

Everybody Got Their Something - Nikka Costa

Back to Black

Valerie

Uptown Funk

Nothing Breaks Like a Heart

Barbie Soundtrack

Barbie Score

Mark's TED Talk on the history of sampling

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Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol in 2002, released her chart-topping single ?A Moment Like This? the same year, and instantly became a music megastar. Kelly talks to Guy about the hardships of her early life, and how they helped motivate her towards success, the personal story of heartbreak while making her latest album ?Chemistry?, hosting her award-winning TV talk show, and how her busy production schedule keeps her creativity flowing. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Kelly's conversation with Guy was recorded before the announcement of the SAG-AFTRA strike.)

Links from the show:

Kelly sings ?A Moment Like This? on American Idol Season 1 Finale in 2022

Kelly's acceptance speech at the 48th GRAMMY Awards in 2006

Anne Hathaway?s LIVE Remix with Kelly on The Kelly Clarkson Show

Kelly sings with Pink on The Kelly Clarkson Show in February 2023

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The rapper Macklemore and his collaborator Ryan Lewis had their first two singles go straight to number one (Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us). Even more amazing, they did it without being signed to a major label. Macklemore joined Guy in 2023 to discuss why they stayed independent, his battle with addiction, why he feels indebted to the originators of hip-hop, and how to make music that means something.

Macklemore's new album BEN came out March 3rd and can be ordered here.

Links from the show:

Video for "Otherside"

Video for "Thrift Shop"

Video for "Can't Hold Us"

Video for "Glorious"

Short Doc from tour with Imagine Dragons

Video for "Maniac"

Video for "Faithful"

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Andy Garcia is an actor (Ocean's 11, The Untouchables, The Godfather Part III) who is best known for playing the suave leading man alongside other Hollywood greats like Sean Connery, Diane Keaton, and Al Pacino. He talked in 2022 to Guy about fleeing the Cuban Revolution, waiting tables for celebrities in Beverly Hills, and the best advice he got from Mario Puzo on how to prepare for The Godfather Part III.

Links from the show:

The "stroller scene" from The UntouchablesFather of the Bride (2022) trailerAndy as Terry Benedict in Ocean's 11The Lost City trailerAndy's Instagram

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Jason Sudeikis is the co-creator and star of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. Earlier this year he told Guy about the origins of the football/soccer coach character, why the show has connected so deeply with audiences, and Ted's impact on Jason's own self-image. He also reflects on his Midwest roots, why his basketball coaches always knew he'd be a performer, years spent in Amsterdam and Las Vegas honing his craft, and how he transitioned from comedy writer to featured player on Saturday Night Live.

Links from the show:

Jason's uncle George Wendt playing Norm in CheersJason sinks a 3-pointer at a Knicks gameComedySportz: how Jason got his start in sketch comedyBoom Chicago improv theater in AmsterdamSNL: Mitt Romney drowning his sorrows in milkOriginal commercial that launched Ted LassoTed Lasso Season 3 Official Trailer

Guy's Guest Appearance on Creator Science

At the beginning of the episode, Guy mentioned his appearance on Creator Science hosted by Jay Clouse. You can find that interview in the Creator Science podcast feed here!

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Shania Twain is often referred to as the Queen of Country Pop. And rightfully so - she's sold over 100 million records, more than any female country artist in history. But before she was Shania Twain, she was Eileen Edwards from a small town in Ontario. In this episode, Shania talked with Guy earlier this year about how she got her start singing at local bars before ascending to country music stardom in Nashville. And how, after almost losing her singing ability to Lyme disease, Shania is now back with a new album ? Queen of Me. 

Links from the show:

Young Shania on the Tommy Hunter Show

Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under

What Made You Say That music video

Shania at the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Giddy Up Music Video

Shania Twain Limelight Sessions

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Tom Hanks has had more iconic roles than most actors have had roles. From Big, to Forrest Gump, to Saving Private Ryan, to 2022?s Elvis, Tom has played countless characters spanning across different genres and different decades. In this wide-ranging interview from earlier this year, Tom discusses the trajectory of his career, the importance of bringing his own ideas to the films he?s acted in, and how he has managed to stave off self-consciousness while remaining as authentic as possible.

Links from the show:

Tom and Peter Scolari in Bosom BuddiesTom and Daryl Hannah in SplashThe cross-country running scene from Forrest GumpThe execution scene from The Green MileTom as Sully Sullenberger in Sullly: plane crash in the Hudson sceneTom as Colonel Tom Parker in Baz Luhrmann's ElvisThe real Colonel Tom Parker in an interview on ABC Trailer for A Man Called Otto

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Stephen Colbert has played many roles--an officious high school teacher in Strangers with Candy, and a bumbling blowhard on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Now, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he's facing his biggest challenge: being himself. Stephen talked in 2022 to Guy about working through that challenge, about the early and enduring influence Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello had on his work, and about how Stephen Colbert the man related to Stephen Colbert the blustering pundit.

Links from the show:

The Second City improv troupeThe Dana Carvey ShowDana Carvey and Stephen play clips Of "The Dana Carvey Show"Strangers with CandyStrangers with Candy clipPresident Obama on The Colbert ReportThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBSNASA's COLBERT treadmill

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Nick Kroll is an actor and comedian (Kroll Show, Parks and Recreation) and the creator of Big Mouth and Human Resources on Netflix. He talked with Guy in 2022 about developing outrageous characters, playing over-the-top villains, his quirky writing process, why everyone can benefit from improv classes, and his thoughts on comedy vs. ?cancel culture.?

Links from the show:

Clip from Nick's appearance on The View in full Cavemen makeup ?Yogurt Water? scene from Kroll Show Oh, Hello with John MulaneyNick as ?The Douche? on Parks and RecreationBig Mouth on Netflix Little Big Boy on NetflixNick?s InstagramNick's friends and collaborators: Mike Birbiglia, John Mulaney, Andrew Goldberg, Chelsea Peretti, Jessi Klein

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Zooey Deschanel is an actor (New Girl,Elf, 500 Days of Summer) musician (She & Him), crafter, and entrepreneur (HelloGiggles, Lettuce Grow). In 2022 she told Guy how being diagnosed with ADHD as a child affected her life and career, how the "loneliness" of the actor's life led her to songwriting and her collaboration with M Ward, and how ? right before landing her biggest role ? she almost quit acting. Zooey also delivers some practical tips on how to turn fear into excitement, and makes the case that regularly pursuing new creative paths makes you better at everything else.

Links from the show:

Zooey's parents' filmographies: Caleb Deschanel & Mary Jo DeschanelZooey's first instrument: the Casio SK-1Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa MonicaScene from Zooey's first-ever role on TV: Veronica's ClosetZooey and Frances McDormand "Drugs & Promiscuous Sex" scene from Almost FamousThe Go-Getter (2007 film), how Zooey met M WardLet's Dance by M WardVincent O'Brien by M WardThieves by She & Him (Official Video), one of Zooey's favorites which she wrote in "12 minutes"She & Him's "pandemic project," Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian WilsonNew Girl full episodes on AmazonSaturday Night Live sketch - Bein' Quirky With Zooey Deschanel HelloGiggles Lettuce Grow

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Gavin DeGraw is the singer-songwriter behind hits such as "I Don't Want To Be" and "Not Over You." He talks to Guy about why he doesn't limit himself to one genre, the low point in his life that inspired the song "Chariot," and why he thinks music should be "invisible."

Links from the show:

Video for "I Don't Want to Be"

Video for "Not Over You"

Video for "Chariot"

Video for "Hero in Our House" (Acoustic)

Gavin talks to People Magazine about losing his mother to cancer

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Ice Cube is a rapper and actor ("Boyz 'n the Hood," "Friday") who helped shape the genre we know as "gangsta rap." He talks with Guy about the early days of NWA, why the first film he wrote and starred in is a comedy, and why the Beastie Boys were an early inspiration.

Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league, BIG3, opened its season this past weekeend.

Links from the show:

Video for NWA's "Straight Out of Compton"

Video for "It Was a Good Day"

Video for "You Know How We Do It"

Ice Cube in "Boyz 'n the Hood"

Preview for "Friday"

Video for "Jackin' for Beats"

Ice Cube jokes with Jimmy Kimmel

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Paul Feig is an actor and director (Bridesmaids, Spy) and the creator of Freaks and Geeks, which is considered one of the best TV shows ever made, despite being cancelled after one season. He joins Guy to talk about why he stopped pursuing a career as an actor, what he learned from directing a prestige film that flopped, and how he strives to create an environment on set where everyone can be their most creative.

Links from the show:

Paul shows the kids how to dance in a scene from Heavyweights

A scene from Freaks and Geeks

The trailer for I am David

Paul breaks down a scene in Bridesmaids

The "gadgets" clip from Spy

Trailer for The School for Good and Evil

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Hrishikesh Hirway is a musician and the creator of the podcast and TV show "Song Exploder." He joins Guy to talk about bringing a musician's sensibility to storytelling, and his return to making music again.

Links from the show:

Trent Reznor on Song Exploder talking about "Hurt"

Dua Lipa on Song Exploder talking about "Love Again"

Hrishi's TED Talk about "what you discover when you really listen."

Video for "Between There and Here" (featuring Yo-Yo Ma)

Video for "Home" (featuring Jay Som)

Joshua Malina and Hrishi On Their "The West Wing Weekly" Podcast

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Dan Smith is the lead singer of the band Bastille. He sits down with Guy to discuss the meaning behind the band's breakout hit "Pompeii," why his best songwriting isn't about his own life, losing iPhones filled with lyrics that weren't backed up, and a critical review that damaged his confidence even as Bastille took the music world by storm.

Links from the show:

Pompeii music video (700M views)Laura Palmer music video (debut single)Overjoyed music videoEdit by Regina SpektorIgnoring Messages by DanHappier music video (1B views!)Joe Strummer FoundationThe Guardian's harsh review of Bastille's debut album "Bad Blood"From Devil's Breath: Leonardo DiCaprio climate documentary

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Actor Alan Alda played a starring role in two iconic ensemble TV shows, MASH and The West Wing, part of an award-winning career in television, film and theater that's spanned decades. He's also a writer and director. He talks with Guy about building chemistry in an ensemble cast, how he uses improvisational techniques in his acting and in real life, and how he is still taking on new roles at age 87, even as he copes with Parkinson's disease.

Links from the show:

Clear and Vivid with Alan Alda podcast

Alan as Hawkeye video compilation

Alan and Robert Alda sharing a scene in M*A*S*H

Alan and Martin Sheen on The West Wing

Alan on the Art of Science Communication

Alan interviews Malcolm Gladwell on Clear and Vivid

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Seth Meyers was a key player in creating some of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live. Now he's hosting Late Night in the very same building. In this episode of The Great Creators, you?ll hear how his two-person comedy show in Chicago randomly landed him in front of just the right person to get him an audition at SNL. He opens up about his anxiety having to compete with his extremely funny co-stars. And Seth explains some of the ways he has managed to lead Late Night to new heights. 

Links from the show:

Seth in Northwestern's improv troupe in 1992

Seth and his brother Josh on Late Night

Seth at the 2011 White House Correspondent's Dinner

Seth as David Zinger

Compilation of Seth and Stefon

A Closer Look from Late Night

Seth doing standup

Seth's Instagram

Seth's Twitter

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Singer Ellie Goulding has had 35 different songs chart in the UK, the most of any female artist ever. In this episode, Ellie shares how she first broke out of her shell performing original songs to her college classmates. She talks about finding her own sound by using her unique voice in collaboration with some of the biggest producers in the world of EDM. And she explains why she calls her new album "Higher than Heaven" her least personal record yet.

Links from the show:

The music video for Under the Sheets

Pitchfork: How Ellie Goulding Uses Her Voice as an Instrument

Ellie singing Your Song at the Royal Wedding

Higher than Heaven

Burn Music Video

Ellie's Instagram

Ellie's Twitter

Ellie's Spotify

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Ben Gibbard is the voice of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. He joins Guy to talk about forming Death Cab and recording their classic album Tranatlanticism, how the band learned to defuse internal tensions, and how he approaches songwriting in middle age.

Links from the show:

Ben's Tiny Desk Concert

Ben breaks down his song "Black Sun"

Death Cab for Cutie video for "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"

Death Cab for Cutie video for "Soul Meets Body"

The Postal Service video for "Such Great Heights"

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Diplo is one of the most successful and influential DJ/producers working today. How did he get here? This episode traces his rise from nomadic childhood, to spinning records while working at a movie theater and zoo, to his big break that was years in the making, to performing in front of tens of thousands of fans and generating billions (yes, billions) of streams. You'll also learn exactly how he collaborates with artists like Sia and Madonna, why he approaches music like fashion, how he knows when a song is truly great, and how he plans to "age gracefully" in this next chapter of his career. Diplo's new album, "Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 ? Swamp Savant," is out now.

Interested in a Visual Map tracing Diplo's creative journey? We made one just for you. Check it out here.

Links from the Show:

Paper Planes video: M.I.A. produced by DiploWhosampled.com sample breakdown of Paper PlanesPineapple Express movie trailer feat. Paper PlanesSkrillex and Diplo - "Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber (Official Video)Diary of a Song (New York Times) "Where Are Ü Now"Major Lazer & DJ SNake - Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Music Video)LSD - Thunderclouds (Official Video) ft. Sia, Diplo, LabrinthDiplo's less well-known collaborators: country artist Sierra Ferrell and songwriters Nija Charles and StarrahDiplo's Instagram pageVisual Mind Map: Diplo's Creative Journey

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Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing Dwight Schrute on "The Office," but in recent years he has become a mental health and spirituality advocate through his books and production company, SoulPancake. He joins Guy to talk about the deep anxiety he faced as a young actor, his ensuing search for inner peace, and why he believes performing can be a spiritual act.

Links from the show:

Rainn and Steve Carell give a tour of the set of "The Office"

The documentary "Laughing Matters," produced by Rainn's production company with comedians talking about mental health

Rainn quizzes Billie Eilesh ("The Office's biggest fan")

Rainn on the difference between The Office and Saturday Night Live

Rainn and Steve Carell talk about pandemic-related stress and give advice about how to overcome it

Rainn and chess master Magnus Carlsen talk chess and metaphysics

Rainn and Russell Brand talk about life's big questions

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Nathan Lane has been called "the greatest stage entertainer" of the 2000s. But as you'll learn in this episode, that compliment rubbed him the wrong way... and motivated him to take on a wide range of complex, nuanced, "scary" roles on stage and screen. Nathan talks to Guy about performing singing telegrams as a young man, making it to Hollywood as part of a comedy duo, working with Mel Brooks on "The Producers," and the process he goes through to embody a character on stage.

Links from the show:

Stack & Lane comedy duo routine on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop in 1980Actor George C. Scott (Patton, A Christmas Carol): IMDbThe NYT profile of Nathan that motivated him to pursue more challenging rolesNathan playing Roy Cohn in Angels in AmericaThe Producers (2005) movie trailer

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Shania Twain is often referred to as the Queen of Country Pop. And rightfully so - she's sold over 100 million records, more than any female country artist in history. But before she was Shania Twain, she was Eileen Edwards from a small town in Ontario. In this episode, Shania talks with Guy about how she got her start singing at local bars before ascending to country music stardom in Nashville. And how, after almost losing her singing ability to Lyme disease, Shania is now back with a new album ? Queen of Me. 

Links from the show:

Young Shania on the Tommy Hunter Show

Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under

What Made You Say That music video

Shania at the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Giddy Up Music Video

Shania Twain Limelight Sessions

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Jason Sudeikis is the co-creator and star of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. He tells Guy about the origins of the football/soccer coach character, why the show has connected so deeply with audiences, and Ted's impact on Jason's own self-image. He also reflects on his Midwest roots, why his basketball coaches always knew he'd be a performer, years spent in Amsterdam and Las Vegas honing his craft, and how he transitioned from comedy writer to featured player on Saturday Night Live.

Links from the show:

Jason's uncle George Wendt playing Norm in CheersJason sinks a 3-pointer at a Knicks gameComedySportz: how Jason got his start in sketch comedyBoom Chicago improv theater in AmsterdamSNL: Mitt Romney drowning his sorrows in milkOriginal commercial that launched Ted LassoTed Lasso Season 3 Official Trailer

Guy's Guest Appearance on Creator Science

At the beginning of the episode, Guy mentioned his appearance on Creator Science hosted by Jay Clouse. You can find that interview in the Creator Science podcast feed here!

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Sigourney Weaver has appeared in more than 60 films, from her breakout role in Alien in 1979 and the blockbuster Aliens in 1986, to Gorillas in the Mist, Working Girl, and Avatar: The Way of Water, with more Avatar sequels in the works. Despite being raised by a family steeped in show business, Sigourney was reluctant to pursue acting for many years. In this conversation with Guy from the fall of 2022, Sigourney unpacks what was behind that reticence; tells Guy about her early years in avant-garde theater; talks about why, at first, she wasn?t all that interested in being in Alien; and explains why she takes issue with the idea that she tends to play ?strong women.?

Links from the show:

The (pretty amazing) trailer for 1979's AlienEllen Ripley?s last stand in AlienBBC story on Sigourney reuniting with the gorillas from Gorillas in the Mist Sigourney in Working GirlSigourney plays a possessed Diana in Ghostbusters, with Bill Murray Recent Boston Herald article on Sigourney?s very busy yearMore on Sigourney?s new, 14-year-old character in the Avatar franchise

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Justin Long is an actor (Accepted, Dodgeball, Jeepers Creepers) best known for his roles in quirky comedies. He talks to Guy about the not-so-nice reality of showbiz, turning down his first big paycheck, a tough love lesson about Hamlet, and one very scary night in Michigan.

Links from the show:

Justin's first film Galaxy Quest

Recording Alvin's voice behind the scenes

"Get A Mac" ad campaign

"The Real Stephen Blatt" from Funny or Die

Barbarian trailer

Life is Short with Justin Long Podcast

Justin's Instagram

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