The Moment With Brian Koppelman

Savannah Guthrie is the co-anchor of The Today Show and the Chief Legal Correspondent of NBC News. Today she joins Brian for a conversation about her life as a young adult, landing her first gig on TV, and how she prepares to interview the likes of Donald Trump. Savannah also talks about how she views her position in the media and tells a great story about deciding to go law school and making the decision that changed the course of her life. Shownotes: Slate.com/TheMoment Twitter: @BrianKoppleman iTunes: itunes.com/themoment 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

Alan Furst is the bestselling author of Midnight in Europe, Night Soldiers, and Spies of the Balkans. His latest book, A Hero of France, is out now and available by clicking here. Today, Alan discusses how he first came about creating his own fictional world in the tradition of William Faulkner and William Kennedy (2:00), the question he asked himself which opened him up as a writer (10:30), and the idea of a certain kind of heroism in his books (24:00). Plus, Alan talks about why he hasn't returned to France in years (34:00) and the creative routine he established to become a master of historical spy fiction (44:00). The Moment is brought to you by Open Account, a podcast that gets personal about making, losing, and living with money. Created by Umpqua Bank and hosted by SuChin Pak, download and subscribe to Open Account wherever you get your podcasts. And by FreshBooks. Small business owners, FreshBooks wants to make dealing with your day-to-day paperwork ridiculously simple and quick. For your 30-day free

Andrew Zimmern is best known as the creator and host of the Bizarre Foods franchise on Travel Channel. New episodes of Bizarre Foods begin June 21st at 9PM and his new show, Driven By Food, premieres in August. On today's show, Andrew talks about the transformative power of travel (7:00), a life changing trip to Madagascar (15:00), and the decision he made to be himself, rather than a character of himself, on Bizarre Foods (27:00). Plus, Andrew and Brian discuss his love of tussling with the network (35:00), a story behind the first episode of his new show, Driven By Food (47:00), and how show business is the perfect business for Andrew to grow spiritually and artistically (55:00). Shownotes: Slate.com/TheMoment Twitter: @BrianKoppelman iTunes: itunes.com/themoment 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

Hayes Carll is a singer-songwriter who just released the best album of his career called Lovers and Leavers. You can purchase it by clicking here. To kick off the show, Hayes plays a song from the new album called "Sake of the Song" and then talks to Brian about getting out of his creative comfort zone (8:00), the process of creating the album (16:00), and the fear of not doing what was expected of him (30:00). Plus, Hayes and Brian learn about the death of Guy Clark (38:00) and discuss how his new songs are being received and what it feels like to reconnect with his music and fans. Shownotes: Slate.com/TheMoment Twitter: @BrianKoppelman 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

Ryan Holiday is a writer, marketer, and entrepreneur best known for his books Trust Me I'm Lying and The Obstacle is the Way. Ryan's latest book, Ego is the Enemy, is due out in early June. Preorder it today by clicking here. This week, Ryan talks about why he wrote a book about stoicism [5:00], how he came up with the idea for Ego is the Enemy [14:00], and the different ideas he still grapples with in his writing [27:00]. Plus, Ryan talks about the difference between ego and confidence [33:00] and why your most important networking tool is asking smart questions [46:00]. The Moment is brought to you by Open Account, a podcast that gets personal about making, losing, and living with money. Created by Umpqua Bank and hosted by SuChin Pak, download and subscribe to Open Account wherever you get your podcasts. Shownotes: Slate.com/TheMoment Twitter: @BrianKoppelman Review us: itunes.com/themoment To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Lea

Karyn Kusama is the director of four films including the Sundance award winning movie, Girlfight, and the recently released dinner party thriller, The Invitation - available now by clicking here. Today on the show, Karyn talks about the movies that influenced The Invitation (4:00), recognizing the strangeness in great works of art (11:00), and why men are afforded more opportunities than women in the movie making business (26:00). Plus, Brian and Karyn discuss how directing television keeps you creatively fit (38:00), how Karyn checks in with herself about the work she wants to be creating (42:00), and why, in adulthood, she's finally finding the strength in being a vulnerable human being (53:00). The Moment is brought to you by Monster. Find employees who work as hard as you at Monster.com/hiring. Monster. Find Better. Shownotes: Slate.com/TheMoment Twitter: @BrianKoppelman Review us: itunes.com/themoment To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-p

Jane Rosenthal is one of the most renowned producers in show business. Along with Robert De Niro, she co-founded Tribeca Productions in lower Manhattan and is also the co-founder of the TriBeCa Film Festival which begins this week in New York City. Go grab your tickets today. On today's show, Jane talks about being the first female page in the Rhode Island State House (5:00), the roadblocks she had to fight through as a young woman producing television (19:00), and meeting Martin Scorsese on the set of The Color of Money (23:00). Plus, Brian and Jane discuss the long road to making A Bronx Tale (31:00), Robert De Niro's performance as Bernie Madoff in the upcoming HBO movie The Wizard of Lies (45:30), and the character trait that she knows about Hillary Clinton that nobody else can truly see (57:00). Shownotes: Slate.com/TheMoment Twitter: @BrianKoppelman Leave us a review: itunes.com/themoment The Moment is brought to you by Monster. Find employees who work as hard as you at Monster.com/hiring. Monster. Find

Note: This podcast was originally produced and aired by Grantland in April 2014. Former 'SNL' star Colin Quinn and Brian trade tragic Motley Crue stories, talk about the surrealism of early Adam Sandler, and why colin digs being the Yoda of comedians. 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

Gabrielle Hamilton is the chef and owner of Prune in New York City and the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef. On the show, Gabrielle talks about why irony is an enemy in modern cooking (5:30), how her abbreviated childhood shaped her personality and career (15:00), and why she doesn't hold any concepts or philosophy about food (24:00). Plus, Brian and Gabrielle discuss whether or not she's aware of the nostalgic dining experience she's creating for people (34:00) and why Gabrielle doesn't think taste is subjective (40:00). Topics mentioned: Prune Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton What Salmon Know by Elwood Reid If I Don't Six by Elwood Reid University of Michigan Mind of a Chef  Ernest Hemingway's Six Word Story Mario Batali's Six Word Memoir Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essays "Romeo Had Juliette" by Lou Reed elBulli Daniel NYC People mentioned: Gabrielle Hamilton Elwood

Note: This episode originally aired in June 2015. Chuck Todd, NBC News political director and moderator of Meet the Press, talks about the political landscape and his role in it. Brian and Chuck also discuss the line between journalism and show business, the value of long-form interviews, and Chuck's waning enthusiasm for the political game. Plus, Chuck dives into his vision for Meet the Press, the burden of hosting the longest running television show in history, and the real story behind Advise and Consent. Topics this week: NBC's Meet the Press The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House by Chuck Todd The Julliard School Profiles In Courage by John F. Kennedy Up, Simba! an essay by David Foster Wallace Bulworth Network Advise and Consent Preston Brooks and Charles Sumner Fight Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston People this week: Former Senator Rick Santorum Governor John Kasich Senator Rand Paul Former Vice President Dick Cheney Senator Bernie Sanders Former Governor Jeb Bush Former Senator and Secret

Tom Rath is a New York Times bestselling author and researcher best known for his books Eat Move Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes and Are You Fully Charged?: The 3 Keys to Energizing Your Work and Life. On the show, Tom shares a few tips about how to make better micro-decisions (7:00) and how to teach kids better social and behavioral dynamics (17:00). Plus, Brian and Tom discuss the work of Adam Grant and why doing things for others is often our best motivator (21:00). Tom also talks about the difference between finding happiness and finding meaning (31:00) and shares his thoughts about people pursuing their passions and how we can change employee to employer relationships to encourage people to find meaningful work (41:00).  You can watch Tom's documentary, Fully Charged, by clicking here.  Topics mentioned: Fully Charged by Tom Rath Fully Charged Documentary Eat Move Sleep by Tom Rath Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Give and Take by Adam Grant Original

Malin Akerman is an actress best known for her roles in The Heartbreak Kid, Couples Retreat, and Showtime's latest series, Billions. Today, Malin discusses how a tumultuous relationship with her mother shaped her career and personality (6:00), when she noticed she wanted to be an actor (11:00), and how becoming a parent moved her away from comedy and towards drama (23:00). Plus, Malin talks about how she prepares to go toe-to-toe with Maggie Siff in a scene (32:00) and the effect of being an outsider on playing American characters (36:00). Topics mentioned: Billions Landmark Forum The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Rock of Ages Trophy Wife The Ticket Tribeca Film Festival The Heartbreak Kid People mentioned: Malin Akerman David Levien Neil Burger Melissa Errico Paul Giamatti Oren Moverman Maggie Siff The Moment is brought to you by A&E's hit series Bates Motel. Catch the new season when it returns Monday March 7th at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on A&E.  Email: themomentbk@gmail.com Twitter: @BrianKoppelman iTu

Zach Quinto is an actor and a producer best known for his roles in Heroes, Margin Call, and in the Star Trek films as Spock. Today, Zach discusses how the death of his father shaped his childhood and career (2:00), how he landed in Noah Haidle's Smokefall (16:00), and the years of self examination that helped him better understand his goals as an artist (27:00). Plus, Zach reflects on how the plant medicine, ayahuasca, helped him release a character that lingered from Angels in America (38:00) and looks forward to his upcoming role as Glenn Greenwald in Oliver Stone's Snowden (43:00).  To get tickets to see Smokefall click here.  Topics mentioned: Smokefall Margin Call Angels in America Star Trek Beyond Carnegie Mellon School of Drama The Immaculate Reception a short film by Charlotte Glynn Snowden CitizenFour City of Thieves by David Benioff What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robb

Ethan Canin is the author of two short story collections (Emperor of the Air & The Palace Thief) and a number of novels including his latest, A Doubter's Almanac. On today's show, Ethan discusses one of his favorite lines in literature (4:30), the state of contemporary fiction (14:30), and why he believes America has yet to learn how to teach English (23:00). Plus, Ethan reflects on the influence of Raymond Carver on writers of his generation (28:00), the types of characters he tends to consider in his work (31:00), and why he's trying to do "the difficult thing." (41:00) A Doubter's Almanac is available now by clicking here. Topics mentioned: A Doubter's Almanac by Ethan Canin Emperor of the Air by Ethan Canin Dreams of My Father by Barack Obama The Palace Thief  by Ethan Canin "A Silver Dish" by Saul Bellow The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Moby Dick by Herman Melville The Adventures of Augie March by Saul Bellow Tenth of December by George Saunders City of Thieves by David Benioff The Sun Also Rises by E

Judd Apatow is a writer, director, and producer of, more than likely, one of your favorite movies or shows. Today, Judd discusses the impact of Steve Martin on his career (2:00) and the existential conflict that fuels his work (13:00). Plus, Judd talks about his role as a mentor for Amy Schumer and Lena Dunham (22:00), how he manages a writer's room (30:00), and why he may be looking to do something different on his next big project (36:00). Judd's new series, Love, is available this Friday (2/19) on Netflix. And Girls returns on HBO this Sunday (2/21). Topics mentioned: Love on Netflix Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow Girls on HBO Stripes Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett Crimes and Misdemeanors Hannah and Her Sisters The Purple Rose of Cairo Freaks and Geeks Philadelphia Roseanne Tiny Furniture Metropolitan Everybody Love Raymond The Ben Stiller Show Cape Fear Funny People This is 40 Groundhog Day People mentioned: Judd Apatow Adam McKay Garry Shandling Albert Brooks S

Matt Damon's character in 'Rounders' took his name from today's guest, great singer-songwriter Michael McDermott, who's had a long road back from darkness. (Originally aired in June 2014). Michael's new album, Six on the Out (2016) is available by clicking here. 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

John Moreland is a masterful singer-songwriter best known for his albums In the Throes (2013) and High on Tulsa Heat (2015). Fresh off his European tour with Jason Isbell, John joins us in the studio to talk about writing songs on the road and why nowadays, it's more difficult to find the right melody than the right words (7:20). Plus, John describes how he first fell in love with music (12:20), why he chooses to not idolize the greats (31:15), and how his goal as a writer is to build what Bob Dylan would call "sturdy songs." (34:00) Stick around at the end of the show for a performance of "Nobody Gives a Damn About Songs Anymore" by John Moreland. And also, please check out John's performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by clicking here. Topics mentioned:High on Tulsa Heat by John MorelandIn the Throes by John MorelandEarthbound Blues by John Moreland"Nobody Gives a Damn About Songs Anymore" by John Moreland"Shiny Happy People" by REM"Stand" by REM"White Flag" by John Moreland"Elephant" by Jason Is

Scott Frank is a distinguished screenwriter best known for movies such as Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Minority Report, and A Walk Among the Tombstones. Scott's new novel, Shaker, is written in the same vein as Elmore Leonard's finest books and is out today. This week, Brian and Scott discuss the story of how Shaker came to be after more than 20 years (1:05) and why he has never had a better experience in the arts (56:31). Plus, Scott talks about how he manages a creative collaboration (13:53), battles his writing fears (36:23), and how things are finally lining up on his longtime pet project, Godless (59:30). Topics mentioned: Shaker by Scott Frank Little Man Tate Minority Report A Walk Among the Tombstones Out of Sight Get Shorty The Wolverine Dead Again Hoke Marley & Me The Lookout Scott Frank's BAFTA speech Dog Day Afternoon Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid The Frontpage by Ben Hecht A Child of the Century by Ben Hecht Monster: Living Off the Big Screen by John Gregory Dunne The Tim Ferriss Show People men

Donny Deutsch is an ad executive turned TV personality and star of USA Network's Donny! Today, Brian and Donny discuss how he cultivated creativity as the head of Deutsch Inc. (one of NYC's top ad agencies) and how those skills transferred over to the production of his new sitcom. Plus, Donny reflects on the lessons of his father, the original founder of Deutsch, and why he's contemplating a run for political office in New York City.  The first season of Donny! is available on USA On Demand and by clicking here. Topics mentioned: Deutsch Inc. The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch Donny! Billions Mad Men Often Wrong, Never in Doubt by Donny Deutsch and Peter Knobler Sarah Palin's Donald Trump endorsement speech Morning Joe Death of Freddie Gray The Polo Bar NYC Sirius XM Stars: Dialing Donny The Sopranos The Larry Sanders Show Curb Your Enthusiam The Godfather People mentioned: Donny Deutsch Harvey Weinstein Tim Ferriss Harrison Ford Dwayne Johnson Jon Hamm Rupert Murdoch Seth Godin Bill Clinton Bill Gates George St

David Costabile is an actor best known for his roles on Breaking Bad, The Wire, and Lincoln. He stars in Showtime's latest series, Billions, as Mike "Wags" Wagner, the right hand man to Bobby "Axe" Axelrod. Today, Brian and David discuss the actor's process and the importance of "assuming your own brilliance." Plus, David talks about his fanboy'ish encounter with Bryan Cranston, a theatre audition gone terribly wrong, and why he keeps creating rules for himself just to break them.  Topics mentioned: Billions Breaking Bad The Wire Tufts University Solitary Man The Moment with Tom McCarthy: 10/27/15 Titanic Shubert Theatre A Chorus Line Spamalot The Mahabharata The Empty Space Caroline, or Change Stripes Heat The Moment with Maggie Siff: 12/1/15 Bloodline People mentioned: David Costabile David Levien Andrew Ross Sorkin Bryan Cranston Peter O'Toole Tom McCarthy James Lapine Mike Nichols Bill Murray Hank Azaria Oliver Platt Antony Sher Tony Kushner Maggie Siff Glenn Kessler This episode of The Moment is brought