Deep Noodle Podcast

In this episode, host Nathaniel August Williams sits down with internationally recognized artist Robin F Williams to dive into:

• The challenges of being a figurative painter in today’s art world
• Gender, identity, and the body in contemporary painting
• The evolution of Robin’s career from childhood inspirations to major museum collections
• The intersection of AI, art, and consciousness — will artificial intelligence be a monster, an assistant, or something in between?
• How artists can orient themselves toward reciprocity instead of extraction

Robin’s work has been shown in major galleries and museums worldwide, including the Brooklyn Museum, ICA Miami, and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. This conversation blends art history, philosophy, humor, and sibling banter into a wide-ranging exploration of creativity and the future of consciousness.

Nick Rutherford (Good Neighbor, SNL, Rick and Morty) joins us for a funny, honest, and wildly insightful conversation about the rollercoaster ride of working in comedy and making it in Hollywood.

We talk about how a group of friends making absurd YouTube videos became the sketch group Good Neighbor, how that led to Saturday Night Live, and what happened when the dream job didn’t turn out as expected. Nick shares stories from his time writing and performing at SNL, voicing characters on Rick and Morty, and creating the surreal world of Dream Corp LLC for Adult Swim.

We also get into the pressure of making content in today’s attention economy, the strange psychology of pitching shows, and what it takes to keep going when the industry doesn’t always say yes.

In this episode:

• The rise of Good Neighbor and early internet fame
• Behind the curtain at Saturday Night Live
• What it feels like to be let go from your dream job
• Writing and acting in Dream Corp LLC
• Voice acting on Rick and Morty
• The tension between making art and building a following
• Mental health, mindfulness, and staying sane in comedy
• Learning how to keep going when the path isn't clear

It’s equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and hopeful—a perfect snapshot of what it really means to try and make something meaningful (and funny) in today’s world.

Jordan VanDina didn’t break into Hollywood the usual way—and that’s exactly what makes his story so good. In this episode, Jordan shares how he went from writing full screenplays over a single weekend to launching a scrappy Kickstarter campaign, going viral on Twitter, and somehow turning that momentum into real-deal studio screenwriting gigs.

Jordan’s journey is chaotic, hilarious, and completely his own—proof that there’s no one path into the industry. If you're a screenwriter, comedian, or just someone chasing a dream, this one will light a fire under you.

We dive into:

How writing entire feature length scripts in two days kickstarted his career

The tweets that changed everything

Turning a no-budget short into a calling card

What he learned from launching a Kickstarter

Writing for actors like Vince Vaughn and producing with heavy hitters

His advice for writers trying to break in without connections

Today’s guest is the hilarious and talented Andrew Barbot, an Emmy Award-winning writer whose credits include Animaniacs (Hulu), The Last O.G. (TBS), and Playing House (USA). He also writes for the Podcasts Even the Royals and This Job is History! We dive into everything from writing for TV, podcasts, karaoke bar antics, royal history, theology, where modern religion is falling short, how to find your personal fountain of immortality, facing your fears, and some wild conspiracy theories.

We also talk about:

🎭 The joy of working with Tracy Morgan on The Last O.G.

🎶 The best karaoke songs and Andrew’s piano bar takeover

👑 Writing for the Even the Royals podcast & insane royal stories

🏆 What life is like after winning an Emmy

🦎 Lizard people, conspiracy theories, and Loose Change

📖 How religion, mythology, and the hero’s journey shape storytelling

🏀 Raising kids and the search for fulfillment in midlife

🎙️ In this episode of Deep Noodle, Nate Williams sits down with Matt Oberg—actor, comedian, and voice artist known for Veep, Abbott Elementary, Hacks, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He’s also the voice of Kite Man and Killer Croc in Harley Quinn and the Kite Man: Hell Yeah! spinoff. Together, they dive into the absurdity of AI fear-mongering, the bizarre evolution of comedy, and surviving Hollywood’s chaos.

🔹 Topics Covered:

🎙️Is AI going to actually change the world, or is it another Silicon Valley hype cycle?

🎙️Why tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg keep betting big on failed ideas like the Metaverse.

🎙️Matt Oberg’s wild journey from Veep to voicing Kite Man and Killer Croc in Harley Quinn—and how Kite Man got his own spinoff.

🎙️The golden age of improv—how it shaped comedy, why it faded, and what comes next.

🎙️Why actors like Brando changed Hollywood, and why that era is over.

🎙️The best and worst parts of living in L.A. vs. New York as an actor.

🎙️Matt’s upcoming podcast, The Extraordinarians, with Kristen Schaal & Tony Hale, where they dive into the weirdest world records.

🎙️The surreal experience of attending Comic-Con as a voice actor.

🎙️UFOs, alien conspiracies, and why we still haven’t gotten real answers.

🎙️Uber drivers, weird recognitions, and why Metallica superfans are next-level.

🎙️Finding joy in comedy, kids, and the existential dread of it all.

Are we just here to build AI? Is superintelligence the natural next step in evolution? In this episode of the Deep Noodle Podcast, comedian, writer, and actor Lucas Kavner joins us for a mind-bending conversation about AI, aliens, Hollywood, and the creative grind. We break down the reality of UFOs, the challenges of screenwriting, and how AI might just be the next great intelligence.

Lucas has written for The Jim Jefferies Show (Comedy Central), appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Orange is the New Black, and High Potential, and co-wrote the unproduced Twins sequel starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.

🔥 Topics Covered:

Are AI and aliens connected?

The frustrating reality of Hollywood screenwriting

What it’s like to write for The New Yorker

The bizarre economics of show business

The new UFO documentary that has senators talking

📌 Chapters:

00:00 - The Universe & Superintelligence

00:27 - Are We Creating AI or Is AI Creating Itself?

01:00 - Humanity’s Role in Technological Evolution

02:04 - Intro: Welcome to Deep Noodle!

02:50 - Guest Intro: Lucas Kavner’s Background in Comedy & Film

04:10 - Writing for Comedy Central & The Jim Jefferies Show

06:20 - Screenwriting in Hollywood: Pitching, Rejection & The Grind

10:30 - The Truth About UFOs & Government Cover-Ups

15:15 - How Hollywood Works Behind the Scenes

18:55 - The Failed Twins Sequel & Meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger

24:50 - What It’s Like Acting in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

30:00 - NYC vs. LA for Creatives

34:30 - The Struggles of Making a Living as an Artist

40:20 - Alien Conspiracies, AI Takeover & Humanity’s Fate

50:00 - The Future of AI: Will We Merge With Machines?

55:30 - Outro: Follow Lucas & Final Thoughts

Comedian and actor Chris Grace (Superstore, Broad City, Adam Ruins Everything) joins Nathaniel August Williams for a deep-dive into comedy, audience capture, and the challenges of building a creative career in today's digital landscape. From his experiences in improv and television to the complexities of online engagement, Chris shares his thoughts on the entertainment industry, internet culture, and the evolution of stand-up comedy.

🎧 Subscribe for more Deep Noodle → https://www.youtube.com/@DeepNoodle?sub_confirmation=1

⏳ Chapters & Topics:

00:00 - Intro | White Anxiety & Political Burnout

01:14 - Meet Chris Grace: From Improv to TV Stardom

04:55 - The Audience Capture Trap: How Fans Shape Creators

10:35 - Comedy & Culture Wars: Where Do We Draw the Line?

17:40 - Punching Up vs. Punching Down: The Ethics of Jokes

25:29 - The Business of Comedy: Hollywood, Nepo Babies & Success

40:36 - Political Humor & Why Elections Feel Hopeless

50:18 - Chris’s Viral TikTok Controversy & Social Media Backlash

58:07 - Raya Dating App & Hollywood's Weirdest Networking Club

01:07:30 - Palm Springs Orgies vs. Bohemian Grove: Who Parties Harder? 🔥

01:17:42 - Secret Societies, Conspiracies & The Comedy Underground

01:27:05 - The Last-Man-Standing Mentality in Showbiz

01:32:01 - Final Thoughts & Chris’s Music Recommendation

🔥 Follow Chris Grace:

🔹 https://www.instagram.com/chrisgracecomedy/

🔹 https://www.youtube.com/@UCXF7cCQk2elo4XMz9PcNZTQ

💬 Join the conversation!

What do you think about audience capture in entertainment? Should comedians engage in politics, or should comedy be an escape? Drop a comment below!

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A hilarious and insightful conversation with Adam Lustick, comedian, actor, and writer known for Corporate (Comedy Central), The Office, Two Broke Girls, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and more! Adam shares his journey from NYU's Atlantic Theater Company to co-founding Harvard Sailing Team, working with Weezer, Shaq, Lance Reddick, and what it means to build a lasting comedy career.

We dive into comedy inspirations like Mel Brooks, David Lynch, and the evolution of sketch comedy, plus Hollywood realities, artistic fulfillment, and the challenges of making it in entertainment. If you're into comedy, acting, improv, sketch, or TV writing, this episode is a must!

Do Vampires Poop? TV Writing, Animaniacs & Comedy with Kathleen Chen | Deep Noodle Podcast

📺 Ever wondered how Animaniacs got rebooted? Or what it’s like to write for Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin? And most importantly… do vampires poop? In this hilarious and insightful episode of Deep Noodle, Nathaniel August Williams sits down with Kathleen Chen, a comedy and tech writer whose credits include NBC, Hulu, Netflix, Peacock, Pinterest, and Google.

From her unconventional path from tech into television, to writing musical comedy, to deep-diving into the biology of fictional creatures, this conversation has it all. Plus, we talk Lunar New Year traditions, how Hollywood really works, and the internet’s reaction to the Animaniacs reboot.

🔥 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for more deep (and weird) conversations!

#ComedyPodcast #Animaniacs #Screenwriting #TVWriting #Vampires #Hollywood #PitchPerfect

⏳ Chapters:

00:00:00 - Do Vampires Eat?

00:00:16 - How Do Vampires Blend In?

00:00:34 - Intro: Welcome to Deep Noodle

00:01:10 - Meet Kathleen Chen: Comedy & Tech Writer

00:01:27 - Cooking for Lunar New Year

00:02:01 - Baking Pineapple Cakes for the First Time

00:03:13 - Lunar New Year Traditions & Superstitions

00:04:26 - Hard-Hitting Question: If Your Life Was a Movie…?

00:05:26 - From Tech to TV Writing: How Kathleen Got Started

00:07:00 - Playing Piano from Age 3 & Why She Quit

00:10:05 - The Pressure of Performance & Losing the Joy

00:14:36 - Growing Up Without TV & Sneaking Buffy

00:17:05 - Writing Partnerships: Comedy & Collaboration

00:20:51 - Animaniacs Reboot: Writing Process & Fan Reactions

00:24:12 - The Internet Hated the Reboot?!

00:27:37 - How They Chose Pop Culture Parodies for Animaniacs

00:28:54 - Parenthood & The Entertainment Industry

00:30:47 - Life Philosophy: Has Having a Kid Changed Everything?

00:33:18 - Writing for Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin

00:36:11 - Her Parents Still Don’t Know What She Does for a Living

00:37:46 - Career Regrets & The Mystery of Hollywood Rejections

00:40:05 - Is Kathleen an Extrovert or Introvert?

00:41:54 - Personality Tests & The Enneagram Dating Trick

00:46:29 - Thrill-Seeker: Bachelorette Party at Cedar Point

00:48:49 - The Sad Reality of Aging Out of Roller Coasters

00:50:28 - The Weirdest Deep Dive: Do Vampires Poop?

00:54:23 - Vampire Anatomy: Do They Have a Working Digestive System?

01:01:21 - Final Verdict: Vampire Poop Theory

💬 What do YOU think? Do vampires need to poop or pee? Drop a comment below!

📢 Follow Kathleen Chen

🔹 Twitter: @KathleenChen

🔹 Instagram: @KathleenChen

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for More Thought-Provoking Comedy & Creative Conversations!

What’s it like inside the Rick and Morty writers’ room? Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and executive producer Jessica Lacher joins host Nathaniel August Williams for a deep dive into writing for one of the most beloved animated shows. Jessica shares insights on her creative process, the long production timeline of Rick and Morty, and what it’s like working alongside Dan Harmon.

We also explore the Story Circle, the balance between episodic and canon storytelling, and how the multiverse concept gives writers infinite creative freedom. Plus, Jessica opens up about imposter syndrome, career fulfillment in Hollywood, and how becoming a parent has changed her perception of life’s biggest mysteries.

🔹 Topics Covered:

🎭 Writing for Rick and Morty & the mechanics of the writers’ room

🔥 The state of Hollywood post-strike and LA’s creative industry

✍️ Storytelling techniques & Dan Harmon’s Story Circle

🧠 Balancing episodic and serialized storytelling in Rick and Morty

🤯 Does a soul exist before birth? (A deep dive into existential philosophy)

🎬 Breaking into Hollywood: Jessica’s journey from theater to TV writing

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