How To Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black

Michael talks to Naomi Klein, an award-winning journalist, syndicated columnist and author of the international bestsellers, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies, and her latest This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate. Her ability to tackle and make understandable big subjects like global warming and unfettered capitalism have made her hugely popular and even offer us a ray of hope in the face of a seemingly dire future.

After years of covering wars oversee, it was reading the news on Good Morning America that nearly did in newsman Dan Harris after he suffered a major panic attack live on air. His nationally televised wake-up call forced him to stop self-medicating with recreational drugs and start a search for serenity. His incredible journey navigating the self-help world and ultimately finding his key to peace, is a refreshing and convincing story for anyone who has issues embracing the spiritual scene but wouldn’t mind exploring how to be happier.

Baratunde Thurston co-founded Cultivated Wit and the About Race podcast, and he wrote the New York Times bestseller How To Be Black. Baratunde is a highly sought-after public speaker and thought leader who has been part of noteworthy institutions such as Fast Company, TED, and more. He is a supervising producer for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah on Comedy Central, where he oversees digital expansion.

When Felicia Day moved to Hollywood after being a musical and math prodigy in college, she expected that being an actress would be as easy. She was not used to failing. But until she figured out that she had to carve her own career by writing and starring in the hit web series, “The Guild” which used her love of gaming as the basis, success eluded her. Now with the publication of her memoir, “You’re Never Weird On The Internet,” Day walks Michael through how she made her own success on her terms, and what happens when you get what you want.

In Part 2 of Michael’s interview with David Sedaris, they talk about growing up Sedaris and how his relationship with his father motivated him to be the writer he is today.

NPR Humorist and Best-selling Author of "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and "When You Are Engulfed in Flames," author David Sedaris became a household name in his mid-thirties after public radio broadcast his iconic holiday story "SantaLand Diaries.” 20 years later he now tours the world, selling out venues full of loyal fans. In Part 1 of his interview, Michael talks to David about how he crafts his stories and how his career as a writer and performer became so successful.

In his early 20's Alexis Ohanian and his partner Steve Huffman started the popular social media site Reddit.com which made him a millionaire after they sold the site to Condé Nast in 2006. Ohanian has gone on to be a internet entrepreneur, activist and investor. He's got a unique and engaging perspective on creativity and technology that is both accessible and fascinating.

In the late 80's and 90's Bobcat Goldthwait was one of the biggest comedians in the US. His trademark voice and sharp black comedy led him to financial success in Hollywood films and videos, but he was miserable. At the height of his so-called success, Goldthwait chucked it all and decide to focus on writing, directing, and most of all, being happy.

Ingrid Michaelson is the best-selling recording artist of such hits as "Girls Chase Boys" and "The Way I Am." While her voice certainly qualifies her as amazing, it's the path she chose to follow as a recording artist that is so interesting. Michaelson bypassed the established labels so that she could release her music on her own and found success as a recording artist on her own terms.

In this episode, Michael chats with A.D. Miles about his journey from prop stylist to his current job as head writer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The Wet, Hot American Summer co-stars discuss everything from being booed off the stage, to meeting Lorne Michaels and the behind-the-scenes of working on one of the most successful television franchises in history.