We start season 2 with veteran showrunner and novelist Rob Thomas.
We get straight into it with the crushing blow of losing an overall deal with a major studio, a hellish year of development and concerns that his most recent show might be his last.
Rob explains how he went pretty much straight from Dawson’s Creek writer to showrunner, what he learned along the way and how he is a bad consultant but a great boss.
In an honest and revealing interview he tells us what he is worrying about, shares some simple but powerful advice and explains the pleasure he gets from seeing his old assistants win awards.
Fascinating insights from the creator of multiple shows.

Ahead of the return of our second season, Noah and Dan sit down for another of their little chats.
They talk about Noah's recovery from illness, the incredible reception to our first season and what is to come in the second.
We start our listener's questions segment, discuss the amazing honesty of our guests so far and set the scene for 50 more stories of rejection, failure and adversity.

Noah and Dan review the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss.
They talk about what they learned, why they did it and how much it meant to both of them.
And Noah reveals a secret that will bring new meaning to overcoming adversity.

We end the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss with Bill Lawrence.
He tells about his multiple early firings, how he feels when his shows fail to become hits and how difficult it was to pitch Ted Lasso.
He talks about dealing with success, what he learned early in his career and how he feels about comparing his new projects to his old ones.
Bill explains that success in this industry is being allowed to make 'one more show', how he protects himself emotionally from failure and how even he, with all his success, still lives 'in fear' of his shows not working.
He learned some important lessons as he got fired so often in his early career - don't turn down show gifts, always appreciate a successful show (even at the risk of being mocked by his friends) and be less arrogant!
Bill tells us about a season working on Friends, the excitement of building Scrubs and the fun of working on Ted Lasso with a mixed British and American writing staff.
And the time he passed on a studio.
An extraordinary chat with an extraordinary writer.

One of his producers died in a car crash, another was murdered - and these aren't even his most dramatic stories!
In the penultimate show of the season, we talk to legendary screenwriter Steven E. de Souza. The Die Hard writer, with more than $2bn in box office to his name, takes us on a fabulous romp through Hollywood.
We talk about some of his biggest successes, but also how even he struggles to get the movies he wants made. We talk about some epic adversity on some of his big movie sets, but also his frustrations at trying to move projects forward, some of the challenges he has faced with over-eager executives and how some of his projects so nearly went wrong.
A fascinating seat round the table hearing from one of Hollywood's giants.

We talk to the legendary showrunner David Shore. He talks us through his journey giving up working as a lawyer in Canada and moving to Hollywood with very limited contacts - and very limited writing skills. He explains how he got his break on Due South, how he measured his time in the business one job at a time and then how he chose to leave a show he wasn't enjoying and that move created the opportunity that led to House. 
David describes the relative ease of selling House, something he hasn't experienced since and trying not to compare every subsequent project to it.
We discuss writing rooms, the distractions of other showrunnner responsibilities and the difference between a mediocre episode that was badly directed/acted and badly written. David tells us about the joy of a good script turning into good television, explains the importance of the words on the page over other skills a writer might have and what matters to him at this stage of his career.
A detailed and insightful discussion with a Hollywood legend.

We talk to Derek Simonds about his experience taking up the reins of The Sinner.
He talks openly about the overwhelming experience of taking on the multi-disciplinary showrunner role, the pressure it created and the toll it took on his health.
Derek described the pressure of rushing a second season to meet network deadlines, how much he’s learned along the way and he also explores the preparation he does with his cast.
We explore what might come next for him, the joy of the limited series format and why he wants to join another room and see another showrunner in action.
An in-depth discussion about vulnerability, pressure and creating an award-winning show for a first time showrunner.

We talk to the amazing Ariel Dumas, head writer at the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
She talks about her journey through failed actress, nearly going to clown school and eventually ending up in late show writing because people in her improv class weren't interested in her 'bits' about Supreme Court nominee confirmations.
Ariel talks about dealing with rejected pitches, not being funny multiple times a day and the process for moving on when a suggested idea or joke fails.
She explains the importance of self care around mental and emotional health, how she deals with being vulnerable and the greater breadth of humor you get by having a diverse room.
Making colleagues laugh, turning a joke into actual usable television material and impressing her future-in-laws are all part of the daily success journey for Ariel as she explains the joy of making others laugh.
A fun, insightful and thoughtful discussion with a brilliant mind and an insight into a part of Hollywood that isn't often explored (by us).

We talk to the remarkable Sam Ernst. He tells his story of instant success in the restaurant business followed by early failure in the entertainment industry and what he learned along the way.
Sam explains his relationship with writing partner Jim Dunn, the benefit of working so closely with someone - particularly during the dark days - and their path to becoming a success.
He tells us about the early breakthrough with Haven, how they were out of their depth and learning on the job, and how it took some frank advice to get them back on track after falling out of favor with the studio.
An in-depth and honest discussion with a thoughtful and articulate writer, restauranteur and raconteur.

We talk to showrunner LaToya Morgan. She tells us about her vision board, her ambition and her rise to the top of the entertainment business.
She explains the pressure of working on her big new show Duster with J.J. Abrams, the benefits of working with a big name and her step-by-process for moving the show forward and the importance of not overthinking what the audience will want.
LaToya tells us about her struggles rising through the ranks, the difficulty facing diversity hires and the frustration of not being given a voice in writing rooms.
She explains what she learned from that, why she wants to give back and the role mid-level and senior writers can play in supporting those at the start of their journeys.
A fascinating discussion with an articulate and powerful voice in the industry.