The Midnight Disease

Theater artist, novelist, and multiple creative identity-haver Kirya Traber on radical self expression, writing her way out of solitude, and why it's strange to be called "regal." Get free tickets to Kirya's latest theater piece, "Beyond Punishment: Stories of Justice and Healing," and listen to Spotlight in Purple, her narrative podcast chronicling the creation of a new dance theater piece at Lincoln Center. Find me on Substack, and drop me a line anytime at [email protected]. Thank you for listening - it means a lot.

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Jeffrey Cranor (Welcome to Night Vale, Within the Wires) on late night drives, the early days of audio fiction, and, of course, ABBA. Listen to the new season (hell, listen to all the seasons) of "Within the Wires" here. If you have thoughts about anything you've heard on "The Midnight Disease," drop me a line: [email protected]. And thank you for listening - it means a lot.

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Comedian Becky Granger has a joke that completely re-mapped Sam's self-perception. Today, she sits down for a very personal and frank conversation about how she found her way to that joke, and where it fits into her broader comedic quest. Find Becky's comedy on Instagram and TikTok, and learn more about her at her website. If you have thoughts about anything you hear on the show, drop us a line: [email protected]. And thank you for listening - it means a lot.

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Sam tells the true story of telling a true story no one believed, and Adrien stops by the studio to talk about her new podcast, "A Race Around the World." I always welcome your thoughts on the show at [email protected], and thank you for listening - it means a lot.

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Storyteller and theater artist David Lawson on balancing style with substance, sincerity with comedy, and the scourge of filler words. Check out David's new solo show, "Horror Helps," on October 19th at Cre8ive NYC - get $10 tickets by emailing [email protected]. Find more of David's work at his website. To learn more about my harrowing brush with Jon Stewart, join me on Substack. And if you have thoughts on anything you hear on the show, drop me a line: [email protected]. Thank you for listening - it means a lot.

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Writer, comedian, and actor Sara Benincasa on self-fluency, finding a beginner's mind, and resisting the urge to steal from film sets. Read Sara's essays on her Substack, and buy her books: Agorafabulous and Real Artists Have Day Jobs. Find Sam's Substack here, and don't hesitate to send an email if anything in this episode spiked your mind: [email protected]. Thanks for listening - it means a lot.

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Writer and comedian Sara Benincasa reads her essay, "Brian Cox Books a Bikini Wax." Consider it a portrait of an artist in the throes of the Midnight Disease - about which Sara will tell us much more in her full-length interview this Friday. You can read the original essay here.

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