Arto Saari is a Finnish professional skateboarder and photographer. He is one of only two Europeans to ever win Thrasher Magazine’s prestigious Skater of the Year award, and he's one of the most respected and influential skaters of his generation.

Arto built his legacy through groundbreaking video parts and endured numerous brutal injuries along the way. Eventually, he transitioned from professional skating to pursue his passion for photography. His recently released book, Bike Path, intimately captures the vibrant culture and community of Hawaii’s North Shore.

In this episode, we dive into the contrasts between skateboarding and surfing culture, we dig into the complex interplay of pain, injury, substance abuse, and addictive personalities in skateboarding, and we discuss the challenging path many pro skaters face as they navigate life beyond their skating careers

Bike Path by Arto Saari:

⁠https://www.artosaari.com/bikepath-book⁠

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: [email protected]

⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠

⁠https://justinjay.com/

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The Plug w/ Justin Jay is proud to announce a collaboration with Monster Children — the independent art and media platform that has been shaping taste for over two decades. I

For the next several weeks, Monster Children will be presenting a curated series of encore episodes of The Plug across their website and social channels.

To kick things off, we sit down with Editor-in-Chief Naz Kawakami to discuss how a scrappy Australian print title built a global audience without losing its point of view. We'll explore the tension between print and digital media, why some stories are too meaningful to be reduced to a digital scroll, and how imperfection can serve as proof that something is real.

Be on the lookout for new episodes here in the weeks ahead, and revisit some of our favorite conversations — including Stacy Peralta, Arto Saari, Tom Sachs, and more — at monsterchildren.com and on Instagram at @monsterchildren and @nazkawakami

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

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Jay Glennie is the author of The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, the film has cemented itself as one of Tarantino’s most personal and meticulously constructed works—every prop, location, costume, and needle drop carefully chosen to reconstruct a disappearing version of Los Angeles.

Glennie was granted rare access to document how that world came together. Drawing from more than sixty interviews with Quentin Tarantino, the cast, and key members of the crew—alongside extensive on-set photography and original production materials—the book goes far beyond a visual companion or standard oral history.

It examines the creative decisions, near-misses, and practical realities behind the film: how iconic moments were shaped, which sequences almost didn’t happen, and why certain choices mattered to Tarantino on a deeply personal level.

For anyone interested in how great films are actually made, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, accidents, and creative obsessions behind this modern classic, told by the only writer granted unparalleled access to Tarantino’s creative process.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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In this encore episode, we revisit our conversation with Luxxury—music producer and co-host of the hit podcast One Song.

Each week on their podcast One Song, Luxxury and his co-host Diallo Riddle take a deep dive into a single classic song, and explore the inspirations and specific production techniques that make the track unique. By playing rare, isolated vocal and instrumental stems, they give listeners the chance to rediscover familiar songs, revealing details and textures often hidden in the full mix.

So what is the difference between sampling, interpolation, and outright plagiarism? Why is the Jamaican concept of copyright, creatively and the ownership of music almost completely opposite of the way we think of it in the US? 

Why is it now legally risky to use the overall vibe and arrangements of a Marvin Gaye track as inspiration for your own song? We’ll find out as we sit down for a chat with someone who blends technology with his passion for music history to shed new light on your favorite songs. 

00:00 — How Stems Change the Way We Hear Music
00:55 — The History of Sampling in Hip-Hop
01:23 — Luxxury Explains the One Song Podcast
01:52 — Sampling vs Interpolation vs Plagiarism
02:22 — Podcast Production: Research vs Improvisation
03:45 — Why Playing Music in Real Time Matters
05:11 — Music Stems Explained for Non-Musicians
08:01 — Where Do Producers Get Stems?
12:20 — AI Music, Stem Separation, and The Beatles
19:05 — Quincy Jones as a Music Producer
27:05 — Famous Examples of Interpolation in Pop Music
43:22 — Taylor Swift, Masters, and Music Ownership

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MGMT are the musical duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, known for creating irresistibly catchy, genre-blurring music.

In this Encore Episode, we dive into how they continually push the boundaries of pop and indie music while still maintaining their unmistakable sound. We also discuss the politics of performing at Madison Square Garden, their unexpected rise to TikTok fame, and how their views on drugs have evolved since their debut album.

Since their time as art students in the early 2000s, they’ve released five studio albums, garnered critical acclaim, and cultivated a devoted fan base. Their newest album Loss of Life is available now.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with the artists behind the hits 'Kids' and 'Little Dark Age

00:00 MGMT on Pop Music vs. Experimentation

00:29 Welcome to The Plug w/ Justin Jay

01:03 Can AI Replace Human Songwriting?

01:59 Introducing MGMT & the Album Loss of Life

02:56 First Reactions to MGMT’s New Album Loss of Life

03:22 Post-Album Letdown & Choosing Not to Tour

05:47 Touring Burnout, Aging & Changing Priorities

07:39 Writing Catchy Pop Songs Without Compromise

10:04 Genre Labels, Adult Contemporary & Steely Dan Influence

13:24 MGMT Influences: Roxy Music, Prince & 80s Synth Pop

17:07 The Role of Producers & Working With Dave Fridmann

21:28 Music Videos, Self-Promotion & Streaming Economics

30:00 Drugs, Lyrics & Growing Older as a Band

31:56 Final Plugs, Artists to Support & Closing Thoughts

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Nicholson is the bassist and founding member of Arctic Monkeys. This episode he sits down for one of his most open and personal interviews yet. With the 20-year anniversary of Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not approaching, Andy reflects on the band’s explosive early years and the moments that shaped modern indie rock.

Andy shares the story behind his brand-new photography book, I Bet This Looks Good on Your Coffee Table, featuring rare and intimate behind-the-scenes photos from 2005–2007. From tiny Sheffield gigs to global fame, Andy captured the raw reality of life inside a band becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

In this episode:

• How Arctic Monkeys handled sudden fame

Whether you’re an Arctic Monkeys fan, a music-photography lover, or someone who lived through the 2000s indie rock era, this conversation offers rare insight from someone who was there for it all.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald sits down to discuss his groundbreaking documentary One to One, a film that redefines how we understand John Lennon and Yoko Ono in early 1970s New York.

Using archival footage—from TV shows, protests, commercials, news footage, and intimate home recordings Macdonald creates a fully immersive, 360-degree view of their lives, activism, and art.

From John Lennon’s one and only post-Beatles concert at Madison Square Garden, to Yoko Ono’s conceptual artistry and personal struggles, this conversation dives deep into the film’s meticulous reconstruction, the creative process behind its storytelling, and the political and cultural context of the era.

Discover how One to One blends history, humanity, and artistry to reveal John and Yoko like never before.

Perfect for Beatles fans, documentary enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of culture, activism, and art.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 – Teaser: Three Blind Men & an Elephant

00:31 – Host Intro: Setting Up the Conversation

02:02 – Introducing Kevin Macdonald

03:10 – Origins of One to One

06:12 – Building Trust With Participants

09:45 – The Intimacy of the Film’s Format

13:20 – Navigating Ethics & Responsibility

17:05 – Crafting Narrative From Raw Lives

21:18 – The Role of Empathy in Documentary Filmmaking

24:56 – Creative Choices Behind the Camera

28:40 – What Kevin Learned From the Project

32:10 – Reflections on Human Connection

35:28 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Mittleman worked as VP of Design and Creative Director at Stussy. In this episode, he shares stories from decades shaping the DNA of modern street culture.

From working directly with Shawn Stussy to influencing brands like Supreme, Adidas, and Converse, Paul reflects on authenticity, creativity, and the evolution of streetwear. He explains why early Stussy and Supreme succeeded where others failed, and why the term “streetwear” misses the point entirely.

Paul also dives into collab culture, subcultures in New York and Tokyo, and how Instagram reshaped personal expression. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and philosophies that built modern street style.

00:00 – Intro: Paul Mittleman on shaping modern street culture
02:30 – Connecting Shawn Stussy to New York’s creative scene
06:15 – The rise of Supreme and its Stussy influence
08:40 – Why Stussy and Supreme stayed authentic
11:00 – The power of saying “no” in creative work
14:00 – When collabs lost their meaning
17:00 – “Future landfill”: the dark side of drop culture
20:30 – Streetwear vs. street culture
23:00 – Can real subcultures still exist today?
29:30 – From downtown discovery to the algorithm era
39:00 – Instagram, identity, and authenticity
46:30 – Choosing integrity over corporate success
48:50 – Paul’s recommendation: Subculture by Dick Hebdige

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zosia Mamet is an author and actress known for her breakout role as Shoshanna on HBO’s Girls. In this episode, she joins us to discuss her raw, funny, and deeply personal new book, Does This Make Me Funny?

In this candid conversation, Zosia opens up about anxiety, self-worth, family legacy, and the constant challenge of defining herself outside of fame. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of turning her private journal entries into a published book — what it feels like to expose your inner world to strangers — and the strange comfort that comes from owning your story before anyone else can.

From nepo baby labels to the internet’s obsession with lineage, Zosia talks about navigating public judgment with humor and grace, and what it’s really like to grow up as the daughter of legendary playwright David Mamet. She explains why compassion matters more than defensiveness, and how empathy became her quiet rebellion against cynicism.

Zosia also reflects on her years playing Shoshanna — the character that made her a pop culture icon — and why she still feels connected to her. She opens up about the bittersweet nature of creative success, the beauty of radical honesty in relationships, and how her husband’s blunt truth-telling helped her redefine love and emotional safety.

Funny, heartfelt, and disarmingly honest, this episode is a deep dive into vulnerability, artistic growth, and what it means to stay authentic in a world built on performance.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 - Girls opened doors and the Shoshana effect
00:24 - Intro: Justin Jay and The Plug
00:55 - Iconic roles: the blessing and curse of being typecast
01:50 - Tackling anxiety, body image, and self-worth
02:20 - Guest introduction: Zosia Mamet, author and actress
02:53 - Book release nerves and the “anxiety flea”
04:20 - Acting vs. writing: How creative paths challenge us differently
07:16 - Sharing personal stories while protecting identities
11:32 - Handling internet trolls with compassion
13:16 - Growing up Mamet: privilege, pressure, and the NEPO label
28:24 - Breakout role reflections: Girls, improv, and industry lessons
42:00 - Closing plug: Zosia Mamet’s book Does This Make Me Funny?

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step inside the mind of legendary writer and director Larry Charles, best known for Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and for directing films like Borat, Bruno, and The Dictator.

In this episode of The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Larry shares raw, unfiltered stories about Hollywood, comedy, and the creative process. From working alongside Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to directing groundbreaking films with Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry reflects on risk-taking, failure, and why comedy still matters in a divided world.

If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes of classic TV, the challenges of making bold, politically charged films, or the evolving role of comedy in culture, this conversation is essential listening.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 – Larry Charles joins The Plug

03:15 – Breaking into comedy writing

07:40 – Behind the scenes of Seinfeld

12:20 – Risk and innovation in comedy

16:45 – Curb Your Enthusiasm and improv freedom

21:30 – Directing Borat and its impact

27:10 – Working with Sacha Baron Cohen

32:00 – Hollywood vs independent voices

37:50 – Comedy as social commentary

42:30 – Lessons from failure

48:15 – The future of comedy

53:00 – Closing thoughts & takeaways

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices