Jonathan Tropper, writer, producer, and creator of hit HBO Max show Warrior, sits down with Bridget to discuss how the show that Bruce Lee developed finally made it to the small screen, how it nearly died on the vine after two seasons at Cinemax, and how the pandemic and finding popularity on the HBO Max app led to a revival and a season 3. They discuss what's happening in the industry as a whole, how the economic model of pilots has changed, how you don’t really know what’s succeeding anymore because the streamers don't give you the data, and the importance and effects of the expansion of representation in the industry. They cover the historical time period in which the show is set, how this country has never really figured out its relationship with immigrants, the themes explored in the show that are still relevant today, the graphic novel vibe, how they tackled language, why swagger was the most important component of the main character, how Jonathan got his start in the industry, and why one of the skills of a showrunner is being really nice to everyone on your crew because you need everyone really badly. Watch all 3 seasons of Warrior on Max now.

Bridget Phetasy admires grit and authenticity. On Walk-Ins Welcome, she talks about the beautiful failures and frightening successes of her own life and the lives of her guests. She doesn’t conduct interviews—she has conversations. Conversations with real people about the real struggle and will remind you that we can laugh in pain and cry in joy but there’s no greater mistake than hiding from it all. By embracing it all, and celebrating it with the stories she’ll bring listeners, she believes that our lowest moments can be the building blocks for our eventual fulfillment.

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