Working

Working episodes:

• 04.21.2024

  How Fact-Checking Can Improve Your Fiction

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Julia Hannafin and ecologist Adam Rosenblatt. In the interview, they discuss Julia’s new novel Cascade, which includes information about sharks and other marine life that Adam helped to verify. Julia explains how...

  
• 04.18.2024

  Working Overtime: Collaborating Through Conflict

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Ronald Young Jr. and Isaac Butler examine a listener’s question about tackling the stickiest aspects of collaborating on a creative project. Both hosts have had their fair share of nightmare scenarios, but...

  
• 04.14.2024

  A Clarinetist Finds His Flow State

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist for the New York Philharmonic. In the interview, Anthony describes his weekly routine, which includes practicing lots of different pieces at any given time, rehearsing, and playing multiple shows...

  
• 04.07.2024

  How to Be Both a Critic and a Creator

  This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast and author of two novels: Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo. In the interview, Linda explains how she started her career...

  
• 04.04.2024

  Working Overtime: Creator Mode vs. Editor Mode

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Ronald Young Jr. and Isaac Butler take on listener Bob’s question about how to shift your brain from editor mode to creator mode. Creating new work can be invigorating, but then having...

  
• 03.31.2024

  How a Magician Designs Original, Mind-Blowing Tricks

  This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Joshua Jay, a world-class magician, storyteller, and author of multiple books about the history and craft of magic. In the interview, Joshua explains how he’s able to conceive of, design, and execute original...

  
• 03.24.2024

  How to Curate a Small Town Art Museum

  This week, host June Thomas talks to Courtney Gilbert, curator of the Sun Valley Museum of Art in Ketchum, Idaho. In the interview, Courtney digs into the process of curating a “non-collecting” museum, which means they start from scratch with...

  
• 03.21.2024

  Working Overtime: Finding Your Why

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas, take out their microscopes and examine what gives them purpose and where it comes from. For Ronald, finding creative independence led him to self-publish his...

  
• 03.17.2024

  From Corporate Job to Broadway Playwright

  This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Bekah Brunstetter, a TV writer and playwright whose most recent project is the new Broadway musical version of The Notebook. In the interview, Bekah discusses her early career journey, when she was...

  
• 03.10.2024

  An Acting Coach’s Tips for Beginners and Experts

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Howard Fine, an acting teacher and coach who instructs both beginners and accomplished movie stars. In the interview, Howard explains why he chose to teach and coach, instead of act. Then he discusses...

  
• 03.07.2024

  Working Overtime: Getting Paid On Time

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas talk money, finances, and getting paid as a freelancer in a tough economy. Filling out invoices the right way or sending a payment reminder email...

  
• 03.03.2024

  How to Make a “Fair” Crossword Puzzle

  This week, host June Thomas talks to Anna Shechtman, a crossword puzzle creator whose new book is called The Riddles of the Sphinx: Inheriting the Feminist History of the Crossword Puzzle. In the interview, Anna talks about her experience writing...

  
• 02.25.2024

  How TV Host Carla Hall Stays Authentic On-Camera

  This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to chef and TV personality Carla Hall. In the interview, Carla talks about leaving her first career as an accountant to explore modeling and then cooking. Then she discusses her pivot to TV,...

  
• 02.22.2024

  Working Overtime: Asking for Expert Advice

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler dissect The Yang Slinger author Jeff Pearlman’s recent prickly advice to young professionals. Then, June and Isaac expound on their experiences of dishing out and seeking...

  
• 02.18.2024

  How to Write Every Day and Stick to It

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to writer Amitava Kumar, whose latest novel is My Beloved Life. In the interview, Amitava discusses his habit of writing every day—a habit he strongly recommends to his students at Vassar College. Then he...

  
• 02.11.2024

  A Biography With Very High Stakes

  This week, host June Thomas talks to writer Adam Sisman about his two biographies of the late spy novelist John le Carré. In the interview, Adam discusses how he managed to land such an exciting project and how he was...

  
• 02.08.2024

  Working Overtime: Managing New Hires Better

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler respond to some recent listener mail. The first message is from a listener who wonders how to find an assistant to help with their workload and...

  
• 02.04.2024

  Malcolm X’s Story, Told Through Opera

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Anthony Davis, a Pulitzer Prize winning opera composer whose work includes the 1986 opera X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, which was recently revived and produced for the Metropolitan Opera. In...

  
• 01.28.2024

  How Children’s Book Ideas Begin

  This week, host June Thomas talks to children’s book author and illustrator Mika Song, whose work includes the Norma and Belly series about two squirrels with big appetites. In the interview, Mika explains how she collects ideas just by moving...

  
• 01.25.2024

  Working Overtime: Breaking Stubborn Habits

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler examine their most habitual work routines and think of new ways to improve them. For Isaac, it’s all about switching up your physical workspace, while June likes...

  
• 01.21.2024

  The Sounds That Make a Movie

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to the very in-demand sound designer Johnnie Burn, who has worked on multiple great and sonically rich films like Nope, Poor Things, and the dark historical drama The Zone of Interest, which tells the...

  
• 01.14.2024

  How to Portray a Hollywood Legend

  This week, host June Thomas talks to Jason Isaacs, an actor known for roles like Lucien Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series and Georgy Zhukov in The Death of Stalin. In the interview, Jason discusses the extensive research that...

  
• 01.11.2024

  Working Overtime: Harnessing All Five Senses

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler expand their world by exploring the senses we often neglect. Isaac recounts a method acting technique of attaching a memory or feeling to a specific scent, or...

  
• 01.07.2024

  Drawing Strangers to Build Empathy

  This week, guest-host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Wendy MacNaughton, an artist whose work can be found in many places, including the bestselling cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. In the interview, Wendy discusses her unique artistic style, which stems from...

  
• 12.31.2023

  Our New Year's Resolutions for 2024

  This week, working hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler share their goals for the year ahead and devise strategies to help each other accomplish them. They also reflect on their resolutions from last year and share how well they stuck...

  
• 12.28.2023

  Working Overtime: Lightening Your Workload

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler discuss the value of finding people who can help take work off your plate and let you focus on your primary tasks. Isaac found employing a research...

  
• 12.24.2023

  Encore: The Flawless Indie Pop of The Beths

  This week, we revisit host Isaac Butler's conversation with Liz Stokes and Jon Pearce, who make up half of the New Zealand indie rock band The Beths. In the interview, Liz and Jon walk through their songwriting process step-by-step, from...

  
• 12.17.2023

  How An Artist Navigates the Health-Care System

  This week, host Isaac Butler is joined by actor, writer, director Erik Jensen for a frank conversation about his recent cancer diagnosis and the challenges artists face holding on to health-care coverage, especially in the age of streaming. They go...

  
• 12.14.2023

  Working Overtime: Be Good to Your Body

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler discuss the need to keep good health as a creative person. Both June and Isaac have had their health scares, June in the dental world, and Isaac...

  
• 12.10.2023

  Where a Crime Writer’s Ideas Come From

  This week, host June Thomas talks to Val McDermid, a prolific crime novelist whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Val has even been dubbed the “Quine of Crime,” a Scottish alternative to the title “Queen of Crime,” which...

  
• 12.03.2023

  How Typography Can Tell Stories

  This week, guest-host Keisha “TK” Dutes talks to graphic designer, writer, and educator Gail Anderson, who specializes in the art of typography. In the interview, Gail talks about falling in love with printed lettering and her decision to become a...

  
• 12.01.2023

  Dear Prudence: I Want to "Cancel" My Bad Boss But I'm Having Doubts. Help!

  In this episode, Elie Mystal (attorney and writer) joins Prudie (Jenée Desmond-Harris) to answer letters about what to do when you're wary of "cancel culture" but want to hold a bad boss accountable, what to do when it feels like...

  
• 11.30.2023

  Working Overtime: The Benefits of "Anchor Jobs"

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Nate Chinen and Isaac Butler are joined by Jaime Green, author of The Possibility of Life, for a discussion on “anchor jobs,” or gigs that can provide stability through the financial uncertainty...

  
• 11.26.2023

  Reality TV That Helps People Feel Seen

  This week, host June Thomas talks to casting director and producer Logan Clark, whose credits include reality TV series like American Idol, The Masked Singer, and the excellent HBO reality series Legendary. In the interview, Logan explains how and why...

  
• 11.19.2023

  A Nicolas Cage Social Satire For the Books

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Kristoffer Borgli, the writer and director (and editor!) behind the new movie Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage. In the interview, Kristoffer discusses the writing and revision process for Dream Scenario and explains how...

  
• 11.16.2023

  Working Overtime: Escape Your Creative Comfort Zone

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Nate Chinen and Isaac Butler explore the refractive nature of switching mediums. Like a light through a prism, we can sometimes find new creative colors by seeking unfamiliar paths. Nate explains his...

  
• 11.12.2023

  Home Staging With a Pop of Color

  This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Nikki Watson, a home staging expert who founded The Design Quad, one of the biggest home staging companies in the country. In the interview, Nikki explains what a home stager does and how...

  
• 11.05.2023

  A Choreographer's Systems for Creativity

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Raja Feather Kelly, a choreographer and director who works both on Broadway and with his dance-theatre-media company, The Feath3r Theory. In the interview, Raja discusses the useful systems and strategies he’s developed with...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Working Overtime: Freelance Work's Boom and Bust Cycle

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, a listener grapples with the complicated problem of having too much success as a freelancer. Balancing their time between a day job and an onslaught of freelance projects leaves them feeling wiped out,...

  
• 10.29.2023

  Writing Bestsellers With Anderson Cooper

  This week, host June Thomas talks to Katherine Howe, a writer of both historical fiction and nonfiction books. In the interview, Katherine starts by discussing her upcoming novel A True Account, which tells a fictional story about the very real...

  
• 10.22.2023

  Obituaries That Tell the Truth

  This week, guest-host Kristen Meinzer talks to Margalit Fox, a longtime writer of obituaries for the New York Times and now a full-time writer of nonfiction books, like The Confidence Men. In the interview, Margalit discusses the delicate art of...

  
• 10.19.2023

  Working Overtime: Finding the Confidence to Create

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Isaac Butler and June Thomas discuss confidence and what it took for them to feel self-assured in their own creative strengths. June knows she is a wizard of copy editing, while Isaac...

  
• 10.15.2023

  Shakespeare Acting at Its Best

  This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Patrick Page, a broadway performer whose current one-man show All the Devils Are Here digs into the complex psyches of multiple Shakespeare villains. In the interview, Patrick discusses his passion for playing Shakespeare...

  
• 10.08.2023

  A New Kind of Cozy British Mystery

  This week, host June Thomas talks to Suk Pannu, creator and writer of Mrs. Sidhu Investigates, a British radio drama that became a TV series that’s now available on Acorn TV. In the interview, Suk explains why he wanted to...

  
• 10.05.2023

  Working Overtime: How to Absorb Art More Deeply

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Nate Chinen and June Thomas spotlight an idea from Rick Rubin’s latest book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, about experiencing art on multiple levels. June has experience with the daily...

  
• 10.01.2023

  A Crime Novel That Reinvents the Crime Novel

  This week, Isaac talks to author and returning guest Jonathan Lethem! In the interview, Jonathan discusses his brand new book, Brooklyn Crime Novel, which revisits themes and settings that Jonathan engaged with in his previous works, Fortress of Solitude and...

  
• 09.24.2023

  Meet an Artist Who Writes Comics About Jazz

  This week, host Nate Chinen talks with Dave Chisholm, a jazz trumpeter who writes graphic novels about jazz musicians. His previous publications include Chasin' the Bird: A Charlie Parker Graphic Novel and Enter the Blue. His next book, Miles Davis...

  
• 09.21.2023

  Working Overtime: Creating Like a Child

  For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, hosts Nate Chinen and June Thomas press pause on adulthood and explore the creative spirit of childhood. Nate recounts his experience with the late jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, who always strived to get...

  
• 09.17.2023

  How a Professional Pen Expert Makes a Living

  This week, host June Thomas talks to writer and podcaster Brad Dowdy, who makes his living as a pen and stationary enthusiast. In the interview, Brad explains how he was able to quit his full-time job in I.T. and turn...

  
• 09.10.2023

  What an Executive Producer for Film and TV Actually Does

  NOTE: This interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike. This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Marian Macgowan, a long-time film and TV producer who recently oversaw production on the Hulu series The Great. In the interview, Marian describes the many...