Willem Dafoe has built a career out of shapeshifting. His latest role in Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Thingsdemonstrates exactly that.

Today, he joins us to discuss his compelling performance in the imaginative tale (7:00), the elaborate details he discovered on set (9:20), and the three-hour physical transformation he underwent each day of filming (12:38). Then, Dafoe describes his upbringing in Wisconsin (15:15), his early love of B-movies (20:04), and his formative years in the theater as part of The Wooster Group in New York City (26:45).

On the back-half, we dive into his task-based approach to acting (35:55) and how it guided his memorable performances in the late William Friedkin’s To Live and Die in L.A. (41:10), Oliver Stone’s Platoon (43:52), and Sean Baker’s The Florida Project (49:44). To close, Dafoe reflects on the joy of collaboration (53:30), his search for truth as an actor (57:25), and his desire to continue creating in years to come (1:00:50).

For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, drop me a line at sf@talkeasypod.com.

Willem Dafoe has built a career out of shapeshifting. His latest role in Yorgos Lanthimos’ <a href="https://www.poorthingsfilm.com/">Poor Things</a> demonstrates exactly that.
Today, he joins us to discuss his compelling performance in the imaginative tale (7:00), the elaborate details he discovered on set (9:20), and the three-hour physical transformation he underwent each day of filming (12:38). Then, Dafoe describes his upbringing in Wisconsin (15:15), his early love of B-movies (20:04), and his formative years in the theater as part of The Wooster Group in New York City (26:45).
On the back-half, we dive into his task-based approach to acting (35:55) and how it guided his memorable performances in the late William Friedkin’s To Live and Die in L.A. (41:10), Oliver Stone’s Platoon (43:52), and Sean Baker’s The Florida Project (49:44). To close, Dafoe reflects on the joy of collaboration (53:30), his search for truth as an actor (57:25), and his desire to continue creating in years to come (1:00:50).
For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, drop me a line at sf@talkeasypod.com.

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a weekly series of intimate conversations with artists, activists, and politicians. Where people sound like people. Hosted by Sam Fragoso. New episodes every Sunday.

Where people sound like people, since 2016.

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

The Transformations of Actor Willem Dafoe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc8a6475-0cc3-40d0-a824-b0d4000c5bf5/transcript

This Mother’s Day, our very special episode with actor, writer, and director Pamela Adlon.

We discuss her new movie Babes (7:27), directing a comedy about reproductive rights in 2024 (12:38), and her creative upbringing between New York City and Los Angeles (17:55). Then, we dive into her early roles as a child actor, including appearances on The Facts of Life and The Redd Foxx Show (19:06), her foray into voice acting (23:15), and the MTV Madonna music video contest that made her want to become a filmmaker (34:16).

On the back-half, Pamela describes how motherhood shaped her career (41:50), including her semi-autobiographical show Better Things(44:30) and her newfound mission to mentor women in the industry through her production company, Slam Book Inc. (1:00:40). To close, a tribute to Pamela’s mother (1:04:30).

For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com. This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios.

This Mother’s Day, our very special episode with actor, writer, and director Pamela Adlon.
We discuss her new movie <a href="https://neonrated.com/films/babes">Babes</a> (7:27), directing a comedy about reproductive rights in 2024 (12:38), and her creative upbringing between New York City and Los Angeles (17:55). Then, we dive into her early roles as a child actor, including appearances on The Facts of Life and The Redd Foxx Show (19:06), her foray into voice acting (23:15), and the MTV Madonna music video contest that made her want to become a filmmaker (34:16).
On the back-half, Pamela describes how motherhood shaped her career (41:50), including her semi-autobiographical show <a href="https://www.hulu.com/series/70d330d1-cb23-403f-b3b6-f8f392c4ce5e">Better Things</a> (44:30) and her newfound mission to mentor women in the industry through her production company, Slam Book Inc. (1:00:40). To close, a tribute to Pamela’s mother (1:04:30).
For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com. This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios.

A Mother’s Day Special with Pamela Adlon (‘Better Things’)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b51ffb9c-297a-4ff6-9a6f-b16e007ff483/transcript

In just under a decade, comedian, writer, and actor Jerrod Carmichael has had a remarkably varied career. On the heels of his Emmy-winning HBO special Rothaniel, he embarked on a personal new project: Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show.

Carmichael joins us today to discuss the origin of the program (6:30), his early days making his NBC sitcom (10:57), and why he decided to broadcast a deeply intimate conversation on the reality show (13:00). Then, he unpacks his view of the camera as a vessel for honesty (17:10), the response from audiences witnessing Jerrod ‘Truman Show’ himself (21:30), and his three-decade history of storytelling (34:15).

On the back-half, Carmichael describes the artists who inspired his work (43:00), a formative performance in his first HBO special Love at the Store(50:50), and the evolution of his comedy (57:37). To close, he reflects on the central truth he explores in this new series (59:30) and how he hopes this art will at long last set himself—and his family—free (1:08:30).

For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com. This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.

In just under a decade, comedian, writer, and actor Jerrod Carmichael has had a remarkably varied career. On the heels of his Emmy-winning HBO special <a href="https://www.hbo.com/movies/jerrod-carmichael-rothaniel">Rothaniel</a>, he embarked on a personal new project: <a href="https://www.max.com/shows/jerrod-carmichael-reality-show/11b5ec86-3e42-4485-be70-d26b7a9a30fc">Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show</a>.
Carmichael joins us today to discuss the origin of the program (6:30), his early days making his NBC sitcom (10:57), and why he decided to broadcast a deeply intimate conversation on the reality show (13:00). Then, he unpacks his view of the camera as a vessel for honesty (17:10), the response from audiences witnessing Jerrod ‘Truman Show’ himself (21:30), and his three-decade history of storytelling (34:15).
On the back-half, Carmichael describes the artists who inspired his work (43:00), a formative performance in his first HBO special <a href="https://www.max.com/movies/jerrod-carmichael-love-at-the-store/6607c437-df27-4d12-b674-f72d7f517afb">Love at the Store</a> (50:50), and the evolution of his comedy (57:37). To close, he reflects on the central truth he explores in this new series (59:30) and how he hopes this art will at long last set himself—and his family—free (1:08:30).
For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at <a href="mailto:sf@talkeasypod.com">sf@talkeasypod.com</a>. This conversation was recorded at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael’s Self-Portrait

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5ef61eac-0917-4efd-9d6e-b167007d5aa8/transcript

Today, actor and author Nick Offerman returns to the show! We call him up to unpack his latest role as a fictional president in Alex Garland’s Civil War (2:30), the function of the film’s politics (9:30), and a powerful poem by Wendell Berry (26:15).

Then, we turn to Offerman’s personal journey, beginning with his recent book Where the Deer and the Antelope Play(32:48), which was inspired by growing up in rural Minooka, Illinois (33:30) and his experiences with the late Sam Shepard at Steppenwolf Theatre (35:55).

Shortly after working with Shepard, Offerman began to find his footing—on and off the stage—as a performer, carpenter, and fight choreographer (39:48). He reflects on his galvanizing role in the film Going All the Way (42:37), the guiding principles of George Saunders (45:30), lessons from his sensei Shōzō Satō (52:10), the start of his nearly two-decade marriage with actress Megan Mullally (54:05), the phone call that changed his life (1:00:00), and the complicated legacy of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation (1:06:36). 

Then, before we go, we return to the timely (and urgent) message of his latest book (1:11:30), a piece by Jeff Tweedy (1:14:10), and words by Wendell Berry (1:16:45).

For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com.

Today, actor and author Nick Offerman returns to the show! We call him up to unpack his latest role as a fictional president in Alex Garland’s <a href="https://tickets.civilwar.movie/">Civil War</a> (2:30), the function of the film’s politics (9:30), and a powerful poem by Wendell Berry (26:15).
Then, we turn to Offerman’s personal journey, beginning with his recent book <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/536915/where-the-deer-and-the-antelope-play-by-nick-offerman/">Where the Deer and the Antelope Play</a> (32:48), which was inspired by growing up in rural Minooka, Illinois (33:30) and his experiences with the late Sam Shepard at Steppenwolf Theatre (35:55).
Shortly after working with Shepard, Offerman began to find his footing—on and off the stage—as a performer, carpenter, and fight choreographer (39:48). He reflects on his galvanizing role in the film Going All the Way (42:37), the guiding principles of George Saunders (45:30), lessons from his sensei Shōzō Satō (52:10), the start of his nearly two-decade marriage with actress Megan Mullally (54:05), the phone call that changed his life (1:00:00), and the complicated legacy of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation (1:06:36). 
Then, before we go, we return to the timely (and urgent) message of his latest book (1:11:30), a piece by Jeff Tweedy (1:14:10), and words by Wendell Berry (1:16:45).
For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com.

Nick Offerman (‘Civil War’) Brings a Message of Hope

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b533fc9f-2b1b-48dc-ae69-b1600025233d/transcript

The Transformations of Actor Willem Dafoe

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