On the Saturday February 22, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet director Ali Abbasi. His film “The Apprentice,” which was recently nominated for two Oscars, is a controversial coming-of-age look at Donald Trump’s early years under the mentorship of lawyer Roy Cohn. It paints a picture of the future president of the United States as an ambitious, if slightly awkward guy, who came to believe that there are only two kinds of people in the world, “killers and losers.” Ali Abbasi joined me on the phone to discuss his six year journey to getting this film made and released and much more.

Then we’ll meet Nick Newman, author of several children’s novels including “Witchborn” and “In the Shadow of Heroes,” which was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award. He has previously worked as a teacher, musician, and stand-up comedian. Today we’re talking about his latest work, the eerie, hypnotic and darkly beautiful novel “The Garden,” which is about two elderly sisters living alone at the edge of the world and how their lives unravel when their sanctum is breached.

<p>On the Saturday February 22, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we&rsquo;ll meet director Ali Abbasi. His film &ldquo;The Apprentice,&rdquo; which was recently nominated for two Oscars, is a controversial coming-of-age look at Donald Trump&rsquo;s early years under the mentorship of lawyer Roy Cohn. It paints a picture of the future president of the United States as an ambitious, if slightly awkward guy, who came to believe that there are only two kinds of people in the world, &ldquo;killers and losers.&rdquo; Ali Abbasi joined me on the phone to discuss his six year journey to getting this film made and released and much more.</p>
<p>Then we&rsquo;ll meet Nick Newman, author of several children&rsquo;s novels including &ldquo;Witchborn&rdquo; and &ldquo;In the Shadow of Heroes,&rdquo; which was shortlisted for the Costa Children&rsquo;s Book Award. He has previously worked as a teacher, musician, and stand-up comedian. Today we&rsquo;re talking about his latest work, the eerie, hypnotic and darkly beautiful novel &ldquo;The Garden,&rdquo; which is about two elderly sisters living alone at the edge of the world and how their lives unravel when their sanctum is breached.</p>

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who are not only part of pop culture but helping create the pop culture we enjoy. Recent guests include Fresh Off the Boat star Randall Park, comedian Greg Proops, Toy Story 4 star Tony Hale, Muppet master Brian Henson, Emily Mortimer, Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley, superstar English novelist Ian McEwan, best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James and many others.

The Richard Crouse Show Podcast

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who create the pop culture we enjoy. Recently Fresh Off the Boat's Randall Park talked about working as a barista while starring on a TV show. Best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James described why Miles Davis is an integral part of his writing process and  Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley detailed how she blazed a trail for gender diversity in sport. Join Richard and his guests for relaxed,  revealing and in-depth conversations.