The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Jim Parsons is an actor who’s best known for starring as Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. While many know him as the on-screen super-nerd, he is also a classically trained stage actor. And in this conversation from 2022, Jim reflects on his entire creative journey: from playing the same character for 12 years to embracing new challenges (Hollywood, Spoiler Alert, A Man of No Importance) that have allowed him to flex some different creative muscles. Plus, the uncertainty Jim felt when he came out; his love of New York City; and the first, scary steps involved in taking on new roles.Links from the show:The Best of Sheldon from The Big Bang TheoryThe Big Bang Theory cast talks with Stephen Colbert after the series finaleJim talks about playing Henry Wilson in HollywoodSpoiler Alert (2022) TrailerJim's InstagramKaley Cuoco's InstagramMayim Bialik's InstagramJohnny Galecki's InstagramFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alfred Matthew Yankovic, when he was six years old, was told by his parents to choose between accordion and guitar lessons. “And my parents being the visionaries that they were said, ‘Oh, young Alfred would love to play the accordion.’” Alfred, better known as the chart-topping musician, satirist, and beloved nerd Weird Al Yankovic, told Guy in 2022 how that decision had changed his life and decades of popular music to come. They also discussed how Kurt Cobain had saved Weird Al from a lifetime of spoofing Michael Jackson songs and how intense the process of writing silly songs can be.Links from the show:Dr. Demento, Weird Al's early major influence and later employer"Belvedere Cruising", the first song of Weird Al's to air on Dr. Demento's showWeird Al playing "My Bologna" in San Luis Obispo in 1979Eight Weird Al music videos side-by-side with with the songs they spoofMusic video for Weird Al's "Fat"Weird Al interviewing Patrick Stewart at Comic-ConTrailer for "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rashida Jones is an actor, writer, and filmmaker best known for her work on ‘The Office’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’. She sits down with Guy to talk about growing up with dreams of being the President, how acting saved her during a bout of depression in college, and almost quitting acting right before the biggest break of her career. Plus, how becoming a parent and losing her own mother has changed the way she sees her work.Rashida stars in ‘Sunny’ on Apple TV+, out July 10: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/sunny/umc.cmc.7c5t9dde8dxoaxwyl5rkuw38pLinks from the Show: Rashida on “Freaks and Geeks” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQcIbWiSMU Quincy on Netflix https://shorturl.at/bMvu4The Parks and Rec Cast Breaking for 9 minutes 38 seconds Straight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jEs2OgyyaYRashida showing off her dance skills on IG https://www.instagram.com/rashidajones/reel/C192JNSJjKY/Sunny on Apple TV+ https://tv.apple.com/us/show/sunny/umc.cmc.7c5t9dde8dxoaxwyl5rkuw38pFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt spends a lot of time thinking about creativity, technology, and how the two collide. In this episode, Joseph shares his thoughts on a not-too-distant future in which AI-generated content will be able to “make people laugh, make people cry, and win all the likes and awards”. He also talks about theater programs in school, why he used to worry that Hollywood would “infect” him, which of his characters he personally identifies with, and why his toughest day as an actor came on the set of a Pop Tarts commercial.Joseph’s latest film is “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”. Links from the Show: TED Talk: How craving attention makes you less creativeJoseph Gordon-Levitt breaks down his career (Vanity Fair) That Pop Tarts commercial from 1991Joseph’s filmographyFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – scroll down in this feed or go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Gibbard is the voice of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. He talks about Death Cab’s scrappy start, recording their classic album Transatlanticism, how the band learned to defuse internal tensions, and how he approaches songwriting in middle age. This episode was recorded in 2023.Links from the Show: Ben's Tiny Desk ConcertBen breaks down his song "Black Sun"Death Cab for Cutie video for "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"Death Cab for Cutie video for "Soul Meets Body"The Postal Service video for "Such Great Heights" For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Phil Elverum has recorded more than 40 albums and documented decades of his life in song – first as “The Microphones” and then as “Mount Eerie”. In this episode, Phil talks with Guy about his musical beginnings playing the tuba, the 40-minute song that tells his life story, and the album he wrote about his wife's death – a project that resonated strongly with countless people experiencing grief.Check out Phil’s latest album, Microphones in 2020, here: https://www.pwelverumandsun.com/products/microphones-in-2020-cdLinks from the Show: Interview with young Phil about NirvanaPhil's WebsiteThe Glow Pt. 2Microphones in 2020Seaweed by Mount EerieA Crow Looked at MeGeneviève Castrée: complete worksConnect with Phil:• 💻Website: https://www.pwelverumandsun.com/• 📺Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PWElverumandSun• 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flutelistener/Connect with us:•💻Website: TheGreatCreators.com•📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatcreatorspodcast and https://www.instagram.com/guy.raz• 🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@guyrazFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Lewis is one of the most successful authors in recent memory. And in this episode, he dives deep into exactly how he tells unforgettable stories… from “Moneyball”, “The Big Short”, and “The Blind Side” – all adopted into feature films – to his newest bestseller, “Going Infinite” (about Sam Bankman-Fried). You’ll learn how to “surf the world” for ideas like Michael; how to bring stories to life; how Michael structures narratives using a notecard system; and how he blocks out distractions and conquers procrastination. Whether your goal is to become a better writer or a more persuasive communicator in general, this is an opportunity to learn from a master.Want to go deeper? Michael has a new MasterClass on how to tell a great story. You can find it here: https://www.masterclass.com/series/tell-a-great-storyLinks from the Show: Liar’s PokerThe Blind SideThe Big Short Moneyball Moneyball Player Value sceneGoing Infinite The PremonitionMichael’s MasterClass: Tell a Great Story For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Platt is an actor, singer, and songwriter who’s quickly become one of the most decorated performers of his generation. He sits down with Guy to talk about his first professional acting role at age 9, breaking out in “Pitch Perfect” and the runaway success of “Dear Evan Hansen,” finding his voice as an “authentically” queer artist, and the secret ingredient behind his success: “sacrifice”. Buy Ben’s new album, “Honeymind”, here: https://interscope.com/collections/ben-platt/products/honeymind-cdBen’s current residency at the Palace Theatre on Broadway: https://www.broadway.org/shows/details/ben-platt-live-at-the-palace,842Links from the Show: • Ben performing “I’ve Got the Magic in Me” in Pitch Perfect• Ben singing “You Will Be Found” (from “Dear Evan Hansen”) on America’s Got Talent• “The Politician” on Netflix• Ben’s duet with Lin-Manuel Miranda• “Cherry on Top” Official Music video (from “Honeymind”)For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Audra McDonald to David Duchovny, Jason Sudeikis, and Tom Hanks – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Seth Meyers was a key player in creating some of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live. Now he's hosting Late Night in the very same building. In this classic episode from 2023, you’ll hear how his two-person comedy show in Chicago randomly landed him in front of just the right person to get him an audition at SNL. Seth also opens up about the anxiety he felt competing with his extremely funny co-stars. And he explains some of the ways he has managed to lead Late Night to new heights. Links from the show:Seth in Northwestern's improv troupe in 1992Seth and his brother Josh on Late NightSeth at the 2011 White House Correspondent's DinnerSeth as David ZingerCompilation of Seth and StefonA Closer Look from Late NightSeth doing standupSeth's InstagramSeth's TwitterFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael McDonald brought his legendary singing voice and songwriting talent to not one but two legendary bands: Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, the latter of which earned him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Michael sits down with Guy to talk about writing classic songs on envelopes and forgetting about them for years; feeling self-conscious on stage as a frontman; his solo career; what he thinks of the term “yacht rock”; and how getting sober saved his life.Michael’s memoir is called “What a Fool Believes”. You can buy it here.Links from the show: I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) music videoWarren G: Regulate music videoWhat a Fool Believes music videoSweet Freedom (1986)Michael talking about singing on Steely Dan’s “Peg” Rick Moranis SCTV sketch about MichaelThree Michael McDonalds Sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (w/ Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake): Tonight ShowFamily Guy having fun with Michael’s famous backing vocalsMichael’s InstagramMichael’s Facebook pageMichael’s memoir, “What a Fool Believes”See all our episodes – including conversations with Tom Hanks, Jason Sudeikis, Bjork, and many more – at TheGreatCreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

T Bone Burnett is one of the most accomplished music producers of the past 50 years. He sits down with Guy to talk about buying a recording studio at age 17; being pushed out of his creative comfort zone by Bob Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour; building soundtracks for the Coen Brothers and True Detective; and why, at age 76, he’s the happiest and most creative he’s ever been.T Bone’s new album, The Other Side, is available here: https://shop.tboneburnett.com/Links from the Show: Rolling Thunder Revue documentary on NetflixTrue Detective Season 1 soundtrackBig Lebowski soundtrackInside Llewyn Davis soundtrackGeorge Clooney performing I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow in O Brother Where Art Thou? Los Lobos: How Will the Wolf Survive? AlbumT Bone’s InstagramFor more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Diplo to Jewel to Andy Garcia to Tom Hanks – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Duchovny sits down with Guy to talk about his wide-ranging creative life. He describes the “gut instinct” that led him to drop out of a Yale literature program and pursue acting; his iconic roles as Agent Mulder in The X-Files and Hank Moody in Californication; why he writes novels and makes music; and embracing failure as a critical learning experience in life and work.David’s new podcast is called “Fail Better”, and his film Bucky F*cking Dent comes out in June 2024.Links from the Show: David’s new podcast, “Fail Better”IMDb: Bucky F*cking DentDavid’s booksLive performance of his song Layin’ on the TracksDavid’s music on SpotifyDavid Duchovny Breaks Down His Career, from 'The X-Files' to 'Californication' | Vanity FairMalice, the show David was shooting in London at the time of this recording:For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Hilary Swank to Diplo – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.