Beginnings

Episode 415: Sasami

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Sasami Ashworth. Raised mostly in Los Angeles in a religious household, Sasami has been making music in the LA area for o...

Episode 414: Bleached

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Jennifer and Jessica Clavin of the indie rock band Bleached. Born in California and based in Los Angeles, Jessica and Jen...

Episode 413: Ellen Kempner of Palehound

27 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Ellen Kempner. Originally from Westport, Connecticut, Ellen began playing music as a pre-teen, and even formed a...

Episode 412: Andy Hull and Kevin Devine of Bad Books

13 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Andy Hull and Kevin Devine of the indie rock band Bad Books. While both Andy and Kevin have successful careers with other...

Episode 411: Nick Turner

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian Nick Turner. Originally from Virginia, Nick has been performing stand-up for 15 years, and you can see him on L...

Episode 410: Will Fox

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Will Fox. Born in Houston, TX, and raised in London, Paris, and the American South, Will spent his adolescence m...

Episode 409: Chris Cohen

09 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Chris Cohen. Originally from Los Angeles, Chris has been playing in bands since the early 2000s. He played with ...

Episode 408: H. Alan Scott

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and comedian H. Alan Scott. Based in Los Angeles, H. Alan has been writing and performing for over a decade. He's ...

Episode 407: Anna Connolly

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Anna Connolly. Originally from Los Angeles, Anna grew up going to punk shows as a young teenager, and when her f...

Episode 406: Michael Collins of Drugdealer

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Michael Collins AKA Drugdealer. Originally from Boston, Michael much more identifies an an artist rather than a musician,...

Episode 405: Natalie Palamides

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian Natalie Palamides. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Natalie's path to comedy started with clowning and devised th...

Episode 404: Ben Cooper of Radical Face

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Ben Cooper AKA Radical Face. Hailing from Jacksonville, FL, Ben has been making music since he was a teenager, o...

Episode 403: Megan Neuringer

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and writer Megan Neuringer. Originally from New York, Megan got her comedy start at UCB, where she was an offici...

Bonus Episode 42: Andy Daly from 2014

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I am trying to finish one of the biggest projects of my career so far this week, so I thought I'd put out an episode from the archives! Andy Daly is o...

Episode 402: Mike Deni AKA Geographer

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Mike Deni AKA Geographer. Originally from New Jersey, Los Angeles-based musician Mike Deni has been writing musi...

Episode 401: Solomon Georgio

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and TV writer Solomon Georgio. Born in a refugee camp in Sudan, Solomon immigrated to the US at a young age, and...

Episode 400: Scott Thompson

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and comedian Scott Thompson. Originally from Brampton, Ontario, Scott is 1/5 of the iconic sketch group The Kids in...

Bonus Episode 41: Aaron Burdette on TV Development

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate the upcoming 400th episode of the show, I thought I'd drop a bonus episode this week! What's a "bonus episode" of Beginnings? These are e...

Episode 399: SOAK

07 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Bridie Monds-Watson AKA SOAK. Originally from Derry in Northern Ireland, Bridie began making music when she was ...

Episode 398: Rosie Tucker

31 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Rosie Tucker. Originally from the San Fernando valley, Rosie is now based in Los Angeles proper. She is 1/4 of t...

Episode 397: The Blow

24 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Khaela Maricich and Melissa Dyne of the band The Blow. Originally from Queen Anne Hill, Seattle, Khaela is an artist, wri...

Episode 396: St. Lenox

17 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Andrew Choi AKA St. Lenox. Originally from Ames, Iowa, Andy has lived many lives. In the mid '90s, he was a Jui...

Episode 395: Alison Tatlock

10 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Alison Tatlock. Originally from Brookline, MA, Alison has taken a circuitous route to television from actor to ...

Bonus Episode 40: Let's Get Metaphysical pilot

27 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

I'm taking a break for the holidays, so I thought I'd put up this pilot I did for Earwolf late last year called Let's Get Metaphysical. LGM is a hybri...

Episode 394: Adeline

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to singer, bass player, model and actress Adeline Michèle. Born and raised in Paris to a French mother and a father hailin...

Episode 393: Black Belt Eagle Scout's Katherine Paul

13 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Katherine Paul of Black Belt Eagle Scout. KP grew up in a small Indian reservation, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community...

Episode 392: Kether Donohue

06 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actress Kether Donohue. Originally from New York, Kether has been a working actress for over twenty years. She began doin...

Episode 391: Chapman and Brocker Way

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to filmmakers and musicians Brocker and Chapman Way. Originally from Thousand Oaks, CA, Brocker and Chapman, along with thei...

Episode 390: Nnamdi Ogbonnaya

21 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician and rapper Nnamdi Ogbonnaya. The child of Nigerian immigrants, Nnamdi mostly grew up in Chicago, where he has be...

Episode 389: Becky Thyre

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actress Becky Thyre. Originally from Louisiana, Becky got her real start in theater in Chicago. Eventually moving to Los ...

Episode 388: Maria Taylor of Azure Ray

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Maria Taylor. Originally from Birmingham, AL, Maria's been playing music for a majority of her life. Her first b...

Episode 387: Amber Nelson

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to stand-up and actress Amber Nelson. Born in Saudi Arabia and raised mostly in Louisiana, Amber has been performing comedy ...

Episode 386: Tony Millionaire

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to cartoonist, illustrator and author Tony Millionaire. Originally from Gloucester, MA, Tony's been drawing for most of his ...

Episode 385: Howard

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Howard Feibusch of the band Howard. Howie is a composer, producer and engineer and has produced, mixed, and engineered re...

Episode 384: Ohmme

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart of the band Ohmme. Based in Chicago - where they've been hailed as "the heart of Chicag...

Episode 383: Cirocco Dunlap

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and performer Cirocco Dunlap. Originally from San Francisco, Cirocco was a child actor for a short time, most nota...

Episode 382: Allison Crutchfield of Swearin'

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Allison Crutchfield. Originally from Birmingham, AL, Allison first started playing music with her sister Katie i...

Bonus Episode 39: Mitski interview from 2016

20 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

I am traveling this week and weak from my Yom Kippur fast, so I thought I'd put up an old episode that people periodically ask about, my talk with mus...

Episode 381: Johnathan Fernandez

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor Johnathan Fernandez. Originally from the Poconos, Johnathan eventually moved to New York where he performed for man...

Episode 380: Aleksa Palladino

06 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actress and musician Aleksa Palladino. Originally form New York, Aleksa got her start acting as a teenager, performing o...

Episode 379: Keiko Agena

30 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and author Keiko Agena. Keiko is best known for the TV show Gilmore Girls, where she played Lane Kim for seven sea...

Episode 378: Todd Berger

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor, writer and filmmaker Todd Berger. Originally from New Orleans, Todd has been making movies since he was a teenager...

Episode 377: Brian Evenson

16 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to author Brian Evenson. Based in Los Angels, Brian teaches in the Critical Studies Program at CalArts and is the author of...

Episode 376: Jon Gabrus

09 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian Jon Gabrus. Originally from Long Island, Jon has been acting and podcasting for over a decade. He's been feature...

Episode 375: Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids

02 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Matt Pryor. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Matt has been playing music professionally for over two decad...

Episode 374: Liz Stokes of The Beths

30 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Liz Stokes. Based in New Zealand, Liz is the lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band The Beths. While a...

Episode 373: Colin Newman and Malka Spigel (Wire, Minimal Compact, Githead, Immersion)

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musicians Colin Newman and Malka Spigel. Married since 1986, Colin and Malka are a post-punk power couple. Colin is a mem...

Bonus Episode 38: Couples Therapy

19 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week my new podcast Couples Therapy debuts, so I thought I'd give y'all a taste of that! If you like it, subscribe and follow us on social media...

Episode 372: Glen David Gold

12 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Glen David Gold. Glen is the author of the bestselling novels Sunnyside and Carter Beats the Devil, and his essays...

Episode 371: Nora Singh of Hit Bargain

05 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Nora Singh. Originally from Texas, Nora nee Anna Barie started playing music over a decade ago with the Brookl...

Episode 370: Adam Zwar

28 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Adam Zwar. Originally from Cairns, Queensland, Adam is an award-winning Australian actor, voice artist, and wri...

Episode 369: Kara Brown

21 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and podcaster Kara Brown. Kara started out writing for magazines and websites like Glamour, Vanity Fair, Billboard...

Episode 368: Colleen Green

14 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Colleen Green. Based in Los Angeles (where she was voted best solo artist by LA Weekly), Colleen has recorded th...

Episode 367: Cecil Castellucci

07 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Cecil Castellucci. Based in Los Angeles, Cecil is the author of books and graphic novels for young adults including Boy P...

Episode 366: Nocando

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to James McCall AKA Nocando. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nocando got his start rap battling in Leimert Park in the Crens...

Episode 365: Amy Aniobi

24 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Amy Aniobi. Amy is a TV writer originally hailing from North Texas. She is a co-executive producer on HBO's groundbreakin...

Episode 364: D'Arcy Carden

17 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor D'Arcy Carden. Originally from Danville, CA, D'Arcy got her comedy start at UCB where she was on a number of house ...

Episode 363: Julia Wertz

10 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Julia Wertz. Julia is a professional cartoonist, amateur historian and part time urban explorer/photographer. She made th...

Episode 362: Dan Gregor

03 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Dan Gregor. Dan is a TV and film writer and director, who got his comedy start as one of the founding members of the (now...

Episode 361: Aisling Bea

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Aisling Bea. Originally from County Kildare, Ireland, Aisling has been acting and performing stand-up for over a decade....

Episode 360: Wayne White

19 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Wayne White. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Wayne is an artist, art director, illustrator, puppeteer, and much, much mor...

Episode 359: Carson Mell

12 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Carson Mell. Originally from Arizona, Carson is a writer based in Los Angeles, who's worked on a number of shows includin...

Episode 358: Anna Waronker of that dog

05 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Anna Waronker. Anna is a singer/songwriter, composer, and producer originally from Los Angeles. After graduating from hig...

Episode 357: Josh Ruben

29 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Josh Ruben. Josh is a 5-time Webby award winning actor, writer, and director, best known for appearing in and/or directin...

Episode 356: Ian Davis

22 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to artist Ian Davis. Born in Indianapolis in 1972, Ian now lives in Los Angeles, after a long stint in New York. He has part...

Episode 355: Rachel Browne of Field Mouse

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Rachel Browne. Rachel is a musician, writer and visual artist living in Philadelphia, PA. She earned a Bachelor of Music ...

Episode 354: DeWanda Wise

08 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actress DeWanda Wise. Originally from Maryland, DeWanda graduated from the Tisch School at NYU in 2006, and began her pro...

Episode 353: Dean Wareham

01 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Dean Wareham. Originally from Wellington, New Zealand, Dean's family moved to New York in 1977 when he  was a t...

Episode 352: Jo Firestone

22 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and writer Jo Firestone. Originally from St. Louis, Jo is a stand-up and the creator of dozens of live shows, in...

Episode 351: Griffin Newman

15 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and comedian Griffin Newman. Raised in New York, Griff has been writing and performing for a lion's share of his li...

Episode 350: Ryan Lott of Son Lux

08 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to composer and musician Ryan Lott. Born in Denver, CO, Ryan began playing music when he was relatively young. His first alb...

Episode 349: Amy Hubbs

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Amy Hubbs. Originally from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Amy began her TV career as a writers' assistant on the orig...

Episode 348: Tawny Newsome

25 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comedian and musician Tawny Newsome. Originally from California, Tawny got her start in comedy in Chicago, where she was ...

Episode 347: Brandon Bird

18 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to painter and illustrator Brandon Bird. Originally from Sacramento, CA, Brandon paints pop culture figures in absurd situat...

Episode 346: James Urbaniak

11 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor James Urbaniak. Originally from Bayonne, New Jersey, James was part of the flourishing 1990s New York theater scene...

Episode 345: Dana Gould

04 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to stand-up and writer Dana Gould. Originally from Hopedale, MA, Dana started performing stand-up at the tender age of 17, a...

Bonus Episode 37: Naomi Ekperigin on Keeping Your Soul in Hollywood

28 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We're stuck between Christmas and New Year's Eve, folks, so I thought I'd drop a bonus episode this week! What's a "bonus episode" of Beginnings? Thes...

Episode 344: Karl Schaefer

21 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer and showrunner Karl Schaefer. Originally from Downey, CA, Karl has been working in TV since the late 1980s, whe...

Episode 343: Jessica Gao

14 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Jessica Gao. Originally from Los Angeles, Jessica began her TV writing career in the world of animation, workin...

Episode 342: Sina Grace

07 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to comics writer and artist Sina Grace. Based in Los Angeles, Sina is the author and illustrator of a number of books for Im...

Episode 341: Steve Dildarian

30 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and painter Steve Dildarian. Originally from New Jersey, Steve spent many years as an advertising executive and cr...

Bonus Episode 36: Katie Walsh on Being a Film Critic

22 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It's almost Thanksgiving, folks! So I thought I'd drop a bonus episode early so you could listen while you're traveling for the holidays. What's a "bo...

Episode 340: Carlos Alazraqui

16 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to actor and voiceover artist Carlos Alazraqui. Carlos is probably most often recognized as Deputy James Garcia from Comedy ...

Episode 339: Javier Grillo-Marxuach

09 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and showrunner Javier Grillo-Marxuach. Originally from Puerto Rico, Javi earned his MFA in screenwriting from USC ...

Episode 338: Eliot Glazer

02 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer and performer Eliot Glazer. Originally from Long Island, Eliot is now based in LA and has written for or contri...

Episode 337: Angelo de Augustine

26 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Angelo de Augustine. Angelo writes and records music in Thousand Oaks, California -- a suburb north of Los Angel...

Episode 336: Inara George of The Bird and the Bee

19 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Inara George. The daughter of Lowell George, who was a member of Frank Zappa's band and the founder of rock gro...

Episode 335: Annie Mebane

12 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Annie Mebane. Originally from Florida, Annie came up in comedy at iOWest and UCBLA, performing on house improv ...

Episode 334: Cord Jefferson

05 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to TV writer Cord Jefferson. Originally from Tucson, Cord began his career as a print journalist, first as senior editor at ...

Episode 333: Wand's Cory Hanson

28 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to musician Cory Hanson. Originally from Los Angeles, Cory began playing music professionally with Mikal Cronin and the ban...

Episode 332: Andrew Ti

21 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer and podcaster Andrew Ti. Originally from Michigan, Andrew is the creator and host of the Yo, Is This Racist blog a...

Episode 331: Eli Valley

14 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to cartoonist Eli Valley. Eli's work has been featured in The Nation, The New Republic, The Village Voice, The Nib, The Guar...

Episode 330: Latasha Alcindor

07 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to rapper Latasha Alcindor AKA LA. Originally from Flatbush, Brooklyn, Latasha made her way into hip hop in a unique way: th...

Episode 329: Jill Eisenstadt

31 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to writer Jill Eisenstadt. Jill is the author of the novels From Rockaway, Kiss Out and Swell and with her sister, director ...

Episode 328: Zhubin Parang

24 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Emmy-award winning writer and performer Zhubin Parang. Before coming to comedy, Zhubin graduated from Georgetown Universi...

Episode 327: Miles Kahn

17 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Peabody Award–winning writer-director-producer Miles Kahn. Miles got his start in entertainment as a writer and directo...

Episode 326: Mattie Lubchansky

10 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to Queens-based cartoonist and illustrator Mattie Lubchansky. Mattie is the Associate Editor of the Nib, a daily political c...

Episode 325: Jeremy Pikser

03 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to screenwriter and activist Jeremy Pikser. Originally on his way to be a teacher, Jeremy instead became a screenwriter afte...

Episode 324: Sam Sinyangwe

27 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to policy analyst and data scientist Sam Sinyangwe. Sam grew up in Orlando, FL, and has been involved in organizing and advo...

Episode 323: Isaac Oliver

20 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode I talk to award-winning playwright, author, and performer Isaac Oliver. His debut collection of essays, Intimacy Idiot, was named o...