Working

How Stuart Gibbs Writes Mysteries for Kids

25 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to author Stuart Gibbs, who writes mystery novels for young readers. Stuart’s work includes the FunJungle series a...

How Jed Mercurio Makes Realistic TV Dramas

18 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks to TV writer Jed Mercurio, who created the hugely popular UK police procedural Line of Duty and recently executive pr...

How Jed Mercurio Makes Realistic TV Dramas

18 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks to TV writer Jed Mercurio, who created the hugely popular UK police procedural Line of Duty and recently executive pr...

What Healthcare Workers Can Teach Us About Creativity

11 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Isaac Butler talks to Anthony Fortenberry, chief nursing officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which has been serving the LG...

What Healthcare Workers Can Teach Us About Creativity

11 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Isaac Butler talks to Anthony Fortenberry, chief nursing officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which has been serving the LG...

The Activism and Artistry of Joan E. Biren’s Photography

04 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks to the activist photographer Joan E. Biren, also known as JEB. In the interview, JEB discusses the creation, funding,...

The Activism and Artistry of Joan E. Biren’s Photography

04 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks to the activist photographer Joan E. Biren, also known as JEB. In the interview, JEB discusses the creation, funding,...

How Zoe Kazan, Roxane Gay, and Alison Bechdel Dealt With a Year of COVID

28 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week June Thomas, Isaac Butler, and Rumaan Alam co-host a special episode about staying creative during a difficult year. First they talk about t...

How Zoe Kazan, Roxane Gay, and Alison Bechdel Dealt With a Year of COVID

28 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week June Thomas, Isaac Butler, and Rumaan Alam co-host a special episode about staying creative during a difficult year. First they talk about t...

How Musician Julien Baker Gets Unstuck

21 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to musician Julien Baker about her new album Little Oblivions. In the interview, Julien discusses the process of wr...

How Musician Julien Baker Gets Unstuck

21 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to musician Julien Baker about her new album Little Oblivions. In the interview, Julien discusses the process of wr...

Julia Turshen on Writing a Very Personal Cookbook

14 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to cookbook author Julia Turshen about her career as a professional home cook and her new book Simply Julia: 110 Easy...

Julia Turshen on Writing a Very Personal Cookbook

14 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to cookbook author Julia Turshen about her career as a professional home cook and her new book Simply Julia: 110 Easy...

How an Audiobook Narrator Plays All the Parts

07 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to audiobook narrator Abby Craden about voicing multiple characters, narrating fiction and nonfiction, and finding a...

How an Audiobook Narrator Plays All the Parts

07 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to audiobook narrator Abby Craden about voicing multiple characters, narrating fiction and nonfiction, and finding a...

She-Ra Showrunner Noelle Stevenson on Creating a Diverse Kids Show

28 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to cartoonist and now showrunner Noelle Stevenson about the process of rebooting the ‘80s TV show She-Ra: Princes...

She-Ra Showrunner Noelle Stevenson on Creating a Diverse Kids Show

28 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to cartoonist and now showrunner Noelle Stevenson about the process of rebooting the ‘80s TV show She-Ra: Princes...

Austin Kleon is Not a Creativity Guru

21 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam taps into the well of creativity that is Austin Kleon, author of books like Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work! In th...

Austin Kleon is Not a Creativity Guru

21 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam taps into the well of creativity that is Austin Kleon, author of books like Steal Like an Artist and Show Your Work! In th...

Set Decorator Beth Kushnick's Tools Are Furniture and Accessories

14 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas discusses the art of set decoration with Beth Kushnick. Beth has worked on dozens of film and TV projects including The Goo...

Set Decorator Beth Kushnick's Tools Are Furniture and Accessories

14 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas discusses the art of set decoration with Beth Kushnick. Beth has worked on dozens of film and TV projects including The Goo...

Choreographer Annie-B Parson Expresses Music Through Movement

07 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks about movement, music, and space with choreographer Annie-B Parson. In the interview, Annie-B discusses her long-ti...

Choreographer Annie-B Parson Expresses Music Through Movement

07 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks about movement, music, and space with choreographer Annie-B Parson. In the interview, Annie-B discusses her long-ti...

Translator Damion Searls Explains Why His Job is More Creative Than Technical

31 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to writer Damion Searls, who translates literature from German, French, Dutch, and Norwegian into English. In the int...

Translator Damion Searls Explains Why His Job is More Creative Than Technical

31 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to writer Damion Searls, who translates literature from German, French, Dutch, and Norwegian into English. In the int...

Musician Kathleen Kelly on Conducting, Accompanying, and Coaching

24 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks to musician, conductor, and singing coach Kathleen Kelly. In the interview, Kathleen describes her daily musical prac...

Musician Kathleen Kelly on Conducting, Accompanying, and Coaching

24 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks to musician, conductor, and singing coach Kathleen Kelly. In the interview, Kathleen describes her daily musical prac...

Novelist Jonathan Lethem Likes to Be Surprised by His Own Stories

17 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Jonathan Lethem about daily writing rituals, teaching writing, and the process behind Jonathan’s late...

Novelist Jonathan Lethem Likes to Be Surprised by His Own Stories

17 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Jonathan Lethem about daily writing rituals, teaching writing, and the process behind Jonathan’s late...

Biographer Heather Clark on Giving Sylvia Plath Her Due

10 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to author Heather Clark about her massive new biography Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath. H...

Biographer Heather Clark on Giving Sylvia Plath Her Due

10 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to author Heather Clark about her massive new biography Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath. H...

Our Creative New Year’s Resolutions

03 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off 2021, June, Rumaan, and Isaac share their creative goals for 2021 and offer each other advice on how to see them through. They talk about ...

Our Creative New Year’s Resolutions

03 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off 2021, June, Rumaan, and Isaac share their creative goals for 2021 and offer each other advice on how to see them through. They talk about ...

You Asked, We Advised

27 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For this very special episode, June, Isaac, and Rumaan answer listener questions about creative work. A video producer wants to get better at reacting...

You Asked, We Advised

27 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For this very special episode, June, Isaac, and Rumaan answer listener questions about creative work. A video producer wants to get better at reacting...

George C. Wolfe on His New Film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

20 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Rumaan Alam talks with George C. Wolfe. Wolfe is a playwright, film director, and two-time Tony winner. His latest project, Ma Rainey’s ...

George C. Wolfe on His New Film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

20 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Rumaan Alam talks with George C. Wolfe. Wolfe is a playwright, film director, and two-time Tony winner. His latest project, Ma Rainey’s ...

When Music Is the Family Business: Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche

13 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to Suzzy Roche, the youngest member of the harmonious folk group The Roches, and Suzzy’s daughter, Lucy Wainwright...

When Music Is the Family Business: Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche

13 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to Suzzy Roche, the youngest member of the harmonious folk group The Roches, and Suzzy’s daughter, Lucy Wainwright...

Why Writer Ayad Akhtar Reads Shakespeare Every Day

06 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to playwright Ayad Akhtar about dream journals, beginning the workday by reading Shakespeare, and other creative ri...

Why Writer Ayad Akhtar Reads Shakespeare Every Day

06 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to playwright Ayad Akhtar about dream journals, beginning the workday by reading Shakespeare, and other creative ri...

How Klancy Miller Designs Recipes for Single People

29 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks with cookbook author Klancy Miller, whose book Cooking Solo celebrates the joy of making delicious food for yourself....

How Klancy Miller Designs Recipes for Single People

29 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks with cookbook author Klancy Miller, whose book Cooking Solo celebrates the joy of making delicious food for yourself....

How Lovecraft Country’s Cinematographer Guides the Viewer’s Eye

22 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to cinematographer Michael Watson about what it was like to work on the HBO sci-fi series Lovecraft Country. In the...

How Lovecraft Country’s Cinematographer Guides the Viewer’s Eye

22 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to cinematographer Michael Watson about what it was like to work on the HBO sci-fi series Lovecraft Country. In the...

A Look Inside the World's Longest-Running Medical Drama

15 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to Jenny Thompson, story producer for the long-running U.K. medical drama Casualty. In the interview, Jenny explains...

A Look Inside the World's Longest-Running Medical Drama

15 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to Jenny Thompson, story producer for the long-running U.K. medical drama Casualty. In the interview, Jenny explains...

Poet Javier Zamora Wants Readers to Know What It’s Like to Be Undocumented

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to Javier Zamora about the truth-telling power of poetry. When Javier was 9 years old, he traveled to the U.S. from E...

Poet Javier Zamora Wants Readers to Know What It’s Like to Be Undocumented

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Rumaan Alam talks to Javier Zamora about the truth-telling power of poetry. When Javier was 9 years old, he traveled to the U.S. from E...

How Jane Lynch Strikes the Perfect Level of Mean on Weakest Link

01 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to the multitalented actor, comedian, and game-show host Jane Lynch, who discusses her wide range of acting roles an...

How Jane Lynch Strikes the Perfect Level of Mean on Weakest Link

01 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to the multitalented actor, comedian, and game-show host Jane Lynch, who discusses her wide range of acting roles an...

Joe Sacco’s Journalistic Comics

25 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Isaac Butler talks with journalist and cartoonist Joe Sacco. Sacco is a Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist best known for his comic...

Joe Sacco’s Journalistic Comics

25 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Isaac Butler talks with journalist and cartoonist Joe Sacco. Sacco is a Maltese-American cartoonist and journalist best known for his comic...

Arranger Alex Lacamoire Breaks Down His Process for Hamilton

18 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks shop with Alex Lacamoire, who was the arranger, music director, conductor, and orchestrator for Hamilton. In the in...

Arranger Alex Lacamoire Breaks Down His Process for Hamilton

18 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks shop with Alex Lacamoire, who was the arranger, music director, conductor, and orchestrator for Hamilton. In the in...

Rumaan Alam’s New Novel Started With a Daydream

11 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to novelist, critic, and co-host of Working Rumaan Alam about his new novel Leave the World Behind, which has alread...

Rumaan Alam’s New Novel Started With a Daydream

11 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to novelist, critic, and co-host of Working Rumaan Alam about his new novel Leave the World Behind, which has alread...

Director Phil Alden Robinson on the Making of His Cult Classic, Sneakers

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler cracks the code of the heist film genre with Phil Alden Robinson, director of the 1992 cult classic Sneakers. In the inte...

Director Phil Alden Robinson on the Making of His Cult Classic, Sneakers

04 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler cracks the code of the heist film genre with Phil Alden Robinson, director of the 1992 cult classic Sneakers. In the inte...

Critic Charles Finch on Reading Hundreds of Books a Year

27 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks about the aims of literary criticism with novelist and book critic Charles Finch. In the interview, Charles discusse...

Critic Charles Finch on Reading Hundreds of Books a Year

27 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks about the aims of literary criticism with novelist and book critic Charles Finch. In the interview, Charles discusse...

How Scrapbooking Connects Craft and Personal Reflection

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks about the underrated art of scrapbooking with Ali Edwards, who managed to turn her love of crafting into a full-time ...

How Scrapbooking Connects Craft and Personal Reflection

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas talks about the underrated art of scrapbooking with Ali Edwards, who managed to turn her love of crafting into a full-time ...

How a Costume Designer Dressed Two Seth Rogens in American Pickle

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler learns the finer points of costume design from Brenda Abbandandolo, who recently dressed two different characters played ...

How a Costume Designer Dressed Two Seth Rogens in American Pickle

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler learns the finer points of costume design from Brenda Abbandandolo, who recently dressed two different characters played ...

Kimberly Drew on the Life-Enhancing Power of Art

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks about the importance of museums with writer and art advocate, Kimberly Drew, whose Tumblr blog Black Contemporary Ar...

Kimberly Drew on the Life-Enhancing Power of Art

06 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks about the importance of museums with writer and art advocate, Kimberly Drew, whose Tumblr blog Black Contemporary Ar...

How Kurt Andersen Succeeds in So Many Creative Fields

30 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to novelist, journalist, editor, and radio host Kurt Andersen, who talks about the curiosity and drive that has fuel...

How Kurt Andersen Succeeds in So Many Creative Fields

30 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to novelist, journalist, editor, and radio host Kurt Andersen, who talks about the curiosity and drive that has fuel...

The Pulitzer Won’t Change Playwright Michael R. Jackson

23 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Isaac Butler traces the creative origins of Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-winning musical A Strange Loop. In the interview, Michael t...

The Pulitzer Won’t Change Playwright Michael R. Jackson

23 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host Isaac Butler traces the creative origins of Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-winning musical A Strange Loop. In the interview, Michael t...

Paul Mpagi Sepuya on the Inherent Intimacy of Photography

16 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya about his unique style of intimate studio photography. In the interview, Paul breaks dow...

Paul Mpagi Sepuya on the Inherent Intimacy of Photography

16 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya about his unique style of intimate studio photography. In the interview, Paul breaks dow...

Jordan Peele’s Film Composer is Terrified of Scary Movies

09 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to composer Michael Abels about what it’s like to write music for suspenseful movies like Get Out, Us, and the re...

Jordan Peele’s Film Composer is Terrified of Scary Movies

09 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to composer Michael Abels about what it’s like to write music for suspenseful movies like Get Out, Us, and the re...

The Immersive Sounds of Audio Drama

02 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks about her deep love of audio fiction with longtime radio and podcast writer-producer John Scott Dryden. First, they ...

The Immersive Sounds of Audio Drama

02 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks about her deep love of audio fiction with longtime radio and podcast writer-producer John Scott Dryden. First, they ...

Adrian Tomine’s Drawings Tell Rich, Complex Stories

26 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to cartoonist and New Yorker cover artist Adrian Tomine, who just released a graphic memoir called The Loneliness of...

Adrian Tomine’s Drawings Tell Rich, Complex Stories

26 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Rumaan Alam talks to cartoonist and New Yorker cover artist Adrian Tomine, who just released a graphic memoir called The Loneliness of...

Why Anything Is Possible on HBO’s Los Espookys

19 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and Fred Armisen, creators of the HBO show Los Espookys. The three comedians talk abou...

Why Anything Is Possible on HBO’s Los Espookys

19 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas talks to Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and Fred Armisen, creators of the HBO show Los Espookys. The three comedians talk abou...

How to Interview Celebrities, With Taffy Brodesser-Akner

12 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist and celebrity profile writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner. In the interview, Taffy shares how she’s able to ...

How to Interview Celebrities, With Taffy Brodesser-Akner

12 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist and celebrity profile writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner. In the interview, Taffy shares how she’s able to ...

How Editor Tracy Sherrod is Amplifying Black Authors

05 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Rumaan Alam talks about elevating Black voices in the book publishing industry with Tracy Sherrod, editorial director of the Harper Collins impri...

How Editor Tracy Sherrod is Amplifying Black Authors

05 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Rumaan Alam talks about elevating Black voices in the book publishing industry with Tracy Sherrod, editorial director of the Harper Collins impri...

Jasmine Guillory’s Romance Novels Show Realistic Characters Falling in Love

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas digs into the romance genre with bestselling author Jasmine Guillory, who started her career as a lawyer and then went on ...

Jasmine Guillory’s Romance Novels Show Realistic Characters Falling in Love

28 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host June Thomas digs into the romance genre with bestselling author Jasmine Guillory, who started her career as a lawyer and then went on ...

The Vulnerability of Memoir Writing, With Mira Jacob

21 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Mira Jacob about the process of writing her comic book memoir, Good Talk. They discuss what it was like for Mira t...

The Vulnerability of Memoir Writing, With Mira Jacob

21 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Isaac Butler talks to novelist Mira Jacob about the process of writing her comic book memoir, Good Talk. They discuss what it was like for Mira t...

Cole Escola Provides the Perfect Comedy for Quarantine

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Rumaan Alam chats with comedy writer and performer Cole Escola, who’s known for his roles on Hulu’s Difficult People and truTV’s At Home Wi...

Cole Escola Provides the Perfect Comedy for Quarantine

14 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Rumaan Alam chats with comedy writer and performer Cole Escola, who’s known for his roles on Hulu’s Difficult People and truTV’s At Home Wi...

How YouTuber Adam Ragusea Learned to Talk to the Camera

07 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas learns about all the work that goes into making YouTube food videos. Her guest is online cook Adam Ragusea, who explains ho...

How YouTuber Adam Ragusea Learned to Talk to the Camera

07 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week host June Thomas learns about all the work that goes into making YouTube food videos. Her guest is online cook Adam Ragusea, who explains ho...

Documentary Theater From Interviews to Final Production

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to documentary theater makers Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, whose plays include The Exonerated, about the criminal...

Documentary Theater From Interviews to Final Production

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to documentary theater makers Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, whose plays include The Exonerated, about the criminal...

How Curator Sheena Wagstaff Chooses Art for the Met

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Rumaan Alam talks about art curation with Sheena Wagstaff, who leads the Metropolitan Museum's program of modern and contemporary art for the Met...

How Curator Sheena Wagstaff Chooses Art for the Met

24 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Rumaan Alam talks about art curation with Sheena Wagstaff, who leads the Metropolitan Museum's program of modern and contemporary art for the Met...

Alison Wright Explains How Actors Get Emotional on Cue

17 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host June Thomas digs into the craft of acting with Alison Wright, who portrayed Martha on The Americans and now plays Ruth on the new TNT adaptation ...

Alison Wright Explains How Actors Get Emotional on Cue

17 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host June Thomas digs into the craft of acting with Alison Wright, who portrayed Martha on The Americans and now plays Ruth on the new TNT adaptation ...

Megan Abbott's Go-To Story Structure

10 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to crime novelist and TV writer Megan Abbott, who describes her creative-writing rituals, her go-to story structure...