Best Thing I’ve Read Today
A few weeks ago, I recommended Nell Scovell's book "Just The Funny Parts," in which she not only writes about her career as a TV (mostly comedy) writer, but also about the sexism she encountered both on the job and while looking for more opportunities. One of the...
Book Recommendation: “Just The Funny Parts”
Nell Scovell's "Just The Funny Parts" is the best book I've read this year. Scovell has been a TV writer for over 30 years, including "Sabrina The Teenage Witch," which she created. She's also worked on "The Simpsons," "Newhart," "Murphy Brown," "Charmed," "NCIS,"...
The Pleasures And Pitfalls Of Interviewing Authors
I wrote recently about how interviewers can do a better job, so it's only fair I talk a little about guests. The best are those who come to the interview with more than just expertise. They must have the ability to tell a story or explain things in simple, common...
Joshua Zeitz, “Building The Great Society”
Joshua Zeitz says the presidential legacy most at risk under Donald Trump isn't that of Barack Obama, but of LBJ. I asked him to explain while we discussed his book, "Building The Great Society: Lyndon Johnson's White House." We talked about Johnson's work on Medicare...
David Evanier on Woody Allen Backlash
Over the last few weeks, several actors and actresses who have appeared in Woody Allen movies (e.g. Joaquin Phoenix, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Rebecca Hall, Greta Gerwig, Rachel Brosnahan, Ellen Page, and Mira Sorvino) have made public proclamations of regret in...
Jeff Kreisler, “Dollars and Sense”
Here's my conversation with Jeff Kreisler, co-author with Dan Ariely of "Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter." Jeff explained such terms as opportunity cost, the pain of paying, and anchoring. We also discussed why we don't talk to...
Dan Pink, “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing”
Dan Pink returned to my show to talk about his new book, "When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing."Our conversation ranged from the hidden patterns of the day to why you shouldn't have surgery in the afternoon to why high school should start later in the...
Emily Dufton, “Grass Roots”
Recreational use of marijuana is legal in 8 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington) and decriminalized in another 14 (plus the US Virgin Islands). It's still illegal in Missouri, while Illinois is one of 29 states...