Best Paul Thureen Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 50 - SHEILA CALLAGHAN (FX/Hulu's Dying for Sex, Showtime's Shameless) on the Research of Writing 54:59

Play Pause

5M ago54:59

54:59

Today we have SHEILA CALLAGHAN on the show. In 2010, Sheila was profiled by Marie Claire as one of “18 Successful Women Who Are Changing the World.” She was also named one of Variety magazine’s “10 Screenwriters to Watch.” Sheila was a longtime writer/producer on the hit Showtime comedy Shameless and a founder of the feminist activist group The Kil…

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Ep49 - RACHEL VINE (Disney Channel's The Owl House, Duck Tales) on Writing for Animated Television 53:01

5M ago53:01

53:01

Today we have RACHEL VINE on the show! Rachel is a feature and TV writer who has worked on many animated series. Some of those include My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, DC Super Hero Girls, Wander Over Yonder and DuckTales. Rachel was story editor for Peabody Award-Winning The Owl House. This conversation was really cool for me, since I knew not…

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Ep48 - AJA GABEL (The Staircase, Five Star Weekend) on the Dance Between Novel Writing and Screenwriting 48:35

6M ago48:35

48:35

This week we have AJA GABEL on the show! Aja is the author of the novels Lightbreakers (coming in November 2025) and The Ensemble, both from Riverhead Books. Her prose can be found in The Cut, LA Times, Buzzfeed, BOMB, and elsewhere. Her TV credits include: the max original mini series The Staircase starring Colin Firth, Toni Colette and Michael St…

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Ep47 - MADHURI SHEKAR (Netflix's Unaccustomed Earth, HBO's The Nevers) on Adaptations and Claiming Your Space 49:46

6M ago49:46

49:46

Today we have MADHURI SHEKAR on the show. Madhuri is a playwright and screenwriter. She wrote the Amazon/Blumhouse feature EVIL EYE produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas based on her Audible original audio drama. Her TV credits include THREE BODY PROBLEM on Netflix, the HBO fantasy epic THE NEVERS and she, along with John Wells is currently co-showrunn…

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Ep46 - ELEANOR BURGESS (HBO's Perry Mason, Netflix's Little House on the Prairie) on Bringing Your Self to TV Writing 55:22

6M ago55:22

55:22

This week we're happy to have ELEANOR BURGESS on the show. Eleanor is a playwright and screenwriter. Her work has been produced at theaters across the United States, including Manhattan Theatre Club, South Coast Rep, Geffen Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center, Huntington Theatre Company, Writers Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, G…

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Ep45 - HANNAH BOS and PAUL THUREEN (HBO's Somebody Somewhere) on Working as a Team 55:10

7M ago55:10

55:10

HANNAH BOS and PAUL THUREEN are the creators and showrunners of Somebody Somewhere, HBO’s Peabody Award-winning, critically acclaimed comedy series starring Bridget Everett. The Boston Globe declared the series a “revelation” that “exudes compassion” with a “nuanced take on the everyday.” The Daily Beast called the show “TV’s sweetest slice of life…

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Ep44 - SARAH MCCARRON (Station Eleven, The Abandons) on Connecting Deeply to Material 51:51

7M ago51:51

51:51

Today we have SARAH MCCARRON on the show. Sarah is a Los Angeles-based writer, producer, and director who works in television, film, and theatre. TV projects include: currently executive producer of a one hour drama in development at Showtime (hopefully to be announced soon!); co-executive producer on Netflix’s forthcoming THE ABANDONS, starring Gi…

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Ep43 - ANNA OUYANG MOENCH (Severance, Beef) on Playwriting vs TV Writing 57:06

8M ago57:06

57:06

Anna Ouyang Moench is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter. Her plays have been produced at La Jolla Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, NAATCO/The Public Theater, the Geffen Playhouse, the Playwrights Realm, East West Players, InterAct Theater, Theater Mu, and many other theaters across the country and around the world. In television…

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Ep42 - DARCY FOWLER (Little Demon, Glow) on Believing in Your Vision 58:49

8M ago58:49

58:49

Darcy Fowler is a writer, actor, and producer who co-created and co-wrote the animated horror comedy Little Demon on FX/Hulu, voiced by Danny DeVito, Lucy DeVito, and Aubrey Plaza, and executive produced by Dan Harmon. She was a writer on the last (and never aired) season of Netflix's Glow, and has developed, collaborated on, and sold shows to netw…

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Ep 41 - GINA FATTORE (Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls) on the Collaborative Nature of TV Writing 1:04:43

9M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

Gina Fattore is a TV writer, producer, and showrunner. Some of her many credits include Dare Me, Gaslit, Better Things, UnREAL, Masters of Sex, Parenthood, Californication, Gilmore Girls, and my eternal favorite, Dawson’s Freaking Creek. Her debut novel The Spinster Diaries was published in 2020 by Prospect Park Books and is a total delight (a fun …

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The Best of Season One 47:07

1+ y ago47:07

47:07

This is our 40th episode and the end of Season One! This first year of the podcast has flown by. I'm so grateful to everyone who has tuned in, shared episodes, rated us, reviewed us... it's all meant so much to me. For this final episode of the season we thought it would be fun to go back in time and celebrate some of my favorite moments from this …

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Author/Narrator NATALIE NAUDUS on "Gay the Pray Away" 39:24

1+ y ago39:24

39:24

Today we have Natalie Naudus on the show. Natalie is a brilliant Audie-Award winning narrator of over 400 books. We get into that a little in this interview. But mostly we talk about her writing and celebrate the release of her debut novel. It's called "Gay the Pray Away" and it is the #1 Best Seller in Coming of Age Fiction for Teens on Amazon thi…

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Playwright/Performer ELIZA BENT on "Being Careful What You Get Good At" 44:31

1+ y ago44:31

44:31

Today we have my friend Eliza Bent on the show. Eliza and I go way back. She is a playwright and a performer whose Bentertainments include solo works, plays, adaptations, and hybrid affairs. She makes short films. She speaks Italian. She has degrees in philosophy and playwriting and she's on faculty at Northwestern University’s Radio TV & Film depa…

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Writer/Performer AMY STAATS on Overcoming Perfectionism 55:09

1+ y ago55:09

55:09

Today we have my friend Amy Staats on the show. Amy is an actor, writer, producer, director... you name it, she does it. This conversation was so much fun for me. We talk about Van Halen, understudying on Broadway, writing plays, developing projects for TV and film, and overcoming perfectionism. Amy's currently doing an experiment where she shares …

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NYTimes Bestselling Author JODI LIPPER on the Art of Ghostwriting 52:14

1+ y ago52:14

52:14

Today we have NY Times Bestselling Author Jodi Lipper on the show. Jodi is a Collaborative Writer, also known as a Ghostwriter. I've always been interested in how this process works but I thought it was super secretive and I didn't want to pry. Well Jodi let me pry for this podcast episode and I'm so happy she did. I'm amazed at how many skills it …

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Award-Winning Audiobook Narrator THÉRÈSE PLUMMER on Going Into the Silence 45:51

1+ y ago45:51

45:51

Today our guest is my dear friend Thérèse Plummer. If you are an audiobook listener there is a very strong chance you've had this lady's voice in your ears. She's a beautiful storyteller, a kind soul and a hella strong human being. Almost three years ago she was in ahead-on car collision with a drunk driver and she's been on a relentless journey to…

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Broadway Performer CHARLIE POLLOCK on Working with David Bowie and Dolly Parton 57:11

1+ y ago57:11

57:11

Today our guest is Charlie Pollock. Charlie is an incredible singer and actor. He's worked with the likes of Dolly Parton, David Bowie, John Mellencamp... the list goes on. Every time I see him onstage whether in a Broadway show or playing in his awesome band, I'm so jazzed by how he operates. Charlie is just one of those magnetic artists you can't…

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Emmy-Nominated Composer SIDDHARTHA KHOSLA on "This is Us" and "Only Murders in the Building" 52:32

1+ y ago52:32

52:32

I am so excited for today's episode. If you've ever talked with me about TV, you know my absolute favorite show of all time is This is Us. It's one of those shows that's so deep in my bones I have to hold myself back from referencing it on a daily basis to my friends and family. Well today I got to take a deep dive and talk about it as much as I wa…

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Playwright LIA ROMEO on Leaving Questions Unanswered 45:39

1+ y ago45:39

45:39

Today we have my dear friend Lia Romeo on the show. She's one of the smartest and most generous playwrights I know. Her new play STILL is having its New York Premiere right now. It opened last night at the DR2 Theater in Union Square. It's presented by Colt Coeur with direction by Adrienne Campbell-Holt and features performances by Jayne Atkinson a…

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Romantic Comedy Author AMY DAWS on Movies, Bestselling Books and Making Great Audio 49:28

1+ y ago49:28

49:28

It's week two of my Spring Break and we're back with another great replay. Today we're heading back to the very first episode of the podcast where I got to talk to Amy Daws, romantic comedy author extraordinaire. Amy is a #1 Amazon Bestselling author. She's written over 20 books and they're all hilarious, sexy and playful as hell. This is perfect t…

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Acclaimed Playwright KRISTOFFER DIAZ on Writing the Book of a Broadway Musical 52:22

1+ y ago52:22

52:22

I am on a Spring Break for the next two episodes, so we're revisiting two of our early conversations from back in September when we launched the podcast. First up for our replays is the wonderful Kristoffer Diaz. Kris and I go way back. Kris is a Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright, a screenwriter and an educator. People call his work "Brilliant th…

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"Orange is the New Black" Actor MIKE HOUSTON on Creative Collaboration 51:35

1+ y ago51:35

51:35

Today we have my buddy Mike Houston on the show. He is an incredible actor who works in Theater, Film and TV. Mike spent four seasons on Orange is the New Black as Lee Dixon and recently played Harvey Weinstein in the feature film "She Said" starring Zoe Kazan, Carey Mulligan and Patricia Clarkson. In this episode, Mike and I really "talk shop" and…

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Bestselling Author THEODORA TAYLOR on the Power of Universal Fantasy 47:33

1+ y ago47:33

47:33

Today we have the great Theodora Taylor on the show. I first learned about Theodora's work a few years ago when I picked up her book "7 Figure Fiction: How to Use Universal Fantasy to Sell Your Books to Anyone." With a title like that, why wouldn't I buy it, right? I expected lots of cool tips on selling my books - which I certainly got - but I got…

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Romance Narrator SAMANTHA BRENTMOOR on Surfing the Waves of Creative Flow 58:50

1+ y ago58:50

58:50

Today we have the lovely Samantha Brentmoor on the show. Samantha is a wonderful romance audiobook narrator which is the space we've been hanging in lately, but we go way back to my early theater days in New York City where she actually ran the theater where I was performing. Every time I snag a few minutes with her at a book event, I think man, I …

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Screenwriter MELANIE MARAS on Becoming a Master Pitcher 49:50

2y ago49:50

49:50

Today we have my friend Melanie Maras on the show. Melanie is a working writer in Hollywood, which you can hear her discuss every other week on her podcast: Two Writers Talking Shit w/her co-host Saeed Crumpler. This conversation was a real treat for me because I felt like I got to be the writer talking shit with her this week. Melanie is such a cu…

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Stand-Up Comedian GIANMARCO SORESI on Nuance and Slipping on the Banana Peel Himself 55:39

2y ago55:39

55:39

Today we have comedian Gianmarco Soresi on the podcast. The past few years, Gianmarco's career in stand-up has skyrocketed. He made his late night debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, who called him "a brilliant stand-up comedian." He's currently performing all over the world on his "Leaning In Tour" and you can catch episodes of his popu…

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Costume Designer ERIN WRINKLE SIEGEL on Seizing Every Opportunity 47:06

2y ago47:06

47:06

Today we have Erin Wrinkle Siegel on the show. Erin is a costume designer who specializes in Commercials, Television, Live Shows, Game Shows, Print and Film. In this discussion we get into the nitty gritty of what it takes to be a costume designer on a film set. The long hours, the sharp eye for detail you have to have, and how to make sure fake bl…

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Author and Narrator JULIA WHELAN on Her Playfully Serious Approach to Writing Casanova LLC 54:31

2y ago54:31

54:31

For this week's episode, I got to sit down with Julia Whelan. If you've listened to an audiobook, there's a very strong chance you know her voice. Julia has narrated some of the biggest bestselling books out there. She's also a brilliant writer herself. You may be familiar with her books My Oxford Year and Thank You for Listening. And this week she…

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Beloved Acting Teacher and Director NICK PETRON on the Power of Words 45:37

2y ago45:37

45:37

For this week's episode, I got to sit down with the great Nick Petron. Nick recently retired as chair of the theater department at Adelphi University after 50 years of teaching, an incredible accomplishment. He's an actor, a voice artist, a director and an awesome mentor to soooo many. A few months ago I got to participate in a roast and celebratio…

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Orchestra Conductor FELIZA ESTRADA on Encouraging the Younger Generation Toward Classical Music 49:47

2y ago49:47

49:47

When I started this podcast, one of my main goals was to talk to people from all walks of creativity. I've always been so excited and kind of mystified by how orchestra conductors work. So I set out to find one to interview and I found the Feliza Estrada. Feliza is doing this great on-going project called "My Journey to Become a Great Conductor" wh…

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Acclaimed Actor RICHARD MASUR on Prayer for the French Republic and Steering the River of Life 1:07:51

2y ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Welcome back to My Job is to Play for our 20th episode! It's been such a blast having these conversations every week and sharing them with you all. Today we have the amazing actor Richard Masur on the show. You know Richard, You've seen him in soooo many movies and TV shows. It would be ridiculous to even try naming them, but her are some of the bi…

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Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author NANA MALONE on Staying True to Your Voice 1:01:56

2y ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Today we have the great Nana Malone on the show. Nana is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, She writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves all things romance and adventure. This interview was such a treat for me. I've long admired Nana's work as a writer and the way she puts her excellent energy and ideas into the world. This conver…

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Actor DARIN F EARL II on Finding Your Authenticity in Life and Onstage 51:58

2y ago51:58

51:58

Today we have the wonderful Darin F Earl II on the show. Darin is a fantastic actor, writer and dramaturg. A real person of the theater. They also have an enormous amount of knowledge and skill when it comes to Shakespeare, which we dive into quite a bit. It was so nice to spend this quality time with Darin talking about making art. I hope you enjo…

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Audiobook Narrator TEDDY HAMILTON on Accessing Your Joy and Letting Go of What Others Think 53:39

2y ago53:39

53:39

I'm so excited to have my dear friend Teddy Hamilton on the show today. Teddy is a well-loved audiobook narrator and a delightful dude. I jump at every chance I get to co-narrate with him or have him in one of my audio plays. If you've heard my These Walls Can Talk series, you know he tears things up as recovering misogynist/audiobook engineer Neil…

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Past Life Regressionist JACQUELINE BALLOUTINE on How Earth School is the Best Playground 54:07

2y ago54:07

54:07

Today we're talking to Jacqueline Balloutine. Jackie is certified in Hypnotherapy and Past Life Regression with a focus on Spiritual Alignment. What does this have to do with creative flow you ask? Well, I can honestly say I have never felt more connected and "in flow" than during the sessions I was lucky enough to have with Jackie. This interview …

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Actor MOSES VILLARAMA on Following Your Inner Weirdo and Making Broadway History 46:56

2y ago46:56

46:56

Today we're talking to Moses Villarama. Moses is a wonderful actor and musician who just finished the Broadway run of Here Lies Love, created by David Byrne of The Talking Heads along with music by Fat Boy Slim. It was directed and developed by Alex Timbers, choreographed by Annie B-Parson and featured an all-Filipino cast for the first time on Bro…

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Artist and Writer J RUTH GENDLER on Exploring the Tapestry of Our Lives in Our Work 53:16

2y ago53:16

53:16

Today we're talking to J Ruth Gendler. J. Ruth Gedler is the author of the bestselling The Book of Qualities and the award winning Notes on the Need for Beauty and the editor of Changing Light: The Eternal Cycle of Night and Day. Her work as an artist has been featured in all her books and in exhibitions across the country. Ruth has also done an en…

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Singer-Songwriter AUTUMN JONES on Tuning Your Mind Toward Creative Confidence 54:26

2y ago54:26

54:26

Today we're talking to the awesome Autumn Jones. Autumn is a soulful R&B singer-songwriter and an alumni of Berklee College of Music in Boston. She's had a busy few years along with her band "The Smoke" releasing her debut EP "4.4.4.," winning a Tracks Music Award for her single "Bittersweet" and showcasing her music at venues like City Winery, Har…

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Playwright ADAM SZYMKOWICZ on Writing What's Most Exciting to You 53:56

2y ago53:56

53:56

Today we're talking to the awesome playwright Adam Szymkowicz. Adam’s plays have been produced throughout the U.S., and in Canada, England, Wales, The Isle of Man, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Turkey, Switzerland, South Korea, Thailand, Sweden, Austria, Slovenia and Lithuania. You getting the picture? T…

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Academy Award Winner CELESTE LECESNE on Keeping Your "Why" Bigger Than Your "How" 54:46

2y ago54:46

54:46

Today we're talking to the incredible Celeste Lecesne. Celeste wrote the short film Trevor, which won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. He is co-founder of The Trevor Project, the largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention Lifeline for LGBT and Questioning youth and also the co-founder of The Future Perfect, a national arts initi…

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Evidential Medium HANNAH BALL on Entering the Work with Curiosity and Letting Go of People Pleasing 51:44

2y ago51:44

51:44

Today's guest is Hannah Ball, otherwise known as The Huggable Healer. Hannah is an Evidential Medium and Intuitive Counselor. This podcast focuses on flow. That moment-to-moment connection and presence and play that is behind all great work and art. Hannah's ability to connect to that flow is brilliant. She just so happens to use it to connect with…

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Singer-Songwriter KATE YEAGER on "Light and Bite" and How Stupid Ideas are Often the Best Ones 55:11

2y ago55:11

55:11

Today we have the wonderful Kate Yeager on the podcast. Kate is a brilliant singer and songwriter. How's this for a pull-quote: "If a HAIM and Kelly Clarkson had a baby then Kate is your bread and butter, honey." I stumbled upon Kate and her music on social media this year along with thousands and thousands of other listeners, and I'm so glad I did…

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Award-Winning Writer BIXBY ELLIOT on Cracking Open and Re-Imagining the Past 56:56

2y ago56:56

56:56

Today we have the awesome Bixby Elliot on the podcast. Bixby is a queer writer for tv, film and theater. He's an award-winning playwright who's been produced in New York, London, Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, Edinburgh and more. Bixby’s short film AQUAMARINE has been in over 20 festivals and won multiple awards including; Best Short, Best Director and…

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USA Today Bestselling Author TANYA EBY on The Tuesday Girl and Exploring Outside the Box 50:50

2y ago50:50

50:50

Today we have the great Tanya Eby on the podcast. Tanya is an award-winning audiobook narrator of over 1000 titles. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a poignant blogger and a wonderful casting director. Her latest book is called The Tuesday Girl: A Memoir. Reviewers are calling The Tuesday Girl "raw and triumphant," "stunning" and "beautiful."…

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Little Crowns Storyhouse Founder DELVENE PITT on Puppetry and the Art of the Pivot 48:56

2y ago48:56

48:56

Today we're talking to Delvene Pitt! Delvene is a vibrant and versatile multidisciplinary artist. She's a storyteller, an actor, and the brilliant mind behind Little Crowns Storyhouse and Little Crowns TV. She’s worked as an assistant producer at BBC Children’s, collaborated with Three Stones Media on a new children’s series, and has even worked fo…

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Screenwriter and Playwright BERNARDO CUBRIA on Finding Your Inner Clown 56:46

2y ago56:46

56:46

Today we're talking to Bernardo Cubría, Bernardo is a Mexican playwright and screenwriter who lives and works in Los Angeles. He also happens to be one of my dear friends and someone I admire very much. He recently finished working on the second season of Aculpulco for Apple TV + and the amount of film projects he has in development would make your…

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Ripped Bodice Bookstore Co-Owner LEAH KOCH on Youthful Exuberance and Doing-It-Yourself 52:56

2y ago52:56

52:56

Today we're talking to Leah Koch, co-owner and co-founder of The Ripped Bodice (along with her sister Bea). The Ripped Bodice is an independent brick-and-mortar bookstore devoted to the celebration of romance novels. The store is proudly Woman and Queer Owned and now has two locations, with one store in Los Angeles, California and a brand new store…

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TV and Film Director KATIE LOCKE O'BRIEN on Being Declarative About What You Want 53:20

2y ago53:20

53:20

Today we're talking to Katie Locke O'Brien. Katie is an incredible director for television and film. Some of her directing credits include: A.P. Bio, Ghosts, Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years and The Santa Clauses. Also, she wrote directed produced and starred in her award-wining film "Have it All" which she just so happened to create with a bran…

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Pulitzer Prize Nominated Playwright KRISTOFFER DIAZ on the Audacity of Being a Theatermaker 52:13

2y ago52:13

52:13

In this episode of My Job is to Play we talk to the wonderful Kristoffer Diaz. Kris and I go way back. Fun fact: My first ever paid job as an actor was during college in a sketch comedy show he wrote and produced. Now, Kris is a Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright, screenwriter and educator. People call his work "Brilliant theatrical innovation" an…

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#1 Amazon Author AMY DAWS on Following Your Own Creative Path to Success 49:18

2y ago49:18

49:18

In this episode of My Job is to Play we talk to Amy Daws, romantic comedy author extraordinaire. Amy is a #1 Amazon Bestselling author. She's written over 20 books and they're all hilarious, sexy and playful as hell. "Wait with Me," her tire shop romance - and Buzzfeed sensation - can now be seen as a feature film on Passionflix.com. I've known Amy…