On this week's 5 Random Questions, I chat with Ned Donovan - actor, singer, writer, producer, and a bunch of different hyphens around the entertainment industry. Answers include what he really misses about childhood, why failure is success, his favourite day of the year, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Ned Donovan

I'm an actor, singer, writer, producer, bunch of different hyphens around the entertainment industry. I am a series regular on (and co-creator/executive producer on) the Dungeons & Dragons tv show Encounter Party. I am the host of Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You, a tip-of-the-day podcast in 2 minutes or less Monday-Friday. And I'm the director of Audio Fiction for the New Jersey Web Festival, the first "film" festival experience for fiction podcasts and actual play media. Now in its 5th year, I've worked with festivals all over the world to launch the Audio Fiction World Cup, the first international collective of festival experiences with jury-adjudicated competitions in audio fiction. I live in the Bronx, NY and generally my personality is Gotham FC, my dog Buggsy Mogues, tabletop roleplaying games, and generally trying to be artistic and creative whenever possible.

Ned's Website

Ned's Facebook page

@neddonovan on Instagram

@neddonovan on X

Ned on YouTube

Further reading for this episode

• Kissin' Cousins (1964) - IMDb
• The Boy and the Airplane | Book by Mark Pett
• Schooner Fare
• Weekend in New England - song and lyrics by Barry Manilow | Spotify
• Gerry & The Pacemakers | Spotify
• Gotham FC
• Edward Peck Curtis - Wikipedia
• Jay Larson's Wrong Number Prank | CONAN on TBS - YouTube
• Danny Brown (@xdannyxbrownx) • Instagram photos and videos
• Teacher to Taster, Inside Out Intestines, and More with Jenn Trepeck - 5 Random Questions
• Muggsy Bogues - Wikipedia
• Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You
• Encounter Party

Products I Use for 5 Random Questions

Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link.

My equipment:

• RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
• Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
• Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
• Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

• Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization
• Kit email marketing
• Boomcaster remote recording and live streaming
• Hindenburg Pro recording and editing
• Auphonic AI assistant for audio post production
• Fourthwall merch stores for creators

If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favourite podcast app!

Please let your friends know they can listen for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, as well as their preferred podcast app, or online at 5 Random Questions.

Winner of the Best Interview Podcast at the 2025 Ear Worthy Podcast Awards.

5 Random Questions is part of the Mercury Podcast Network - for more Mercury podcasts, head to www.mercurypodcasts.com.

All questions provided by ConversationStarters.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out Dad's Bedtime Stories for Kids Podcast

Kids won’t sleep? Want some time to yourself? This is how to make it happen! In Dad's Bedtime Stories for Kids, host Martin Gage narrates bedtime stories designed to give your child a simple, but somewhat interesting story to listen to, and are first person stories so kids can imagine themselves in the character’s shoes. Each episode is a 10-15 minute story followed by white noise to drown out distractions. The character always ends up back in bed, doing a short mindful relaxation exercise to help them off to sleep (if they aren’t there already). Get those kids to sleep!

Dad's Bedtime Stories

Join the 5 Random Questions Patreon

Want 5 Random Questions without the ads and before anyone else hears it? Become a Question Starter on Patreon and get ad-free, early access episodes - plus a sticker, because everyone loves stickers. Or level up to Question Master and unlock bonus content, producer credit in the show notes, and all the other perks. Check it out at patreon.com/5rq and join the curious crew.

5 Random Questions on Patreon