Shad - "Commit to the thing"

Claudia Dey - "Think Long and Write Fast"

Claudia Dey is an internationally acclaimed author ("Daughter", "Heartbreaker", "Stunt") and fashion designer (HORSES Atelier) from Toronto, Canada. Her novels are insightful, wondrous worlds where form dissolves and visceral incantations emerge. Among other things, Dan and Claudia chat about "farm breasts", being in the moment vs. capturing the moment, the "monkish" discipline required to create great work, how being on the internet is like eating microwaved bacon, and putting your ass in the chair. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Animal Poem" by Anna Tivel.

Sarah Desjardins - "Softly, Softly"

You know her from Yellow Jackets and Tron: Ares, it's Vancouver's own Sarah Desjardins! Among other things, Dan and Sarah chat about overthinking the creative process, accidentally exposing kids to R rated movies over your shoulder on a plane, panic attacks, tarot card readings, and how in order to be happy, you have to be willing to be a bit cringey. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Unsolicited Advice" by Charles Spearin.

Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene) - "Follow Back"

Dan discusses crappy bosses, privilege, the music industry and "aboutism" with Kevin Drew, frontman to the iconic genre-busting indie rock ensemble Broken Social Scene. Among other things, they chat about Ennio Morricone's film scores, how naivety can be a superpower in creative settings, how social media has removed mystery from music discovery, the origins and popular rise of Broken Social Scene, and how Dan got signed to Kevin's label Arts & Crafts despite Kevin not liking his music. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "You Don't Wanna Leave It Alone" by J.E. Sunde.

Lauren Lapkus - "Bulsh Detector"

Dan discusses basketball trick shots, auditioning from home, AI art, and the healing power of laughing with improv dynamo Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is The New Black, Big Bang Theory, & The Wrong Missy). Among other things, they chat about her first real acting gig in an improv sketch with Ryan Reynolds, how actors can never know which of their projects might blow up, allowing your current self the same grace you might give your younger self in retrospect, how pointing out fascism in society doesn't matter to the half of us who welcome it, how AI ubiquitousness might bring a new premium to live performances, and how awkward it is when you have something to say in a conversation but the moment passes you by. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Select All Delete" by John K Samson.

Tony Hale - "Bring Two Crutches"

Dan discusses contentment, anxiety, careers and faith with dramatic/comedic genius Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep, Toy Story 4). Among other things, they chat about Tony moving to New York not knowing a single New Yorker, the miracle that 2.5 seasons of Arrested Development got made, using faith as a crutch, how regular people can be more "known" than celebrities, the invention of the "stoncert", aging gracefully in Hollywood, how seeing your own emotions articulated in art is akin to cultural representation, and how if you can't practice contentment now, you won't be content when you get what you want. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Change My Shape" by Sam Tudor.