How To Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black

Amazing people are all around us.  In this new, in-depth interview show from PRX, Michael Ian Black takes us into the minds of some of the most fascinating celebrities, newsmakers and maybe even a few people you’ve …

The best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love (among many other great works) Elizabeth Gilbert talks to Michael about creative process – her own and others who have inspired her in this interview that covers some big …

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the the Tony Award winning-lyricist who’s musical In the Heights catapulted him on the Broadway scene at a very young age and is …

Michael meets Tavi Gevinson, who while still a teen, now oversees a staff of fifty people at her magazine Rookie which grew out of her popular …

Actor, comedian and author Bob Odenkirk talks about his professional journey starting as a brash young writer for Saturday Night Live, to working as …

Michael takes us into the world of the fascinating, profane, indie movie director, Kevin Smith, who helped change the world of movie-making with his first film, Clerks.  For anyone who has had a dream and failed.  And …

Michael sits down with his friend and fellow comedian, Amy Schumer to discuss her years trying to make it in stand-up, how she made her hit Comedy Central show Inside Amy Schumer, and her upcoming film with Judd Apatow,

Operatic tenor, Carl Tanner, spent years hiding from his voice, first as a truck driver and then a bounty hunter until he finally decided to put the guns down and pursue his incredible talent.  Today he sings on the …

In this episode, Michael takes listeners into the world of the theoretical physicist and string theorist, Brian Greene, who has the unusual gift for …

Award-winning filmmaker, writer and multimedia artist, Miranda July seems to have dreams of conquering the world. Unlike most of us, she has wicked …

In this episode, Michael hears about the fascinating life of Frank Rich whose career includes stints as the Chief Theater Critic for The New York …

In this episode, Michael talks with Nate Silver, the founder and editor-in-chief of FiveThirtyEight.com, who is a statistical celebrity.  His take on data is not only accessible and fascinating to those of us who …

After barely paying her rent for years trying to make it as an actress, Megan Mullally hit the big time playing the wealthy, alcoholic socialite …

King of the nerds, Chris Hardwick, sits down with Michael to discuss how he figured it all out.  The talk show host and CEO of Nerdist Industries got his start on the MTV game show Singled Out. After several years of …

Superstar chef Tom Colicchio went from flipping grilled cheese in his bare feet at a concession stand to overseeing a restaurant empire.  When he’s …

In this episode, Michael chats with A.D. Miles about his journey from prop stylist to his current job as head writer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.  The Wet, Hot American Summer co-stars discuss everything …

Ingrid Michaelson is the best-selling recording artist of such hits as “Girls Chase Boys” and “The Way I Am.”  While her voice certainly qualifies …

In the late 80’s and 90’s Bobcat Goldthwait was one of the biggest comedians in the US.  His trademark voice and sharp black comedy led him to …

In his early 20’s Alexis Ohanian and his partner Steve Huffman started the popular social media site Reddit.com which made him a millionaire after …

Beloved author David Sedaris became a household name in his mid-thirties when he performed his iconic holiday story “SantaLand Diaries” on public …

In Part 2 of Michael’s interview with David Sedaris, they talk about growing up Sedaris and how his relationship with his father motivated him to be the writer he is today.

When Felicia Day moved to Hollywood after being a musical and math prodigy in college, she expected that being an actress would be as easy.  She was …

Baratunde Thurston grew up in a poor, drug plagued neighborhood in D.C. then spent years in the elite private school Sidwell Friends before being …

After years of covering wars oversee, it was reading the news on Good Morning America that nearly did in newsman Dan Harris after he suffered a major panic attack live on air.  His nationally televised wake-up call …

Naomi Klein is an award-winning journalist, syndicated columnist and author of the international bestsellers, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of …

Actor and playwright John Leguizamo has become famous for being an open book, which is apparent in his critically acclaimed one-man shows that chronicle his life from troublemaker to film star. In his conversation with …

Chuck Klosterman is best known for his wildly popular books on music and pop cultural including the mega hits “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs: A Low …

The record-breaking, six-time Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald went from a hyper-active kid performing in the local dinner theater to Broadway mega-star. In this episode, Michael chats with her about failed …

In his early years as a comedian, Jim Gaffigan struggled to find his own comedic point of view.  It took him years to figure out that his best work meant being comfortable as his clean self and having faith that funny …

Suzy Favor-Hamilton was propelled into the spotlight at a young age as a talented middle distance runner. She went on to become a three-time Olympian.  But as her running career came to an end, she experienced extreme …

When you grow up the only child of two very famous parents, most people don’t expect much from you, but Max Brooks wanted to prove to himself that he was more than just “Mel Brook’s kid.”  After trying his hand at …

On this episode, Michael goes deep with Krista Tippett. Tippett has devoted her professional life to asking the big questions on her show, On Being. …

Bryan Doerries is possibly the least likely defense contractor who has ever existed (background in the classics, and the kid of psychologists), but …

America’s leading sex advice columnist known for his popular Savage Love column and podcast talks to Michael about how growing up a closeted gay …

The lead singer, co-producer and co-writer of the Scottish pop band Chvrches talks to Michael about her journey from being a law school student and …

Wayne Pacelle took his childhood love of animals and made a career, you might even call it a crusade, helping them.  As the President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, Pacelle has learned to be a …

Michael sits down with his friend and fellow member of the comedy troupes The State and Stella for a lively, hilarious and moving conversation about finding your voice in the entertainment industry. The two reminisce …

As a spy, Valerie Plame’s job was for nobody to know her identity.  All that changed when members of George W. Bush’s administration outed her to a reporter in retaliation for her husband public criticism of the Bush …

The fashion therapist and Project Runway mentor chats with Michael about his journey from an art student to one of the most trusted names in the fashion world. In this deeply personal and heartfelt conversation Gunn …

Best-selling author Harlan Coben has sold over 60 million books in 43 different languages.  In this episode he talks to Michael in a remarkably …

Legendary magician and raconteur Penn Jillette has a keen eye for calling out the bullshit around him, but it took a dangerous health scare for him …

On this episode, Michael talks with Sonia Manzano on the heels of her recent Lifetime Achievement Emmy.  Manzano is best known as “Maria” on Sesame Street, a character she played for 44 years. In the humorous and …

When Michael spoke to Five Thirty Eight’s founder Nate Silver, he highly recommended Daniel Kahneman’s groundbreaking book Thinking Fast and Slow. Now, Michael talks to Kahneman, the Nobel Prize-winning author and …

America’s favorite weatherman talks to Michael about how he stumbled upon what became the career that he loves and would never give up, along with a …

The UK creator, writer and star of such BBC hits as Pulling and the current Catastrophe (also seen on Amazon) talks to Michael about realizing that …

Michael sits down with the investigative journalist and bestselling author of Grunt, Stiff and Bonk for a humorous and insightful conversation about …

From NPR intern to the creator, host, and Executive Producer of This American Life, one of the most popular shows on public radio, Ira Glass talks …

In this wide ranging conversation, the world famous astrophysicist, Director of the Hayden Planetarium, television host, author and all around badass talks to Michael about how his early years opened his mind to the …

The bestselling author of The Blind Side, The Big Short, Moneyball and his newest, The Undoing Project, is known to be a master storyteller. He proves no different in this interview as he tells great stories about his …

Michael sits down with the charming author, host of Watch What Happens: Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives for a lively discussion …

In this illuminating interview, Michael speaks to the millennial founder of MuslimGirl.net, the number one online publication for Muslim women in the United States, and the author of the new memoir, Muslim Girl, about …

The YouTube star and bestselling author discusses how she stumbled into her successful career making funny videos watched by millions of viewers …

Following a heartfelt conversation with Michael Showalter, Michael talks with the third member of his iconic group Stella for an equally memorable …

Michael sits down with Deborah Berke, the first female dean at the Yale School of Architecture and founder of one of Architectural Digest’s top 100 …

In one of our funniest interviews to date, Michael sits down with Daniel Handler, whose books have sold over 60 million books worldwide under the …

At the age of 17 a shy young man walked onto a stage to sing with Celine Dion and a star was born.  In the almost 20 years since that moment, Josh Groban has gone on to sell over 25 million records and tour giant arenas …

Judd Apatow is one of the most important influencers of comedy today. In this jam-packed episode, the writer, director and producer of such blockbusters as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and This Is 40 traces the …

Michael sits down with one of the world’s best known poker players to discuss her big wins and losses both at the table and in life, as well as her struggles being a woman in a male dominated profession. Of equal …

Dr. Charles Limb has married his passion for music with his day job as a surgeon and neuroscientist and is studying the science of creativity. In his research Limb has started gathering some tantalizing clues about the …

The comedian, writer and host of the hit CNN docu-series United Shades of America has an often hilarious, frequently serious conversation with Michael about his years determined to break into comedy, what he needed to …

The Senator from the great state of Minnesota discusses his new memoir, Al Franken, Giant of the Senate, which traces his unlikely path from a 30 year career as a comedian, writing and starring at Saturday Night Live, …

The man who ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, among many other incredible feats, Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. In this inspiring conversation he tells Michael how he …

One of pop music’s biggest stars – over the last ten years, she’s had 9 #1 hits, sold millions of albums, racked up billions of video views, and is …

The political satirist traces his route from failed sitcom writer to creating and writing the popular New Yorker column, The Borowitz Report, where …

In a must listen episode for any person who loves to read, the editor of The New York Times Book Review is talking with Michael about writing, criticism and most of all, reading.  Her new book, the memoir My Life with …

The president of Planned Parenthood talks to Michael about how she got started in activism and organizing and what it was like growing up in conservative Texas as the daughter of two outspoken liberals. She also delves …

Doug Stanhope is considered the comedian’s comedian for his precise writing and insightful, often cynical, and controversial social and political …

In 1978, Ina Garten took a huge risk and left her job as a budget analyst in the White House to pursue her dream working with food. She packed her bags, moved to the Hamptons, bought a specialty food store and "The …

Widely recognized as one of America’s best actresses, the Emmy Award-winning star of Rosanne delves into a fascinating conversation about her genuine passion for the stage, creating characters and bringing a script to …

Michael talks social justice and activism with the former teacher and current civil rights activist and organizer who has become among the best-known faces and voices and vests of the Black Lives Matter movement.  He’s …

The former Saturday Night Live cast member talks family life, creating celebrity impressions, and the day he learned his contract wasn’t being renewed.  Killamopens up about his life after leaving the iconic sketch show …

**The effortlessly cool author/poet and Michael have a candid, fascinating, emotionally raw discussion ranging from Eileen’s life growing up in a …

In her podcast debut, the Charmed actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur opens up about the up and downs of navigating Hollywood after growing up …

In a conversation Michael said he could have continued all day, he talks to the delightful American author and media commentator on terrorism, …

The outspoken comedian, activist, and actress sits down with Michael for an honest and thought-provoking episode, which dives into topics ranging from her history with addiction, sexual abuse and racism to lighter …

Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, the two founding members of the band The Lumineers, talk about their years hustling to make it as a band and …

What is God? What is faith? In this thought-provoking episode, Michael and one of today’s most renown religious thinkers and authors tackle some of the big questions and make us look hard at our own beliefs. Reza Aslan …

Widely recognized as one of the greatest mandolinists of all-time (which he amply demonstrated when he offered to play in studio), Chris Thile joins …

In 2012, comedian Tig Notaro’s stand-up set, in which she boldly began with the line “Hello. Good evening. I have Cancer,” catapulted her into the …

The pundit, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, and author of several books, including the new bestseller Trumpocracy, discusses how he came to be a prominent voice for the conservative movement after …

In this heartbreaking yet hopeful episode, the author of the stunning new memoir Educated, opens up about growing up in a family of radical Mormon …

One of the best Alaskan alpinists of his generation and most prolific American climbing authors with over 28 books to his name, David Roberts …

The opera superstar, and “People’s Diva,” discusses how her constant need to learn and challenge herself has taken her from the biggest opera houses …

The charming and hilarious illustrator, author, and designer Maira Kalman sits down for an inspiring conversation about how she follows her curiosity …

One of the greatest theater directors of all time, the gregarious and razor-sharp George C. Wolfe joins Michael in an in-depth and moving …

For more than thirty years, writer, producer, and director Nell Scovell worked behind the scenes of iconic TV shows such as Murphy Brown, The Simpsons, and Coach. In this lively and timely interview, she shares stories …

The author of many bestselling books about food including, among others, The Omnivore's Dilemma and* In Defense Of Food hasturned his attention to a new kind of consumption - psychedelic drugs. In this fun and …

This is probably a terrible idea.” So begins the new podcast, “Obscure,” where comedian, actor, and writer Michael Ian Back reads the Thomas Hardy classic,Jude the Obscure,out loud and comments on it as he goes. Why is …

The multi-talented actor, comedian, writer, and director sits down with Michael to discuss his journey from his first stand up performance as a …

The Food Network star, bestselling cookbook author and now restaurateur tells Michael how her success all grew organically from her passion for cooking and not from a great ambition to be famous. But famous she is, and …

One of President Obama’s longest-serving staffers, first as Communications Director then as Senior Advisor, and present co-host of the wildly popular …

The co-founder and president of ROC, Restaurant Opportunities Center United, Saru Jayaraman has devoted her career to improving the lives of restaurant workers. Her activism through legislation, initiatives, and …

The author of 13 books about evolution, neuroscience, biology, and most recently heredity, as well as the weekly “Matter” science column in the New …

In a very funny, touching, and creatively inspiring interview, the filmmakers discuss their incredibly close brotherly bond, how they never doubted …

The former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama and leader of the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund talks about her time at the White House and her childhood growing up in 1960s Ohio as the daughter of Chinese …

As president of his college group "Uncomfortable Learning," Zachary R. Wood attempted to bridge the gap between dissenting views by inviting …

In 2007, Hank Green along with his brother John, tried a Youtube experiment - for an entire year they made a video a day together - which they thought was a dumb idea. To their surprise, these videos quickly led to …

The delightful and hilarious Irish-born comedian and writer sits down with Michael to discuss her passion for using her comedic voice to start …

Michael sits down with friend and fellow member of The State for a nostalgic, hilarious, and honest conversation about their time together in the iconic sketch group. For more than a decade after the tv show ended, the …

She’s one of this generation’s pre-eminent photojournalists, who covers wars and conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Darfur, among others; during which she’s been kidnapped twice. In this riveting conversation, the …

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, and filmmaker Jose Antonio Vargas, called “the most famous undocumented immigrant in America,” shares his story of …

For our 100th episode, Michael turns the tables on "the greatest interviewer of our time," a guest who we've had at the top of our wish list since the beginning. Terry Gross is the iconic host of the public radio show* …

Best known as the host of Emmy Award-winning show Bill Nye the Science Guy, and current host of the Netflix show *Bill Nye Saves the World, *he has been the public face of science and discovery for more than twenty …

Despite having endured a terrible year in the aftermath of her Trump photo controversy, the hilarious comedian kept everyone in the studio laughing. Kathy Griffin is without a doubt a survivor. She talks to Michael …

A short message from host Michael Ian Black.