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Artwork for Fail Better

Fail Better with David Duchovny

Lemonada Media
Failure
Addiction
Bette Midler
Parenting
Fear Of Failure
The Myth Of Normal
Perfectionism
Success
Brad Gilbert
Comedy
Creativity
Personal Growth
Trauma
Tennis
Freakonomics Radio
Mental Health
Emotional Health
Coco Gauff
Sociopathy
Tony Hawk

To be human is to fail – period. And not just to fail once, but to fail a lot. As the author Samuel Beckett said: “Fail again. Fail better.” This saying means a lot to me and my family – so much so that my daughter got a tattoo of it. Why are we, and so many others, so deeply concerned by failure? And if it’s something we all do so often, why are we so afraid of it – especially those of us here in... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes132Foundeda year ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Fail Better

Latest Episodes

Steve Burns is best known for being the host of a beloved 90s children’s show, Blue’s Clues, so I didn’t expect this interview to be about Samuel Beckett. But it turns out that Steve and I share a deep admiration for the writer, as well as a lot of o... more

A decade ago, the actor Tom Pelphrey couldn’t have imagined the shape his life would take today: a father to a two-year-old daughter, starring in the new HBO series Task alongside Mark Ruffalo, and engaged to actress Kaley Cuoco. He was gripped by al... more

If Gene Simmons’ hard exterior scared you off, it did its job. As a founding member of the band KISS, Gene has spent decades putting on what he calls a persona, and today it comes off — at least a little. We talk about Gene’s journey, including being... more

Hey, Fail Better listeners — here’s a great show I think you should know about: Legacy Talk, hosted by the Emmy-winning writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe. It’s a part of the Lemonada network, and it’s kicking off a second season of incredible e... more

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Recent Guests

Tom Pelphrey
Actor best known for his work on Ozark and HBO's Task.
Episode: Tom Pelphrey Wouldn’t Change a Day
Amanda Knox
An author and public speaker known for her wrongful conviction in a high-profile murder case.
Episode: Amanda Knox’s Story Isn’t Over
Christopher Robinson
Co-host of the podcast 'Hard Knocks' alongside Amanda Knox.
Episode: Amanda Knox’s Story Isn’t Over
Terry Real
Internationally recognized love and family therapist
Episode: The Pitfalls of Manhood with Terry Real
Melissa Febos
Author whose writing explores identity, trauma, addiction, and sexuality.
University of Iowa
Episode: An Hour with Melissa Febos About a Year Without Sex
Jess Walter
Author known for novels including 'Beautiful Ruins' and 'So Far Gone'
Episode: Jess Walter Can Hoop (and Write)
Jake Clark
U.S. Army veteran and founder of Save a Warrior
Save a Warrior
Episode: What Jake Clark Wants You To Know About Trauma
Emily Deschanel
An actor known for her role as Dr. Temperance Brennan on Bones.
Co-host of the rewatch podcast Boneheads
Episode: A Forensic Analysis with Emily Deschanel
Marilyn Koolstra
Wife of Eric Robinson and a passionate hiker who shares her perspective on his disappearance.
Episode: Check It Out: The Disappearance of Eric Robinson (Uinta Triangle)

Host

David Duchovny
Host known for engaging conversations that intertwine personal experiences with broader themes of failure and growth, drawing on his background in acting and writing.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • David Duchovny and Samuel Beckett

    How about making an instalment on your Samuel Beckett paper? I think lots of people would appreciate that. 🧌🏝️🧌

    Thank you 🙏 😅

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grovsmeden
    Denmark16 days ago
  • So reflective!

    I grew up a super fan of the X-Files, so of course I was a fan of the actor David Duchovny, but now I love him as a human. He is so emotionally intelligent and reflective. I am these things as well, so it’s nice to find an interviewer who resonates. His nature leads to the sort of questions nobody ever asks in interviews and I find myself deeply interested in answers to questions I’d never thought to wonder. Makes me feel good.

    P.S. Gates McFadden does this as well in her podcast if you wer... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mindy_sue
    United States21 days ago
  • Nice listen

    I wasn’t expecting Duchovny to be such a good interviewer but he makes these conversations thoughtful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ricky R Richard
    United Statesa month ago
  • Inspiring

    While the recognizable names may draw you to this podcast, it is its substance that will get you hooked. Honest, thought provoking and real. You will find yourself identifying with the fragility of life that unites all humans.

    Even more so, you will come to embrace the failures that are truly our triumphs.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diane S W
    United States2 months ago
  • Different from the rest!

    This is a great listen, one of my favorite podcasts. Always unexpected and always empathetic, thoughtful and brilliant!

    Every episode is a learning experience and

    I just love learning new things anywhere

    I can find them!!

    Thank You for all your hard work making a podcast a cut above

    the rest!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Augustkack
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many praise the diversity of guests and the depth of discussions, emphasizing David Duchovny's interview style as engaging and warm.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and introspective nature of the conversations, often finding them relatable and inspiring.
Overall, there's a strong sentiment of appreciation for the podcast's purpose in normalizing discussions about failure.
Some feedback is mixed, with suggestions for improved guidance in conversations to maintain focus on central themes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Amanda Knox’s Story Isn’t Over
Q: Why are you doing this?
Amanda explains her need to understand her past and confront Giuliano Magnini, the prosecutor, as a journey to reclaim her agency and promote healing.
The Pitfalls of Manhood with Terry Real
Q: Can you explain the difference between gratification and relational joy?
Real explains that gratification is a short-term pleasure while relational joy is a deeper connection and pleasure derived from meaningful relationships.
The Pitfalls of Manhood with Terry Real
Q: What do you think led to your shift from working with individuals to couples therapy?
Real realized that the core issue for many men is a lack of relationship, which prompted him to work on building relational skills within couples.
The Pitfalls of Manhood with Terry Real
Q: How did you come to this crossroads, that you came to this kind of moment of looking in the mirror?
Terry Real shares that his understanding of masculine power comes from his abusive father and his own struggles to redefine what healthy power looks like.
Jess Walter Can Hoop (and Write)
Q: So what feels like failure to you?
Walter mentions that while film adaptations can feel speculative and often result in a collaborative process that is less within his control, he finds comfort in focusing on his novels where he can determine the outcome more directly.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Fail Better

What is Fail Better about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the complexities of failure, this podcast features insightful conversations with a diverse array of successful individuals from various fields. Each episode emphasizes the notion that failure is an integral part of the human experience and encourages listeners to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. Notable guests have included actors, authors, and industry leaders, all sharing personal anecdotes and unique perspectives on navigating life's challenges. The conversations often probe the cultural stigma surrounding failure, particularly in a competitive society, providing listeners with relatable narratives and the reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles.

With its blend of humor and candor, the podcast invit... more

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How many episodes of Fail Better are there?

Fail Better launched a year ago and published 132 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Fail Better?

Recent guests on Fail Better include:

1. Tom Pelphrey
2. Amanda Knox
3. Christopher Robinson
4. Terry Real
5. Melissa Febos
6. Jess Walter
7. Jake Clark
8. Emily Deschanel

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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