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Artwork for Fail Better

Fail Better with David Duchovny

Lemonada Media
Failure
Parenting
Mental Health
Donald Trump
Acting
Hollywood
Creativity
David Duchovny
Bones
Addiction
The X-Files
Family Dynamics
Success
Perfectionism
Mary Trump
Psychology
Fatherhood
Comedy
Lemonada Media
Amanda Knox

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

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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Fail Better

Latest Episodes

New series sneak peek! No Magic Pill is hosted by TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, who fell apart after building and selling one of the most recognized brands on the planet. After a years-long journey through every therapy and treatment imaginable,... more

This episode originally aired July 22, 2025

The spotlight has certainly taken its toll on Robert Downey Jr. over the years. But much like his beloved MCU character Tony Stark, there's an undeniably powerful force inside Robert that keeps him pushin... more

This episode originally aired June 3, 2025

The X-Files was always about turning something mysterious and untraceable into something known — so what better time to capture the elusive podcast interview on camera? That’s right: Fail Better is now on ... more

This episode originally aired November 19, 2024

It was a real magic moment to connect with Aimee Mann, a musician I’ve listened to for decades. She indulges my curiosities about lyric choices and instrumental training, and I learn how much goes on ... more

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Recent Guests

Matthew McConaughey
Guest co-host? actually interviewee in this episode
Actor, author, and public figure
Episode: TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie Tells Matthew McConaughey How Success Broke Him
Robert Downey Jr.
Award-winning actor and subject of the episode
Actor, Downey Jr. Productions
Episode: Fail Again: The Family Business with Robert Downey Jr.
Chris Carter
TV and film writer, producer, director; creator of The X-Files
X-Files / Millennium
Episode: Fail Again: Chris Carter Wants You To Believe
Aimee Mann
Musician and songwriter
Episode: Fail Again: Aimee Mann Is In My Pantheon
Jason Beghe
Actor known for his role as Hank Voight in Chicago PD
NBC
Episode: Fail Again: Roads Taken and Not Taken with Jason Beghe
John Seabrook
Staff writer for The New Yorker and author of several books, including The Spinach King.
The New Yorker
Episode: John Seabrook’s Family Was the Vegetable Version of ‘Succession’
Peter Weller
Professor, art historian, and actor, known for his role in Robocop and his contributions to jazz and academia
Episode: The Many Lives of Peter Weller
Megan McArdle
Columnist for The Washington Post, author of 'The Up Side of Down'
The Washington Post
Episode: How Megan McArdle Became a Liberal-tarian
Jia Tolentino
Author and staff writer at The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: Waxing Poetic with Jia Tolentino (Live at Strand)

Host

David Duchovny
Host of Fail Better with David Duchovny; long-running interviewer known for thoughtful, empathetic conversations.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Lemonada overreach

    I love fail better and felt duped when Lemonada decided to take this weeks episode and just replace it quietly with another podcast launching. This is wrong. This is misrepresentation and its annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Movie Reviews mom
    United States18 days ago
  • End the show if it’s done

    Lemonada, we get that you need the ad money. But for the love of everything, just tell us if these podcasts are over instead of re-running all the conversations over and over. This isn’t the first time either. David was a surprisingly great interviewer, but I’m shocked to see him lend his name to this if it’s all re-runs now. Glad I never bought premium if this is Lemonada’s business model. If you head over to Alive with Steve, it looks like that one’s already done, too.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Homer2013
    United States2 months ago
  • Rethinking failure.

    So much here in these podcasts - thank you! … The range of life experience and conversational meandering that brings out reflection …. I especially loved Gabor Matte, Alec Baldwin, Mary Trump and many more… I have listened to just about everyone from Ben Stiller (the first and second time). It’s funny what life throws us - and what we do with those perceived foul balls and falls.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LTRhodes
    United States5 months ago
  • he's baccckkk

    Podcast Addict
    5
    jamiemcgaughey1981
    6 months ago
  • 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
    Denmark9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel episodes are too celebrity-focused or promotional at times.
Quality depends on interview pacing and the host's ability to guide conversations.
Audience appreciates diverse guests and candid discussions about failure and resilience.
Listeners praise the thoughtful, intimate interview style and the depth guests bring.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fail Again: The Family Business with Robert Downey Jr.
Q: How long did the screen test for Iron Man take, and what powered the breakthrough?
The process stretched over months of preparation, training, and unwavering belief, supported by prior onscreen success with Disney that validated him as hireable and capable of carrying a blockbuster franchise.
Fail Again: The Family Business with Robert Downey Jr.
Q: Will you direct again after Sr.?
Robert explains that the next steps involve building a trusted creative team and confirming his readiness to take on directing duties, while weighing the responsibilities of leadership with the momentum of ongoing acting projects.
Fail Again: The Family Business with Robert Downey Jr.
Q: How long was that preparation process for the major screen tests and roles?
It took months of hard work, off-book practice, and iterative study, with moments of intense focus followed by periods of reflection and adjustment, all culminating in the opportunity to prove himself for significant roles.
Fail Again: Aimee Mann Is In My Pantheon
Q: How has your relationship with inspiration evolved over time?
It shifted from a mystic notion of inspiration to a practical process where starting and continuing to work unlocks progress, making setbacks a normal part of building craft.
Fail Again: Kathleen Hanna’s Music is Her Message
Q: How do you approach the making of a song and gauging the success and failure of that delivery system?
Hanna explains her perspective on traditional versus personal success, emphasizing moments of connection with fans as her true measure of success, rather than commercial accolades.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fail Better

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

A thoughtful, conversation-driven show that centers on failure as a path to growth, hosted by a polished interviewer who engages high-profile guests from entertainment, music, and writing. Across episodes, listeners encounter candid takes on ambition, resilience, and the tradeoffs of success, often with practical mindset tips, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and a focus on authentic human connections. Noteworthy is the willingness to mix celebrity stories with philosophical and personal reflections, making episodes feel intimate rather than promotional. It's likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy reflective, life-lesson conversations with famous guests and a humane, curious host who guides the dialogue with empathy and curiosity.

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How many episodes of Fail Better are there?

Fail Better launched 2 years ago and published 169 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. Matthew McConaughey
2. Robert Downey Jr.
3. Chris Carter
4. Aimee Mann
5. Jason Beghe
6. John Seabrook
7. Peter Weller
8. Megan McArdle

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