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Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Higher Ground
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominations
Film Industry
Oppenheimer
Barbie
Diversity In Film
Criticism
Poor Things
Killers Of the Flower Moon
Cultural Representation
Benny Safdie
Media Landscape
The Curse
Willem Dafoe
Maestro
The Wooster Group
Leonard Bernstein
Good Grief
Grief
Abbott Elementary

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a weekly series of intimate conversations with artists, activists, and politicians. Where people sound like people. Hosted by Sam Fragoso. New episodes every Sunday.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes535Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Talk Easy

Latest Episodes

To celebrate Oscar Sunday, we return to our talk with writer-director Joachim Trier!

We begin with guiding words from writer Philip Roth (7:20), how Trier arrived at his intimate new film Sentimental Value (8:40), and why he was drawn to father-daug... more

Rose Byrne has taken many forms on-screen. In Mary Bronstein’s film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, she delivers a career-defining performance as a Long Island therapist and mother slowly unraveling under the weight of her child’s mysterious illness.

Wa... more

When it comes to the theatrical experience, director Ryan Coogler is in rarified air these days. From Creed to Black Panther to Wakanda Forever, his movies arrive as seismic commercial and cultural events. His latest, Sinners, was no exception when i... more

Journalist and author Jacob Soboroff (MS Now) has spent the better part of a decade reporting from inside America’s fractured immigration system. He joins us this week, fresh off the plane from Minneapolis, where he’s been on the ground covering the ... more

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Recent Guests

Ryan Coogler
Oscar-nominated film director
Proximity Media
Episode: Ryan Coogler Made the Movie of the Year. Now He’s Making Oscars History.
Jacob Soboroff
Senior political and national reporter for MS Now and author of the book Firestorm
MS Now, Author
Episode: State of the Union with Journalist Jacob Soboroff
Anderson .Paak
Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, and director
Episode: The Makings of Musician Anderson .Paak
George Saunders
Acclaimed author and professor, known for his short stories and novels exploring human nature and societal issues.
Syracuse University
Episode: This Is America with George Saunders
Will Arnett
Actor, writer, and co-host of the podcast SmartLess
Episode: Is Will Arnett Nailing This Interview?
Patti Smith
Acclaimed musician, poet, and writer, known as the godmother of punk.
Episode: This is Patti Smith
Gwyneth Paltrow
Actor and entrepreneur known for her diverse film career and CEO of Goop
Goop
Episode: The Return of Gwyneth Paltrow (‘Marty Supreme’)
Viola Davis
Acclaimed actress and producer, known for her roles in 'Fences,' 'How to Get Away with Murder,' and 'The Woman King.'
Episode: Viola Davis: What If We’re Enough?
Robby Hoffman
Comedian known for her Netflix special 'Wake Up' and roles in 'Hacks' and 'Dying for Sex'.
Netflix
Episode: Is Comedian Robby Hoffman the Last American Dream?

Host

Sam Fragoso
Host of intimate interviews with artists, activists, and politicians.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • Patti Smith

    Remarkable Talkstory with Patti Smith. I find peace in her voice and words. thankyou Sam and Patti for all The Work clare

    And George

    And Sam

    this discussion asks for very close attention.. thankyou.

    Your delicious friendship is the icing on so many difficult current truths.

    Let there be Light

    ClareL

    Thankyou again Sam

    and Jacob. Deep honest talk here.

    Stay safe in the field Jacob , your work must continue.

    Viva BadBunny-clare

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clare RL
    United States24 days ago
  • George Saunders

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard an interviewer and interviewee so thoroughly enjoy a conversation together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ConchisErin
    United Statesa month ago
  • It doesn’t matter who is talking

    With so many options, even an avid podcast listener can be particular about what and who to listen to. But with Sam (Can I call you Sam? I feel at this point that I know you well enough that we can be casual.) it doesn’t matter who the guest is. By the end of each program, I’ve learned something and received an understanding that moves far beyond the expected insights. Truly good interviewers are rare. Sam’s approach finds the heart of every guest, and lays it bare in the nicest possible way. It... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maria M-P
    United Statesa month ago
  • Long chats that can fall into gushing

    I enjoyed some of the early interviews. Well researched, insightful and open. But now the podcast has turned into Sam gushing with earnest statements, implying that the person is saving the world one movie or sitcom at a time, with their incredible performances. Ho hum. I end up deleting a quarter of the way into the podcast out of both boredom and incredulity.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    4589jen
    Australiaa month ago
  • Late to the game

    I am so happy to have come across this podcast. It’s so easy to feed myself outrage and upset via pods. This one, with Sam’s syrupy voice, respect for his guests and deep curiosity is a pleasure and always a learning experience. More, please. Happily binging away and just listened to Tom Hanks and Zadie Smith with nothing but pleasure.

    And one more thing…I could listen to the intro music on repeat all day every day! The cascading, delicious piano and the utterly satisfying bass drop. Heaven

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rwf333
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the host's thorough preparation and thoughtful questioning, noting the conversations often reveal new insights about guests and their work.
Many reviews highlight the long-form, intimate feel and the depth of interviews, with guests often expressing appreciation for the respectful and curious approach.
Some listeners describe the show as deeply engaging and emotionally resonant, though a few critiques mention pacing or tonal shifts in certain episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ryan Coogler Made the Movie of the Year. Now He’s Making Oscars History.
Q: Why was it important to tell Oscar Grant's story when you did, at a young age?
Because filmmaking is expensive and high-risk when you're inexperienced, so telling Oscar Grant's story early provided a powerful, urgent reason to tell the truth through cinema and to address timely social issues with authenticity.
Ryan Coogler Made the Movie of the Year. Now He’s Making Oscars History.
Q: What happened at 17 that redirected your path toward filmmaking?
A pivotal classroom moment where a teacher encouraged Coogler to pursue writing and filmmaking, recognizing his potential and pointing him toward Hollywood as a path, which shifted his trajectory from chemistry to storytelling.
The Makings of Musician Anderson .Paak
Q: How does one manage that on tour? Are you doing like IV drips? What's going on?
Anderson discusses his balance of partying and working hard, taking vitamins, and maintaining a routine to stay healthy while touring.
The Makings of Musician Anderson .Paak
Q: What was the music around your house?
Anderson .Paak reflects on the variety of music he grew up listening to, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Snoop Dogg, and Nirvana.
This Is America with George Saunders
Q: What are you trying to understand in interrogating this person?
Saunders aims to create a glittery surface in his narrative that captivates readers, regardless of the heavy topics.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Talk Easy

What is Talk Easy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-form, deeply researched conversations with artists, writers, filmmakers, and thought leaders. Each episode centers on personal journeys, creative process, and the social or cultural impact of their work, often weaving in public discourse, industry dynamics, and broader societal themes. The format favors intimate, unhurried dialogue that reveals both the craft and humanity behind notable projects, from cinema and literature to journalism and music. A standout trait is the host's preparation and ability to connect diverse guests through thoughtful, respectful inquiry, yielding revelations that feel both specific to the guest and resonant for a wide audience. This makes for a compelling listen for anyone interested in creativity, culture,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talk Easy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talk Easy:

1. Fresh Air
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
4. The Interview
5. Wild Card with Rachel Martin

How many episodes of Talk Easy are there?

Talk Easy launched 10 years ago and published 535 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talk Easy?

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What guests have appeared on Talk Easy?

Recent guests on Talk Easy include:

1. Ryan Coogler
2. Jacob Soboroff
3. Anderson .Paak
4. George Saunders
5. Will Arnett
6. Patti Smith
7. Gwyneth Paltrow
8. Viola Davis

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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