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Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

Higher Ground
Hollywood
Donald Trump
Comedy
Film Industry
Artificial Intelligence
Family Dynamics
Mental Health
Oppenheimer
Acting
Grief
Motherhood
David Remnick
Joe Biden
Journalism
Sentimental Value
Democratic Party
Academy Awards
Rose Byrne
New York City
Creativity

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes568Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Talk Easy

Latest Episodes

The way Americans talk about money is changing. Economic commentator Kyla Scanlon has emerged as a fresh, influential voice in that conversation. Recently named one of TIME’s 100 Creators, her New York Times bestseller, In This Economy? How Money & M... more

“The rules of engagement have changed already.”

Novelist Min Jin Lee (Pachinko) is a beacon of wit and wisdom. She returns to the show this week with American Hagwon, the long-awaited third installment in her Korean diaspora quartet.

We begin with ... more

YouTube

Jason Sudeikis became a household name during his decade-long run on Saturday Night Live. Then, came his Emmy-winning turn in Ted Lasso.

On the heels of the beloved series’ Season 4 finale, we discuss this latest chapter (3:30), writing new characte... more

YouTube

“The Trump administration was betting that if they broke the law fast enough,” writes Michael Lewis, “the law would never catch up to them.”

On the heels of his new book, Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State, the bestselling author of Moneyball and Th... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Min Jin Lee
Novelist and author of Free Food for Millionaires, Pachinko, and American Hagwon.
Episode: Novelist Min Jin Lee (‘Pachinko’) Has Something to Teach Us
Jason Sudeikis
Actor, comedian, and writer known for Saturday Night Live and Ted Lasso
Apple TV+
Episode: Jason Sudeikis (‘Ted Lasso’) Still Believes
Michael Lewis
Bestselling author of Moneyball, The Big Short and Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State
Episode: Author Michael Lewis (‘The Big Short’) Pulls Back the Curtain
Isabel Allende
Renowned Chilean-American author, memoirist of Storytelling: A Writing Life
Author, Speaker
Episode: Author Isabel Allende: A Life of Storytelling
Ben Rhodes
Former Obama national security advisor and speechwriter
Former Obama White House/Author
Episode: Former Obama National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes: “It’s Time to Let the Illusions Die”
Tristan Harris
Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, design ethicist and product philosopher
Center for Humane Technology
Episode: Can We Avoid AI Catastrophe? (with Tech Ethicist Tristan Harris)
Nick Offerman
Actor, author, woodworker
Episode: It’s Time to Give Nick Offerman (‘Parks and Recreation’) His Flowers
Gloria Steinem
Feminist activist, writer, and organizer
Co-founder of Ms. Magazine; author and speaker
Episode: Play It Again: Gloria Steinem
Sean Fennessey
Head of The Big Picture, co-host of The Ringer's The Big Picture
The Ringer
Episode: The Fall Movie Preview (with Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins of ‘The Big Picture’)

Host

Sam Fragoso
Host of Conversations with artists, authors, and public figures; known for thorough prep and intimate interview style

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4.1k ratings
  • My favourite interview show

    Thoughtful well researched questions pull responses & emotions from his guests that often seem to even surprise them Always with respect & a touch of humour. Also love his guest list

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sinvcr
    Canada3 months ago
  • Love this show

    Sam is such an excellent and intuitive interviewer, every conversation is surprising and fascinating. One of my favourite pods !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cloleaf
    Ireland3 months ago
  • I look forward to this podcast every Sunday

    Sam’s so talented — thoughtful, well researched, a work of love every time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LdfMtTam
    United States3 months ago
  • Brilliant as always

    What it is about your interviews; You Sam are disarming, none threatening, and in that people trust and can open up thus giving us listeners a chance for truth.

    Another great interview

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cloudman1
    United States3 months ago
  • Maggie Haberman

    Thank u for this awesome interview! U really managed to disarm Maggie. Enjoyed observing this vulnerable side of her. It really was illuminating. Ur guests clearly feel safe. As a result they let down their guard.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    k!k!m@su
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback notes a shift toward more host-driven moments that can distract from guests' depth.
Guests and episodes are described as insightful, with strong, source-driven discussion in many interviews.
A few listeners feel the format can be too soft on controversial topics when featuring politicians.
Listeners praise the host's preparation, warm interview style, and ability to make guests comfortable.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Novelist Min Jin Lee (‘Pachinko’) Has Something to Teach Us
Q: How does AI's efficiency affect young lawyers and the development of their skills?
Lee says AI can reduce the time spent on document review, but the savings often accrue to law firms or clients. She worries that junior lawyers will miss the detailed work that teaches them how information connects to a client's broader needs, and that automated systems may miss context that requires holistic judgment.
Novelist Min Jin Lee (‘Pachinko’) Has Something to Teach Us
Q: What is a hagwon?
A hagwon is a paid learning center in South Korea, offering activities from academic tutoring to music and cooking classes. Families often use them to prepare children for education and employment opportunities, including English-language qualifications.
Author Michael Lewis (‘The Big Short’) Pulls Back the Curtain
Q: What do you think that is? It might be now.
Lewis says investors are demanding higher returns to lend to the United States, raising interest costs and potentially creating a vicious cycle. He worries that a default or debt workout could undermine the trust that supports the dollar and the government's ability to borrow.
Jason Sudeikis (‘Ted Lasso’) Still Believes
Q: How did it save you?
He says the show's work helped carry him through difficult periods, including thoughts of self-harm, and gave him time to regain strength and perspective.
Author Michael Lewis (‘The Big Short’) Pulls Back the Curtain
Q: Can we go back to where this project began? I think it's January 2017, Inauguration Day, and you just had a hip replacement surgery.
Lewis recalls watching Donald Trump's inauguration while recovering from hip surgery and feeling that the risks to his life had increased. He connected that fear to Trump's lack of preparation to manage the federal government, inspiring the reporting that became The Fifth Risk and later Blockers.

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 Talk Easy

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

This show features longform, intimate conversations with readers, actors, filmmakers, politicians, and other cultural figures. Episodes often center on craft, career trajectories, and the human side of creative work, with recurring motifs around resilience, representation, and the ways place and history shape storytelling. Notable strengths include deep, well-researched questions, a calm interview tempo, and guests who span literature, film, theater, and public life, offering both industry insight and personal reflection. A standout quality is the ability to surface thoughtful, nuanced perspectives from high-profile figures while staying grounded in human experiences and practical wisdom for aspiring creatives and professionals.

Listeners ... more

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How many subscribers and views does Talk Easy have?

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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 Interview
3. Wild Card with Rachel Martin
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Book Review

How many episodes of Talk Easy are there?

Talk Easy launched 11 years ago and published 568 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talk Easy?

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What guests have appeared on Talk Easy?

Recent guests on Talk Easy include:

1. Min Jin Lee
2. Jason Sudeikis
3. Michael Lewis
4. Isabel Allende
5. Ben Rhodes
6. Tristan Harris
7. Nick Offerman
8. Gloria Steinem

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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