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Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes541Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film InterviewsTV & FilmSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Talk Easy

Latest Episodes

Since the arrival of Beef in 2023, showrunner and creator Lee Sung Jin has been hailed as “the preeminent social satirist” working in television.

The Emmy-winning writer/director joins us around the anthology’s return (3:10) to discuss the source ma... more

YouTube

On the heels of Beef S2, we're revisiting a favorite of ours with actor Oscar Isaac.

We begin with his 2023 Broadway debut in The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window (5:10), the play's timeless writing (6:55), and the legacy of the great Lorraine Hansb... more

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. On the heels of CR month coming to a close on The Rewatchables, we’re joined this week by The Ringer’s beloved editorial director, Chris Ryan.

He’s been hailed as the Shohei Ohtani of podcastin... more

To mark the beginning of Talk Easy’s 10-year anniversary, Sam called up Terry Gross.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

Then, we turn to their conversation from Philadelphia last fall. They discuss Terry’s half century hosting Fresh Air (8:00), early m... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Oscar Isaac
Actor; guest on episode
Actor (various projects including Inside Llewyn Davis, The Card Counter, Dune)
Episode: Play It Again: Actor Oscar Isaac
Chris Ryan
Editorial director at The Ringer; cohost of The Watch
The Ringer
Episode: Are We Witnessing Podcaster Chris Ryan’s Apex Mountain?
Tristan Harris
Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology
Center for Humane Technology
Episode: The AI Conversation We Need to Have (with Tristan Harris)
Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania
Governor of Pennsylvania
Episode: Is Governor Josh Shapiro the Future of America?
Joachim Trier
Writer-Director of Sentimental Value
Episode: Oscar Sunday with Filmmaker Joachim Trier (‘Sentimental Value’)
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

Host

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

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • The talk we need to have

    We all fear the “we need to talk” line but that’s crucial for a mind change. Awesome podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mo Sena
    Brazil16 days ago
  • Your New Favorite!!

    Conversations with the makers and thinkers you want to hear more from. With a depth that’s missing from… almost everywhere(?)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RoseEReid
    United States21 days ago
  • Yikes!

    Hey Sam. Faithful listener. Always enjoy your interviews. Just finished listening to Tristan Harris interview. Rather terrifying. Especially in today's political climate of perpetual nihilism and reality denial. Oh my. I am older but I am increasingly distressed at the world my young adult children are just entering into. Thanks for hosting this desperately important conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Queens Chambers’
    Canadaa month ago
  • Chilling

    Can’t miss

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Okie 60’s Girl
    United Statesa month ago
  • Not genuine anymore

    Every now and then an episode will remind me of when I really loved this show, but for the most part, it’s become a stop on a press tour for folks to promote something. I don’t always have an issue with that, but Sam likes to have on liberal politicians; not all of whom are created equal. The lack of acknowledgment of the genocide in Gaza from some of his guests is disappointing. This most recent episode being the best example. It feels like if you can pay enough money, you can have a nice softb... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    It5fun
    United Statesa month 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.

Talk Easy Turns 10 (with Terry Gross)
Q: What did you want to achieve with the format change when Fresh Air went national?
We aimed to make the show format-friendly for stations by breaking long conversations into segments so stations could cut away for IDs and weather, while preserving a variety of interviews, reviews, and pieces.
The AI Conversation We Need to Have (with Tristan Harris)
Q: What is AI in 2026 and what is AGI in 2026?
AI is about problem solving and pattern recognition, with large language models enabling a form of digital cognition, while AGI would be a general intelligence capable across domains; the distinction lies in scope and capability, with AGI representing a broader, more capable system.
Is Governor Josh Shapiro the Future of America?
Q: How did your stance on the death penalty evolve, and what influenced that change?
He explains that early in his career he supported the death penalty, but as he learned more about the justice system and heard his son question its logic, he changed his position and now supports a moratorium and policy reforms.
Oscar Sunday with Filmmaker Joachim Trier (‘Sentimental Value’)
Q: What was Renate's experience like making Sentimental Value, and how did she embody Nora?
Renate was chosen for her ability to carry Nora and convey despair and levity; she delivered a strong, nuanced performance that was deeply connected to the film's emotional core.
Oscar Sunday with Filmmaker Joachim Trier (‘Sentimental Value’)
Q: What do you think about the balance between work and life, especially as you've become a father?
He describes prioritizing life outside filmmaking, seeking moments of presence with family, and viewing work-life balance as a central, ongoing negotiation that informs his art.

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?

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. The Interview
4. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
5. Wild Card with Rachel Martin

How many episodes of Talk Easy are there?

Talk Easy launched 10 years ago and published 541 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. Oscar Isaac
2. Chris Ryan
3. Tristan Harris
4. Josh Shapiro
5. Joachim Trier
6. Ryan Coogler
7. Jacob Soboroff
8. Anderson .Paak

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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