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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes544Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film InterviewsSociety & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for Talk Easy

Latest Episodes

Michelle Obama is the former First Lady of the United States, a bestselling author of books like Becoming and The Look, the co-founder of Higher Ground, and now, a host alongside her older brother Craig Robinson on their hit podcast, IMO.

We start t... more

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) is a national treasure with more primetime Emmys than any performer in the history of television. Then there’s her latest decade in film: two collaborations with Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said and You Hurt My Feel... more

For the better part of two decades, Emmy and Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed has moved seamlessly between worlds: indies, blockbusters, prestige TV, writing, rapping.

We discuss the long road to his new TV series Bait (3:45), what the character of Jam... more

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Julia Louis‑Dreyfus
Actor and comedian; subject of the interview
Episode: Mother’s Day with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Riz Ahmed
Actor, writer, musician; star of Bait, Nightcrawler, Four Lions, The Long Goodbye
Actor/Writer/Musician
Episode: Actor Riz Ahmed Remakes the Leading Man
Lee Sung Jin
Writer, director, showrunner and creator of Beef
Beef (Netflix)
Episode: Showrunner Lee Sung Jin is Back with More ‘Beef’
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?
Terry Gross
Host of Fresh Air, NPR/WHYY
Fresh Air, NPR, WHYY
Episode: Talk Easy Turns 10 (with Terry Gross)
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’)

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
    Brazila month 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 Statesa month 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’
    Canada2 months ago
  • Chilling

    Can’t miss

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Okie 60’s Girl
    United States2 months 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 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.

Apple Podcasts
#85
United States/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#143
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#134
Indonesia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#18
Indonesia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#81
Argentina/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#96
Norway/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mother’s Day with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Q: How did personal experiences shape your later performances, like Veep and Tuesday?
Life events and parenthood informed her understanding of her characters, giving depth and emotional truth to performances.
Mother’s Day with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Q: What was it like joining SNL and the early days there?
She recalls a tough, dog‑eats‑dog atmosphere and realizing she needed to grow, learn, and find joy in acting, even amidst the challenges.
Mother’s Day with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Q: How did you understand your relationship to ambition at that age?
She describes feeling ambition intensely but privately, not always openly acknowledging it, and deciding to keep pursuing it only as long as it remained engaging and fun.
Showrunner Lee Sung Jin is Back with More ‘Beef’
Q: How did your experiences in writer's rooms influence Beef's development?
They taught me to balance authenticity with craft, ensuring the characters feel true while the storytelling remains propulsive and accessible to a broad audience.
Showrunner Lee Sung Jin is Back with More ‘Beef’
Q: What did the universe show you to arrive at the premise for season 2?
I look for a catalyst from real life and then shape it into a larger commentary on class, power, and how people navigate systems of control, which led to the season 2 premise set in a private country club.

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 Interview
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
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 544 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. Julia Louis‑Dreyfus
2. Riz Ahmed
3. Lee Sung Jin
4. Oscar Isaac
5. Chris Ryan
6. Terry Gross
7. Tristan Harris
8. Josh Shapiro

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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