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Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes559Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureFilm InterviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Talk Easy

Latest Episodes

With the fall movie season upon us, who better to sit with than ⁠The Big Picture⁠ co-hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins?

We begin with a post-vacation check-in (2:38), the god-given gifts of Ben Affleck and Jacob Elordi (6:19), and the latest f... more

From “The Good Place” and “Barry” to “A League of Their Own” and “The Five-Star Weekend,” D’Arcy Carden has become one of the most recognizable and beloved performers on television.

We sit to discuss her Bay Area upbringing (6:33), moving to New Yor... more

Novelist Colson Whitehead is one of only a handful of writers to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction twice—first for The Underground Railroad in 2017, and again for The Nickel Boys in 2020. He joins us on the heels of his latest novel, Cool Machine, t... more

What if it’s true that good things come to those who wait?

For Greta Lee, the success of Past Lives came after twenty years of working and finding her way as an actor. Her latest, leading turns come in The Last House and Late Fame.

We begin with La... more

Key Facts

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

Colson Whitehead
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
Author, Professor
Episode: Novelist Colson Whitehead’s New York State of Mind
Greta Lee
Actor known for Past Lives, Russian Doll, High Maintenance, Girls
Actor
Episode: The ‘Past Lives’ of Actor Greta Lee
Mary Beth Barone
Comedian, actor and writer featured in Galaxy Brain and Ride
Netflix (Galaxy Brain) and Ride podcast
Episode: Comedian Mary Beth Barone’s Brilliant ‘Galaxy Brain’
Timothy Olyphant
Actor known for Justified, Deadwood, The Mandalorian
Actor / Entertainment
Episode: Actor Timothy Olyphant (‘Justified’) is Riding High
Maggie Haberman
White House correspondent for The New York Times, author
The New York Times
Episode: The Gilded Presidency of Donald Trump with NYT Reporter Maggie Haberman (‘Regime Change’)
Danny McBride
Actor, writer, producer, and author
Episode: Danny McBride’s Delusions of Grandeur
Nithya Raman
Los Angeles City Council member and mayoral candidate
Los Angeles City Council
Episode: A New Generation Has Arrived in LA Politics. Is Nithya Raman Ready to Lead It?
Alanis Morissette
Seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist, musician and activist
Musician and Activist
Episode: The Jagged Little Pieces of Singer-Songwriter Alanis Morissette
Nathan Lane
Tony-winning actor, performer in Death of a Salesman
Tony Award recipient
Episode: Sam Interviews Nathan Lane on ‘Fresh Air’

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 4k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month ago
  • Timothy O

    Best interview!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    racingintothefuture
    United Statesa month ago
  • Samwise

    Sam is an old soul & perfect in this role. The music, the easy talk, the intelligence. All wonderful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Betsirena
    United Statesa month 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.

The ‘Past Lives’ of Actor Greta Lee
Q: How did your upbringing and immigrant family shape your path as an artist?
She reflects on expectations, language, and the sense of responsibility to her parents' sacrifices, while finding a space to claim her own voice and future for her children.
The ‘Past Lives’ of Actor Greta Lee
Q: What was it like going from the theater and restaurant gigs to major film work?
Greta recounts early struggle, auditions, and the surreal shift when a small chance led to bigger opportunities, emphasizing persistence, family support, and balancing art with identity.
The ‘Past Lives’ of Actor Greta Lee
Q: Why is the Late Fame project important to you, and how did you approach Gloria's character?
Greta explains that Gloria is inspired by a lineage of divas and a personal homage to a type of artist she fears could be disappearing, guiding her to perform with a controlled, restrained approach rather than theatrical excess.
Comedian Mary Beth Barone’s Brilliant ‘Galaxy Brain’
Q: How did Galaxy Brain come to be, and what was the inspiration behind it?
Mary Beth explains that a family story about her grandmother hallucinating that she was on stage telling dirty jokes shaped her sense of purpose. This personal legend became the lens for Galaxy Brain, guiding her to frame topics with a modern, philosophical perspective while keeping humor at the core.
Danny McBride’s Delusions of Grandeur
Q: Why did you decide TV was the right path over continuing to pursue films?
Because TV offered more space to tell complex stories with depth, and it avoided being forced into a 90-minute structure; it allowed for unexpected turns and a broader audience engagement over time.

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?

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

How many episodes of Talk Easy are there?

Talk Easy launched 10 years ago and published 559 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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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. Colson Whitehead
2. Greta Lee
3. Mary Beth Barone
4. Timothy Olyphant
5. Maggie Haberman
6. Danny McBride
7. Nithya Raman
8. Alanis Morissette

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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