Creative Spark

Atsuko Okatsuka returns to the show! The comedian joins us to talk about how she bridges cultures with her work, crafting jokes that land wherever she performs. Atsuko cites Lucille Ball as a major influence when she was a kid growing up in Japan, inspired by the universality of her physical comedy. Whether it’s here in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, or on her global tour, “The Big Bowl Tour,” Atsuko is always finding new ways to tell her story.

In this episode, we dig into the creative process behind her most recent special, called “Father,” we catch up on how the global pandemic convinced her to embrace authenticity, how she keeps autobiographical joke writing fresh, why her bowl cut is a tribute to her inner weirdness, and when community building can be a good thing (and not at all cult worship!).

Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear has been a fixture of film and television for decades, bringing warmth, wit, and emotional depth to beloved classics like “As Good as It Gets,” “You've Got Mail,” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Most recently, he stars in “Margo's Got Money Troubles,” the acclaimed new television series that recently wrapped its first season.

In this episode, Greg Kinnear reflects on his circuitous path from radio and talk shows to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. He explains why he believes that same path may no longer exist in today’s entertainment industry. He opens up about the changing economics of Hollywood in the age of AI and the collapse of the industry’s “middle class.” Funny, thoughtful, and philosophical, Kinnear shares why he still believes there’s something fundamentally human about great acting that technology can’t replicate.

Comedian Chris Fleming embraces the chaos in his new HBO comedy special, “Live at the Palace.” Long regarded as a comedian’s comedian, Fleming’s breakout performance has propelled him into the spotlight.

In this episode, Chris Fleming traces the origins of his manic, effervescent stage persona back to his childhood in rural Stow, Massachusetts, where he first began crafting jokes about deer and other oddities of small-town life. In a wide-ranging conversation, we also discuss his drive to provoke his audience, while still grounding his work in empathy. He describes the stark contrast in stylistic freedom between the men’s and women’s aisles of clothing stores, his opposition to perfectionism, and the importance of expressing yourself as authentically as possible.

Comedian and actress Leslie Jones has lived a lot of life and she wants you to know it. The Saturday Night Live alum and veteran stand-up comic returns with a new special, called “Leslie Jones: Life Part 2.”

In this interview, Jones traces the long road to discovering her comedic voice. She speaks candidly about family life and the comedians like Richard Pryor who influenced her at a young age. We talk about the time she first fell in love with comedy in college and the many years she spent honing her craft. Jones contends that our current generation needs to accept the struggle, and not try to shortcut the process. We learn about what that creative process is for Jones as she developed her newest special. She offers her take on whether comedians have a responsibility in our culture to provoke thought or if simply getting a laugh is enough.

Comedian Phoebe Robinson is a girl boss in recovery. As the creator and star of projects like 2 Dope Queens and Everything’s Trash, she’s long been one of the hardest-working voices of her generation. But in her new comedy special, I Don’t Wanna Work Anymore, Robinson takes a sharp, self-aware look at the millennial hustle-culture mentality.

In this episode, Phoebe Robinson shows us the hard work that goes into crafting a special about not wanting to work anymore. She gives us a candid look into the full arc of her creative process, from spreadsheets to the comedy club. We talk about the convergence of art and commerce, the shortcomings of today’s comedy climate, and how to resist making “fast-food” comedy in pursuit of something greater.