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Guy Raz | Wondery

Become a more inventive, imaginative you. Every week, Guy Raz (creator of How I Built This) leads a deep dive conversation with someone at the top of their game. From conquering stage fright to learning to be more present and focused, you'll learn how each guest mastered their craft and ultimately became more successful in life. The result? An arsenal of tools and techniques you can apply to your own life and work, allowing you to harness your talent and become a better version of yourself.

Listen to The Great Creators on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-great-creators-with-guy-raz/ now.

The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol in 2002, released her chart-topping single “A Moment Like This” the same year, and almost instantly became a music megastar. 

Kelly talks to Guy about the hardships of her early life, and how they helped motivate her towards success, the personal story of heartbreak while making her album “Chemistry”, hosting her award-winning TV talk show, and how her busy production schedule keeps her creativity flowing. 

This episode was first published in 2023.

Links from the Show: 

 • Kelly sings “
A Moment Like This • ” on American Idol Season 1 Finale in 2022
 • Kelly's 
acceptance speech • at the 48th GRAMMY Awards in 2006
 • Anne Hathaway’s 
LIVE Remix with Kelly • on The Kelly Clarkson Show
 • Kelly 
sings with Pink • on The Kelly Clarkson Show in February 2023 

For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from Tom Hanks to Bjork to Jason Sudeikis – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly Clarkson: The Pop Music Megastar on American Idol, Her Album “Chemistry,” and Her Emmy Award-Winning TV Talk Show (2023)

Actor, filmmaker, and playwright Tyler Perry is one of the most prolific and prosperous entertainers of his generation. Despite growing up in New Orleans with little money, no connections, and few entertainment role models, Tyler went on to build a billion-dollar business – totally bypassing Hollywood gatekeepers in the process. How did he do it? And what’s the key to his success? This episode answers that question.

Tyler’s new film The Six Triple Eight, about a battalion of black women who served in WWII, is out December 20th on Netflix.

Links from the Show: 

The Six Triple Eight • on Netflix
Tyler Perry’s House of PayneTyler Perry Studios
For more conversations like this, go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tyler Perry's TV and Film Empire Grew Out of a Single Act of Forgiveness

Ron Howard, the Oscar-winning director behind films like 'Apollo 13' and 'A Beautiful Mind,' sits down with Guy to discuss his remarkable journey from child actor to Hollywood heavyweight. 

Ron’s latest documentary – “Jim Henson: Idea Man” – about the creator of the Muppets, is available now on Disney Plus. 

Links from the Show: 

Ron playing Opie on The Andy Griffith ShowGrand Theft Auto • , the first film Ron directed 
 • Ron’s recent documentary 
“Jim Henson: Idea Man” • 
Apollo 13CocoonHappy Days • 
A Beautiful Mind Frost Nixon • 
Splash • on Disney+ 

For more conversations like this – with guests ranging from David Duchovny to Diplo – go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ron Howard: Reinventing Himself After Child Fame, Henry Fonda’s Advice, and His New Sydney Sweeney Film 'Eden'

Ten years ago, Nick Sanborn & Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso) exploded onto the indie music scene with their unique electro-pop sound and mysterious aura.

Since then, they’ve played some of the biggest stages in the world and have even created their own record label in their adopted hometown of Durham, NC. 

In this conversation, Nick and Amelia reflect on their chance meeting and the remix that sparked their creative/life partnership; how they blended their musical styles after touring for years with other bands; and why songwriting sometimes feels like fishing. 

Catch Sylvan Esso's latest tour dates here: https://www.sylvanesso.com/tour 

Links from the Show: 

Hey Mami • on YouTube
 • Sylvan Esso performing 
'Coffee' live at Coachella • on April 17, 2015 

For more conversations like this with musicians like Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, go to https://www.thegreatcreators.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sylvan Esso: Their Songwriting Routines, “Hey Mami”, the Durham Scene, and Creative Surprises

Trailer for The Great Creators with Guy Raz, which premieres September 20th.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming Soon – The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Stephen Colbert has played many roles--an officious high school teacher in Strangers with Candy, and a bumbling blowhard on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Now, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he's facing his biggest challenge: being himself. Stephen talks to Guy about working through that challenge, about the early and enduring influence Amy Sedaris and Paul Dinello had on his work, and about how Stephen Colbert the man related to Stephen Colbert the blustering pundit.

Links from the show:

The Second City • improv troupe
The Dana Carvey Show • Dana Carvey and Stephen play 
clips • Of "The Dana Carvey Show"
Strangers with Candy • Strangers with Candy 
clip • President Obama on 
The Colbert ReportThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert • on CBS
 • NASA's 
COLBERT • treadmill

Full show notes: 

thegreatcreators.com/colbert

Social media:

 • Instagram: 
@TheGreatCreatorsPodcast • Twitter: 
@TGCwithGuyRaz • Facebook: 
The Great Creators
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Colbert: How “Breaking” on Stage Unlocked His Comedic Powers

Audra McDonald (Master Class, Ragtime, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill) has won six Tony Awards--more performance wins than any other theater actor. (She's also won two Grammys and one Emmy along the way.) Still, each new role she takes scares her. Audra tells Guy why that fear is actually essential to her work, about her never-ending quest to know her characters better, and how it felt to have her friend and mentor Stephen Sondheim publicly pan one of her shows.

Links from the show:

 • Excerpts of Audra and Zoe Caldwell in 
Master Class • 
 • Audra singing 
"Summertime" • from her role as Bess in 
The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess • Audra performing Billie Holiday's 
"God Bless the Child" • from 
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill • Audra performing the song 
"Say No to This" • from 
Hamilton • in the voice of Billie Holiday 
Playbill • pick of 
13 Audra performances • on the occasion of her birthday 
 • 2020 
New Yorker • 
interview • with Audra 
 • More on Audra's forthcoming role in 
Ohio State Murders • 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Audra McDonald: The Power of Taking On Work That Scares You

The Chainsmokers production and DJ duo Alex Pall and Drew Taggart are behind the smash hits “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Closer.” They talk to Guy about why they stopped making remixes, how they moved past a breakthrough hit that felt like an artistic failure, and how they have managed to stay loyal to each other through the highs and lows.

Links from the show:

 • The Chainsmokers on 
Hype Machine • Video for 
"#SELFIE" • Video for 
"Roses" • Video for 
"Don't Let Me Down" • Drew sings 
"Closer" • live at the VMAs
 • "Making of" video for their new album 
"So Far So Good" • Video for 
"I Love U"
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chainsmokers: How to Craft the Perfect Artistic Partnership

Nick Kroll is an actor and comedian (Kroll Show, Parks and Recreation) and the creator of Big Mouth and Human Resources on Netflix. He joins Guy to talk about developing outrageous characters, playing over-the-top villains, his quirky writing process, why everyone can benefit from improv classes, and his thoughts on comedy vs. “cancel culture.”

Links from the show:

 • Clip from Nick's appearance on 
The View • in full 
Cavemen • makeup 
 • “
Yogurt Water • ” scene from Kroll Show 
Oh, Hello • with John Mulaney
 • Nick as “The Douche” on 
Parks and Recreation Big Mouth • on Netflix 
Little Big Boy • on Netflix
 • Nick’s 
Instagram • 
 • Nick's friends and collaborators: 
Mike Birbiglia • , 
John Mulaney • , 
Andrew Goldberg • , 
Chelsea Peretti • , 
Jessi Klein • 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nick Kroll: The Creative Breakthrough That Led to His ‘Exponential’ Growth

Oak Felder is the producer and songwriter behind hits like Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry” and Alessia Cara’s “Scars to Your Beautiful.” He talks to Guy about his upbringing in Turkey, why comfortable couches and blue lights help creativity, songs that bring him to tears, and how he helps artists unleash their creative potential.

Links from the show:

 • Video for Demi Lovato's 
"Sorry Not Sorry" • Video showing how Oak produced 
"Sorry Not Sorry" • Video for Alessia Cara's 
"Scars To Your Beautiful" • 
 • Video for Sterling Simms' 
"Jump Off" • Oak's 
TEDx Talk • about creating emotionally resonant songs
 • Oak's 
Recode Talk • about producing viral hits

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oak Felder: Making Music That Hits a Nerve and How Songwriting Can Be Like Therapy

Melissa Etheridge is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of the past three decades. She sits down with Guy to talk about her incredible career and life – opening up about her decision to come out as gay at the height of her fame, the reason she calls her 2004 cancer diagnosis "the best thing that's happened to me," and how, in her early 60's, she's still getting better at her craft every day. Melissa's new memoir, Talking to My Angels, is out now. And her autobiographical show Melissa Etheridge: My Window is currently on Broadway, starring, of course, Melissa.

Links from the show:

Like the Way I Do" music video

Melissa performing "Piece of My Heart" between chemotherapy treatments at the 2005 Grammy Awards

Etheridge Foundation for opioid abuse relief

Melissa's new book: Talking to My Angels

Melissa's autobiographical Broadway show Melissa Etheridge: My Window

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa Etheridge: Her Scrappy Start, Coming Out as a Rockstar in the 90's, and How Cancer Changed the Way She Sees Everything

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