SmartLess

Jessica Biel joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss her 30+ year career spanning television and film, her transition from child star on Seventh Heaven to adult roles in movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and her production company Iron Ocean co-founded with Michelle Purple. She also shares insights about performing stunt driving for the Matchbox film, balancing motherhood with international film production, and her various life philosophies on fitness and self-care.

Ben Affleck joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his friendship and creative partnership with Matt Damon since childhood, their approach to collaborative writing and acting, and his directorial work including the film 'Air.' He also explains Artist Equity, his production company model that prioritizes crew compensation and creative integrity over traditional Hollywood financing structures.

Michael Douglas discusses his decades-long career spanning acting and producing, from his breakthrough with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to iconic roles in Fatal Attraction and Wall Street. He shares insights on choosing material over ego, overcoming his father Kirk Douglas's shadow, battling personal demons including drug abuse, and his new memoir 'One Hell of a Ride' covering 90 years of family history in Hollywood.

Seth Meyers joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his comedy career journey from Northwestern University through Second City, Saturday Night Live, and ultimately to hosting The Late Show. He reflects on how mentorship from Mike Shoemaker shaped his understanding of comedy writing and performing, and explains how his Update experience prepared him for late-night television.

Benny Blanco joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his journey from a kid in Virginia cold-calling record labels to becoming one of pop music's most successful producers and songwriters. He credits his success to relentless hustle, networking, and a willingness to learn on the job while working with titans like Dr. Luke and Max Martin, ultimately landing hits for artists like Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Ed Sheeran.

Matthew Rhys, a Welsh actor known for The Americans and Perry Mason, joins the Smartless podcast to discuss his career trajectory from theater to television, his relationship with Kerry Russell, and his experience working with Robert Downey Jr. on the Perry Mason reboot. The conversation touches on his Welsh heritage, early theater experiences, and the challenges of balancing family life with demanding acting careers.

Sharon Horgan joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss her career trajectory from working in employment services to becoming an acclaimed writer, producer, and performer. She shares insights about the creative process, challenges with auditioning, managing actors' interpretations of her writing, and her upcoming HBO series Youth premiering September 20th.

Andrew Garfield joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his acting career, upcoming projects including The Uprising and playing Sam Altman in an AI film, and shares deeply personal stories about his relationship with his father, grief, and the transformative power of theater and community in his life.

Steve Zahn joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his career spanning theater, film, and television, his life on a farm in Kentucky, and his various projects including Chad Powers season 2 and the film She Dances. The hosts explore his path from Minnesota to success, his work with renowned directors, and his philosophy on acting and preparation.

Sandra Bullock joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss her experience as a caregiver during her husband Brian's battle with ALS, the emotional toll of keeping his illness private, and how this profound challenge has led to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for life. She also discusses her film Practical Magic 2, her approach to parenting through adversity, and her philosophy on work and family priorities.

Tim Robbins joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his extensive career spanning iconic films like Shawshank Redemption and Bull Durham, his work as a director, his nonprofit theater organization the Actors Gang, and his new multimedia platform launching September 1st that archives interviews, concerts, and personal projects.

Kaley Cuoco joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss her career spanning from childhood acting and competitive tennis to her breakthrough role on The Big Bang Theory and current projects. She opens up about a severe horse-riding accident, her whirlwind romance with Tom Pelphrey, new motherhood, and her upcoming Peacock series "Based on a True Story."

Robby Hoffman discusses her journey from a Hasidic household in Montreal to becoming a successful comedian and personality. Key points include her experiences navigating family dynamics, her fears in approaching sensitive topics in comedy, and her eventual recognition by John Mulaney, who helped her launch her career with a Netflix special.

Professor Brian Cox joins the Smartless podcast to discuss particle physics, cosmology, and fundamental questions about the universe. The hosts and Cox explore topics ranging from the Big Bang and black holes to the search for extraterrestrial life, time travel, and what happens after death, with Cox emphasizing the importance of embracing the unknown in scientific progress.

Marcus Mumford joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his music career, personal growth, and upcoming tour. The conversation covers his journey from classics student to Grammy-winning musician, his marriage to actress Carey Mulligan, and how fatherhood has changed his perspective on work and creativity.

Timothy Olyphant joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his extensive acting career spanning comedies, dramas, and prestige television. The hosts explore his background in fine art at USC, his diverse filmography including Justified and Deadwood, and his experiences working with directors like David Fincher and Soderbergh, alongside personal anecdotes about fatherhood and life on set.

Will Ferrell joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss his journey from aspiring sportscaster to comedy legend, sharing stories about his father's influence in music, his time at the Groundlings, and how he discovered his passion for comedy through characters like Harry Caray. The conversation touches on his approach to parenting, his experience at SNL, and what genuinely frustrates him in his professional and personal life.

Olivia Wilde joins the SmartLess podcast to discuss her journey from casting assistant to acclaimed director, her name change from Cockburn to Wilde at 18, and her recent films including The Invite (a one-night dinner party thriller) and I Want Your Sex. She shares insights about her directing process, the importance of rehearsal time with actors, and her upcoming Christmas comedy project.

Ike Barinholtz joins SmartLess to discuss his comedy career journey from Boston University to Second City, MADtv, The Mindy Project, and recent success with The Studio. He covers his improv origins, collaborations with major comedic talents, work-life balance as a father of three, and his new trivia podcast.

Emma Thompson joins the SmartLess podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about her career spanning theater, film, and television, her childhood in theatrical families, writing adaptations like Sense and Sensibility, and her approach to character development across diverse genres. The hosts discuss her varied projects including Harry Potter, Alone in Berlin, and upcoming work like The Sheep Detective, while touching on broader topics like climate change in the UK, childhood screen time, and the value of boredom.