The Moment with Brian Koppelman

Lewis Black, the comedian, author, and playwright, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his long road to living a creative life. The two discuss the night Brian saw Lewis at the Beacon Theatre and watched him perform a bit about Vince Gill and Amy Grant. They also touch on Lewis's future with The Daily Show, beginning his career as a playwright, and how Lewis comes up with material. And...

Chuck Todd, NBC News political director and moderator of Meet the Press, talks about the political landscape and his role in it. Brian and Chuck also discuss the line between journalism and show business, the value of long-form interviews, and Chuck's waning enthusiasm for the political game. Plus, Chuck dives into his vision for Meet the Press, the burden of hosting the longest running television...

Taylor Goldsmith, lead singer-songwriter for the band Dawes, joins us this week to talk about the group's new album, All Your Favorite Bands. The album is out today and Taylor can be heard playing an acoustic version of the title track at the end of this episode. In addition, Taylor looks back at his time working on The New Basement Tapes alongside Elvis Costello, Jim James, Rhiannon Giddens, and...

Note: This bonus episode was produced and aired by Grantland in December 2014. This week on The Moment we revisit Brian's conversation with Killer Mike which took place in November 2014. Killer Mike is one half of the Run the Jewels duo along side El-P. Coming off an emotional night in Ferguson, where he played to a crowd after the verdict was announced in the Michael Brown case, Brian talked with...

PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman, the hosts of Reply All, discuss their creative partnership and their meteoric rise from WNYC to Gimlet. They also discuss their own worries for the show, the collective work it takes to put out an episode, and finding the sweet spot to maintain their outsider status as they become a part of the mainstream podcasting culture. And just how much hand holding in storytelling...

Bryan Garner, author, lexicographer, and subject of David Foster Wallace's essay Authority and American Usage, joins Brian to talk about their mutual love of language. Bryan also explains the fight between descriptivists and prescriptivists, how his life changed after Mr. Wallace's essay ran in Harper's Magazine and Consider the Lobster, and the story of how he brought Justice Scalia and David Fos...

Noah Emmerich, otherwise known as Stan Beeman on The Americans, joins Brian to talk about the subtleties in his craft, how he went from being a musician and travel writer to an actor, and how Brian broke Noah the news that he couldn't land a role in the Kevin Costner film, For Love of the Game. Noah also dives into the backstory of how he landed his role as Marlon, Truman's best friend, on The Tru...

Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author, talks about the pleasures of writing a book he believes in and the struggles of promoting one his heart wasn't fully into. Also, Jon reflects on his time with the Dave Ramsey team, the years he spent as a blocked writer, and the process of getting unstuck in his new book, Do Over. Mentioned this week: Jon Acuff's Books - including Stuff Christians Like...

David Chang, chef and founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, discusses love and hate and how he has used each to fuel his success. Plus, the early days of Momofuku Noodle Bar, when the fear of financial ruin forced David to find a way to find a way forward. Topics discussed in this episode: Momofuku Restaurants, including Noodle Bar, Ssam, Ko, Ma Pache, and Milk Bar The first season of the PBS...

Legendary actor, playwright, and author Eric Bogosian on what keeps him inspired, the experience of becoming other people, and his new book, 'Operation Nemesis.' To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

David Levien, Brian's filmmaking partner and author of 'Signature Kill,' on how grit beats talent in fighting and writing. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edward Burns, writer and filmmaker, on finding his creative voice, making compromises as an artist, and handling rejection like Kobe Bryant. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Altucher, entrepreneur, author, and host of 'The James Altucher Show,' on striking it rich, going bust, and the daily practices he integrates into his life to do what he loves. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices...

Keith Robinson, a linchpin in the New York comedy scene, on taking young comics under his wing and his first hour-long special on Comedy Central. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Jay Oakerson on the comedy high-wire act he does every night and the dark days that sometimes follow. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ivan Orkin, owner and founder of Ivan Ramen, talks about the formative experiences in his journey to being one of the top chefs in the world. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Koppelman and Seth Meyers discuss Seth's departure from 'SNL,' how he feels about his rep as the nicest guy in Hollywood, and the debut of 'Late Night With Seth Meyers.'  (Originally ran 02-04-14) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more a...

Jason Isbell, award-winning singer/songwriter, ex-member of Drive-By Truckers, on finally living up to his potential. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Morrow, star of 'Quiz Show,' 'Numb3rs,' and 'Northern Exposure,' on how deep he needs to go for his art. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WTF host Marc Maron joins Brian Koppelman to talk about the joy of telling intentionally unfunny jokes, last chances, and why Marc still hasn't had coffee with Jon Stewart.  (Originally ran 02-18-14) To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more abou...

Former 'SNL' star Bill Hader on what his real dream is, why movies matter, and how anxiety drives his creativity. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Schumer, groundbreaking comedian, on what she loves and hates about her life right now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russell Peters, world-renowned comedian, on what it feels like to be on the outside looking in despite all of his success. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Strong, Emmy award-winning screenwriter and actor, talks about redefining himself by chasing his creative curiosity. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessi Klein, executive producer and writer of 'Inside Amy Schumer,' discusses the long road to comedy success. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices