Dying of Exposure with Dan Mangan

Hear Dan discuss basketball trick shots, auditioning from home, AI art, and the healing power of laughing with improv dynamo Lauren Lapkus (known most notably for her work on Orange Is The New Black, Big Bang Theory, & Comedy Bang Bang). Among other things, they chat about her first real acting gig in an improv sketch with Ryan Reynolds, how actors can never know which of their projects might blow up, allowing your current self the same grace you might give your younger self in retrospect, how pointing out fascism in society doesn't matter to the half of us who welcome it, how AI ubiquitousness might bring a new premium to live performances, and how awkward it is when you have something to say in a conversation but the moment passes you by. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Select All Delete" by John K Samson.

Hear Dan discuss contentment, anxiety, careers and faith with dramatic/comedic genius Tony Hale (known most notably for his work on Arrested Development, Veep, and Toy Story 4). Among other things, they chat about Tony moving to New York not knowing a single New Yorker, the miracle that 2.5 seasons of Arrested Development got made, using faith as a crutch, how regular people can be more "known" than celebrities, the invention of the "stoncert", aging gracefully in Hollywood, how seeing your own emotions articulated in art is akin to cultural representation, and how if you can't practice contentment now, you won't be content when you get what you want. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Change My Shape" by Sam Tudor.

Hear Dan discuss mental health, creative yearning and ski-jumping with Hollywood madman Steven Ogg (known most notably for his work on The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, and Grand Theft Auto V). Among other things, they chat about the tendency to dislike other artists purely out of jealousy, managing ones inner demons, endlessly craving work, the pros and cons of Instagram, the 7/4 time signature, and how being pissed off during a bit part audition early in his career landed Steven a much larger role on Law & Order. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Silver Civic" by Charlotte Cornfield.

Hear Dan discuss family, art, and the music business with esteemed rapper Shad. Among other things, they chat about Shad's family's displacement throughout Africa before settling in Canada, his scary realization that music mattered to him, supporting Common in his early days, sidestepping the word "artist" and focusing on whatever sounds fun, the fortuitous timing of "Hip Hop Evolution", the shifting sands of the music industry, and how your kids don't give a crap about your career. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Morgana" by Hank May.

Hear Dan discuss inner work, creativity and bizarre career paths with Saturday Night Live's own Ego Nwodim. Among other things, they chat about the mythology of New York City, Ego's academic origins studying biology, the zen-state of performing improv comedy, how trying to be funny is the least funny thing, the chaotic power of Comedy Bang Bang, making friends as an adult, how acting allows you to play out versions of yourself that might get stifled in real life, the strength of vulnerability, celebrating excellence in others, and the faith of letting personal practices go when they're no longer helpful. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "October" by La Force. Caveat: This conversation occurred before Ego announced that she was leaving SNL.

Hear Dan discuss family, world woes, faith and art with the multifaceted Rainn Wilson. Among other things, they chat about Rainn's experience as Dwight Schrute on The Office, the "great lie" of society, willful blindness to climate change, the handsomeness of Hank Azaria, Rainn's experience growing up in an unhappy family, the power of mentors, and homicidal soap opera villains. They also talk about Rainn's book SOUL BOOM and his plea for the world not to throw the baby of spirituality out with the bath water of organized religion. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Dance" by Tim Baker.

Hear Dan discuss family, life and art with Hollywood scene survivor Busy Philipps (known most notably for her work on Freaks & Geeks, Girls 5Eva and Dawson's Creek). Amongst other things, they discuss second-hand kid nostalgia, how Sharon Stone told Busy she'd be a star whilst playing an IRL Barbie doll at a toy convetion, the lingering presence of the film White Chicks, how Dawson's Creek and The OC forever changed the way television utilizes indie music, Busy's unexpected emergence as a music influencer, and the art of giving yourself the same grace you'd giver other people. Dan also surprises Busy with footage from the audition that changed her life forever. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Right Here" by Begonia.

Hear Dan's lengthy chat with Wesley Schultz about the early days of The Lumineers (including a song from his pre-Lumineers band 6Cheek). Amongst other things, they discuss maintaining a sense of wonder when creating, epic fails on stage, how adversity can be viewed as enriching your origin story, how constructive feedback can be painful but important as a young artist, Wesley's return to faith as an adult, his aversion to the term "work/life balance", and how powerful it can be to seek validation from your own gut rather than affirmation from the external world. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "God Is" by The Secret Beach.

I am your host Dan Mangan and I am ready to dig into some long-form discussions with some of the most inspiring artists I've met along my two-decade career as a songwriter, recording artist and performer. I want my friends to be your friends. I'm curious to discuss exactly what the artist's job is in society. Along the way, I'll be digging up bits of work from deep in my guests' pasts and exposing them to some under-appreciated music from bands to which I'd like to give a bump. I'm focusing on quality over quantity here, so the release schedule will be slow, but I promise that each chat will be worth your time. Much love, Dan Mangan danmangan.com https://linktr.ee/dyingofexposurepod