The Dinner Party Download

Brendan Francis Newnam was the host of a popular radio show, coasting through a happy adulthood when it all came crashing down. And so, like many before him, he decided to hit the road, but not on his own. In Not Lost, Brendan and a friend travel to a new place every week, meeting the locals in hopes of understanding their homes. And angling for an invitation to dinner. As they veer from Montréal to Mexico City, from New Orleans to Bozeman, they discover it's possible to find yourself in places you've never been. Not Lost is a co-production of Pushkin Industries, Topic Studios and iHeartMedia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rico and Brendan aren’t exactly back, but they’re here to tell you about their new projects! Brendan has been producing The Paris Review and Rico has a new podcast called “Safe For Work.” Rico and Liz Dolan (“Satellite Sisters”) will help you make the big decisions, sort through the small stuff, and get more fulfillment […]

Alas, this is our last audio treat for you (for now). In the final installment of the “How to Behave” series, you’ll hear some of the best of our favorite etiquette segments with celebrities. Master thespian Sir Ian McKellen offers a tip on how to deal with people who mispronounce your name (never correct the […]

We’ve got another audio treat for you! Think of these as a companion to Brendan and Rico’s book, “Brunch is Hell.” In the second installment of the “How to Behave” series, you’ll hear some of the best of our favorite etiquette segments with comedians. Our guests include “Portlandia” stars Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen, Maria […]

Surprise! You might’ve thought we posted our last DPD episode, but we’ve got a few more audio goodies over the next couple of weeks, starting with this inaugural episode of what we’re calling our “How to Behave” series. Think of it as a companion to Brendan and Rico’s book, “Brunch is Hell.” These episodes will […]

It’s our final new episode! Featuring new music from Northwest phenom Kyle Craft… A tale of howling at the moon from Snap Judgement’s Glynn Washington… Unimpeachable holiday gift ideas from New York Times columnist Lindy West… Maddening song suggestions from Luke Burbank of “LiveWire”… And a litany of good – and bad – goodbyes for […]

This week, we re-heat some of our favorite food-related stories EVER: Celebrated chef Anthony Bourdain gets tough and tender in our etiquette segment… New York’s “The Pickle Guys” don their horseradish hazmat suits… Chef Eddie Huang makes us rethink mac and cheese … Beth Ditto serves up a party soundtrack– and great gravy… Brendan discovers […]

Encore Broadcast: Comedy legend Mel Brooks reanimates “Young Frankenstein” then offers priceless etiquette advice (warning: may include death threats, flatulence, gallows humor, and uncontrollable laughter)… Actress Greta Gerwig (“Frances Ha” and “Mistress America”) tries a love story on for size… AC Newman of indie rock super-group The New Pornographers spins a party soundtrack that’s so cool, […]

The title says it all, folks. Thanks for lending us your ears, ideas, laughs, taste buds, pun tolerance, and everything else! We’re blessed to have you attending our party every week, and so we figured it was high time for some audio “thank you” notes.

Tig Notaro brings her life to TV… The Late Show’s Jon Batiste makes a case for a surprise at every dinner party… Chef Sean Sherman re-imagines indigenous American cuisine… Director Yorgos Lathimos on his follow-up to “The Lobster”… and more!

Actor Abbi Jacobson remembers her past recycling bottles for spare change… Comedian Whitney Cummings talks about being polite when you’re codependent… Drummer Patty Schemel makes a case for why drummers shouldn’t be the butt of the joke… The director of “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women”… The best baguette you’ll ever eat… and more!

Thought you were getting an encore broadcast? Surprise! It’s actually an all-new Speakeasy! First: Lots of news in the DPD universe including a big announcement about the future of the show. Up next: an almost-unedited chat with comedian Whitney Cummings! She stopped by to answer a few etiquette questions and ended up teaching us about […]

Actor Willem Dafoe explains what he learns from screen newbies… Electro band Depeche Mode on how travel has made their music more socially conscious… A former Obama speechwriter convinces us that ferns are the most romantic plant… Chef Carla Hall shares her grandmother’s cast iron cornbread recipe… Rachel Bloom takes on your etiquette questions… and […]

(Heads up: This week’s episode features adult humor. It is not suitable for young listeners.) We’ve got something entirely new for you today… introducing “Double Take”! A new podcast-only goody where you’ll hear comedians dissecting their craft, and then, they’ll talk us through the evolution of a single joke: from its first, usually pretty awful […]

While Rico’s away, Brendan plays hooky with special guest co-host Tobin Low, of WNYC’s Nancy (but don’t tell Rico!) Also: Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve worries about the pressure in making the sequel to “Blade Runner”… Comic Joel Kim Booster breaks down a bad joke and how he made it better… Etiquette experts Lizzie Post and Dan […]

Shania Twain explains how a vegetarian can survive a country bbq… Musician Emily Haines challenges you to pick difficult music for your dinner party… Erin McCann makes a case for the mosquito emoji… The filmmakers behind “Battle of the Sexes” reveal why there was 40-year-old underwear on the set of their film… Rico drink tea […]

We’re back with a digital treat this week! It’s another installment of our almost-unedited “Dinner for One” series. This time around, Brendan chats with “This Is Us” actor and recent Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown about the hit NBC drama, why he found the opportunity to explore Randall’s relationship with his father “intoxicating,” his new […]

Folks! Instead of reheating an encore episode, we’ve carefully baked a brand-new Speakeasy soufflé for you! In this episode: Margaret Cho tells morbid tales of graveyards, murder, and (gasp!) Norman Mailer. Flying Lotus shares how getting into an *ahem* higher state of consciousness helped him direct “Kuso.” “Strong Island” filmmaker Yance Ford recommends a few […]

Comedian Margaret Cho lets listeners know when it’s OK to ask Asian-Americans where they’re from (Hint: never)… “Strong Island” documentarian Yance Ford re-examines his brother’s murder – and his family’s search for justice – 25 years later… Yacht Rock royalty Michael McDonald gives a soundtrack that takes him back to his childhood… Brendan tastes a […]

Author Jesmyn Ward admits to some guilty pleasures… The threesome behind Future Islands DJs the ultimate “grill and chill” playlist – pets allowed… Director Theo Anthony remembers what it’s like to have Werner Herzog as your teacher… The National’s Matt Berninger explains the perks of being a rock star *and* a dad… Librarian Annie Spence […]

Actor-director Lake Bell turns her lens on marriage — the good, the bad, and the ugly… Author Jenny Zhang suggests a few super “sour” bites of culture… Punk Rocker Ted Leo brings us tunes that’ll make you dance and think… The Posts demonstrate how NOT to tick off your college roommate… And Brendan tries Kubeh […]

Just in time for the Emmys, it’s a special episode all about TV’s unsung, behind-the-scenes heroes! The costume whiz behind “The Handmaid’s Tale” reflects on fashioning the series’ iconic headpieces — and fueling real-world protests… the music supervisor of “Insecure” explains how he secures the show’s pitch-perfect hip-hop and R&B soundtrack… A casting director for REALITY television […]

We know you’ve been thinking, “What’s with all the reruns, DPD?” Well, a few of us have been taking a little time off this summer to recharge our batteries. Rest assured we’re hard at work on all-new classic DPD episodes we’ll be dropping on you in September. But, over the next few weeks, we’re bringing […]

Encore Broadcast: The irrepressible Tituss Burgess from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” doles out etiquette advice and plays matchmaker… “I Love Dick” actor Kathryn Hahn pokes fun at the high-art world… Indie musician Mac DeMarco DJ’s his Italian family dinner… A visit to a vegan butcher… Wisdom from New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott. Plus, a […]

It’s time for a cavalcade of icebreaker jokes! We’ve gathered a year’s worth of our show-starting jokes into one convenient listening experience. Brace yourselves for awesomely lame one-liners, knock-knock jokes, and more, courtesy of guests like Jordan Peele, Gillian Jacobs, Ava DuVernay, Danny Boyle, Rachel Bloom, Jane Lynch, Barry Jenkins, Norm Macdonald, and Tituss Burgess. […]

Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about his latest work in “Moana,” and reveals how a cross country trip helped him perfect his freestyle rapping… “Nerdette” co-host Greta Johnsen proves why Virginia is NOT for lovers… Rapper Kevin Abstract gives us a dinner party soundtrack for time travelers… Writer Ottessa Moshfegh shares her favorite characters nostalgic for other […]

“Saturday Night Live” cast member Kyle Mooney takes on some first world problems… Writer and photographer Teju Cole explains how he tried to be gangsta in his new book… Flying Lotus chats with us about his nightmarish film ‘Kuso’ and why you shouldn’t believe everything you read about it… New York Times Editor Erin McCann […]

Alan Alda offers up etiquette advice (including when it’s OK to punch someone)… comedy duo the Lucas Brothers show us how to cheat at driver’s tests… rocker Mitski provides a party playlist for people who don’t party… Jody Avirgan and Rose Eveleth of ESPN’s “30 For 30” tell a tale of a $12 million card […]

Surprise! Instead of serving up delicious leftovers (i.e. a rerun), we’ve got a fresh-out-of-the-oven Speakeasy special! This time around, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains why Albert Einstein could not have used hairspray, “I Love Dick” and “Transparent” star Kathryn Hahn shares a story you should NEVER tell at a dinner party, and Rico pays tribute to […]

How Alison Brie body-slammed her way to a role in “GLOW”… Cook and author Samin Nosrat explains why Iranians are the best hosts ever… Beth Ditto serves up a party soundtrack — and great gravy… Giancarlo Esposito (“Better Call Saul”) gives us the silent treatment… a detailed discussion on Piet Mondrian (the guy who painted […]

Neil deGrasse Tyson, Feist, Fleet Foxes, a talking wolf named Nick Offerman, and more join us on an audio odyssey designed to reacquaint you with the wonders of nature! Hosts Brendan and Rico — two city slickers — stumble their way through the great outdoors (and outer space!), gleaning wisdom from unexpected sources. This hour […]

This week, instead of a rerun, we’re serving up a Dinner for One special with one of the most celebrated character actors ever — Giancarlo Esposito. Known for roles in “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Do the Right Thing,” “The Get Down,” and more, Rico talks to Giancarlo about his carefully crafted acting method and […]

Encore Broadcast: Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan sharpens her skills in Broadway’s Crucible… Actor-and-author Cameron Diaz gives us impeccable advice — for the long haul… A new doc paints a portrait of David Hockney, an artist both bright and blue… One-man-band Kevin Morby recommends a few other artists (and BBQ masters) who went solo… Comedian-on-the-rise Solomon Georgio recalls […]

Showrunner supreme Damon Lindelof (“Lost,” “The Leftovers”) hops into Rico’s hot tub time machine, then considers the paradoxes of fandom… The band Phoenix toasts a purring Bryan Ferry, video games in Japan, and the sounds of le cinema… We pay tribute to late great sportswriter Frank DeFord, who throws us some etiquette curveballs… Musician Lynn […]

We’re back with another digital delight! It’s another installment of our almost-unedited “Dinner for One” series. For this mini-episode, Rico chats with former co-worker Damon Lindelof. Yes, it’s true! Listen as he and Damon reminisce about their days working together on MTV’s “Undressed” as writers (of many hot tub scenes). Damon also reflects on how […]

Director Paul Feig tracks your laughs, fights T-shirt tyranny… Producer duo Danger Mouse and Sam Cohen say Vive la “Resistance” (and French party music)… Writer Samantha Irby (of the B**ches Gotta Eat blog) fakes her way into pregnant yoga… Burlesque meets baseball (meets cocktail!)… And the Posts lead us into the ‘gaping maw’ of yawning […]

We’re serving up something different today! It’s the second installment of our new “Dinner for One” series — a single, almost-unedited conversation with a luminary in arts and entertainment. This time around, Brendan talks with writer, director, and producer extraordinaire Paul Feig. Listen as the two examine how “Bridesmaids” led to more creative freedom when […]

The irrepressible Tituss Burgess from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” doles out etiquette advice and plays matchmaker… “I Love Dick” actor Kathryn Hahn pokes fun at the high-art world… Indie musician Mac DeMarco DJ’s his Italian family dinner… A visit to a vegan butcher… Wisdom from New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott. Plus, a cocktail tribute […]

Surprise! It’s an all-new Speakeasy Special — a bonus mid-week treat filled with unheard bits and bobs from our interviews. Listen as “Silicon Valley” star Thomas Middleditch flexes his improv muscle and invents an entire fictional food chain (with a signature drink!) in less than 60 seconds. Then, get a mint condition etiquette answer from […]

Encore Broadcast: Peter Capaldi — star of the beloved sci-fi series “Dr. Who” — brings etiquette advice via TARDIS… Funnyman Paul Scheer revels in terrible movies, pseudo-reality… Filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi explores how the tech boom and gentrification have remade San Francisco, her hometown… Dance-pop star Shamir works it, while working retail, and whips up a […]

We’re putting on our own music festival with a special “ALL-MUSIC EPISODE”! You’ll hear sets from our favorite artists: Run the Jewels, Alice Cooper, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Punk legend Viv Albertine, Perfume Genius, folk musician Joan Shelley, Tony Bennett, and more. Plus Kristen Bell singing the praises of her favorite Disney movie (no, it’s not “Frozen”), […]

Radio kingpin Charlamagne tha God explains the concept behind his new book, “Black Privilege,” and reminds us manners will take you where money won’t… Oscar-winning screenwriter and director John Ridley looks back at the L.A. riots 25 years later… Rico takes a trip to Lawry’s to check in on the Prime Rib renaissance… and we […]

“Silicon Valley” star Thomas Middleditch gets silly and waxes poetic on his days as a Dungeons & Dragons wizard… “Dear White People” creator Justin Simien tells us how to deal with a Northerner who says y’all… Two-fifths of Cold War Kids mix a sentimental playlist… and author Elena Passarello introduces us to Mozart’s favorite pet. […]

Give Tuesday a fun boost with this Speakeasy Special! This episode covers it all: Nerds, Steve Inskeep jokes, pizza crust etiquette… need we say more? First up, you’ll get a previously unaired slice from our interview with Gillian Jacobs. Then, hear a full dose of etiquette from our South by Southwest show with “Saturday Night […]

Encore Broadcast: Multi-hyphenate Rashida Jones — one of the forces behind TV’s police farce “Angie Tribeca”– comes bearing wisdom for ‘overdogs’… Cello maestro Yo-Yo Ma gets existential… Pop sensations Tegan and Sara craft a party playlist that’s frank — and French… The man and myth behind the doughnut, as we know it… Photographing your dinner makes […]

Hank Azaria (“Brockmire”) talks about baseball in at least five different voices… Aimee Mann disses tattoo copycats, sings about actual cats … “Daily Show” expat Jason Jones — now starring in “The Detour” — relives the terrors of moving to New York City … Molly Wood unveils the latest scholarship at the University of Utah […]

Journalist Katie Couric is not flattered by her nickname of “America’s Sweetheart”… HBO’s “Insecure” showrunner Prentice Penny gives some “Upscale” advice… Swedish troubadour Jens Lekman throws a dance party in the Middle East… the creators of the hit Broadway musical “Come From Away” list some musicals based on real events. Plus, a divorce hotel, a […]

The one and only RuPaul gives some “godly” etiquette advice… filmmaker Danny Boyle reflects back on his cult film “Trainspotting” and why he decided to make a sequel more than 20 years later… Actor Alan Tudyk picks a list of his favorite robots… And sommelier protocol with the New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov. […]

(Heads up: This week’s episode features some *ahem* adult humor. It may not be suitable for young listeners.) Folks! It’s an all-new Speakeasy Special. This time, Rico and Brendan bring updates direct from the South by Southwest festival in Austin, TX about great new bands and oddball food finds (Heavy metal pizza? Check.) You’ll also […]

Actor Gillian Jacobs shares her “Love” for her Netflix show and public radio… Comedian Sam Richardson finds a friend — and his mojo — at the edge of the world… Jay Som DJs a Halloween party (springtime be damned)… And Emily Post’s scions bring tips on hotel tips. Plus, decrypting the Rorschach test, Norway’s answer […]