Craig Finn makes music — as the head of the Hold Steady, and on his solo records — about grown-up lives and bad decisions. Back in 2017, we talked about his life as a working rock musician — and how touring actually works, how the band found a second life, and why fans and friendship matter more than old ideas of rock stardom.
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Today
How to Build a Profitable Media Company in 3 years, with Semafor’s Justin Smith
News is a tough business. So how did Semafor, the news startup founded by Ben Smith and Justin Smith, figure out how to turn a profit in their third year of business? Excellent journalism certainly helps. But it’s really because the company made two key decisions: Focusing on eve ... Show More
39m 32s
Jan 7
Inside Bari Weiss’s Rise: LA, Sun Valley, and the Mogul Network
How, exactly, did Bari Weiss become the head of CBS News? We know that David Ellison, who bought Paramount last year, hired her — and bought The Free Press, the publication she started a few years earlier. But how did she get on Ellison’s radar? And why are so many media moguls, ... Show More
40m 4s
Dec 24
Podcast Pioneer PJ Vogt’s Second Act: Less Budget, More Control
PJ Vogt helped invent modern narrative podcasting with “Reply All.” Now he’s running “Search Engine” with a much smaller team and a lot more control. We talk through what he gave up this time around, what he gained, and how he actually makes the show each week. I loved this conve ... Show More
54m 48s
Aug 2024
Entertainment Dark Ages Coming? Nikki Haley Called It!! 08.15.24
In episode 1726, Jack and guest co-host Pallavi Gunalan are joined by writer and co-host of The Bechdel Cast, Caitlin Durante, to discuss… Trump Desperate To Get The Attention Back On Himself Is Suing America, More Detail on Trump’s Plans to Ratf*ck the Upcoming Election, The Dec ... Show More
1h 3m
Dec 2023
Kenan Thompson | The Bigot Loser
GOP members made excuses for the former president after he channeled Adolf Hitler in a speech, Rudy Giuliani may not have the funds to cover the $148 million judgment against him, The Late Show dedicated a writer to cover only Taylor Swift news, and a Senate staffer was caught ha ... Show More
28m 4s
Feb 2024
Billy Joel | Double Jeopardy
Stephen Colbert urges Americans not to become numb to Donald Trump’s crimes, and offers a reminder that no other presidential candidate has ever had to pause his campaign to defend himself in multiple trials, for example, his election fraud case in Georgia where the district atto ... Show More
32m 18s
Jan 2023
Jesse Eisenberg | Bump, Set, Psych
Professional liar George Santos is following the example set by the former president, and the man some people think could be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024 is hampered by his lack of personal charm. Jesse Eisenberg tells Stephen about the family conflict that plays o ... Show More
24m 49s