Episodes

Episode 346: Saoirse Ronan, Cameron Diaz, Solomon Georgio

(Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

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 his low point… And we toast “Queen Bess” — the African-American pilot who blazed a (con)trail before Amelia Earhart did. Plus, a cure for cell phone zombie-ism, a new funk-tastic track, and some horseplay.


Saoirse Ronan - 'A Horse Walks Into a Bar....'

Icebreaker

The Oscar-nominated star of the movie "Brooklyn" delivers a classic icebreaker before chatting with Brendan about her role in "The Crucible" on Broadway.


Germany Finds a Creative Way to Keep Smart Phone-Focused Pedestrians Safe

Small Talk

Erin McCann, Staff Editor at The New York Times, fills us in on how a town in Germany has a new creative solution for dangerously distracted pedestrians.


Bessie's Biplane and The First Black Female Pilot

A History Lesson With Booze ®

This week back in 1926, a great American's high-flying career came to a sudden end. We toast to Bessie Coleman's life and legacy with a moonshine-based cocktail.


Kevin Morby Highlights Solo Successes

Guest List

Kevin Morby's new album, "Singing Saw," has earned raves, including Pitchfork's "Best New Music" honor. The singer-songwriter sat down for a guest list session with us, in which an interesting person lists some interesting things. Below, Kevin introduces himself... and shares a lonely(ish) list.


Saoirse Ronan Trades Screen for Stage: 'I Knew It Was Going to Sharpen Me Up Big Time'

Guest of Honor

At the ripe old age of 12, Saoirse Ronan earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in the movie "Atonement." She also played the titular teenaged assassin in "Hanna," appeared in Wes Anderson's "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and starred in last year's "Brooklyn," for which she was up for another Oscar. Right now she's on Broadway, playing Abigail Williams in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." She chats with Brendan about making the adjustment from movie sets to treading the boards, her accent, and her boogie-down roots.


Solomon Georgio Looks Back at the Year His Parents Forgot His Birthday

Eavesdropping

L.A. Weekly spotlighted Solomon Georgio as one of their People of 2016. The comedian has been featured on Conan, Last Call with Carson Daly, and Viceland's comedy documentary series "Flophouse." You can catch his stand-up around Los Angeles, or next month in Portland, Oregon at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival. He shares a tale from his youth.


Cameron Diaz Talks Life, Longevity, and Black Beans

Etiquette

Each week you send in your questions about how to behave, and here to answer them this time is Golden Globe nominated actor and author, Cameron Diaz. Among her many hit movies, "There's Something About Mary," "Being John Malkovich," and the "Charlie's Angels" franchise. She has just recently published her second book, called "The Longevity Book."


'Hockney' Paints a Portrait of the Artist As a Grown Man

Chattering Class

Each week on Chattering Class, we're schooled by an expert in some party-worthy topic. Today's subject: David Hockney -- one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. And our teacher is Randall Wright. He has directed a new eponymous documentary about the artist. In it, he explores the life of the man behind those iconic paintings of swimming pools and the good life of Los Angeles. The film is made up of interviews with Hockney himself, images from his career, and footage from Hockney's never-before-seen home movies.


Playlist 346

Playlist

All the music from episode 346.