349: Barney Frank, Anna Chlumsky, Hailu Mergia

Encore Broadcast: This week, it's a special edition of the DPD, taped in front of a D.C.-area crowd! Think of it as a political party: Former congressman Barney Frank pines for pragmatism and left-(handed) progress... Anna Chlumsky of HBO's "VEEP" swears she can leave her character's quirks on-set... Local keyboard legend Hailu Mergia, once a part of Ethiopia's jazz scene, tells us his incredible story and then plays us out... And we talk Martinis (and Martinezes) with D.C.'s bartender-in-chief Derek Brown. Plus, the man behind the President's "Between Two Ferns" appearance, some crooked Nixon humor, and more!


361: Kelly Reichardt, Kevin Hart, Chris Thile

Critically-acclaimed director Kelly Reichardt chats about her new film "Certain Women"... The hilarious Kevin Hart brings his kids to work... Grammy-winner and newly-minted "Prairie Home Companion" host Chris Thile spins us a soundtrack... Comedian Kyle Kinane unwinds with some conspiracy theories... Etiquette experts the Posts help us deal with unskilled Uber drivers... Plus: Growing food amidst LA's continuing drought, a donut delivery man in disguise, we paint the town red with an unruly cocktail, and more!


360: Rebecca Hall, Jane Lynch, How To Dress Well

Actor Rebecca Hall - star of the new film "Christine" - demonstrates her range (from Shakespeare to Bjork!)... The always gleeful Jane Lynch brings an alter ego to therapy and gives us etiquette advice... Electro-pop maestro Tom Krell, a.k.a. How to Dress Well, DJs your dinner party ... Novelist Jade Chang shares a riches-to-rags story of an immigrant who wants to emigrate... Plus, the underground Bolivian Llama Party, how you may be left-footed, the innovative origins of "I Love Lucy," and more!


359: Seth Meyers, Maureen Dowd, Eric Andre, Phoebe Robinson

Seth Meyers dishes about working his "Late Night" gig (and not about "Saturday Night Live!")... Pretend talk show host Eric Andre lists his favorite train wreck interviews... Comedian Phoebe Robinson teaches us how to avoid being the black friend... New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd gives us etiquette advice and describes what happens when Donald Trump calls you crazy... Plus, Indonesian food in Amsterdam, foul play at Wrigley field, pumpkin lies, and more!


Debate Party Download “InstaPod!” Feat. Maureen Dowd

Surprise! It's our first-ever extra-special-INSTA-pod! Normally, we help you win your dinner parties, but today we're going to help you win your DEBATE party. We chatted with New York Times Op-Ed columnist Maureen Dowd for "etiquette" (tune in for her full chat on Friday), but we couldn't resist also asking her about her thoughts on tonight's presidential debate and what you should watch out for. According to Maureen, the debate pits the "king of winging it" against the "queen of homework." Listen, learn, and prepare for those bingo cards...


Episode 343: The ALL-TV Episode

Encore Broadcast: It's a special "ALL-TV" Episode, featuring big talent from the small screen! Ellie Kemper of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" smiles into the void... T.J. Miller ("Silicon Valley") recommends wedding gifts for the budget-minded (just make sure you have your tetanus shot)... "Orange is the New Black" star Uzo Aduba invites Shakespeare to the slammer... TV mastermind Norman Lear reminisces about the birth of the medium..."The Daily Show" correspondent Aasif Mandvi tells us a thriller-ing story.. And listeners chime in with their favorite TV theme songs. The revolution will be televised...or, you know, streamed.


Episode 358: America Ferrera, Norm Macdonald, Dinosaur Jr.

"Ugly Betty" and "Superstore" star America Ferrera explains the "super" part of superstores... Comedian Norm Macdonald gives us etiquette advice and reveals why his new memoir, "Based on a True Story," is full of lies... Childstar-turned-writer Mara Wilson confronts the hereafter... Noise rock pioneer Lou Barlow celebrates soft rock with a soundtrack for your dinner party... Plus, the history of Play-Doh, a crimson cocktail, nanofish in your bloodstream, and more!


Episode 357: Guillermo del Toro, Dave Barry, Jamila Woods

Visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth") celebrates bugs, monsters, and his FX Series "The Strain"... Comedian Dave Barry gives us etiquette advice and defends Florida... Actor Nicole Byer gets racially profiled by a child she babysits... Author Mark Greif lays out his case against exercise (and everything else)... rising R&B star Jamila Woods DJs your dinner party... Plus, "clean food," a real-life tale of time-shifting, a timeless twist on the Dark n' Stormy, and more!


Episode 356: Craig Robinson, Angel Olsen, and Sake Karaoke

Actor Craig Robinson ("The Office") shows off his dramatic chops (and his German) in "Morris from America"... Phoebe Waller-Bridge-- star of Amazon's buzzy new series "Fleabag"-- pulls off the ultimate stage prank... Rocker Angel Olsen reflects on lost cities, found lovers, and songs worth preaching about... And Sir Arthur Conan Doyle assists in solving a REAL mystery -- which we celebrate with a custom tipple. Plus, the humble origins of sake, fall food (and restaurant bathroom!) trends from Bon Appetit, and tips on hotel tipping from the Posts.


Episode 347: Colin Farrell, Maria Bamford, Frankie Cosmos

Encore Broadcast: Movie star Colin Farrell considers his new film, "The Lobster"... Comedian Maria Bamford channels her mother (and her mother's hairdresser) to give us etiquette advice... Writer and activist Lindy West stands up for Kermit the Frog... Musician Frankie Cosmos DJs your dinner/pajama party (no boys allowed!)... Writer and rocker John Doe regales us with stories of the early '80s punk scene in LA (X marks the spot)... Plus, hairy dead presidents, the lonely journey of the Gar-Barge, a trashy cocktail, and more!