Best Writers Guild Of America Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 379 - Keith McNutt, Executive Director of the Entertainment Community Fund 31:29

5d ago31:29

31:29

WGAW member Andra Whipple sat down with Entertainment Community Fund Western Region Executive Director Keith McNutt to discuss what services are provided, what the Fund is currently working on, and how you can get involved.

1
Episode 116: Writing Children's TV with Geri Cole and Bob Mittenthal 58:08

6d ago58:08

58:08

Host Susan Kim sits down with children’s television writers Geri Cole and Bob Mittenthal to discuss balancing entertainment and education in children's storytelling, embracing restrictions – from budget limitations to writing for puppets — in creative ways, the ongoing fight for union coverage in animation, and more. Geri Cole is a full-time staff …

1
Ep. 378 - Anna Fishko 45:51

12d ago45:51

45:51

Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with Orphan Black: Echoes creator and showrunner Anna Fishko about exploring identity and found families in her sci-fi thriller series, 4D-printed body parts, what narratives she’s drawn to, and more.

1
Episode 115: Writing Slate's Acclaimed Podcasts 59:12

23d ago59:12

59:12

Host Katie Rich sits down with Sophie Summergrad, Christina Cauterucci and Madeline Ducharme — three of the journalists and producers behind Slate's "Slow Burn" and other acclaimed podcasts — to discuss their paths into journalism, the process of turning an idea into a critically acclaimed podcast, how a strong union contract gives you the freedom …

1
Fire Tech and Improving Access to Wildfire Information, with Watch Duty Founder John Clarke Mills 51:58

21d ago51:58

51:58

With fire season escalating across the West this week, many people are downloading Watch Duty App for the first time. But what is Watch Duty all about? Why was it created? Where does their information come from? What do agency employees think about it? We spoke to Watch Duty CEO John Mills about the Watch Duty app as well as fire technology more br…

1
Dave Weigel Talks What Summer Lee Can Teach America 28:34

1M ago28:34

28:34

Semafor’s Dave Weigel talks with Mike Elk about how Congresswoman Summer Lee was able to cruise to a landslide victory against AIPAC will other candidates struggles and were defeated by them.

1
Ep. 377 - Josh Margolin 51:18

26d ago51:18

51:18

Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with screenwriter-director Joshua Margolin about his feature debut Thelma, how his grandmother’s own experience inspired the film, how his improv comedy background informs his creative process, and more.

1
Ep. 376 - Union Town: Hollywood Teamsters Talk Negotiations Part 2 37:08

1M ago37:08

37:08

As the Teamsters and Hollywood Basic crafts continue their negotiations with the studios, we’re coming to you with the second half of our two-part series on the issues they hope to address. This time, WGAW member Jonterri Gadson sits down with Teamsters local 399 members and Chef’s Assistants Carlos Gonzales and Ester Garcia.…

1
Episode 114: Late Night Writers Roundtable 53:27

1M ago53:27

53:27

Host Liz Hynes, a WGAE Council member and writer for LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, moderates a conversation with writers from some of your favorite late night comedy series about their experiences and insights from the world of late-night comedy writing. The panelists include late night writers Molly McNearney (JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!), Dan Amira …

1
Fire in the Southwest Ep. 4: The Shifting Role of the Forest Stewards Guild in an Era of Megafires, with Zander Evans 45:47

2M ago45:47

45:47

Welcome to episode four of our Fire in the Southwest Series, supported by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium as well as the Arizona Wildfire Initiative! Today's guest, Zander Evans, is the executive director of the Forest Stewards Guild, which has a mission of promoting ecologically-, economically-, and socially-responsible forestry as a means o…

1
Episode 113: Amy Schumer (Life & Beth) and John Hoffman (Only Murders in the Building) 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

John Hoffman and Amy Schumer sit down to talk about the joys and challenges of leaning into the personal in your writing, the importance of finding the right collaborators, confronting the hardest parts of life with both vulnerability and confidence, and much more. John Hoffman is the co-creator and showrunner of the critically acclaimed and award-…

1
Ep. 375 - Molly McNearney and Danny Ricker 32:53

2M ago32:53

32:53

WGAW member Jonterri Gadson talks with Jimmy Kimmel Live Head Writers Molly McNearney and Danny Ricker about the creative challenges of writing for a late-night comedy/variety talk series, their advice on what it takes to submit a great writing “packet,” balancing the personal and professional, and much more.…

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Fire in the Southwest Series, Ep. 3: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Western Fire Management with Jon Martin 37:32

2M ago37:32

37:32

Welcome to our third episode of our Fire in the Southwest series! In this episode, we spoke with Jon Martin, who is the Director of Native American Forest and Rangeland Management Programming at the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University. Jon spent three decades working in forestry before retiring, and now uses his extensiv…

1
Ep. 374 - Dave Filoni 45:47

2M ago45:47

45:47

On this episode, Ahsoka creator and Mandalorian writer Dave Filoni talks about expanding the Stars Wars universe, his new role as Lucasfilm’s Chief Content Officer, and more.

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Episode 112: Meredith Scardino (Girls5Eva) & Paula Pell (Saturday Night Live) 1:07:30

2M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Acclaimed comedy writers Meredith Scardino and Paula Pell sit down together for a conversation about their journeys to WGAE membership, their journeys to the WGAE office, how producing differs from other positions in the writers room, the importance of both deadlines and procrastination in the creative process and much more. Meredith Scardino is a …

1
Veteran UE Organizer Chris Townsend Talks Organizing Surge in Northern Virginia 28:20

2M ago28:20

28:20

Chris Townsend is a veteran union organizer who has lived in Virginia for 20 years. He previously served as the UE's Political action director and the ATU's Organizing Director. Over the past five years, he has seen an upsurge in organizing in Northern Virginia. "I was the organizing director for the Amalgamated Transit Union and in a period of sev…

1
Fire in the Southwest Series, Ep.2: The Grassification of the Sonoran Desert with Ecologist Mary Lata 46:39

2M ago46:39

46:39

What is it like to watch vegetation type-conversion in real time? How are invasive grasses changing the ecology of the desert and broader Southwest? What's being done to protect and restore Southwest ponderosa pine forests? This episode with Tonto National Forest fire ecologist Mary Lata dives into the fire regimes of the Southwest, how they're cha…

1
27,000 Virginia Teachers Voting to Unionize 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

In Virginia, this week, over 27,000 teachers and school staff are expected to vote on unionizing. If they win, it will be the largest union victory in decades. The organizing drives comes after Virginia granted collective bargaining rights to public employees in 2020. Virginia now has become one of the fastest-growing states for unions in the count…

1
Union Town - Hollywood Teamsters Talk Negotiations Part 1 36:03

2M ago36:03

36:03

In a special full-episode of Union Town, WGAW member/captain Jonterri Gadson talks with Teamsters Local 399 members Doug Weaver and Alison Taylor about the work they do and the importance of this negotiation. This is part one of a two-part series on the issues Hollywood Teamsters hope to address in their current negotiations with the studios.…

1
Fire in the Southwest Series, Ep. 1: Southwest Fire Regimes and Post-Fire Community Support with Mary Stuever 48:33

3M ago48:33

48:33

Welcome to the first part of our six-episode series all about the Southwest, sponsored by the Southwest Fire Science Consortium and the Arizona Wildfire Initiative! In this episode, which is serving as an introduction to the series, we spoke with Mary Stuever, who is the Cimarron District Forester for New Mexico Forestry Division. Mary has a breadt…

1
Episode 111: Nonfiction TV Roundtable with Chinisha Scott, Gautam Singhani and Sarah Katz 44:54

3M ago44:54

44:54

Host and WGAE Nonfiction Women of Color Caucus Chair Chinisha Scott talks with WGAE members Gautam Singhani and Sarah Katz, who both recently worked at the nonfiction television production company Story Syndicate. Story Syndicate is one of the latest nonfiction television shops to join the Writers Guild of America East and they are currently negoti…

1
Ep. 373 - Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky 31:32

3M ago31:32

31:32

Host Andra Whipple talks with Hacks creators & showrunners Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky about returning for Season 3 of their Max comedy series, reflections on last year’s WGA strike, and why writing is essential at every stage of the process.

1
With 70% UAW Sign Up, 25-Year Mercedes UAW Veteran Talks 10:53

3M ago10:53

10:53

With 70% UAW Sign Up, 25-Year Mercedes UAW Veteran Talks By Mike Elk Eleven years ago, I first met Kirk Garner, Vice President of UAW Local 149, the minority union at Mercedes in Vance, Alabama. After the UAW was narrowly defeated in a union drive in 2014, it formed minority unions at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Mercedes in Vance, Alab…

1
Ep. 372 - Lulu Wang | Ridiculousness Writers Get First Contract 57:54

3M ago57:54

57:54

Timed to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WGAW Asian American Writers Committee Chair Kristina Woo speaks with Expats creator-showrunner & filmmaker Lulu Wang about her Amazon series, authentic representation, transitioning to television, and more. (1:00) Next up, WGAW member Jonterri Gadson talks with Ridiculousness wr…

1
Mercedes Union Leader in Alabama Predicts Landslide Victory 22:20

4M ago22:20

22:20

Since the late 1990s, UAW Local 149 Vice President Kirk Garner has been involved in efforts to unionize at Mercedes in Vance, Alabama. Now, after the 73% victory at Volkswagen in April, the union says that it is cruising to victory. “It feels really good. And it's finally coming to fruition. And we're excited, everybody's excited, ready to vote,” s…

1
Ep. 371 - Jen D'Angelo | Chris Keyser & David A. Goodman's Morgan Cox Acceptance Speeches 46:22

4M ago46:22

46:22

In this episode WGAW member Susie Singer Carter talks with 2024 Writers Guild Award-winning writer Jen D’Angelo (01:10) about crafting films such as Quiz Lady and Totally Killer, how her improv comedy experience informs her creative process, and more. For the Union Town segment (31:31), 2023 WGA Negotiating Committee Co-Chairs and past WGAW Preside…

1
Episode 110: Ron Nyswaner, "Fellow Travelers" 59:13

4M ago59:13

59:13

Host T Cooper is joined by Ron Nyswaner to discuss having the confidence to push Hollywood's boundaries, staying flexible during the unpredictable reality of being on a TV set, telling authentic LGBTQ+ stories without always centering suffering, and more. Ron Nyswaner is the 2024 recipient of the WGA East’s Walter Bernstein Award, and creator of th…

1
After 10 Year Battle, a Younger Generation Leads the Way at Volkswagen 16:07

4M ago16:07

16:07

A formerly anti-union Volkswagen worker explains why he now supports the union at Volkswagen.

1
Ep. 370 - Brit Marling | AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe 1:00:01

4M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

In this episode’s Union Town segment (01:03), WGAW member “Jazz” Peck talks with American Federation of Musicians Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe about representing musicians in the industry, the power of solidarity, and the magic that both musicians and writers create with their work. Then, WGAW member Aaron Fullerton talks with A Murder at t…

1
Episode 109: Kathy McGee and Beth Godvik (CBS News) 59:29

4M ago59:29

59:29

Host Greg Iwinski is joined by CBS New York writer-producer Kathy McGee and CBS Chicago writer-producer Beth Godvik for a conversation about their work in the Broadcast/Cable/Streaming News sector. They discuss the winding paths that make a career, trusting your instincts in a fast-paced news environment, and keeping up with a constantly evolving m…

1
THE BEAVER EPISODE (finally!) with Dr. Emily Fairfax and Dr. Sophie Gilbert 51:21

5M ago51:21

51:21

The long-awaited beaver episode! In this episode, we learn about how beavers are not only champions of wildfire resilience but are also sleeper endurance athletes (climbing mountains to find new watersheds), dedicated anti-capitalists (not giving a **** about the regulatory or material concerns of humans), expert engineers (casually restoring entir…

1
Episode 108: John Wilson, "How To with John Wilson" 48:38

5M ago48:38

48:38

Host Geri Cole sits down with documentarian John Wilson to discuss How To choose episode titles that will make for good stories, How To make your writers room feel like a therapy session, How To find serendipitous interview subjects, and more. John Wilson is a New York City-based documentary filmmaker known for creating and hosting the acclaimed co…

1
Ep. 369 - Francesca Sloane | Many Crafts, One Fight Recap 42:10

5M ago42:10

42:10

In this episode’s Union Town segment (1:00), Writers Guild members turn out in force to show solidarity at the recent Many Crafts, One Fight rally to kick off crew unions IATSE, Teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts’ negotiations with the AMPTP. Then, host Josephine Green Zhang talks with Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-creator and showrunner Francesca Sloan…

1
Experiences of Wildfire in Montana, with Young Indigenous Storytellers and the Montana Media Lab 29:50

5M ago29:50

29:50

Today's episode is a special one. We collaborated with the Montana Media Lab—a program of the University of Montana's School of Journalism—to help support their winter "Youth Voices" workshop, which empowers young rural and Indigenous storytellers to learn more about audio storytelling while sharing stories from their communities. This episode feat…

1
Episode 107: Jesse Armstrong, "Succession" 1:15:02

5M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

To kick off a brand new season, host Taffy Brodesser-Akner sits down with Succession creator and showrunner Jesse Armstrong to discuss how he staffed and ran his writers’ room, the importance of maintaining distance and perspective in your artistic endeavors, what's next for Jesse now that Succession is over, and much more. Jesse Armstrong is a scr…

1
Ep. 368 - Albert Kim | Matt Pearce on Organizing in the Newsroom 1:13:31

6M ago1:13:31

1:13:31

This year has seen multiple newsroom strikes, massive lay-offs, and sudden closures. In this episode’s Union Town segment (1:01), WGAW Asian American Writers Committee Chair Kristina Woo talks with Media Guild West President and former Los Angeles Times writer Matt Pearce about how reporters are organizing the newsroom to push back against corporat…

1
After 25 Years, Mercedes Workers Say Union Could Come "Any Day Now" 14:10

6M ago14:10

14:10

For nearly 25 years Mercedes workers in Vance have tried to unionize, but have never gotten so close. Early last month workers at Mercedes reached 50% for the first time in plant history. “I came in ‘98. And they had a campaign going on, and were gaining momentum. And they just couldn't reach that 50% mark,” says Kirk Garner, one of the leaders of …

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