Ben Wexler - Arrested Development, The Grinder, Community, The Comedians - Ep. 27
Whistling in the Dark
This week my guest is tv comedy writer/show runner Ben Wexler, whose illustrious credits include - among others - Arrested Development, Community, and most recently two sadly canceled shows - The Comedians starring Billy Crystal and Josh Gad - as well as the Rob Lowe vehicle The Grinder. Though both shows were brilliantly executed and critically acclaimed, neither found a big enough audience to fill the network coffers and thus, were unceremoniously axed. Such is the business of show. It seems few comedies are working anywhere on television these days, and Wexler is right in the trenches...
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Rose McGowan - Actress/Director/Activist- Ep. 26
Whistling in the Dark
I Honestly Can’t Think Of A Better Way To Usher In A Brand Spanking New Year Than With This Week’s Guest - Actress/Director/Activist Rose Mcgowan. ...
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TV Writer Mike Royce (Everybody Loves Raymond, Lucky Louie..) - Ep. 25
Whistling in the Dark
This week’s guest is tv writer Mike Royce. The native Syracuse NYer burst on to the small screen nearly 20 years ago, writing for such shows as "SNL" and "Spin City". But it wasn't until he joined the writing staff of a little known sitcom called "Everybody Loves Raymond" that things really took off. ...
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Lennon Parham and Jessica St Clair - Ep. 24
Whistling in the Dark
There’s something about Jessica St Clair and Lennon Parham. Ever since discovering their awesome but sadly, short-lived, 2012 NBC sitcom - Best Friends Forever - this bonafide comedy nerd has been hooked on their unique, and oddly soulful brand of comedy which can currently be seen on their most recent creation - USA’s critical darling Playing House. ...
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Marti Noxon - Unreal, Mad Men, Buffy - Ep. 23
Whistling in the Dark
This week’s guest Marti Noxon - is having a moment - as they say. This tv veteran whose credits include Greys Anatomy, Prison Break, and Glee most recently created and oversees 2 shows, Unreal on Lifetime and Bravo’s The Girlfriends Guide to Divorce - both of which have garnered second season pick ups - and rave reviews. ...
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The TV Comedy Director with Richie Keen - Ep. 22
Whistling in the Dark
It’s amazing how many universal themes and strategies come up again and again no matter whom I’m talking or listening to. It doesn’t matter whether they’re a nurse, a stay-at-home mum, an architect or actor - if something works it works. For instance, It doesn’t matter whether you have any intentions of ever becoming a comedy tv director like this week’s guest Richie Keen. What matters is that you glean something useful from our conversation and that it adds value to your life in some small way. That’s why I do the podcast. And that’s...
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Meghan Daum - Selfish, Shallow and Self-absorbed - Ep. 21
Whistling in the Dark
To have kids or not to have kids. Now THAT is the real question. And its one that has plagued many women for decades, particularly in the modern age where we are constantly being told “we can have it all”. Some of us who bought in - myself included - are trying to cram an awful lot of stuff in before popping out a kid or two, if we pop one out at all. There’s big careers to build, and traveling the world, not to mention enjoying our hard earned money and the freedoms that affords us. We’re endlessly self-reflecting and knuckle deep in analysis, seeking deeper meaning...
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Trailblazers - Kassie Thornton and Christy Spitzer - Ep. 20
Whistling in the Dark
In 2011 my then MTV colleague Christy Spitzer walked into my office, and happily pronounced her lengthy, self-imposed dating sabbatical - one we had discussed at length over the course of the past year - was finally over. And it was over because of Kassie Thornton - a sensational woman she had recently met through mutual friends. Though it was only a few weeks in, she had a hunch this was the real deal, that this one was somehow different from the rest. She was right. Not because she had never been with a woman before - no that was not the only life changing part of the...
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The Fantasy Bond with Dr Lisa Firestone - Ep. 19
Whistling in the Dark
If you’re a regular listener to this podcast you will know that your lanky, Canadian host is a big fan of two things… 1 - therapy, self help. Not as a crutch but as one of many valuable tools available to help navigate life’s often murky waters. And 2 - books. I’ve had some big authors on the show including James Frey and Jon Ronson and there’s more on the way. Now combine those two things with a subject matter whose organizing principal illuminates a part of the human experience so succinctly, so profoundly, and yet still manages to make it palatable to you and...
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Rachel Pally - Fashion designer, entrepreneur - Ep. 18
Whistling in the Dark
Fashion designer Rachel Pally's dresses have been worn from everyone from Angelina Jolie to Kim K and Dita Von Teese - most notably her famous jersey cotton dresses and kick ass kaftans - but it’s you and me and everyone in between she really relishes dressing. ...
info_outlineShe's baaackkk. By popular demand. My therapist, Karen! For those of you who didn’t catch her first visit to Whistling In the Dark, our aim was to break down and demystify therapy - what it is, kind of how it works (even though its a very individual experience) and to prove - by virtue of our patient/client relationship - that it isn’t nearly as scary as one
might think. In fact, in the hands of the right person it can be a truly life changing experience. This journey with Karen has been exactly that for me and I thought, wouldn’t it be grand if it was that for you too, dear listener should you be pondering the notion of seeking help in organizing the pain and chaos in your own life but afraid to take that first step into the abyss known as THERAPY. ANALYSIS. HEAD SHRINKING.
It’s not that the episode - nor the one you’re about to hear - are representative of an actual session. Sure we dip in and out of that sort of territory, but by and large, these are authentic conversations that dive into the big questions we both have about life. I bring my civilian take, and Karen her therapeutic one. And we meet, somewhere in the middle. We never enter these proceedings with an agenda. We simply trust that whatever decides to surface is meant to be and in some way, hopefully what the listeners of this podcast need to hear most.
Though we delve into more ephemeral subjects such as meditation, karma, the soul and other spiritual matters (I’d like to emphasize I am NOT referring to religion), there is also much practical and pragmatic discussion about some of life’s biggest quandaries, and questions. Though the two may feel like very separate entities, we believe they are in fact quite intertwined, and their ongoing integration an integral part of living a quality life on this crazy planet. But take what resonates for you and discard the rest. Curate your own unique methodology. There is no right and wrong here.
This episode covers much; I offer my own recent struggles in my efforts to find a healthy and lasting relationship, including a recent bump in the road just days prior to this episode being recorded. We also tackle judgement, breaking old destructive patterns, happiness, and dealing with difficult parents, among many other topics including Karen’s take on internet trolls - which I think will surprise you. I know it expanded my perspective.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy Karen the Therapist part 2. We aim to bring you one of these every month or two. If there’s anything you’d like to ask her, please go to witdshow.com or send me a Tweet@ shannonmakestv. We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions!
This episode is sponsored by The Podcasters' Studio.
The official Whistling In the Dark app is now available at iTunes and Amazon.com.
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