Let’s Talk About Hollywood™

Hollywood isn’t just a place: it’s a mindset. Part memoir, part behind-the-scenes insight, this podcast offers stories, reflections, and encouragement from Karl Gibson, a veteran of The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix, Warner Bros., Tubi, and Disney+. Whether you are industry-savvy or just curious, get comfy and settle in for a real, unvarnished take on the dreams, detours, and heart behind the Hollywood dream machine.

Ep. 22 - A Studio Worker's 2025-2026 Survival Guide to the Warner Bros. Sale 12/10/2025

Ep. 22 - A Studio Worker's 2025-2026 Survival Guide to the Warner Bros. Sale As a former contractor for both Warner Bros. and Netflix, respectively, here's my take on the studio worker's guide to surviving uncertainty, above-the-paygrade stress, and keeping your cool when a studio and billions of dollars are on the line. Is it an end of a Hollywood era...or can Hollywood change it in its favor? Ultimately, audiences will decide and they are who need you. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/39360590

Ep. 21 - Thanksgiving Thoughts, Thanks & Love! 11/27/2025

Ep. 21 - Thanksgiving Thoughts, Thanks & Love! Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode I wanted to take the time to thank you, the listeners, for your support, downloads and helping this podcast grow over the last 2 months and 21 episodes since it launched. It's about hope, loss, resilience, faith and knowing you're not alone! 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/39187875

Ep. 20 – 2002 Journals: The Oscars, AFM, Girls Next Door & Recap Chat! 11/19/2025

Ep. 20 – 2002 Journals: The Oscars, AFM, Girls Next Door & Recap Chat! In this episode, AFM is still in full swing, the Oscars are approaching, Bebbles and Karl go to Vegas, plus plenty of stories including: The Girls Next Door, Raquel Welch, Gloria Allred, getting kicked out of Six Flags in 2000 (for the day), keeping the faith in 2025 and more Hollywood observations from 2002 and more! It's a real-cap recap - I think you'll like it! 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/39100115

Ep. 19 – 2002 Journals: "There's A Price for All This" 11/12/2025

Ep. 19 – 2002 Journals: "There's A Price for All This" In this episode, the 2002 Oscar nominations are out, the annual American Film Market (AFM) comes to Santa Monica and Hollywood's nerves are on edge. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/39011500

Ep. 18 - Lily Allen, Britney Spears, AI, WGA, Layoffs & DEI Hope 11/09/2025

Ep. 18 - Lily Allen, Britney Spears, AI, WGA, Layoffs & DEI Hope Episode 18: Hot Topics: Lily Allen-David Harbour, Britney Spears, WGA, AI, DEI Hope Pop-culture topics for the week of Nov 2, 2025 including the divorce album heard around the world, in defense of Britney Spears, WGA talks, AI and layoffs, DEI hope for a world that's already there. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38965395

Ep. 17 – 2002 Journals: If Hollywood Get to Be Too Much 11/05/2025

Ep. 17 – 2002 Journals: If Hollywood Get to Be Too Much Episode 2: If Hollywood Gets To Be Too Much It’s the start of 2002 and awards season is in full swing with growing pains, staying out of the fray as an assistant, and hoping I can do a full year at The Hollywood Reporter. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38927795

Ep. 16 – Season 2: How Hollywood Lost the Plot in 2025 (And How to Break Through Anyway) 11/02/2025

Ep. 16 – Season 2: How Hollywood Lost the Plot in 2025 (And How to Break Through Anyway) It's Season 2! This is a super-sized episode with 83 minutes on the state of the industry right now in 2025, from someone who's been inside it for 24 years and can give some positive and very real perspective. It's honest, thoughtful talk about what's broken, what still works, and why faith matters when everything feels uncertain. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38876655

Ep. 15 – 2001 Journals: The Season 1 Finale! 10/29/2025

Ep. 15 – 2001 Journals: The Season 1 Finale! Episode 15: The Season 1 Finale! In this episode, 2001 draws to a close, the labor market in Hollywood gets soft, layoffs are sure to happen and a New Year – 2002 – awaits! 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38828990

Ep. 14 – In Memoriam: Thank You Bebbles Stone 10/22/2025

Ep. 14 – In Memoriam: Thank You Bebbles Stone This episode is extra personal. It’s a goodbye and a thank-you to Bebbles Stone, who was my partner, my love, and the person who saw me through more chapters than most ever got to witness. It isn’t a typical episode, but it’s a moment of reflection, love, and loss. It's a way to honor a person who shaped my life and, in many ways, The Hollywood Reporter seasons I worked and experienced, as well as my career to come. Thank you for listening, for being part of this serial Hollywood memoir podcast, and for allowing space for moments like this. I know I'm not alone and wanted to share with you in this episode before the Season 1 finale. - Karl 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38742825

Ep. 13 – 2001 Journals: The Fire Escape 10/17/2025

Ep. 13 – 2001 Journals: The Fire Escape More details from a different vantage point of The Hollywood Reporter's 2001 Next Generation event in Hollywood as reporters, agents, writers, worker bees (me) and more converge for our own mini-party, I find some clarity and plenty to be grateful for in retrospect and, inside, a director goes off the rails. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38626720

Ep. 12 – 2001 Journals: I'd Dance on a Box First 10/16/2025

Ep. 12 – 2001 Journals: I'd Dance on a Box First After a long Emmy night and a lesson in newsroom politics, Karl finds humor, observational realities, and a touch of childhood fandom at The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Generation gala....including a surprise encounter with Three’s Company’s Jenilee Harrison. 💛 Support the podcast and help keep it independent: Free to subscribe for new episodes at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38606955

Ep. 11 – 2001 Journals: These Are the Times 10/15/2025

Ep. 11 – 2001 Journals: These Are the Times Karl lands his first major job in Hollywood at The Hollywood Reporter, with his contract being bought out to work there full time as an editorial assistant. Long hours, adjusting and balancing the rhythm of home and the Industry's needs is a learning curve, especially at home. 💛 Support the podcast and help keep it independent: Subscribe for new episodes at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38594710

Ep. 10 – 2001 Journals: Character Studies 10/13/2025

Ep. 10 – 2001 Journals: Character Studies Episode 10: Character Studies In this episode, the Emmys are postponed for a month, anthrax attacks hit the mail, and war is looming. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38565770

Ep. 9 – 2001 Journals: There Is No Turning Back 10/09/2025

Ep. 9 – 2001 Journals: There Is No Turning Back The world witnesses the events of 9/11 and The Hollywood Reporter's coverage, devoted to the news of the day, sets a standard for Hollywood trade magazines. Negotiations continue over my future role with the magazine and a theater legend's funeral leads to some stark realizations. 💛 Support the podcast and help keep it independent: Subscribe for new episodes at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38531125

Ep. 8 – 2001 Journals: It’s a New Ball Game Now 10/08/2025

Ep. 8 – 2001 Journals: It’s a New Ball Game Now There's a vacancy at The Hollywood Reporter and I'm up for the job. Will my agency blow it? A high-placed newsroom caller goes off and a full-time role is within reach. 💛 Support the podcast and help keep it independent: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38514715

Ep. 7 – 2001 Journals: Enter The Hollywood Reporter 10/01/2025

Ep. 7 – 2001 Journals: Enter The Hollywood Reporter Karl starts at The Hollywood Reporter for a two-month assignment that ultimately becomes a 7-year full-time role, from one day in the mailroom to the newsroom for good. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38427650

Ep. 6 – 2001 Journals: Workable Beefcake 09/30/2025

Ep. 6 – 2001 Journals: Workable Beefcake In this episode, a nearly month-long gig at UCLA Westwood comes to a close, Karl and Nigel from Hawthorne go to Vegas, a couple of news items bring back memories in the recap, and The Hollywood Reporter experience is just days away. Karl shares memories of working with Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, Christopher Lloyd, Marilu Henner, Carol Kane, Jeff Conaway, Milos Forman and an onset hairstylist who almost blows the whole thing! 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38402740

Ep. 5 – 2001 Journals: Cheap Shoes 09/27/2025

Ep. 5 – 2001 Journals: Cheap Shoes Summer 2001: A job is about to end as Bebbles and Karl, together for two years, hit a wall. To subscribe - it's free! - visit 💛 Support the podcast and help keep it independent: /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38379265

Ep. 4 – 2001 Journals: My TV Pilot Audition 09/26/2025

Ep. 4 – 2001 Journals: My TV Pilot Audition In Episode 4 of Let’s Talk About Hollywood™, we rewind to the summer of 2001, before my first big break at The Hollywood Reporter. I had just quit my job of four years and found myself staring down the side‑eyes of temp agency managers while trying to rebound fast. This episode is about my spontaneous one-day notice to audition for a TV pilot that the producers called a "gay Sex and the City." 💛 Support the podcast and help keep it independent: Subscribe - it's free! /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38372100

Ep. 3 – 2001 Journals: Crewbies 09/24/2025

Ep. 3 – 2001 Journals: Crewbies In Episode 3 of Let’s Talk About Hollywood™, we rewind to the summer of 2001, before my first big break at The Hollywood Reporter. I had just quit my job of four years and found myself staring down the side‑eyes of temp agency managers while trying to rebound fast. This episode is about working on a gig with in-transition industry workers and crew on a gig, how kindness, courage and appreciation for what you don't know can make all the difference! 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: letstalkabouthollywood.com /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38293495

Ep. 2 – 2001 Journals: You Don’t Need a Job? 09/24/2025

Ep. 2 – 2001 Journals: You Don’t Need a Job? Rewind to the summer of 2001, before my first big break at The Hollywood Reporter. I had just quit my job of four years and found myself staring down the side‑eyes of temp agency managers while trying to rebound fast. This episode is about the resilience it takes to bet on yourself, the messy reality behind “breaking in,” and how those early choices shaped my Hollywood journey. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: Listen, connect or subscribe at: letstalkabouthollywood.com /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38287910

Episode 1 - Welcome to the podcast! 09/24/2025

Episode 1 - Welcome to the podcast! In his debut episode, actor-writer-studio exec Karl Gibson starts just before his 7 seasons at The Hollywood Reporter back when it was a daily magazine, introduces himself and shares what’s to come. From journal excerpts and career takeaways to real talk and the start of a community, this episode sets the tone for a podcast that’s personal, reflective, and audience-first. Next up: the journals begin, starting in 2001, when Karl quit his day job and, over one pivotal summer, landed his first A-list branded big break. 💛 To support the podcast and help keep it independent: https://donorbox.org/please-support-the-let-s-talk-about-hollywood-podcast-series Listen, connect or subscribe at: letstalkabouthollywood.com /episode/index/show/3e7a0348-94e5-472f-9ee4-8b213ab331ef/id/38262885

Let’s Talk About Hollywood™

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