Frank Buckley Interviews

Paul Feig is a renowned director, writer, and producer known for his work on hit comedies like Freaks and Geeks, Bridesmaids, and Ghostbusters. He's also a great admirer of a well-made martini and perhaps Hollywood’s most fashionably dressed filmmaker. In this episode, Paul shares what fueled his Hollywood aspirations, his approach to crafting comedies, and why women often take center stage in his films. He also opens up about the vitriolic online backlash to his 2016 female-led Ghostbusters reboot and explains why you won’t see any guns in his latest film, Jackpot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Frank Buckley Interviews, we’re joined by Cesar Millan, the renowned Dog Whisperer, who has transformed countless canine lives with his groundbreaking training techniques. Cesar shares his journey from humble beginnings and the inspiring story of his arrival in the U.S. He also discusses how he developed a deep connection with animals and committed his life to rehabilitating dogs with behavioral issues. Millan also shares details on the new season of his hit NatGeo show, Better Human Better Dog. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released May 30, 2023. Elise Hu is an NPR host-at-large based in Culver City and was the founding bureau chief and international correspondent for NPR's, Seoul, South Korea office. She is the author of the new book "Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K Beauty Capital." During this podcast, Hu discusses the Korean obsession with beauty and beauty products that she observed and reported on during her tenure in South Korea. She talks about the cultural pressures the beauty industry has placed on people especially women. And she reveals how those pressures affected her personally. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released October 25, 2023. Tom Mueller is an aerospace engineer and rocket engine designer. He was also one of the first employees of SpaceX, and the founder and CEO of Impulse Space. He is considered one of the world's leading spacecraft propulsion experts and holds several U.S. patents for propulsion technology. In this episode, Mueller talks about the early days of working with Elon Musk and SpaceX. He also discusses why he started his own space transportation company, and shares his thoughts on the future of space exploration and colonization. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released April 10, 2019. Katelyn Ohashi is a former gymnast who competed for UCLA. She finished the 2018 season ranked No. 1 in the nation in floor exercise and is the NCAA floor exercise co-champion. A video capturing Katelyn performing a perfect 10 in a floor exercise routine in January 2019 went viral, and her unabashed joy during that routine captured the imagination of people around the world. During this podcast Katelyn talks about that performance and the importance of her team and her coaches, she reveals how she'd left gymnastics years before after an injury left her Olympic dreams shattered, she shares some of her spoken word poetry, and she discusses her plans for the future. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon M. Chu is one of the most in-demand directors in Hollywood. He is a filmmaker whose body of work seamlessly crosses multiple genres. He is the director of the hit films like Crazy Rich Asians, and In the Heights. He is also helming the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. Jon has also directed big-budget action films like G.I. Joe: Retaliation, dance films like Step Up 2: The Streets, and big studio adventure-comedies like Now You See Me 2. Jon is also the author of the new book, Viewfinder A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesse Katz is a former Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Magazine writer, and the author of the new book The Rent Collectors: Exploitation, Murder, and Redemption in Immigrant LA. The book tells the story of Giovanni Macedo, a young newcomer to LA, who seeks acceptance in the ruthless Columbia Lil Cycos gang. His initiation takes a tragic turn when a hit intended for a defiant street vendor goes fatally wrong, claiming the life of an infant instead. Hunted by his own gang, Giovanni embarks on a harrowing journey of survival and redemption, confronting the very forces that led him to commit his unforgivable act. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mickey Bergman is a former special-operations veteran from the Israel Defense Forces who now directs Global Reach and the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. Bergman is on the forefront of negotiating the release of political prisoners and hostages worldwide. He is also the author of the new book, In the Shadows: True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad. In the past decade, he has orchestrated daring operations to free Americans held in some of the toughest global hotspots, including Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela, Syria, Gambia, and Sudan. He was instrumental in helping negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from Russia, as well as Marine Corps. Veteran Trevor Reed. In this episode of Frank Buckley Interviews, Bergman shares firsthand accounts of his missions, discusses the art of negotiation under extreme circumstances, and sheds light on the importance of emotional intelligence in resolving international crises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Vargas is a renowned artist celebrated for his captivating portraits, dynamic murals, and more. Born and raised in Boyle Heights, Vargas has become a pivotal figure in revitalizing the Downtown LA art scene. His most recent mural depicting L.A. Dodger Shohei Ohtani adorns the side of the Miyako Hotel in LA's Little Tokyo. In this episode, Robert discusses what went into creating his Shohei Ohtani mural. He shares insights into his process, influences, and the deeper meanings embedded within his artworks. He also shares details about his upcoming project. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired July 08, 2020. Alan Zweibel is one of the original writers of Saturday Night Live, the co-creator and producer of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and a consulting producer on Curb Your Enthusiasm among many other credits. Alan is also a playwright whose theatrical works include his collaboration with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning 700 Sundays and Bunny, Bunny: Gilda Radner, A Sort of Love Story. He is the author of numerous books including Lunatics (co-authored with Dave Barry), and The Other Shulman (for which he won the Thurber Prize for American Humor). His new book Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier is available as an audio book later this month. Alan's next film project is a screenplay he co-authored with Billy Crystal, Here Today, which Crystal is directing and will star Tiffany Haddish. During this podcast, Alan discusses his career as a writer and reveals what it was like to work on SNL in the show's first years including with Gilda Radner with whom he was in love. He talks about why he and Garry Shandling stopped speaking for years after the end of their collaboration, and he also takes us inside his longtime friendship and collaboration with Billy Crystal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired February 2, 2022. The Netflix documentary "Lead Me Home" explores the lives of people living on the streets of Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Filmmakers Pedro Kos and Jon Shenk filmed and interviewed people over three years to give viewers a sense of their lives and the circumstances that led them to being homeless. Kos and Shenk and their film are nominees for a 2022 Academy Award in the Documentary (Short Subject) category. During this podcast, Kos and Shenk are joined by Nathan Sheets, executive director of The Center in Hollywood, a non-profit dedicated to ending isolation and homelessness in Hollywood. Shenk and Kos describe the experience of learning about the people they interviewed for their film, and Sheets provides perspective and context about the issue of homelessness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired June 02, 2021. Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a neuroscientist, former member of the Time Magazine "100 Most Influential People in the World" list, and the New York Times best-selling author of "My Stroke of Insight" which documented the devastating stroke she suffered in 1996 along with her eight-year-long recovery to regain the ability to speak, read, write, and walk. Her new book is "Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters that Drive Our Life." During this podcast, Dr. Bolte Taylor goes beyond the concept of the "rational left brain and emotional right brain" to argue that the brain actually has four distinct "characters" living in it and that by understanding them, one can better choose thoughts, feelings and behaviors. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired May 26, 2021. The book "Susan, Linda, Nina, and Cokie" is journalist Lisa Napoli’s captivating account of the four women who founded National Public Radio, their deep and enduring friendships, and the trail they blazed to becoming icons. Lisa joined Frank Buckley Interviews to share the fascinating stories of Cokie Roberts, Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, and Nina Totenberg. Based on extensive interviews and calling on the author’s deep connections in news and public radio, "Susan, Linda, Nina, and Cokie" is as beguiling and sharp as its formidable subjects. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Documentary filmmaker Paul Crowder joins Frank Buckley Interviews to discuss his new film The Blue Angels. The documentary features never-before-seen footage that chronicles a year with the Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squadron—from selection through the challenging training and demanding show season—showcasing the extraordinary teamwork, passion, and pride that fuels America’s best, the Blue Angels. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released September 19, 2018. Warren G is a rapper and hip-hop legend from Long Beach, California. He was childhood friends with future hip-hop stars Snoop Dogg and the late Nate Dogg, and in 1990 they formed a group known as "213" after what was then the Long Beach area code. Warren G is one of the pioneers of G-Funk hip-hop, which became the most popular genre of hip-hop of the 1990s. Warren G is probably best known for his song "Regulate" released in 1994, which became an instant hit. During this podcast, Warren G discusses his teen years with Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg, the early days of West Coast hip hop and the G-Funk sound, the story of how "Regulate" was written and produced, and the YouTube documentary "G Funk." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elizabeth Neumann served as the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She is the author of Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace. In this episode of Frank Buckley Interviews, Neumann discusses the forces within American society that have encouraged the radicalization of white supremacist, anti-government and other far-right terrorists by co-opting Christian symbols and culture and perverting the faith’s teachings. She also gives insights into the role government policies can play to prevent further bloodshed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released November 29. 2023. Stewart Copeland is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted musician and the drummer for the British rock band The Police. He is also the author of the new book "Stewart Copeland's Police Diaries." During this podcast, Copeland takes listeners back to the late 1970s and recounts stories of the early days of The Police including meeting and recruiting Sting and Andy Summers to form the band. He also talks about his process as a musician, and his view on whether The Police will ever play together again. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greg Behrendt is a comedian and author. His work as a script consultant to the HBO sitcom Sex and the City paved the way for co-authoring of the New York Times bestseller He's Just Not That Into You, which was later adapted into a film by the same name. In this episode of the podcast, Greg discuss his new tell-all book, See You on the Way Down… Catch You on the Way Back Up! which chronicles his battles with cancer, struggles with addiction, and the various ups and downs of his career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired November 03, 2021. Mary Roach is an author that specializes in science and humor. She has been called "America's funniest science writer." Her new book, "Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law," focuses on the unpredictable world where animals and humans meet and the curious science of human-wildlife conflict. In this podcast, Roach discusses some of the wildest encounters she found in her investigations. She also shares some of her thoughts on wildlife encounters that may be common in Los Angeles, like what to do should you encounter a bear or mountain lion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired June 06, 2018. Viet Thanh Nguyen is the author of “The Sympathizer,” a spy novel set in the chaos of 1975 Saigon for which Nguyen won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel has been adapted as a limited series for HBO and streaming service MAX, starring Hoa Xundae, Robert Downey Jr., and Sandra Oh. Viet was born in Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam, and fled as a four-year-old with his family in 1975 to the U.S. as Vietnam was enveloped in the chaos of the end of the war. Viet and his family were initially transported to a refugee camp in Pennsylvania but eventually moved to San Jose, California where his parents opened one of the first Vietnamese stores in the city. Viet attended U.C. Berkeley and earned a Ph.D. in English. Today, he is University Professor of English, American Studies and Ethnicity and Comparative Literature and the Aerol Arnold Chair of English Studies at the USC Dornsife School. He is the author of several books including “The Refugees,” “The Displaced,” and “Nothing Ever Dies” among others. During this podcast, Viet discusses his family’s refugee story and the plight of refugees everywhere. He also reveals the challenges he faces as a writer and explains why it took more than 15 years to write the short stories collection “The Refugees.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.