My guest today is TV host and author, Tamron Hall. Tamron is the Emmy Award-winning television host and executive producer of syndicated talk show Tamron Hall. We talk about her new book “Watch Where They Hide”, her interview style, and more during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in media, and how did you navigate your journey to becoming a prominent television host?
2. Your interviewing style is often praised for its authenticity. How do you prepare for interviews, and how do you establish a connection with your guests?
3. How did you come up with the idea for your crime fiction series and what do you think will appeal most with Watch Where They Hide?
4. What is the main message you’re trying to convey about our criminal justice system through all forms of media?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

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My guest today is MSNBC host, Joy-Ann Reid. Joy is the host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut and author of the new book “Medgar and Myrlie”. We talk about the book, and her career, during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. What were some key moments and experiences that have shaped your career in journalism and broadcasting?
2. What role do you believe journalism plays in advancing conversations around social justice, and how can media contribute to positive change?
3. What inspired you to write a book about Medgar and Myrlie Evers and why did you decide to publish it in an election year?
4. What did you learn about the civil rights movement from your interviews with Myrlie and her family that surprised you or furthered your understanding of that time period?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

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My guest today is former UFC champion and Olympic wrestler, Dan Henderson. Dan was a two-time American Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling who went on to become one of the fiercest knockout artists in mixed martial arts history. We talk about his new memoir “Hendo: The American Athlete” during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. How did your upbringing shape who you are as both a fighter and human?
2. What inspired you to become a wrestler and why do you think you’ve been able to have such a long career doing it?
3. How was competing in the U.S. Olympics different than that of the UFC?
4. Which UFC fight are you the proudest of and why?
5. What is your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

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My guest today is bestselling children’s fiction author, Kate DiCamillo. Kate is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and a two-time Newbery Medalist. We talk about her literary career, and new book “The Puppets of Spelhorst” during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. Why did growing up with chronic pneumonia draw you to read books?
2. How did receiving 473 rejection letters motivate you?
3. How have you been able to observe the world through the eyes of children as an adult?
4. What can children take away from reading your new book “The Puppets of Spelhorst”?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

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My guest today is PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder mastermind, Keith Chapman. Keith just celebrated the 10th anniversary of Paw Patrol with a second feature film called “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” which was produced by Spin Master Entertainment. We talk about his early career with the Jim Henson company, the business of intellectual property, and more during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. 1. How did your experience designing characters at Jim Henson and working at an ad agency form the foundation for your career?
2. What did you learn about the business of intellectual property during your time working on the Bob the Builder property?
3. What do you think has led to PAW Patrol becoming a billion-dollar empire with shows, movies, toys, and books?
4. Why was the merchandizing of PAW Patrol a higher priority over the content and how is that different than when you worked at Henson?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

My guests today are film directors, producers and screenwriters David and Jerry Zucker. David and Jerry have collaborating on several movies, including The Naked Gun and Airplane! We talk about their careers, and new book “Surely You Can’t Be Serious” during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. How were you both able to create your theater growing up and how did it lead to your first film?
2. What makes you collaborate effectively on movie projects together and how do you draw the line between being brothers and collaborators?
3. What were the biggest obstacles when you were developing your hit movie Airplane! and how did you overcome them?
4. Why do you think Airplane! can appeal to new generations after four decades?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

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My guest today is playwright and filmmaker, David Mamet. David won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow. He wrote the screenplays for such films as The Verdict, The Untouchables, Ronin, and Wag the Dog. We talk about his early influences, and career challenges, during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. 1. Can you share some of the early influences that shaped your interest in writing and drama?
2. What motivated your transition from studying acting to becoming a playwright and how did this shift impact your creative process?
3. How was being fired from dozens of movies a blessing in disguise and what did you learn from the experiences?
4. What are the biggest challenges of making a film and how did you overcome them?
5. What’s your best piece of career advice?

Video interview:

My guest today is philanthropist, Melanie Lundquist. Melanie is one of California’s most significant philanthropists and is a Giving Pledge signatory. Melanie and her husband Richard have pledged more than $400 million over the last decade to support various causes. We talk about how she became a philanthropist and more during this episode.

The 5 questions I ask in this episode:

1. What originally inspired you to become a philanthropist and why do you continue to be one?
2. Over the past few years, you donated to both the News Literacy Project and McPherson College, as well as joined the board of AltaSea. What goes into your decision about what industries, institutions, and causes you invest in and your involvement?
3. What are some of your insights on the state of philanthropy today and how do economic factors like inflation impact charitable giving as a whole?
4. You’ve made a pledge of $400 million with your husband to support various causes. How do you work in partnership with Richard to turn the pledge into actionable results?
5. What is your best piece of career advice?

Video interview: