Cynthia Nixon - ‘Being brave is feeling scared and doing it anyway’ episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 11, 2025 · 51 MIN

Cynthia Nixon - ‘Being brave is feeling scared and doing it anyway’

from How To Fail With Elizabeth Day · host Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

Whilst Cynthia Nixon’s versatility is beyond question, it's fair to say that she has become permanently associated with one character, Miranda Hobbs, in Sex and the City and its companion piece, And Just Like That. She won an Emmy for her performance and a generation of fans who identified with the ambitious type-A lawyer whose cynicism disguised as vulnerability has grown markedly through the decades. Nixon is also a political activist and vocal advocate for progressive causes. She even met her wife at an education rally in 2002. In 2018, she ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of New York. More recently, she has repeatedly spoken out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Nixon's political conscience recalls perhaps the legacy of her journalist Father Walter, who won awards for his coverage of the Civil Rights Movement. An uplifting, smart and enlightening woman - what a joy it was to meet her. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro 03:12 Miranda Hobbs and Lessons on Failure 04:53 Controversial Storylines in 'And Just Like That' 12:38 Political Journey 15:43 Running Against Andrew Cuomo 18:03 Gender and Politics 21:34 Early Political Influences 26:58 Missed Opportunities in Acting 28:24 Influence of Family on Career 30:18 Quiz Show Memories 32:22 Truth and Pretense in Acting 35:15 Filming Amadeus 40:10 Thanksgiving Preparations 44:58 Family Dynamics 48:52 Gratitude and Hope for the Future Elizabeth and Cynthia answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com All episodes in June are brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easier to digest. Listen to our bonus episode brought to by ArlaLactoFREE with Vicky Pattison here: https://link.chtbl.com/VickyPattison 🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵ Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Studio Engineer: Sam Bair Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot Executive Producer: Carly Maile How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whilst Cynthia Nixon’s versatility is beyond question, it's fair to say that she has become permanently associated with one character, Miranda Hobbs, in Sex and the City and its companion piece, And Just Like That. She won an Emmy for her performance and a generation of fans who identified with the ambitious type-A lawyer whose cynicism disguised as vulnerability has grown markedly through the decades. Nixon is also a political activist and vocal advocate for progressive causes. She even met her wife at an education rally in 2002. In 2018, she ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of New York. More recently, she has repeatedly spoken out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Nixon's political conscience recalls perhaps the legacy of her journalist Father Walter, who won awards for his coverage of the Civil Rights Movement. An uplifting, smart and enlightening woman - what a joy it was to meet her. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro 03:12 Miranda Hobbs and Lessons on Failure 04:53 Controversial Storylines in 'And Just Like That' 12:38 Political Journey 15:43 Running Against Andrew Cuomo 18:03 Gender and Politics 21:34 Early Political Influences 26:58 Missed Opportunities in Acting 28:24 Influence of Family on Career 30:18 Quiz Show Memories 32:22 Truth and Pretense in Acting 35:15 Filming Amadeus 40:10 Thanksgiving Preparations 44:58 Family Dynamics 48:52 Gratitude and Hope for the Future Elizabeth and Cynthia answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com All episodes in June are brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easier to digest. Listen to our bonus episode brought to by ArlaLactoFREE with Vicky Pattison here: https://link.chtbl.com/VickyPattison 🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵ Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Studio Engineer: Sam Bair Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot Executive Producer: Carly Maile How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Cynthia Nixon - ‘Being brave is feeling scared and doing it anyway’

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How long is this episode of How To Fail With Elizabeth Day?

This episode is 51 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 11, 2025.

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Whilst Cynthia Nixon’s versatility is beyond question, it's fair to say that she has become permanently associated with one character, Miranda Hobbs, in Sex and the City and its companion piece, And Just Like That. She won an Emmy for her...

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