Home /
business Podcasts /
Working /
How to Interview Celebrities, With Taffy Brodesser-Akner

EPISODE · Jul 12, 2020 · 47 MIN

How to Interview Celebrities, With Taffy Brodesser-Akner

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to novelist and celebrity profile writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner. In the interview, Taffy shares how she’s able to land interviews with celebrities and how she structures her pieces. She also explains why she’s a “champion advice-taker” and tells the story of how her bestselling novel, Fleishman Is in Trouble, started as a failed magazine pitch. Don’t miss her New York Times Magazine profiles of Gwyneth Paltrow and Val Kilmer.After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss a couple of Taffy’s most ingenious pieces of wisdom. Check out Isaac’s profile of Nathan Lane.Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to [email protected] if you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. It’s only $35 for the first year, and you can get a free two-week trial. Sign up now to help support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOW PLAYING

How to Interview Celebrities, With Taffy Brodesser-Akner

0:00 47:09

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Bringing it all together.

Mar 31, 2026 ·54m

Why is the vendor role so contentious in the cyber ecosystem?

Mar 27, 2026 ·14m

But what do you really want?

Mar 24, 2026 ·42m

Strategic approaches to talent: A practical guide.

Mar 20, 2026 ·42m

Mid season reflection with Kim Jones.

Mar 17, 2026 ·41m

Is the role of the CISO adding to the confusion?

Mar 13, 2026 ·44m

Similar Podcasts

Managing Next Generation Energy Systems Cambridge University Background Stakeholders working with energy systems have to make complex decisions formulated from risk-based assessments about the future. The move towards more renewables in our energy systems complicates matters even further, requiring the development of an integrated power grid and continuous and steady transformation of the UK power system. Network flows must be managed reliably under uncertain demands, uncertain supply, emerging network technologies and possible failures and, further, prices in related markets can be highly volatile. Mathematicians working with engineers and economists, can make significant contributions to address such issues, by helping to develop fit-for-purpose models for next generation energy systems. These interdisciplinary approaches are looking to address a range of associated problems, including modelling, prediction, simulation, control, market and mechanism design and optimisation. This knowledge exchange workshop was part of the four months Res Al Jazeera English Al Jazeera Network #AlJazeeraEnglish, we focus on people and events that affect people's lives. We bring topics to light that often go under-reported, listening to all sides of the story and giving a 'voice to the voiceless.'Reaching more than 282 million households in over 140 countries across the globe, our viewers trust #AlJazeeraEnglish to keep them informed, inspired, and entertained.Our impartial, fact-based reporting wins worldwide praise and respect. It is our unique brand of #journalism that the world has come to rely on.We are reshaping global media and constantly working to strengthen our reputation as one of the world's most respected #news and #CurrentAffairs channels. The (R)EV Diaries - EVs in Rural America Electric Cars - Electric Vehicles Ben Jones Electric Vehicles are everywhere. All major car manufacturers, from the highest-end performance brands to the lowest-end utilitarian family wagons, are working to produce an EV option for the marketplace. Battery capacity breakthroughs and concept cars shrouded in secrecy dominate the news. Here in America, public charging infrastructure is popping up… in big cities where consumers are realizing they can electrify their commute and save 70% on fuel costs. But what about small-town America? Ben Jones, an electrical engineer for an distribution cooperative in southeastern Kentucky believes so. He’s been exposed to EVs and charging infrastructure projects for his utility. Ben believes that EVs need to be in every town and the right combination of battery range and charging options make electric cars very attractive to rural inhabitants. But that was not always the case. The EV Diaries chronicle Ben’s conversion from skeptic to being a self-appointed EV ambassador. He talks about h CISO Perspectives (public) N2K Networks This season on CISO Perspectives, host Kim Jones explores some of the challenges of leading through uncertainty. We explore the complexity of the changing nature of regulation and working with the federal government, the evolution of privacy and fraud, and how emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing are changing cyber. When you don’t know what questions to ask, you’re afraid to ask, or don’t know who to ask, CISO Perspectives provides the foundation for learning in this brave new world.

URL copied to clipboard!