Best Hey Mami Podcasts (2025)

1
Sylvan Esso: Their Songwriting Routines, “Hey Mami”, the Durham Scene, and Creative Surprises 39:55

5M ago39:55

39:55

Ten years ago, Nick Sanborn & Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso) exploded onto the indie music scene with their unique electro-pop sound and mysterious aura. Since then, they’ve played some of the biggest stages in the world and have even created their own record label in their adopted hometown of Durham, NC. In this conversation, Nick and Amelia reflect o…

1
Ron Howard: Reinventing Himself After Child Fame, Henry Fonda’s Advice, and His New Sydney Sweeney Film 'Eden' 1:01:14

5M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Ron Howard, the Oscar-winning director behind films like 'Apollo 13' and 'A Beautiful Mind,' sits down with Guy to discuss his remarkable journey from child actor to Hollywood heavyweight. Ron’s latest documentary – “Jim Henson: Idea Man” – about the creator of the Muppets, is available now on Disney Plus. Links from the Show: Ron playing Opie on T…

1
Tyler Perry's TV and Film Empire Grew Out of a Single Act of Forgiveness 57:40

5M ago57:40

57:40

Actor, filmmaker, and playwright Tyler Perry is one of the most prolific and prosperous entertainers of his generation. Despite growing up in New Orleans with little money, no connections, and few entertainment role models, Tyler went on to build a billion-dollar business – totally bypassing Hollywood gatekeepers in the process. How did he do it? A…

1
Kelly Clarkson: The Pop Music Megastar on American Idol, Her Album “Chemistry,” and Her Emmy Award-Winning TV Talk Show (2023) 57:10

6M ago57:10

57:10

Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol in 2002, released her chart-topping single “A Moment Like This” the same year, and almost instantly became a music megastar. Kelly talks to Guy about the hardships of her early life, and how they helped motivate her towards success, the personal story of heartbreak while making her album “Chemist…

1
Josh Brolin: His Wild Childhood, ‘The Goonies’, and Trading Stocks to Survive Before ‘No Country for Old Men’ 1:11:07

6M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Josh Brolin (Dune, Avengers, Sicario) knows what it’s like to fall, rise, and live to tell the story. From his chaotic childhood on a horse ranch in California to teen stardom in 'The Goonies' to two decade without a big acting role, Josh pulls back the curtain on family, creativity, and a life driven by "insatiable curiosity". Plus: how he found o…

1
Tom Hanks Opens Up About His Career, Family, Self-Doubt, and the “Magic” That Shaped His Life (2023) 1:10:32

6M ago1:10:32

1:10:32

With a career spanning decades, Tom Hanks has embodied more unforgettable characters than most actors have roles. This episode brings back Tom’s inspiring conversation with Guy Raz from 2023, where he shares his journey through film—from early breakout roles to timeless classics—and his process of breathing life into each character. You’ll also lea…

1
JR: The Artist Whose Mind-Bending Portraits Cover the West Bank, Louvre, and a Supermax Prison 1:24:47

6M ago1:24:47

1:24:47

JR is an internationally acclaimed street artist, photographer and filmmaker known for his massive photo-pasting murals that transform cityscapes into powerful messages of empathy and connection. In this episode, JR shares his journey from tagging buildings in Paris as a teen to using art to bridge divides in tense and dangerous places – from the M…

1
Norman Reedus’ Wild Journey from Tennis Prodigy to Beloved Star of ‘The Walking Dead’ 59:50

7M ago59:50

59:50

Norman Reedus is an actor, fashion model, and photographer best known for portraying Daryl Dixon on the wildly popular TV show The Walking Dead. He sits down with Guy Raz to talk about his nomadic upbringing, stumbling into serious acting, motorcycles, fatherhood, the bizarre nature of fame, and how his ‘Walking Dead’ character has made him a bette…

1
How Anna Kendrick Went From ‘Pitch Perfect’ to Directing a Dark True-Crime Thriller, ‘Woman of the Hour’ 1:12:14

7M ago1:12:14

1:12:14

Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air) is an Oscar-nominated actress, singer, and now, director. Anna joins Guy Raz to share her journey from Portland, Maine community theater at age six, through her breakout Broadway role at 12, to Hollywood stardom. She reveals her path to directing Woman of the Hour (after swearing she’d never direct), and…

1
Lin-Manuel Miranda on "The Idea That Wouldn't Leave Him Alone" (with 'Warriors' Co-Writer Eisa Davis) 49:51

7M ago49:51

49:51

Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘Hamilton’, ‘In The Heights’) and Eisa Davis (‘Angela’s Mixtape’, ‘Bullrusher’) are writers, performers, and collaborators who are revolutionizing hip-hop theater. In this episode, Lin and Eisa join Guy to discuss their latest creative project, ‘Warriors’, a concept album inspired by the 1979 cult film, “The Warriors”. The duo r…

1
Julie Bowen: ‘Modern Family’ Success Came After I Gave Up on My Shakespeare Dreams 1:02:43

7M ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Julie Bowen is a celebrated actress and two-time Emmy winner who brought the iconic character of Claire Dunphy to life for 11 seasons. In this episode, Julie chats with Guy Raz about her childhood love of theater in Baltimore, waiting tables while studying acting in New York, breaking into Hollywood with roles in films like ‘Happy Gilmore’ and on T…

1
How Kenny G Became the Best-Selling Instrumentalist of All Time 1:21:20

8M ago1:21:20

1:21:20

Kenny G is a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and the top-selling instrumental artist of all time, with over 75 million record sales, and 1.5 billion streams. Kenny joins Guy to discuss his creative journey, from being the kid who didn’t make the high school band to a global music icon. Listen to how he defied industry norms with ‘Songbird’ to make…

1
10 Grammys and 2 Oscars: FINNEAS on Working with His Sister, Billie Eilish, Trusting His Taste, and His New Solo Album 1:17:50

8M ago1:17:50

1:17:50

Finneas is a Grammy and Oscar-winning producer, songwriter, and artist. He is best known for his close collaborations with his younger sister, Billie Eilish, and for being the youngest person to win the Producer of the Year award. In this episode, Finneas sits with Guy to discuss his unique creative partnership with his sister Billie Eilish, the un…

1
Diplo: From Working at Subway and the Zoo to Global Music Superstar (2023) 51:41

8M ago51:41

51:41

Diplo is one of the most successful and influential DJ/producers working today. He shares his journey from working odd jobs while grinding away on music to selling out festivals and generating billions of streams. Interested in a Visual Map tracing Diplo's creative journey? We made one just for you. Check it out here. And you can find his most rece…

1
A Rare Interview with Ray LaMontagne, Carpenter-turned-Musician Who Resists Fame and Lives on His Own Terms 1:14:16

8M ago1:14:16

1:14:16

Ray LaMontagne is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for his raspy vocals and soulful, introspective lyrics. He also has an incredible life story that you rarely hear about, because he prefers to avoid the spotlight and let his music do the talking. But in this episode, Ray opens up about his challenging childhood, working as a carpenter to s…

1
Miranda Lambert: How Honky Tonks, a Pep Talk from Mom, and "Losing" Forged a Country Music Superstar 58:37

9M ago58:37

58:37

Three-time Grammy winner Miranda Lambert is a proud Texan who got her start performing during set changes at local bars starting at age 17. It was a “Honky Tonk U” education that would serve her well – igniting a career that would see Miranda become country music’s most award-winning artist of all time… all before the age of 40. In this episode, Mi…

1
Esperanza Spalding on the “Suffering” of Songwriting and Her Dream Collaboration with Milton Nascimento 1:12:51

9M ago1:12:51

1:12:51

From a lightning bolt moment watching cellist Yo-Yo Ma on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a child to becoming a 5-time Grammy winner, Esperana Spalding’s journey has been driven by an innate love for music. But along the way, she’s often felt misunderstood and misrepresented in the press. Today, Esperanza sits with Guy to talk more about the forces …

1
Actor Giovanni Ribisi on Child Stardom, Favorite Roles, Marlon Brando, and “Strange Darling” 1:00:29

9M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Giovanni Ribisi, the versatile actor known for his roles in “Saving Private Ryan,” “Avatar,” and “Friends,” reflects on his life growing up in the heart of Hollywood and his enduring passion for filmmaking. He also discusses the emotional toll of “living” in intense roles; why he thinks “humiliation” is an important element of every creator’s journ…

1
‘Tiger King’ Creator on Joe Exotic and Watching a Murder-for-Hire Plot Unfold Before His Eyes 54:50

9M ago54:50

54:50

Eric Goode is a filmmaker, conservationist, and a former nightclub owner. His Netflix docuseries Tiger King, about zookeeper and convicted felon Joe Exotic, became a massive cultural phenomenon at the start of the pandemic. In this episode, Eric joins Guy to discuss his eclectic career path - from pinning dead flies to canvas as an eccentric young …

1
Mark Foster (Foster the People): I Delivered Pizza and Worked Graveyard Shifts for Years Before ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ Blew Up 1:14:32

9M ago1:14:32

1:14:32

Mark Foster is the frontman for Foster the People, which rocketed to fame in 2011 on the strength of their very first single, ‘Pumped Up Kicks’. Mark talks about growing up as a pastor’s son in Cleveland; nearly joining the military but choosing instead to move to L.A. to pursue his music dreams; falling into addiction and getting sober; feeling af…

1
Ellie Goulding: From Writing Acoustic Songs in Her Bedroom to Making Smash Pop Hits like “Burn” and “Lights” (2023) 52:21

10M ago52:21

52:21

Singer Ellie Goulding has had 35 different songs chart in the UK, the most of any female artist ever. In this conversation from 2023, Ellie shares how she first broke out of her shell performing original songs to her college classmates. She also talks about finding her own sound by using her unique voice in collaboration with some of the biggest pr…

1
Kenan Thompson: How an Atlanta Kid “Manifested” a Mighty Ducks Role, Starred at Nickelodeon, and Became SNL’s Longest-Running Cast Member (2023) 1:01:45

10M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live, Good Burger, Kenan & Kel, All That) is perhaps the most consistently funny TV performer of his generation. He’s the longest-running SNL cast member, and is beloved for early roles in Good Burger, D2: The Mighty Ducks, and the TV shows All That and Kenan & Kel. In this conversation from 2023, Kenan joins Guy to t…

1
Bjork: The Icelandic Superstar on Being a Child Prodigy, the Power of Nature, and How to Stay Creative (2022) 58:58

10M ago58:58

58:58

Bjork, a singular artist whose work extends beyond music to include acting and conceptual art, discusses her career and artistic vision in this wide-ranging interview from 2022. She talks with Guy about forming her unique vocal style; recording her first album at 11 years old; her album, Fossora, which features a bass clarinet ensemble; and why she…

1
Jim Parsons: From Dreaming to Doing By Trusting Your Talent and Saying 'Yes' (2022) 1:00:58

10M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Jim Parsons is an actor who’s best known for starring as Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory. While many know him as the on-screen super-nerd, he is also a classically trained stage actor. And in this conversation from 2022, Jim reflects on his entire creative journey: from playing the same character for 12 years to embracing new challenges (Hollywood, …

1
Weird Al Yankovic: Achieving Massive Success by Leaning Into His True (Nerdy) Self (2022) 56:02

11M ago56:02

56:02

Alfred Matthew Yankovic, when he was six years old, was told by his parents to choose between accordion and guitar lessons. “And my parents being the visionaries that they were said, ‘Oh, young Alfred would love to play the accordion.’” Alfred, better known as the chart-topping musician, satirist, and beloved nerd Weird Al Yankovic, told Guy in 202…

1
Rashida Jones Almost Gave Up on Acting Before Her Big Break on ‘The Office’ 44:34

11M ago44:34

44:34

Rashida Jones is an actor, writer, and filmmaker best known for her work on ‘The Office’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’. She sits down with Guy to talk about growing up with dreams of being the President, how acting saved her during a bout of depression in college, and almost quitting acting right before the biggest break of her career. Plus, how becom…

1
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Art As We Know It? 1:19:19

11M ago1:19:19

1:19:19

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt spends a lot of time thinking about creativity, technology, and how the two collide. In this episode, Joseph shares his thoughts on a not-too-distant future in which AI-generated content will be able to “make people laugh, make people cry, and win all the likes and awards”. He also talks about theater programs in school, …

1
Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard Worked a Temp Job and “Ate Mustard Sandwiches” in the Band’s Early Days (2023) 1:13:59

11M ago1:13:59

1:13:59

Ben Gibbard is the voice of the bands Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. He talks about Death Cab’s scrappy start, recording their classic album Transatlanticism, how the band learned to defuse internal tensions, and how he approaches songwriting in middle age. This episode was recorded in 2023. Links from the Show: Ben's Tiny Desk Concert…

1
Indie Icon Phil Elverum on Capturing His Life Story in Song 1:01:01

12M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Phil Elverum has recorded more than 40 albums and documented decades of his life in song – first as “The Microphones” and then as “Mount Eerie”. In this episode, Phil talks with Guy about his musical beginnings playing the tuba, the 40-minute song that tells his life story, and the album he wrote about his wife's death – a project that resonated st…

1
Storytelling Secrets from Michael Lewis (The Big Short, Moneyball, The Blind Side) 1:14:30

12M ago1:14:30

1:14:30

Michael Lewis is one of the most successful authors in recent memory. And in this episode, he dives deep into exactly how he tells unforgettable stories… from “Moneyball”, “The Big Short”, and “The Blind Side” – all adopted into feature films – to his newest bestseller, “Going Infinite” (about Sam Bankman-Fried). You’ll learn how to “surf the world…

1
Inside the Mind of Ben Platt, the “Dear Evan Hansen” Star 1 Oscar Short of an EGOT (at 30!) 54:44

12M ago54:44

54:44

Ben Platt is an actor, singer, and songwriter who’s quickly become one of the most decorated performers of his generation. He sits down with Guy to talk about his first professional acting role at age 9, breaking out in “Pitch Perfect” and the runaway success of “Dear Evan Hansen,” finding his voice as an “authentically” queer artist, and the secre…

1
Seth Meyers: Lessons in Comedy from 20 Years Inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza (2023) 1:05:32

1y ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Seth Meyers was a key player in creating some of the best seasons of Saturday Night Live. Now he's hosting Late Night in the very same building. In this classic episode from 2023, you’ll hear how his two-person comedy show in Chicago randomly landed him in front of just the right person to get him an audition at SNL. Seth also opens up about the an…

1
Michael McDonald: I Went from “Couch Surfing” to Playing Arenas… in Just a Few Days! 1:08:38

1y ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Michael McDonald brought his legendary singing voice and songwriting talent to not one but two legendary bands: Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, the latter of which earned him a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Michael sits down with Guy to talk about writing classic songs on envelopes and forgetting about them for years; feeling self-consc…

1
“Bob Dylan Pushed Me Way Out of My Comfort Zone”: T Bone Burnett, the Mysterious 13X Grammy Winning Producer and Soundtrack Wizard 57:46

1y ago57:46

57:46

T Bone Burnett is one of the most accomplished music producers of the past 50 years. He sits down with Guy to talk about buying a recording studio at age 17; being pushed out of his creative comfort zone by Bob Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour; building soundtracks for the Coen Brothers and True Detective; and why, at age 76, he’s the happie…

1
David Duchovny: His Journey from PhD Student to The X-Files, Why He Writes Novels and Music, and Failure as a "Rich" Experience 1:03:32

1y ago1:03:32

1:03:32

David Duchovny sits down with Guy to talk about his wide-ranging creative life. He describes the “gut instinct” that led him to drop out of a Yale literature program and pursue acting; his iconic roles as Agent Mulder in The X-Files and Hank Moody in Californication; why he writes novels and makes music; and embracing failure as a critical learning…

1
Lainey Wilson: The Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Who "Felt Like a Complete Outsider Moving to Nashville to Chase My Dreams" (2023) 49:30

1y ago49:30

49:30

Lainey Wilson burst onto the country music scene in 2022 with her album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’. But for seven years before that, she struggled to make it in the high-pressure Nashville music scene. And before that, she was a kid from a tiny town in rural Louisiana with a dream of being a country star. In this encore episode from 2023, Lainey join…

1
Billy Idol: “Underneath the Drugs and Acting Out is Someone Who Really Believes in What He’s Doing” 1:15:52

1y ago1:15:52

1:15:52

One of the first – and biggest – stars of the MTV era, Billy Idol is nothing short of a rock icon. He sits down with Guy Raz to share how the Sex Pistols inspired him to start a band instead of working for his dad; the stories behind the songs “Dancing with Myself” and “Rebel Yell”; his famously edgy image and lifestyle; and the workout routine tha…

1
Oskar Eustis: Bringing “Hamilton” to the Stage and Making Theater Accessible to All 1:04:53

1y ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Oskar Eustis is the Artistic Director at the Public Theater in New York City. He sits down with Guy to talk about “falling into the avant-garde rat hole” early in his career; convincing Lin-Manuel Miranda that Hamilton was more than a concept album; bringing theater to senior centers, women’s shelters, and prisons; and why he believes performing ar…

1
X Ambassadors: How a "Fake Manager" and an Accidental Jeep Jingle Ignited the Band’s Massive Success 1:19:44

1y ago1:19:44

1:19:44

Sam Harris is the frontman for X Ambassadors, a multi-platinum pop rock trio from Ithaca, New York. Sam sits down with Guy to talk about his bond with his brother and bandmate Casey, who was born blind; how X Ambassadors felt “so not cool” and faced lots of rejection while trying to make it in the Brooklyn indie rock scene of the late 2000s; and ho…

1
Natalie Merchant: Loneliness is My Signal to "Get Busy" and Create 48:27

1y ago48:27

48:27

Singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant shot to fame as the lead vocalist for the indie-folk band 10,000 Maniacs, then left the band at the height of their popularity to build a successful solo career. She sits down with Guy to talk about the political concerns that animate her work; what a dinner with Allen Ginsberg and Philip Glass taught her about cr…

1
Rainn Wilson on Becoming Dwight Schrute the “Nerd Bully”, Anxiety, and his Spiritual Reawakening (2023) 1:01:39

1y ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Actor Rainn Wilson is best known for playing Dwight on "The Office," but in recent years he has become a mental health and spirituality advocate through his books and production company, SoulPancake. He joins Guy to talk about auditioning for the role of Michael Scott, the deep anxiety he faced as a young actor, his ensuing search for inner peace, …

1
From $100k in Debt to #1 Independent Country Artist (NO Record Deal) | Cody Jinks 1:10:14

1y ago1:10:14

1:10:14

Singer-songwriter Cody Jinks shares his journey from heavy metal frontman and part-time bouncer and forklift driver to country music’s top independent artist. He talks about enduring years of poverty in order to keep 100% ownership over his publishing (“it was worth it”); how he wrote the 2x-platinum track “Loud & Heavy”; finding sobriety; and evol…

1
Louis Cato: Stephen Colbert’s Soulful Band Leader on Spiritual Music, Lessons from a Near-Death Experience, and Becoming Himself on Stage 1:17:59

1y ago1:17:59

1:17:59

Every weeknight, Louis Cato performs live in front of a few million people as the band leader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He arranges the tunes, sets the tone, and plays multiple instruments himself; Colbert calls him a “musical genius”. Today, Louis talks about the multi-decade journey that led him here – from listening to “only Jesus …

1
Viral Music Phenom Jacob Collier: This “Life-Changing” Moment Unlocked New Creative Powers 1:05:28

1y ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Jacob Collier has been called the “Mozart of Gen Z” by the New York Times. As a teen, his one-man-band performances went viral and led to a cold email from (and friendship with) music legend Quincy Jones – something he discusses in this episode. He also talks about his childhood, where he gets his ideas, why doesn’t make pop hits, and his most rece…

1
Songwriting Secrets Behind 70 BILLION Streams: Ryan Tedder (2023) 57:34

1+ y ago57:34

57:34

Ryan Tedder is the lead singer of OneRepublic and the producer and songwriter behind countless hits including Adele’s Rumor Has It and Beyonce’s Halo. Tedder even sold his own catalog for a reported $200 million. He joins Guy to talk about growing up in a religious family, tackling his stagefright (“I was shaking backstage”), using personal experie…

1
Hilary Swank: Moving to Hollywood with $75 and Whether She’d Do “Boys Don’t Cry” Today 45:39

1+ y ago45:39

45:39

Hilary Swank is one of just 14 women to win not one but two Academy Awards for Best Actress (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby). And as you’ll learn today, her life story just as remarkable as her career: from growing up in a trailer park (“it was no big deal”) to moving to L.A. as a teenager and living with her mom in their car for a time while …

1
Regina Spektor: From Temping as a Receptionist to Your Favorite Artist's Favorite Artist 1:01:14

1+ y ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Regina Spektor is one of the most critically-acclaimed and respected singer-songwriters of the past 25 years. She’s also one of the most thoughtful and open guests we’ve had on this show. Today, you’ll learn how Regina went from medical receptionist writing lyrics on post-it notes to rising star in the NYC music scene; how she overcame her fear tha…

1
Chef David Chang (Momofuku): “I’m Addicted to Creative Excitement” 1:08:32

1+ y ago1:08:32

1:08:32

David Chang is the founder of Momofuku, a culinary brand that grew from a single 600-square-foot location to include a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bakery and dessert chain, and a line of consumer packaged goods. David joins Guy to talk about opening his first restaurant after his epiphany about ramen on a trip to Japan; the panic and anxiety he …

1
How Dan Aykroyd Created "Ghostbusters" and His Thoughts on the Female-Led Reboot 1:01:20

1+ y ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Dan Aykroyd was the youngest cast member on a brand new comedy show called Saturday Night Live when it premiered in 1975. In addition to iconic performances as Julia Child and a Conehead, Dan also created a real blues band called The Blues Brothers with fellow cast mate John Belushi. In this episode, Dan talks with Guy about playing drums behind Mu…

1
Jake Johnson: His Creative Crisis on “New Girl”, Anna Kendrick Chemistry, and the “Dog” Mentality that Carried Him from Dropout to Director 1:23:20

1+ y ago1:23:20

1:23:20

Jake Johnson is an actor, comedian, writer, and director who is best-known for playing Nick Miller on the sitcom New Girl. He’s also one of the voices of Spiderman in the animated movies and he wrote, directed, and stars in the new comedic thriller Self Reliance. In this episode, Jake shares a life story filled with hilarious and poignant moments –…

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