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Employee of the Month — Society & Culture
Employee of the Month

We spend most of our time working, so what does it take to (mainly) love what you do? How do even the most gifted, talented, intelligent, ambitious, disciplined, imaginative, inventive, and lucky people develop their point of view, find meaning, serve a greater good, deal with work place politics, rejection, finances, boredom, red tape, logistics, and creative roadblocks? What are the perks or enjoyable about forging your own path? Catie Lazarus and her guests delve into beauty, banality and absurdity of work, jobs, and labor.

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Copyright: © Catie Lazarus

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JOSH CHARLES on Employee of the Month Aug 14, 2014

Show notes

Josh Charles’s longest day job was that of Will Gardner on The Good Wife, and he’s been nominated for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor for his role. Even though his character was brutally murdered this past season, Josh hasn't been sitting shiva long. He's appearing in several upcoming films and will direct future episodes of The Good Wife.

He had to audition twice for two different directors for his role in Dead Poets Society, revealing how grueling acting, especially as a kid, can be. Still, his talent and determination paid off, as his earliest roles were alongside legends, like the late Robin Williams (Dead Poets Society) and for John Waters (Hairspray).

From the get go, Josh was incredibly passionate about acting and snatched up his first manager as a kid at the sleep away camp Stagedoor Manor. He'd already performed stand up in Baltimore, where he grew up. I'm relieved Ted Talks didn't exist back in the 80's, as I suspect Josh would have probably delivered his first one in the womb.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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New York Magazine's Matt Zoller Seitz on Employee of the Month Jul 29, 2014

Show notes

Seitz is a journalist and film and television critic. He writes well, sometimes better than the actual shows and films he covers. His encyclopedic knowledge of both film and television, palpable love for the medium, have endeared him to his peers, including the late great Roger Ebert. Like Ebert, Seitz is also a prolific writer and editor, and is currently both the Editor-in-Chief of RogerEbert.com and TV critic for New York Magazine, which means her churns out multiple reviews and features in a week.

During his spare time, he writes books. He’s the author of The Wes Anderson Collection. The first person to ever cover Anderson, Seitz is currently working on a series of companion books for Anderson’s films. Seitz is also branching out to cover Oliver Stone and some other filmmakers.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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MARTHA PLIMPTON on Employee of the Month Jul 29, 2014

Show notes

Martha Plimpton is genuinely curious about others, a rare trait in actors, despite the importance of being so for their jobs. Wait an actor who isn’t narcissistic? It happens! That said, acting means many different things. Some folks are lucky enough to be paid to act and manage to fail upwards. Others shine in a particular genre, say Shakespearean regional theater or as a “nosy neighbor” roles on sitcoms or as a walking STD in PSA’s. But it is rare for even great actors to truly embody a slew of different characters across mediums. Martha Plimpton is that exceptional actor. I don’t know whether she’d describe her day job or even spirit animal as being a chameleon, but that’s what she’s been doing for the past three decades in over 35 films and television shows, on Broadway and off off off Broadway.

As a kid, Plimpton made her debut in theater, but became known for her roles in critically acclaimed and box office films hits like Mosquito Coast, The Gooines, Running on Empty, and Parenthood.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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HBO's SHEILA NEVINS on documentary filmmaking and leaning back in the biz Jul 11, 2014

Show notes

As President of HBO’s Documentary Films, Sheila Nevins has received more Emmy awards than anyone ever, across genres in entertainment. Her talent, insatiable appetite for work, and chutzpah proved instrumental in making HBO a mecca for innovative, non-fiction storytelling.

Funny, smart and captivating, Nevins started out acting. After a stint at USIA, Nevins worked in production at CBS and Children’s Television Workshop. But when asked if she knew someone for a gig at a fledging cable channel, Nevins recommended herself. In 1979, she started working for HBO. Since then, it's remained renowned for producing original, provocative programming.

In our interview, which was taped live at Joe's Pub, we spoke about her acting stint; what sorts of films HBO green lights, and whether it’s better as a woman to Lean In or Lean Back.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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RUSS & DAUGHTERS Co-Owner Josh Tupper reveals the best lox in New York Jul 04, 2014

Show notes

On the eve of Russ & Daughters expanding their appetizing empire to include a sit down restaurant, co-owner Josh Russ Tupper talked about his beautiful, utterly original, undeniably physically taxing, and fun career path on Employee of the Month. Despite having been born on Ananda (pro vegan & vegetarian) Ashram, Tupper quickly earned a reputation as one of the greatest lox slicers, not to be confused with shmearers. After hearing rumors of his steady left hand, I put Tupper to the test, which you can hear in the recording of our interview, which was taped live at Joe’s Pub.

Even on a curved plate, with a jack knife, Tupper sliced the lox so thin that you really can read The New York Times through it. He also partook in an empirically sound blind taste that the celebrated Upper West Side's Barney's Greengrass appetizing deli doesn't hold a candle to Russ & Daughters, although Zabar’s is holding on to dear life when it comes to the taste and freshness of lox.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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PAULA PELL on Employee of the Month Jun 18, 2014

Show notes

If Nora Ephron and Martin Short had a blond, blue eyed Southern love child, she'd be Paula Pell. A writer and performer, Paula Pell's been making you laugh for decades, and she's finally getting duly deserved public recognition.

Since 1995, Paula Pell has written for SNL, where she is best known for being able to punch up any joke, sketch or script no matter how short a commercial break. Along the way, she's also written her own NBC TV show (Thick and Thin), web series (Hudson City Ballers), and written and performed on 30 Rock. In the past couple of years, she started to branch out to film, having written and producer on This is 40 and Bridesmaids. She's also working on another film with Judd Apatow and Hudson City Ballers.

Today (as in right this minute), Pell is filming her first feature The Nest, which stars Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, James Brolin, John Leguizamo, and Maya Rudolph.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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TAYLOR MAC on Employee of the Month Jun 07, 2014

Show notes

The Tony's rarely celebrate solo performance art, cabaret, or truly experimental, independent theater, but it's never stopped audiences from loving the artists who reinvent the wheel. Take Taylor Mac, who often goes by Judy, and has long been heralded for imaginative, poignantly funny and original performers. When Mac appeared in Brecht's "Good Person of Szechwan," The New Yorker called it, "One of contemporary theater’s more unforgettable performances.” Mac is equally known for solo performances and fabulous, multi-character productions like, “The Lily’s Revenge” and “A 24-Hour History of Popular Music.” Mac is currently working on a two-person show titled, “The Last Two People on Earth” with Mandy Patinkin and that is directed/choreographed by Susan Stroman. In our conversation, Judy talks about shitty day jobs (pun intended), the joys of collaborating, and the weird nature auditioning. Mac also sings, giving us all a taste of the magic that is Taylor Mac.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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DAVE ATTELL on Employee of the Month Jun 06, 2014

Show notes

Today, you can't walk into a coffee shop without meeting some who is a comedian, and, yes, I am including the barista who messed up your order. But there are fewer folks who earn their living as stand up comedians for decades on end. I am not insinuating that Dave Attell is 194 years old. I am just saying that he is a beloved comedian by fans, friends, and anyone who has seen him perform in the last 194 years.

In our interview, Attell explains why working at The Daily Show wasn't the best fit and what he enjoyed about his critically acclaimed series Insomniac. His latest show Comedy Underground can be seen on Comedy Central at 1 am EST. Attell also proudly supports Operation Purple.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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ROSIE PEREZ on Employee of the Month May 24, 2014

Show notes

Rosie Perez has had nine lives. As a choreographer, she redefined television's variety shows by seamlessly weaving the fabulous Fly Girls into In Living Color's vibrant fabric. Perez's fun, bold numbers brought an elegance to a hilarious, subversive comedy show, that would take sketch comedy to new heights. The phenomenal show launched J Lo's career and put hip-hop on the map. Perez also choreographed pieces for Bobby Brown to L.L. Cool J, before giving acting a whirl.

On screen, Perez revealed a vulnerability and candor, that enabled her to make any role she took on truly memorable. Considering Perez is barely five feet tall, she may have inspired the cliche, "there are no small parts, only small people." She also paved the way for strong, funny females who happen to be hot, Latina or otherwise. Whether as a supporting character, like in Do the Right Thing, or as the lead, in White Men Can't Jump and Fearless, everyone remembers Perez. She's currently filming JC Chandor's Five Nights in Maine.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

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CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK may be retired, but he remains honorable May 21, 2014

Show notes

What do Bono and Nancy Pelosi have in common? They both gave Barney Frank memorable wedding gifts. Considering Frank was the first gay Congressman to marry his partner while in office, Bono and Pelosi were probably thrilled to make the cut for the guest list.

Frank's journey is nothing short of remarkable. A nice Jewish boy from New Jersey, with a bit of a lisp and a lot of chutzpah, Frank became one of the most vocal, witty, passionate, and persuasive progressive political leaders. A recent documentary Compared to What, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, chronicles Frank's 40 years in public service, including his eponymous struggles and triumphs as a 16 term Massachusetts Congressman. We sat down after the film at the Soho House in New York City to speak about his experience, work habits, C-Span's gluttony, and why he thinks Dick Cheney is a liar.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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