The Well

Roope Rainisto, Part 2 – “Creativity into Code” – TWP067 Aug 15, 2024

Part 2 of our conversation with AI Filmmaker Roope Rainisto gets into the philosophical, ethical and legal aspects of generative art. Is the genie out of the bottle? How do we respond and what choices do we have?

https://youtu.be/ja4S2d8fSB8

Roope Rainisto, Part 1 – “Enslaving AI” – TWP066 Jul 25, 2024

AI filmmaker Roope Rainisto joins us from Finland for part 1 of our discussion about generative tools and working within AI’s current possibilities and limitations.

https://youtu.be/nR__J4L3KY4

The Drop – Part 22 Jul 01, 2024

Branan and Anson broadcast from a rooftop in Toronto accompanied by the soothing sounds of a nearby house renovation. In this Drop: Star Trek set tour, Moondog, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds, Emergence Magazine’s “Winds of Awe and Fear” by Nick Hunt and Ethernal Damnation’s INDXcoin.

https://youtu.be/H7Lonjt2CrM

And here, as read by Branan, the original apology video posted by Eli Regalado regarding his crypto currency investigation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsgCU-OxORo

Rod Lurie – “My Blood & Bones” – TWP065 Jun 16, 2024

Film Director Rod Lurie was in Bulgaria, deep into pre-production for his film “The Outpost” when he got the call that his son Hunter had suffered a sudden cardiac event. What you are about to hear is a story of loss, but also one of victory through the very decision to keep going.

Special thanks to Rod Lurie for sharing his story with us. Happy Father’s Day.

Extra music provided by Poddington Bear under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 International license.

THE DROP – “AT THE MOVIES” with Bilge Ebiri Jun 08, 2024

In this episode: Bilge Ebiri, esteemed film critic (New York, Vulture) and friend of the show drops by to discuss where FURIOSA fits in George Miller’s MAD MAX saga, Netflix, ATHENA, IN A VIOLENT NATURE, and the how going out to the movies is more fun and may just make you a better dresser.

https://youtu.be/y4kKxIX707w

The Drop – Part 21 Apr 03, 2024

In this episode: Back surgery, heart ablation, genetic memory, the eternal jellyfish, Jules Verne, big leather books, The Heart Goes Last, The Curse, Uncut Gems, Safdie’s music choices, squid games game show, Alice in Borderland, Connections, James burke, Incan potatoes, hulked out grasses, The Holdovers featuring the mysterious Andrew Garmen, and Anson and Branan get Verklempt reading a listener review.

https://youtu.be/oUCwSOfVpac

TWP064 – Andrew Cumming -“Out of Darkness” Mar 13, 2024

Anson and Branan are still banging on about OUT OF DARKNESS and we are thrilled to have the film’s director Andrew Cumming join us for a chat from the far-flung Shetland islands. Mentioned in this episode: Learning to be a caveman, William Golding’s “The Inheritors”, “Quest for Fire”. “Clan of Cave Bear”, “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari and shooting in remote locations during COVID in the harsh Scottish winter. WARNING: Spoilers within! If you have not seen the film we suggest seeing it now that it is streaming. #OutOfDarkness @SignatureEntUK

https://youtu.be/U5xMX1OZr24

Kenneth Mitchell – In Memoriam (repost) – TWP063 Mar 01, 2024

When actor Kenneth Mitchell was given a life altering medical diagnosis, it forced him to change his relationship to the concept of time itself. Join us for our first LIVE episode recording from April, 2022 reposted in remembrance.

https://youtu.be/VKD-FniubEs?si=u-9KfvIDpaXm8dIO

The Drop – Part 20 – “Out of Darkness” Feb 23, 2024

In this episode: OUT OF DARKNESS, amateur speculation regarding the provenance of our species, recent vacations where Anson and Branan both experience passport issues, volcanoes in Iceland and an actual dick measuring contest (not ours).

https://youtu.be/tzSijwuEjs4

The Drop – part 19 Jan 31, 2024

In this episode: Learning Sequences, Mosquitoes on Rainy Lake and other mosquito nightmares, BEEF, painted nails, pizza tours, THE HARVEST, attending the world premiere of OPPENHEIMER, SAG Strike, the heaviest film ever made and what we all suspected about men and sports cars in now scientific fact.

https://youtu.be/ByLSaZN7x9I

TWP062 – “Gravity Savvy” with Daniel Reardon Jan 10, 2024

Anson and Branan take on the weighty subject of gravity and gravity waves with our guest Daniel Reardon doing most of the heavy lifting. Please enjoy this fun and fact-filled historical romp though time and space.

https://youtu.be/5FqEVMsL_Jk?si=PuCjGKPXwCL2KTDL

The Drop – Part 18 Dec 07, 2023

In this short Drop Anson and Branan discus STILL, the documentary about Michael J. Fox, BARRY, Beavis and Butthead, Something in the Dirt and new music from Little Moon.

“The Harvest” with Doua Moua and Perry Yung – TWP062 Jul 24, 2023

Doua Moua’s tireless pursuit of his dream to produce his screenplay, “The Harvest,” finally paid off. We are joined by Doua and his co-star, Perry Yung, who dedicated himself to understanding Hmong culture to portray the father in this deeply personal story.

D&D Reunion with Nathan Stewart_TWP061 Jul 10, 2023

Did you know Anson used to be a Dungeon Master? In this episode Branan lures Anson into a surprise reunion with his old campaign players under the pretext of interviewing Nathan Stewart of Wizards of the Coast about his role as advisor on the movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Nathan does eventually join the conversation, it’s like two episodes in one!

The Drop – Part 17 Jun 12, 2023

In this episode: Branan discusses his oceanic adventure turning 50, Anson recommends Dan Simmon’s ‘Hyperion’, and they both catch-up on ‘Succession’, ‘Beau Is Afraid’, The Dungeons & Dragons movie, meeting John Cleese, some new music and the unforgivable desecration of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar at the hands of he-who-shall-not-be named.

Eric Zala – “Raiders of the Lost Youth” – TWP060 Mar 16, 2023

Eric and his buddies decided they would make a shot-for-shot remake of “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. The only problem? They were just kids. But they had a secret weapon at their disposal: they were just kids.

Interested listeners may watch the fan film itself, and see those moments as described, at threaderskids.com

Special thanks to John Hudgens. Additional music for this episode provided by Audiorezout under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial International license.

The Drop – Part 16-Athena Part 2 with Bilge Ebiri Jan 31, 2023

We are not finished talking about ATHENA by Romain Gavras. This time we let film critic Bilgi Ebiri do all the talking. We also get into marketing versus promotion and how even a film like ATHENA can get lost in all the noise.

The Drop – Part 16-Athena Part 1 Jan 09, 2023

In this installment of The Drop Branan and Anson discuss and highly recommend the astonishing film ATHENA by Romain Gavras and film critic Bilgi Ebiri stops by to help us articulate what makes this such an amazing film. Also, Branan and Anson perform an original play written by artificial intelligence.

Jello Biafra – “How to make Jello” – TWP059 Dec 05, 2022

One of our cultural heroes, Jello Biafra is a legendary figure in the punk rock scene and a spoken word artist and politician. He joins us to discus how he found his unique voice and how to weather the slings and arrows of our chaotic political reality. His solution? Wicked humor.

Howard Berger & Marshall Julius – “Masters of Makeup” – TWP058 Oct 27, 2022

Just in time for Halloween Branan sits down with author Marshall Julius and legendary makeup FX maestro Howard Berger to discuss their new book, and Branan gets nostalgic and wistful thinking back upon his own almost makeup career.

The Drop – Part 15 Sep 03, 2022

We were so taken with S.S. Rajamouli’s landmark film, RRR, we deciated a whole Drop to it! Also, odd news stories and a subtle plea for a new watch.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Jack Hitt, Part 3 “Crystal Ballz” Jul 04, 2022

Back in April of 2020 author and journalist Jack Hitt sat down with us to discuss the beginings of the pandemic and make a few predictions. Over two years later we emerge from our basements and closets to check the accuracy of those predictions and we are once again visted by the ghost of Ignaz Semmelweis. What did we get right and what did we get wrong? Have any lessons been learned?

Vijay Gupta – Part 2 – “The Call” – TWP057 Jun 21, 2022

Imagine getting an anonymous phone call. The person on the other end tells you that, not only has your work been recognized by group of world recognized artists and innovators, but they are also going to inject your bank account with enough money to change your work and, yes, your life. That’s what happened to Vijay Gupta. Here’s our episode about Vijay’s induction into the MacArthur Foundation’s Fellows program and the strange history of the so-called “Genius Grant.”

Vijay’s album “When the Violin…” can be found here.

Vijay Gupta, Part 1 – “Saying Yes” – TWP056 May 30, 2022

When a virtuoso violinist realizes he has yet to develop his own artistic voice, nor any idea of how to accomplish that task, he is face with a choice: continue a lonely descent into angst, or learn to say “yes”. Here’s the story of how he chose the latter and developed a powerful friendship in the process.

You can find Vijay’s album “When the Violin” here.

You can find out more about “Street Symphony” here.

You can find Steve Lopez’s book “The Soloist” here.

The Drop – Part 14 May 16, 2022

In this episode Branan and Anson discuss: An evil & drugged cat, The STAR TREK: SNW premiere, SEVERANCE, TOP GUN 2, PAM & TOMMY, Robert Egger’s THE NORTHMAN, Cixin Liu’s The Poetry Cloud (can be read here) And Euphemisms That Get on My You-Know-Whats by Adam Sharp.

Cat illustration by Louis Wain

Kenneth Mitchell – “Time.” – TWP055 Apr 25, 2022

When actor Kenneth Mitchell was given a life altering medical diagnosis, it forced him to change his relationship to the concept of time itself. Join us for our first LIVE episode recording.

Additional music provided by Kevin McLeod under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution license.

Tom McElroy, Part 2 – “How Far is Too Far?” – TWP054 Apr 11, 2022

Tom McElroy has found the road less traveled to be full of unexpected turns, from the absurdities of reality TV to the perils of traveling in remote wildernesses. Along this sometimes tangled path one thing remains clear, we were not meant to go it alone.

And if you haven’t checked it out yet, our Island Survival Exit Interview is now on YouTube where Anson Mount interviews Branan Edgens about his time in St. Croix learning primitive survival skills from Tom McElory of wildsurvivalskills.com.

https://youtu.be/mtC1HfCxTtA

Tom McElroy, Part 1 – “Chasing the Dream” – TWP053 Mar 29, 2022

Who amongst us has not dreamed of a simpler life more connected to nature, of escaping the rat race and living a singular existence full of adventure? It’s easier dreamed than done but primitive survival expert Tom McElroy of wildsurvivalskills.com sat down with us to tell us how he did it and share the unexpected twists and turns of his adventure thus far.

The Drop – Part 13 Mar 21, 2022

This episode finds Branan tired and new father Anson unexpectedly well-rested. Discussed in this episode: SEVERANCE, GIRLS Vs. GANGSTERS AND MIKE TYSON (!), Joel Coen’s THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH as reviewed by Ethan Coen, Octavia Butler’s WILD SEED, THE SPARROW by Mary Doria Russell, A delinquent dancing cactus, wisdom from Sterling Hayden, Anson’s worst moment as an actor, and a giant and expensive rebar chicken, and more!

The Drop – Part 12 Jan 15, 2022

In this episode we discuss impending Fatherhood! Plus Bo Burnham’s INSIDE, Burt Reynolds’ HEAT, Branan’s experience Cabin living, camping with the gang, John Fahey , Mr. Rogers discusses silence, Never Ending Story, Fellini’s Toby Dammit excerpt from SPIRITS OF THE DEAD, Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater in F minor, RV 621: VI Eja Mater, fons amoris and how is it compares to BB King and Shakespeare, MIDNIGHT MASS (Netflix), Mark Twain, I am One of You Forever by Fred chapel, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, SUCCESSION (HBO), THE DEATH OF STALIN, Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark, Fabric or Reality by David Deutsch, Simulation theory, plus readings from Harper’s Magazine “Writing Wrongs” and “Clause and Effect”and we read listener reviews. Artwork “Fatherhood” by Mahfuzur Rahman

The Drop – Part 11 Oct 11, 2021

Another installment of the segment in which we share all the things we’ve been watching, reading and hearing. AND… The amazing story of how Uncle Philip became a guitar!!! You won’t wanna miss this one. This episode is dedicated in loving memory to Kao Ly Ilene Her.

WHATRYADOIN – Daniel Reardon Aug 21, 2021

Early in the pandemic, the medical community struggled with ways to help people avoid getting sick through physical contact, particularly when it came to our strange habit of constantly touching our faces. That’s when Astrophysicist Daniel Reardon got an idea. What follows is the strange and funny tale of a highly intelligent man falling down the rabbit hole of stupidity and then using his story to make people smile during a very dark time.

Extra music for this episode provided by Krestovsky under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercia-Share Alike 3.0 license.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Tzi Ma Jun 09, 2021

Anson and Branan chat with Tzi about his time on “Hell on Wheels”, his incredible career trajectory, his ongoing fight against anti-AAPI hate, and that time he was busted for selling powdered sugar at Andy Warhol’s house.

For more information about the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund you can visit their website here.

Additional music provided by Bored With Four under a Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 3.0 International license. Their track “Kung Fu” can be found here.

THE DROP – Part 10 May 16, 2021

Anson and Branan decide to turn the microphone over to friends and family who have been affected by the rise of anti AAPI violence and hatred in the country.

THE DROP – Part 9 Mar 21, 2021

Anson & Branan take time between seasons to discuss all the things they’ve been reading, hearing and seeing.

In Episode number 9 of THE DROP we discuss: QUEEN’S GAMBIT and Anya Taylor-Joy’s eyeballs , Bryan Fogel’s THE DISSIDENT, Netflix’ series of lockdown shorts, HOMEMADE, Darius Marder’s SOUND OF METAL, HBO’s The Lady and the Dale, The educational streaming platform Curiosity Stream , The Afrofuturism collection on the Criterion channel featuring John’s Coney’s whacked-out Space is the Place YouTube Link) starring Sun Ra and John Akomfrah’s inventive documentary The Last Angel of History (YouTube Link), Ramin Bahrani’s THE WHITE TIGER, The German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk and their surprising relationship to Afrofuturism Letters to a young poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, A reading from HARPER’s in which a college professor does a very bad job at apologizing for offensive remarks, Jonathan Meiburg’s book A MOST REMARKABLE CREATURE the fun of one-star google reviews, and we read listeners feedback!

THE DROP – Part 8 Dec 07, 2020

Discussed in this Drop:

PEN15 (hulu), THE SOCIAL DELIMA (Netflix), the looming danger of deep fakes, HUMAN NATURE (Netflix), LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM (Netflix), THE DEMON IN THE MACHINE (book), TO HOLD UP THE SKY (book), HARPER’S magazine essay “MAKING MEANING”, BECOMING YOU (Apple TV), WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS (Netflix), The spiritual rootedness of LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO (music) versus the spiritual distance of GEORGIAN FUNERAL CHANTS (music), NORMAL PEOPLE (Hulu), THE SECRET MUSEUM OF MANKIND series (music anthology), and the greatest film of all time BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC (Netflix)

WHATRYADOIN’ – Leon Ingulsrud, Part 2 – “Don’t Just Do Something! Stand There!” Nov 13, 2020

Join us for part 2 of our conversation with the Martini Samurai Leon Ingulsrud. Topics include: consciousness, learning to “be” through art, how unmarked time slips away into the future, and the eternal question of “Where’s Waldo?”

WHATRYADOIN’ – Leon Ingulsrud, Part 1 Nov 02, 2020

Back in March, when Anson & Branan founds themselves sheltering with their wives, friends, 6 chickens and 3 dogs, they decided they were missing a very important thing: a new drink recipe. So they phoned up the Martini Samurai himself Leon Ingulsrud of “Hell on Wheels” to help them out with their predicament.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Kadiatou Diallo Oct 08, 2020

When she found out that her twenty-three year old son Amadou had been shot to death by four plain-clothes NYPD officers (in what they claimed was a case of mistaken identity), Kadiatou immediately boarded a flight for New York City. When she arrived, she suddenly found herself the centerpiece of a political and cultural maelstrom which she had not asked for. Further incensed that the media had dismissed her son as “an unarmed, West African street vendor”, Kadiatou decided to write the memoir “My Heart Will Cross This Ocean” and reclaim her son’s identity. Join us as Kadiatou shares with us the stories of her son’s life, her fight for police accountability, and previously unreported facts surrounding the circumstances of Amadou’s death.

You can order “My Heart Will Cross This Ocean: My Story, My Son, Amadou” by Kadiatou Diallo and Craig Wolff here.

You can find out more about the Amadou Diallo Foundation by visiting their website here.

Extra music for this episode was provided by Daniel Birch via a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial International 4.0 license. You can find the track “Brushed Bells Leaving Home” here.

The photo accompanying this episode was taken by Mary F. Calvert for The New York Times.

THE DROP – Part 7 Sep 28, 2020

Branan & Anson bring you more fun stuff to discover and experience during the lockdown… Can we even call it a “lockdown” anymore? Whatever. You’re bored and we know it.

You can find the trailer for TENET here.

You can find the trailer for “Mind Game” here.

You can find the trailer fro “The Vow” here.

You can find “The Monster of Florence” by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi here.

You can find the trailer for “My Octopus Teacher” here.

You can find the trailer for PEN15 here.

You can find the trailer for “Raised by Wolves’ here.

You can find The Pod Directive here.

You can find the Bunga Bunga podcast website here.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Major David Hughes Aug 03, 2020

Major David Hughes serves as Chief of Professional Standards at the Newport News Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. After nearly falling victim to his own local police culture, and then spending years considering its systemic issues, Major Hughes simply was not willing to keep silent after the killing of George Floyd. He sat down and penned a stunning op-ed for the New York Times entitled, “I’m a Black Police Officer. Here’s How to Change the System.” After we read it, we knew we had to speak to him.

You can find Major Hughes’ op-ed here.

Reverend Freakchild‘s cover of Blind Lemon Jefferson‘s “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” is provided courtesy of KBOO Community Radio in Portland, Oregon via a Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives International 4.0 licence. For more information about KBOO you can visit their website here.

WHATRYADOIN’ – LeVar Burton Jul 14, 2020

LeVar Burton is an actor, producer, director, writer, podcaster, and education advocate. In this segment of WHATRYADOIN’, LeVar shares with us his thoughts on representation in fiction, his memories of his friend and fellow advocate Fred Rogers, and why the Holodeck will one day be realized.

For more information about LeVar and everything he’s doing, check out his website here.

Links to all the authors LeVar mentions in this segment:

Octavia Butler

Samuel R. Delaney

Nnedi Okorafor – Her Binti Series can be found here.

Isaac Asimov – you can find his Foundation Trilogy here.

Extra music for this episode was provided by The Twin Atlas under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-a-Like 3.0 United States License. You can find out more about them and their music at their official website.

THE DROP – Part 6 – “We Can Do Better” Jul 01, 2020

In the wake of murder of George Floyd, and the national outcry that has followed, Branan and Anson discuss the importance of listening and taking accountability. Yes, this is two white guys trying, very clumsily, to talk about racial justice in our nation. We ask for your patience because this is, embarrassingly, a little new for us.

The documentary about James Baldwin entitled “I Am Not Your Negro” is currently streaming on Netflix and Youtube. Here is the official trailer.

You can stream the documentary series “Eyes On the Prize” for free on the Facing History & Ourselves website. It is also available on Youtube, with the first episode here.

Nikole Hannah-Jones’ amazing “1619” podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and on Stitcher, as well as the WNYC website.

The Pulitzer Prize winning “Uncivil” podcast featuring Wellpod guest Jack Hitt and Chenjerai Kumanyika can be found on all podcast platforms as well as the Gimlet Media website.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Jack Hitt, Part 2 May 08, 2020

American author and journalist Jack Hitt returns for part 2 to speculate upon a post-corona world. Topics include how what we hoard says about us, how nature is enjoying a quiet respite from us noisy humans, what is an essential worker, the end of cruising and the return of outdoor theater.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Jack Hitt, Part 1 Apr 30, 2020

Jack Hitt is an American author. He is a contributing editor to Harper’s, The New York Times Magazine, and This American Life. In this episode Jack sits down with Anson and Branan to look into their crystal balls and speculate upon what a post-corona world may look like, Jack suggests a John Prine song as our new national anthem and Branan is attacked by an animal on air!

Mentioned in this episode:
– A tale of a theatrical production gone horribly wrong, FIASCO!:https://www.thisamericanlife.org/510/fiasco-2013
– The story of the remote island of Nauru’s involvement in the bankrupting of the Russian economy, global terrorism, and the late 1980s theatrical flop of a London musical based on the life of Leonardo da Vinci called Leonardo, A Portrait of Love. (30 minutes): No Island is an Islandhttps://www.thisamericanlife.org/253/the-middle-of-nowhere/act-one-0
– Jack’s Peabody award-winning podcast, Uncivil: the time our divisions turned into a war, and bring you stories left out of the official history.https://gimletmedia.com/shows/uncivil

WHATRYADOIN’ – DAVID WADDELL Apr 23, 2020

David Waddell is CEO and Chief Investment Strategist for Waddell & Associates. He also plays a mean guitar and has a knack for distilling the complex maze that is our national economy down to an easily digestible form. Which is a good thing given that Anson was a theater major and Branan studied “Fine Arts”. Dave also explains what he learned about the Chinese economy while spending a year living in Hong Kong, and how robots are now controlling a surprising amount of trade. Yes. Robots.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Jonathan Meiburg Apr 18, 2020

Jonathan Meiburg (from TWP004 and TWP005) returns as our first ever return guest. We check in with Jonathan who is staying very productive under lockdown producing two albums for his two bands SHEARWATER and LOMA while editing his first book about the evolution of his favorite South American raptor – the striated caracara. Among other topics discussed: The unsung role of the Antarctic in evolution, working with a legend in modern music, the comfort and nostalgia of a ring tone, and what Texas pastime he shares with George W. Bush.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Ryan Robbins Apr 13, 2020

Actor Ryan Robbins tells us what it’s like to battle COVID-19 and why we need to take this seriously.

WHATRYADOIN’ – Brad Paisley, Part 2 Apr 09, 2020

We’ve all probably heard one or two good country music stories. Well, Brad Paisley is about to raise the bar.

For more information on Brad’s music, charities and everything else, check out his website.

For more information on Lou Barlow’s music and adventures, make sure to check out his highly entertaining website.

WHATRYADOIN’? – Brad Paisley, Part 1 Apr 04, 2020

In our new segment, we’re calling folks to see what they’re doing to stay creative during the coronavirus lockdown. Brad Paisley kicks us off by telling us about how his charitable, free grocery THE STORE was open only two days when the virus took hold in the US. Now he’s figuring out how to get the food TO the people who need it.

You can find out more about Brad’s music and charitable work at his website.

The Drop – Part 5 – “Quarantine Shmorantine” Mar 31, 2020

Anson and Branan come to you straight from Anson’s Connecticut property where they are literally quarantined from one another. Join us for a deep dive into the history of pandemics and the mystery of viruses.

You can find out more about Carl Zimmer and his book “A Planet of Viruses” here.

You can see the preview for the film “The One I Love” (2014) here. It is available on Netflix, iTunes, Amazon and many other platforms.

Addition music for this episode provided by Greivous Angels under a Creative Commons Attribution No-Derivatives Non-commercial 3.0 US License. You can find out more about them at their website here, and the track “Home Sick Home” can be found here.

The Drop – Part 4 – “Hardcore Music History” Jan 30, 2020

Branan opens class in the School of Hardcore with the help of author Michael Azerrad, and Anson shares his adventures in Vietnam.

You can find Michael Azerrad’s book “Our Band Could Be Your Life” here.

You can find Emily St. John Mandel’s “Station Eleven” here.

The Drop – Part 3 – “The Port Loophole” Dec 12, 2019

Anson shares stories from his trip to Portugal. Branan and Anson share what’s making them excited in the worlds of film, TV, books and podcasts. Anson pours some port and Branan tells the amazing story of “The Port Loophole”. NOTE: Listen and find out how you can become a co-producer of an upcoming episode (which involves helping him to not die on a deserted island).

Michael Rosenbaum, Part 2 – “Where’s the Glitter?” – TWP052 Nov 26, 2019

What happens when reality doesn’t meet your expectations? Hilarity ensues. Always.

Michael Rosenbaum – “The Power of Fear” – TWP051 Oct 14, 2019

Michael and Anson go back a while, but it’s also been a minute since they’ve seen each other. Two friends analyze the odd truths that come with age; then Michael discusses his relationship to fear, and how meeting that fear head-on through music has led him to greater growth and happiness.

You can find Left on Laurel’s first album “Saved By The Ground” on iTunes or by clicking here. You can also find their facebook page here.

The Drop – Part 2 Sep 24, 2019

Branan shares his adventures in Greece, he and Anson share what they’re reading and listening to this autumn season, and they catch up with Leon “The Martini Samurai” Ingulsrud.

If you’d like to learn more about the Greek island of Delos, there are many resources on line including this article and the Delos museum website.

Dr. Robert Sapolsky’s book BEHAVE helps us understand why and how we do the things we do. Buy it here.

Take a look at this video of Dr. Sapolsky discussing his book on Book TV here.

Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Malcolm Gladwell can be found here.

You can buy Neal Stephenson’s Seveneves here, and you can also find it on audible.

The Hmongumentary Podcast can be found here. Hmongumentary is a play on the word “Hmong” and the word “documentary.” The Hmong people have a history of resilience and adapting to the larger, dominant culture. But what does this evolution actually look like? What gets compromised and what is gained in the process? This podcast explores what it means to be part of the Hmong community whether you live in it or not; whether you’re Hmong or not. Hmong people do not have a country and are scattered across the globe so what’s keeping us together?

Scott Carrier’s “Home of the Brave” podcast can be found here.

DE STAAT – Torre Florim is the ambitious young man behind DE STAAT, bringing innovation and a much-needed sense of fun to the business of making popular music. This first video caught the world’s attention for the strong and creepy visuals and won many music video awards. Their next album featured the song PEP TALK, about breaking up. The music video for it is one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever seen and includes a sly inside joke referencing the WITCHDOCTOR video.

Welcome to THE DROP! – Part 1 Aug 13, 2019

We did it! We have a title for our weird little, between-season installments. Thanks to Mee Chang and to Bogdan Orlic for helping us find it!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sebadoh’s official site can be found here.

You can order “A Canticle for Lebowitz” here. And you can learn more about Walter M. Miller, Jr. here.

You can order “The Animal Dialogues” here.

You can find the podcast “S-Town” here.

End of Season 2 – “Mind the Gap”??? Jul 13, 2019

Anson and Branan bring Season 2 to a close and tell you about everything that’s making the excited in the worlds of music, movies, anime and more. AND… they need your help with naming the episode. Listen to find out how you can become a creative member of the team!

“Call Your Dad” – TWP050 Jun 20, 2019

Anson asks Branan to delve into his father’s mysterious past, a request which leads our hosts into a discussion about aging, the vagaries of the unconscious, and the incredible power of responsibility. Now call your dad.

Episode links:

Radiolab’s amazing episode “What’s Up, Doc?”

Travel Light by Jason Shaw is provided via a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution license.

Jake Weber – “The Photograph” – TWP049 Jun 14, 2019

Many years ago, Anson saw a photograph on Jake’s wall. It was a young Mick Jagger sitting next to an eight year old boy. When Anson asked if the boy was Jake’s younger self, he only got a one word answer: “Yeah.” Fifteen years later, Jake finally shares the story of how that photograph came to be on his wall and the heartbreaking childhood surrounding it.

“Treated Acoustic Guitar” is provided by Sleep You Resting Giant via a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

“Overdriven Melancholic Guitar” is provided by Monplaisir via a Creative Commons 1.0 Universal license.

Some photos from Dominique Tarle’s book “Exile”.

Dr. Douglas Vakoch, Part 2 – “To Work Without Guarantees” – TWP048 Jun 07, 2019

Our species cannot comprehend the time and distances inherent in interstellar communication. But noone understands this conundrum better than astrobiologist Douglas Vakoch. A year and a half after our first interview we catch up with his METI project to find out what it is like to dedicate one’s life to the longest term project in the history of human endeavor.

Episode Links:

METI

Georgina Torbet

Sonar Calling – The organization that collaborated with METI to send music to a distant solar system.

His Master’s Voice by Stanislav Lem

Carl Sagan’s hysterical but brilliant description of Flatland.

Dr. Douglas Vakoch, Part 1 – “To Risk Imagination” – TWP047 May 31, 2019

Our species has always wondered if we are alone in the universe, Douglas Vakoch is an astro biologist beginning a multi-generational endeavor to finally answer this question.

Episode links:

METI

Georgina Torbet

Doritos commercial link

Melissa McCracken, Part 2 – “Memory Landscapes” – TWP046 May 17, 2019

Branan tries to get to the bottom of the Synesthesia phenomenon with help from painter Melissa McCracken and neurologist Dr. Robert Algar. Their conclusion? Maybe we all have synesthesia!

Melissa McCracken, Part 1 – “Dancing About Architecture” – TWP045 May 02, 2019

Melissa McCracken is a painter living in a parallel dimension to ours: her synesthesia fills her world with colors and other atypical sensory experiences. She tries to explain what this world is like and in doing so reminds us all of the importance of communication, tolerance and patience. Please take a moment to review her work here: www.melissasmccracken.com

Alice Cooper, Part 2 – “Rock’n’Roll Vaudeville” – TWP044 Apr 25, 2019

Rock legend Alice Cooper shares a surprising and touching story about one of the most interesting connections ever to come out of Hollywood: his friendship with Groucho Marx; and about how their respective work wasn’t all that different.

Alice Cooper, Part 1 – “Shock Golfer” – TWP043 Apr 18, 2019

Most people know Alice Cooper as the original Shock Rocker and a foundational pillar in the house of Metal. But few know that his journey into sobriety involved replacing one addiction with a new and more healthy one: golf. At 71 years of age, having played more courses than almost anyone alive, Cooper still plays 6 days a week and once even considered going pro. Join Anson as he picks the decapitated brain of Alice Cooper.

Doug Jones, Part 3 – “The Diamond Dave Face/Off” – TWP042 Apr 11, 2019

THE WELL becomes the morning zoo as Doug Jones tells us a little more about his acting career without a mask and Branan tells a story about his first and last gig as a monster maker in Morocco! Plus, competitive sheep herding with David Lee Roth for some reason. Aaaaaahayaaaeah!!!

Doug Jones, Part 2 – “Acting While Drowning” – TWP041 Apr 04, 2019

Actor Doug Jones talks about how it feels to be the muse for our culture’s most influential monster maker, Guillermo del Toro.

Music in this week’s episode:

The Cemetery by Sinqlogue provided via a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution license.

Worky Worky by Andy G. Cohen provided via a Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution license.

Tennessee Hayride by Jason Shaw provided via a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution license.

Doug Jones – “The Bug Who (almost) Killed Randy Quaid” – TWP040 Mar 28, 2019

Doug Jones envisioned an acting career playing the wacky neighbor in sitcoms, but his career had other plans. In this episode Doug shares war stories from his life as a creature performer, including an incident where he accidently maimed fellow actor Randy Quaid.

Music for this episode:

Workdaze by Nctmm provided via a Creative Commons 4.0license.

Piscoid by Andy G. Cohen provided via a Creative Commons license.

Jenny’s Theme by Jason Shaw provided via a Creative Commons 3.0 license.

Snappy by Jason Shaw provided via a Creative Commons 3.0 license. h

“Lucky to Be Here” – TWP039 Mar 25, 2019

Anson and Branan share their own near-death stories.

Ethan Peck, Part 2 – “Touching Death” – TWP038 Mar 14, 2019

Ethan was afraid to live his life until he almost lost it.

Ethan Peck, Part 1 – “Spock” – TWP037 Mar 07, 2019

The first of four Star Trek episodes, Ethan Peck shares with us the story of auditioning for one of the most iconic characters in film and television history, and how he overcame his own misgivings. When the shoes look way too big, we think only of feet.

“Starstruck” – TWP036 Feb 28, 2019

Anson and Branan each share a story about an awkward brush with fame.

Illeana Douglas, Part 2 – “Meeting Marlon” – TWP035 Feb 21, 2019

What would you think if someone told you that you were about to meet your idol? How would you prepare? What would you wear? What would you say? Illeana shares a hilarious and heartwarming story about finding herself in exactly this situation when, one day, she realized she would be meeting Marlon Brando. And Branan shares a story about his own (rather embarrassing) brush with fame.

Illeana Douglas, Part 1 – “I Blame Dennis Hopper” – TWP034 Feb 14, 2019

Illeana Douglas wasn’t always a movie star, but her life has always been strangely intertwined with the American cinema. In fact, long before she knew she wanted to act, her life was forever changed when her parents saw the 1969’s indie “Easy Rider” and decided it was time to become hippies. Join us as we hear Illeana explain how her conservative, Connecticut childhood was ruined, how her father drove goats around town in a station wagon, and how her life was set on a course of creativity that will leave you astounded, perhaps asking yourself if there really is a design to our lives.

Mac Barnett, Part 2 – “What Is Water?” – TWP33 Feb 07, 2019

Mac knew he wanted to be a children’s book author. But how does one go about that? Join us to find out how Mac carved his way through a conventional education in an unconventional way, studied life and art with literary giant David Foster Wallace, and managed to land his first book deal.

Mac Barnett, Part 1 – “The Golden Ticket” – TWP032 Jan 31, 2019

As a child, Mac desperately wanted to believe that there was a magical world in which anything was possible. Later, when he began working with children, he began to realize that world was real, and that he could help to shape it. Join us as we venture deep into the heart of The Chocolate Factory.

“The Great Eagle God” – TWP031 Jan 24, 2019

Branan shares a story of guilt and conscience from his own family history. And it’s a doozy.

Extra music for this episode was provided by Jason Shaw under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution license. To hear the track “Hoedown” go here.

Xzibit, Part 2 – “The #1 Rule of Acting” – TWP030 Jan 16, 2019

In 2002, Xzibit was offered a role in a movie which he accepted. And then reality hit: he wasn’t an actor. Yet. Join us for this short, but entertaining story of how Alvin Joiner made the transition from rapping to acting.

Xzibit, Part 1 – “Moral Compass” – TWP029 Jan 10, 2019

When Alvin Joiner was sixteen, he lost his home, his family, and his direction in life. Eventually, after living a life of violence and anger, he decided to make a change. But his past would come back to haunt him in a strange but familiar voice, the one that had been implanted in him by his long deceased mother: his conscience.

Todd Komarnicki, Part 3 – “Discipline” – TWP028 Jan 03, 2019

Most writers will tell you that their most useful weapon is self-discipline. During our interview with Todd Komarnicki, he shared with us a useful insight into this concept. All that, and take a hike with Branan and Anson as they try to uncover the whereabouts of missing beavers!

Todd Komarnicki, Part 2 – “Christmas Movies” – TWP027 Dec 24, 2018

Todd produced what has become one of the seminal Christmas movies of all time: “Elf”. Join us as Todd unveils the little-known cookies hidden inside his film that allude to many other holiday classics, and why Christmas movies have to power to make us laugh, cry and hug.

Todd Komarnicki, Part 1 – “Spectacularly Saved” – TWP026 Dec 24, 2018

Writer/Producer Todd Komarnicki is a man of profound love and profound faith. Both have served his pursuits as an artist. Join Anson & Branan as they venture deep into a Christmas story that took them over a year to unearth: how Todd once lost his faith, and in-so-doing, almost lost his life. Happy holidays to one and all.

Seasons Bleedings – TWP025 Dec 11, 2018

We’re back! Anson and Branan give an update about the upcoming Season 2 and Branan shares a story of gross bodily injury.

Season One Finale – TWP024 Jun 19, 2018

Anson and Branan recap the first season of The Well Podcast and talk about plans for season 2. Also, Anson talks about filming “Star Trek: Discovery” and what it’s like to join the larger Star Trek family. Oh… Anson Branan his a tree with his truck. Enjoy, and don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list on our website. We’ll be sending updates via newsletter. Have a great summer!

Music for this episode was provided by Little Glass Men under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Tracks:

Cloud Launching

Simplify

Open Door

Lou Barlow, Part 3 – “Lou at Play” – TWP023 Apr 19, 2018

Playfulness is it at the heart of the creative process and it can take many surprising forms. Lou Barlow has been playing with his sound, his process and his ideas since he was a kid. In this episode of THE WELL we look at the importance of staying loose and indulging in play.

Music from this episode in order of appearance:

Up From the Well

You Fell Down the Stairs

Mr. Genius Eyes

I Feel Good Inside About Me

Pet Your Puppy

Winslow

Colix Jauntarah

Ride a Hearse, Build a Throne

Mary

Lou Barlow, Part 2 – “In His Own Orbit” – TWP022 Apr 10, 2018

Lou Barlow is one of our generations most unique and prolific singer songwriters. In this episode he reflects upon his resistance to identity as a songwriter and performer. He shares what drives him as a writer and how it feels after 20 years to be playing with J Mascis in Dinosaur Jr again. To see the last known photo of Ray, the Day Kitty, go here.

Music from this episode in order of appearance:

Lou Barlow, Part 1 – “A Partial History of Lou Barlow” – TWP021 Mar 19, 2018

Lou Barlow’s creative output goes by many names, Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr., Folk Implosion, Sentridoh, and Loobiecore. Throughout his career he’s carved out a niche for himself as a the unofficial godfather of low-fi folk music and/or emo. For some he is the Bob Dylan of the alternative music scene; uninhibited, brutally honest, sensitive and a touch avant garde. Our own Branan Edgens has been a big fan for over 25 years and is excited for you to join him on part 1 “A Partial History of Lou Barlow”.

Music from this episode in order of appearance:

“Poledo” – Dinosaur Jr.

“Meaningless Dead End” – Sentridoh

“Severed Lips” – Dinosaur Jr.

“My Own Religion/Ride the Darker Wave” – Sebadoh

“Brand New Love” – Sebadoh

“The Freed Pig” – Sebadoh

“Sexual Confusion” – Sebadoh

“Natural One” – The Folk Implosion

“Free To Go” – The Folk Implosion

“Caterpillar Girl” – Lou Barlow

“Goin’ Down” – Dinosaur Jr.

Ward Fleming, Part 2 – “Imposter” – TWP020 Feb 23, 2018

Ward may have invented the pinscreen, but just because someone made something doesn’t someone else won’t be happy to take all the credit. This is the story of an inventor and his imposter, and how one man had to fight off a swarm of people looking to profit off of his life’s work. Enjoy.

Additional music for this episode was provided by Podington Bear under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license. Tracks: Golden Hour, Pythagoras, Skeptic, Blue Highway.

Music also provided by Krowne under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license. Their track “Detective” can be found here.

Ward Fleming, Part 1 – “Preparing the Field” – TWP019 Feb 15, 2018

Artist and inventor Ward Fleming invented one of the most famous and lucrative toys of the last fifty years. But it was only one step in a personal research project that has spanned the majority of Ward’s life, with implications that extend deep into molecular activity and even deep into the heart of Jupiter. Enjoy!

Extra music for this episode was provided by Podington Bear under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial license.

“Creative Stupidity” – TWP018 Feb 08, 2018

We normally bring you stories of creative inspiration, but this week we have two stories of creative stupidity, courtesy of our own Branan Edgens. Co-host Anson Mount asks Branan to expound upon how his pursuits of genius rarely mix well with electricity. And then… THE SQUIRREL STORY!!!

Additional music for this episode was provided by Jason Shaw under a Creative Commons Attribution license. The track “Rocky Top” can be found here.

Roel Reiné – “Titian Red” – TWP017 Feb 02, 2018

Roel’s Album MONOTONIC DIVERSITY is available HERE.

Roel Reiné is an accomplished action director. But when he isn’t swinging lenses around flying fists and crashing cars, he is composing deeply meditative music through the manipulation of a raw electronic signal. EDM (electronic dance music) is as close a genre title as Roel can muster, but it cannot possibly describe what it is he does.

Join Anson as he sits down to listen to some of Roel’s music and ask the director about his journey from Holland to Hollywood.

Additional music for this episode was provided by Steve Combs under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Eva Longoria, Part 2 – “Marriage… Sweet, Sweet Marriage” – TWP016 Jan 25, 2018

Eva and Anson discuss the joys of finding your person and becoming boringly domestic. And Branan coaches Anson on being a mindful spouse. Enjoy!

Bonus music for this episode of The Well was provided by Kevin MacLeod under a Creative Commons Attribution License. His rendition of Mozart’s “Divertimento” can be found here. And his rendition of Leo Delibes’ “Divertissment” (from the ballet “Sylvia”) can be found here.

Eva Longoria, Part 1 – “No Sabían Que Eramos Semillas” – TWP015 Jan 15, 2018

To see Eva’s documentary “The Harvest” click HERE.

Most people realize that Eva Longoria is both a tremendously talented actress. Fewer realize that she is also savvy, having parlayed her comedic skills into a career directing and producing a variety of projects, in addition to launching her own product line. Fewer still are aware of Eva’s drive to better understand the collective challenges we face as a species, and how she uses her creative skills to share those discoveries.

Join Anson as he sits down with Eva to discuss her ongoing work, including the expansion of opportunities afforded Latina youth, and bettering the lives of mentally challenged adults living in Texas. Oh… and he also has the audacity to ask her about that little known credit at the bottom of her IMDB page.

To learn more about Eva’s ongoing philanthropic work, you can visit the Eva Longoria Foundation by clicking here. And the 2016 article “The Political Passion of Eva Longoria” by David Rennie can be found here.

Additional music for this episode of The Well was provided by Podington Bear under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial license. The tracks “Gizmo” and “Violet” can be found here. Additional music was also provided by Tapes and Tubes under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution license. The track “Solo Guitar Two” can be found here.

Leon Ingulsrud, Part 2 – “A Herd of Antelope” – TWP014 Jan 08, 2018

Sometimes we have really great tape that didn’t quite make it into the primary episode, but that deserves to be shared with our listeners nonetheless. This time we have tape that deserves to be shared with no one, hidden deep in a dusty archive, only to be unleashed several centuries in the future for the sole purpose of embarrassing our forebears. But what the heck. We’re releasing it now.

Please join us as we share one or five martinis with actor/director/producer Leon Ingulsrud who regales us with some of his greatest stories, including how his now wife Akiko duped him into meeting her father when he had already told her not to bring Leon home “in case the neighbors see him”. And right on cue, Anson’s fiancé Darah makes a short appearance. Enjoy.

Leon Ingulsrud, Part 1 – “The Martini Samurai” – TWP013 Dec 29, 2017

We decided to do something fun for our holiday episode. So we invited “Hell on Wheels” actor Leon Ingulsrud over to my place to share with us his love of martinis, their history, and how this gin-based, cultural touchstone has given him insight into what it means to be an American. The result, however, was what you might expect. Enjoy, and please remember to drink responsibly this holiday season, always have a designated driver, and DO NOT try this at home. Happy holidays.

We mentioned that our friend and collaborator Jonathan Meiburg (who composed our theme music) has a new album coming out. You can find information about the album “Loma” here.

Additional music for this episode of The Well features the track “The Alcoholic Blues” by Vernon Dalhart. Additional music provided by Dee Range and Rick Cormier with their “I’m Prone to Gin, Naturally” via a Creative Commons Attribution License.

Reggie Watts, Part 2 – “What We Focus On” – TWP012 Dec 18, 2017

Anson’s interview with Reggie took place on August 12th, 2017. Earlier that day, in Charlottesville, a white supremacist drove his car headlong into a crowd of protesters killing one and injuring many others. The entire event cast a shadow of that day, and many to come. So Anson asked Reggie his thoughts. Here’s what happened.

Media provided by PopTech via a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Reggie Watts, Part 1 – “The Dampfnudel Zone” – TWP011 Dec 12, 2017

Before Reggie Watts even takes the stage, he has already broken most of the accepted tropes in contemporary comedy, as well as in contemporary music. Some think this is simply because he refuses to see a difference between the two. But even crazier is that Reggie does not write jokes… and he does not write songs. He simply walks into a space and then… something happens. Please join us as we delve into one of the most interesting entertainment minds working today.

We highly recommend Reggie’s album “Why Shit So Crazy”:

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Media for this episode was provided by TED Talks via a Creative Commons, Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives (International 4.0) license.

Media was also provided by PopTech via a Creative Commons (3.0) license.

Dr. David Haskell, Part 2 – “Open and Closed” – TWP010 Dec 05, 2017

While conducting a rather mind-blowing interview with Dr. David Haskell, we became just as interested in the creative process that led a biologist to be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Not only does David believe that writing is applicable to his theory that life is a system networks, but that communication, whether in language or in art, is one of the very networks that comprise the human experience.

If you have not yet listened to Episode 6 “Life Is Connection”, make sure you do so before listening to this fantastic piece of tape. Thanks and enjoy.

Additional music for this episode is provided by John Watts under a Creative Commons International (CC BY 4.0) license. The track “A Night in the Woods” can be found here.

Dr. David Haskell, Part 1 – “Life Is Connection” – TWP009 Nov 27, 2017

Pulitzer Prize nominated author and biologist Dr. David Haskell is an observer of life, and life, according to him, is inextricable from the networks that exist both within it and around the living object. Join us as we travel with David to two extremes: an old-growth forest in the mountains of Tennessee, and the streets of New York City. In both places we visit a singular hub which most of us take for granted on a daily basis: a tree. One “dead” and the other is “alive”. But in both places, you will see, as we did, that both trees are robust with such a dizzying array of networks that it leads us down a path of reconsidering the very idea of life itself… including our own.

We highly recommend both of David’s books “The Songs of Trees” and “The Forest Unseen”.

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Additional music this week was provided by Lee Rosevere under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Individual tracks can be found here and here.

Further Additional music was provided by Laura Sheeran under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 3.0) license. The track “Lupine Rot” can be found here.