The Well

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected