Wheels Off with Rhett Miller

Latest Episodes:

Sigrid Nunez Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Sigrid Nunez, one of our most celebrated literary voices, joins Rhett for a conversation about writing, adaptation, and the creative process. She shares her experience of seeing her novels adapted for the screen and reflects on how film adaptations, much like cover songs, bring a new vision to a writer's work. The two discuss her writing process, transition to short stories, and the unofficial trilogy formed by her last three novels, including "The Vulnerables." Drawing wisdom from her career and the influences of writers like Toni Morrison and Virginia Woolf, she provides a candid look at what it takes to sustain a life in writing. When asked what advice she would give her 21-year-old self, her response is simple: keep writing.

Follow Sigrid Nunez https://sigridnunez.com

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Editing by Matt Dwyer. Music by Old 97’s. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it. Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Terry George Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Academy Award-winning director and screenwriter Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, In the Name of the Father) joins Rhett for this week’s episode. Known for his compelling storytelling and focus on everyday heroes, Terry discusses his creative process, his background in journalism, and the real-life inspirations behind his work. He shares the stories behind his latest projects, including a play about a Northern Ireland prison escape, and his early days writing about The Pogues. Rhett and Terry reflect on how the film industry has evolved, the tricky business of translating history into compelling narratives, and the ever-present struggle of turning raw ideas into art.

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Editing by Matt Dwyer. Music by Old 97’s. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it.

Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Jaffe Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Sarah Jaffe joins Rhett for a conversation about artistic evolution, reinvention, and creative resilience. From her early days as an indie-folk sensation, she reflects on the twists and turns of her genre-defying career. Sarah and Rhett discuss the challenges of breaking creative ruts, navigating the process of songwriting and the pressure to finish a song in the moment. Sarah shares some of the lessons she’s learned over the years and explains why simply being a nice person is a game-changer.

Follow Sarah @sayjaffe

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Editing by Matt Dwyer. Music by Old 97’s. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd Barry Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Comedian, actor, and author Todd Barry joins Rhett to discuss his journey through the world of comedy—from his first appearance on Letterman at age 18 to launching his own crowd work tour following a successful Comedy Central special. They explore the personal experiences that shaped Todd’s comedic voice, Rhett shares a Todd Barry joke that became a family favorite, and Todd explains how ADHD can sometimes work to his advantage on stage.

Todd Barry has released three one-hour stand-up specials, including The Crowd Work Tour and his latest, Spicy Honey, for Netflix. A favorite on late-night TV, he has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed 2017 travel memoir Thank You for Coming to Hattiesburg.

Follow Todd @toddbarry

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Editing by Matt Dwyer. Music by Old 97’s. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven. Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Reid Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Award-winning fashion designer Billy Reid joins Rhett to talk about the artistry that has shaped his iconic brand. From rebuilding after 9/11 to shaping modern American menswear, Billy reveals how gut instincts have guided his success, shares candid insights on transforming setbacks into opportunities, and explains why he likes to stay close to the design process. As Rhett says, Billy’s story is a masterclass in living a creative life.

Billy Reid’s fashion journey began in Louisiana where his mother had a boutique in the hospitable environs of his grandmother’s former home. He studied at The Art Institute of Dallas and cut his chops at Saks Fifth Avenue, later with Reebok. After launching his namesake collections in 1998, he established the Billy Reid brand in 2004. The company now operates from New York City and Alabama headquarters, with 13 domestic retail shops and international luxury boutique distribution.

Follow Billy Reid @billy_reid

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moon Zappa Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

Moon Zappa Joins Rhett to talk about the the process of writing her book, Earth to Moon, and her unique upbringing as the daughter of Frank Zappa. The two discuss the impact of her memoir on her future fiction writing and Moon shares insights on navigating her identity within a patriarchal family, why she feels like a late bloomer, and what she means when she gives herself “no matter what” pep talks.

Follow Moon @iammoonunitzappa

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it.

Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremie Albino Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino is known for emotionally-nuanced storytelling and electrifying performances. From busking on the streets of Toronto, to sharing stages with artists like Orville Peck and Sierra Ferrell, Jeremie has embarked on his latest chapter with the release of Our Time In The Sun. He joins Rhett from his home in Ontario to talk about his evolution as a musician and what it took for him to accept his creative journey, shares the important lesson he learned from Dan Auerbach, and explains why trusting yourself is key to overcoming self-doubt.

Follow Jeremie @jeremiealbino

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it.

Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Open Mike Eagle Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, Open Mike Eagle—Los Angeles-based emcee, musician, comedian, and podcaster—joins Rhett to talk about his latest projects and the creative process behind his work. He shares how discovering hip hop in the mid-90s and a supportive creative community helped him kickstart his career. The two discuss music’s shifting landscape, navigating the TV industry, and finding new strategies to tackle imposter syndrome.

Open Mike Eagle website

Follow Open Mike @open_mike_eagle

Rhett Miller website

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it.

Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Caws Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s episode Rhett welcomes Matthew Caws, frontman and founding member of the beloved alternative rock band Nada Surf. With hits like "Popular" and "Always Love," he has built a legacy of thoughtful, emotionally honest music that has captivated indie rock fans since the mid-90s. Matthew explains why living in Cambridge has deepened his connection to music history, shares insights into his songwriting process, and opens up about how meditation has become a crucial tool for managing anxiety and nurturing his creativity.

Nada Surf’s new record Moon Mirror is out now

Follow Matthew @matthewcaws

Rhett Miller website

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it.

Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maya C. Popa Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

Award-winning poet, author, editor and educator Maya C. Popa joins Rhett to explore the intricacies of the writing process, managing the artistic ego, and balancing one’s integrity with commercial pressures. They discuss the role of educators in nurturing talent, and Maya shares thoughts on the importance of taking creative work into your own hands and having faith in one's journey as a writer.

Dr. Maya C. Popa is most recently the author of Wound is the Origin of Wonder, named one of the Guardian’s Best Books of Poetry. American Faithwas runner-up in the Kathryn A. Morton Prize judged by Ocean Vuong and was awarded the North American Book Prize in 2020. She is previously the author of three chapbooks and has received numerous awards, including from the Poetry Foundation and the Oxford Poetry Society. Her writing has been commissioned by The United Nations and other institutions, and her poetry has been featured on a Louis Vuitton trunk for the Visionaries campaign, as well as in the Van Cleef & Arpels Spring Festival. Popa is the Poetry Reviews Editor at Publishers Weekly and teaches poetry at NYU. She works closely with established and emerging writers through Conscious Writers Collective, her online writing platform and community designed to help writers identify and meet their writing and publishing goals.

Follow Maya @mayacpopa

Read Maya’s Substack newsletter

Rhett Miller website

Follow Rhett @rhettmiller

Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Editing by Matt Dwyer. Music by Old 97’s. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it.

Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected