Dying of Exposure with Dan Mangan

Hear Dan discuss inner work, creativity and bizarre career paths with Saturday Night Live's own Ego Nwodim.

Among other things, they chat about the mythology of New York City, Ego's academic origins studying biology, the zen-state of performing improv comedy, how trying to be funny is the least funny thing, the chaotic power of Comedy Bang Bang, making friends as an adult, how acting allows you to play out versions of yourself that might get stifled in real life, the strength of vulnerability, celebrating excellence in others, and the faith of letting personal practices go when they're no longer helpful.

This episode features a surprise needle drop of "October" by La Force.

Caveat: This conversation occurred before Ego announced that she was leaving SNL.

Hear Dan discuss family, world woes, faith and art with the multifaceted Rainn Wilson. Among other things, they chat about Rainn's experience as Dwight Schrute on The Office, the "great lie" of society, willful blindness to climate change, the handsomeness of Hank Azaria, Rainn's experience growing up in an unhappy family, the power of mentors, and homicidal soap opera villains. They also talk about Rainn's book SOUL BOOM and his plea for the world not to throw the baby of spirituality out with the bath water of organized religion. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Dance" by Tim Baker.

Hear Dan discuss family, life and art with Hollywood scene survivor Busy Philipps. Amongst other things, they discuss second-hand kid nostalgia, how Sharon Stone told Busy she'd be a star whilst playing an IRL Barbie doll at a toy convetion, the lingering presence of the film White Chicks, how Dawson's Creek and The OC forever changed the way television utilizes indie music, Busy's unexpected emergence as a music influencer, and the art of giving yourself the same grace you'd giver other people. Dan also surprises Busy with footage from the audition that changed her life forever (Kim on Freaks & Geeks). This episode features a surprise needle drop of "Right Here" by Begonia.

Hear Dan's lengthy chat with Wesley Schultz about the early days of The Lumineers (including a song from his pre-Lumineers band 6Cheek). Amongst other things, they discuss maintaining a sense of wonder when creating, epic fails on stage, how adversity can be viewed as enriching your origin story, how constructive feedback can be painful but important as a young artist, Wesley's return to faith as an adult, his aversion to the term "work/life balance", and how powerful it can be to seek validation from your own gut rather than affirmation from the external world. This episode features a surprise needle drop of "God Is" by The Secret Beach.