516 episodes

Hosts Isaac Butler, Ronald Young Jr., and June Thomas interview creative people about how they write, compose, paint, and more.

Working Slate Podcasts

    • Business
    • 4.2 • 378 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Hosts Isaac Butler, Ronald Young Jr., and June Thomas interview creative people about how they write, compose, paint, and more.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    From Corporate Job to Broadway Playwright

    From Corporate Job to Broadway Playwright

    This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to Bekah Brunstetter, a TV writer and playwright whose most recent project is the new Broadway musical version of The Notebook. In the interview, Bekah discusses her early career journey, when she was juggling a corporate job with her playwriting passion. She also talks about breaking into TV writing and working on the hit drama This is Us. And finally, she digs into her work on The Notebook and explains what it was like to adapt the classic rom-com. 

    After the interview, Ronald and co-host June Thomas talk about receiving feedback, establishing routines, and choosing the correct creative tools for your project. 

    In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Bekah shares the plot of the first play she ever wrote. Then she and Ronald talk about their experiences growing up in religious households and the impact it had on their cultural diets.  

    Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

    Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

    If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 50 min
    An Acting Coach’s Tips for Beginners and Experts

    An Acting Coach’s Tips for Beginners and Experts

    This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Howard Fine, an acting teacher and coach who instructs both beginners and accomplished movie stars. In the interview, Howard explains why he chose to teach and coach, instead of act. Then he discusses the common problems that his students and clients face, and he explains how actors can protect their mental health, even when they need to go to challenging emotional places.  

    After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. discuss the emotional toll that acting can take on performers, and Isaac shares a personal story about his experience as a young actor. 

    In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Howard talks about a role he helped Brad Pitt with and how his approach to Pitt’s character differed from the director’s. He also explains how he tailors his coaching to specific actors. 

    Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

    Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

    If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 52 min
    Working Overtime: Getting Paid On Time

    Working Overtime: Getting Paid On Time

    For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas talk money, finances, and getting paid as a freelancer in a tough economy. Filling out invoices the right way or sending a payment reminder email to an employer can turn into a sticky situation. Ronald and June recount their own frustrating experiences with not getting paid on time and how best to avoid them in the future. 

    Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com. 
     
    Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 18 min
    How to Make a “Fair” Crossword Puzzle

    How to Make a “Fair” Crossword Puzzle

    This week, host June Thomas talks to Anna Shechtman, a crossword puzzle creator whose new book is called The Riddles of the Sphinx: Inheriting the Feminist History of the Crossword Puzzle. In the interview, Anna talks about her experience writing crossword puzzles as a teenager and then going on to work with New York Times puzzle maker Will Shortz. She also discusses the subjectivity of “common knowledge” and recalls debates with Shortz about which words and phrases were puzzle-worthy. 

    After the interview, June and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk more about crosswords and the ever-expanding pool of “common knowledge.” 

    In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Anna shares how much crossword puzzle creators get paid. She also discusses a more sensitive topic: her struggle with anorexia, which coincided with her early interest in crossword puzzles.

    Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

    Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

    If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 49 min
    How TV Host Carla Hall Stays Authentic On-Camera

    How TV Host Carla Hall Stays Authentic On-Camera

    This week, host Ronald Young Jr. talks to chef and TV personality Carla Hall. In the interview, Carla talks about leaving her first career as an accountant to explore modeling and then cooking. Then she discusses her pivot to TV, her commitment to being herself on screen, and her latest project Chasing Flavor, which is now available to stream on Max.  

    After the interview, Ronald and co-host Isaac Butler talk about big career pivots, big personalities, and their goal as extroverts to make space for other people

    In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Carla shares some of her favorite dishes and talks about what it was like to be a model in Paris. 

    Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

    Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

    If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Working Overtime: Asking for Expert Advice

    Working Overtime: Asking for Expert Advice

    For this week’s episode of Working Overtime, the hosts June Thomas and Isaac Butler dissect The Yang Slinger author Jeff Pearlman’s recent prickly advice to young professionals. Then, June and Isaac expound on their experiences of dishing out and seeking advice from others. They dig into the right and wrong ways to reach out to people in creative fields and share tips like having a sense of humility, always being specific, and never feeling discouraged from a lack of responses.  
    Do you have questions or advice of your own about the creative process? Reach out at (304) 933-9675 or email us at working@slate.com. 
     
    Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
378 Ratings

378 Ratings

Rugelach7 ,

Host chat excessive

The interview are great, but the chat between the hosts becomes tedious and overpowers the guests. I really don’t think the interviews require explication; they speak for themselves.

Masicko ,

Sell sell sell

All commercials. Amazing abuse of one’s time.

malarr ,

Missing Old Format

I appreciate interviews with creative people, but I am really missing the old format of the show. I really liked hearing from individuals in a wide range of jobs that I didn’t even know existed or couldn’t imagine how they did their work. I think the old format had both a depth and breadth that the newer episodes are missing. I also wish there was less emphasis on the hosts’ reflections - there are a million other podcasts that I could listen to for conversations between hosts, but I came to working for superb interviews.

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