LanceConz

Hi Jesse! Longtime Max Fun donor here. What are your thoughts about This American Life's decision to self-distribute their show?

Do you think that's a major change in public radio programming, or is it one of those things like Radiohead selling their record on a pay-what-you-want scale (i.e. something that mostly just works because they're a huge operation that already has a pretty big leg up)?

Hi Jesse, big fan. I discovered JJGo with the "Black Bart Simpson" episode and was hooked as soon as somebody married dick jokes with cultural studies concepts. I've been wanting to ask this for a while:

How do you prepare for interviews? Let's say outside from reading their new book, listening to their new album or otherwise engaging with their new thing (assuming they're promoting a new thing). I've been interviewing various pop culture figures for a few years now – your William Shatners and Weird Als, for example – but I never quite feel like I've prepared enough to get the facts and information I need while having the conversation.