Best Merlin Mann Podcasts (2025)

1
Starting In The Middle (with guests Jesse Armstrong, Tim Key, Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) 1:53:44

20h ago1:53:44

1:53:44

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Alex Godfrey — get to grips with the definition of in media res, as they discuss some of their favourite films that throw you right into the action. Elsewhere, they talk about the week's movie news, pay tribute to Empire's founding editor Barry M…

1
423: ‘Sewing Machine Repair Shop’, With Patrick McGee 1:32:42

12h ago1:32:42

1:32:42

Patrick McGee joins the show to discuss his must-read new book, Apple in China -- one of the best books about Apple anyone has ever written. Sponsored by: Factor: Healthy eating, made easy. Get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. Notion: Your notes, docs, and projects in one space. Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a websit…

1
422: ‘A Monkey on a Rock’, With Stephen Hackett 2:14:46

4d ago2:14:46

2:14:46

Stephen Hackett, proprietor of 512 Pixels and co-founder of Relay (purveyor of many fine podcasts), joins the show. Topics include: IO (or if you will, io), the new joint venture of OpenAI and Jony Ive’s LoveFrom; the sheer fantasy of “Made in America” iPhones; and Fortnite’s return to the US App Store. Sponsored by: WorkOS: The modern identity pla…

1
Ep. 581: "The Velocities of Youth"

5d ago

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The Problem: Merlin doesn’t know how to make a bird horny. (Recorded on Monday, May 26, 2025.)By Merlin Mann

1
Christopher McQuarrie on The Final Reckoning, Benicio del Toro & Michael Cera on The Phoenician Scheme, Tony Gilroy on Andor s2 (spoilers), and Cannes You Dig It? 1:58:45

8d ago1:58:45

1:58:45

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt mark the release of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning by doing a non-spoiler, non-epic (less than 20 minutes!) chat with that film's director, the legendarily loquacious Christopher McQuarrie, [26:00 - 43:06 approx] and have a lovely natter with the stars of the new Wes Anderson fi…

1
The Shameless Plug #3: Jurassic World Rebirth And Other Animals 39:22

8d ago39:22

39:22

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down and talk you through the latest issue of Empire — is back for its third episode, folks. This one is dedicated to issue 441 of Empire (on sale now at all good, evil, and virtual newsagents), which features Jurassic World Rebirth on the cover, and Nick ta…

1
Ep. 580: "A Queue of Snorks"

11d ago

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The Problem: People almost have an accident all the time. (Recorded on Monday, May 19, 2025.)By Merlin Mann

1
The Extraordinary Miss Flower: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 30:31

13d ago30:31

30:31

Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard's The Extraordinary Miss Flower is part-concert film, part-performance art piece inspired by the life of its subject, a woman called Geraldine Flower. When she passed away a few years ago, her daughter Zoe discovered a number of letters, written over the years by suitors of Geraldine's, which painted a picture of a wil…

1
Rosamund Pike & Matthew Rhys, Final Destination Bloodlines directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, Superman and Spelling Bees 1:38:49

15d ago1:38:49

1:38:49

This week's episode of the BSME Awards-nominated Empire Podcast had better not be the episode that the BSME Awards judging panel listens to ahead of voting, or our nomination might be rescinded. Which is to say, chaos reigns as Chris Hewitt returns — eventually, after being waylaid by a McQ&A — to the hosting chair, and is joined by Helen O'Hara, J…

1
Ep. 579: "Prescription Sleeping"

18d ago

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The Problem: John just wants one big card. (Recorded on Monday, May 12, 2025.)By Merlin Mann

1
Lily Gladstone & Kelly Marie Tran, Great Actor/Director Pairings, Tariffs and Teen Movies 1:39:12

22d ago1:39:12

1:39:12

It's another cracking episode of the (freshly award-nominated) Empire Podcast this week, folks, as Helen O'Hara slips into the hosting chair and tries to wrestle James Dyer and Alex Godfrey into shape as they talk about changeable movie titles, great actor/director pairings, Alex's favourite teen movies, the week's movie news including Donald Trump…

1
Ep. 578: "Aspirational Black Banana"

25d ago

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The Problem: John put eggs in the ravine. (Recorded on Monday, May 5, 2025)By Merlin Mann

1
Wyatt Russell, David Harbour & Hannah John-Kamen, Paul Feig, Ryan Coogler, And It’s Episode 666 1:57:55

29d ago1:57:55

1:57:55

It had to happen: the Empire podcast has finally gone to hell — quite literally in this case, as this particular show is episode 666. Perhaps appropriately, James is in the driving seat for this one, embracing this demonically anointed episode to bring you such thematically-relevant discussions as a Mount Rushmore of movie Satans and an off-topic d…

1
421: ‘The Ratchet of Flippancy’, With Craig Mod 1:53:11

30d ago1:53:11

1:53:11

Craig Mod returns to the show to discuss his splendid new book, Things Become Other Things. Other topics include creating with AI tools (including programming), social media permanence vs. ephemerality, and more. Sponsored by: Dekáf Coffee Roasters: You won’t believe it’s decaf. That’s the point. 30% off with code: DF. Squarespace: Make your next m…

1
Ep. 577: "Cigarettes and Pancakes"

1M ago

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The Problem: John and Merlin are bookends. (Recorded on Monday, April 28, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
The Convergence Is Here (ft. Gareth Evans, Christian Gudegast, and Gavin O'Connor), And Mount Rushmoreapalooza 1:55:20

1M ago1:55:20

1:55:20

It was foretold by the Ancient Ones: The Convergence (or Gunvergence, if you will), the day on which three absolutely slamming action movies will be released at the same time in the UK (albeit on different formats), ushering in a new era of sweaty dad bods, car chases, and many scenes where people die in a hail of bullets. And that day is today, fo…

1
The Shameless Plug #2 — The June Issue 31:57

1M ago31:57

31:57

The Shameless Plug returns, folks, for a second glorious episode in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down in the podbooth and tell you how (and why) the sausage is made. That sausage being the new issue of Empire, which is on sale now in all good, evil, and virtual newsagents. Our dynamic duo talk through the month's big c…

1
Ep. 576: "The Lightest Possible Acquaintment"

1M ago

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The Problem: Nobody puts John in a corner. (Recorded on Monday, April 21, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
420: ‘The Best Hatched Plan’, With Glenn Fleishman 2:08:24

1M ago2:08:24

2:08:24

Special guest Glenn Fleishman returns to the show for episode 420 on 4/20, but everyone’s sober, I swear. Topics include Trump’s dumb tariffs and Glenn’s smart new edition of his book Six Centuries of Type & Printing. Sponsored by: Squarespace: Make your next move. Use code talkshow for 10% off your first order. Notion: Try the powerful, easy-to-us…

1
Easter Guestapalooza (Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland, Ludwig Göransson, Osgood Perkins), Movie Musicals, And The Oscars' Latest Stunt 1:59:21

1M ago1:59:21

1:59:21

This week's Empire Podcast (episode 664 if you're keeping score!) is more packed with goodness than your average Easter egg. Not only do Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Alex Godfrey get into a discussion about what exactly makes a musical a musical (along with an impromptu visit to a certain mountain), but they tackle the week's movie news, includi…

1
Ep. 575: "An Introverted Muppet"

2M ago

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The Problem: The Oregon coast’s lousy with grandchildren of loggers. (Recorded on Monday, April 14, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
Kevin Macdonald on One To One: John & Yoko — An Empire Podcast Interview Special 29:25

2M ago29:25

29:25

Kevin Macdonald's latest documentary, One To One: John & Yoko, is out now in cinemas around the UK, folks, and it's well worth your time for anyone with even a passing interest in John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, and their lives after The Beatles split up. But if you're a Beatlemaniac, this is manna from heaven as it not only brings you remaster…

1
Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche, Rami Malek & Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Landon, Movie Weddings, And Helen Returns! 1:57:56

2M ago1:57:56

1:57:56

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is jam-packed etc. etc. Bumper-sized, and so on and so forth. But it's true, perhaps this week more than ever as Chris Hewitt sits down for chats with two pairs — first, there's Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, who reunite almost 30 years after The English Patient for this week's Odyssey-sampling drama, …

1
Ep. 574: "Big Strong Man"

2M ago

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The Problem: It’s a little late for a clean open. (Recorded on Monday, April 7, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
Will Poulter, Amber Midthunder, Beatles, Avengers, And Farewell To Val Kilmer 1:40:20

2M ago1:40:20

1:40:20

This week's Empire Podcast sees the long-awaited return of one of our favourite guests, the wonderful British actor Will Poulter, who talks to Chris Hewitt about his role in the new movie, Death Of A Unicorn, playing a prize A-hole, and impromptu tongue-twisters. [20:38 - 33:28 approx]Another returning guest joins us this week, as the delightful Am…

1
George MacKay, Irwin Winkler, And The Avengers Doomsday Cast Announcement 1:59:44

2M ago1:59:44

1:59:44

We start on a director's chair. We pull back to reveal its back. On it is emblazoned a name. That name? George MacKay, the wonderful star of this week's thought-provoking original movie musical, Joshua Oppenheimer's The End, who pops into the podbooth to have a good old natter [from 30:49 - 48:20 approx] with... We pull back. It's another director'…

1
The Shameless Plug #1 — The May 2025 Issue 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

Welcome to The Shameless Plug, a brand new Empire Podcast regular show, folks. As the title suggests, every month Chris Hewitt will sit down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, for a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire, bringing you the stories behind the stories and covering everything including the cover. This month's cover feature is Thun…

1
Ep. 573: "The First Pancake"

2M ago

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The Problem: You can only tape it back together once. (Recorded on Monday, March 24, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
419: ‘Podcasting Technology Cadence’, With MG Siegler 2:28:58

2M ago2:28:58

2:28:58

MG Siegler returns to the show to talk about the drama surrounding Siri and Apple Intelligence. Sponsored by: WorkOS: The modern identity platform for B2B SaaS — free up to 1 million monthly active users. Check out their latest features from Launch Week. BetterHelp: Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp and get on your way to being your best self…

1
Barry Levinson, Gints Zilbalodis, Snakes On A Podcast, And The Convergence 1:43:06

2M ago1:43:06

1:43:06

It's another bumper-sized edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, in which Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with the legendary director, Barry Levinson, on the eve of the release of his new gangster movie, The Alto Knights, starring Robert De Niro, Robert De Niro and Robert De Niro's dogs. [23:31 - 40:13 approx] Then, we also hear from Gints …

1
Hans Zimmer And Paul Dugdale: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 32:15

2M ago32:15

32:15

This week sees the release of Hans Zimmer And Friends: Diamond In The Desert, a concert film like no other, which captures the great Hans Zimmer and his band in full flow in Dubai, and also intersperses a number of revealing interviews Zimmer conducted with the likes of Christopher Nolan, Zendaya, Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams, Denis Villeneuve,…

1
Ep. 572: "The Good One"

2M ago

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The Problem: She gave John Social Security glasses. (Recorded on Monday, March 17, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
Millie Bobby Brown & Chris Pratt, Michael Fassbender & Marisa Abela, Best Fourth Parts, And The Number 12 1:45:28

3M ago1:45:28

1:45:28

Welcome to episode 659 (yes, we're keeping count) of The Empire Podcast, folks. And it's a belter, as Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with The Electric State's Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt to talk about their favourite Russo brother, accents, and which one will attend the parade if/when Liverpool win this year's Premier League title. [23:34 -3…

1
Ep. 571: "Cannery Girls"

3M ago

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The Problem: The Scottish Pound is not a euphemism. (Recorded on Monday, March 10, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
418: ‘Putting a Stink on the Letter X’, With Craig Hockenberry 2:42:03

3M ago2:42:03

2:42:03

Craig Hockenberry returns to the show. Topics include Apple’s new hardware this week — M3 iPad Airs, A16 regular iPads, M4 MacBook Airs, and the M4 Max and surprising M3 Ultra Mac Studios. And we go deep on The Iconfactory’s years-in-the-making new app, Tapestry — a universal timeline for the Internet. Exclusively sponsored by: Google Gemini: Chat …

1
Jack Huston, Bong Joon Ho, The Oscars, and The Greatness Of Gene Hackman 1:50:16

3M ago1:50:16

1:50:16

This week's Empire Podcast features two cracking interviews with two directors at different stages of their career. First, actor-turned-director Jack Huston sits down on Zoom and tells Chris Hewitt how he managed to make his directorial debut, the black-and-white drama Day Of The Fight, recruiting Joe Pesci for a supporting role, and the influence …

1
Ep. 570: "Oregon Grapes"

3M ago

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The Problem: You can only put so much ham on the boat. (Recorded on Monday, March 3, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.By Merlin Mann

1
Pamela Anderson, Naomi Ackie, And Farewell To Gene Hackman 1:37:19

3M ago1:37:19

1:37:19

Don't call it a comeback. This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Pamela Anderson, star of Baywatch and Barb Wire, sit down with Alex Godfrey to tell him about how Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl has given her a second chance in Hollywood. [23:46 - 38:29 approx] Our other interview sees Mickey 17 (out next Friday, fact fans!) star Naomi Acki…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Merlin Mann Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen