Best Oscar Gonzalez Podcasts (2025)

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0207. Fix What Matters Most: Rethinking Workflow Improvement in Biopharma 56:11

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1d ago56:11

56:11

Send us a text In this episode, we introduce a new approach to operational excellence, one built for the realities of today’s biopharma landscape. As the industry faces tighter budgets and widespread restructuring, the pressure to “do more with less” has never been higher. But when you can’t fix everything, where should you start? We share how Sigm…

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256 | Getting Repped in a Post-Strike Industry - Part 1 (ft. Daniela Gonzalez & Garrett Greer) 53:41

7d ago53:41

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Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so In part one of a two-part conversation, literary managers Daniela Gonzalez (Good Fear Content) and Garrett Greer (Haven Entertainment) join us to unpack what “breaking in” looks like today. Even as the industry pulls back and fewer projects are greenlit, getting repped isn’t out of reach. In some w…

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Indie Film Craft 3 | How to Get Life Rights As an Indie Filmmaker (and Make the Biopic Indie Audiences Actually Want) ft. The Bragg Brothers 1:04:03

14d ago1:04:03

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Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so How do you turn a real-life moment into a movie — without studio backing or a big festival launch? Jeff talks with The Bragg Brothers about making PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME, an indie biopic about GQ journalist Roger Sharpe, who helped overturn New York’s ban on pinball in 1976. They share…

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0206. From Chaos to Clarity: Bridging the Gap Between R&D Decisions and Scientific Data with Bogdan Knezevic 51:06

15d ago51:06

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Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, to talk about a growing challenge in life sciences R&D: making smart decisions when data is scattered across teams, tools, and partners. Bogdan explains why disconnected systems lead to costly delays, duplicate experiments, and missed opportunities…

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255 | From Finalist to Staffed: How Austin Film Festival Helped Us Break In (ft. Sylvia Batey Alcalá & Mac Smullen) 1:19:57

21d ago1:19:57

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This week, we’re spotlighting two incredible TV writers whose journeys were meaningfully shaped by the Austin Film Festival. Sylvia Batey Alcalá (A MAN ON THE INSIDE, PRIMO) and Mac Smullen (SOUVENIR, ALASKA) share how AFF helped get their names out there —building momentum, sparking connections, and opening doors that had long felt closed. But a f…

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254 | "I'm Stuck": What to Do When the Writing Just Isn't Working 1:04:47

28d ago1:04:47

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In this episode, Meg gets real about where she’s at in her writing process — the doubts, the stalls, and the honest truth of feeling stuck. We answer listener questions about momentum, mindset, and the tough question of when it’s time to move on from a project that just isn’t working. Whether you're in a rut or wrestling with a story that won’t coo…

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0205. Before You Scale: Designing Workflows That Set Teams Up for Success with David Hirschfeld 43:05

29d ago43:05

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Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with David Hirschfeld, 35-year software veteran and founder of Tekyz, to talk about why designing workflows before you start building is critical for sustainable growth. We explore how the speed of modern tools and AI can create a dangerous illusion of progress, causing teams to skip planning and discover…

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253 | Producing a Hit Studio Movie: What Writers Should Know ft. Sheila Hanahan Taylor (Final Destination: Bloodlines) 1:13:03

1M ago1:13:03

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Fresh off the massive critical and commercial success of FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, friend of the show Sheila Hanahan Taylor is back to share the ins and outs of producing a studio movie. What can writers do to develop a good relationship with a producer? How does a producer serve both the studio's voice and the writer's voice? On today's episo…

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252 | Creating a Complex Protagonist with a Simple Goal ft. Kim Rosenstock (Dying for Sex) 1:06:14

1M ago1:06:14

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so This week, we’re joined by Kim Rosenstock (DYING FOR SEX) to explore how a complicated protagonist with a simple goal drives interesting, rich, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Through the lens of her deeply personal and genre-blending show, which she co-created with Liz Meriwether, Kim share…

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0204. Start With the End: How PRFAQs Create Clarity Before You Build with Marcelo Calbucci 51:23

1M ago51:23

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Send us a text Have you ever started a project only to realize you’re building something your leaders never asked for? You’re not alone. In this episode of Lean by Design, we sit down with Marcelo Calbucci, a veteran of Amazon, Microsoft, and multiple startups, to explore the PRFAQ Framework, Amazon’s secret weapon for aligning strategy and executi…

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251 | Writing with Your Partner (in Life & Work): Joe Forte on Collaboration, Mentorship, and Creative Retreats 58:22

2M ago58:22

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What’s it like to collaborate creatively with your spouse — and still want to have dinner together after? This week, we’re joined by Joe Forte, screenwriter (Firewall) and longtime writing partner (and husband!) of Meg LeFauve. We talk candidly about the unique dynamics of working with your life pa…

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250 | Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Agatha All Along): Having a “Take” When Pitching on IP — or Anything 1:09:10

2M ago1:09:10

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Join TSL Workshops: https://tslworkshops.circle.so When you’re pitching — whether it’s on studio IP or your own original idea — what sets you apart is your take. But what does that actually mean? This week, Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision, Agatha All Along) breaks it down. For Jac, a great take starts with the emotional core — “what is the deep down” th…

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0203: Build or Buy? Developing Internal Process Capabilities vs. Relying on External Experts with Liam O'Neill 45:08

2M ago45:08

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Send us a text Have you ever noticed the gap between where your organization is and where it needs to be widening every day—especially when workflows are undefined or changing? In this episode of Lean by Design, we sit down with Liam O’Neill of BPM‑D to tackle the big question: do you invest in building process capabilities internally or lean on ou…

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249 | Screenwriting & Social Media: How Being Online Can Help Your Career 1:34:02

2M ago1:34:02

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In this special roundtable, we’re joined by three working screenwriters — Nic Curcio, Kristen Tepper, and Julia Yorks — who have each built successful writing careers while also growing authentic, engaged followings online. We talk candidly about the growing pressure for writers to maintain a social media presence. From expanding your network to at…

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Indie Film Craft 2 | Trey Edward Shults on Working With The Weeknd, The Role Of The Camera & Vulnerable Storytelling 1:01:17

2M ago1:01:17

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslwokshops.circle.so Trey Edward Shults is an inspiration to directors everywhere — including Jeff. His debut feature, KRISHA, was a no-name psychological drama shot in his own home on a shoestring budget under $30K. Against all odds, it won SXSW, screened at Cannes, and eventually sold to A24. KRISHA stands as a beacon…

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0202. When Everyone’s Rowing, But the Boat Isn’t Moving 52:33

2M ago52:33

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Send us a text Have you ever watched a rowing team give it their all only to spin in circles? That’s exactly how we feel when our teams pour in effort without clear roles and responsibilities. In this episode of Lean by Design, we explore how vague decision‐making and overlapping tasks quietly drain momentum, leading to missed deadlines and frustra…

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248 | Working Writers Ask Us Questions: An Industry Mailbag 1:09:25

3M ago1:09:25

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.sol In this special edition of our mailbag series, we’re flipping the script. Instead of questions from newcomers, today we hear from working, professional screenwriters—people already inside the industry, navigating the real-world challenges of a creative career. From handling difficult notes to sust…

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247 | Directing Fundamentals That Make You a Better Writer (ft. Rob Spera) 1:07:33

3M ago1:07:33

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so BUY ROB'S BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/FILM-DIRECTORS-FIELD-MANUAL-Filmmaking/dp/1662850549 Whether you're on set or on the page, great storytelling relies on clarity, efficiency, and emotional truth. This week, veteran director Rob Spera joins us to discuss his new handbook on the fundamentals of …

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0201. From Small Wins to Organizational Transformation: Building Momentum in Biopharma 45:00

3M ago45:00

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Send us a text In this episode, we explore how small, intentional improvements—not sweeping changes—drive real progress in biopharma operations. The discussion highlights a common challenge: the disconnect between strategy and execution, often due to underutilized middle management. You'll learn a simple framework for creating meaningful change: st…

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246 | Do I Need to Self-Produce to Sell My Writing? (ft. Emily Brundige) 1:09:33

3M ago1:09:33

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Emily Brundige was tired of waiting around for gatekeepers to say yes. So, she stopped asking. In this candid conversation with Lorien, Emily shares how her frustration with the traditional hurry-up-and-wait pitch process pushed her to self-produce an animated short. That project — born from passion, resourcefulness, and a refusal to wait — eventua…

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245 | How To Pivot Genres and "Re-Brand" Yourself As A Writer (ft. Carla Banks-Waddles) 1:05:00

3M ago1:05:00

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Carla Banks-Waddles (BEL-AIR) has lived many lives as a writer. From being a valued member of multi-cam half hour rooms, to pivoting towards single cam serialized family dramas, Carla has had a wonderfully diverse career. How? She wrote her way there. Enjoy Carla's insightful, optimistic, and sometimes obsessive approach to how we can craft our dre…

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244 | Brent Forrester's (The Office, The Simpsons) Comedy Writing Masterclass 1:13:02

3M ago1:13:02

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so TAKE BRENT'S CLASS: https://www.brentforrester.com/webinar Brent Forrester wasn't naturally funny, and he's the first person to admit it. And yet, when Brent was in his early 20s, he studied comedy like a science, and it has fostered one of the most successful comedy writing careers of anyone worki…

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243 | If You've Ever Wanted To Quit Writing, Listen To This. 56:29

4M ago56:29

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so You are not alone, and keep writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna

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Shifting Migration Trends in the Americas 26:23

4M ago26:23

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In this episode of Plaza Central, host Benjamin Gedan, director of the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, is joined by Wilson Center fellow Molly O'Toole to discuss the migration crisis in the Western Hemisphere. From asylum seekers navigating treacherous routes to shifting enforcement strategies under the new US administration, their conversat…

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Indie Film Craft 1 | Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz (The Peanut Butter Falcon, Los Frikis) Discuss Authentic Collaboration 1:07:19

4M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

WATCH LOS FRIKIS: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Los-Frikis/0H49M436MMS223JUKJ26Q95EKJ READ ALONG: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a3QojbCeXG11xowk5u6y-RONQhCSguwG/view?usp=drive_link Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are the first to admit "they're not the cool kids." Their widely celebrated debut THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON was bootstrapped by g…

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ANNOUNCEMENT: New Bonus Spinoff Show For Filmmakers Drops In Feed THURSDAY! 0:34

4M ago0:34

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We are launching a brand new monthly BONUS show this Thursday in feed, hosted by our producer Jeffrey Crane Graham. Don't miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna

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242 | Welcome To Wrexham Showrunner John Henion Discusses Theme As A Central Creative Throughline 59:32

4M ago59:32

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Whether you're on your billionth draft, or stuck in post on a docuseries, finding a connective THEME to tell your story is one of the most valuable ways to create a cohesive and satisfying story. Today's guest, John Henion, understands that better than anyone. His impressive career as an episodic d…

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241 | Bob's Burgers Executive Producers & The Great North Creators Discuss Adult Animation 1:23:57

4M ago1:23:57

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://twslworkshops.circle.so The Molyneux Sisters (BOB’S BURGERS, THE GREAT NORTH) believe that character is at the center of all great comedy. For Wendy and Lizzie, specificity, character quirks, and close observations about the friends (and strangers) around them will always provide the cocktail for a great character. Hear …

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240 | George Saunders' Storytelling Masterclass 1:16:21

5M ago1:16:21

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so George Saunders is a writer of novels, short stories, and non-fiction, whose work has amassed a collection of awards, including The Booker Prize for his debut novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. His essay collection A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, which focuses on the storytelling prowess of four Russian ma…

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239 | Wicked Co-Writer Dana Fox on Why You're Avoiding Your Writing 1:03:44

5M ago1:03:44

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Dana Fox offers an incredibly generous admission in today's conversation: "I find writing REALLY torturous." And yet, she's one of Hollywood's most successful writers, having written on major franchises like CRUELLA and recently WICKED, which has earned her countless industry award nominations. What's her secret? Tune in as she discusses why writin…

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The Summit of the Americas Turns 30 17:50

5M ago17:50

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In this episode of Plaza Central, host Benjamin Gedan, director of the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, is joined by Rep. Sidney Kamlager-Dove of California, a co-sponsor of the Summit of the Americas Act, to discuss the past, present, and future of this hemispheric gathering.

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238 | How To Create and Maintain a Screenwriting Career Outside of LA or NY (ft. Will Fetters and Chris Sparling) 1:13:23

5M ago1:13:23

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.cricle.so For decades, if you wanted to make it as a Hollywood writer, the first step was simple: move to Hollywood. But increasingly, screenwriters have found that they're able to create and foster screenwriting careers outside of Los Angeles. Two folks who have done that successfully, Will Fetters and Chri…

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237 | Malcolm Washington & Virgil Williams (The Piano Lesson) On Adapting August Wilson's Pulitzer-Winning Masterpiece 1:02:02

5M ago1:02:02

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so It's no secret that plays and movies are entirely different mediums, so how do you give the cinematic treatment to a play as celebrated as "The Piano Lesson" by Pulitzer Prize-winning August Wilson? From the start, co-writer and director Malcom Washington came in with a very specific take on the ma…

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236 | Liz Feldman (Dead To Me, No Good Deed): Writing is Self-Destruction, Self-Reflection, and Self-Correction 1:04:31

6M ago1:04:31

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so What sounds harder? Writing a pilot alone at your desk, or running your own TV show with 300 folks trying to execute your vision? For Liz Feldman, it's the former, which affirms what we often say on this show: writing is really, really hard. Despite that, Liz has almost 30 years of TV writing exper…

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235 | Mike Jones (Soul, Dream Productions) Returns: What Makes a Great Act 3? 1:17:22

6M ago1:17:22

1:17:22

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Pixar story genius Mike Jones gets candid with Meg about endings: what makes a great ending, and more important, what makes an emotional ending. Meg and Mike also discuss selfish characters, narrative feature film engines, and how to keep our storytelling fresh when we feel like we're locked in the…

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A Regional Approach to Fighting Organized Crime in Latin Americ 24:00

6M ago24:00

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In this episode of Plaza Central, guest host Catherine Osborn explores a new Latin America security initiative involving 18 countries, the Inter-American Development Bank, and Interpol. Katherine Aguirre of the Igarapé Institute and Joana Monteiro of the Getulio Vargas Foundation discuss how regional cooperation could help the fight against organiz…

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234 | Why Fairy Tales Are The Foundation For Modern Storytelling (ft. Kelly Younger) 1:13:44

6M ago1:13:44

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so To say that Kelly Younger is a fairy tale expert is an understatement. He's built an entire career around his obsession with fairy tale principles, so much so that he's become a coveted story consultant, and a frequent writer for THE MUPPETS universe, with credits on MUPPETS NOW and MUPPETS HAUNTED…

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233 | TV Development: Everything You Need To Know (ft. Glen Mazzara) 1:20:04

6M ago1:20:04

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Glen Mazzara has produced, created and/or showran a litany of amazing projects. His impressive resume includes The Walking Dead (he showran seasons 2 and 3) and Damien, which he also created. But even Glen is the first to admit that there's a certain amount of luck that comes with getting the covet…

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232 | A Writers' Assistant Deep Dive (Part 2) 38:22

6M ago38:22

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so As promised, here is part two of our writers' assistant dive. We chat with Anthony Musella, writer's assistant to Rodney Barnes, who's known for some of the most subversive shows and movies of the last 15 years, such as The Boondocks and Winning Time. Anthony dives deep into what it's like working …

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231 | A Writers' Assistant Deep Dive (Part 1) 1:20:36

7M ago1:20:36

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so To help support relief efforts related to the fires in LA, consider donating to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812 Listen as former writers' assistants Maggie Gottlieb, Lauren Halberg, and Jonathan Hurwitz detail their experiences as writer…

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Latin America in 2024 18:25

7M ago18:25

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In this year-end episode of Plaza Central, host Benjamin Gedan, director of the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, is joined by analyst James Bosworth to review a consequential year for Latin America that saw a peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala, Brazil’s presidency of the G20, record migration, and the troubling rise of organized crime. B…

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230 | Sing Sing Writer Clint Bentley: Creating Character Arcs Based On Real Lives 1:10:21

7M ago1:10:21

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Clint Bentley, our guest on today's show, and his filmmaking partner Greg Kwedar, co-write and co-produce every feature film project they tackle, with one of them taking on the role of director. This wildly unique and successful partnership has led to one of the year's most beloved movies, "Sing Si…

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229 | The Screenwriting Life: Joy, Pain, & Legacy (TSL 2024 Supercut, Pt. 2) 1:38:37

7M ago1:38:37

1:38:37

JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so Part 2 of our 2024 TSL guests answering the Three Big Questions: What brings you the most joy when it comes to writing? What pisses you off about writing? And what advice would you give your younger self? Happy New Year! :45 - Dave Holstein (Episode 196) 7:04 - Kelsey Mann (Episode 197) 12:40 - Mer…

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228 | The Screenwriting Life: Joy, Pain, & Legacy (TSL 2024 Supercut, Pt. 1) 2:02:22

7M ago2:02:22

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JOIN TSL WORKSHOPS: https://tslworkshops.circle.so At the end of every episode, we ask our guests the Three Big Questions: What brings you the most joy when it comes to writing? What pisses you off about writing? What advice would you give to your younger self? Today's supercut captures the heartfelt answers from TSL guests over the past year. Part…

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227 | Oscar-Nominated Writer Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich, Unbelievable): "Know The Difference Between Truth and Facts" 1:08:01

7M ago1:08:01

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Many of Susannah Grant's movies are based on true stories, which, for a writer, often invites thorny questions about adaptation — What should I include? Is it essential that every detail I include happened verbatim? In answering these questions during today’s fascinating conversation, Susannah sheds light on an important reality: sometimes in ficti…

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0122. Revolutionizing Project Management in Biopharma: Smartsheet Change Management Strategies 11:45

7M ago11:45

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Send us a text Unlock the potential of Smartsheet for the biopharma industry with strategies that can transform project management. Can a minimalist approach to Smartsheet integration enhance team efficiency and adaptability? In this final part of our series on change management, we explore practical insights drawn from thousands of workflows desig…

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226 | Challengers/Queer Writer Justin Kuritzkes: Asking The Right Questions While Writing 54:23

7M ago54:23

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Justin Kuritzkes is having a good year. Two of his scripts, Challengers and Queer, were brought to life by world-renowned director Luca Guadagnino. Despite being about wildly different worlds, both scripts center complicated characters swirling in complicated romantic dynamics. Challengers, our focus of today's conversation, was born out of Justin'…

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0121. Empowering Accountability through Smartsheet: Rethinking Team Dynamics and Automation in Biopharma 11:34

8M ago11:34

11:34

Send us a text Is it possible to build a culture of accountability without slipping into micromanagement? In this episode of Lean by Design, we dig into strategies for fostering responsibility and efficiency in high-stakes environments like biopharma. Explore how tools like Smartsheet can shift team dynamics from routine updates to meaningful, stra…

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225 | Actor/Showrunner Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/Catastrophe) On Revealing Character 1:00:11

8M ago1:00:11

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Join TSL Workshops: www.tslworkshops.circle.so (Through January 1, use coupon code HOLIDAY24 to get a 5-day free trial + 50% off your first 3 months!) Despite the BAFTA wins, Peabody Awards, and IFTA nominations, Sharon Horgan didn't really begin her writing career until her mid-30s, but her previous professional experiences have given her valuable…

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0120. Securing Team Buy-In for Smartsheet Implementation in Biopharma: Strategies for Seamless Software Adoption 15:05

8M ago15:05

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Send us a text Struggling to secure team buy-in for Smartsheet adoption in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment? In this episode of Lean by Design, we explore the strategies that drive effective implementation in the intricate world of biopharma, where workflows are complex and evolving. Discover actionable insights to streamline processes, boost …