Interviews

Interviews

Conversations with artists, comedians, and scientists about creativity, craft, and the mind. Including George Carlin’s last interview — which the legendary comedian called the “most complete interview” of his career.

Selected Interview

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George Carlin being escorted by police
Psychology Today

George Carlin’s Last Interview

The last in-depth interview he gave, nine days before his death, recorded over the telephone on Friday, June 13, 2008.

All Interviews

Willem Dafoe Psychology Today · January 2010 · Interview Willem Dafoe on the Fine Art of Disappearing

Willem Dafoe on range, instinct, and why he doesn’t pull from his own life experiences to fuel a performance.

psychologyinterviewactingcreativity
Photo credit
Photo by Jay Dixit
Tim Roth Psychology Today · December 2009 · Interview Pulp Nonfiction

Tim Roth on lying, acting, and not being a ‘pretty boy.’

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Photo credit
Photograph by Gage Skidmore
Paula Scher Psychology Today · May 2009 · Interview Paula Scher on Why Success Kills Creativity

Pentagram graphic designer Paula Scher on why success kills creative work and failure is the engine of breakthrough.

psychologyinterviewfailuredesign
Photo credit
Photograph by John Madere
Cindy Chupack Psychology Today · May 2009 · Interview Cindy Chupack on the Divorce That Launched Her Career

Two years into her marriage, her husband told her he might be gay. The lonely years that followed shaped the storylines she’d write for Sex and the City.

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Greg Giraldo Psychology Today · May 2009 · Interview Greg Giraldo on Failure

Despite great success as a standup comedian and former host of Comedy Central’s Standup Nation, Greg Giraldo was tortured by a constant sense of failure.

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Photo credit
Photograph by Dan Dion
David Servan-Schreiber Psychology Today · February 2009 · Interview Interview with David Servan-Schreiber - Full Version psychologyhealthcancerinterview
Commando-for-hire John Geddes Psychology Today · January 2009 · Interview Soldier of Fortune

Commando-for-hire John Geddes on the life of a mercenary.

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Ayaan Hirsi Ali Psychology Today · September 2008 · Interview Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Freedom

Ayaan Hirsi Ali on freedom, religious fundamentalism, and life in hiding.

psychologyinterviewreligionfreedom
Illustration of a journalist and comedians sharing a laugh around a table. Psychology Today · September 2008 · Interview The Psychology Today Humor Round Table

What happens when you hold a mirror up to seven comedians? Analyzing humor from the experts who make people laugh.

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George Carlin holding the American Comedy Awards trophy Psychology Today · June 2008 · Interview George Carlin’s Last Interview

The last in-depth interview he gave, nine days before his death, recorded over the telephone on Friday, June 13, 2008.

comedypsychologyinterviewculture
Lynn Sherr reading at the 2014 National Book Festival San Francisco Chronicle · December 2006 · Interview Q&A with Lynn Sherr

As one of the first women in broadcast journalism — and a 30-year veteran of ABC News — Lynn Sherr is accustomed to the spotlight.

interviewjournalismmediaculture
Photo credit
Photograph by S L O W K I N G — Lynn sherr 3046.JPG — GFDL 1.2.
Spike Lee at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival San Francisco Chronicle · August 2006 · Interview Q&A with Spike Lee

In his two decades of making films, Spike Lee has earned a reputation as one of the most brilliant — and angriest — American directors.

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Will Shortz speaking at the 2021 National Book Festival San Francisco Chronicle · June 2006 · Interview Will Shortz, Crossword Puzzle King

Will Shortz is one of those people who seem to hurtle inexorably toward their destinies from the day they are born.

interviewpuzzlesculturegames
Photo credit
Will Shortz (51507123546).jpg — Shawn Miller/Library of Congress — CC0 1.0