x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

history music history

All Episodes

21:03

Episode 206 - Kelly Reichardt: Filmmaker and Auteur

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod details the life and career of American film director and screenwriter Kelly Reichardt, born in 1964. The article outlines her early life and education, including earning an MFA at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and her residency at Bard College. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to her film career over several decades, noting her feature debut River of Grass (1994) and her critically acclaimed works like Old Joy (2006) and First Cow (2019). The source

en

26:11

Episode 205: Sean Penn, Actor, Director, and Advocate

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

pplpod Episode 201 presents a clear and coherent look at Sean Penn’s path from breakout talent to two-time Academy Award winner and committed activist. We begin with early momentum in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, then track concrete dramatic turns in Bad Boys, At Close Range, Colors, and Carlito’s Way. We explain how precision and intensity led to four Oscar nominations across Dead Man Walking, Sweet and Lowdown, and I Am Sam, and two wins for Mystic River and Milk.The episode gives a complete view

en

27:57

Episode 204 - Mandy Moore: A Multifaceted Career

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod provides a comprehensive biography and career overview of the American singer and actress, Mandy Moore. The episode details her early life and career beginnings in the late 1990s as a pop singer, including her debut albums and tours with groups like NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys. The article thoroughly chronicles her transition into acting roles in both film and television, highlighting key projects such as A Walk to Remember, her voice work as Rapunzel in Tangled, and her

en

11:50

Episode 203 - Jackie Tohn: Actress, Musician, and...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod details the life and career of Jaclyn "Jackie" Tohn, an American actress and musician. The source offers a structured overview, beginning with Tohn's early life in Oceanside, New York, and her educational background, before transitioning into her diverse career timeline. Key professional milestones highlighted include her appearances on reality competition shows like American Idol and Platinum Hit, her notable role as Melanie "MelRose" Rosen in the Netflix series GLOW, and her

en

24:57

Episode 202 - Nick Tosches: American Writer,...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod details the life and career of Nick Tosches, an American writer, journalist, novelist, biographer, and poet who lived from 1949 to 2019. The source outlines his biography, including his origins, early career in music journalism for publications like Rolling Stone, and his transition into a prominent author, noted for works such as Hellfire, a highly-praised biography of Jerry Lee Lewis. Furthermore, the article provides a structured bibliography listing his numerous works

en

24:46

Episode 201: Mila Kunis, From Sitcom Standout to...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

pplpod Episode 201 presents a clear and coherent portrait of Mila Kunis. We begin with her move from Ukraine to Los Angeles and her early start in acting. We cover the breakout on That ’70s Show, where steady ensemble work built strong timing, and the long-running voice role as Meg Griffin on Family Guy, which sharpened her precision in comedy.The episode gives a concrete look at film highlights. We note the scene-stealing turn in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the romantic spark of Friends with

en

21:09

Episode 200 - Geena Davis: Actor, Activist, and Archer

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod.details the life and career of American actor Geena Davis. The article offers a structured overview, beginning with her early life and education and then charting her career trajectory through various phases, from her rise to fame with films like Tootsie and The Fly to major recognition for The Accidental Tourist and Thelma & Louise. It also documents her personal life, marriages, and significant activism efforts, notably founding the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in

en

25:36

Episode 199 - Mark Harris: Novelist, Biographer, and...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod offers a comprehensive biographical overview of the American author and educator Mark Harris, who lived from 1922 to 2007. The source outlines his life, beginning with his birth as Mark Harris Finkelstein and his early career as a journalist, which transitioned into an extensive academic career teaching English at various universities. Harris is most recognized for his writing career, particularly his quartet of novels about baseball, starring the character Henry Wiggen, with

en

22:27

Episode 198 - Jon Glaser: Actor, Comedian, Writer

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod is dedicated to the American actor, comedian, and writer Jon Glaser. The source offers a biographical overview, starting with a table detailing his birth in Chicago, education at the University of Michigan, and occupation as an actor, comedian, and writer. It prominently mentions his best-known work, including writing for Late Night with Conan O'Brien and creating and starring in the Adult Swim series Delocated and Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter, as well as the truTV series Jon

en

17:42

Episode 197 - Karina Longworth: Film Critic, Author,...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod focuses on the life and career of Karina Longworth, an American film critic, author, and journalist. The article begins with her birth date, education at institutions like NYU, and professional occupations, highlighting her role as the host and producer of the popular podcast "You Must Remember This". Significant sections detail her writing career, noting her founding role at Cinematical and work as the film editor at LA Weekly, along with her contributions to various

en

32:12

Episode 196 - Fred Melamed: Actor, Voice, and...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod details the life and career of American actor Fred Melamed. The source outlines his personal history, including his birth in New York City and his adoption by a secular Jewish family. The article extensively catalogs his professional life, noting his early career as a renowned voice-over artist and his breakthrough role as Sy Ableman in the Coen brothers' film A Serious Man (2009), for which he received critical acclaim and awards. Furthermore, the content features a detailed

en

30:02

Episode 195 - Jena Friedman: Comedian, Writer, and...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

This episode of pplpod focuses on the life and career of Jena Friedman, an American comedian and writer known for her work in dark comedy. The entry details her early life growing up in New Jersey and her education at Northwestern University before transitioning into her diverse career. Her professional history includes creating the Adult Swim special Soft Focus with Jena Friedman, writing for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Late Show with David Letterman, and contributing to the screenplay for

en

34:20

Episode 194: They Might Be Giants, Dial-A-Song to...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

pplpod Episode 194 gives a clear, complete tour of They Might Be Giants, the Brooklyn duo of John Linnell and John Flansburgh who turned smart pop into a long-running conversation with fans. We start with the concrete origin story: early apartment shows, the Dial-A-Song hotline, and indie releases that sharpened a sound built on accordion, drum machines, and wordplay. We track the breakthrough of Lincoln and Flood with songs like “Birdhouse in Your Soul,” “Istanbul,” and “Particle Man,” and explain

en

28:45

Episode 193: Andrea Martin, SCTV to Tony Winner and...

pplpod ·

2025/10/05

pplpod Episode 193 gives a clear, complete look at Andrea Martin’s life in comedy and theater. We start with Second City and SCTV, where she built a precise sketch toolkit and a gallery of unforgettable characters. Listeners hear how careful writing, physical choices, and clean timing shaped a performer who could carry a scene or lift an ensemble without forcing the laugh.We move to film and television with concrete highlights that include My Big Fat Greek Wedding and a steady run of scene-stealing

en

28:02

Episode 192: Jon Hamm, Range, Timing, and a Career...

pplpod ·

2025/10/04

Episode 192: Jon Hamm, Range, Timing, and a Career Built on Choicepplpod Episode 192 gives a clear view of Jon Hamm’s path from St. Louis stages and a brief stint teaching drama to a breakthrough as Don Draper on Mad Men. We outline how that role combined discipline, subtlety, and leadership, earning major awards while resetting audience expectations for what a TV lead can do.We connect the drama to a confident comic touch. Hamm brings precise timing to 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, and guest turns

en

22:55

Episode 191: Brendan Walsh, Pranks, Premises, and the...

pplpod ·

2025/10/04

pplpod Episode 191 presents a clear portrait of Brendan Walsh, a stand-up comic and podcaster whose craft blends tight writing with fearless prank artistry. We start with club work that built his timing and tone, then follow a steady rise through national touring, festival slots, and appearances on late-night and Comedy Central. The focus is simple and concrete: how careful setup, relaxed cadence, and sharp tags create big laughs without wasted words.We explain the podcast chapter with The Bone Zone

en

21:16

Episode 190: Ron Lynch, Master of Midnight Comedy

pplpod ·

2025/10/04

pplpod Episode 190 explores Ron Lynch’s steady, inventive career in stand-up, voice work, and alt-comedy. We start with Boston club roots and a move to Los Angeles, where he built a loyal following with Tomorrow!, the long-running midnight show that became a workshop for new bits, surprise guests, and oddball set pieces. Listeners get a clear view of how a low-key presence and exact timing can carry a room.We outline on-camera and voice highlights with appearances across acclaimed comedy series and

en

25:46

Episode 189: Cindy Crawford, Icon and Entrepreneur

pplpod ·

2025/10/04

pplpod Episode 189 takes a clear look at Cindy Crawford’s journey from DeKalb teen to global supermodel and business leader. We cover the early break at Elite Model Management, the runway era with Versace, Chanel, and Calvin Klein, and the images that defined a decade, including the 1992 Pepsi spot and collaborations with Herb Ritts and Richard Avedon. We note her role as a relatable TV guide to fashion on MTV’s House of Style, and the signature beauty mark that became a calling card rather than a

en

33:36

Episode 188 — Brian Cox: A Distinguished Acting Career

pplpod ·

2025/10/04

pplpod Episode 188 follows Brian Cox from Dundee rep kid to world-class character actor and, finally, the blunt-force poetry of Logan Roy. We trace the stage roots—Royal Court to RSC, Shakespeare as muscle—and the screen turns that announced a heavyweight: the first Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter, bruised gravitas in Braveheart and The Boxer, icy menace in X2, wry bite in Adaptation, and intelligence in motion across The Bourne Identity, Troy, and Zodiac. Then the imperial chapter: Succession’s

en

30:48

Episode 187 — Hannibal Buress: Deadpan Drift, Perfect...

pplpod ·

2025/10/04

pplpod Episode 187 maps Hannibal Buress’s glide from Chicago mics to one of the most copied cadences in modern stand-up. We trace the writer’s-room reps at SNL and 30 Rock, the breakout albums and hours (My Name Is Hannibal, Animal Furnace, Live from Chicago, Comedy Camisado), and the self-released Miami Nights—a cool, surgical unpacking of a very public arrest that became a case study in tone control. On screen, it’s chaos co-pilot on The Eric Andre Show, chill-heart foil as Lincoln on Broad City,

en

7,536 results

Similar Podcasts

The History on Film Podcast

Ross Lennon

Today In History with The Retrospectors

The Retrospectors

The Old Front Line

Paul Reed

pplpod

pplpod

Based on a True Story

Dan LeFebvre