The Midnight Disease

Chris Smither has been writing, performing, and touring his music for over sixty years. From the blues clubs of New Orleans to the 1960's folk revolution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to touring around the world with the likes of B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt, Chris has seen it all (and written songs about most of it). I caught up with him before a recent gig at The Turning Point in New York to find out what he's learned from six decades of reinventing himself. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review in whatever app you use to listen, and drop me a line anytime: midnight@walt.fm. Thanks for tuning in - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cristen Conger has been podcasting since 2009, when she co-created "Stuff Mom Never Told You" while working as a staff writer at How Stuff Works. These days, she hosts the Webby-winning podcast Unladylike, where she examines thorny cultural dilemmas through a deft mix of storytelling, investigative reporting, and interviews. It's an audio haven of empathy and curiosity. On today's show, Cristen tells the story of how her upbringing in a strict religious environment - where curiosity wasn't always welcome - created the foundation for her spirit of exploration. If you have thoughts about anything you hear on this episode, drop me a line at: midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Morris (Bubble; Jordan, Jesse, Go!) talks about sneaking yourself into stories, letting things be fun, and loving what you satirize. Pre-order Jordan's new graphic novel "Youth Group" here. Find me on Substack here, and if you have thoughts on anything you hear on the show, don't hesitate to drop me a line: midnight@walt.fm. Thank you for listening, it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Theater artist, novelist, and multiple creative identity-haver Kirya Traber on radical self expression, writing her way out of solitude, and why it's strange to be called "regal." Get free tickets to Kirya's latest theater piece, "Beyond Punishment: Stories of Justice and Healing," and listen to Spotlight in Purple, her narrative podcast chronicling the creation of a new dance theater piece at Lincoln Center. Find me on Substack, and drop me a line anytime at midnight@walt.fm. Thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeffrey Cranor (Welcome to Night Vale, Within the Wires) on late night drives, the early days of audio fiction, and, of course, ABBA. Listen to the new season (hell, listen to all the seasons) of "Within the Wires" here. If you have thoughts about anything you've heard on "The Midnight Disease," drop me a line: midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Becky Granger has a joke that completely re-mapped Sam's self-perception. Today, she sits down for a very personal and frank conversation about how she found her way to that joke, and where it fits into her broader comedic quest. Find Becky's comedy on Instagram and TikTok, and learn more about her at her website. If you have thoughts about anything you hear on the show, drop us a line: midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam tells the true story of telling a true story no one believed, and Adrien stops by the studio to talk about her new podcast, "A Race Around the World." I always welcome your thoughts on the show at midnight@walt.fm, and thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Storyteller and theater artist David Lawson on balancing style with substance, sincerity with comedy, and the scourge of filler words. Check out David's new solo show, "Horror Helps," on October 19th at Cre8ive NYC - get $10 tickets by emailing david@dtlawson.com. Find more of David's work at his website. To learn more about my harrowing brush with Jon Stewart, join me on Substack. And if you have thoughts on anything you hear on the show, drop me a line: midnight@walt.fm. Thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer, comedian, and actor Sara Benincasa on self-fluency, finding a beginner's mind, and resisting the urge to steal from film sets. Read Sara's essays on her Substack, and buy her books: Agorafabulous and Real Artists Have Day Jobs. Find Sam's Substack here, and don't hesitate to send an email if anything in this episode spiked your mind: midnight@walt.fm. Thanks for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and comedian Sara Benincasa reads her essay, "Brian Cox Books a Bikini Wax." Consider it a portrait of an artist in the throes of the Midnight Disease - about which Sara will tell us much more in her full-length interview this Friday. You can read the original essay here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and podcaster Paul Bae on becoming a human archive, life lessons from Eddie Brill, and celebrating every dinner. Listen to Paul's podcasts: The Black Tapes and The Big Loop, and read his memoir: You Suck, Sir. Drop me a line at midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

YouTuber, author, and comedian Grace Helbig on performing the self, not letting 8-year-olds drive, and finding uncomfortable stillness. Watch Grace on YouTube here, and listen to her podcast "This Might Get Weird." Drop me a line at midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Goldman (Reply All) talks about changing everything at the last minute, why podcasting is radio, and the physical and emotional danger of great storytelling. Check out Alex's writing by stepping into The Cool Dude Zone, hear him on the Western Kabuki podcast, and bathe your brain in the expansive sounds of Slow Fawns. You can listen to "Heyoon" here. Drop me a line anytime: midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer, filmmaker, and podcaster Gabe Dunn on getting real, cultivating a steel stomach, and Cold Stone Creamery. Check out Gabe's podcasts: Just Between Us, Bad With Money, and The Knew Guys, and follow them on Instagram. Check out my episode of Sports Explains the World here. Drop me a line: midnight@walt.fm, and thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronald Young Jr (creator and host of "Weight For It") talks body shame, betrayal, and belief. Listen to "Weight for It" and "Time Will Spent," and follow Ronald on Instagram. And while you're checking out new shows, please listen to Sam's new podcast, "Sports Explains the World." If you have thoughts about anything you've heard on this show, drop me a line: midnight@walt.fm. And thank you for listening - it means a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices