Digest

The podcast begins with an introduction by Mark Marin and an advertisement for Squarespace. The main guest is Sebastian Stan, known for his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel movies. They discuss Stan's recent roles in "A Different Man" and "The Apprentice," his experience with intense fandom, and his approach to acting. The conversation delves into Stan's experiences with nicotine addiction, his acting career, and his childhood in Romania. They explore the concept of "the shadow" and its influence on our lives, and how creative expression can be a form of therapy. Stan shares details about his upbringing in the United States, his stepfather's influence, and his early experiences with acting. He discusses his fear of singing and how it relates to vulnerability, and his recent experiences with playing guitar and singing in a band. Mark and Sebastian reflect on the importance of patience and persistence in their careers, and the value of learning from experiences. Stan emphasizes the importance of preparation and seeking in acting, and the conscious choices involved in creating a character. The conversation delves into the portrayal of Donald Trump in the movie "The Apprentice," exploring the complex relationship between Trump and Roy Cohn. They discuss Trump's transformation and the role of self-branding, the internal struggles of playing Trump, and the nature of narcissism and sociopathy. The conversation focuses on the complex relationship between Trump and Roy Cohn, highlighting the scene where Trump confronts Cohn, calling him "the devil." They explore the themes of the American dream and the hero complex, and the appeal of "A Different Man" and the importance of authenticity. The conversation explores the potential downsides of significant personal transformation, and the process of preparing for a role. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the importance of grounding and the passage of time.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Squarespace Advertisement

The podcast begins with a brief introduction by Mark Marin, followed by an advertisement for Squarespace, highlighting its features for website creation, including member areas, video studio, AI assistance, and the Blueprint Design System.

00:00:52

Sebastian Stan Interview

Mark Marin introduces his guest, Sebastian Stan, known for his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel movies. They discuss Stan's recent roles in "A Different Man" and "The Apprentice," his experience with intense fandom, and his approach to acting.

00:17:50

Nicotine Addiction, Acting Career, and Childhood

Mark and Sebastian discuss their experiences with nicotine addiction, with Sebastian sharing his journey from smoking cigarettes to using nicotine pouches. They also delve into Sebastian's acting career, discussing his early experiences, his breakthrough role in "Gossip Girl," and his approach to finding the right roles. Sebastian opens up about his childhood in Romania, his parents' involvement in the anti-communist movement, and his experiences with moving and adapting to different cultures. He reflects on the impact of abandonment and the search for identity.

00:36:13

The Shadow, Creative Expression, and Vulnerability

Mark and Sebastian discuss the concept of "the shadow" and how it can influence our lives. They agree that creative expression, particularly acting, can be a powerful form of therapy for dealing with personal struggles. Sebastian discusses his fear of singing and how it relates to his perception of vulnerability. He shares his recent experiences with playing guitar and singing in a band, overcoming his fear and embracing the creative process.

00:44:27

Patience, Persistence, and Preparation in Acting

Mark and Sebastian reflect on the importance of patience and persistence in their careers. They discuss the value of not achieving success too quickly and the importance of learning from experiences, both positive and negative. Sebastian emphasizes the importance of preparation and seeking in acting. He believes that the real work happens before stepping onto the set and that the journey of discovery never ends.

00:53:59

Analyzing Trump's Character and "The Apprentice" Movie

The conversation delves into the portrayal of Donald Trump in the movie "The Apprentice," exploring the complex relationship between Trump and Roy Cohn. The discussion highlights the movie's focus on Trump's formative years and his relationship with Cohn, suggesting that Trump's personality was shaped by his experiences with Cohn.

01:02:21

Trump's Transformation and the Role of Self-Branding

The discussion explores the evolution of Trump's persona, suggesting that he may have consciously or unconsciously embraced a more exaggerated and brand-driven image. The conversation touches on Trump's early life and his ambition, highlighting his desire for attention and his complex relationship with his father.

01:07:13

The Internal Struggles of Playing Trump

The speaker discusses the challenges of portraying Trump, emphasizing the need to portray his humanity despite his flaws. The conversation touches on the internal struggles the speaker faced while preparing for the role and how these struggles may have resonated with Trump's own sense of self.

01:10:48

Narcissism, Empathy, and the Trauma of Childhood

The conversation explores the nature of narcissism and sociopathy, highlighting the ability of these individuals to detach from emotions and the potential role of childhood trauma in shaping these traits. The speaker discusses the concept of malignant narcissism and how it can manifest as a defense mechanism against emotional pain.

01:15:16

The Devil Calling the Devil: Trump's Relationship with Roy Cohn

The discussion focuses on the complex and often adversarial relationship between Trump and Roy Cohn. The conversation highlights the scene where Trump confronts Cohn, calling him "the devil," and the implications of this moment in terms of Trump's own self-perception.

01:18:02

The American Dream, the Hero Complex, and Authenticity

The conversation explores the themes of the American dream and the hero complex, suggesting that Trump's pursuit of success and power is rooted in these American ideals. The discussion touches on the pressure to succeed and the potential consequences of sacrificing one's true self in the pursuit of ambition. The speaker discusses the reasons for taking on the role in the movie "A Different Man," highlighting the film's exploration of self-acceptance and the challenges of living in a society that discourages individuality. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preserving one's authentic self and the consequences of abandoning it.

01:24:03

Transformation, Preparation, and Grounding

The conversation explores the potential downsides of significant personal transformation, using the example of a woman who lost a significant amount of weight and experienced an identity crisis as a result. The discussion highlights the importance of embracing one's true self, even when it's different from societal expectations. The speaker discusses the process of preparing for a role, emphasizing the importance of repeated readings of the script and the need to connect with the character's emotional core. The conversation highlights the challenges of finding the emotional truth within a role and the importance of research and exploration. The conversation touches on the importance of maintaining a grounded perspective in the face of the demands of a creative career. The speaker discusses the impact of aging and the realization that time is finite, leading to a shift in perspective on the meaning of life and the pursuit of success.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key features of Squarespace that make it a popular website building platform?

  Squarespace offers user-friendly tools for creating professional websites, including member areas for premium content access, a video studio for creating and hosting videos, AI assistance for text descriptions, and a Blueprint Design System for consistent branding.

• How has Sebastian Stan's experience with intense fandom impacted his life and career?

  Sebastian Stan has experienced the challenges of intense fandom, including being recognized in public and having fans show up at his home. He acknowledges the positive aspects of fan support but also the potential for negative experiences.

• What is Sebastian Stan's approach to acting, particularly in terms of preparing for a role and making choices on set?

  Sebastian Stan believes that the real work of acting happens before stepping onto the set, involving thorough preparation and research. He emphasizes the importance of staying present and making conscious choices in the moment to bring a character to life.

• How has Sebastian Stan's childhood in Romania shaped his identity and his approach to life?

  Sebastian Stan's childhood in Romania, marked by his parents' involvement in the anti-communist movement and his experiences with moving and adapting to different cultures, has shaped his sense of identity and his resilience in the face of challenges.

• What is Sebastian Stan's perspective on the concept of "the shadow" and how it relates to creative expression?

  Sebastian Stan believes that creative expression, particularly acting, can be a powerful form of therapy for dealing with personal struggles and confronting the unconscious aspects of the personality, often represented by "the shadow."

• How did the movie "The Apprentice" portray the relationship between Donald Trump and Roy Cohn?

  The movie depicted a complex and often adversarial relationship between Trump and Cohn, suggesting that Cohn played a significant role in shaping Trump's personality and worldview.

• What are some of the challenges of portraying a controversial figure like Donald Trump?

  The speaker highlights the need to portray Trump's humanity despite his flaws, acknowledging the internal struggles involved in playing such a complex character.

• What is malignant narcissism, and how does it relate to the portrayal of Donald Trump in the movie?

  Malignant narcissism is a severe form of narcissism characterized by a lack of empathy and a tendency to exploit others. The speaker suggests that Trump's behavior in the movie reflects some of the traits associated with this condition.

• What is the significance of the scene where Trump confronts Roy Cohn and calls him "the devil"?

  This scene is significant because it highlights the complex and often adversarial relationship between Trump and Cohn. It also suggests that Trump may have a distorted view of himself and his own actions.

• What are some of the themes explored in the movie "A Different Man"?

  The movie explores themes of self-acceptance, the challenges of living in a society that discourages individuality, and the consequences of abandoning one's true self.

• How does the speaker's experience with the movie "A Different Man" relate to the broader conversation about authenticity and self-acceptance?

  The speaker's experience with the movie highlights the importance of embracing one's true self, even when it's different from societal expectations. The movie challenges the idea that we should strive to be like everyone else and encourages us to celebrate our individuality.

Show Notes