Digest

This podcast episode features a conversation between Michael Rosenbaum and comedian Pat Oswald. The episode covers a wide range of topics, including Oswald's love for horror movies, his creative journey, his experiences with depression, and his late wife, Michelle McNamara, a true crime writer. Oswald shares his insights on the entertainment industry, the challenges of maintaining drive and passion, and the importance of finding humor in difficult situations. He also discusses his views on fame, ambition, and the thrill of live performance. The episode concludes with Oswald reflecting on his career and expressing gratitude for the opportunities he's had.

Outlines

00:00:00

Radio Commercial: Speeding

This chapter features a radio commercial warning about the dangers of speeding. It uses jarring sound effects to emphasize the potential consequences of driving over the speed limit, including crashes, injuries, and even death.

00:00:29

Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum: Introduction & Pat Oswald's Love for Horror

Michael Rosenbaum introduces his podcast, "Inside of You," and welcomes his guest, Pat Oswald. He also mentions his Patreon page and other projects. Pat Oswald discusses his love for horror movies, explaining that he appreciates their simplicity and directness. He believes that the best horror movies are those that focus solely on scaring the audience, without trying to convey deeper meanings.

00:00:49

Pat Oswald's Writing and Horror & Creative Journey

Michael Rosenbaum asks Pat Oswald why he hasn't written a horror movie. Pat explains that he has written one script but couldn't get it made. He's currently working on another horror script with a writing partner, which he envisions as a TV show rather than a single movie. Michael Rosenbaum inquires about Pat Oswald's creative journey, particularly his early influences and his father's reaction to his career choices. Pat shares his experiences as a military brat and how his father, a Vietnam veteran, encouraged him to pursue comedy instead of joining the military.

00:01:17

The Reality of Show Business & Dealing with Depression

Pat Oswald discusses the realities of show business, emphasizing that it's a challenging and unpredictable industry. He advises aspiring creatives to be prepared for ups and downs and to avoid approaching it with a time limit. Michael Rosenbaum and Pat Oswald discuss their experiences with depression. They acknowledge that the entertainment industry can be particularly challenging for those who struggle with mental health issues.

00:01:51

Creativity and Depression & Dealing with Failure

Pat Oswald shares his perspective on the connection between creativity and depression. He believes that highly sensitive and aware individuals are more prone to depression but also possess the potential to be great creative artists. Michael Rosenbaum and Pat Oswald discuss how they cope with failure in their respective careers. They both agree that it's important to remember that failure is a part of the creative process and that it doesn't define their worth as artists.

00:02:09

Love for the Creative Process & Becoming a Better Actor

Pat Oswald expresses his love for the creative process, emphasizing that he enjoys writing jokes, hanging out with other comedians, and watching movies. He believes that the industry itself can be challenging, but the creative aspects are what truly drive him. Michael Rosenbaum and Pat Oswald discuss what it takes to become a better actor. They agree that it's not just about practice but also about living a full life, experiencing a wide range of emotions, and allowing those experiences to inform their performances.

00:02:34

Fame and Ambition & The Thrill of Live Performance

Pat Oswald discusses his views on fame and ambition. He acknowledges that fame can be helpful in securing work but emphasizes that he doesn't seek it for its own sake. He values the creative process and the opportunity to work with talented people. Pat Oswald discusses the thrill of live performance, particularly the immediate connection with the audience and the possibility of things going wrong. He shares a memorable experience from a play where a table fell over during a scene, creating a spontaneous and unexpected moment.

00:03:04

Career Accomplishments and Ambition & Maintaining Drive and Passion

Michael Rosenbaum asks Pat Oswald about his career accomplishments and whether he feels satisfied or still driven to prove himself. Pat admits that he's reached a level of comfort but still feels a desire to achieve more, struggling to find the balance between gratitude and ambition. Pat Oswald and Michael Rosenbaum discuss the challenges of maintaining drive and passion in their careers. They both acknowledge that it's easy to become complacent after achieving success, but they emphasize the importance of continuing to pursue projects they love and avoid taking jobs solely for financial gain.

00:03:32

Avoiding Settling & Mint Mobile Advertisement

Pat Oswald shares his strategy for avoiding settling in his career. He believes it's important to envision not only where he wants to be but also where he doesn't want to end up, embracing the feeling of dissatisfaction to motivate him to keep striving for his goals. This chapter features an advertisement for Mint Mobile, highlighting its affordable wireless plans and contrasting them with the high costs of traditional wireless providers.

00:03:47

Shopify Advertisement & Believe Podcast Advertisement

This chapter features an advertisement for Shopify, emphasizing its ease of use and comprehensive features for online businesses. Michael Rosenbaum shares his personal experience using Shopify to sell products for his podcast and other projects. This chapter features an advertisement for the Believe podcast, which provides sports analysis and commentary for NFL and college football fans.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is Pat Oswald's favorite horror movie and why?

  Pat Oswald's favorite horror movie is "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" because he appreciates its raw and scary nature. He believes it's a perfect example of a horror movie that focuses solely on scaring the audience without trying to convey deeper meanings.

• How did Pat Oswald's father influence his career choices?

  Pat Oswald's father, a Vietnam veteran, discouraged him from joining the military and encouraged him to pursue comedy instead. He believed that comedy was a more positive and fulfilling path for his son.

• What is Pat Oswald's perspective on the connection between creativity and depression?

  Pat Oswald believes that highly sensitive and aware individuals are more prone to depression but also possess the potential to be great creative artists. He suggests that their heightened awareness of life's complexities and injustices can fuel their creativity.

• How does Pat Oswald cope with failure in his career?

  Pat Oswald acknowledges that failure is a part of the creative process and that it doesn't define his worth as an artist. He emphasizes the importance of remembering that failure is temporary and that it doesn't prevent him from continuing to pursue his creative goals.

• What is Pat Oswald's strategy for avoiding settling in his career?

  Pat Oswald believes it's important to envision not only where he wants to be but also where he doesn't want to end up. He embraces the feeling of dissatisfaction to motivate him to keep striving for his goals and avoid becoming complacent.

• What are some of the parallels between Pat Oswald's portrayal of Lex Luthor in Smallville and the personality of Elon Musk?

  Pat Oswald believes that his portrayal of Lex Luthor anticipated the rise of tech billionaires who crave validation and power, even at the expense of others. He sees similarities between Lex's desire for control and Elon Musk's ambition and sometimes erratic behavior.

• What is Pat Oswald's most memorable experience from a play?

  Pat Oswald recalls a moment from a play where a table fell over during a scene, creating a spontaneous and unexpected moment. He remembers the fear in the actress's face and the raw energy of the situation, which he considers one of his best moments as an actor.

• How did Michelle McNamara's work impact the Golden State Killer case?

  Michelle McNamara's book "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" helped to keep the Golden State Killer case in the public eye and inspired law enforcement to use familial DNA to identify the suspect. She also coined the name "Golden State Killer," which helped to brand the case and make it more memorable.

• What was the hardest thing Pat Oswald had to do after Michelle McNamara's passing?

  The hardest thing Pat Oswald had to do after Michelle's passing was telling their daughter about her mother's death. He acknowledges the emotional impact of the experience and expresses his desire to protect his daughter from the pain of loss.

Show Notes