Digest

Michael Rosenbaum welcomes listeners to "Inside of You" and introduces the podcast, highlighting its longevity and the variety of guests featured. He also mentions the podcast's social media handles and online store. He then promotes his dog's breath freshener product, Rosie's Puppy Fresh Breath, and his upcoming fart book, "The Farter." He announces upcoming conventions he will be attending with Tom Welling and encourages listeners to support the podcast through Patreon. The episode features an interview with Zach Braff, where Rosenbaum expresses his admiration for Braff's work ethic, passion for his movie "A Good Person," and openness in discussing personal topics. They discuss Braff's career trajectory, from his early days as a waiter to his success in "Scrubs," "Garden State," and other projects. They also delve into the emotional impact of "A Good Person," the challenges of directing with a limited budget, and the importance of collaboration with talented actors. Braff shares his experiences directing legendary actors like Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin, emphasizing the importance of confidence and leadership in directing. He discusses the challenges of directing and the importance of building strong relationships with actors, sharing his experiences with difficult actors and the importance of working with people you like and respect. He also discusses his close friendship with Florence Pugh and the inspiration behind their movie "A Good Person." Braff discusses the genesis of "A Good Person," which was inspired by his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of a close friend. He shares his personal journey of overcoming tragedy and heartbreak, his passion for theater, and the influence of his father. He also discusses the success of "Garden State" and the importance of persistence in pursuing his dreams. Braff discusses the differences between acting in film and theater, highlighting the challenges of stage acting. He shares his approach to storytelling and his preference for telling short, focused stories. He also discusses his passion for flying and his pilot's license. Braff discusses the biggest challenge in his career, which he believes is getting a break in the industry. He acknowledges the intense competition and the importance of persistence and talent. He reflects on his career and expresses satisfaction with his accomplishments. He discusses his desire to continue working and his interest in design, flipping houses, and sports announcing. Braff discusses his mental health practices, including walking, listening to music and podcasts, and sauna and cold plunging. He emphasizes the importance of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and doing things that are uncomfortable but ultimately beneficial. He discusses his approach to fear and how he uses it as motivation. He shares how he embraces fear when taking on new challenges and how he prepares himself mentally and physically for big projects. Braff discusses his Emmy nomination for directing an episode of "Ted Lasso" and the importance of seizing opportunities. He shares how he was initially hesitant to direct the episode but ultimately embraced the challenge and achieved success. He discusses the challenges of getting his work seen in today's saturated content landscape. He emphasizes the importance of passion and persistence in promoting your work and connecting with audiences. Braff discusses his starstruck moments and the actors he admires, including Glenn Close, Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino. He shares his experiences working with these legends and his appreciation for their talent. He discusses the biggest lesson life has taught him, which is the importance of letting go of control and embracing the unexpected. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating life's challenges. Braff discusses his definition of success and the importance of gratitude. He shares how he feels grateful for his financial stability and the opportunities he has had in his career. He recommends shows and movies he enjoys, including "Ripley," "House of Dragons," and "Dahmer." He also discusses the importance of supporting filmmakers and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating high-quality content. Braff discusses his favorite horror movie, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and the power of grounded horror. He shares how he appreciates horror movies that feel realistic and relatable. Rosenbaum thanks Braff for being a guest and encourages listeners to check out his movie "A Good Person." He also reminds listeners to support the podcast through Patreon and to leave reviews.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Podcast Overview, Rosie's Puppy Fresh Breath, and Upcoming Conventions

Michael Rosenbaum welcomes listeners to "Inside of You" and introduces the podcast, highlighting its longevity and the variety of guests featured. He also mentions the podcast's social media handles and online store. He then promotes his dog's breath freshener product, Rosie's Puppy Fresh Breath, and his upcoming fart book, "The Farter." He announces upcoming conventions he will be attending with Tom Welling and encourages listeners to support the podcast through Patreon.

00:02:39

Interview with Zach Braff: Career, "A Good Person," and Personal Reflections

Michael Rosenbaum introduces Zach Braff as a guest and expresses his admiration for him. He highlights Braff's work ethic, passion for his movie "A Good Person," and openness in discussing personal topics like his ex, their friendship, and losing his father. They discuss Braff's career trajectory, from his early days as a waiter to his success in "Scrubs," "Garden State," and other projects. They also delve into the emotional impact of "A Good Person," the challenges of directing with a limited budget, and the importance of collaboration with talented actors.

00:14:37

Directing Legends, Building Relationships, and Overcoming Tragedy

Braff shares his experiences directing legendary actors like Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin, emphasizing the importance of confidence and leadership in directing. He discusses the challenges of directing and the importance of building strong relationships with actors, sharing his experiences with difficult actors and the importance of working with people you like and respect. He also discusses his close friendship with Florence Pugh and the inspiration behind their movie "A Good Person." Braff discusses the genesis of "A Good Person," which was inspired by his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of a close friend. He shares his personal journey of overcoming tragedy and heartbreak.

00:28:45

Passion for Theater, Success of "Garden State," and Film vs. Theater

Braff discusses his passion for theater and the influence of his father, who was a lawyer but loved theater. He shares how his father's support and encouragement led him to pursue a career in acting. He also discusses the success of "Garden State" and the importance of persistence in pursuing his dreams. Braff discusses the differences between acting in film and theater, highlighting the challenges of stage acting.

00:36:41

Storytelling, Flying, and Career Challenges

Braff discusses his approach to storytelling and his preference for telling short, focused stories. He acknowledges the challenges of creating a series and the need for collaboration with writers who have experience in episodic storytelling. He also discusses his passion for flying and his pilot's license. Braff discusses the biggest challenge in his career, which he believes is getting a break in the industry. He acknowledges the intense competition and the importance of persistence and talent.

00:49:11

Mental Health Practices, Embracing Fear, and Emmy Nomination

Braff discusses his mental health practices, including walking, listening to music and podcasts, and sauna and cold plunging. He emphasizes the importance of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and doing things that are uncomfortable but ultimately beneficial. He discusses his approach to fear and how he uses it as motivation. He shares how he embraces fear when taking on new challenges and how he prepares himself mentally and physically for big projects. Braff discusses his Emmy nomination for directing an episode of "Ted Lasso" and the importance of seizing opportunities. He shares how he was initially hesitant to direct the episode but ultimately embraced the challenge and achieved success.

00:55:27

Navigating the Content Landscape, Starstruck Moments, and Life Lessons

Braff discusses the challenges of getting his work seen in today's saturated content landscape. He emphasizes the importance of passion and persistence in promoting your work and connecting with audiences. Braff discusses his starstruck moments and the actors he admires, including Glenn Close, Robert De Niro, and Al Pacino. He shares his experiences working with these legends and his appreciation for their talent. He discusses the biggest lesson life has taught him, which is the importance of letting go of control and embracing the unexpected. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating life's challenges.

01:05:57

Defining Success, Recommendations, and Favorite Horror Movie

Braff discusses his definition of success and the importance of gratitude. He shares how he feels grateful for his financial stability and the opportunities he has had in his career. He recommends shows and movies he enjoys, including "Ripley," "House of Dragons," and "Dahmer." He also discusses the importance of supporting filmmakers and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating high-quality content. Braff discusses his favorite horror movie, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and the power of grounded horror. He shares how he appreciates horror movies that feel realistic and relatable.

01:11:51

Conclusion and Call to Action

Rosenbaum thanks Braff for being a guest and encourages listeners to check out his movie "A Good Person." He also reminds listeners to support the podcast through Patreon and to leave reviews.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the challenges of interviewing a more reserved individual like Billy D. Williams?

  It can be difficult to get them to open up and share personal stories, especially over Zoom. It requires patience, sensitivity, and a genuine interest in their experiences.

• What are some of the benefits of in-person interviews?

  In-person interviews allow for a more natural and engaging conversation, fostering a sense of connection and trust between the interviewer and the guest. It also allows for better body language cues and a more intimate atmosphere.

• What are some of the mental health practices that Zach Braff uses to stay grounded?

  Zach Braff emphasizes the importance of physical activity, like walking, and incorporating practices like sauna and cold plunging. He believes these activities help him feel more energized, focused, and resilient.

• What is Zach Braff's approach to fear and how does he use it as motivation?

  Zach Braff embraces fear as a sign that he is taking on a challenging and meaningful project. He uses fear as motivation to prepare himself mentally and physically for the task ahead.

• What are some of the challenges of getting your work seen in today's saturated content landscape?

  With so much content available, it's difficult to stand out and get your work noticed. It requires a lot of effort to promote your work, connect with audiences, and build a following.

• What is Zach Braff's definition of success and the importance of gratitude?

  Zach Braff defines success as achieving financial stability and having the opportunity to create meaningful work. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the opportunities he has had and the people who have supported him along the way.

Show Notes