Frank Buckley Interviews

This episode originally aired June 06, 2018. Viet Thanh Nguyen is the author of “The Sympathizer,” a spy novel set in the chaos of 1975 Saigon for which Nguyen won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel has been adapted as a limited series for HBO and streaming service MAX, starring Hoa Xundae, Robert Downey Jr., and Sandra Oh. Viet was born in Ban Me Thuot, Vietnam, and fled as a four-year-old with his family in 1975 to the U.S. as Vietnam was enveloped in the chaos of the end of the war. Viet and his family were initially transported to a refugee camp in Pennsylvania but eventually moved to San Jose, California where his parents opened one of the first Vietnamese stores in the city. Viet attended U.C. Berkeley and earned a Ph.D. in English. Today, he is University Professor of English, American Studies and Ethnicity and Comparative Literature and the Aerol Arnold Chair of English Studies at the USC Dornsife School. He is the author of several books including “The Refugees,” “The Displaced,” and “Nothing Ever Dies” among others. During this podcast, Viet discusses his family’s refugee story and the plight of refugees everywhere. He also reveals the challenges he faces as a writer and explains why it took more than 15 years to write the short stories collection “The Refugees.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

UFC champion and former WWE wrestler Ronda Rousey joins Frank Buckley Interviews to discuss her new memoir, 'Our Fight.' During this conversation, Rousey discusses her history of concussions, and how it played a role in her stunning defeat to Holly Holm at UFC 193. She also shares criticism about her time in the WWE, and about ex-CEO Vince McMahon. Rousey also talks about her life now, and her love of motherhood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released October 27, 2021. Professor Brian Greene is a physicist, mathematician, and string theorist. He is the author of the book "Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe." The book is described as a "breathtaking new exploration of the cosmos and our quest to find meaning in the face of this vast expanse. Greene takes us on a journey from the big bang to the end of time, exploring how lasting structures formed, how life and mind emerged, and how we grapple with our existence through narrative, myth, religion, creative expression, science, the quest for truth, and a deep longing for the eternal." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired March 31, 2021. Eric Nusbaum is the author of the award-winning book, "Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between." Dodger Stadium is an American icon. But the story of how it came to be goes far beyond baseball. The hills that cradle the stadium were once home to three vibrant Mexican American communities. In the early 1950s, those communities were condemned to make way for a utopian public housing project. Then, in a remarkable turn, public housing in the city was defeated amidst a Red Scare conspiracy. Instead of getting their homes back, the remaining residents saw the city sell their land to Walter O’Malley, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Now LA would be getting a different sort of utopian fantasy — a glittering, ultra-modern stadium. But before Dodger Stadium could be built, the city would have to face down the neighborhood’s families — including one, the Aréchigas, who refused to yield their home. The ensuing confrontation captivated the nation – and the divisive outcome still echoes through Los Angeles today. In this episode of the podcast, Nusbaum discusses the history of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and the lives and communities its construction disrupted. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released November 22, 2023. David Zucker is a film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is the co-director and writer of the critically acclaimed 1980 parody film Airplane! His experiences working on the film are covered in his new book Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! Zucker is also the creator of The Naked Gun franchise and director of Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4. In this wide-ranging interview, Zucker discusses topics including political correctness, tales from behind the scenes of his films, and the evolution of Hollywood. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released March 10, 2021. Kimberley Chambers is a marathon open water swimmer from New Zealand. After a freak accident left Kim Chambers with a mere one-percent chance of walking unassisted again. Determined to prove the doctors wrong, Kim spent two years rehabilitating her leg and has now regained almost full functionality. She began swimming again as part of her rehabilitation, and has since become the sixth person in the world to complete the Ocean's Seven swimming challenge. In 2015, she became the first woman to swim from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge – a distance of about 30 miles. Many consider it to be the hardest marathon swim in the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released September 27, 2023. Laura Flam is one of the authors of the book "But Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" The book serves as an oral history of the girl groups that made up the 1960's music scene. The girl group sound, made famous by acts like The Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Supremes, and The Vandellas, took over the airwaves by capturing the mixture of innocence and rebellion emblematic of America in the Sixties. While many girl group songs rose to the top of the charts and shaped the trajectory of pop music in the process, many of the artists remain all but anonymous to most listeners. In this episode of the podcast, Frank discusses the young women behind some of the country's most popular songs. Flam reveals the challenges many of the artists faced while navigating the music industry at such a young age, and at a time when America was just beginning to reconcile a history fraught with racism. Flam also shares what became of many of the members of girl groups after music tastes changed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tommy Davidson is a comedian and actor who came to fame in the 1990s as one of the stars of the groundbreaking sketch comedy TV show “In Living Color,” the first network TV sketch comedy show created by an African American writer-producer-star (Keenan Ivory Wayans) that featured a multicultural cast. Tommy has also appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies including “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls,” and he tours the nation as a comedy headliner. During this podcast, Tommy discusses his life and career and his book “Living in Color: What Makes Me Funny,” including what it was like to be a black child who was raised in a white family. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Casey Sherman is is a New York Times Bestselling Author. His latest book, A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime, peels back the layers of Hollywood's glittering façade to reveal the gritty reality beneath. Sherman joins Frank Buckley to delve into the untold story behind one of the 20th century's most notorious true crime tales, and the tumultuous life of Hollywood icon Lana Turner. From the glitz and glamour of her thriving film career to the shadows of her tumultuous personal life, Sherman uncovers the dark truths behind the headlines. He details Lana's ill-fated relationship with mobster Johnny Stompanato, and the harrowing events that led to his demise at Lana's doorstep. Through interviews and meticulous research, Sherman paints a vivid picture of a world where fame collides with violence, and where a mother and daughter are forced to confront the darkest aspects of celebrity culture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On July 2, 1937, famed aviator Amelia Earhart disappeared during an attempt at becoming the first woman to complete a circumnavigational flight of the globe. Since then, Earhart's fate has remained a widely-speculated mystery. Now, adventurer, pilot, and former U.S. Intelligence officer Tony Romeo believes he and his team have located Earhart's long-vanished airplane in a remote region of the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, Romeo explains how he and his team managed to locate what they believe is Earhart's plane using sonar technology. He shares why he felt determined to solve the Earhart mystery, and also addresses some of the skepticism surrounding the recent discovery. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rob Bisel is a music producer, engineer, mixer and songwriter. He has worked with artists including SZA, Doja Cat, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Harry Styles and Don Toliver. Bisel received 3 nominations at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for his work SZA, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year for the song 'Kill Bill,' and Album of the year for 'SOS.' In this episode of the podcast, Rob goes in depth on his collaboration with SZA, his process as a music producer, and shares advice for those looking to pursue a career in the music industry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released on October 02, 2019. Dr. David Fajgenbaum is a medical doctor and University of Pennsylvania researcher who experimented on himself to save his own life. Dr. Fajgenbaum discovered he had Castleman disease, a rare disease that ravaged his body and nearly killed him. After experiencing several bouts of the disease, he set about researching his condition to determine what if anything could be done to "cure" it. He is now a 10 years in remission this month. Dr. Fajgenbaum chronicles his story in the book "Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope into Action." During this podcast, Dr. Fajgenbaum details the near-death experiences he had while hospitalized, and recounts the process by which he researched his disease and ultimately discovered a cure. Dr. Fajgenbaum also talks about how he helps others with Castleman disease and how being in remission made it possible to marry the woman he loves, to be a father to their child, and to appreciate every day of his new life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired July 26, 2023. Mstyslav Chernov is a Ukranian videographer, photojournalist, and filmmaker. His film 20 Days in Mariupol shows the shocking beginnings of the Russia-Ukraine war. The film is now nominated for an Academy Award in the Documentary Feature Film category. About the film: A team of Ukrainian journalists from The Associated Press trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more. After nearly a decade covering international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war for the AP, 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL is Mstyslav Chernov's first feature length film. Drawing on Chernov's daily news dispatches and personal footage of his own country at war, 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL is a vivid, harrowing account of civilians caught in the siege, as well as a window into what it's like to report from a conflict zone, and the impact of such journalism around the globe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

January 17, 2024 marks 30 years since a magnitude 6.7 earthquake rocked Northridge, California. The quake, caused by a sudden rupture of a previously undocumented blind thrust fault, damaged the Santa Monica Freeway, started almost 500 fires, killed more than 60 people and destroyed 50,000 housing units. In an interview for Frank Buckley Interviews, world renowned seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones sat down to discuss the 30th anniversary. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the podcast, comedian Jo Koy speaks about the aftermath of his Golden Globes hosting stint. He shares his take on some of the criticism sparked by some of his jokes, including one about Taylor Swift joke that sparked media uproar. Also in this episode, we revisit a conversation with Jo Koy from 2020, in which he speaks candidly about his journey in the world of comedy, and his experiences on the path to success. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released July 19, 2023. George Takei is an actor, author and activist who is perhaps best known for playing Hikaru Sulu of the USS Enterprise on the original “Star Trek” television series. George is also the inspiration behind the musical “Allegiance,” which was based on the true life story of the Takei family during World War II. As Americans of Japanese descent, they were forced to leave their home and give up their family business in Los Angeles to live in an internment camp throughout the war. During this podcast, George talks about his family’s experience in the internment camps, about Star Trek and his cast mates, about his decision to come out and his advocacy for same sex marriage, and about having an asteroid named after him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As 2023 draws to a close, we're counting down our most downloaded episodes of the year. First, author Michelle Dowd discusses her childhood growing up in an apocalyptic cult, as detailed in her book Forager: Field Notes on Surviving a Family Cult. We hear from former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who discusses the team during the 2022-2023 season, as well as his thoughts on Shohei Otani before Otani eventually joined with the Dodgers. Finally, Brad Meltzer discusses his book The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill, and the true-life attempt to assassinate the leaders of the Allied powers of World War II during a meeting in Iran. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode was originally released April 23, 2023. Cary Elwes is an actor who is perhaps best known for his roles as Westley in The Princess Bride, Dr. Lawrence Gordon in the Saw film series, and Robin Hood in Robinhood: Men in Tights. He is currently starring in the Guy Ritchie film Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre and in Sweetwater. This summer, he appears in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. During this podcast, Elwes discusses his life and career and his role as Ned Irish, the founder and president of the New York Knickerbockers, in Sweetwater, a movie about Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, the first African American player to get a contract to play in the NBA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode originally aired February 21, 2018. Laura Wasser is a veteran attorney in Los Angeles specializing in family law. She has represented several celebrity clients in high-profile divorces. Among her clients: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian, Stevie Wonder, Maria Shriver and many others. Laura is also the author of “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way: How to Divorce Without Destroying Your Family Or Bankrupting Yourself.” She currently serves as chief of divorce evolution for Divorce.com. The website aims to help couples seeking a divorce to do it in simple steps and at a considerable savings over divorce proceedings involving attorneys. In this episode, Laura Wasser explains the process of going through divorce proceedings. She answers whether or not she advises couple sign a pre-nup before getting married, and explains how to best navigate a divorce when children are involved. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.