This month Brian talks to MJ Kaufman, the co-writer of 'A Transparent Musical,' about their evolving sense of home, their creative instincts, and their dog, Milkshake.

The Subtext: MJ Kaufman at Heart, at Home

Kareem Fahmy

Brian talks to the NYC-based theatremaker about the intersection of writing and directing, what his family thinks of his plays, and differences between the U.S. and his native Canada.

The Subtext: Kareem Fahmy’s Auteur Theory

Jonathan Spector

This month Brian talks to the Bay Area playwright about the writing process, battling imposter syndrome, and redefining success.

The Subtext: Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Moments

Alexandra Petri

The D.C. columnist and playwright talks about how writing is like making cotton candy, how 'MILF Manor' is like Greek drama, and how an editor can help you find the parade.

The Subtext: Alexandra Petri Writes Funny

James Ijames

This month Brian talks to the 'Fat Ham' playwright about the art-loving family he came from and the communities he's found in theatre and in Philly.

The Subtext: James Ijames, From Grandma’s Backyard to Broadway

Kate Tarker

The playwright of 'Montag' and 'THUNDERBODIES' talks about insisting on sustainability, identifying as a writer, and the art of listening.

The Subtext: The Time Kate Tarker Lost Her Paints

Eric Reyes Loo

Eric Reyes

This month Brian talks to playwright and screenwriter Eric Reyes Loo about his educational and familial journeys, and the elusive definition of success.

The Subtext: Eric Reyes Loo Is Earnest and Eager

This month Brian talks to Vichet Chum, writer of 'Bald Sisters' at Steppenwolf, about how Texas's competitive culture shaped him and about how his Cambodian American parents feel about his work.

The Subtext: How Vichet Chum Measures Success

Kimber Lee

This month Brian talks to the author of 'tokyo fish story' and 'brownsville song (b-side for tray)' about panic, curiosity, and the earned laughs average.

The Subtext: Kimber Lee Isn’t Cagey About Her Process

Spenser Davis

This month Brian talks to the busy writer-director about his background, the supportiveness of Chicago's theatre scene, and his penchant for large-cast plays.

The Subtext: Spenser Davis Wants to Be Part of Something Big

From AMERICAN THEATRE magazine, a podcast where playwrights talk to playwrights about the things usually left unsaid. In a conversation that dives into life's muck, we learn what irks, agitates, motivates, inspires and - ultimately - what makes writers tick. (This feed is for the Subtext from 2018 onwards. For old episodes of the Subtext from 2015 to 2017, visit https://thisstage.la/category/the-subtext)

Callie Kimball

In this episode, Brian talks to a longtime friend and colleague about her circuitous path from and back to the Pine Tree State, and what that journey has meant for her as a writer.

The Subtext: Callie Kimball’s Maine Event

Madeline Sayet

This month Brian talks to the writer/performer of 'Where We Belong,' inspired by her experiences as a Native person loving, studying, then questioning Shakespeare.

The Subtext: Where Madeline Sayet Belongs

Gary Garrison

This month Brian talks to the former NYU playwriting professor about growing up in Texas, intuition vs. intellect, and the elusive art of the 10-minute play.

The Subtext: More Than 10 Minutes With Gary Garrison

Dipika Guha

This month Brian talks to the 'Yoga Play' author about the absurdism of real life and how her globally forged voice meets contemporary American life.

The Subtext: Dipika Guha Is a Seeker

Lynn Nottage

This month Brian talks to the prolific and decorated playwright about her early struggles and triumphs, and that time she got stuck in the Lincoln Center bathroom.

The Subtext: Lynn Nottage, Learning From Every Job

Jeremy Cohen

This month Brian talks to the producing artistic director of Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis about supporting writers, following a unicorn, and teaching doctors to write.

The Subtext: Jeremy Cohen’s Magical Gifts

Heather Raffo

For this special reported episode, Brian goes deep on the actor-writer and her very personal new play, 'Tomorrow Will Be Sunday.'

The Subtext: In the Middle With Heather Raffo

Tracy Letts

This month the author of 'August: Osage County' and 'The Minutes' talks about acting, writing, the mystique of Chicago, and the heartbreak of Oklahoma.

The Subtext: Tracy Letts’s Moments of Recognition

Quan Barry

In this special episode, recorded live in Madison, Wisc., Brian interviews the poet/playwright who wrote 'The Mytilenean Debate' for Forward Theater.

The Subtext: Live With Amy Quan Barry

For this special episode in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Brian compiles messages from theatre artists in the U.S., the U.K., Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine.

The Subtext: Voices of Ukraine

Brian James Polak vulnerably pushes at some of the best and brightest makers of the day and finds out what they&#39;re most passionate about and how they got there. This is the equivalent of sitting down to coffee with really smart folks and getting to The Goods really quickly.

New Friends

This podcast adds so much depth to my day. I find these conversations valuable and varied. In a world where playwrights’ personalities and ideas are often funneled through their work, it’s a unique opportunity to hear them speak freely about so many experiences and curiosities. Brian, a great writer himself, excels as a conversationalist with playwrights as he guides them through personal and professional stories over the course of an hour. It that feels like you’re in the room with them. Highly recommend.

A Gift to Artists

From AMERICAN THEATRE magazine, a podcast where playwrights talk to playwrights about the things usually left unsaid. In a conversation that dives into life's muck, we learn what irks, agitates, motivates, inspires and - ultimately - what makes writers tick. (This feed is for the Subtext from 2018 onwards. For old episodes of the Subtext from 2015 to 2017, visit <a href="https://thisstage.la/category/the-subtext" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://thisstage.la/category/the-subtext</a>)

The Subtext 

E.M. Lewis

The award-winning playwright records the joys and challenges of daily life on a farm in rural Oregon during the pandemic lockdown.

The Subtext: E.M. Lewis’s Audio Diary

Adam Szymkowicz

The playwright of 'Hearts Like Fists' has interviewed more than 1,000 playwrights on his website. Now it's his turn to be interviewed.

The Subtext: Adam Szymkowicz on Redefining Success

Clare Barron

Brian James Polak talks to the playwright of 'Dance Nation' and 'You Got Older' about memory, pain, and first drafts.

The Subtext: Clare Barron’s Secret Sauce

The playwright of 'Plano' and 'Heroes of the Fourth Turning' talks about Dallas theatre, existential crisis, and the difference between love and empathy.

The Subtext: Will Arbery’s Guilt Traps

Lee Edward Colston II

The former prison guard-turned-actor discusses how he found his writing voice, and how your biggest advocates can come from the most unexpected places.

The Subtext: From Prison to Performing With Lee Edward Colston II

This month, an anthology of scenes and monologues from 15 plays whose premieres were cut short by COVID-19.

The Subtext: Excerpts From a Lost Spring

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best episodes for anyone looking to learn more about topics such as happiness, fulfillment, depression and psychology/mental health in general. With interviews with industry experts, personal stories of individuals, this topic has lessons applicable to everyone. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!