“My ambition was not financial, but a creative ambition toward fulfillment and satisfaction — and to be a better human toward those whom I loved.” – Brian Koppelman
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Brian discuss podcast fandom, and how listening to podcasts is intimate in a way other media is not (2:00); self-improvement and ambition versus fulfillment, and the cultural reach of what Brian has created (11:00); the influence of music, and how a single album or artwork affects you at certain ages or times of your life (22:00); and masculine emotions as they are expressed in music, and writing to music informs your creativity (41:00).
Brian Koppleman (@briankoppelman) is a screenwriter and co-creator / showrunner of the television show Billions. His screenwriting credits include Rounders and Ocean’s Thirteen. He is also the host of The Moment podcast.
Notable Links:
- Grantland (sports and culture website)
- Bill Simmons (podcaster and sports writer)
- Wesley Morris on podcast fame (Deviate episode)
- Killing Yourself to Live, by Chuck Klosterman (book)
- This Is What They Want (Jimmy Connors documentary)
- “I Contain Multitudes” (2020 Bob Dylan song)
- The Four Hour Workweek, by Tim Ferriss (book)
- Rolf Potts on Travel Tactics (Tim Ferriss podcast episode)
- Seth Godin (business executive)
- Scriptnotes (podcast)
- Ryan Lochte (Olympic swimmer)
- Neil Peart (musician)
- Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road, by Neil Peart (book)
- Tracy Chapman (singer-songwriter)
- Exile in Guyville (Liz Phair album)
- Bright Lights, Big City, by Jay McInerney (novel)
- The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden album)
- Judas Priest (music artist)
- Stryper (American Christian metal band)
- Spoon River Anthology, by Edger Lee Masters
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
