Podcast Summary
Smartless podcast dynamics: The unique dynamic of the Smartless podcast allows for entertaining and unexpected conversations with successful guests, despite the hosts' tendency to go off on tangents.
The hosts of the Smartless podcast, Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, have a unique dynamic where they bring on a mix of guests that they all know personally and those they don't. The conversation often veers off topic, but the guests are always busy and engaged in their own projects, which can lead to entertaining and unexpected discussions. Rashida Jones, a guest on the show, is a prime example of a successful actress, writer, and producer who adds depth and intrigue to the conversation. Despite the hosts' tendency to go off on tangents, the guests seem to enjoy the experience and often reveal interesting insights about their own lives and careers.
Assumptions: Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and embarrassment. Be open-minded and avoid making assumptions about others' knowledge or assumptions about yourself.
Assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and embarrassment. During a podcast interview, Rashida revealed that her father is Quincy Jones, but some guests, including Jason Bateman, were not aware of this fact. Rashida also shared that her husband, Ezra Koenig, is the lead singer and songwriter of the band Vampire Weekend, but Jason had not heard of him or his band. Jason jokingly expressed his embarrassment for not knowing these facts, but Rashida shared that she used to assume everyone knew who she was and was often surprised when they didn't. This experience taught her not to make assumptions and to be more mindful of others' perspectives. Rashida also discussed her upcoming project, a show in which she plays a character who moves to Japan and receives a new personal robot after her husband dies. She shared that she had lived in Japan for six months while filming the show and had a great experience exploring the country. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of being open-minded and avoiding assumptions.
Self-doubt and creating content: Despite feeling unworthy, Rashida Jones and Will McCormick overcame self-doubt and created successful projects by being inspired by others and believing in their abilities.
Rashida Jones and Will McCormick, both known for their work in comedy and TV, made a conscious decision to shift gears and start writing their own content due to a lack of confidence in their abilities earlier in their careers. They were inspired by the success of writers like Judd Apatow and saw an opportunity to create their own projects, even if they didn't initially feel worthy or anointed to do so. Their long-standing friendship and collaboration began when they wrote a paper together in college and continued through their careers, with McCormick going on to create shows like "Parks and Rec" and "The Good Place." Jones saw the entire spectrum of what was being produced and believed she could at least match that level of quality. Their determination and belief in themselves ultimately led them to create their own successful projects.
Creative partnerships, post-romance: Ex-romantic partners can form successful creative partnerships, bringing unique perspectives and personal experiences to their collaborations.
Sometimes relationships don't work out romantically, but they can still thrive creatively. Renee and Will are a prime example of this. They dated for three weeks but discovered they had a deeper connection when they started working together on producing and writing projects. Their first completed project was Celeste and Jesse Forever, which contained elements of their personal experiences and their unique dynamic as friends and romantic partners. Additionally, Renee's father, Quincy Jones, is a musical legend, and although she has a deep appreciation for music, she doesn't feel good enough to pursue it professionally. This led her to produce a documentary about her father to capture his personality and share his accomplishments with the world.
Rashida Jones' relationship with Quincy Jones: Rashida Jones' documentary reveals an intimate look into her life-threatening incident with her famous father, Quincy Jones, and her resilience in forging her own path after attending Harvard.
The relationship between Rashida Jones and her father, Quincy Jones, is one of immense privilege and separation, despite their shared fame and success. Rashida's documentary about her father showcases an intimate side of their relationship, including a life-threatening incident. Her experience of growing up with a larger-than-life musical genius father and later attending Harvard to forge her own path is a testament to her talent and resilience. Rashida's collaboration with Sofia Coppola on various projects, including a film on the Bronx and a Calvin Klein underwear commercial, led to a strong working relationship and potential inspiration for future projects. Working with Bill Murray was a unique experience, as he is known for his elusiveness. Overall, Rashida's journey in film and music is a testament to her talent, determination, and the unique dynamics of her personal and professional relationships.
Entertainment industry challenges: Unexpected challenges and long-standing relationships are common in the entertainment industry, requiring perseverance, dedication, and the value of working with talented individuals.
The entertainment industry can involve unexpected challenges and long-standing relationships. Rashida mentioned an experience where Sophia Coppola went to great lengths to cast Bill Murray, even having an assistant wait for him to call back all day. Bill Murray, known for his unique work ethic and charisma, was fully committed to his craft, even delivering meaty monologues about complex theories. Later, Rashida joined Pixar to work on Toy Story and Monsters University, living in the Bay Area for two years in a collaborative and iterative process. Despite growing up in the same area, Rashida and Jason never explicitly remembered crossing paths. These anecdotes highlight the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the value of working with talented individuals in the entertainment industry.
LA experiences: During the 80s in LA, Rashida and Jason shared experiences at roller skating rinks, clubs, and experimental schools. They discussed their uncertainties about future goals and personal growth, with Rashida currently in therapy and Jason pursuing law. They emphasized the importance of embracing challenges and continuing passions.
Rashida and Jason reminisced about their shared past experiences in Los Angeles during the 80s, discussing various locations such as roller skating rinks, clubs, and experimental schools. Rashida revealed she went to a massage bus school called Heartlight, while Jason shared his desire to become a lawyer. Both expressed feelings of uncertainty about their future goals and personal growth, with Rashida currently undergoing therapy to navigate these questions. Despite the fear and uncertainty, they acknowledged the importance of embracing these challenges and continuing to pursue their passions.
Seeking Purpose and Meaning: As we age, it's important to create from a place of love and inner growth, acknowledge and address patterns, and maintain an inner life that is self-sufficient.
As we age and accomplish various milestones in life, we may find ourselves questioning what comes next and seeking deeper meaning and connection. Rashida Jones discussed this feeling of reaching a crossroads in life and the importance of creating from a genuine place of love and inner growth, rather than fear or external validation. Her father's advice to make decisions based on love resonated with her, and she emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing patterns in order to truly change. Additionally, she highlighted the value of maintaining an inner life that is self-sufficient and not reliant on external approval. Overall, the conversation touched on the universal experience of seeking purpose and meaning in life and the importance of staying true to oneself.