Employee Of The Month

DAVEED DIGGS, a rapper, actor, and now Broadway star in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, stopped by Employee of the Month at Joe's Pub to reveal why Diggs hated working at Pier 1. You'll get to hear him freestyle rapwith Jelly D. and Shockwave, who are both the MC's for Employee of the Month Show's house band, and bandmates of Daveed's in Freestyle Love Supreme. In this episode, which was taped live, you will also here Jelly D. and Daveed rap and Shockwave beatbox the Employee of the Month rap up as I give out awards to all of my guests from the live taping in May 2015 at Joe's Pub. To hear my conversations with those guests, The New York Times columnist Nick Kristof, Emmy nominee Anna Chlumsky, and soul singer Lee Fields, as well as Lee Fields singing, subscribe to Employee of the Month's podcast. This is part 1 of a two part interview with Daveed, who plays Jefferson and Lafayette in Hamilton on Broadway. Once you hear our interview, you'll know why he had enough swagger, drive, and talent to take on a...

ANNA CHLUMSKY made a name for herself with a starring role in the cult classic film MY GIRL. She didn't need a psychic to know that challenging, complex roles were far less likely to land on a female actor's doorstep and Chlumsky left the biz. After attending University of Chicago and dabbling in publishing, a psychic helped Anna reconsider her decision to quit acting. She returned to entertainment and got a big break, when Armando Iannucci cast Chlumsky in the hysterical British political farce IN THE LOOP, and then again in his television series VEEP on HBO. Three years later, she finds herself nominated for her first Emmy Award. We spoke about her career in our interview, which was taped live at Joe's Pub.

In the sixties, Southern soul singer Lee Fields hit the R&B scene, and due to an uncanny resemblance to James Brown, he had to figure out how to carve out his own niche. In our interview, which was taped live at Joe's Pub, Lee Fields speaks about his prolific career as well as the resurgence of soul, which Lee, as well as Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones, have spearheaded. Lee also graciously sings from his latest album FAITHFUL MAN, and you can hear how his sublime voice can seamlessly dance from James Brown-style funk to lo-fi blues to contemporary Southern soul. Enjoy and you can check him out live or get his records: http://leefieldsandtheexpressions.com

Nicholas Kristof was first featured in print at 14 months old, although he didn't get his first byline till years later. At age fifteen, he made the local news for his political activism and was named "Neighbor of the Week." Since then, Kristof integrated his interest in reporting and social activism and, as a result, has received numerous awards, including Two Pulitzers and, most recently, the Employee of the Month Award. He's probably best know for writing a column for The New York Times, which focuses mainly on human rights abuses, gender parity, genocide, and other critical global social issues. He also co-authored multiple books with his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, including HALF THE SKY and A PATH APPEARS, both of which shed light on tangible examples of how people can become civically involved. In addition to agitating for reform through his writing, Kristof has mentored many budding journalists through a program he started with The New York Times. Our interview for Employee of the Month was taped...

There are those who add multi-hyphenates to their resume, hoping to throw their hands into any rings that might take them, and then there are polymaths, like Justin Sayre. Equally dexterous at writing for television, theater, and now print, he's also a consummate host of an utterly unique live show and crooner. In this episode, taped live at Joe's Pub, we spoke about his bitingly funny and shrew monthly show, The Meeting: Order of Sodomites, as well as writing for Two Broke Girls. He also performed two beautiful songs. Once you hear his sardonic wit, you'll know why I recommend checking out his debut book, Husky, which comes out in the Fall.

In our interview, the wry and effervescent Betty Halbreich dispels any myths that fame or success is ever handed to you. At age 86, Betty is finally getting the public recognition for having helped style actresses, be it in front of the camera, like on "Sex And the City" or off, as with Candice Bergen, Joan Rivers, and Jane Curtain. Even though Bergdorf created a job for her as their first ever (and longest running) personal stylist, Betty describes her job more as a "clothes therapist." Her visionary style speaks for itself. Still, it wasn't until Betty wrote a shrewdly unsentimental memoir I'LL DRINK TO THAT, which chronicles her experience reinventing herself professionally and personally, that those of who can't afford and/or prefer not to wear Prada understood her depth, courage, and wit. She's been enjoying the limelight since she stole the show in the 2013 documentary "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's." Lena Dunham is currently developing a series based on Ms. Halbreich's pygmalion childhood, painful...

In 1987, Olympia Dukakis became world famous when she won an Oscar for her role in Moonstruck, and became the first (and hopefully only) winner to have her award stolen. Dukakis speaks about the robber and which Look Who's Talking made the most money. A former champion fencer, Olympia beats me in a duel. It should be a surprise to no one, since Olympia, even at 83, is a tour de force. She is currently touring a one woman show and working on a film with Bryan Cranston. Our interview was taped live at Joe's Pub and the fencing foils were generously lent to us courtesy of Brooklyn Fencing. (The aluminum foil I used is courtesy of Reynold's Wrap.)If you enjoyed our interview, please come to the next live show at Joe's Pub, Thursday, June 25th at 9:30 pm. It's our season finale.

My favorite Employees of the Month are those who work hard, find duly deserved success, artistically and (ideally) financially, and never lose their humility. Enter Cindy Chupack. In our interview, the writer turned director spoke candidly about the subtle forms of sexism women face, even writing for progressive shows, like Modern Family or directing in Manlywood. She also generously baked cookies for the audience, flew them across the country, and shared them as well as her hilariously candid books, “The Longest Date: Life as a Wife" and "The Between Boyfriends Book.” You can get those books at www.cindychupack.com, cookies not included. We're living in a potentially pivotal period for women, particularly in entertainment. There are a growing number of female comedy darlings in entertainment, like Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, and Amy Poehler, but overall Hollywood has miles to go. Yes, it's hard for anyone to make it, especially in comedy, as it's now seen as viable profession. But...

Having worked in showbiz for over 20 years and in over 100 films, Adrian Martinez has carved out a niche as a character actor. Hollywood loves to pigeonhole actors, be it as a "nosy neighbor," "leading man" or "villain." For anyone with a modicum of dynamism, it can be stifling, if not suffocating. But being dubbed a "character actor" can offer longevity career wise and some wiggle room to show some personality. The job requires you to make the most of your screen time, despite never knowing what may end up on the cutting room floor, and you must play well with others. Enter Martinez. Naturally a ham, the New York born and raised Martinez developed legitimate acting chops as an actor and member of LAByrinth theater. In our interview, we spoke about the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's influence and the perks of playing a sidekick to box office stars, like Will Smith (Focus), Ben Stiller (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty), Will Ferrell (Casa de Mi Padre), and Zach Galifianakis (It’s Kind of a Funny Story)....

Due to a lithe frame, shorty Daniel Friedman always needed his suits to be tailored. So when the aspiring architect was forced to rethink his career, Friedman bet he could deliver custom suits better than what he could find. Industrious and ambitious, the Brooklyn born and raised Friedman started Bindle and Keep, a bespoke suit boutique. His design instincts, hunger to break even, and savvy understanding of social media paid off. What set Friedman ultimately apart was that he adapted his designs according to his customers unique needs. Sure enough, he won over fans, like Murray Hill, which inspired a following among the LGBTQ community. Friedman went from ironing suits by hand in his boxers to running a flagship store in Brooklyn. He will open up satellite boutiques in San Francisco and Washington, DC. Dressed in a handsome, wool tweed three piece suit, Friedman spoke to me about breaking in and coming up with fake e-mail addresses to seem more professional. Our interview was recorded live at the Writers...

Today, we’re in the midst of a new comedy boon for improv comedians, like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Stephen Carrell, Broad City, and Amy Poehler. But the biggest boon in stand up, where comics in blazers and belted, sometimes acid wash, jeans, stood against a brick walls with only a mic to defend themselves emerged in the 1980’s. Stand up clubs, such as Catch a Rising Star and the Improv, served up 2 drink minimums and rapid fire hokes from the likes of Eddie Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Reiser, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Wright, Roseanne, Sam Kinison, and Rosie O’Donnell. In our interview, Rosie described how she didn’t realize she was supposed to write her own jokes. She quickly learned and started to appear on Star Search. Just a teenager, Rosie O’Donnell went onto establish herself as a stand up. She host her own day time talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, which garnered multiple Emmys and proved that day time talk shows could be funny. At the height of her show’s success, Rosie walked away. She...

There are actors who anoint themselves activists, without considering that most activists don't suddenly claim they are actors, simply because they bought movie tickets. That said, there are consummate professionals, like Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner CYNTHIA NIXON, who will consciously support causes. Nixon has her plate full with upcoming films, like LIFE ITSELF, JAMES WHITE, and STOKHOLM, PENNSYLVNIA; directing a one woman show, and prepping to play Emily Dickinson, among other gigs, but she is passionate about certain causes. We spoke about how she chooses what she gets involved with and what it means to be an activist. Cynthia also weighs in on the challenges of breaking into Hollywood, when you aren't a blonde Barbie doll or white bread beefcake, as well as the hard part of turning down roles when you finally get enough traction as an actor to enable other voices to be heard.

Cynthia Nixon is an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and, now, Employee of the Month Award winning actor. She speaks candidly about what it was like to have her mother direct her, growing up (and now raising children) in New York, recording audio books for V.C. Andrews, and getting roles post Sex-in-the-City. This is part one of a two part interview. This was taped live at Joe's Pub (at The Public Theater.) If you would like to attend a live taping, please go to www.employeeofthemonthshow.com and joespub.com to find out more.

At age 38, Liz Tuccillo's career took off. She joined the writing staff of Sex-in-the-City. She and comedian Greg Behrendt turned one of the episodes into a best selling comedic self-help dating book, "He's Just Not The Into You." She followed it up with a novel How to Be Single and indie film Take Care, carving out a niche in writing accessible romantic comedies. She is currently developing a pilot with Annabelle Gurwitch for FX called, I See You Made An Effort, which is adapted from Gurwitch's New York Times best selling book. Tuccillo talks about her gigs before "breaking in" and her roots in experimental theater and dance.

Syd Butler, the bassist of Les Savy Fav and Late Night with Seth Meyers, talks about life on the road. Syd also reinvented the music industry when he founded French Kiss Records. While it doesn't technically record the best, worst, and longest kisses, he helped launch the careers of phenomenal musicians. It was a pleasure to sit down at Joe's Pub and talk to Syd about life on the road, his roots in the ska scene and work crush on Ian McKay, of Fugazi, in Washington, DC. Syd is also joined by poet and actor Amber Tamblyn and Seth Jabour on stage. Seth is the guitarist on Late Night with Seth Meyers and Les Savy Fav. If you enjoyed this episode please come to Employee of the Month's next live taping at Joe's Pub, Thursday, April 16th 2015 at 9:30. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com. I will post the photos on www.lazarusrising.com

JELLY D. is a freestyle rapper, actor, songwriter and, most importantly, my intern. He sets his own hours, after saving up from time spent working in advertising. He's currently performing in a trio Moondrunk and shooting a couple television pilots. To watch this special snowflake's videos, check out https://www.youtube.com/user/mcjellyd or see him live on Employee of the Month! Our next live taping is Thursday, March 19th at 9:30 pm at Joe's Pub. www.joespub.com

Ever been pick-pocketed? It feels awful to be on the receiving end, but those who do it, treat it more like an art form than a crime. Sherman “O.T.” Powell spent forty years as a pickpocket, and, in our interview, he shares his stories from the dark side. Today, he is a reformed pick pocketer and a graduate of the MothSHOP Community Education Program. He has told several stories at The Moth and toured with the phenomenal story telling program. Our interview was taped live at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater. Our next live taping is Thursday, March 19th at 9:30 pm at Joe's Pub. If you are in New York, please come (unless you are a pickpocket). www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

With her stirring voice, shrewd insight, and mischievous wit, Martha Wainwright's songs captivated the sold out crowd at Joe's Pub's live taping of Employee of the Month. Martha's super power is her range, both vocally and intellectually. It's why, as Martha explains in our conversation, Leonard Cohen, Pete Townsend, Garth Hudson, and Donald Fagin, and Snow Patrol wanted to work with her. We spoke about her starting to write in high school, and she created her first album, technically a cassette tape, Ground Floor, in 1997. Since then she went onto collaborate with her late mother and aunt, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, father Looudon Wainwright, older brother Rufus Wainwright, Teddy Thompson, and Garth Hudson. Shortly after this recording, Martha began singing backup vocals for her brother. She’s also released her own albums- Martha Wainwright,. I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too, and a tribute album to Edith Piaf, amongst others. We also spoke about her foray into acting. Director Lisa...

After announcing he was leaving The Daily Show, the first interview Jon Stewart gave was on Employee of the Month. He spoke with Catie Lazarus about creating an iconic political talk show to directing the film Rosewater to being fired from Woolworth by his brother. Stewart accepted the coveted Employee of the Month honor after being turned down for Playgirl of the Month. Enjoy our uncircumcised interview. Want more Employee of the Month? • Subscribe to Employee of the Month Show's podcast on iTunes. • Join the mailing list to find out about live tapings http://employeeofthemonthshow.com • Watch our YouTube channel for videos from our live show. On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EOTMS On Twitter: http://twitter.com/CatieLazarus On YouTube: http://youtube.com/monkeysareadorable

Emily Spivack has created multiple platforms for storytelling. Her latest greatest website WornStories.com is so popular that Emily ended up editing a companion book, Worn Stories, which is currently a New York Times Best Seller. If you're interested in online communities, fashion, odd stories, clothing, nostalgia, fair trade, sustainability and storytelling, check out Emily's sites, including www.sentimental-value.com and www.wornstories.com. When you listen, my apologies for the dogs kvetching in the background! We recorded this episode live in Brooklyn during a snow storm, and humans aren't the only people who go stir crazy after being trapped indoors for too long.