John Cena didn’t become a WWE megastar and Hollywood leading man by accident, he worked at it, and he takes none of his big breaks for granted. He tells Rachel that a secret to his success is jumping into a challenge before he feels ready, or as he calls it, “courageous ignorance.” John’s new Netflix comedy, “Little Brother,” is out Jun 26.

To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard


See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Writer David Sedaris tells Rachel he doesn’t mind being humiliated, because he knows it will wind up as great material. David’s new book, “The Land and Its People,” is full of such material. In their conversation, David talks about his latest humiliations as well as the benefits of cleaning while angry and how a British radio soap opera reminds him of how lucky he is.

To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Dave Eggers isn’t about rushing creativity. His latest novel, "Contrapposto," has been on his mind for about two decades. And he tells Rachel he believes many artists do their best work in their 80s and 90s. Eggers also reflects on how he’s learned to slow down in middle age, what he sees as the greatest danger of AI, and shares a moment of appreciation he felt watching an apricot tree.

To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Maya Hawke is such a natural fit for Wild Card that she had several answers for many of the questions. The self-described “verbose” musician/actor talks to Rachel about her new album “Maitreya Corso,” and reflects on her identification with her character Anxiety in “Inside Out 2.” Hawke also tells Rachel about her “witch-adjacent” childhood with her mother, Uma Thurman. 
To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

From "Step Brothers" to “Chicago,” John C. Reilly imbues every one of his roles with humor, empathy, and heart. In his latest project, a vaudeville stage show called "Mister Romantic," he searches for connection in a disconnected time. He talked to Rachel about his independent childhood on the south side of Chicago, and being open to endless possibilities.

To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Noah Kahan's breakthrough album, Stick Season, made him known to millions of fans. But he tells Rachel that experience left him feeling like he knew himself even less than before. Noah talks about finding his way back to songwriting with his new album, "The Great Divide.” He also reflects on how depression comes with sneaky superpowers and shares that Oreos and "The Office" are his cures for burnout.

To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Rita Wilson tells Rachel that she was tired of always being cast in the same kind of “nurturing” roles. And so she decided to explore a totally different career  – one in music. Her latest album is “Sound of a Woman.” They also discuss the inspiration Rita draws from her immigrant parents and from older women. 
To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Anne Lamott says she felt drawn to writing almost like it was a call to become a monk. She has also felt called to teach others how to write, to help them organize their thoughts on the page and to keep their priorities in check. “You’re not going to get self-respect from being published,” she tells Rachel. Her newest book, co-written with her husband Neal Allen, is called “Good Writing.”
To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

After decades of releasing new albums every few years, Amy Grant went mostly quiet for the past decade. In the time since her last album of original songs in 2013, she’s survived several harrowing medical emergencies. Now she’s back with a new album, “The Me That Remains.” She tells Rachel she felt she was doing her audience a disservice by not writing about this phase of life.

To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Get your tickets for Wild Card live in Los Angeles with special guest Tracee Ellis Ross on May 7! 

Lena Dunham tells Rachel that for much of her 20s and 30s, she took a vacation from who she was as a child. These days, though, she says she’s much more in touch with that part of her life. Her new book, “Famesick,” chronicles those tumultuous years during the rise of her hit show, “Girls.” In this episode, Dunham shares what she learned from struggling with stardom and chronic illness. 
To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Bob Odenkirk says he was never supposed to be an action hero, but he’s grateful for the way his career has turned out. Starting out as a sketch comedian, he never could have foreseen roles like Saul Goodman in “Better Call Saul” or Sheriff Ulysses in his newest film, “Normal.” He tells Rachel he takes none of it for granted, as he retraces his path from his humble Illinois roots. 
To listen sponsor-free and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy