“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.