Roll Into The Weekend
Here are some things I'm enjoying right now...
Hi.
Back in the early days of podcasting, the halcyon audio-only phase before everyone was producing their own high-production value public access television show, things were more shoot-the-shit, more meandering than they are now. Back then I was a bit of a travelling salesman of sorts, knocking on doors with my suitcase of audio wares to conduct loose conversations in the comfort of my guests’ homes. There was something about doing my thing across kitchen tables that I miss—a relaxed authenticity that gets sacrificed as soon as you introduce into the equation a lights, camera, action kind of situation.
Today, my show is much different from what it was way back then. For the most part it’s better and more focused—intentionally tailored to provide something meaningful for the audience by doing my best to get the best out of what my guest has to offer. However, there is a cost to this polish, which is that when you heighten the experience under overhead lighting, there is an implied pressure that can’t help but produce an audience experience that feels more manufactured.
I started the Roll On version of the show to maintain contact with what animated me most about this medium to begin with—a format that is just fun, more kick-back and relaxed. What I like about it is that it makes space for less serious banter. It’s a place that gives me permission to be more open about what I think about X, Y, and Z. It’s an opportunity to share with you whatever I’m going through—and what things at the moment I happen to be into.
Analytics tell me that the appetite for this version of the RRP is not widely shared. Therefore, this edition of the podcast is only periodic. That being said, those who do enjoy it seem to do so very enthusiastically.
So, now that I am on Substack, it occurred to me that perhaps this might be a place to share those few things a bit more regularly.
With that in mind, here’s some stuff I’ve come across recently that I’m into.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley
I had the opportunity to attend a special screening of this documentary this past week at the Ojai Playhouse, followed by a Q&A with director Amy Berg.
Buckley may have only released one studio album in his short but storied life, but Grace is one of the greatest and most otherworldly records in music history. In this documentary by Oscar-nominated Berg, the story of one of modern music’s most talented and enigmatic figures is told mostly through the lens of the women he was most close with, accompanied by extraordinary archival footage and appearances by Ben Harper and his former bandmates.
Beautifully rendered, Berg does Buckley justice without succumbing to sycophancy.
Personally, Buckley holds a special place in my heart—his rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is something I still remember introducing to Julie for the first time shortly after we first met, and the song we selected for our first wedding dance.
I enjoyed it tremendously and suggest seeing it in a theatre with a great sound system (the Ojai Playhouse has an incredible one) as soon as you can as I suspect it’s theatrical run will be short-lived. Stick around after the end credits and you will be treated to a 25-minute never before seen live Jeff Buckley concert performance.
Rollerball (1975)
Those who know me well know how much I love The Rewatchables—a podcast by The Ringer co-hosted by Bill Simmons in which he revisits movies that stand the test of time not necessarily because they are great but because they are just so damn rewatchable. I know that long ago I had seen this sci-fi sports movie starring James Caan, but for some reason I didn’t recall the original Rollerball as particularly memorable. So when Bill and screenwriter Brian Koppelman (my guest on RRP 427) convened to revisit this cinematic relic with such relish, I decided to rewatch it prior to giving their conversation a listen.
All I can say is that this movie delivers much more than what I was expecting. A sports movie set in a dystopic future, yes, but also a paranoid thriller with all the shadowy Parallax View elements that made 70’s cinema stand out as the best.
If you haven’t seen it I won’t spoil it. All I will say is that it asks you to imagine a world in which the individual no longer has rights—and all power is held by only a few all-powerful corporations that contain the population with a centralized AI (in 1975!). But the seeds of resistance have been planted—and revolt is imminent.
Watching it, I thought about the similarities between this movie and the series Andor. I thought, how amazing would it be if Tony Gilroy applied his talents next to the world of Rollerball? It would be amazing—an idea I was thrilled to hear the The Rewatchables guys share.
Also: I love that what Rollerball imagines as futuristic ends up being the apotheosis of mid-century modern design—the future, it turns out, is the most 1975 thing ever.
Watch the Rollerball trailer here—and it’s available for rent on Amazon Prime.
South Park—Season 27
I mean, c’mon. Matt and Trey have never held back, but this is a whole new level of fearlessness and incisive social commentary.
Revisionist History—The Joe Rogan Intervention
This episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast is Malcolm at his best, a must-listen made better by the fact that my friend Michael Gervais makes a memorable appearance. Two favorite thinkers and former RRP guests in a podcast about podcasting—and the problem with podcast hosts who don’t see the problem with just asking questions.
Dating History
To my mind, podcasting is still a spanking brand new form of media. Sure, it’s crazy crowded now, competitive more than ever. But there is still so much room for new compelling voices, perspectives that are unique, and conceits that are fresh.
Would you date Henry David Thoreau? Sure he built his own house (they agree this is cool). But isn’t he just too self-involved and emotionally unavailable? Who is HDT in 2025? Think van life vlogger, minimalism influencer or natural lifestyle raw milk enthusiast. They can’t decide if it would have been better had Henry just had his experience without having to tell everyone about it in a book. But on two things they agree. First, never date someone who claims to be a writer but never writes anything. And second, anyone who self-identifies as a philosopher sends up a red flag. Then again, Henry does have those fine blue eyes—and might be just fine if what you’re looking for is an occasional situationship.
I’m hardly the audience for co-hosts Analisa Burns and Katie Massie, so I didn’t expect to enjoy this new show, created by friends of friends of my 30-years old stepson Tyler, as much as I did.
I think these two are onto something, so if a fresh take on the dating advice genre intrigues you (here are some clips), take a chance on this new podcast with the perfect title.
On Cloudultra 3
I have been waiting for On to uplevel its trail running offerings, and finally they have delivered with the new Cloudultra 3 for logging long training runs and the Cloudultra Pro for ultra-distance racing. Sure, I’m an On ambassador so infer away, but I gotta say that both of these shoes really are exactly what I have been really looking for in a trail running shoe—which I look forward to really running in as soon as my back is healed up enough to do more than just walking.
Announcement Type Stuff
On Monday, I drop my pod with Olga Khazan about whether or not you can change your personality (!!).
Next week, I’m sitting down (separately) with Jillian Turecki and Emily Harrington. If you have questions you’d like me to ask either of them, drop them below.
On September 4, I’m sharing the stage with Dr. Sanjay Gupta at NYC’s 92nd Street Y for a conversation about pain, which is personally timely given my recent spinal fusion surgery as well as the subject of Sanjay’s soon to be published new book entitled It Doesn’t Have to Hurt. Tickets are still available—grab ‘em here.
On September 12, I head to Tokyo to join the On team for the Track & Field World Championships. It will be my first visit to Japan, so would love recommendations on must see and do’s. And I’ll keep you posted on public facing stuff so I can connect with all of you who happen to be there.
That’s it for now.
Is this kind of thing interesting enough that you’d interested in me doing more of? If so, tell me more. If not, tell me why, and what you’d prefer me share here and write about. Again, I’m new to Substack and this is all an experiment.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Stay True,
Rich
Part of the small minority of Roll On fans. In addition to the timelines of it and hearing your riff as a regular human (vs interviewer mode), I also look at Adam as a bit of an avatar for the audience-engaged and interested in the same things as you/us, with a different professional track and adjacent interests. Even if you never discuss recent guests, the conversations frame and ground the big-idea people you have had on as guests.
One other point, you have been clear you are working through some professional transitions-the podcast network, how you engage with content in a slippery political climate (MAHA++) questioning the current state of podcasting, etc. I think substack and Roll On could be great places to share that journey-the questions and work involved in your entrepreneurship and how you navigate.
Put me down in the Roll On fan crowd. I reach for those episodes immediately (as opposed to saving others for more focused listening later on). Always great to listen to the back-and-forth between Adam and yourself, as well as the variety of subject matter.