Enjoy our ode to farts!

Meet researchers who made a New York Times bestselling book series about the various ways that animals fart; A man who is internationally known for being a hand farter, (also called a “manualist“); And another person who was born without an anus and went on to make a living off of his ability to fart extensively on-command! Which he will absolutely do for us in this episode.

GUESTS:

• Dani Rabaiotti and Nick Caruso: Researchers who created a spreadsheet listing what we know about which animals do and do not fart, and which remain a mystery. It was later turned into a book series beginning with Does It Fart? The definitive field guide to animal flatulence, and the kids book, Does It Fart?: A Kid's Guide to the Gas Animals Pass
• Guy First: A musician who plays music by making farting noises with his hands, featured on Britain's Got Talent. He is joined by his wife, Yaara
• Will Bakey a.k.a “Will the Farter”: Born without an anus, he later became able to fart on-command. Featured on the Howard Stern Show, Jackass 3D, and Cameo. He is joined by his girlfriend, Aislinn.

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Back in the day — with your Walter Cronkites and David Brinkleys — it felt kind of inappropriate for an interviewer to bring their full selves to the conversation. It was all about the guest, after all, so why bother bringing their own distinctive flairs?

But now, people tune in as much for the interviewer as the one being interviewed. And because of that, the experience feels much more authentic!

So today, you'll get to know three masters of the craft who each have their own distinct, but oh so compelling styles of asking tough, thought-provoking questions.

EXTENDED INTERVIEWS:

• Mehdi Hasan
• Ziwe
• Gayle King

This episode originally aired on October 14th, 2023.

GUESTS:

• Mehdi Hasan: Editor-in-chief and CEO of Zeteo. His latest book is called Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking
• Ziwe: Comedian, writer, actor, executive producer and star of ZIWE on Showtime. She is also known for her web series, Baited. Her book is called Black Friend: Essays
• Gayle King: Co-host of CBS This Morning, and editor-at-large of O, the Oprah Magazine. She is also the curator of the book, Note to Self: Inspiring Words From Inspiring People

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Jayson Greene’s daughter, Greta, died in 2015 when she was two years old. She was sitting on a bench with her grandma on the Upper West Side of Manhattan when a brick fell from a building and struck her in the head.

Now, nine years later, how would Jayson describe Greta’s presence in his life? Hear his reflections on life after unimaginable tragedy, and how much he appreciates the people that showed up for him and his family.

Related episode:

• Views from the end: David Meyers

GUESTS:

• Jayson Greene: a writer and editor based in Brooklyn. He is the author of Once More We Saw Stars, a memoir about dealing with the sudden and tragic death of his two-year-old daughter, Greta, in 2015

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