Dystopia Tonight With John Poveromo

Richard Kind is one of Hollywood’s most beloved and recognizable character actors, with a career spanning more than four decades across film, television, Broadway, and voice acting. Audiences know him from iconic roles in Scrubs, Spin City, Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Only Murders in the Building, and as the unforgettable Bing Bong in Inside Out. His film credits include Argo, A Serious Man, The Station Agent, Beau Is Afraid, and dozens more, while his Broadway work has earned him both critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination. Most recently, Richard has delighted audiences as the announcer and sidekick on Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, proving once again why he’s one of the funniest, most versatile performers working today. 

ROB IS BACK BABY! YEAH!

I had the pleasure of getting to know Brian as he ran to represent NJ's 7th Congressional District, and also headline a comedy benefit for his campaign. Brian Varela is a first-generation American, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to fighting for NJ Families and protecting democracy. Raised by Colombian immigrants in New Jersey, Brian worked full-time while putting himself through college, later stepping up to support his family when his mother fell ill. After a career in corporate America, he launched a successful business—later recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing companies in the country. A passionate advocate for economic fairness, democracy reform, and opportunity for all, Brian has led grassroots efforts across New Jersey, organizing communities and fighting for change.

This week on Dystopia Tonight, John Poveromo sits down with Bree Fram, an astronautical engineer, retired Space Force colonel, and current congressional candidate in Virginia. Bree opens up about her groundbreaking military career, becoming one of the highest-ranking openly transgender officers in U.S. military history, her work shaping the future of American space defense, and why she’s now taking her fight for progress from the Pentagon to politics. It’s a compelling conversation about leadership, service, identity, and the future of America. About Bree Fram: Bree Fram is an astronautical engineer, author, and retired colonel formerly of the United States Space Force, where she helped develop future Space Force capabilities and served in senior Pentagon roles. She became the first openly transgender person promoted to colonel in the U.S. military and announced her run for Congress in Virginia’s 11th District in 2026.

Actress Rachel Stubington, who plays Summer on the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, joins comedian John Poveromo on Dystopia Tonight for a candid and funny conversation about acting, Hollywood, and the strange road to landing a role on one of TV’s most talked-about shows. Rachel discusses how she landed the role of Summer on Shrinking, working within a cast that blends heartfelt drama with sharp comedy, and what it’s like joining a series that has quickly become a fan favorite. She also talks about her journey into acting, wanting to be a Disney kid, and making content (whether we want to or not) on social media. Plus, John and Rachel dive into creative process, side hustles, and the occasional existential detours that tend to happen on Dystopia Tonight. If you enjoy interviews with actors, comedians, musicians, and creative minds trying to make sense of an increasingly bizarre world, you’re in the right place. Subscribe for more episodes of Dystopia Tonight featuring guests from comedy, music, film, and television.

Zak Starkey joins Dystopia Tonight for a wide-ranging conversation about music, legacy, and life behind the drum kit. As one of the most respected drummers of his generation, Zak has carved out his own unmistakable voice while playing with bands like The Who and Oasis, building a career that honors rock history without being trapped by it. In this episode, Zak talks about growing up surrounded by music, finding his own rhythm in the shadow of a legendary name, and what still excites him about playing live today. We dig into touring, creativity, and the strange balance between tradition and rebellion that defines great rock ’n’ roll. Zak will be performing live at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City on February 20, and this conversation is the perfect lead-in to seeing him in his natural habitat: onstage, loud, and unapologetically himself. 🎟️ Tickets and show info below livenation.com/event/k7vGFbMzJAYT8/an-evening-with-zak-starkey#:~:text=Get%20tickets%20for%20An%20Evening%20with%20Zak,FRI%20Feb%2020%2C%202026%20at%207:00%20PM.   🎧 New episodes of Dystopia Tonight every week www.dystopiatonight.com   📺 Subscribe for more conversations with musicians, comedians, and cultural misfits

Wrapped up the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival with my friends Erica Rhodes (Comedy Central, A Prairie Home Companion) and Seth Herzog (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central) — two distinct voices, one great conversation.

Filmmaker Amy Scott joins Dystopia Tonight for a thoughtful conversation about music, identity, and the emotional weight of being seen. Amy Scott is an acclaimed documentary director known for intimate, artist-focused films that explore creativity, vulnerability, and legacy. She directed Hal, the Sundance-premiered documentary about influential filmmaker Hal Ashby, and Sheryl, her revealing portrait of Grammy-winning musician Sheryl Crow. Her latest film, Have You Seen Me Lately?, is part of HBO’s Music Box series and focuses on Adam Duritz and Counting Crows. The documentary examines the band’s rise, the pressure of sudden fame, and the deeply personal stories behind some of the most enduring songs of the 1990s, offering an honest look at mental health, self-reflection, and survival in the public eye. In this episode, Amy discusses earning an artist’s trust, telling stories without nostalgia or mythmaking, and why the most compelling documentaries live in emotional truth rather than mythology.

Author of “Introducing The Scarlett Scrapper” joins me to discuss the inspiration for writing his first novel, one of his writing heroes giving him some hard advice, being a nerd, 40’s radio shows, his next novel. Enjoy!