Sam Shields

“These grandmas are straight up in Mafias.” Atsuko Okatsuka is magnetic, hilarious, and was kidnapped as a child… by her grandma… who is also her best friend.  Atsuko and Dan compare their upbringings, looking beyond the bounds of the “typical” immigrant experience… and Atsuko shows off her incredible ability to make deep trauma extremely funny. She shares her experience learning to care for her schizophrenic mother and coming to terms with her past. They also talk about the necessity of loving support in success, revisit Atsuko’s pre-comedy resumé, and explore the freedom of imagining a better future for yourself. Watch Atsuko’s new Hulu comedy special, “Father” streaming June 13th and go to atsukocomedy.com for upcoming shows and tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Lovett has had a wild ride – from being plucked to write speeches for some of the largest figures in the Democratic Party (yes, like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama)... to creating a television show… to starting the bastion of “resistance” media in “Pod Save America” and Crooked Media. Jon takes Dan through his career, from his uncertain start through the many challenges (and joys) today of running your own company. Jon also opens up about his insecurities, his anxious energy, and how he uses those to his advantage. For more of Jon and Crooked Media, go to Crooked.com and watch, listen and subscribe to “Pod Save America” and “Lovett or Leave it”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Performing sold-out shows and starring in an Oscar-winning movie… to helping catch a serial killer, Patton Oswalt has one of the most eclectic careers of anyone working today.  Paradoxically known for his wholesome characters and his provocative stand-up, Patton speaks with Dan about what it was like forging his comedy career and falling into acting without intending to make a living off of it. Patton’s also no stranger to grief and recovery. He speaks about dealing with his vast anxiety surrounding his wife’s passing, raising their young daughter alone, and explores the joys of finding new love and building a life after the unimaginable. For upcoming shows and tickets to see Patton live, go to PattonOswalt.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and Olympics may have its individual legends, but Al Michaels is the legendary voice of them all. One of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time shares with Dan his most cherished moments and iconic calls from six decades of covering the most major prime-time sports events of any announcer. Al reveals how it all began for him, how he created the career of his dreams and how equal parts luck and skill turned him into the man he is today. Al also tells Dan what he learned from the incredible broadcast partners like John Madden and Cris Collinsworth he's had along the way, and he explains the reason why he's not looking to retire anytime soon. The legacy of Al Michaels continues... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

@HasanAbi is in the house. Hasan Piker streams eight hours a day… every single day… to combat the flood of alt-right and conservative media online. No weekends off. In this episode of South Beach Sessions, Hasan explores how his nigh-obsessive output comes from a place of both impressive motivation and a deep passion to make the world a better place. Together, Hasan and Dan explore the trenches of insecurity, addiction, and self-improvement. Hasan also opens up about his body dysmorphia and about what it was like to be bullied for his appearance. Follow and subscribe to Hasan’s Twitch and YouTube channels @HasanAbi.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Napheesa Collier is Unrivaled. Even with an ever-growing list of accomplishments - NCAA champion, four-time WNBA All-Star, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist - Napheesa shares with Dan that her greatest achievement will always be becoming a mother. Napheesa doesn't shy away from revealing the doubts she had about resuming her playing career after pregnancy, fears of an early retirement, and why she was so determined to create an empowering women's basketball league with her fellow UConn Huskies champion, Breanna Stewart. Napheesa also doesn't mince words on how her Minnesota Lynx's controversial loss to the New York Liberty in last year's WNBA Finals has her mentally stronger and feeling "super greedy" about adding to her accomplishments. Watch Season 1 of Unrivaled on TNT, TruTV and stream on MAX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You know him from his voyages around the world, showcasing (and eating) staples from every culture on the planet, and now Andrew Zimmern is here in South Beach demonstrating the kind of open heart it takes to do that work. From childhood hardship, to devastating addiction, into incredible ambition and drive, Andrew describes his journey and the presence of food along his way. He details the start of Bizarre Foods, his experience traveling and learning… and of course Andrew talks about his friendship with Anthony Bourdain, their shared mission through their shows, and Anthony’s legacy. In the past, Andrew has been open about the depths of his addiction, but with Dan, he explains in new light the lengths he went to support it. Andrew also explains why he’s so vocal about his journey and the incredible benefits sober life has given him since he got clean.  TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion of substance abuse, addiction, mental health struggles and self harm. If you or someone you know are struggling with thoughts of self harm, you can get help by calling 988 for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Big Hurt hits South Beach Sessions. Frank Thomas looks back on his legacy - one held up by professionalism and relentless strive for excellence – from his start as a dominant athlete, to a first-ballot Hall of Fame career, and the real hurt and loss he’s battled along the way. For all of his love for the game and historical dominance in baseball - Frank reveals how he paid the price in injuries, disrespect from management, and betrayal from his peers. Frank shows Dan the brutal truth and strength behind ‘no pain, no gain’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Barry is so funny, he won a Pulitzer Prize for making people laugh.  In this episode of South Beach Sessions, Dan and Dave explore their decades of friendship– including all of the inspiration Dave has given Dan… With extreme honesty, Dave speaks about losing his parents, the source of his humor and warmth, early on in life. He opens up about his regrets over his mother’s death, all the while explaining why family was such a source of joy despite the loss. But life is full of joy alongside sorrow, and there’s plenty of joy here. Dan and Dave also reminisce about the good old days of journalism and opine on the beauty of romance, including a story about how Dave convinced Dan to get married. Dave’s upcoming memoir, CLASS CLOWN: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass, is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you get your books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baron Davis is LA to his core, so of course Dan had to meet with him on his home turf for a special LA-based episode of South Beach Sessions. Steeped in vulnerability, Baron dives into his life and career on a new level – from the streets to being an NBA All-Star. Baron cracks open his past - growing up in South LA surrounded by violence and abuse - detailing his journey through the care of his grandparents from poverty to one of the wealthiest schools in the country. Baron also holds nothing back about his chaotic time with the Clippers – all the behind the scenes drama and destruction created under Donald Sterling’s ownership. Join the members-only Business Inside the Game (BIG) community, founded by Baron Davis, at teambig.io. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices