Bob Odenkirk Would Like to Remind You That Life Is a Meaningless Farce

With war, political wrangling and price hikes jockeying for headlines, it’s a rare thing to sit for an hour with a large group of strangers and focus on the small pleasures in life. But that’s what the show “Every Brilliant Thing” is all about. Since 2013, Duncan Macmillan’s audience-participation-heavy play has been performed in dozens of languages in hundreds of locations across the globe. It revolves around a central character who writes a list of all the good things in life for a depressed parent. And while it tackles dark subject matter — including frequent mentions of a loved one’s suicide — it may be one of the funniest shows about depression, ever. In this episode of “The Sunday Daily,” Michael Barbaro talks with Daniel Radcliffe, who currently stars in a Broadway production of the show, and Mariska Hargitay, who will step into the role in a few weeks. We’ll also hear from the playwright and several other actors who have performed the play on stages, in living rooms, on basketball courts and aircraft carriers all over the world.   On today's episode: Daniel Radcliffe Mariska Hargitay Duncan Macmillan Candunn Jennette Greg Dragas Mugambi Nthiga Erika de la Vega Jung Sae-Byul Mohsina Akhter Tommy Schoffler Nanda Mohammad   Background reading: ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ Now Starring Daniel Radcliffe and You Daniel Radcliffe Makes ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ Shine Daniel Radcliffe Wanted a Break From Broadway. Then He Read This Play.   Photo credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The actor and comedian is keenly aware of humanity’s limitations, but he’s not giving up. Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview   Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Tuesday, President Trump extended the cease-fire with Iran that had been about to expire, even as a second round of negotiations with Iran was paused. Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, New York Times reporters who cover the White House, discuss how the president is thinking about the war, and the political fallout for his party. Guest: Maggie Haberman, a White House correspondent for The New York Times. Jonathan Swan, a White House reporter for The New York Times. Background reading:  Mr. Trump extended the cease-fire with Iran this week, even as Vice President JD Vance postponed his trip for negotiations. Here’s a look back at how Mr. Trump decided to enter the war. Photo: Nathan Howard for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For years, music fans have said they felt ripped off by Ticketmaster and Live Nation, its parent company. Last week, a jury ruled that they were right, and that the company is a monopoly. Ben Sisario, who covers the music industry for The New York Times, breaks down the trial that unfolded and what it means for concertgoers. Guest: Ben Sisario, a reporter for The New York Times covering music and the music industry. Background reading:  Read five takeaways from the antitrust trial. Photo: Allison Dinner/EPA, via Shutterstock For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From the moment Kash Patel was appointed as the director of the F.B.I., he has invited controversy and concern about what his leadership would look like and how it might affect the agency. The New York Times journalists Emily Bazelon and Rachel Poser spoke to dozens of current and former F.B.I. employees about how the agency has been transformed. Guest: Emily Bazelon, a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. Rachel Poser, a story editor for The New York Times Magazine. Background reading:  Read their article about a year inside the F.B.I. under Mr. Patel. Mr. Patel sued The Atlantic over an article that claimed his excessive drinking and unexplained absences were putting his job in jeopardy. Photo: Kenny Holston/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Since the war with Iran began, President Trump has gone from urging Iranians to take cover to threatening to annihilate them. With the cease-fire scheduled to expire this week, Clare Toeniskoetter, a producer on “The Daily,” speaks to Iranians about how they view the war. Guest: Clare Toeniskoetter, a senior producer on “The Daily.” Background reading:  Read two diaries of the war from Iranians on opposite sides of the political divide. Here is the latest on the war. Photo: Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For the past decade, the Supreme Court has relied on a rushed and secretive system to make major rulings on issues from immigration to the presidential power. Now, a New York Times investigation brings to light the precise moment when that system began. Jodi Kantor and Adam Liptak, who reported the story, take us inside the five days that remade the Supreme Court. Guest: Jodi Kantor, a New York Times reporter whose job is to carefully uncover secrets and illuminate how power operates. Adam Liptak, the chief legal affairs correspondent of The New York Times and the host of The Docket, a newsletter on legal developments. Background reading:  The full investigation of the “shadow docket.” Takeaways from the Supreme Court’s secret track. Photo: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The reality show “Love on the Spectrum” — which just released its fourth season — has become a big hit; it’s currently one of the most watched shows on Netflix in the United States. The show follows autistic adults as they search for love. “Love on the Spectrum” is unlike much of reality television — a genre known to subject its cast members to drama and humiliation for entertainment’s sake. Instead, the show captures a dating world that has more heartwarming moments than histrionics, and is sensitive and nuanced in its portrayal of neurodivergent people. On today’s episode of “The Sunday Daily,” Rachel Abrams talks with Anna Peele, a contributing writer for The New York Times, about the show’s origin story and why it has resonated with so many people. On Today’s Episode: Anna Peele is a contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine and the author of the forthcoming book “Enter the Villa,” about the reality show “Love Island.” Photo credit: Ryan Pfluger for The New York Times.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Oscar-winning actress reflects on pain, healing and becoming an action hero.  Thoughts? Email us at [email protected] Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview   Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Warning: This episode discusses suicide. This week, Congress was on the cusp of doing something that has never happened in U.S. history: forcibly removing four House members. Two of those members resigned. Michael Gold, who covers Congress, explains what unfolded on Capitol Hill, and what the events tell us about how willing Congress is to hold itself accountable. Guest: Michael Gold, a congressional correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading:  Senator Ruben Gallego admitted he had long heard, but disbelieved, rumors of impropriety involving Eric Swalwell. Mr. Swalwell resigned after allegations that he sexually assaulted a former staff member and engaged in misconduct with other women. Photo: Michael McCoy for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.