With Friends Like These

Comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins opens up about career insecurity, creative joy, and why the secret to survival in a crumbling industry might just be doing it yourself. If you want to hear more from today’s conversation with Paul F. Tompkins, including his dumbest money decision ever and the surprisingly smart investment he made that paid off big, join us at patreon.com/pastdue. You’ll get exclusive extras, extended interviews, and first dibs on upcoming surprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Overworked, underpaid, & somehow still optimistic? Join us on "Past Due" as we navigate surviving an economy that doesn’t play fair. Starting May 7th, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creative economy is broken, and yet, we’re still here. Past Due is a new podcast from Ana Marie Cox and Open Mike Eagle about what it really takes to survive as a creator today. One job isn’t enough, three still won’t cover your bills, and success doesn’t guarantee stability. With honesty, humor, and guests like Paul F. Tompkins, Liz Linz, Taylor Lorenz, Adam Conover, and more, we talk wins, losses, and the myths of "making it."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of Another Day, Ana Marie Cox and Open Mike Eagle unpack the quiet panic of not-quite-enough, from spreadsheets and therapy bills to racism, war, and creative burnout. Along the way, they talk literal and figurative agendas, how America speed-runs authoritarianism, and what makes people finally take to the streets. Also: they reveal what’s next. (Spoiler: it’s their new show.) Welcome to the soft launch of Past Due: a podcast about surviving as a creative in a world that doesn’t want you to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when living your dream doesn’t pay the bills? Ana and Open Mike Eagle talk about how unexpected gigs can save the day, but needing work still feels uncool. They reflect on shame, resilience, and the reality of making it as a creator in a world that doesn’t always reward your art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ana and Open Mike Eagle break down the weird, absurd, and infuriating ways politics and pop culture collide—from a TikTok song about a hostile government takeover to the frustrating reality of media grifts and viral fame. They dig into how labor is devalued, why independent artists are forced to hustle harder than ever, and why newsletters won’t save us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ana and Open Mike Eagle explore the fine line between resilience and overextension—digging into rock climbing injuries, political burnout, and why real strength comes from sustainability, not just survival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ana and Josh Gondelman explore the power of presence, reflecting on how connecting with others, embracing creativity, and asking for what you need transform everyday acts into resistance and joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Richter joins Ana to reflect on life in the public eye, navigating politics in a fractured America, and what mental health looks like, all while sharing insights from his podcast and reflections on progress and privilege. — For all episodes, exclusive content, and to join the conversation, support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/AnaMarieCox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Day After: Comedian Josh Gondelman joins Ana to unpack the reality of Trump’s victory, process what it means, explore paths forward, and tackle an important question: Is hope a sign of strength or an indulgence? — For all episodes, exclusive content, and to join the conversation, support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/AnaMarieCox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 3 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox. Today Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan joined Ana to discuss resiliency, playing to win, feeding kids, protecting trans rights and everyone's least favorite thing: silly season. Go vote!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 5 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox. Today Ana talked with community organizer Emily Hauser about her atomic GOTV Google Doc, how to have hard talks, and getting the yet gettable votes for Harris Walz without making Thanksgiving suck! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 6 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox and the triumphant return of our friend Parker Malloy who joined Ana to talk about the Washington Post non-endorsement, the role trans rights has played in the election, vote tally dream scenarios and of course the usual anxiety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 10 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox. Today, Ana talked to executive producer Beau Friedlander about fascism, mutual support groups, 12-foot skeletons and ecological collapse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 12 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox. Today Ana was joined by comic book writer, filmmaker and avowed lefty booster Greg Pak to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly in what has become a no-holds barred fight between good and evil as we slouch towards Election Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 13 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox. Today, Washington Post national columnist Philip Bump joined Ana to gut check polls, high stakes, the consequences of a Trump victory and the unknowable reproductive rights vote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 17 of 90 Days with Ana Marie Cox. Today, labor journalist Hamilton Nolan joined Ana to talk about courting the union vote, the many challenges labor unions face this election, and why activism is crucial not only in the lead up to Election Day but after, too. — Watch along on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@90DaysWithAnaMarieCox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 19 of "90 Days with Ana Marie Cox." Ana talked to New York Times bestselling author Kevin M. Kruse about the Colin Allred/Ted Cruz debate, fascism, and why the upcoming election could be the most pivotal moment in American history. — Watch along on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@90DaysWithAnaMarieCox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 20 of "90 Days with Ana Marie Cox." Today writer and comedian Josh Gondelman is back to talk with Ana about down-ballot voting on local policy, balancing activism with self-care, and the difference between courage and hope when it comes to political engagement. — Watch along on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@90DaysWithAnaMarieCox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Day 24 of '90 Days with Ana Marie Cox.' In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Ana talked to Emily Atkin, founder of the Substack newsletter "Heated," about climate disinformation, the political rhetoric around fossil fuels, and why courage—not hope—drives action. — Watch along on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@90DaysWithAnaMarieCox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices