Decoder with Nilay Patel artwork

Recode Decode: Writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Decoder with Nilay Patel · with Taffy Brodesser-Akner · July 10, 2019 · 63 min

Summary

This episode offers no direct advice or insights for ecommerce operators. The discussion focuses entirely on the guest's career as a writer, her creative process, and observations on media and culture, none of which are transferable to an ecommerce business context.

Topics covered

journalism careerwriting processcelebrity profilesfiction writingcultural commentarydigital media trends

Episode description

Writer Taffy Brodesser-Akner talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about her popular profiles of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and her new novel, "Fleishman Is in Trouble." In this episode: Why Brodesser-Akner started writing profiles; how she got to the New York Times; working with editors and fact-checkers; Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop; Paltrow’s “radical” personality; her story about the transformation of Weight Watchers and contemporary fatness; how Brodesser-Akner chooses the topics of her stories; why they thrive online; “Fleishman Is In Trouble” and the rise of dating apps; how she figured out the story she wanted to tell in “Fleishman”; "What's the most horrifying thing I could do right now?"; what does Brodesser-Akner like writing better: Fiction or nonfiction?; and her advice for other writers. Recode Decode has been nominated for best technology podcast in this year’s People’s Choice Podcast Awards! Cast your vote for Recode Decode at https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup before July 31st. One vote per category. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Related episodes

Listen