May 14, 2025 • 19 mins
Even if you don’t think you know Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, you do, trust us.
Nick is widely known for his role as Ron Swanson in NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. He has appeared in Fargo, The Last of Us, Civil War, Ice Age and the Sing film franchise, and co-hosted reality competition series Making It with Parks co-star Amy Poehler.
Megan is best known for playing Karen Walker in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, for which she received eight Primetime Emmy Awards, winning twice. She has appeared in Party Down, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, The Great North, Reservation Dogs, The Simpsons and The Umbrella Academy.
But, the roles that Nick & Megan are most proud of is as husband and wife - and the creative partnership that infuses their marriage - and it is this partnership that Nick & Megan discuss on this special episode of No Filter.
Nick & Megan are coming to Australia to perform “Unscripted & Unfiltered” on Saturday, 14 June for Vivid Sydney. You can get more information here.
You can follow Nick here: https://www.instagram.com/nickofferman/
You can follow Megan here: https://www.instagram.com/meganomullally/
THE END BITS:
Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here.
Discover more Mamamia podcasts here.
Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP.
Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review
CREDITS:
Guests: Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally
Host & Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray
Audio Producer: Jacob Round
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. Mama Maya acknowledges
the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast
is recorded on.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm just really grateful, Like it's just getting a job
as an actor is like winning the lottery. So getting
one that resonates with people and that I would watch
and be entertained by myself is I don't know, winning
the triple lottery or something. So I would be happy
to shake Ron's hand and serve him mistake if he showed.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Up for Mama Maya.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
I'm kateline Brook and you're listening to No Filter. There
are some roles that transcend the actors who portray them,
Characters who are so well acted, so funny or groundbreaking,
who brings something new and exciting to our screens that
they become in the process iconic. Nick Offerman and Meghan
(01:09):
Malally are both screen icons for so many people all
around the world. Nick will always be Ron Swanson from
Parks and Reck.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Shut up and look at me.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Welcome Divisions of Nature. This room has several paintings in it.
Some are big, some are small. People did them and
they are here now. Please do not misinterpret the fact
that I am talking right now as genuine interest in
art and attempt to discuss it with me further. End
of speech.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Megan Malally will always be Karen Walker from Will and
Grace booked Jack.
Speaker 6 (01:45):
There goes my world, There goes my everything. Just stop worrying.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Just a maid, Just a maid, Just like saying.
Speaker 6 (01:54):
That Pradas or just shoes or Vodcas, just a morning beverage.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
But there's a shadow side to being so well known
for one thing you've done as an artist. It can
eclipse all of the other incredible work you do and
the art that you create. And that's the thing about
Nick and Meghan. They are true artists in love and
in life and in their work. Nick and Meghan met
(02:21):
on stage twenty five years ago and have been married
for over two decades. No small feat in Hollywood, in fact,
nearly impossible, And in these years they have independently produced
some incredible work. Meghan has graced Broadway stages and is
one half of a very cool indie band called Nancy
(02:42):
and Bee. Nick has played searing roles in the Last
of US and Civil War. Together. They've written a book
about their marriage and life together called The Greatest Love
Story Ever Told. And soon they're coming to Australia to
(03:05):
perform together on stage again in a show they've called
unscripted and unfiltered. So it's fitting that they'd sit down
with the executive producer of this show, Naima Brown, for
a No Filter chat. And you can't say it, but
Nick apparently joined the call shirtless, much to naim A
(03:25):
is delight.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I am so happy to see you both. Nick.
Speaker 7 (03:29):
I feel like, you know, maybe we should all take
our shirts off and have a really unfiltered conversation.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
I mean, you know, let's make Sitney vivid.
Speaker 7 (03:39):
Let's make Sydney vivid. Megan Molalley, Nick Offerman, welcome to
No Filter. It is my greatest joy to have you
here with us today. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
We're so happy to be here now.
Speaker 7 (03:51):
Yours is a marriage and a partnership that is really
forged in creativity. You met a couple decades ago on
stage together working together in a play. Since that time,
you have collaborated in so many different ways, and I
really wanted to begin by asking you each to introduce
or describe each other creatively. What is it that you
(04:14):
most admire about each other as an artist? What's your
favorite work? That each other has done. Nick, I'll start
with you, tell me what kind of artist Megan is.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Wow, this is the best question I've ever had in
an interview.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I You know, it would be easy to list what
Mother Nature has has showered Meghan with by way of gifts.
Physical beauty, incredible singing voice, ridiculous comedy chops, great intelligence,
incredible taste.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
In all things with one obvious exception. But I won't.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
I won't rely on the easy laurels of all of
those attributes because early on, when when I met Meghan
and began living with her and saw her work in
her various different mediums, what struck me the most about
her was her incredible work ethic. Now, you know, if
(05:12):
you were given the gifts that she was born with,
I would assume I'd rest easy on my laurels and
just let people feed me caviar all day. But Megan
works harder than anyone I've ever seen. Whether she's preparing
an evening of songs with her band or she's rehearsing
like a comedy scene.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
She works every spare minute. She keeps working on things.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
You know, when she used to do will and grace,
she would go into her secret laboratory and work those
scenes until each one played like an incredible piece of music.
And so that's my favorite thing about her talents. And
so we both agree, of all the many great things
that she's worked at, her performance in the movie from
(06:03):
a couple of years ago called Dix the Musical is
the greatest achant known to mankind in the field of entertainment.
Speaker 7 (06:13):
I have this sense he could go on and on
for even longer. Nick talking about the incredible Megan and
it's I have to say, I.
Speaker 6 (06:20):
Mean, I wish you had lunch first, because I'm not
gonna be able to top that.
Speaker 7 (06:24):
Those are hard, that's a hard act to follow. But
why don't you give it a crack, Meghan?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (06:29):
Well, Nick also has so many natural talents. I don't
know who he thinks he's kidding, trying to pretend otherwise,
But you know, I think one of the things that's
so great about Nick too is from the first time
I met him, he was so different from not just
other actors, but any men i'd met, because he's so
centered and secure himself and kind of knew who he was.
(06:53):
And I think he brings that to his acting and
he's always like the most popular. I have people, you know,
like I'll go do a job somewhere and I'll have
people from the crew coming up to me saying, I
worked with your husban been on a different project, you know,
eleven years ago, And I'll never forget how he knew
(07:14):
every single person on the crew, and he knew all
of their first and last names, and how many kids
they have, and you know, all of that stuff. And
I do think I know that that's that is a
huge thing. Like I don't know if you understand, but
a lot of actors don't really pay attention to They
only pay attention to maybe the other actors and the director,
(07:37):
but not to everyone. And I think Nick is very
beloved by all, including me, in addition to his incredible
gifts as an actor. And he's got that face, he's
got those eyebrows, let's face.
Speaker 7 (07:49):
It, he's also.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Yeah, I'm so it's so delightful.
Speaker 7 (07:56):
I'm so happy to have started and kind of anchored
this conversation there, because I'm really curious when you are
in a marriage that is also a creative partnership, but
then it's also a marriage, and those come with all
kinds of different things do you have to create And
over the years, maybe have you gotten better at creating
boundaries or a kind of separation of church and state,
(08:17):
you know, when you're creating something together, like your vivid production,
but then there's still dishes to be done, whatever those
dishes might be. Metaphorically, how do you kind of tie
together all the different strands of your relationship.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Well, I mean, I'll jump in and say that we've
been pretty lucky that organically, you know, it's not like
we're both working at Wall Street or something where we
just have a daily, consistent grind and we're like you
drop the kids off the pool, and you know that
we have some kind of conflict in that direction because
(08:56):
we're lucky enough to have different, organic, sporadic jobs. So
it's you know, one of us will work for a
few months, one of us will work for a weekend,
and then we'll switch.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
One of us will work in Europe, one.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Of us will work at home, and so generally we
do a good job of just kind of handing off
and passing the baton back and forth. And sometimes when
we do something together and collaborate on a show, then
we have to be a little more conscientious about you know,
when do we clock out, because we're working on it
(09:33):
at home in our living space, when do we get
off the clock and say, okay, let's let's change our
hats and just watch some TV now.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
A bit like severance, hey, kind of walking walking you're
Inny and your outing.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Exactly exactly.
Speaker 7 (09:51):
That's a bit Ana And you've collaborated on so many
different kinds of things together. You've written one of my
favorite books, the greatest love story ever told, a bit
of a it's so great, it is so fantastic. The
the photography, which I know, Megan, you aren't directed, and
you know you were the vision and visionary behind just
the tactile object of the book itself, and it's masterful.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
I will pop links in the show notes.
Speaker 7 (10:17):
It's obviously it's got all of your humor, both of you,
and a bit of a memoir of your marriage. But
it's also I think you know, our roadmap for how
to for people who want to have an empathetic, creative,
humor filled partnership with somebody. You've also got your podcast
in Bed with Nick and Meghan, and obviously the production
(10:39):
that you're bringing to Australia soon I'm curious to know
how you resolve creative differences when you are in that
collaborative space together. And Megan, I'll start with you.
Speaker 6 (10:50):
Sometimes I just have to trick Nick into doing things
like our book. Our book is a good example, because
we would wrap it up for the day and I'd
be like, hey, let's do a chapter of our book
and it could be like you know, and then so
we recorded the book so by chapter by chapter, so
(11:11):
family is, you know, career, whatever. Each subject was a
different chapter, and so I would just say, oh, it'll
be fun, and he would be resistant.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
I feel like they're.
Speaker 6 (11:24):
They're forgetting what. But I feel like there have been
a lot of some other times when you are a
little resistant, and I just kind of sweet talk and
then trustful once he does it, and once he's doing it,
he loves it and it's fun.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
I mean, there are many things you like Meghan has.
There are things if I'm not as experienced or as practiced,
then then I don't want to do those things. And
Meghan is a great and gentle teacher and life coach.
And a good example of that is I am. I'm
(12:04):
a pretty mediocre singer, but Meghan encouraged me to practice
and strengthen my voice, and now I'm a slightly less
mediocre singer, but I have a confidence now to sing
in front of an audience. And so there are many
things like that. I mean, we have a real student
(12:26):
teacher dynamic that I think I would be a fool
not to be crazy about.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
After this short break, Nick and Meghan talked to us
about how they maintain curiosity about each other after so
many years together and how they feel about the characters
that shut them into the stratosphere. Ron Swanson and Karen
Walker stay with us. You've been married for over twenty years,
(12:58):
which is no small feat that takes a lot of
work and a lot of presence and clarity. And again,
given the depth and breadth of your many collaborations, and
that you're so entwined in each other's lives in ways
that lots of couples aren't. Really, I'm very curious to
know what you're still discovering about each other and if
(13:21):
that has to be a kind of deliberate act to
maintain a kind of curiosity about each other at this
time and phase, after so many wonderful years Already in
the camp.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Yeah, I think it's been pretty easy really. I mean,
we don't have children. We have dogs, if that makes
a difference. We don't have children, but we've always, i think,
just liked each other, which I know that sounds kind
of obvious, but I'm not sure that every married couple does,
or maybe they do. But I think we've been really
(13:56):
lucky in being we're both very romantic, but we're also
really good friends. And so I think that recently we
kind of looked at each other within the law, like
six months or so, and just sided that we thought
our relationship was better now than it ever happened. What
(14:18):
do you attribute to right twenty five years. Well, I'm
not really sure. Maybe, I mean, we do we've gotten
a lot better at communicating. We're always pretty good at communicating.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
But what do you think, Conny, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
I mean, we had the good fortune to, you know,
to ride through these two and a half decades together.
As you know, as good listeners, we understand the simple
truth that if you make a promise to a person
that you're going to spend the rest of your lives together,
you can either make it difficult or when things do
(14:58):
get difficult. If we have disagreements, if we if we
shake our fists at each other, we can say, okay,
well listen, we're I still want to be live in
this house with you tomorrow, So I can either compromise
and find a resolution here. And so I think we
just have the wherewithal to be open and keep growing.
And I think one thing that really keeps me invested
(15:20):
is that Megan has not yet allowed me to perform
the full sex act upon her.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
And so that's kind of a carrot that's dangling.
Speaker 7 (15:31):
John.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
I mean, another twenty five years and I could strugge
how you go.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
We're rooting for you.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
I want to ask when you've become so iconic and
beloved to so many audiences across the world for kind
of one big role that you've played. And yet I
imagine you get most of your creative fulfillment, especially these days,
from all of the other incredible things that you both
do together and separately. And as time passes, does that
(16:05):
become a burden or something you celebrate with grace? Megan,
I'll start with you. I'm curious to know what your
relationship to Karen Walker is now.
Speaker 6 (16:15):
Oh well, I'm grateful to have been able to play
that role, and it was such a fun part to play,
of course, and so well written, and they really let
me bring you know, it was very collaborative, I would say,
in the way that the part was created, because it
wasn't written that way at the very beginning. It evolved.
(16:37):
So it was really really amazing to be able to
do that. And I sometimes see little clips of it
and I'm like, wow, how did I do that? But now,
you know, as the years go on, I always I'm
not sure that acting was ever like my number one
thing I wanted to do, Like I always loved singing
(16:58):
and music. So but that aside, I've I've put less
emphasis on acting maybe and more emphasis on other things
like I have a band called Nancy and Beth that
I love, and I'm starting an interior design company with
my friend and I love that.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
It's so fun to do.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
And you know, I think I have another a project,
like a long term project I'm working on that is
more of a podcast situation, but like a written podcast scripted.
But yeah, so I think that I want. I like
things where I feel that I can have more autonomy.
(17:42):
And that movie that Nick mentioned, Dick's The Musical, I
felt like it was so collaborative and I was really
treated as an equal, and you know, you'd be surprised,
but that's not always the case. So I think things
where I have a little more autonomy are the things
I'm a little more drawn to right now.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Nick, what's your relationship to ron sponson these days?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
You know, I'll always be incredibly grateful for that role.
I mean, it took me from obscurity to putting me
sort of on the map and led to so many
other opportunities, from acting roles to writing books and touring
as a humorist, and so.
Speaker 4 (18:24):
You know, there are much worse problems.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
To have than to be like associated with one huge,
overarching role. I'm very grateful that the world allows me
to play other things and continue to to sort of
discover and flex whatever muscles I can come across as
an actor.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
But ultimately, you know, I'm just really grateful.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Like it's just getting a job as an actor is
like winning the lottery. So getting one that resonates with
people and that I would watch and be entertained by
myself is I don't know, winning the triple lottery or something,
So I would I would be happy to shake Ron's
hand and then serve him mistake.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
If he showed up?
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Aren't Nick and Meghan wonderful?
Speaker 7 (19:18):
Look If Parks and Recreation and Will and Grace are
the only exposure you've had to them, you are really
in for a treat when you start to explore the
great breadth of their work. And Nick and Meghan will
be performing together in Australia in June. Will pop all
the links that you need to book tickets and other
little bits and bobs in the show notes. The executive
(19:40):
producer of No Filter is me Naima Brown.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Our senior producer is Grace Rufrey. Sound design is by
Jacob Brown and Kate ling Brook. Will be back in
your ears on Monday. Thank you for listening.
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. Mama Maya acknowledges
the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast
is recorded on.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm just really grateful, Like it's just getting a job
as an actor is like winning the lottery. So getting
one that resonates with people and that I would watch
and be entertained by myself is I don't know, winning
the triple lottery or something. So I would be happy
to shake Ron's hand and serve him mistake if he showed.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Up for Mama Maya.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
I'm kateline Brook and you're listening to No Filter. There
are some roles that transcend the actors who portray them,
Characters who are so well acted, so funny or groundbreaking,
who brings something new and exciting to our screens that
they become in the process iconic. Nick Offerman and Meghan
(01:09):
Malally are both screen icons for so many people all
around the world. Nick will always be Ron Swanson from
Parks and Reck.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
Shut up and look at me.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Welcome Divisions of Nature. This room has several paintings in it.
Some are big, some are small. People did them and
they are here now. Please do not misinterpret the fact
that I am talking right now as genuine interest in
art and attempt to discuss it with me further. End
of speech.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Megan Malally will always be Karen Walker from Will and
Grace booked Jack.
Speaker 6 (01:45):
There goes my world, There goes my everything. Just stop worrying.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Just a maid, Just a maid, Just like saying.
Speaker 6 (01:54):
That Pradas or just shoes or Vodcas, just a morning beverage.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
But there's a shadow side to being so well known
for one thing you've done as an artist. It can
eclipse all of the other incredible work you do and
the art that you create. And that's the thing about
Nick and Meghan. They are true artists in love and
in life and in their work. Nick and Meghan met
(02:21):
on stage twenty five years ago and have been married
for over two decades. No small feat in Hollywood, in fact,
nearly impossible, And in these years they have independently produced
some incredible work. Meghan has graced Broadway stages and is
one half of a very cool indie band called Nancy
(02:42):
and Bee. Nick has played searing roles in the Last
of US and Civil War. Together. They've written a book
about their marriage and life together called The Greatest Love
Story Ever Told. And soon they're coming to Australia to
(03:05):
perform together on stage again in a show they've called
unscripted and unfiltered. So it's fitting that they'd sit down
with the executive producer of this show, Naima Brown, for
a No Filter chat. And you can't say it, but
Nick apparently joined the call shirtless, much to naim A
(03:25):
is delight.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
I am so happy to see you both. Nick.
Speaker 7 (03:29):
I feel like, you know, maybe we should all take
our shirts off and have a really unfiltered conversation.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
I mean, you know, let's make Sitney vivid.
Speaker 7 (03:39):
Let's make Sydney vivid. Megan Molalley, Nick Offerman, welcome to
No Filter. It is my greatest joy to have you
here with us today. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
We're so happy to be here now.
Speaker 7 (03:51):
Yours is a marriage and a partnership that is really
forged in creativity. You met a couple decades ago on
stage together working together in a play. Since that time,
you have collaborated in so many different ways, and I
really wanted to begin by asking you each to introduce
or describe each other creatively. What is it that you
(04:14):
most admire about each other as an artist? What's your
favorite work? That each other has done. Nick, I'll start
with you, tell me what kind of artist Megan is.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Wow, this is the best question I've ever had in
an interview.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I You know, it would be easy to list what
Mother Nature has has showered Meghan with by way of gifts.
Physical beauty, incredible singing voice, ridiculous comedy chops, great intelligence,
incredible taste.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
In all things with one obvious exception. But I won't.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
I won't rely on the easy laurels of all of
those attributes because early on, when when I met Meghan
and began living with her and saw her work in
her various different mediums, what struck me the most about
her was her incredible work ethic. Now, you know, if
(05:12):
you were given the gifts that she was born with,
I would assume I'd rest easy on my laurels and
just let people feed me caviar all day. But Megan
works harder than anyone I've ever seen. Whether she's preparing
an evening of songs with her band or she's rehearsing
like a comedy scene.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
She works every spare minute. She keeps working on things.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
You know, when she used to do will and grace,
she would go into her secret laboratory and work those
scenes until each one played like an incredible piece of music.
And so that's my favorite thing about her talents. And
so we both agree, of all the many great things
that she's worked at, her performance in the movie from
(06:03):
a couple of years ago called Dix the Musical is
the greatest achant known to mankind in the field of entertainment.
Speaker 7 (06:13):
I have this sense he could go on and on
for even longer. Nick talking about the incredible Megan and
it's I have to say, I.
Speaker 6 (06:20):
Mean, I wish you had lunch first, because I'm not
gonna be able to top that.
Speaker 7 (06:24):
Those are hard, that's a hard act to follow. But
why don't you give it a crack, Meghan?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (06:29):
Well, Nick also has so many natural talents. I don't
know who he thinks he's kidding, trying to pretend otherwise,
But you know, I think one of the things that's
so great about Nick too is from the first time
I met him, he was so different from not just
other actors, but any men i'd met, because he's so
centered and secure himself and kind of knew who he was.
(06:53):
And I think he brings that to his acting and
he's always like the most popular. I have people, you know,
like I'll go do a job somewhere and I'll have
people from the crew coming up to me saying, I
worked with your husban been on a different project, you know,
eleven years ago, And I'll never forget how he knew
(07:14):
every single person on the crew, and he knew all
of their first and last names, and how many kids
they have, and you know, all of that stuff. And
I do think I know that that's that is a
huge thing. Like I don't know if you understand, but
a lot of actors don't really pay attention to They
only pay attention to maybe the other actors and the director,
(07:37):
but not to everyone. And I think Nick is very
beloved by all, including me, in addition to his incredible
gifts as an actor. And he's got that face, he's
got those eyebrows, let's face.
Speaker 7 (07:49):
It, he's also.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Yeah, I'm so it's so delightful.
Speaker 7 (07:56):
I'm so happy to have started and kind of anchored
this conversation there, because I'm really curious when you are
in a marriage that is also a creative partnership, but
then it's also a marriage, and those come with all
kinds of different things do you have to create And
over the years, maybe have you gotten better at creating
boundaries or a kind of separation of church and state,
(08:17):
you know, when you're creating something together, like your vivid production,
but then there's still dishes to be done, whatever those
dishes might be. Metaphorically, how do you kind of tie
together all the different strands of your relationship.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Well, I mean, I'll jump in and say that we've
been pretty lucky that organically, you know, it's not like
we're both working at Wall Street or something where we
just have a daily, consistent grind and we're like you
drop the kids off the pool, and you know that
we have some kind of conflict in that direction because
(08:56):
we're lucky enough to have different, organic, sporadic jobs. So
it's you know, one of us will work for a
few months, one of us will work for a weekend,
and then we'll switch.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
One of us will work in Europe, one.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Of us will work at home, and so generally we
do a good job of just kind of handing off
and passing the baton back and forth. And sometimes when
we do something together and collaborate on a show, then
we have to be a little more conscientious about you know,
when do we clock out, because we're working on it
(09:33):
at home in our living space, when do we get
off the clock and say, okay, let's let's change our
hats and just watch some TV now.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
A bit like severance, hey, kind of walking walking you're
Inny and your outing.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Exactly exactly.
Speaker 7 (09:51):
That's a bit Ana And you've collaborated on so many
different kinds of things together. You've written one of my
favorite books, the greatest love story ever told, a bit
of a it's so great, it is so fantastic. The
the photography, which I know, Megan, you aren't directed, and
you know you were the vision and visionary behind just
the tactile object of the book itself, and it's masterful.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
I will pop links in the show notes.
Speaker 7 (10:17):
It's obviously it's got all of your humor, both of you,
and a bit of a memoir of your marriage. But
it's also I think you know, our roadmap for how
to for people who want to have an empathetic, creative,
humor filled partnership with somebody. You've also got your podcast
in Bed with Nick and Meghan, and obviously the production
(10:39):
that you're bringing to Australia soon I'm curious to know
how you resolve creative differences when you are in that
collaborative space together. And Megan, I'll start with you.
Speaker 6 (10:50):
Sometimes I just have to trick Nick into doing things
like our book. Our book is a good example, because
we would wrap it up for the day and I'd
be like, hey, let's do a chapter of our book
and it could be like you know, and then so
we recorded the book so by chapter by chapter, so
(11:11):
family is, you know, career, whatever. Each subject was a
different chapter, and so I would just say, oh, it'll
be fun, and he would be resistant.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
I feel like they're.
Speaker 6 (11:24):
They're forgetting what. But I feel like there have been
a lot of some other times when you are a
little resistant, and I just kind of sweet talk and
then trustful once he does it, and once he's doing it,
he loves it and it's fun.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
I mean, there are many things you like Meghan has.
There are things if I'm not as experienced or as practiced,
then then I don't want to do those things. And
Meghan is a great and gentle teacher and life coach.
And a good example of that is I am. I'm
(12:04):
a pretty mediocre singer, but Meghan encouraged me to practice
and strengthen my voice, and now I'm a slightly less
mediocre singer, but I have a confidence now to sing
in front of an audience. And so there are many
things like that. I mean, we have a real student
(12:26):
teacher dynamic that I think I would be a fool
not to be crazy about.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
After this short break, Nick and Meghan talked to us
about how they maintain curiosity about each other after so
many years together and how they feel about the characters
that shut them into the stratosphere. Ron Swanson and Karen
Walker stay with us. You've been married for over twenty years,
(12:58):
which is no small feat that takes a lot of
work and a lot of presence and clarity. And again,
given the depth and breadth of your many collaborations, and
that you're so entwined in each other's lives in ways
that lots of couples aren't. Really, I'm very curious to
know what you're still discovering about each other and if
(13:21):
that has to be a kind of deliberate act to
maintain a kind of curiosity about each other at this
time and phase, after so many wonderful years Already in
the camp.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Yeah, I think it's been pretty easy really. I mean,
we don't have children. We have dogs, if that makes
a difference. We don't have children, but we've always, i think,
just liked each other, which I know that sounds kind
of obvious, but I'm not sure that every married couple does,
or maybe they do. But I think we've been really
(13:56):
lucky in being we're both very romantic, but we're also
really good friends. And so I think that recently we
kind of looked at each other within the law, like
six months or so, and just sided that we thought
our relationship was better now than it ever happened. What
(14:18):
do you attribute to right twenty five years. Well, I'm
not really sure. Maybe, I mean, we do we've gotten
a lot better at communicating. We're always pretty good at communicating.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
But what do you think, Conny, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
I mean, we had the good fortune to, you know,
to ride through these two and a half decades together.
As you know, as good listeners, we understand the simple
truth that if you make a promise to a person
that you're going to spend the rest of your lives together,
you can either make it difficult or when things do
(14:58):
get difficult. If we have disagreements, if we if we
shake our fists at each other, we can say, okay,
well listen, we're I still want to be live in
this house with you tomorrow, So I can either compromise
and find a resolution here. And so I think we
just have the wherewithal to be open and keep growing.
And I think one thing that really keeps me invested
(15:20):
is that Megan has not yet allowed me to perform
the full sex act upon her.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
And so that's kind of a carrot that's dangling.
Speaker 7 (15:31):
John.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
I mean, another twenty five years and I could strugge
how you go.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
We're rooting for you.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
I want to ask when you've become so iconic and
beloved to so many audiences across the world for kind
of one big role that you've played. And yet I
imagine you get most of your creative fulfillment, especially these days,
from all of the other incredible things that you both
do together and separately. And as time passes, does that
(16:05):
become a burden or something you celebrate with grace? Megan,
I'll start with you. I'm curious to know what your
relationship to Karen Walker is now.
Speaker 6 (16:15):
Oh well, I'm grateful to have been able to play
that role, and it was such a fun part to play,
of course, and so well written, and they really let
me bring you know, it was very collaborative, I would say,
in the way that the part was created, because it
wasn't written that way at the very beginning. It evolved.
(16:37):
So it was really really amazing to be able to
do that. And I sometimes see little clips of it
and I'm like, wow, how did I do that? But now,
you know, as the years go on, I always I'm
not sure that acting was ever like my number one
thing I wanted to do, Like I always loved singing
(16:58):
and music. So but that aside, I've I've put less
emphasis on acting maybe and more emphasis on other things
like I have a band called Nancy and Beth that
I love, and I'm starting an interior design company with
my friend and I love that.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
It's so fun to do.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
And you know, I think I have another a project,
like a long term project I'm working on that is
more of a podcast situation, but like a written podcast scripted.
But yeah, so I think that I want. I like
things where I feel that I can have more autonomy.
(17:42):
And that movie that Nick mentioned, Dick's The Musical, I
felt like it was so collaborative and I was really
treated as an equal, and you know, you'd be surprised,
but that's not always the case. So I think things
where I have a little more autonomy are the things
I'm a little more drawn to right now.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Nick, what's your relationship to ron sponson these days?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
You know, I'll always be incredibly grateful for that role.
I mean, it took me from obscurity to putting me
sort of on the map and led to so many
other opportunities, from acting roles to writing books and touring
as a humorist, and so.
Speaker 4 (18:24):
You know, there are much worse problems.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
To have than to be like associated with one huge,
overarching role. I'm very grateful that the world allows me
to play other things and continue to to sort of
discover and flex whatever muscles I can come across as
an actor.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
But ultimately, you know, I'm just really grateful.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Like it's just getting a job as an actor is
like winning the lottery. So getting one that resonates with
people and that I would watch and be entertained by
myself is I don't know, winning the triple lottery or something,
So I would I would be happy to shake Ron's
hand and then serve him mistake.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
If he showed up?
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Aren't Nick and Meghan wonderful?
Speaker 7 (19:18):
Look If Parks and Recreation and Will and Grace are
the only exposure you've had to them, you are really
in for a treat when you start to explore the
great breadth of their work. And Nick and Meghan will
be performing together in Australia in June. Will pop all
the links that you need to book tickets and other
little bits and bobs in the show notes. The executive
(19:40):
producer of No Filter is me Naima Brown.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
Our senior producer is Grace Rufrey. Sound design is by
Jacob Brown and Kate ling Brook. Will be back in
your ears on Monday. Thank you for listening.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.