Archives: Episodes

Mr. Alan Cumming – Actor – Tony Award Winner

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I first fell in love with Alan Cumming when I saw him play Night Crawler in X-Men.  He was terrifying and gentle at the same time.  He showed darkness and light in the same body.  After reading his new book, “Baggage”, I think that what he really was in that movie…was Alan.  A lot of people know Alan for his roles in Cabaret, Spy Kids, The Good Wife, Web Therapy, or any of the other one hundred and forty or so acting credits he has to his name.  The man can do Shakespeare, and comedy.  Alan is brilliant.  Like I said, his new book Baggage tells the story of a man who has been through hell and back, and yet, perseveres.  Even though he has survived and thrived through it all, he is still not ‘fixed’, as he puts it.  He still has his bad days.  He still gets sad.  He is human…like all of us…and he wants YOU to know…it’s ok to not be ok.  I don’t want you to think that the book is some sort of tragic telling of a sad clown…it’s actually a hilarious look into the things that have shaped him into the man he is today.

At the beginning of the interview, you’ll hear a brief interruption from his dog…I left that in because it just shows…once again…that we are all just people living on this earth.  It’s just that in his case…it’s a bit more fabulous than most.  Here is my interview with the sexy, the charming, the brilliantly funny…Mr. Alan Cumming. *swoon

 

Mr. Gordon Sondland – Former US Ambassador under President Trump

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In his new memoir, THE ENVOY: Mastering the Art of Diplomacy with Trump and the World , former US Ambassador to the European Union, hotelier, avid art collector, and author, Gordon Sondland, candidly reveals where Sondland stands in life and in politics-describing himself as a "Republican who is a sensible centrist" with a 'cut to the chase' attitude. The memoir provides a frank and honest, self-deprecating assessment of the state of American politics, international relations, and the impeachment trial, as well as detailing his prosperous personal story, and his behind-the-scenes dealings with former President, Donald J. Trump.

The motive of writing the book now, Sondland says, "is to inspire those who may not come from a privileged, Ivy League background to still believe in the American dream." The book also pivots to politics. "The Envoy is not part of a smear campaign against Trump," notes the author. "However, it does reveal critical, first-hand, candid and insights of the former president that you may or may not believe."

In THE ENVOY, Gordon Sondland lets readers in on:

* The complicated politics of international trade negotiations, including why he supported Trump's view of the Iran nuclear deal and decision to withdraw the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPOA)-for the safety of democratic nations everywhere. "Iran is a mortal threat to Israel, one of our key allies," he observes. "Iran also funds, plans, and executes malign activity all over the world. if Iran gets intercontinental ballistic missiles, it will not hesitate to hold us all hostage to its demands."

* His informed view on the vital economic relationship between the US and the EU, and why he (partly) agreed with Trump's assessment that the EU acts like a cartel and exploits the US under false claims of needing our protection.

* Why he felt compelled to cooperate with the impeachment hearing: Trump did not send him to Ukraine; he wasn't there to investigate Joe Biden or his son; and he had nothing to do with Guiliani and his reported activities.

* His secret to getting along with Trump and getting things done: "To deal with a bully, you have to stand up to him. To deal with an egomaniac, you have to feed that ego. To deal with a decision maker who sees black and white and not shades of grey in every decision, you have to give him two options and paint one of them-the one you want-as obviously far more attractive."

* The mundane reality behind the two wildly divergent and equally false story lines about the role he played in Trump's impeachment trial. (No, he wasn't a shill for the president; no, he wasn't a traitor to his party.) His only agenda: "simply to tell the truth, get the hell out of the courtroom, and get back to work."

* Why he believes Ukraine was a "red herring" in Trump's impeachment trial, and his assessment of President Zelensky and Ukraine's promise but hard road ahead to becoming embraced by the West and welcomed into NATO.

* Why he was stunned by the fallout of his testimony, and never expected to hear Trump say, "You're fired!"-as well as his perspective on the issues and challenges facing America's future as an economic and political power.

ABOUT GORDON SONDLAND

Gordon Sondland served as the 20th United States Ambassador to the European Union, appointed by President Donald J. Trump in 2018. As one of the highest-ranking US officials in Europe, his portfolio included trade, energy, national security, defense agriculture, and several other files. He was previously appointed by President George W. Bush to the Commission for White House Fellowships and by Oregon Governor Kulongoski to serve as a principal Republican liaison between Oregon and the White House, a position he held for seven years. Sondland is the founder and CEO of Provenance Hotels. Over the last 30 years, the Gordon D. Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation has donated millions of dollars to causes from childhood education and ending hunger to the arts. The Foundation recently created the Sondland and Durant Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Duke University.