Best Books, Movies, and Podcasts of 2023 with Web Barr

In this episode of Making Media, hosts discuss the ongoing quest for convenience and feature returning guest Webb Bar of Hibar Media. Webb shares insights on curating interviews with iconic figures like Ray Eames and Dr. Seuss, emphasizing the value of revisiting past conversations. They explore a New Yorker profile on art dealer Larry Gagosian, highlighting the opaque art market and Gagosian's influence. The conversation shifts to favorite reads of the year, including Will Guidera's "Unreasonable Hospitality" and David Grann's "The Wager." The episode concludes with discussions on notable films like "Oppenheimer," TV shows, and podcasts that captivated the hosts in 2023.

• Humans are constantly seeking ways to save time and make life easier.
• This quest for convenience is a recurring theme in media and technology discussions.

"Humans are in an eternal quest for convenience. Save me time, make my life easier."

• This quote highlights the central theme of human desire for convenience and efficiency in daily life.

• Webb Bar of Hibar Media is known for curating interviews from legends in various fields.
• Recent features include design icon Ray Eames, John Hughes, Dr. Seuss, and David Fincher.
• The initiative aims to reignite discussions around these influential figures and their contributions.

"I really love curating those interviews and bringing new life to them."

• Webb's passion for curating and resurfacing interviews underscores the value of revisiting past conversations for contemporary insights.

• Previous content roundups have sparked significant conversations, notably influencing discussions on James Cameron.
• The goal is to create similar impactful discussions with current content selections.

"We certainly had people talking about the last time we did one of these content roundups from the first half of 2023."

• The success of past content roundups demonstrates their influence on media discussions and the potential to shape narratives.

• The New Yorker profile on Larry Gagosian is a detailed exploration of his career and influence in the art world.
• The piece provides a comprehensive biography, highlighting Gagosian's early career and the building of his art empire.
• It explores the opaque nature of the art market and the ethical considerations within it.

"The piece is a quintessential profile by the New Yorker that really only the New Yorker could write."

• This quote emphasizes the unique depth and quality of The New Yorker's journalistic approach, particularly in profiling influential figures like Gagosian.

• The art market is depicted as opaque, with significant power held by a few key players.
• The profile discusses potential conflicts of interest and the market's influence on art valuation.

"You have one of the most opaque markets with the biggest power players driven by ego."

• This quote illustrates the complexities and power dynamics within the art market, highlighting the challenges of navigating such an environment.

• The book "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidera is a management manual based on his experience at Eleven Madison Park.
• It emphasizes setting high standards and going to extraordinary lengths to achieve excellence.
• The book provides actionable insights applicable to various industries beyond hospitality.

"The book is literally for every person business minded in the world."

• This quote underscores the universal applicability of the book's lessons, suggesting its relevance across different fields and professions.

• The restaurant industry serves as a lens for understanding dedication, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence.
• The book discusses the importance of synergy between business, investment, and culinary teams to achieve success.

"It's one of those things that is more difficult to quantify. And so you need total buy-in from both the business side, the investor side, and the kitchen."

• This quote highlights the necessity of collaboration and shared vision across different aspects of a business to achieve remarkable outcomes.

• The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding the audience in business, particularly in entertainment and media.
• Delivering value beyond monetary transactions is highlighted as a crucial aspect of successful business practices.
• Listening and observing the audience to provide them with delightful experiences can enhance engagement and satisfaction.

"It's really good business book. I put it up there as one of the best I've read."

• The speaker regards the book as one of the best business books, indicating its valuable insights into understanding and serving the audience.

"Most of it is just listening and watching and really understanding who the people that you're talking to are and then serving them something a little bit delightful in a way that makes them feel like they've been seen or heard or listened to."

• The quote underscores the importance of actively listening to and understanding the audience to provide them with meaningful and delightful experiences.

• Businesses can offer significant value that isn't solely financial, such as improving interactions with guests and sponsors.
• Non-obvious offerings can hold substantial value for stakeholders and enhance business relationships.

"There's so much value that can be given from businesses that aren't in the form of dollars and cents or the services that are advertised."

• This quote highlights the potential for businesses to provide value beyond financial transactions, enhancing their relationships and reputation.

• "The Wager" by David Grann is recommended as an engaging and easy read, especially for those interested in historical events like shipwrecks and mutinies.
• The book mixes history with storytelling, offering a fascinating narrative about a shipwreck in the 1700s.

"If you're into shipwrecks, mutinies, power dynamics, organizational disasters when times get tough, which who isn't into all that stuff? Patagonia. It is about a shipwreck vessel in the mid-1700s."

• The quote describes the book's intriguing subject matter, appealing to readers interested in historical adventures and disasters.

"David Grann is another one of those. He does the work. He doesn't just sit behind a desk and queue up Google and ChatGPT and says, like, what happened with the Wager ship? He went to the Patagonia."

• This emphasizes the author's dedication to thorough research, adding authenticity and depth to the narrative.

• 2023 is described as a significant year for movies, with notable releases from acclaimed directors and a resurgence in diverse film genres.
• "Oppenheimer" is praised for its engaging narrative, practical effects, and historical depth, with a strong recommendation for viewing.

"I'm gonna first say that movies are back, baby."

• The speaker expresses enthusiasm for the resurgence of movies in 2023, highlighting the year's notable releases.

"My favorite movie of the year is Oppenheimer. I rewatched it this weekend and the three-hour runtime felt like two."

• "Oppenheimer" is highlighted as a standout film of the year, praised for its storytelling and pacing.

• The Netflix adaptation of "All the Light We Cannot See" is discussed, focusing on its fidelity to the book and the changes made for the screen.
• The series is noted for its engaging plot, character development, and the decision to extend the book's narrative into a four-part series.

"It's all the light we cannot see on Netflix recently. It's an adaptation of the book with the same title that Anthony Durr wrote in 2014."

• The adaptation is introduced, with emphasis on its origins and the director's commitment to bringing the book to screen.

"The boy and the girl, the main protagonist, they end up kissing, but they had never actually kissed in the book."

• This quote highlights a significant change in the adaptation, reflecting audience feedback and the differences between mediums.

• Discussion on the use of English accents in non-English settings in media, noting how it aids English-speaking audiences but can seem odd in terms of authenticity.
• Mention of Netflix's role in popularizing non-English content and the impact of language choices on audience perception.

"It's all in English and Netflix has become known a little bit for their language and making things popular that aren't necessarily in English across the world."

• Highlights Netflix's trend of promoting non-English content and the decision to use English for broader accessibility.

"You watch a series like Chernobyl and you have English speaking with Russian accents, which is always a little bit head scratching."

• Discusses the suspension of disbelief required when accents do not match the setting, a common cinematic device.

• Praise for David Fincher's "The Killer" as a standout film with dark humor and a self-parodic take on societal seriousness.
• Michael Fassbender's performance is highlighted as exceptional, contributing to the film's unique tone.
• Critique of Netflix's marketing approach, suggesting a missed opportunity in promoting the film.

"David Fincher's the Killer, which was one of my favorite movies in years... this perfect dark humor about a portion of society that takes themselves incredibly seriously."

• Explains the film's appeal through its satirical lens on societal norms and individual seriousness.

"Netflix does this gigantic disservice by barely promoting these things. If you're going to pay that much money to make a David Fincher movie, how about you blow it out a little bit more?"

• Critiques Netflix's marketing strategy, suggesting more aggressive promotion for high-profile projects.

• Rick Rubin's podcast is praised for its depth and the quality of conversations, particularly with guests like Rory Sutherland.
• The importance of knowing the background of the podcast host and guests to fully appreciate the content.
• Discussion on the value of creative thinking and the critique of over-optimization in advertising and marketing.

"My favorite podcast of the year was Rick Rubin's Tetragrammaton with Rory Sutherland... Rory brings a level of rational irrationality to psychology and behavioral economics."

• Highlights the unique perspective Rory Sutherland brings to discussions on psychology and economics.

"Rick is a great example of... more confidence and more assurance as I produce shows and create new things."

• Emphasizes Rick Rubin's influence on creative confidence and assurance in content creation.

• Exploration of the unpredictable nature of creative success, challenging the idea that more investment guarantees better results.
• The role of the creator's passion and obsession in the success of creative projects.
• The importance of storytelling and creative narratives in conveying complex ideas.

"If that were the case, then the most money would produce the best movie with the best cast and the best script."

• Challenges the assumption that financial investment directly correlates with creative success.

"I think having people that can explain it in thoughtful ways and creative stories, that's what the world needs more of, not less of."

• Advocates for the importance of narrative and creativity in understanding and communicating complex ideas.

• Rick Rubin's interviewing style is noted for its depth and ability to draw out meaningful insights from guests.
• Discussion on the advantages of conducting interviews in a comfortable, in-person setting.
• The influence of Rubin's reputation and experience in fostering open and engaging conversations.

"Rick is going to ask you questions and then shut up. And I think that's the most powerful thing that he does."

• Highlights Rubin's skill in facilitating conversations by allowing guests to speak freely and openly.

"He's doing this in person in a very comfortable place for him. And I'm sure the guest feels very comfortable."

• Points out the significance of the interview setting in creating an environment conducive to open dialogue.

• Discussion on Rick Rubin's podcast featuring John Mayer was highlighted as a standout moment in podcasting.
• The segment where John Mayer picks up a guitar was considered exceptional and memorable.
• The conversation was noted for its depth and the insight it provided into the personalities involved.

"He came a close number two in my podcast rankings. And I was actually going to pick the one with him and John Mayer. And when he gets John to pick up a guitar, incredible."

• This quote underscores the impact of the podcast segment where John Mayer's musical talent was showcased, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.

• Ed Sheeran and John Mayer's discussion on Hodinkee's Talking Watches was praised for its engaging content.
• The podcast provided insights into Ed Sheeran's personality through his watch collection and the stories behind them.
• The unexpected purchase of a limited edition watch added an element of surprise and interest to the conversation.

"Ed Sheeran and John Mayer are very close friends, and essentially they're just sat at a table in a recording studio with a bunch of Ed's watches in front of them."

• This quote highlights the casual and intimate nature of the conversation, offering a glimpse into the personal lives of the celebrities beyond their public personas.

• The genre of podcasts where celebrities discuss topics outside their usual domain was discussed as a favorite.
• Such podcasts provide unique insights and often lead to more vulnerable and interesting discussions.
• Examples include Rory McIlroy discussing "Succession" and Dave Grohl talking about barbecue.

"You don't get many of these opportunities to spend an hour or so with someone talking about something that they're not known for."

• This quote emphasizes the value of exploring different facets of well-known personalities through unconventional topics, offering fresh perspectives.

• The Blank Check podcast series was highlighted for its in-depth exploration of directors and their careers.
• The series covers directors like Danny Boyle and David Fincher, focusing on their creative journeys and pivotal moments.
• The podcast's long format and detailed discussions create a sense of involvement and learning for the listener.

"It covers directors, and there's this story to how they roll out episodes and seasons, but basically they cover directors and their careers."

• This quote captures the essence of the podcast series, which is to delve deeply into the careers of directors and the significant projects that shaped their paths.

• The difficulty in growing and sharing podcasts due to their format and content was discussed.
• Some podcasts have long introductions or digressions, which can challenge new listeners.
• Despite these challenges, certain podcasts manage to captivate audiences and build a dedicated following.

"It sounds like a very good example of why podcasts are difficult to grow and share."

• This quote reflects on the inherent challenges in podcasting, particularly in maintaining listener engagement and expanding the audience base.

• The hosts shared various podcast recommendations and reflections on their favorite content from the past year.
• They emphasized the diversity and richness of podcasts available, offering listeners a wide range of options to explore.
• The conversation concluded with an invitation for listeners to explore these recommendations over the holiday season.

"I think we did a good job. Got nine things, people, plus four actually. People to go and listen, read, watch over the holiday season."

• This quote encapsulates the intent to provide listeners with a curated list of engaging content to enjoy during their downtime, encouraging exploration and discovery.