Leanne Morgan on Her Viral Rise, Netflix Sitcom, and Stand Up Success
Leanne Morgan is a comedian and actress who rose to prominence after a viral video catapulted her to fame following decades of hustling in the stand up world. Leanne sits down with Willie Geist to look back on the 25-year climb that took her from telling jokes in living rooms while selling jewelry to becoming one of the most beloved voices in comedy. Plus, she reflects on the Def Leppard and Journey moment that sparked her breakthrough, the excitement and nerves of filming her hit Netflix sitcom with Chuck Lorre, and the real life moments that shape her act, from motherhood to the unforgettable stories she shares about her husband Chuck Morgan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
--------
46:16
--------
46:16
WICKED STARS: Bowen Yang on His Extraordinary Rise and the Movie Musical Magic of ‘Wicked’
Bowen Yang is a comedian, writer, and Saturday Night Live cast member who stars as Pfannee in the movie musical Wicked and its upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good. In this conversation from April 2025, Yang sits down with Willie Geist to reflect on his extraordinary rise to fame, growing up as the son of Chinese immigrants, and the experience of coming out to his parents. He also talks about how a childhood trip to New York that included visiting Broadway, taking the NBC Studio Tour, and sitting in Studio 8H felt like an early glimpse of his future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
--------
52:21
--------
52:21
WICKED STARS: Cynthia Erivo on Bringing Elphaba to Life and Building Her Bond with Ariana Grande
Cynthia Erivo is a Grammy, Tony, and Emmy-winning performer who stars as Elphaba in the movie musical Wicked and its upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good. In this sit-down from November 2024, Erivo talks with Willie Geist about stepping into the beloved role, the unforgettable moment of seeing her first Wicked billboards light up Times Square, and what it was like working alongside Ariana Grande as the pair built a meaningful friendship beyond the set. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
--------
35:07
--------
35:07
WICKED STARS: Jeff Goldblum on His Career, Creativity, and the Joy of Reunion
Jeff Goldblum is an actor and musician who stars as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the movie musical Wicked and its upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good. In this conversation from July 2022, Goldblum sits down with Willie Geist to talk about returning as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World: Dominion, reuniting with Laura Dern and Sam Neill nearly three decades after the original Jurassic Park, and leading his own jazz ensemble when he’s not on set. Looking back, he reflects on the creativity, gratitude, and spontaneity that continue to define both his work and his life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
--------
46:11
--------
46:11
WICKED STARS: Idina Menzel on Her Journey from ‘Wicked’ to ‘Frozen’ and Beyond
Idina Menzel is a Tony Award-winning performer who originated the role of Elphaba in Broadway’s Wicked and later became a global sensation as the voice of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen. In this conversation from December 2022, Menzel sits down with Willie Geist to reflect on her journey from performing at weddings on Long Island to headlining some of the world’s biggest stages. She also opens up about her experience with IVF later in life, which is featured in the Disney+ documentary Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage? and the resilience that continues to guide her through every chapter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
NBC's "Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist" provides sharp, conversational coverage of the day's news, along with in-depth profiles of the people and ideas shaping our culture. In his “Sunday Sitdowns,” Geist chats with some of the biggest names in news and pop culture, from actors and musicians to presidents and CEOs, about the stories behind their success. This podcast features the full, unedited versions of those conversations for an even deeper look at the names in the headlines. "Sunday TODAY" airs live on NBC from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. ET. Check your local listings.
Deutschland