Way Too Interested

New Yorker staff writer Helen Rosner joins Gavin Purcell to talk about how visiting Japan awakened her interest in moss, why "at least three-quarters of my job is internet stalking," and why we focus too narrowly on careers when we talk about our passions.

Then, they're joined by Annie Martin, a.k.a. "Mossin' Annie," a moss expert from North Carolina, who talks about how she began planting and rescuing mosses, her favorite species, and how she acquires new moss. She also explains how mosses reproduced ("the X-rated part"), why they're so versatile, and how to cultivate moss in your own environment.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Helen on Twitter @hels

Learn more about moss and consult with Mossin' Annie

On this episode of Way Too Interested, video game designer Tim Schafer (Psychonauts, Grim Fandango) joins Gavin Purcell to talk about his obsession with rubber stamps. They also discuss how Tim got into game design and how his young mind was blown by the digital "rubber stamp" tool on early Macintosh computers.

Then, they're joined by Roberta Sperling, a.k.a. Rubberta Stampling, the editor and owner of the website and magazine Rubber Stamp Madness. She explains the history of the publication, the creative diversity of the stamp enthusiast community, and how stamps became art themselves, as well as tools for creating art.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Tim on Twitter @Timoflegend

Subscribe to Rubber Stamp Madness

On this episode of Way Too Interested, writer Zito Madu joins Gavin Purcell to talk about poetry, being a voracious reader, and his interest in how animals like homing pigeons and monarch butterflies navigate around the world.

Then, they're joined by David Barrie, the author of the books Sextant — about human navigation — and Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way. Barrie explains what we know and don't know about the topic and shares some mind-blowing examples of animals who can navigate far better than modern humans.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Zito on Twitter @_Zeets

Read David's book, Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way

Actor and writer Dani Fernandez joins Gavin Purcell to talk about the deep connection she feels with wolves, and how the symbol of the wolf has guided her through personal and mental health challenges. Then, they're joined by the research and program director of the non profit Living with Wolves, Garrick Dutcher, who talks about the inaccurate stereotypes about wolf conservation, harmful stereotypes that misrepresent the dangers posed by wolves, and what to do when camping in their territory.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Follow Dani on Twitter and Instagram @msdanifernandez

Follow Living With Wolves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Writer and web designer Rex Sorgatz (The Encyclopedia of Misinformation) joins Gavin Purcell to talk about his obsession with deepfakes, why he's less worried about them now than he used to be, and why he believes a dead actor will win an Oscar someday. Then, deepfakes and synthetic media expert Henry Ajder joins to explain whether we should be worried about deepfakes — and how much — and to talk about "shallow fakes," revenge porn, and the perverse way the existence of deepfakes has affected our perception of real media.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Read Rex's book, The Encyclopedia of Misinformation: A Compendium of Imitations, Spoofs, Delusions, Simulations, Counterfeits, Impostors, Illusions, Confabulations, Skullduggery, Frauds, Pseudoscience, Propaganda, Hoaxes, Flimflam, Pranks, Hornswoggle, Conspiracies, and Miscellaneous Fakery

Learn more about Henry's work and research

Actor and writer Felicia Day (The Guild, Embrace Your Weird) joins Gavin Purcell to talk about her obsession with religious mythologies and, specifically, the origins of Bible stories. Then, they're joined by Dr. Malka Simkovich — the director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago — to talk about the historical origins of Jews, Jesus, the canonical Bible, and more.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Read Felicia's book, Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity

Read Dr. Simkovich's book, Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories that Shaped Early Judaism

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show, Roy's Job Fair) joins Gavin Purcell on the first-ever episode of Way Too Interested to talk about his obsession with jigsaw puzzles. Then, Stave Puzzles co-founder Steve Richardson joins to talk about the handmade wooden puzzles that Stave crafts for jigsaw enthusiasts.

Please follow or subscribe to Way Too Interested in your podcast app of choice! And if you liked this episode, then tell a friend to check it out.

Also ...

Follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinpurcell

Listen to Roy's Job Fair, a podcast that explores the human condition through the prism of employment

Learn more about Stave Puzzles, "the Rolls Royce of wooden jigsaw puzzles"

About the show

Way Too Interested is a new podcast where we talk to interesting people and ask them about a subject they’re currently obsessed with outside of their everyday lives. Then, the two of us talk to an expert in that subject matter and do a deep dive.

It’s a show about curiosity, discovery, creativity, and, most importantly, pursuing those little things that get stuck in your brain & end up being way more fascinating than you ever expected.

About Gavin Purcell

Gavin Purcell is an Emmy-winning showrunner, writer, and producer who's worked in television and digital media for over twenty years at places like The Tonight Show, Hulu, and Vox Media.

At some point along the way, he discovered his secret power: the ability to become fascinated with nearly anything.

After years of producing talent, Way Too Interested is his first attempt at being talent himself, which gives him hives just thinking about it.

He lives in Los Angeles with his family but you can find him most easily on Twitter @gavinpurcell.