Zach Braff

A candid look at how success in Hollywood can be just as punishing as failure. In this condensed version of Modern Wisdom, trimmed from the full interview to a quick listen, Chris Williamson and Zach Braff unpack show business, mental health, OCD, leadership, and the strange luck behind acting careers. Braff shares why live theater still feels magical, what he learned directing and executive producing Scrubs, and how the First AD, cinematographer, and other crew shape great production. He also reflects on identity, obsession, free speech, network TV, and why audiences resist seeing successful people evolve. If you’re interested in psychology, television, leadership, and the realities of creative careers, this summary delivers the key ideas fast. Listen now to get the key ideas in minutes.

Zach Braff is an actor and director. How do you make it in Hollywood? Zach Braff might have the answer. From leading one of the biggest TV shows of the 2000s to directing iconic episodes and acclaimed films, he's spent decades mastering the industry. So how did he build a career that lasted decades in one of the toughest industries on earth, and what has he been up to since? Expect to learn what it was like bringing back Scrubs's newest season, what it takes to make it in Hollywood, how to stay locked in and avoid distractions, why some great actors haven’t broken through to stardom, what it takes to stay ambitious, what reinvention looks like in a career that’s already peaked in the public eye, and much more… Sponsors: See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: ⁠⁠https://chriswillx.com/deals⁠⁠ Get a Free Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom Get 160+ lab tests for just $365 and save an extra $25 at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdom Get 35% off your first subscription on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Get up to $50 off the RP Hypertrophy App at https://rpstrength.com/modernwisdom Get ChatGPT to explore ideas, solve problems, and learn faster at ⁠https://chatgpt.com Timestamps: (0:00) What Makes Theatre So Special? (2:08) The Doctor Career Zach Never Had (6:45) The Unsung Heroes of Movie Sets (11:18) Returning to Scrubs (15:30) Why Reboots Shouldn’t Rely on Nostalgia (18:25) What Scrubs Means to Zach Today (21:04) Can One Great Role Become a Trap? (29:00) Turning Your Biggest Weaknesses into Strengths (35:39) The Hidden Costs of Success (42:33) Why Going All In Changes Everything (51:57) The Surprising Appeal of Being an Influencer (56:54) What Are Detectives Like Behind Closed Doors? (01:01:35) The Most Effective Detective Strategies (01:05:09) Has Television Lost Its Edge? (01:10:41) Why Game of Thrones Became a Phenomenon Extra Stuff: Get my free reading list of 100 books to read before you die: ⁠⁠https://chriswillx.com/books⁠⁠ Try my productivity energy drink Neutonic: ⁠⁠https://neutonic.com/modernwisdom⁠⁠ Episodes You Might Enjoy: #577 - David Goggins - This Is How To Master Your Life: ⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Goggins⁠⁠ #712 - Dr Jordan Peterson - How To Destroy Your Negative Beliefs: ⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Peterson⁠⁠ #700 - Dr Andrew Huberman - The Secret Tools To Hack Your Brain: ⁠⁠lnkfi.re/SN-Huberman⁠⁠ - Get In Touch: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠https://chriswillx.com/contact⁠⁠ - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

‘Scrubs’ star Zach Braff on how the return of the beloved sitcom resonated with fans. Also, Braff also recounts his first time in Variety and takes the 10 Questions quiz. But first on the Roundtable, we recount the ‘Survivor’ 50 finale (including Jeff Probst’s big live TV flub) and we lament the end of ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can’t Zach Braff do? Seriously—he directs his own T-Mobile commercials, and today he joins Dana and David for a hilarious convo. They dive into Zach’s love of The Church Lady, what it was like having dinner with Spade and Howard Stern, and David drops an all-time story: which one of Zach’s close friends did he once have a threesome with??? Plus, Zach reflects on his journey—from making a pilot with Gwyneth Paltrow at just 14, to starring alongside Natalie Portman in Garden State, to what hosting SNL is really like. They also get into how Scrubs found new life without feeling like nostalgia bait, and why Zach and Donald Faison remain one of the great on-screen duos. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State, Bad Monkey) is an actor, writer, and director. Zach joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his storied doppelgänger switcheroo, coming up with a special camera rig to shoot the game play scenes in Ted Lasso, and the responsibility he feels directing seasoned actors. Zach and Dax talk about how exciting it was for both of them to play rare dramatic roles in Bad Monkey, his belief that longevity in show business is dependent on how you ride the wave, and the fun of returning to direct the first episode of the Scrubs revival 25 years after it first aired. Zach explains how his confidence in his looks and skills as an actor have evolved across his career, surprising results from his year without beer, and navigating romance and relationships at 50. Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: https://www.allstate.com/Head to turbotax.com to find a store location near you and get matched with a TurboTax expert — with real-time updates in the iOS app.This episode is sponsored by AppleTV. Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr2caw2cSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State, Bad Monkey) is an actor, writer, and director. Zach joins the Armchair Expert to discuss his storied doppelgänger switcheroo, coming up with a special camera rig to shoot the game play scenes in Ted Lasso, and the responsibility he feels directing seasoned actors. Zach and Dax talk about how exciting it was for both of them to play rare dramatic roles in Bad Monkey, his belief that longevity in show business is dependent on how you ride the wave, and the fun of returning to direct the first episode of the Scrubs revival 25 years after it first aired. Zach explains how his confidence in his looks and skills as an actor have evolved across his career, surprising results from his year without beer, and navigating romance and relationships at 50. Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: https://www.allstate.com/Head to turbotax.com to find a store location near you and get matched with a TurboTax expert — with real-time updates in the iOS app.This episode is sponsored by AppleTV. Learn more at: https://tinyurl.com/mr2caw2cSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info . 💺 The conversation doesn't end when the episode does. 🔗 [CONTINUE THE RABBIT HOLE] 🔗

In this episode of Pop Culture Unplugged , Elias sits down with David Gridley, who plays the intense new intern Blake Lewis in the highly anticipated Scrubs revival. David shares what it was like stepping into the legendary world of Sacred Heart Hospital, working alongside Zach Braff, and joining one of the most beloved medical comedy franchises ever created. From the nerves of joining a show with such a massive fan base to the emotional scenes that define Blake Lewis, David takes listeners behind the scenes of the revival and reveals what fans can expect as the new generation of interns finds their footing. David also talks about how he first discovered his passion for acting while watching Will Smith film Hitch, the experience of filming the series in Canada, and the advice Zach Braff gave the new cast when they first stepped onto the recreated Sacred Heart set. If you're a longtime Scrubs fan or excited about the revival, this conversation offers a great look into the next chapter of the iconic series. Episode Highlights • David Gridley on joining the Scrubs revival and honoring the legacy of the original series • What makes his character Blake Lewis different from past Sacred Heart interns • Behind-the-scenes stories working with Zach Braff • The emotional moment where Blake faces a major professional failure • How the new interns support each other during difficult moments • The pressure of stepping into a beloved TV franchise • David’s journey into acting after seeing Will Smith filming Hitch • A mysterious tease about an upcoming episode: “Boy band.” Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iYvvGf0mPgk For more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content, subscribe to Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias on YouTube: Subscribe here Got a burning question or a topic suggestion? Reach out to us at popcultureunplugged@gmail.com Stay connected with us on social media for the latest show updates X: https://x.com/PopCultureUnplg Instagram: instagram.com/popcultureunplugged Facebook: facebook.com/popcultureunplugged TikTok: tiktok.com/@popcultureunplugged Visit our official website for more: www.popcultureunplugged.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exciting content: Subscribe here Don't miss out on the latest updates and exclusive content—join us in Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias!

Zach Braff takes his shoes off for the second time — on the day SCRUBS comes back! Woooooo! Watch the first two episodes of the newest season/reimagining of Scrubs on ABC tonight. 🎟️ Find out when RICKY’S ON THE LOOSE is doing his hour in your city: https://www.rickglassman.com/tour 📍 Upcoming dates: 🗓️ February 7 • San Francisco, CA 🗓️ February 26–28 • Denver, CO 🗓️ March 26–29 • Houston, TX 🗓️ April 23–25 • Austin, TX 🗓️ May 1–2 • Cleveland, OH 🗓️ May 7–9 • Irving, TX 🗓️ Sept. 10–12 • Portland, OR ✨ MORE CITIES COMING SOON ✨ Get notified when Rick is coming to your city: https://www.punchup.live/rickglassman/follow Support TYSO by supporting our sponsors: Right now Momentous is offering our listeners up to 35% off your first order with promo code TYSO. Go to https://www.livemomentous.com and use promo code TYSO. RICK GLASSMAN 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickglassman 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickglassman 🎙️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/takeyourshoesoff 💬 Discord: https://discord.gg/Z2v4HTC 🎟️ Tour Dates: https://www.punchup.live/rickglassman 🃏 TYSO Cards: https://www.tysocards.com 🛍️ Store: https://www.rickglassman.com/store ZACH BRAFF 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachbraff Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/takeyourshoesoff See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

LOOK OUT! It’s only Films To Be Buried With! A REWIND CLASSIC! Join your host Brett Goldstein as he talks life, death, love and the universe with wonderful actor and improviser ZACH BRAFF ! Dearest Films To Be Buried With crew! Last week was the Tony Hale Rewind Classic. This week we have the Zach Braff Rewind Classic. The season is indeed transmitting in a slightly different frequency to usual, but we truly appreciate your continued support and listening ears. Regular service will resume shortly, but for now we are on a bit of a Summer Holiday schedule! The podcast has thrown a tantrum and screamed and screamed and all of us involved in its making have had to sit it in the car with a lil' sippy cup, a lollypop, its favourite teddybear (a fluffy Simba of course), and throw on a ton of easy to sing-a-long playtime jams on the stereo, while we drive it to the seaside where heaven help us we may all get some peace. So thank you for being here, and for being cool and patient while we all resume our composure. Everyone exhausted after that extended metaphor? I can only assume so. X Each Rewind gets a mini brush-up and comb through too, so hopefully you'll be experiencing a "remastered" feel too - no quad-surround Dolby action unfortunately but just a slightly nicer iteration for 2025. Below is the original writeup: ––––––––––––––––––––––––– Actor, director, screenwriter, fake doctor. But REAL friend. You may of course know Zach from his full term shift as J.D. in Scrubs, or maybe you saw Garden State, or perhaps some more recent work altogether - well here's your perfect chance to catch up on everything Zach, which includes those fun packed back in the days nuggets, the Scrubs podcast, what the term 'execution dependent' could possibly mean, directing a Ted Lasso and becoming an inventor in the process, younger day sob-fests, and being an HSP! You'll find out. A lovely chirpy episode which you'll love! Video and extra audio available on Brett's Patreon! IMDB A GOOD PERSON FAKE DOCTORS REAL FRIENDS INSTAGRAM –––––––––– BRETT • X BRETT • INSTAGRAM THE SECOND BEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE TED LASSO SHRINKING ALL OF YOU SOULMATES SUPERBOB (Brett's 2015 feature film) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on The Treatment, Elvis speaks with actor and director Zach Braff about the 20th anniversary of the beloved soundtrack from his directorial debut Garden State. Braff talks about the forthcoming concert celebrating the music from the film — proceeds from which will go to Midnight Mission . Then, novelist China Miéville talks about a new limited edition of his breakthrough novel Perdido Street Station. And on The Treat, actress Cristin Milioti talks about the two singer-songwriters who are both "lightning rods for the truth."

Zach Braff was born and raised in South Orange, New Jersey, to Anne Hutchinson (Maynard), a clinical psychologist, and Harold Irwin Braff, a trial attorney. His father is from Russia and Austria, while Zach's mother is from a family with deep roots in New England. Zach attended Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, and also graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in film. Zach is known for playing Dr. John 'J.D.' Dorian on the television series Scrubs (2001), for writing, directing, and starring in the films Garden State (2004) and Wish I Was Here (2014), and for starring in the movies Chicken Little (2005), The Last Kiss (2006), and The Ex (1996). He just completed directing the New Line/ Warner Bros. feature "Going In Style" starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin Produced by John C. McGinley and Angie Quidim Copyright TME Productions 2023-2024 all rights reserved May not be used without permission. Contact connectivetissuejcm@gmail.com

This week filmmaker and actor Zach Braff joins Mike to talk everything from Garden State to Ted Lasso to what it’s like to direct Morgan Freeman. Zach discusses the story of his ex once following him through Europe and Mike and Zach discuss the possibility that a story like that could be the starting point for a one person show. Plus, the time Zach got too drunk and excused himself from a Rush concert to take New Jersey Transit home. Please consider donating to: Midnight Mission Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.