HBO's Succession Podcast
The official companion podcast for the HBO Original series Succession. Journalist and host Kara Swisher unpacks every episode of this final season with the show’s writers, producers, and directors. Plus, she taps real life experts outside the show – like business titans, whistleblowers, and political consultants – to find out just how terrifyingly accurate the world of Succession really is. You can stream all episodes of Succession and listen to the podcast on Max. The Official Succession Podcast is produced by HBO in conjunction with Pineapple Street Studios.
Episodes
On With Kara Swisher featuring “Mountainhead” Writer/Director Jesse Armstrong
(This is an episode from the podcast "On With Kara Swisher”, from from New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.) From media moguls to tech billionaires, Oscar-nominated and Emmy award-winning writer, producer and director Jesse Armstrong knows how to tap into the psyche of the rich and powerful. In the “Succession” creator’s new HBO movie, “Mountainhead,” a tech-bro poker weekend turns
“With Open Eyes” Part 2 (with Director/Executive Producer Mark Mylod)
In part two of the series finale podcast, it’s time to say goodbye to the Roy family, once and for all. Host Kara Swisher sits down with director and executive producer Mark Mylod. He breaks down everything about episode 10, “With Open Eyes” – from the first table read, to that tense boardroom showdown, the Tom/Shiv of it all, and the final fate of the Roy children.
Kara Swisher is also the host o
“With Open Eyes” Part 1 (with Jeremy Strong and Alexander Skarsgård)
Host Kara Swisher unpacks the Succession series finale, “With Open Eyes,” in a two-part supersized podcast. In part one, Kara talks with Alexander Skarsgård about why his tech billionaire character, Lukas Matsson, just can’t let Waystar Royco go. Then Kara goes deep with Jeremy Strong to discuss the tragic end of Kendall and what his character really wanted all along. Part two, coming later this w
“Church and State” with James Cromwell, Jeremy Strong, and funeral planner William Villanova
This week, it’s a full house to discuss the penultimate episode of Succession, “Church and State.” First, host Kara Swisher unpacks Ewan’s surprise eulogy with actor James Cromwell. Then, she finds out how real-life funeral planner William Villanova helped the Succession team create a perfectly extravagant service for Logan Roy. And finally, Kara checks in with Jeremy Strong about Kendall’s blockb
“America Decides” with series creator Jesse Armstrong and political consultants Ben Ginsberg & Jon Klein
Host Kara Swisher and Succession creator Jesse Armstrong unpack the electoral and familial chaos of episode 8, “America Decides.” Plus, Kara is joined by two political consultants who helped the Succession writers create this incredibly tense episode: Ben Ginsberg, a lawyer and advisor who played a central role in the Bush-Cheney administration, and Jon Klein, a political analyst and former presid
“Tailgate Party” with Matthew Macfadyen and political consultant Eric Schultz
Matthew Macfadyen joins Host Kara Swisher to unpack Tom’s pre-election jitters and the state of his marriage in episode 7, “Tailgate Party.” Then, Kara chats with former Obama Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, who advised the Succession writers on how to convey the all-too-real, cozy relationship between politics and media.
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“Living+” with J. Smith-Cameron and Lorene Scafaria
Host Kara Swisher sits down with J. Smith-Cameron to process episode six, “Living+” and the future of Gerri Kellman at Waystar Royco. Plus, director Lorene Scafaria discusses how Kendall walks the line between success and failure, as he tries to follow in his father’s footsteps.
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“Kill List” with Kieran Culkin and Dick Costolo
Host Kara Swisher is joined by Kieran Culkin to discuss what’s going on with Roman in episode five, “Kill List” – the Roys’ Scandinavian adventure. Then, the former CEO of Twitter, Dick Costolo, shares thoughts on Lukas Matsson and the veracity of the deal at that Nordic retreat.
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“Honeymoon States” with Sarah Snook, Lucy Prebble, James B. Stewart & Rachel Abrams
Sarah Snook sits down with Host Kara Swisher to unpack episode four, “Honeymoon States.” Kara also welcomes back executive producer/writer Lucy Prebble and speaks with James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams, authors of the new book Unscripted, which covers the Redstone family.
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“Connor’s Wedding” with Jesse Armstrong, Mark Mylod, and Brian Cox
Host Kara Swisher is joined by series creator Jesse Armstrong and episode director Mark Mylod. Then she has a spirited conversation with actor Brian Cox.
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“Rehearsal” with Lucy Prebble and Laura Wasser
Host Kara Swisher and Succession executive producer/writer Lucy Prebble dig into the family dynamics on display in season four, episode two, “Rehearsal.” Then Kara talks with divorce attorney to the stars, Laura Wasser, about Shiv and Tom’s messy separation.
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“The Munsters” with Jesse Armstrong, Frank Rich, and Ben Smith
Host Kara Swisher is joined by Succession creator Jesse Armstrong and executive producer Frank Rich to unpack “The Munsters”, episode one of the final season. Then, Kara talks with Ben Smith, co-founder of the news site Semafor, about the Roy kids’ new media venture.
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Coming Soon: The Final Season
Join Host Kara Swisher on HBO’s Official Succession podcast as she unpacks the show’s final season with the people behind the series and real-life experts who reveal just how accurate the world of Succession really is. The first podcast episode drops on March 26, right after the Season Four premiere of Succession on HBO and HBO Max.
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The Finale (with Jesse Armstrong and Frank Rich)
Host Kara Swisher is joined by Succession creator Jesse Armstrong and executive producer Frank Rich to discuss the shooting of episode 9, reaching those surprising betrayals in the finale, and life in the writers’ room. Episode 9, “All The Bells Say” has one of the most painful scenes between Kendall, Roman and Shiv that was ever written. Jesse takes us through the process of writing and shooting
Onions and Football in Tuscany (with Hunter Harris and Mark Mylod)
Host Kara Swisher talks with pop culture writer Hunter Harris and Succession Director Mark Mylod about episode 8, “Chiantishire.” Despite being in Tuscany for a lavish wedding, the Roys seize the moment to have some of the most devastating conversations of the season. Kara gets the details on shooting those scenes and getting those performances from director Mark Mylod who reveals the subtle way h
“23-Foot Tall Pair of Spread Legs” (with Stephen Carter)
Host Kara Swisher talks with Succession production designer Stephen Carter and party designer for the wealthy Ken Fulk for a conversation corresponding to season 3, episode 7, “Too Much Birthday.” With Kara, Stephen talks about how set ideas came together for Kendall’s 40th birthday bash and some of our favorite episodes throughout the seasons. Later in the show Kara gets dishy with party planner
“Donor Pregnancy” (with Anthony Scaramucci)
Host Kara Swisher talks with political pundit Anthony Scaramucci for a conversation corresponding to season 3, episode 6, “What It Takes.” Using his brief-but-legendary stint as Trump’s White House Director of Communications he offers unique insight into the Roy family and its role in fictional politics. They also discuss the media’s role in anointing a presidential candidate. Plus, Kara details w
“Cringe Ranking” (with Aminatou Sow)
Host Kara Swisher is joined by writer and podcast host Aminatou Sow to discuss the world of privilege and role of race in Succession. They discuss the Roys’ private jets at stake in season 3, episode 5 “Retired Janitors of Idaho,” and Aminatou explains how she feels about representation in Succession, and the window it provides into an isolated world of privilege. Also, Kara lets us know who’s up
“The Bigger the Party, the Bigger the Fraud” (with Mark Cuban)
Host Kara Swisher is joined by entrepreneur and NBA governor Mark Cuban for a conversation corresponding to season 3, episode 4, “Lion in the Meadow.” They dissect the business acumen of Logan Roy and his efforts to keep control of his company in the face of shareholder hostility. Cuban gets into what it means to be a high stakes investor in a family company that’s trying to stay in control. With
“Comic Cowardice or False Power” (with Lucy Prebble)
In the third episode of the podcast (corresponding with Season 3, Episode 3, “The Disruption,”) Kara Swisher and Succession Executive Producer Lucy Prebble talk about how the writers of the show walk the line between tragedy and comedy. We hear how Succession creator Jesse Armstrong pushes the writers to steer clear of anything that could veer into soap opera, and learn where they find inspiration
“Narcissist, Taker, or A**hole” (with Adam Grant)
Host Kara Swisher is joined by organizational psychologist Adam Grant to discuss Season 3, Episode 2, “Mass in Time of War,” and dive into the complicated family business dynamics of the Roy children. Kara and Adam talk about what happens when a culture of lies, narcissists, ego is fueled by a demanding and demeaning boss. Plus Kara gives her take on who ended this week’s episode of Succession on
Rich Doesn't Equal Smart (with Jennifer Palmieri)
In the first episode of the Succession podcast, host Kara Swisher unpacks the season three premiere episode, “Secession,” which features a deliciously awkward phone call between Gerri and the president’s press secretary. Kara is joined by former White House Communications Director, Jennifer Palmieri to talk about real life media conglomerates lobbying the White House, and whether Waystar’s move wa
Coming Soon: HBO’s Succession Podcast
HBO’s Emmy-winning show Succession is back for a third season. After each week’s episode airs, join host Kara Swisher and her guests as they unpack how the real world is reflected in the world of Succession on screen. She’ll dive into family dynamics, capitalism run amok, and power unchecked with some of the top thinkers, as well as some of the people who made the show. The official Succession pod
Matthew Macfadyen
Host Roger Bennett is joined by Emmy nominee Matthew Macfadyen, who plays Tom Wambsgans, the brown-nosed king of beta-maleness and cuckold crown prince of doomed love. Matthews talks transforming his velvety British voice into Tom's American accent, his antithetical relationships with Shiv and Greg, and the sheer terror of eating Logan Roy's chicken.
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Alan Ruck
Host Roger Bennett is joined by Alan Ruck, who plays Connor Roy, the Presidential hopeful, sugar daddy and Napoleon artifact aficionado. Alan talks what one line unlocked Connor for him, his character's relationship with "the golden trio" of Roy siblings and Rasputin's penis.
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J. Smith-Cameron
Host Roger Bennett is joined by J. Smith-Cameron, who plays Gerri Kellman, Waystar Royco’s General Counsel, the smartest person in the room and a true boss in a sea of manboys. Smith-Cameron talks Gerri as a strong, empowering female role, her ability to steal a scene with a side-eye or smirk, and the origin of the term "slime puppy."
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Nicholas Braun
Host Roger Bennett is joined by Emmy nominee Nicholas Braun, who plays Cousin Greg, the gangly, toe fungus-beset, California Pizza Kitchen aficionado capable of stapling his pants to his own leg. Braun talks about his comedic connection with Matthew Macfadyen, whether Greg has the killer instinct to rise to the top of Waystar Royco, and meeting Succession fan, President Bill Clinton.
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Kieran Culkin
Host Roger Bennett is joined by Emmy-nominee Kieran Culkin, who plays Roman Roy, the louche, gutter-mouthed, broken third son of monstrous patriarch Logan. Kieran talks Roman's unfiltered approach to life, the character's sexual hangups, and finally embracing acting as a "career" in his mid-30s.
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Sarah Snook
Host Roger Bennett is joined by Sarah Snook, who plays Shiv Roy, that astute, acerbic, entitled lover of non-monogamous relationships, unbridled power and backless turtlenecks. Snook talks landing the role on a longshot video from Australia, the dynamics and origins of Shiv's relationship with Tom, and if she is the rightful heir to the Waystar Royco throne.
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Jeremy Strong
Host Roger Bennett is joined by the haunted, hip hop slinging, dead-eyed, try-hard heir apparent to your favorite media, cruise and theme-park empire, Jeremy Strong, aka Kendall Roy. Jeremy discusses the extremes he goes to meet his character, Kendall's relationship with his father, and the one line that caused him to turn against his family.
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Brian Cox
Host Roger Bennett is joined by the man at the top of the Waystar Royco org chart: Emmy Award and Golden Globe-winner Brian Cox, the gent who plays Succession’s bellicose patriarch Logan Roy. Brian talks his tenacious career arc, whether Logan really loves his children, and dives deep into that age-old Logan Roy adage: “Fuck Off.”
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HBO's Succession Podcast Is Coming July 13
Hosted by Roger Bennett, the official Succession podcast features conversations with the award-winning HBO series’ major players. In each episode, Bennett dives deep into the razor-sharp writing, dynamic performances and high-powered family drama that drive the series. Featuring interviews with the cast and creators, each episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at the show’s most memorable momen
