About this episodeWalton Goggins shares his journey from a poor upbringing in Georgia to Hollywood success, emphasizing the impo…AI summary
Walton Goggins shares his journey from a poor upbringing in Georgia to Hollywood success, emphasizing the importance of embracing discomfort and maintaining authenticity. He details a transformative horseback riding trip in Mongolia with his son, where he learned to accept reality over fighting it, and discusses his approach to acting and fame as a way to connect with broken, vulnerable characters.
Key takeaways 5
Goggins believes that actors do not need to be 'broken' or struggling to portray broken characters; instead, being 'evolved' allows for deeper empathy without creating distance from the experience.
He views his career and life through a lens of impermanence, stating he wears nice clothes 'like I'll never get to wear them again' because he knows what it is like to be hungry and cold.
Goggins admits to suffering from social anxiety regarding conversation rather than status, finding the effort to engage with strangers exhausting but necessary for genuine connection.
The concept of 'acceptance' was pivotal during his Mongolia trip; when his son struggled with the hardship, Goggins taught him to accept the reality of the situation rather than let the emotion fester.
Goggins maintains that his public persona is identical to his private self, rejecting the need to edit himself for fans because it is exhausting and inauthentic.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I live my life in the moment like... I know what it's like to be hungry. I know what it's like to be cold. I know what it's like to be uncomfortable. I know now what it's like to wear really nice clothes. And people say, 'Well, like cuz I've had this this beautiful...' I said, 'Because I'm wearing them like I'll never get to wear them again.'”
▶ 39:42Goggins explains his philosophy on enjoying luxury and success by remembering his humble origins.
“You can accept that this is your reality and actually learn you know and spend and not waste that energy this emotion. It's up to you.”
▶ 16:02Advice Goggins gave his 14-year-old son during a difficult horseback riding trip in Mongolia when the boy wanted to quit.
“Tomorrow morning when I wake up, I'll still be Richard Gear, motherfucker. And you won't.”
▶ 31:05A quote from Richard Goggins shared about the difference between confidence and insecurity on a tired film set.
“Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.”
▶ 42:24David Bowie quote cited by Goggins to explain how he has let go of hangups and insecurities as he has gotten older.
“I generally empathize with human beings. I believe that all of our paths are by nature narcissistic. We cast ourselves as the antagonist and the protagonist in our own story... When you step outside of that, when you really step outside of that narcissistic DNA quality of survival, all of a sudden the world just becomes easier.”
▶ 46:57Goggins' reflection on how overcoming narcissism has made his life and professional interactions calmer.
Chapters & Sections (125)▼
00:06Discussing Upcoming Projects and Personal Lifechapter2
00:06Welcome and Introduction to Smartless Podcast
00:56Discussing Upcoming Project and Past Experience
02:25Ordering Chinese Food and Sushi Preferenceschapter3
02:25Sharing a Meal Experience with Family
02:50Ordering Food at Chinese Restaurants
03:19Unconventional Poolside Behavior and Social Norms
04:05Ernest Borgnine's Divorce and Farting in Bedchapter2
04:05Ernest Borgnine's Divorce and Infamous Farting Incident
04:54Unwanted Personal Calls and Messages
05:36Ernest Borgnine's Personal Life and Legacychapter2
05:36Ernest Borgnine's Personal Life and Legacy
06:35Introduction to the Guest Actor
07:11Walton Goggins' Career and Personal Lifechapter2
07:11Walton Goggins' Career and Personal Life
07:56Experiences on a Junket or Press Tour
08:38Communication Breakdown on Set Protocolchapter3
08:38Communicating Host Information to Guests
09:07Representatives and Communication in Interviews
09:34Pre-Production Experiences on a TV Set
10:14Creative Tax Deductions for Filmmakerschapter3
10:14Filming Locations and On-Set Experiences
10:41Creative Tax Strategies for Filmmakers
11:14Filming in Remote Desert Locations
11:41Life on Film Sets and Travel Experienceschapter2
11:41Living Conditions in Mobile Film Trailers
12:28Parental Sacrifices for Personal Growth
13:20Traveling to Remote Mongolian Wilderness Areaschapter3
13:20Traveling and Luxury Lifestyle Preferences
13:59Travel Delays and Disruptions Abroad
14:26Planning and Preparing for a Remote Expedition
15:02Parental Guidance on Overcoming Challengeschapter1
15:02Parental Guidance on Overcoming Challenging Experiences
16:38Overcoming Personal Crisis and Physical Injurychapter1
16:38Overcoming Personal Crisis and Physical Injury
17:55Developing Emotional Resilience Through Adversitychapter2
17:55Surviving in Isolated Environments
18:35Developing Emotional Resilience in Childhood
19:20Childhood Experiences and Privilegechapter
20:49Overcoming Physical Pain and Injurychapter2
20:49Dealing with a Broken Rib Injury
21:26Experiencing Physical Pain and Seeking Relief
22:15Surviving in Remote and Unhygienic Environmentschapter2
22:15Surviving in Remote Mongolian Wilderness
23:14Unappealing Travel Websites and Research
23:45Parental Experiences and Parenting Challengeschapter2
23:45Parenting and Raising a Gifted Child
24:27Overcoming Personal Struggles and Finding Adventure
25:05Experiences in Nature and Wilderness Survivalchapter3
25:05Working Conditions on Film Sets
25:41Backpacking and Wilderness Survival Experiences
26:16Portaging and Rescues on a Canoe Trip
26:57Surviving a Wilderness Canoeing Disasterchapter2
26:57Rescue Efforts in Remote Wilderness Area
27:37Plane Crash Survival in Remote Wilderness
28:10Growing Up in the South Influences Acting Stylechapter4
28:10Filming Experience on a Movie Set
28:40Growing Up in the South Influences Acting Style
29:27Overcoming Adversity and Appreciating Life's Privileges
30:07Clothing Allergies and Personal Quirks
30:35Early Life and Career in Hollywoodchapter3
30:35The Importance of Identity and Self-Awareness
31:17Early Life and Career Choices
31:42Early Career Struggles in Hollywood
32:19Leaving Home for a New Life Experiencechapter3
32:19Adapting to Urban Life in New York
32:49Growing Up in a Large, Unconventional Family
33:20Childhood Influences on Career Choices
34:10Early Career in the Entertainment Industrychapter3
34:10Early Career in the Film Industry
34:33Early Career Breakthrough in Television
35:04Coercion and Manipulation in a Business Setting
35:38Early Struggles in Los Angeles Careerchapter2
35:38Early Struggles in Los Angeles Career
36:34LA Fitness Gym Memories and Locations
37:01Early Life Experiences and Career Developmentchapter1
37:01Early Life Experiences and Career Development
38:20The Elusive Nature of Success and Fulfillmentchapter2
38:20Perceptions of Success and Self-Doubt
38:57The Importance of Perseverance in Achieving Goals
39:35Overcoming Social Anxiety in Public Settingschapter2
39:35Overcoming Social Anxiety in Public Situations
40:37Self-Discovery and Humility in Success
41:00Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Self-Doubtchapter2
41:00Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in Personal and Professional Life
41:57Embracing Introversion and Aging with Confidence
42:40Embracing the Moment and Letting Gochapter2
42:40Filming Locations and On-Set Experiences
43:16Embracing Spontaneity and Letting Go of Expectations
43:57The Evolution of Acting and Personal Growthchapter1
43:57The Evolution of Acting and Personal Growth
45:28Balancing Success with Authenticity and Vulnerabilitychapter3
45:28Portraying Flawed and Vulnerable Characters
46:10Overcoming Privilege and Embracing Empathy
47:02The Narcissistic Nature of Human Perception
47:43Living with Anxiety as a Strength and Weaknesschapter2
47:43Living with Anxiety as a Strength
48:15The Cost of Authenticity and Emotional Investment
49:08Breaking into the Entertainment Industrychapter
50:37Navigating Fame and Public Perceptionchapter2
50:37Breaking into the Film Industry Challenges
51:14Balancing Public Life with Authenticity
52:03Authenticity vs. Public Perception in Famechapter2
52:03Authenticity vs Public Perception in Fame
52:50Dealing with Overly Demanding Fans and Admirers
53:25Childhood Experiences and Family Valueschapter3
53:25Providing for Family and Career Balance
53:58Childhood Experiences with Unconventional Family
54:43Childhood Christmas Traditions and Gift Giving
55:22Travel Experiences and Personal Growthchapter3
55:22Career Highlights and Recent Projects
55:56Travel Experiences in Southeast Asia
56:26Traveling and Finding Personal Fulfillment
57:14Importance of Real World Experiencechapter4
57:14Importance of Real World Experience
57:51Favorite Baseball Game Experience at Dodger Stadium
58:16Preparing for a Challenging Role
59:05CGI in Film and Television Production
59:39Film and Television Production Techniqueschapter2
59:39Film and Television Special Effects Techniques
01:00:09Production of Season Two of a TV Show
01:00:58Breaking Down the Creative Processchapter
01:02:13Favorite Episodes and Outdoor Experienceschapter2
01:02:13Favorite Episodes and Colleagues' Positive Vibe
01:03:21Childhood Experiences at Outdoor Music Camp
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