Welcome to a captivating episode of the Modern Love Podcast, where host Anna Martin sits down with acclaimed director and actor Jay Duplass. Duplass, a master of improvisation, shares a deeply personal story about an unscripted moment years ago that dramatically altered his life’s trajectory, ultimately inspiring his latest film, ‘The Baltimorons.’ This cinematic venture explores an unconventional love story between a comedian in recovery and a dedicated dentist, whose paths intertwine during an unexpected Christmas Eve dental emergency in Baltimore. The film itself beautifully mirrors Duplass’s philosophy of embracing unforeseen connections.
During their conversation, Duplass elaborates on the profound impact of applying the ‘yes, and…’ principle—a cornerstone of improvisational comedy—to everyday life and personal relationships. He explains how this mindset encourages openness, adaptability, and the courage to lean into uncertainty, paving the way for truly rewarding experiences.
This episode also features Duplass’s reading of the poignant Modern Love essay, ‘The Dentist Who Treated My Divorce,’ written by Hillery Stone. He offers insightful reflections on how shedding predefined roles can foster genuine, profound interpersonal connections, a theme resonant with both his personal journey and his new film.
Listeners can find and follow the Modern Love podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio for more compelling stories and discussions on human relationships. For those inspired to share their own experiences, information on how to submit Modern Love essays or ‘Tiny Love Stories’ to The New York Times is readily available. You can also dive deeper into the world of Modern Love by reading past articles, watching the TV series, subscribing to the newsletter, exploring merchandise at the NYT Store, and discovering their published books: ‘Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss and Redemption’ and ‘Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less.’
The Modern Love podcast is brought to you by a dedicated team including host Anna Martin, producers Reva Goldberg, Emily Lang, Davis Land, Amy Pearl, and Sara Curtis. Editing is expertly handled by Davis Land, Lynn Levy, and executive producer Jen Poyant. Christina Djossa manages production, while Daniel Ramirez mixes the show, recorded by Kyle Grandillo. Original music is composed by Pat McCusker, Dan Powell, Carole Sabouraud, Aman Sahota, and Rowan Niemisto, with theme music by Dan Powell. Your thoughts and feedback are always welcome at modernlovepodcast@nytimes.com.