In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast

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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, Senior Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day.

Finn Wolfhard
Apr 10, 2025 – 00:38:17
Kit Connor
Mar 27, 2025 – 00:43:29
Samara Weaving
Mar 12, 2025 – 00:37:00
Daisy Ridley
Feb 27, 2025 – 00:47:12
Angelina Jolie
Feb 13, 2025 – 00:34:24
Demi Moore
Jan 30, 2025 – 00:34:11
Pamela Anderson
Jan 16, 2025 – 00:31:51
Javier Bardem
Jan 2, 2025 – 00:36:56
Jodie Comer + Jeff Nichols (ScreenCraft Summit)
Dec 26, 2024 – 00:42:35
Guy Pearce
Dec 19, 2024 – 00:42:33
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor + RaMell Ross (ScreenCraft Summit)
Dec 12, 2024 – 00:28:47
Daniel Craig
Dec 5, 2024 – 00:42:08
Cynthia Erivo
Nov 21, 2024 – 00:42:32
Saoirse Ronan
Nov 7, 2024 – 00:51:26
Naomi Scott
Oct 24, 2024 – 00:44:28
Katherine Langford
Oct 10, 2024 – 00:42:41
Kathryn Hahn
Sep 26, 2024 – 00:40:41
Gaten Matarazzo
Sep 12, 2024 – 00:40:26
Rudy Pankow
Aug 29, 2024 – 00:28:20
Walton Goggins
Aug 15, 2024 – 00:35:47
Richard Gadd & Jessica Gunning
Aug 1, 2024 – 00:44:42
Casting Director Kate Rhodes James ("House of the Dragon," "Gladiator II")
Jul 18, 2024 – 00:49:47
Maika Monroe
Jul 4, 2024 – 00:43:17
Hiroyuki Sanada
Jun 20, 2024 – 00:43:45
Tom Hiddleston
Jun 6, 2024 – 00:55:40
Maya Rudolph
May 23, 2024 – 00:42:28
Jessica Lange
May 9, 2024 – 00:34:16
Melissa Barrera
Apr 25, 2024 – 00:43:40
Dakota Fanning
Apr 11, 2024 – 00:44:59
Dan Stevens
Mar 28, 2024 – 00:43:21
John Bradley
Mar 14, 2024 – 00:45:59
Geraldine Viswanathan
Feb 29, 2024 – 00:49:56
Lily Gladstone
Feb 15, 2024 – 00:51:18
Elizabeth Debicki
Feb 1, 2024 – 00:48:13
Emma Stone
Jan 18, 2024 – 00:41:42
Taraji P Henson
Jan 4, 2024 – 00:34:51
Andrew Scott
Dec 21, 2023 – 00:40:13
Paul Giamatti
Dec 7, 2023 – 00:44:35
Emerald Fennell
Nov 23, 2023 – 00:50:07
Nia DaCosta
Nov 9, 2023 – 00:45:30
James Monroe Iglehart
Oct 26, 2023 – 00:45:09
Constance Wu
Oct 12, 2023 – 00:43:41
Yuri Lowenthal
Sep 28, 2023 – 00:55:15
Leslie Odom Jr.
Sep 14, 2023 – 00:41:54
Sebastian Stan (From the Vault)
Aug 31, 2023 – 00:53:47
Casting Director Eric Dawson ('Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story')
Aug 24, 2023 – 00:45:17
Alex Brightman
Aug 17, 2023 – 00:56:32
Ayo Edebiri
Aug 3, 2023 – 00:50:53
Rose Byrne
Jul 20, 2023 – 00:37:47
Ben Platt
Jul 6, 2023 – 00:33:17

Recent Reviews

Durham PG

Review from a famous actor

I’m a famous actor whose name starts and ends with the letter E and this podcast is good
Nickname5815

I love this podcast

It’s really informative and insightful and SO beneficial if you’re an actor!
Ukylie

Stop Bleeping The Actors

We want raw interviews. Stop bleeping everything.
lennygrossman66

Great insights

Outstanding podcast for actors or anyone who’s interested in the field. What a gift. After listening to many of the interviews, a few ideas seem to be common threads: 1. Work. Just do the work. Especially in the beginning, say yes. Work and learn. 2. Actors are hard-working, sensitive people (which should be obvious, but too many people think they’re pampered). 3. They’re aware of how lucky they are and are extremely grateful to be doing what they do. 4. It’s a tough business, but push on. There’s parts for everyone. 5. They love life in all its messiness.
Willow Rho

Fly on the Wall

I’m not an actor, but I love listening about the craft of acting from all different perspectives
lveithphoto

Balfe

What a great interview! Love the types of questions asked and always enjoy Balfe’s interviews.
matt bnryamt

Reese Witherspoon

This has to be my favorite episode of times. This really resonated with me and made my heart warm up in so many ways. I feel so good about myself, I could go huge a tree lol. I took so many notes on this episode and can not wait to use them when I audition. LOVE THIS PODCAST!
misselizabethbennett

Portuguese sausage

Awesome!
emilyizkewl

interviewer is fantastic

loving this podcast and the smart/empathetic host
WaMmyY sAMmy

Awesome

Very motivating, love this podcast. Fun to listen to.
cviv9

wowowow

I’m hesitant to write a review for this podcast because it’s SO GOOD and I feel like it’s my dirty little acting advice secret that I don’t want others to know about!!! Jack asks fabulous questions and has gotten demonstrably more comfortable in the podcast medium as the show has progressed. The guests are AMAZING and I dream of being on this pod someday! Keep it up!!!
Brooke Craven

Awesome Podcast!!

Jack, host of the In the Envelope podcast, highlights all aspects of performance arts, acting and more in this can’t miss podcast! The host and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!
BreydenMichael1997

Review-

Please never stop doing this podcast. It’s unbelievably helpful & illuminating to hear inside the minds and thoughts of people actively doing the thing I’m trying to do! Jack is a GREAT interviewer and this podcast has blessed me tremendously!
eezmas

Great interviews

Jack is such a strong interviewer and the conversations are warm and informative and fun to listen to. I’m obsessed!
BiCoastalactor

Great guests, host needs work

I have been waiting for a podcast like this for ages. The guests are AMAZING!!! It's good, but could be GREAT. I wish the host Jack Smart would interject less. There's a lot of, "uh-huh, cool, yeah, yeah, wow, interesting," etc. I wish he would just let his guest speak. I get the feeling that he asks questions just to ASK questions, and not becuase he actually has one. I was a journalist before I was an actor, and I understand that interviewing can be tough - but it is the THING that MAKES an interview. Jack Smart unforunately stands in the way of letting this BE.
ASKOMO

Smart and entertaining!

This is the best podcast to help navigate current must-see performances and to prepare for the award season. Jack Smart, the host, brings his charm and intellect to each interview. Listen and be entertained!
Super Grateful x 1000

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!

Mr. Smart please ask more questions and make less statements. Please listen to the podcasts that you have recorded and listen to the number of times that you make a statement or project an answer and listen to the guest say no or not exactly. Please do not be afraid of silence or pregnant pauses as the guest gathers his or her thoughts to answer. With all due respect, we want to hear the guests full responses. Thank you.
Alice Marcondes

Fantastic!

The perfect podcast for actors. The interviews are very thoughtful and eye opening, and show perspectives, opinions, and approaches in a way that many other interviews miss. Highly recommended!!
QuesaLeah

Great guests and great questions!

Thank you for producing this podcast, Backstage! I hope you continue this for the Oscars and Golden Globes!
Kalona63

Educational and entertaining!

This is great! It's fun to hear from accomplished actors and get their perspective on the business and what it takes to be successful. Jack Smart is informed and engaging and elicits the juicy details we all want to hear! Keep 'um coming!
DonnaHermanDonna

Exceptional interviewing!

Jack Smart knows how to host a podcast! He asks thoughtful questions and sparks great conversations with his guests. Shantay, you stay!
Separate Beds

In The Envelope is great!

Very engaging and interesting. So much more in depth and natural than most celebrity press sound bite factories.
MT61290

Delightful!

This is a great podcast for actors and non-actors alike! Jack Smart, the host, makes it feel more like a conversation than an interview. Really enjoyed learning about the back stories of the guests and hearing their advice for actors.