In Proximity

More than 30 years after the release of TOY STORY, the Pixar franchise’s latest chapter, TOY STORY 5, premieres in theaters this week. Award-winning writer/director Andrew Stanton and co-director/writer Kenna Harris joined host Paola Mardo for a virtual conversation about why the film pits Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and their gang of toys against tech, in the form of the tablet Lilypad (Greta Lee). Andrew and Kenna also discuss how they collaborated on the film as filmmakers from different backgrounds and generations, the secrets to Pixar’s emotionally-compelling storytelling, and how they plan to continue the TOY STORY legacy to infinity and beyond.

This February, we’re celebrating the 8th anniversary of the release of BLACK PANTHER! From the IN PROXIMITY archives, we’re rebroadcasting this conversation with BLACK PANTHER director and co-writer Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates, journalist and the bestselling author of THE MESSAGE, BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, WE WERE EIGHT YEARS IN POWER, THE WATER DANCER, and THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE. Ta-Nehisi has also written successful comic book runs for CAPTAIN AMERICA and BLACK PANTHER, and wrote and hosted the WAKANDA FOREVER: THE OFFICIAL BLACK PANTHER PODCAST produced by Proximity Media and winner of the NAACP Image Award and Webby Award. For this special rerun, we combined their two-part episode back into one conversation where they discuss Ta-Nehisi’s writing influences and original rap dreams, the impact of hip-hop and artists like Nas and Tupac on their work, writing process, CREED, and shared experiences telling BLACK PANTHER stories.

SINNERS lead actor Michael B. Jordan and writer/director/producer Ryan Coogler break down the Academy Award®-nominated film and their 10+ year collaboration in this exclusive conversation with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo. Michael dives deep into his acting process for playing dual roles as Smoke and Stack, sharing how he uses character journals, key phrases from archival recordings, and physical details to build his characters. Ryan reveals his screenwriting approach and his never-before-heard timeline mapping the Smokestack Twins’ backstory, including romances with Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) and Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), and their time in Chicago with Al Capone. Ryan also kicks off this very special episode by making lattes, sharing how his love for coffee connects to filmmaking and acts of service for the cast and crew. It's gonna be a real ring-a-ding-ding… so grab a cup of coffee (or Irish beer or Italian wine) and enjoy!

Mike Carson is a multidisciplinary creative director and designer. Last year, he co-creative directed and production designed Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which drew over 133 million live viewers, making it the most-watched halftime performance ever and one of 2025’s biggest cultural moments. On this episode, Mike talks to IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about his journey from filming music videos at 19 with Big Sean (including the iconic millennial bop “Dance (A$$)” Remix featuring Nicki Minaj) and working alongside mentor Virgil Abloh, to becoming one of the most sought-after creative directors today. He also shares his creative process behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show, filming a documentary on Kanye West and Jay-Z on their 2011 Watch the Throne album and tour, his approach to production design for live experiences, why his laptop is essential to every project, and the art and business of the music video.