What Now? Creators & Guests

Josh Johnson is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. Johnson has written for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, where he also appeared in various on-screen segments. He has performed stand-up on platforms such as Comedy Central, Netflix, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In 2021, he released his stand-up special Hashtag and the comedy/music mixtape Elusive, showcasing his unique blend of comedy and music.

Trevor Noah is a celebrated comedian, television host, and author best known for his role as the host of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Noah began his career as a stand-up comedian, gaining international recognition for his sharp wit and incisive humor. He succeeded Jon Stewart as the host of "The Daily Show" in 2015, bringing his unique perspective and global sensibility to the show. Noah has received numerous accolades for his work, including two Emmy wins. In addition to his television career, he is the author of the bestselling memoir "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" (2016), which chronicles his experiences growing up during apartheid.

Christiana Mbakwe Medina is a British-born comedian and writer. She co-hosts What Now with Trevor Noah podcast. As a journalist, Medina has written about subcultures and immigrant communities; her work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Howard County Times, Complex, The Daily Show, The Columbia Journalism Review, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Okayafrica, Rock Hill Herald and more.

Lupita Amondi Nyong'o is a Kenyan-Mexican Oscar-winning actress and author of the book, Sulwe.

Simon Sinek is an author, motivational speaker, and organisational consultant, he is also the author of five books, including Start With Why.

Tristan Harris is a technology ethicist and co-founder of The Center for Humane Technology.

Samuel Altman is an entrepreneur, investor, programmer, and blogger. He is the CEO of OpenAI and the former president of Y Combinator.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is an accomplished actress and producer, recognized for her significant contributions to television and film. She gained prominence with her role as Elaine Benes on the influential sitcom "Seinfeld," a performance that earned her critical acclaim and several awards. Louis-Dreyfus further demonstrated her versatility and talent with leading roles in "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and the political satire "Veep," where she portrayed Selina Meyer. Her work on "Veep" earned her multiple Emmy Awards, underscoring her status as a leading figure in the entertainment industry. In addition to her acting career, Louis-Dreyfus has also made notable contributions as a producer. Her career is distinguished by her ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters, establishing her as a respected professional in her field.

Rutger Bregman is a historian and author. He has published four books on history, philosophy, and economics, including "Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build the Ideal World," which has been translated into twenty languages.

Rhaina Cohen is the producer of Hidden Brain Podcast.

Kevin Hart is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2001 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared.

Jonathan Lyndale Kirk is better known as DaBaby. He is an American rapper and songwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sizwe Dhlomo is a DJ, live sound engineer, and television and radio personality.

Anne Helen Petersen is a writer and journalist.

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist, advisor on sex & relationships, speaker, and author.

Orlando Bloom is an English actor.

An American author, journalist, and comic book writer, Coates gained a wide readership during his time as national correspondent at The Atlantic, where he wrote about cultural, social, and political issues, particularly regarding African Americans and white supremacy.

Jia Tolentino is a writer and editor. She is a staff writer for The New Yorker.

Tressie McMillan Cottom is a writer, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a faculty associate of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.