Ned Donovan: Failure, Imagination, and Starting Again

On this week's 5 Random Questions, I chat with Ned Donovan - actor, singer, writer, producer, and a bunch of different hyphens around the entertainment industry. Answers include what he really misses about childhood, why failure is success, his favourite day of the year, and more.

Answering the questions this week: Ned Donovan

I'm an actor, singer, writer, producer, bunch of different hyphens around the entertainment industry. I am a series regular on (and co-creator/executive producer on) the Dungeons & Dragons tv show Encounter Party. I am the host of Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You, a tip-of-the-day podcast in 2 minutes or less Monday-Friday. And I'm the director of Audio Fiction for the New Jersey Web Festival, the first "film" festival experience for fiction podcasts and actual play media. Now in its 5th year, I've worked with festivals all over the world to launch the Audio Fiction World Cup, the first international collective of festival experiences with jury-adjudicated competitions in audio fiction. I live in the Bronx, NY and generally my personality is Gotham FC, my dog Buggsy Mogues, tabletop roleplaying games, and generally trying to be artistic and creative whenever possible.

Ned's Website

Ned's Facebook page

@neddonovan on Instagram

@neddonovan on X

Ned on YouTube

Further reading for this episode

• Kissin' Cousins (1964) - IMDb
• The Boy and the Airplane | Book by Mark Pett
• Schooner Fare
• Weekend in New England - song and lyrics by Barry Manilow | Spotify
• Gerry & The Pacemakers | Spotify
• Gotham FC
• Edward Peck Curtis - Wikipedia
• Jay Larson's Wrong Number Prank | CONAN on TBS - YouTube
• Danny Brown (@xdannyxbrownx) • Instagram photos and videos
• Teacher to Taster, Inside Out Intestines, and More with Jenn Trepeck - 5 Random Questions
• Muggsy Bogues - Wikipedia
• Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You
• Encounter Party

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My equipment:

1. RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic
2. Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio
3. Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones
4. Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile

Recommended resources:

1. Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization
2. Kit email marketing
3. Boomcaster remote recording and live streaming
4. Hindenburg Pro recording and editing
5. Auphonic AI assistant for audio post production

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Winner of the Best Interview Podcast at the 2025 Ear Worthy Podcast Awards.

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