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This week’s conversation is with American writer, producer, director, voice actor, and radio personality Lazlow.

In a fitting request, I was asked that this episode was audio-only.

Alongside his radio work, Lazlow is perhaps best known for his in-game radio shows and ads across the Grand Theft Auto series, lending his vocal talents across eight games since GTA3 (as well as appearing, motion captured, in GTA5).

Lazlow worked with Rockstar Games for almost 20 years, across 17 games, also writing for the Red Dead Redemption series.

We sat down to talk a few weeks ago, the day after Lazlow had talked at the Podcast Show 2024 in London, where he had been discussing his new audio fiction series, A Better Paradise.

Created and written by former Rockstar colleague Dan Houser and directed by Lazlow, the series is set in the near future and tells the story of the ill-fated development of an ambitious but addictive game-world.
Starring the Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln, Paterson Joseph - you’d probably know him as boss Alan Johnson in Peep Show - Rain Spencer and Shamir Anderson, the first two episodes are available wherever you listen to your podcasts at the time of recording this.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast...

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About The Starting Line Podcast

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.

Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

About me, Rich Leigh

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing wasn't great.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
00:00:14 - Lazlow's Career Overview
00:01:05 - Rockstar Games Journey
00:02:26 - Origin of the Name 'Lazlow'
00:04:22 - Journalism and Advertising Background
00:05:09 - First Radio Job and Mentorship
00:06:33 - Food Service Experience and Teamwork
00:07:57 - Moving to New York and Syndicated Radio
00:09:16 - Early Tech Influences and Gaming
00:11:55 - Growing Up with a Police Officer Dad
00:12:24 - Working at Rockstar and Meeting Dan Hauser
00:15:45 - Satirising the Future in 'A Better Paradise'
00:18:03 - Early Gaming Memories and Influences
00:20:18 - Video Games as a Social Outlet
00:23:04 - Traveling for Tech Conventions
00:24:41 - Reflecting on GTA 3 and Beyond
00:27:26 - Developing 'A Better Paradise'
00:30:47 - Casting and Character Development
00:34:06 - AI and Human Experience
00:37:27 - Thoughts on AI and Technology
00:40:14 - Moving from Rockstar to Absurd Ventures
00:45:26 - Absurd Ventures' Future Projects
00:50:10 - Directing and Working with Talent
00:55:00 - British TV Comedy Influences
00:56:56 - Hidden Easter Eggs in Rockstar Games
01:00:18 - Anticipation for GTA VI
01:01:24 - Conclusion and Thanks