Full Release with Samantha Bee

Each week, comedians and best friends Jessica St. Clair and June Diane Raphael take a ‘deep dive’ into their real lives and discuss a wide range of topics including how to pursue joy amidst the insanity of motherhood and family, grief and loss, sh*t they put on their faces, and why they refuse to check their voicemails or unpack their suitcases. In this episode, June and Jessica petition to bring back the return of intercoms. Plus Jessica rents some deadstock exercise equipment from the 90s, June places an extreme order of half and half, and we discover the limitations of Jessica’s calendar system. For more episodes of The Deep Dive, follow wherever you get your podcasts or head to: https://lnk.to/thedeepdivefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Britton, creator and host of Hallmark’s new series The Motherhood, joins Sam to unpack parenting and talk about the importance of choosing community when raising kids, and how she is now helping other new single moms to do the same. They talk about why it’s hard for women to ask for help, how babies don’t respect working hours, why it’s important for kids to see a range of emotions from their parents, and even if their sons should become good at online gambling (they shouldn’t). And of course no Mother’s Day episode would be complete without them bonding over eating their kids’ food off the floor. Yum! Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weird Al Yankovic joins Samantha Bee to discuss their unique meet-cute, and how their interview came to be due to a scam gone right. Al tells Sam about how he’s actually happy with all the choices he’s made in life except (other than wishing he had bought Apple stock) and yet he agonizes over little decisions—especially when editing music videos. Al explains knowing that his first decision is usually the best one, and why he chooses to live on a tour bus for 3.5 months instead of sleeping in hotels. He reveals that the ultimate dig at him is when people say he’s talented enough to do “real music”, why record companies beg for Christmas albums, and turning down an opportunity to open for Duran Duran at Madison Square Garden. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renowned restaurant critic, food writer, and magazine editor Ruth Reichl joins Sam to talk about why taking a job as the editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine was such a hard decision, and how it ended up changing her life. They talk about getting paid to do a job you would do for free, her new documentary “Food and Country,” thoughts on meal kits, and their recurring waitressing nightmares. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special Earth Day episode, Julia Louis-Dreyfus chats with 89-year-old marine biologist and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, who joins from a boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Sylvia shares what it's like to walk untethered on the ocean floor, how her first dive changed her life, and the ocean's vital role in our survival. Plus, Julia tells a comical story about the one-and-only time she went scuba diving. She and her 91-year-old mom, Judy, also reminisce about snorkeling adventures and a unique 90th birthday gift from Judy’s grandsons.To hear more episodes, follow to Wiser Than Me or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iconic American fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi joins Sam and talks about choosing to honor a commitment to do costumes at the Kennedy Center despite its hostile conservative takeover. They talk about his Trump-induced “meat-mares”, how sometimes there’s nothing to do but “double Spanx” and learning to do female impersonations as a seven year old in Brooklyn. Isaac tells Sam about how he loves performing on stage regardless of the extreme anxiety that accompanies it, why people holiday shop at the airport, how to tune-out by tuning-in to Drag Race and why unfortunately it’s too late for him to try drag. They debate whether creativity will flourish or disappear during this administration and if Democrats will ever be able to wear red hats again. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/sambee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii joins Sam to talk about what it’s like to show up to work amidst all the chaos in DC and why the best preparation for being in Congress was growing up with three brothers. They discuss why the enormous dissatisfaction with President Trump still can’t paper over the real problems with Democrats, the importance of telling different types of people that they are welcome in the Democratic party, the difference between having good conscience and being courageous, his talent for organizing other politicians and how proud he is of his Senate-BFF Cory Booker. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Matteo Lane joins Sam and reveals that there may not be a single language he doesn’t speak? They talk about his new comedy cookbook “Your Pasta Sucks,” and if you’re even allowed to write a cookbook if you’re not a writer or a chef (he proves the answer is yes). Matteo explains he makes decisions for his personal life in a completely different way than his business life (in one he’s super sensitive and in one a total asshole), and saying no to projects where he’s not allowed to say what he wants and how he knows what lines he won’t cross. They talk about what to do when venues become political but your material isn’t, the indignity of one pot pasta, and being best friends with your grandpa. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're excited to share an episode of Pantsuit Politics. In today's episode, hosts Sarah Steward Holland and Beth Silvers are discussing the Signal controversy, in which Jeffrey Goldberg (editor-in-chief of The Atlantic) was accidentally added to a group chat discussing war plans among top US officials. They discuss the national security implications and what this tells us about the second Trump administration's approach to governance. If you like this episode and want to hear more, search for Pantsuit Politics or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/pantsuitpoliticsfdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress and host of the podcast Squeezed, Yvette Nicole Brown, joins Sam and admits she’s better at making decisions for other people than for herself because she wants to be perfect even though she knows she never can be. Yvette shares a regret about not being able to attend her dream school Howard University and how she hopes they might give her an honorary degree someday. She also talks about taking "dumb risks" like moving to LA with only $500 to try to be a singer, and being a legal secretary in the entertainment industry just to be near it. They talk about why this country can’t find a good way to talk about death, and why they're both kind of morbid--and love it. Plus, they talk about why no one likes fellow Ohioan JD Vance, and finally get to the bottom of billionaires and the caretaking crisis. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too movement joins Sam to celebrate Women’s History Month and talks about how she’d rather be with good people in a dark place than bad people in a bright place and how Tesla cybertrucks are the only things that make them laugh these days. Sam and Tarana discuss how so many people in the administration are credibly accused of sexual violence and what to do when funding and policies for life-changing work are in jeopardy. They commiserate over the chokehold Amazon Prime has over them, what it’s like to run a global organization when the US acts like it doesn’t care about the rest of the world, and how we can do more together than apart. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress and activist Sophia Bush joins Sam and they quickly crank it all the way up to a 15 on the rage chart and talk about how much better it would be if moms were in charge instead of bros. They talk about our current state of fascism and why we can’t even imagine how bad things are going to get because our imaginations have never had to work this hard. Sophia explains to Sam why she doesn’t use her phone for an hour after she wakes up, learning how to “unpretzel” and how she became an investment fund manager.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congressman Maxwell Frost joins Sam to talk about what it’s like to be the first member of Gen Z in Congress, and why it’s so important for Democrats to choose to see themselves as the opposition party, not the minority party. They talk about how to make decisions that impact millions of people and why the Kennedy Center coup was more significant than people think, and that he has been reading a lot about Elon Musk because it’s important to know your enemies. Sam learns that Congressman Frost is a “no notifications guy,” that he subscribes to even more newsletters than she does, and that the phone calls to Congress are actually working. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and fellow Daily Show alum Josh Gad joins Sam to talk about why it’s harder to do political satire now than in the early aughts (hint: it’s the fascism). They also talk about his new book, In Gad We Trust, lying to your therapist, experiencing imposter syndrome even after years of success, and why he tried to say no to the Book of Mormon. Plus they talk about why Trump impersonations are bad for comedy and hurt more than they help. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Kathryn Hahn joins Sam from her “she shed” to talk about how important it is to try a decision on for size before you make it and how she’s very good at getting rid of stuff (except for her kids’ art projects). They talk about taking jobs to pay off student loans, the distinct wetness of pre-packaged hardboiled eggs, why moving to LA was never part of her plan, and watching their moms go through menopause. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Shields joins Sam to talk about her new book “Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old” and why it was so important to her to go to college despite her already booming career. They talk about aging and making new friends in your fifties, warding off overzealous doctors, learning to accept compliments, and unwinding the internet for their teenage daughters even if sometimes their kids hurt their feelings. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes joins Sam and drops the most intimate choice yet—the decision to kiss his now-wife for the first time! Chris talks about how he is perhaps *too* decisive, what the right level of fame is, how his life improved when he stopped reading his mentions and Donald Trump’s pathological and genuine need for attention. They talk about Chris’ new book The Sirens’ Call and why they agree Trump might actually be funny. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amanda Skinner, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England joins Sam to talk about how running a Planned Parenthood is like landing a plane while gassing it up at the same time. They talk about what it’s like working in an “access state” while getting surges of patients from other states, and how the crux of what they do is providing preventative care to keep people stay healthy. They also talk about how they’re probably the only healthcare organization that gets positive patient comments, why STI testing is so expensive and so in demand, and why the need for the care they provide will never go away—especially over the next four years. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Shields joins Sam to talk about her new book “Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old” and why it was so important to her to go to college despite her already booming career. They talk about aging and making new friends in your fifties, warding off overzealous doctors, learning to accept compliments, and unwinding the internet for their teenage daughters even if sometimes their kids hurt their feelings. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy Slavitt, President Biden’s White House Senior Advisor for the Covid response and President Obama’s head of Medicare and Medicaid, joins Sam to breakdown the current world of healthcare and discuss the life-changing decision to call the White House and offer to help fix the ACA website. They talk about why powerful people are so compelling and how it makes making decisions even harder and how to even know who in the room should be making the decision, and being willing to listen to good ideas from the other side. Plus they talk about why it’s important to be nice to Siri, the difference between being entitled or honored to have a big job, and Sam gives an overdue apology for making fun of the ACA roll out while at The Daily Show. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samantha Bee joins fellow immigrant and world-renowned chef José Andrés on his podcast Longer Tables for a conversation about food, life, and everything in between. In Longer Tables with José Andrés, José explores the powerful ways food connects us and shapes our world. Each episode features deep, engaging conversations with friends from the culinary world and beyond—like Stacey Abrams, Ron Howard, Jane Goodall, Eric Ripert, and more. Plus, José brings listeners into his home kitchen to answer their most burning culinary questions. To dive into more episodes, listen to Longer Tables wherever you get your podcasts or https://lemonada.lnk.to/longertablesfdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re thrilled to introduce My So-Called Midlife, a new podcast by Reshma Saujani and Lemonada Media. “Is this it?” That’s the question Reshma Saujani, founder of two successful nonprofits, asks herself every day. She’s married to a great guy, raising two beautiful kids, and has achieved everything she thought she wanted—so why does midlife feel so… unfulfilling? Determined to find answers, and with her group chat cheering her on, Reshma’s bringing in reinforcements. In My So-Called Midlife, she sits down with brilliant minds like Chelsea Clinton, Emily Oster, Cheryl Strayed, and more to explore how we can stop simply surviving this phase of life and start truly living it. In today’s episode, Reshma chats with her friend, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, about how to stay present while balancing kids, a marriage and the highest of high-pressure jobs in the world. Hear the rest of My So-Called Midlife wherever you get your podcasts, or head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/mysocalledmidlifefd See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you living your best life now? Not always? Then you’d love this podcast- Everything Happens. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is an expert in the stories we tell about success and failure, suffering and happiness. She had Stage IV cancer. Then she didn’t. And since then, all she wants to do is talk to funny and wise people about how to live with the knowledge that, well, everything happens. Today’s conversation is all about the many loves that shape our lives—especially the love of friendship. Kate is joined by Dolly Alderton, a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling writer and memoirist, who knows the profound gift of friends who walk with us through all of life’s seasons—through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Listen to more episodes of Everything Happens wherever you get your podcasts or head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/everythinghappensfd See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian and host of You Made It Weird Pete Holmes joins Sam for an impromptu relationship podcast. Pete talks about the importance of choice of partner, and how the real test is to see if you and your partner would edit a movie in the same way. They talk about choosing to be alone in order to learn how to later be in a relationship, why Pete chooses to tour just once a month, and how he knows when he’s ready to film a new standup special. They also talk about the magic of seeing yourself on the big screen and how it never gets old for Pete’s dad. His new film, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, is available to Buy Today, Watch Instantly. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Taran Killam joins Sam to talk about childhood decisions that changed his life—like deciding to go to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts in order to get one more month of summer vacation. The two talk about the magic of live theater, being decisive but not in order to make good decisions, visiting the White House and seeing president Biden's moon rock, and the ethics of singing in movie theaters. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're introducing you to Samantha Bee's other podcast, The Daily Beast Podcast. Each week, Samantha and co-host Joanna Coles navigate the latest in politics, pop culture and everything in between. This week they talk about the Menendez Brothers and interview movie producer Richard Curtis. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Kathryn Hahn joins Sam from her “she shed” to talk about how important it is to try a decision on for size before you make it and how she's very good at getting rid of stuff (except for her kids' art projects). They talk about taking jobs to pay off student loans, the distinct wetness of pre-packaged hardboiled eggs, why moving to LA was never part of her plan, and watching their moms go through menopause. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Heather McMahan joins Sam to talk about how she's what you would get if Joan Rivers and Conan O'Brien had a baby, why she chose to self-produce her comedy special Breadwinner and the importance of being your own yes-man. They also talk about the joys of the human body, like ovarian cysts bursting on transatlantic flights, if there's anything she doesn't think her audience wants her to joke about (there isn't), and why everyone is getting Plan B in their Christmas stockings this year. Plus, Heather talks about her red carpet coverage and living in the Deep South. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renowned restaurant critic, food writer, and magazine editor Ruth Reichl joins Sam to talk about why taking a job as the editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine was such a hard decision, and how it ended up changing her life. They talk about getting paid to do a job you would do for free, her new documentary “Food and Country,” thoughts on meal kits, and their recurring waitressing nightmares. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fellow Canadian and actor Lauren Ash joins Sam to talk about why she continues to live on a Green Card rather than apply for US citizenship, and why on her 40th birthday she decided to try a career in music. She talks about why she's not as easily swayed as when she was younger but how small decisions unravel her, and how helpful it is to have that special Canadian pragmatism. They also talk about what you lose with shorter seasons of TV, not getting SNL, and the everlasting importance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With less than two weeks until Election Day, editor-at-large of The 19th* Errin Haines joins Sam to talk about news coverage leading up to the most significant election in recent memory and whether or not shy voters will make a surprising difference. They talk about the importance of being open to the best idea in the room and how Errin sticks to a decision once she's made it—unless it's for a last-minute flight change—and how the biggest decision of her life was actually made for her—when her mother adopted her as a baby. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny Slate sits down with Sam to talk about the difference between FOMO and regret and how sometimes you need to bust through a wall to take a big swing. Jenny talks about how she is naturally risk averse and giving birth was the most dangerous (and best) situation she ever put herself in. They talk about Jenny's need to do the dishes before she can enjoy a meal and philosophize over the clothes that ghosts in the future will wear—perhaps athleisure? Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joanna Coles, the Chief Content Officer of The Daily Beast sits down with Sam to talk about deciding to leave the never-ending cycle of daily news for a slightly more dependable pace of monthly magazines…and then returning to news after two decades away. They talk about seeing George Clooney in the flesh, the beauty of shopping on resale websites, getting nutritional advice on TikTok and how neither of them has ever met Donald Trump. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey joins Sam to talk about trading her career as a (yes) professional basketball player in Austria for law school and later to serve as Attorney General and Governor of Massachusetts. They talk about how Governor Healey happily works across the aisle with non-crazy Republican colleagues, and why some of them are voting for Kamala Harris. They talk about struggling with small decisions like choosing household items, her stint as a cocktail waitress, and of course, there is an unprompted mention of Dunkin Donuts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Cryer joins Sam to talk about how he chooses his acting roles when he knows saying yes to one job means having to turn down another, and tells Sam about a huge role he passed up. They also get into it about a raccoon that steals his delivery food, why he gets recognized at the Frankfurt airport, and being a seat-filler at the DNC. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Mackenzie Davis joins Sam to talk about how she took a semester off from college to model–hated it–and ultimately decided to go back to school and fast track her degree so that she could start acting. They bond over seeing baking directions as meditational, learning lines while cooking, and how making lists and keeping lists are two different skills. Check out Mackenzie's new film, Speak No Evil, which is out now. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor Shailene Woodley joins Sam to talk about a pivotal decision she made to move to Europe and live out of a carry-on suitcase for ten years amid a blossoming Hollywood career. Shailene tells Sam that she would pick up dishwashing shifts when she needed money and how living in Europe taught her to see how Americans and Europeans talk about sex and bodies differently. Plus they talk about needing to make decisions even when you're terrified by them, being a climate activist despite not loving the title, and exchange a few stories about the weird things their cats (and all cats??) do.  Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carrie Coon joins Samantha Bee to discuss being a classic midwestern middle child, almost attending a naval academy, how the first decision she ever made in her life was to go to graduate school, why comedians are the darkest people, and how when she was younger she would collect boyfriends and leave the country rather than break up with them (didn't we all??). Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crooked Media's Jon Lovett joins Sam to debrief the DNC and why Chicago is the perfect combination of sweatpants and sandwich town. They discuss his decision to go on Survivor and why it's the best way to see how democracy works up close. Plus, Sam and Jon get into why movies are too long, the best way to moderate debates, and the power of young people persuading other young people to vote.  Go to votesaveamerica.com to see how you can help.  Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend and former senior advisor to Vice President Harris Symone Sanders Townsend joins Sam for DNC week! Sam and Symone talk about how as kids they both hosted fake news shows, where she was when she heard President Biden was ending his campaign, why Symone had to make a pro/con list when deciding to leave the White House, being a risk-taker, and why voters like making history—and hopefully will again soon.  MSNBC will host MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 on September 7, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It's MSNBC's inaugural audience-focused, live event featuring more than a dozen of your favorite hosts, including Rachel Maddow, Jen Psaki, Joy Reid, Symone and more. Tickets are available at https://www.msnbc.com/democracy2024. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and activist Tony Goldwyn joins Sam and talks about how he rides the waves of success—sometimes people want you and sometimes they don't—and how he's learned to be ok not chasing roles that weren't right for him. They also talk about how at a pivotal moment in his career Tony decided to stay in New York and do a small Off-Broadway play rather than chase the LA scene. He tells Sam that since playing a president on Scandal people have come to him for presidential advice, how he actually has spent time lobbying Congress, and what his rewatch policy is. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In her new essay, “Stand Your Ground: A Black Feminist Reckoning with America's Gun Problem,” Roxane Gay details her decision to become a gun owner and why she doesn't think the US has missed its window on meaningful gun control. Sam and Roxane also discuss why you never want to peak in high school, the shift to writing for TV, and how the worst four words in the English language are “hop on a call.” Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When comedian Nick Kroll decided to end his hit show “Kroll Show” he wasn't totally sure what he would do next. But it was important to him to decide something was done rather than drag it out. Sam asks Nick about how he's so good at zeroing in on what he genuinely wants, finding the funniest people in the room to make Big Mouth, and how to decide if he should keep his family out of his standup material. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Rachel Dratch was growing up, she figured she'd have some sort of “normal” career like therapist. Then she saw a performance of Annie and thought she could be one of the people on stage too. Sam talks to Rachel about how important it is to ask for the parts you want (and then winning a Tony for it), how the biggest thing that ever happened to her wasn't even a choice, how improv can even make a “lazy pisces” live in the moment, ordering the worst thing on the menu, and accidentally going viral on Tik Tok. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Paul Scheer was a senior in high school he decided that he would only apply to NYU because if it was good enough for Theo Huxtable, it was good enough for him. Sam talks to Paul about decisions he's made since then (not based on Theo Huxtable), like having kids and deciding what kind of parent to be. They bond over being “latchkey kids,” the crazy stories their grandmothers used to tell them, seeing movies in theaters, and what their ideal sex-ed class looks like. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While in college, Rachel Platten was on the path to a career in international relations. But then she decided to switch course and swap a semester abroad in Spain for a semester abroad in Trinidad where she fell in love with music. She now has a song that has been streamed more than a billion times (Fight Song) and a new album “I Am Rachel Platten” out at the end of the summer. Rachel talks to Sam about the impact postpartum depression has had on her music, how she loves having bossy friends, and how sometimes music can save you when nothing else can. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid was growing up she was expected to be a doctor, lawyer, or architect. Then she decided to drop out of Harvard, ditch her doctor aspirations, and re-enroll as a documentary film major. These days the biggest decision Joy makes every day is deciding what news stories to include in her show The ReidOut. Sam talks to Joy about what qualifies as “breaking news,” why she doesn't believe undecided voters, and her new book “Medgar and Myrlie” and why it's so important for Civil Rights love stories to be written.  Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While a student, Alison Roman made a life-changing decision to leave college to start working in a restaurant kitchen and has never looked back. Sam talks to Alison about being such a decisive person, creating viral recipes, the magic of pasta water, weighing information and intuition and making the content for yourself that you wish to see in the world when no one else will make it for you. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Taylor Tomlinson was interviewing to be the host of After Midnight, she wasn't even sure she wanted the job. She loved making her own schedule as a touring stand up comedian, and loved her road family. But when the network said she would still have time to be on the road, it was an easy decision to say yes. Sam asks Taylor about how the stakes of her decision making have gotten higher now that other people work for her, choosing to be part of a team, getting advice from other female comedians, and how anxiety can be helpful. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When comedian Nick Kroll decided to end his hit show “Kroll Show” he wasn't totally sure what he would do next. But it was important to him to decide something was done rather than drag it out. Sam asks Nick about how he's so good at zeroing in on what he genuinely wants, finding the funniest people in the room to make Big Mouth, and how to decide if he should keep his family out of his standup material. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's some good news! Choice Words is coming back for season two on June 13th! Get ready for more amazing (and questionable) choices from great guests like Nick Kroll, who we'll be kicking things off with. In the meantime, today we're bringing you a special new podcast from our friends at NPR: Wild Card with Rachel Martin. On the show, Rachel rips up the typical interview script and invites guests to play a game about life's biggest questions. In this episode, Rachel talks to Jenny Slate, known for her roles in Obvious Child, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Parks and Recreation. Jenny opens up about whether fate brought her to her husband, what she's sacrificed for motherhood and what's so special about margarine and white bread sandwiches. If you like what you heard, follow the show here: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510379/wild-card-with-rachel-martinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.