Choice Words with Samantha Bee

Choices We Made: Lawyer or Journalist? (with Jodi Kantor) 02.07.2026 51λ

Journalist Jodi Kantor joins Sam to talk about her new book, How To Start, and how, much to the chagrin of her parents, she dropped out of Harvard Law to go into a career in Journalism. They talk about why it is so uniquely hard to find a job out of college these days, and how even if you’re not a recent grad, AI is destroying the interview process and the need for entry-level jobs. They talk about why the American college system makes it so hard to take risks, the fog of technology, and the importance of focusing on craft if you can. They agree their kids will never take career advice from them and can only hear wisdom if it comes from Tik Tok, and why it would be best for everyone to find a career where they’re happy in ten minute increments. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choices We Made: Secular Saint or Church Guitarist? (with George Saunders) 25.06.2026 1ώ 2λ

Author George Saunders joins Sam to talk about his new book Vigil and why people are so obsessed with turning him into a secular saint (and his childhood role of church guitarist). George explains that even though he’s not on social media he still finds ways to doom scroll, how the current government could have learned empathy if they bothered to read a few books, and how he found inspiration for Vigil without sounding too preachy. They talk about the importance of “vomit drafts” and the process of revisions, how his writing approach is about minimizing his anxiety, the choice to turn on or off some of the voices in your head, early rejection from The New Yorker, and choosing not to get killed just to be a great writer. They explain how they both put their choices up against the deathbed test, and how being compassionate doesn’t always mean being nice. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choices We Made: Shamed or Shameless? (with Jennifer Welch) 18.06.2026 1ώ

Jennifer Welch, host of the podcast “I’ve Had It” joins Sam to talk about taking a midlife gap year in Manhattan and how the country is led by people with no shame, and you just can’t shame the shameless. They talk about how she navigates the daily shitstorm (by starting her day at 5am with four shots of espresso), staying on Twitter despite the Elon Musk factor, how growing up atheist in Oklahoma taught her how to dissociate from craziness around her, fellow Oklahoman Markwayne Mullin at DHS, and how to reckon with leaders who don’t value human life. But, Jennifer also somehow gives Sam a little optimism talking about the problems with strongmen leaders, and why Democrats need to stop chasing the elusive “reasonable Republican” voter. Plus, they unpack some potential 2028 candidates and rage over why democratic leaders can’t speak extemporaneously. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choices We Made: Moscow or ‘Merica? (with David Remnick) 11.06.2026 56λ

The New Yorker editor David Remnick joins Sam to talk about if The New Yorker is the “slow food movement” of news and how today’s current events remind him of living in Moscow at the end of the Soviet Union. They talk about how the industry changed when Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post and why his ownership is different in the second Trump administration than in the first, and how David is currently being sued by the president. They discuss how you can’t say the quiet part out loud anymore since there’s no quiet part, why David has been listening to Joe Rogan in the middle of the night, why teenagers are consuming so much fitness content, and how the two best decisions he’s ever made are marrying the right person and not signing up for social media when he first had the chance. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choices We Made: Earth or Space? (with Kal Penn) 04.06.2026 54λ

Actor and former Obama White House staffer Kal Penn joins Sam to talk about how he doesn’t make calculated decisions and hates when people suggest he makes a decision tree. They unpack the hope of last week’s elections and his serendipitous decades-long connection to Zohran Mamdani. He explains how every job he’s ever said yes to has turned into subsequent exciting opportunities that have all been meant to be. They wonder if his former job in the White House even exists anymore, talk about the destruction of the East Wing, and the importance of older leaders training their replacements. Plus they argue about the merits of space travel and if we should leave earth or stay on the ground forever. "Here We Go Again” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North South or East West? (with Senator Murphy) 28.05.2026 35λ

Senator Chris Murphy joins Sam to talk about keeping plants alive and why he’s been walking across the state of Connecticut for ten years, now with titanium screws in his knees!They discuss his new book, Crisis of the Common Good and debate whether it is a sequel to Heated Rivalry (he is adamant it isn’t). Senator Murphy explains why Americans are lonelier than they’ve ever been, and why President Trump is richer than he’s ever been before. They talk the skyrocketing pay of CEOS, and why those CEOs are building secret bunkers because they know their products will destroy the world. They both insist they will never become part of the gerontocracy and unpack why there are so many young people in the Connecticut State House. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joy or Happiness? (with Kate Bowler) 21.05.2026 58λ

Professor, author, and podcast host Kate Bowler joins Sam to talk about her new book Joyful Anyway, and what the difference between joy and happiness really is. They talk about why happiness is circumstantial but joy is big and bright and hits your reward system. They talk about the Prosperity Gospel, Christian amusement parks, and what on earth the Pope must be feeling right now. They talk about taking wisdom from Taylor Swift, an aversion to gardening, and the need to sometimes take a walk around the block for a quick cry. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House or Home? (with Lisa Ann Walter) 14.05.2026 42λ

Actress and comedian Lisa Ann Walter joins Sam to talk about becoming the “man of the house” when she was ten and what it means to finally have a “Nancy Meyers kitchen” of her own. They talk about what led her to be involved in the various LA unions, growing up without a female comedy role model, and why the skill of being able to talk to anyone is an amazing sense of security. They discuss the difference between resilience and stubbornness, doing Dancing with the Stars with Elaine Hendrix, the ex-husband who told her standup was “unfeminine”, and why she should have been doing comedy specials the past 30 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choices We Made: TV or Radio? (with Christa Miller) 07.05.2026 50λ

Actor Christa Miller joins Sam to talk about the new season of Shrinking and her other role where she serves as music supervisor. Christa talks about how she loves giving new artists their big break on TV and how TV really is the new radio. They talk about the never-ending seasons of 90s sitcoms, choosing spending time with her kids over certain jobs and why it’s always risky to turn something down. She talks about her real life therapist being the inspiration for Shrinking and how she used to have a hard time making decisions until he helped her learn that the act of making the decision is the important part, not the outcome. Sam and Christa agree you really are only ever as happy as your unhappiest child, and they do some shared mom-gushing over Christa’s daughter, musician Charlotte Lawrence. Christa amazes Sam by talking about being Susan Saint James’ niece, growing up in NYC the daughter of a super model, and how in high school she would DJ at clubs after the real DJ was done for the night. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DC or Everywhere Else? (with Ana Navarro) 30.04.2026 49λ

Ana Navarro, co-host of The View and host of the new podcast Bleep!, joins Sam to talk about how she’s been boycotting DC for almost two years and what might finally bring her back there. They bond over how Donald Trump has aged them (their necks specifically), and Sam marvels at Ana’s insane schedule. Ana talks about how the restrictions of network TV and her urgent need to swear led her to start her new podcast, and explains why the 25th Amendment will never actually be invoked by this Cabinet. They talk about why the signs at the No Kings protests are so good, the importance of walking away from your phone sometimes, and a hope that the Pope could excommunicate JD Vance. *This episode was recorded before the White House Correspondents Dinner* 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawyer or Journalist? (with Jodi Kantor) 23.04.2026 51λ

Journalist Jodi Kantor joins Sam to talk about her new book, How To Start, and how, much to the chagrin of her parents, she dropped out of Harvard Law to go into a career in Journalism. They talk about why it is so uniquely hard to find a job out of college these days, and how even if you’re not a recent grad, AI is destroying the interview process and the need for entry-level jobs. They talk about why the American college system makes it so hard to take risks, the fog of technology, and the importance of focusing on craft if you can. They agree their kids will never take career advice from them and can only hear wisdom if it comes from Tik Tok, and why it would be best for everyone to find a career where they’re happy in ten minute increments. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scarcity or Abundance? (with Jennie Garth) 16.04.2026 54λ

Actress Jennie Garth joins Sam to talk about her new book I Choose Me, and how to balance scarcity and abundance mindsets. They talk about the concept of choosing yourself and how Jennie first uttered those words on 90210 over 30 years ago (and how she’s rewatching it for the first time now). They talk about what to do when your kids get older and won’t need you as much anymore, walking into rooms and wondering why they’re there, and how impossible it must be for menopausal women to remember their lines on Broadway. Jennie talks about leaning on other people to make big decisions and learning to take a beat before a big choice. They talk about imposter syndrome and how Martha Stewart might be the only person not suffering from it, and how important it is to know when a friendship stops being additive to your life. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Springsteen or Kid Rock? (with Aasif Mandvi) 09.04.2026 56λ

Aasif Mandvi joins Sam for a major Daily Show catch up, and to talk about juggling his return to Broadway in Fallen Angels with his new TV show The Miniature Wife. They bond over the perfection of theater shows with no intermissions, but disagree about when they first met each other. They talk about meeting Bruce Springsteen at The Daily Show, how Kid Rock used to be a huge fan, and what it would be like if Aasif was still the Senior Middle East Correspondent. They share their concern that AI actors are going to replace extras and actors just starting out, how journalists need to be willing to risk everything to ask the right questions, and how there are no politicians to look up to anymore. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gina or Gheena? (with Gina Gershon) 02.04.2026 54λ

Actress and author Gina Gershon joins Sam to talk about her new book AlphaPussy which leads to discussing their shared love of audiobooks, allowing cats to choose their owners, and the wild women who have shaped her life. They talk about making decisions from your brain or from your body, the unconventionality of her career, learning to be tough, and the importance of “fuck you” money. Sam is shocked to hear about how Gina turned down Prince because he wanted to call her Gheena instead of Gina, and what it was like coming of age in the Valley in the age of porn. Plus, they bond over being at the age where they need to write parts for themselves because if you’re not happy with the parts being offered, and the beauty of voice memos. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check Out: Hell yeah it's No Kings 3 — here's how to make it massive 26.03.2026 1ώ 3λ

March 28th. 3000+ protests. No Kings 3. Leah breaks down the strategic logic — why Trump fears mass protest, what we can actually accomplish, and what comes next. Ezra shares a dead-simple 'tripling' tactic to get your friends, family, and neighbors off the couch and into the streets. Plus: live Q&A, including why the single best message against Trump is that he doesn't give two flying fucks about you. Listen to more What’s The Plan from Indivisible. To learn more and get involved in No Kings, visit here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choices We Made: 1929 or 2026? (with Andrew Ross Sorkin) 19.03.2026 55λ

Financial journalist and author of the new book 1929, Andrew Ross Sorkin, joins Sam to talk about the parallels between 1929 and now and, and how while history does repeat itself, there are some comparisons that don’t work. Sam explains Soul Cycle vs. Peloton, they rehash the Gamestop frenzy, why the lottery is a “tax on the stupid,” and get rich quick schemes. They unpack what Venezuela means for the American economy, and Sam begs Andrew to make a period piece out of his new book even though it would break the bank. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shamed or Shameless? (with Jennifer Welch) 12.03.2026 59λ

Jennifer Welch, host of the podcast “I’ve Had It” joins Sam to talk about taking a midlife gap year in Manhattan and how the country is led by people with no shame, and you just can’t shame the shameless. They talk about how she navigates the daily shitstorm (by starting her day at 5am with four shots of espresso), staying on Twitter despite the Elon Musk factor, how growing up atheist in Oklahoma taught her how to dissociate from craziness around her, fellow Oklahoman Markwayne Mullin at DHS, and how to reckon with leaders who don’t value human life. But, Jennifer also somehow gives Sam a little optimism talking about the problems with strongmen leaders, and why Democrats need to stop chasing the elusive “reasonable Republican” voter. Plus, they unpack some potential 2028 candidates and rage over why democratic leaders can’t speak extemporaneously. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cookbook Author or Restaurant Chef? (with Padma Lakshmi) 05.03.2026 57λ

Television host and cookbook author Padma Lakshmi joins Sam to talk about her new show, America’s Culinary Cup and how she’s a triple threat on it serving as creator, executive producer, and host. She reveals if she brought anyone from Top Chef with her, why it is important to set the contestants up for success, and why we crave shows where we can witness expertise. Padma talks about ten years of working with the ACLU, why her book is the antidote to Stephen Miller, and what it will take for food consumers to understand the effects of immigration raids on the food ecosystem. They commiserate on the problems of food waste and “day old” food laws, the newly inverted food pyramid, and engaging in estrogen wars with your teenage daughters. Plus they delve into why Padma really doesn’t think of herself as a chef, her comedy career and why there’s nothing better than a live audience. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Wife or TV Wife? (with Sarah Chalke) 26.02.2026 59λ

Actress Sarah Chalke joins Sam and they revel in having both been married to Jason Jones—Sam in real life and Sarah on How I Met Your Mother (which people still yell at her in airports for). They have a quintessentially Canadian interview swapping stories of current border angst, going to the US just to go to Trader Joes, playing in a mom’s hockey league and why there isn’t actually enough hockey in Heated Rivalry for real Canadians. They talk about how decision making is not her strong suit even though she’s picked great shows throughout her career and how she’s moving away from pro/con lists. Sarah talks about the no-brainer decision to come back for the Scrubs revival which was her favorite show of her life, and how she learned everything about comedy from Bill Lawrence. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Controlled Burns or Fires of the Future? (with Jacob Soboroff) 19.02.2026 58λ

Reporter and author Jacob Soboroff joins Sam to talk about his new book Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America's New Age of Disaster and the debate between the native communities’ historic practice of controlled burns and the alternative of worsening fires year after year. Jacob talks about how covering the fires was actually the last thing he wanted to do but sometimes you just have to go with the assignment. He talks about seeing his childhood home burn down and not processing the trauma until he started writing the book, how local media was as heroic as the first responders, and how he responded when Katie Miller called him to check on Stephen Miller’s parent’s house. They talk about what justice looks like for people who lost everything, and if he thinks many people will just leave LA, and if he feels safe reporting as the country begins to arrest journalists. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices