Absolutely Not Podcast: "Smiling with Kaitlan Collins"

Host: Heather McMahan
Guest: Kaitlan Collins (CNN anchor, host of "The Source")
Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, comedian Heather McMahan welcomes CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins for an unfiltered conversation that blends humor, Southern charm, and a behind-the-scenes look at the pressure-cooker world of White House journalism. The pair discuss how Kaitlan navigates relentless news cycles, tough interviews with world leaders (including a viral recent moment with Donald Trump), navigating misogyny in journalism, self-care routines, and the importance of staying grounded. The episode is a mix of advocacy for women, relatable stories of career pivots and setbacks, and tips for surviving (and thriving) in high-stress environments—delivered with wit and camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Surviving the Pace of White House Reporting

• Sleep Deprivation & Travel

  • Kaitlan describes the erratic, exhausting schedule, often running on mere hours of sleep—especially on foreign trips where “you’re basically just napping periodically, like when you can.” [03:22]
  • Her sleep ring often tells her, "are you okay?" after “two hour increments” of rest while on assignment. [03:22]
  • On Air Force One, reporters must always be alert for a potential presidential visit to the press cabin—even if it means skipping meals and sleep. [05:14]
  • Wild story of a flight to Davos needing to turn back due to “an electrical issue,” leaving reporters unable to contact their bureaus because there's "no wifi in the press area." [06:36]

• Glam On the Go

  • “You’re just trying to put on a strip of fake lashes on Air Force One,” (McMahan, 08:23)
  • Kaitlan mostly does her own makeup when on the road (“every TV reporter knows how to do their own hair and makeup”), though CNN has a team in the bureau. [08:32]

• Behind the Scenes in the Press Room

  • The legendary tight quarters—“that’s the renovated version? It wasn’t that great.” [09:54]
  • Press camaraderie: waiting together, using the famous Tom Hanks-donated espresso machine, and sharing minuscule facilities.

2. Kaitlan’s Journey to the White House

• From Chemistry Major to Journalist

  • Minted her career pivot after “almost failing chemistry 102.” [10:46]
  • Fell in love with journalism upon switching majors after realizing she was “not going to class and feeling like I'm really learning.” [11:37]
  • Advice: “You have so much time ahead of you. I think people think I need my dream job at 23, and that just was not the case for me right off the bat.” [11:36]
  • Moved to DC after college, “lived with a roommate off Craigslist,” and interned at The Daily Caller [14:40]

• Southern Roots

  • Bond over their SEC (Southern football) rivalry, "two SEC girlies." [12:48]
  • Kaitlan: "Nick Saban is my background on my phone." [13:43]
  • Reflections on Southern hospitality and the “fortitude” built by sweet tea and casseroles.

3. Handling High-Pressure, High-Stakes Moments

• Imposter Syndrome & The Power of Perspective

  • “Do you ever have like an out of body experience while you are asking one of the most powerful people in the entire world?” (McMahan, [24:24])
  • Kaitlan: “I try to have what real people care about inform my approach… you are there on behalf of other people.” [24:24]

• The Viral “Smiling” Moment with Donald Trump

  • Kaitlan recounts President Trump’s dismissive “Can you smile?” reaction when she pressed about Epstein victims.
  • She deconstructs his tactics: “When they’re trying to argue with you or belittle you…it takes away from the point of the question and deflects from what you’re actually trying to ask.” [26:01]
  • Stays composed by focusing on “what these victims think… It’s not about me smiling and my expressions.” [27:22]

• Misogyny & Constant Feedback

  • Discussion of the gendered expectation for women to “smile more”—"when has a man ever been told to smile? Never.” (Collins, [54:32])
  • They discuss the unique pressures of being a woman in media—dealing with unsolicited feedback, criticism, or comments on appearance. [54:09]
  • “It is constant feedback… you didn’t ask for it.” (McMahan, [55:04])

4. The Epstein Files and Accountability in Journalism

• Public Frustration
  • Heather articulates a common feeling: “It feels like your hands are tied… nothing will happen.” [29:31]
  • They discuss the bleakness and bi-partisan disgust over the lack of accountability for Epstein’s powerful acquaintances.
  • Kaitlan shares the story of victims who “complained to the FBI in the 90s, and they never knew what happened…when the files were released, they never knew what happened to this. That complaint was in there.” [30:11]

5. Strategies for Resilience & Self-Care

• Professional Boundaries and Best Practices

  • Stays prepared: “I keep a running list [of questions].” [32:56]
  • On developing trust and sources: “Actually…being Southern helps… you just are in conversation with people, striking up conversations, calling people out of the blue.” [38:57]
  • Learning to “water” professional relationships, treat them “like plants.” [40:09]

• Self-Care in High Stress Work

  • “I take my health seriously…vitamin C, face mists, Kiehl’s moisturizer, eye patches, wash hands 20 times a day.” [51:53]
  • She styles herself for comfort: “I just wear a suit every day. I wear a blazer every day. I have two million blazers probably.” [52:08]
  • Hard boundaries for family and grounding with friends; tries to maintain sleep, exercise, and social life as essential to being good at her job. [46:38] [48:05]
  • Decompression: Prioritizing quiet days, reading, time with friends and family, and occasionally a glass of champagne or dirty martini. [61:48]

6. Press Corps Solidarity, Especially Among Women

• Camaraderie over Competition
  • "The press corps is amazing... there's a lot of camaraderie in the press corps amongst reporters, photographers, the camera guys, audio guys, everyone. Because you’re all kind of waiting in the briefing room." [58:15]
  • Heather asks specifically about women standing together: “Is there a sense of camaraderie with other female reporters… like, hey, girl, you good?” [60:01]
  • Kaitlan affirms mutual support, especially after misogynistic incidents (like "quiet down, Piggy"), emphasizing the importance of standing up for one another. [60:15]

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Kaitlan Collins:

  • "I just think in that moment, this is more important to stay focused... It's not about me. It's not about me smiling and my expressions." [27:22]
  • "You are doing... you're there on the behalf of other people asking these questions." [25:11]
  • "I think all women deal with that—no matter what your job is, whether you're on television or not." [54:02]
  • "If you’re just listening to everyone, like you’re listening to no one, like, it’s just noise. It all drowns out." [56:19]

• Heather McMahan:

  • “I almost feel like a clown with her head on a swivel. I’m trying to go out and do my shows, and then I get off stage and I look at what’s going on, you’re like, how do I fix any of this?” [31:14]
  • “It is constant feedback… you didn’t ask for it.” [55:04]
  • “Show me your jugs or hated you in a blue jacket. And you’re like, what are we doing here?” (On comment section madness) [53:28]

Notable & Lighthearted Moments

• SEC Southern Girlies Unite: A running theme, with playful rivalry, Nick Saban wallpaper, and discussions about sweet tea and casseroles. [13:08]
• Glam & Skincare:
  • “There's not a wrinkle on this face… what are we doing?" (Heather, [48:47])
  • "I love those eye patches… I like use them non stop." (Kaitlan, [48:47])
  • Secret Service becoming curious about her eye patches: "All these guys were like, like, curious." (Kaitlan, [50:19])
• Fashion at the White House:
  • "I just feel comfortable in a blazer."—Kaitlan, [52:08]
  • Wearing a skirt was her "tan suit" moment: "That was your tan suit moment." (Heather & Kaitlan, [52:33])
• Food Rules in the Press Room:
  • "If someone heats up fish, we're like, are you kidding me? It will be like mutiny." ([59:20])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:25] Kaitlan on sleep deprivation and travel as White House reporter
• [04:30] Explanation of the White House press pool experience
• [10:46] Kaitlan’s unconventional path from chemistry major to journalism
• [24:24] Experiencing imposter syndrome & perspective in the press room
• [26:01] Handling President Trump’s “Can you smile?” moment; staying focused on survivors’ stories
• [29:31] Frustrations with accountability around the Epstein files
• [32:56] Kaitlan’s workflow for following up on news and prepping for fast-moving stories
• [38:57] Developing sources and how Southern charm can help in journalism
• [51:53] Kaitlan’s self-care and on-the-road wellness routines
• [54:09] The unique experience—and burdens—of being a woman on air
• [60:01] Female solidarity and press corps camaraderie during misogynistic attacks
• [61:48] How Kaitlan decompresses (reading, friends, champagne) and her priorities outside of work

The Original Tone

Throughout the conversation, both women keep the tone friendly, honest, and unfiltered—moving effortlessly between serious discussions (political accountability, resilience) and lighthearted asides (fashion emergencies, hair products, SEC football rivalries). Kaitlan is poised and earnest, balancing humor with candor about the emotional toll of the work. Heather brings her trademark wit and relatability, frequently poking fun at herself while asking incisive questions.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the realities of political journalism, women’s experiences in high-pressure professions, or just in need of a dose of real talk and solidarity. Kaitlan pulls back the curtain on the White House press corps while offering both laughter and insight, and Heather’s comedic sensibility keeps even the weightiest topics feeling approachable. As they say: sometimes, you have to laugh so you don’t cry—and also know which eye patches to pack for Air Force One.

Find Kaitlan Collins:
Instagram & Twitter: @kaitlancollins
(“It’s much nicer on Instagram I think!” [63:59])

Heather McMahan
Instagram: @heatherkmcmahan

End of summary.