Podcast Summary: "lying is okay sometimes, unpopular opinions"

Podcast: anything goes with emma chamberlain
Host: Emma Chamberlain
Date: September 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging and candid episode, Emma Chamberlain dives deep into her "unpopular opinions," addressing everything from the cities debate (LA vs. New York), viral toy trends, and television commercials, to the ethics of white lies and the realities of quitting alcohol. Emma's signature blend of irreverence, vulnerability, and humor shapes a wide-ranging philosophical exploration of social norms, personal comfort, and pop culture, all from the cozy comfort of her bed.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. TV Commercials Are Underrated Entertainment

Timestamps: 02:00 – 08:00

• Emma admits to loving TV commercials and finds them entertaining, contrary to most people's opinions.
  • "I want to see the new Arby's sandwich. I want to see the latest Zara campaign. I want to watch the pharmaceutical commercial about a very niche medication. Like, I want to watch that. I don't know why, but I do. I find it weirdly entertaining." — Emma Chamberlain [04:05]
• She appreciates QVC infomercials for their earnest and sometimes absurd product pitches.
• Even Instagram and Pinterest ads fascinate her, more as a study in marketing than a source of annoyance.

2. LA vs. New York: Visiting vs. Living

Timestamps: 08:15 – 21:00

• The classic city debate: "Neither is better. They're just different and that's okay."
  • Emma suggests visiting New York is more enjoyable, but LA is a better place to live.
    • "Visiting New York is so exciting...but living there, I think for me, would be a little bit too exhausting, to be honest." — Emma Chamberlain [10:32]
    • LA is more tranquil, spacious, and offers easier access to nature; New York is more exciting for short-term energy.
• Driving in LA vs. walking in NYC: Emma values having her own car and the peaceful, nature-adjacent lifestyle LA provides.
• Admits her opinion has changed with age and time spent living on the West Coast.

3. Labubu and the Nature of Fads

Timestamps: 22:00 – 30:30

• Emma defends the Labubu (popular collectible toy) as "timeless," separate from its trendy, obsessive culture.
  • "If you just look at it for what it is, I think it is a genuinely cool product." — Emma Chamberlain [24:20]
• Compares Labubu’s trajectory to the teddy bear, illustrating how fads can become classics.
  • "It's really sad that people are shitting on them...the design itself is really cool and timeless." — Emma Chamberlain [29:15]

4. Little White Lies are Sometimes Necessary

Timestamps: 33:00 – 39:00

• Emma believes it's okay to lie to avoid social obligations, especially with people she isn't close to.
  • "To preserve someone's feelings, I think a little white lie like that is no problem." — Emma Chamberlain [34:36]
• She differentiates honesty for close relationships versus acquaintances and is unbothered if someone does the same to her.
• Advises on crafting "believable, harmless half-lies" to avoid awkward encounters.

5. Pools Are Boring Compared to the Ocean

Timestamps: 39:15 – 44:50

• "Swimming in a pool is boring.'"
  • Pools lack movement, creatures, or adventure. Floaties and waterslides get a brief pass, but natural water is more exciting and grounding.
• Emma laments the demise of childhood pool games and finds adult pool use dull—unless on a floating bed or escaping summer heat.

6. Blackout Curtains = No Thanks

Timestamps: 45:00 – 47:50

• Strong preference for natural morning light and an open environment—blackout curtains feel claustrophobic and unsettling.
  • "It's too dark. It's just too dark...There's something very claustrophobic about blackout curtains. I feel stuck." — Emma Chamberlain [45:35]
• Practical concern: sunlight helps her wake up, especially as a heavy sleeper.

7. The Phone Call vs. FaceTime Debate

Timestamps: 48:00 – 50:30

• Regular phone calls beat FaceTime—less demanding, less self-conscious, permits multitasking.
  • "The simplicity [of a phone call] is what I think makes it such a special form of communication." — Emma Chamberlain [49:40]
• Prefers to reserve video conversations for real-life face-to-face interactions or necessary show-and-tells.

8. A-List Celebrity Life? No, Thanks!

Timestamps: 50:40 – 58:30

• Being famous at the Taylor Swift/Beyoncé level sounds "like a nightmare." Emma values her privacy and ability to do normal things.
  • "It's very scary being that famous...I think humans need an element of privacy to stay mentally healthy." — Emma Chamberlain [53:25]
• She sees fame as a tradeoff, and only desires the degree she already has: "There's so many things I can do where I'm not being surveillanced."

9. Alcohol is Too Normalized

Timestamps: 58:35 – 01:07:35

• After almost a year of not drinking (due to sudden intolerance), Emma observes:
  • Alcohol is everywhere in social life, but "really bad for you" even in moderation.
  • She feels sharper, healthier, and more confident socially without it.
  • "It's just bizarre how many things revolve around the consumption of alcohol." — Emma Chamberlain [01:06:15]
  • Compares its normalization to the decline in social acceptance of cigarettes—argues alcohol could (should?) be scrutinized similarly.

10. Pets: Anxiety-Relief, or Just...Anxiety?

Timestamps: 01:08:00 – 01:14:00

• Despite loving her two cats dearly, Emma finds the anxiety over their wellbeing outweighs the comfort they provide.
  • "It's a net negative, anxiety wise for me...My anxiety about something bad happening to them is almost, it's more severe than what they relieve for me." — Emma Chamberlain [01:09:40]
• Shares stories about cat escapes, strategies to keep them safe, and an existential crisis over pet ownership's moral ambiguities.

11. Baths are Overrated

Timestamps: 01:16:00 – 01:21:45

• Finds baths physically uncomfortable, hard to get temperature right, and logistically impractical for relaxation.
  • "You have to have your arms out of the water the whole time, because you're trying to eat your snack...it's just not relaxing." — Emma Chamberlain [01:18:15]
• Prefers a solid "everything shower," getting clean and then watching TV in bed.

12. People Watching is the Best Part of Going Out

Timestamps: 01:22:00 – 01:27:25

• "The best part about going out—95% of the time—is the people watching."
  • Enjoys brief stints of observing interactions, outfits, and drama.
• Especially now that she doesn’t drink or go out “with a goal” (meeting people, getting buzzed, etc.), people-watching has become the highlight.

13. Dresses? Not for Emma

Timestamps: 01:27:30 – 01:32:30

• Dresses—especially casual ones—are uncomfortable. Emma meticulously describes her sensory sensitivities with clothing.
  • "There's something about a dress that's so uncomfortable for me. I've never liked the way it feels on my body." — Emma Chamberlain [01:29:15]
• Now owns zero casual dresses; skirts are okay, but pants with a proper waistband are preferred.

14. Rapid-Fire Food Takes (Food Speed Round)

Timestamps: 01:32:35 – 01:40:55

• Salads & Bowls: Should be eaten with a spoon—not a fork—for optimal bite construction.
• Maple Donuts: The best type of donut, though all donuts will be eaten.
• Best Salad Green: Massaged kale wins; it’s hearty, flavorful, and doesn’t wilt.
• Savory > Sweet Breakfast: Eggs, bagels, and salty foods preferred over pancakes and French toast.
  • "I have a salty tooth. I love a french fry. I love a chip." — Emma Chamberlain [01:37:25]
• Cereal: Bad for breakfast, great for late-night snacking. Lacks protein and staying power but is a perfect "little snack" before bed.

Memorable Quotes

• "There's just something about TV commercials that I like. I even kind of like Instagram ads, to be honest." [07:55]
• "I think visiting New York is more enjoyable than visiting LA...living in LA is better than living in New York full time." [11:10]
• "I think the Labubu is genuinely a timeless design—even if the culture around it is super fad-y right now." [28:30]
• "To preserve someone's feelings, I think a little white lie like that is no problem." [34:36]
• "Swimming in a pool, to me, is boring. There's nothing to do." [40:28]
• "I just don't like blackout curtains. I need sunlight to wake me up." [45:55]
• "The simplicity of a phone call is what I think makes it such a special form of communication." [49:40]
• "Being an A list celebrity, you cannot do normal stuff...I think humans need an element of privacy to stay mentally healthy." [53:30]
• “It's just bizarre how many things revolve around the consumption of alcohol.” [01:06:15]
• “It's a net negative, anxiety wise, for me, because if one of them gets out...they would not...last 24 hours.” [01:10:18]
• "Taking a bath is not relaxing...it just doesn't feel good to me." [01:16:25]
• "Salads are better with a spoon—why are we fighting for what we want with a fork?" [01:33:30]

Final Notes

Emma wraps up by reiterating that her list of unpopular opinions is always evolving, and she encourages listeners to share their own on social media:

• "Let me know some of your unpopular opinions at Anything Goes on Instagram... I love reading those comments." [01:42:20]

As always, her delivery is inviting, funny, and open for dialogue—a perfect fit for fans of her unfiltered, introspective style.

For listeners who haven't tuned in:
This episode is a delightful mix of confession, hot takes, and cultural observations delivered with the charm, vulnerability, and humor that have become Emma Chamberlain's hallmark. It’s less about rigid positions and more about honest reflection—full of the kind of candor that shapes real human connection. Emma’s unpopular opinions might just make you question—or affirm—your own.

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