Call It What It Is: Valentine's Edition!
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts featuring Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington
Release Date: February 13, 2025

Introduction

In this special Valentine's Edition of "Call It What It Is," best friends and renowned actresses Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington delve into the intricate facets of Valentine's Day. Balancing humor and heartfelt conversation, the duo explores personal experiences, societal expectations, and listener submissions to provide a comprehensive look at how this day of love is celebrated and perceived today.

Reframing Valentine's Day

Jessica and Camilla kick off the episode by discussing their evolving perspectives on Valentine's Day. Moving away from traditional romantic clichés, they reflect on how parenthood and personal growth have shaped their views.

• Jessica Capshaw shares, "I'm not into it for that [traditional romantic gestures]." (03:31)

• Camilla Luddington concurs, adding, "I'm reflecting. I don't think I'm sure... I don't find it particularly romantic." (03:27)

Both acknowledge that while Valentine's Day was once a high-pressure event, especially in their younger years, it has become a more meaningful time to celebrate genuine connections and self-love.

Personal Experiences and Growth

The hosts share personal anecdotes that highlight their individual journeys with Valentine's Day, emphasizing growth and changing priorities.

• High School Memories:
  Jessica Capshaw reminisces about the competitive nature of high school Valentine's Day, stating, "When you had a boyfriend, it was about when he was gonna bring the flowers, were they bigger than Susie's." (04:12)

• Parenthood's Impact:
  Camilla Luddington discusses how having children transformed her view of the holiday, making it more about family and less about grand romantic gestures. She mentions transitioning from gifting jewelry to simpler, more meaningful presents like a bouquet of flowers for each child. (09:29)

• Unique Traditions:
  Camilla introduces her quirky tradition of wearing a red wig and decorating the kitchen with Valentine's Day themes to entertain her children, adding a playful twist to the celebration. (08:08)

Listener Submissions: Best and Worst Gifts

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to reading and discussing listener submissions about their best and worst Valentine's Day gifts.

• Best Gifts:

  • "Putting thought into it." — Lily (23:16)
  • "A weekend getaway." — Donna (23:25)
  • "A spa day or massage for one." — Juliana (25:46)
  • "Anything handmade." — Paige (28:37)

• Worst Gifts:

  • "A gym membership with the note 'you need it'." — Amelie (23:38)
  • "A waist trainer." — Alexa (29:22)
  • "A chocolate chip cookie and dick pic." — Louise (29:34)
  • "Taking someone to a football game when they dislike football." — Lou (27:37)

Discussion Highlights:

• Thoughtful vs. Impersonal Gifts:
  The hosts emphasize the importance of thoughtfulness over generic gifts. Jessica mentions, "A handwritten card, I am scoping out the room for where the gift is." (25:03), underscoring the value of personal effort.

• Humorous Takes:
  Camilla humorously reacts to unconventional gifts, such as a gym membership, stating, "Wow. Gosh." (23:56), highlighting the sometimes misguided attempts at showing care.

• Empathy and Relatability:
  Both hosts express empathy towards listeners' experiences, acknowledging that not all relationships and gift exchanges are smooth or well-intentioned.

Personal Anecdotes and Humor

Jessica and Camilla interspersed their discussion with personal stories that add humor and depth to the conversation.

• Jessica's Lingerie Mishap:
  Jessica recounts a Valentine's Day trip to Victoria's Secret that didn't go as planned, humorously describing the confusion and discomfort caused by modern lingerie designs. "Why would you say no? That would just be like, you don't like yourself." (16:32)

• Camilla's Red Wig Tradition:
  Camilla shares her fun tradition of wearing a red wig and decorating the kitchen, creating a festive atmosphere for her children. "I've got my red wig because it's Valentine's Day." (08:08)

These stories not only provide entertainment but also highlight the hosts' ability to find joy and humor in personal experiences.

Final Thoughts and Self-Love

As the episode concludes, Jessica and Camilla emphasize the importance of self-love and personal happiness over societal pressures.

• Self-Love Emphasis:
  Camilla Luddington advises, "The most important thing is to love yourself." (31:28)

• Treating Yourself:
  Jessica Capshaw adds, "You can always treat yourself. You know exactly what you want." (31:34)

They encourage listeners to prioritize their own well-being and happiness, whether celebrating Valentine's Day solo or with loved ones.

Notable Quotes

• Jessica Capshaw (04:12): "When you had a boyfriend, it was about when he was gonna bring the flowers, were they bigger than Susie's."

• Camilla Luddington (08:08): "I've got my red wig because it's Valentine's Day."

• Jessica Capshaw (16:32): "Why would you say no? That would just be like, you don't like yourself."

• Camilla Luddington (25:04): "She said handwritten card."

• Camilla Luddington (31:28): "The most important thing is to love yourself."

Conclusion

In this heartfelt and humorous Valentine's Edition, Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington offer a fresh perspective on a traditionally romantic holiday. By sharing personal stories, engaging with listener experiences, and emphasizing self-love, they provide valuable insights into making Valentine's Day meaningful and authentic. Whether navigating the highs and lows of relationships or celebrating solo, listeners are left with a sense of camaraderie and encouragement to embrace love in its many forms.