Call It What It Is – Episode Summary: "Call It Triggers, Past Boyfriends and that Coldplay Kiss Cam"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Call It What It Is
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Release Date: July 28, 2025

Overview: In this engaging episode of Call It What It Is, hosts Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington delve deep into the nuanced topic of emotional triggers. Balancing heartfelt discussions with light-hearted banter, the duo explores personal experiences, coping mechanisms, and societal reactions to public emotional events, all while maintaining their trademark camaraderie.

1. Introduction to Triggers (02:46 – 05:45)

Jessica and Camilla kick off the episode by defining what constitutes a trigger versus a mere annoyance. They emphasize the importance of recognizing genuine triggers that cause intense emotional distress, often rooted in past traumas or challenging experiences.

• Definition Discussion:
  • Camille Luddington (04:46): “Anything person, place, thing, or situation causing intense emotional distress, bringing up past trauma or a challenging experience.”

Jessica humorously admits her own misunderstandings about triggers before clarifying their true meaning.

2. Personal Experiences with Triggers (05:45 – 12:10)

The hosts share personal anecdotes to illustrate how triggers manifest in their lives.

• Jessica on Emotional Triggers:

  • Jessica Capshaw (06:10): “I was waiting on tables on Mother's Day, and that whole day was a trigger. Anything could trigger me that day.”

• Camille on Childhood Triggers:

  • Camille Luddington (07:10): “Most of my triggers are childhood triggers... I feel like I'm team avoid, but I've been getting better at diving in.”

They discuss their respective coping styles—Jessica tends to avoid diving into triggers, while Camille is gradually learning to face them.

3. Coping Mechanisms: Team Avoid vs. Team Dive In (07:35 – 11:01)

The conversation transitions into how each of them handles triggers, exploring the dichotomy between avoidance and engagement.

• Camille's Approach:

  • Camille Luddington (07:35): “I'm not wired to fight. I'd rather figure it out... Just keep swimming.”

• Jessica's Approach:

  • Jessica Capshaw (08:21): “I'm a team avoider. I compartmentalize... But sometimes, you need to sit with it.”

They acknowledge that while avoidance can offer temporary relief, facing triggers can lead to deeper emotional healing, despite being more challenging.

4. The Complexity of Grief as a Trigger (09:03 – 11:01)

Jessica opens up about her grief over her mother's passing, illustrating how deeply personal losses can serve as potent triggers.

• Jessica on Grief:
  • Jessica Capshaw (09:18): “Having children ended up being a trigger for grief for my mom. The box I had boxed up grief never goes away.”

This segment underscores the enduring nature of certain triggers and the importance of addressing them rather than suppressing.

5. Triggers in Daily Life and Relationships (12:10 – 19:00)

The hosts discuss how unresolved triggers can spill over into everyday interactions, leading to overreactions and strained relationships.

• Camille on Work-Life Balancing:

  • Camille Luddington (13:11): “When I'm on the hamster wheel, juggling emails and family demands, I sometimes overreact to my kids' minor mishaps.”

• Jessica on Compartmentalizing:

  • Jessica Capshaw (09:12): “I am an expert at compartmentalizing.”

They emphasize the importance of self-awareness in recognizing when past triggers are influencing current behaviors.

6. Public Events as Triggers: The Coldplay Kiss Cam Incident (30:21 – 39:35)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing a high-profile cheating scandal involving Coldplay during a concert kiss cam event. Jessica and Camille dissect why this particular incident has become so triggering for many.

• Why It’s Triggering:

  • Jessica Capshaw (32:15): “The CEO and HR thing is what making it stick... public scrutiny is intense.”

• Public Perception and Empathy:

  • Camille Luddington (34:09): “This is completely not a new thing... but the public nature makes it so horrible.”

They explore the intersection of personal betrayals and public exposure, highlighting how societal magnification can exacerbate the emotional impact of such events.

• Humorous Banter:
  • Jessica Capshaw (37:48): “This is why we can't have an affair together, Jess, because we will get caught.”

Their playful exchange lightens the conversation, demonstrating their ability to tackle serious subjects with humor.

7. Differentiating Triggers from Pet Peeves (27:50 – 32:49)

Returning to the core topic, the hosts clarify the difference between genuine triggers and everyday annoyances.

• Jessica on Parking Triggers:

  • Jessica Capshaw (24:00): “I get closer and closer to absolutely exploding in the car... it's tty patent.”

• Camille on Self-Talk:

  • Camille Luddington (27:12): “I do a lot of self-talk... It's okay. You weren't here.”

They reiterate that while pet peeves are manageable frustrations, triggers require a more profound emotional response and understanding.

8. Concluding Thoughts and Final Insights (39:35 – End)

As the episode wraps up, Jessica and Camille reflect on the importance of recognizing and respecting both personal and others' emotional triggers. They advocate for greater empathy and awareness in social interactions to foster healthier relationships.

• Final Reflections:

  • Camille Luddington (39:35): “I hope that the news cycle stops and I wish them grace and healing. It's gotta be just horrible.”

• Jessica’s Closing Thoughts:

  • Jessica Capshaw (39:39): “We can't have an affair together, Jess, because we will get caught.”

They emphasize the necessity of understanding the gravity of triggers and the impact of public emotional events on individual well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• Camille on the Definition of Triggers:

  • “[04:46] Camille Luddington: (…) anything person, place, thing, or situation causing intense emotional distress…”

• Jessica on Emotional Hot Mess:

  • “[06:00] Jessica Capshaw: (…) I was an emotional hot mess. And I was like, no, don't stop believing. But he stopped believing. And then I stopped.”

• Camille on Coping with Triggers:

  • “[07:35] Camille Luddington: (…) I think a lot of my adaptations and the way that I cope is… Just keep swimming.”

• Jessica on Public Scrutiny:

  • “[32:15] Jessica Capshaw: (…) The CEO and HR thing is what's making it stick.”

• Final Reflection on Empathy:

  • “[34:09] Camille Luddington: (…) you can't help but do that. And then you're so frustrated. I'm like, this is terrible… everyone loses.”

Conclusion: This episode of Call It What It Is provides a profound exploration of emotional triggers, interwoven with personal stories and societal observations. Jessica and Camille offer listeners relatable insights and practical reflections on navigating the complexities of emotional responses in both private and public spheres. Through their candid dialogue, they encourage a deeper understanding and compassionate approach to dealing with triggers, fostering a supportive community for those seeking to better manage their emotional well-being.