Celebrity Jobber with Jeff Zito: Sean Lennon

Podcast Date: December 25, 2025
Guest: Sean Lennon
Host: Jeff Zito

Episode Overview

This episode of Celebrity Jobber diverges from its usual format as host Jeff Zito interviews Sean Lennon—the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono—whose fame was essentially inherited at birth. Instead of tracing ‘first jobs’ or humble beginnings, the episode dives into Sean’s experience growing up as a celebrity child, his formative memories (including the tragedy of losing his father), his foray into music, creative collaborations, regrets about education, and his current artistic and philanthropic projects. The show’s atmosphere is intimate and reflective, with Sean candidly exploring loss, identity, creativity, and his mother’s influence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Trauma and Its Impact

• Sharing a Formative Memory ([04:22])
  • Jeff Zito opens up about learning of John Lennon's murder as a child, a moment that linked Zito and Lennon in their early experiences of grief and empathy.
• Sean Lennon Reflects on Losing His Father ([05:36])
  • Sean discusses the deeply traumatizing event, how memory works in childhood trauma, and its role in shaping his identity.
    • Quote:
      "It was deeply traumatizing, but it also kind of forged my personality. The irony or the great paradox of life is that that which doesn't, you know, kill you really makes you stronger...with tragedy comes wisdom, and there’s something bittersweet about that." — Sean Lennon ([05:36])
  • Sean recalls the surreal outpouring of public grief, with thousands singing Beatles songs outside, and how it accelerated his emotional maturity.

2. Music as an Inherited Path and Passion

• On Early Involvement in Music ([09:16])
  • Sean explains that joining his mother Yoko Ono for a collaborative album led him to leave college, inadvertently launching his music career.
    • Quote:
      "I left college to go on tour with my mom. We had done a record together...looking back, you know, it was really cool of her to allow me to do that...she let her weird 17-year-old kid play with her." — Sean Lennon ([09:16])
• Regrets About Education ([10:56])
  • Sean openly expresses regret about not finishing his degree at Columbia, advising young listeners to consider sticking with schooling.
    • Quote:
      "I would say that I regret leaving college because it just always sort of...it's a little L in your life that never goes away. Waiting another couple years to graduate seemed like forever to me...but looking back, I would have had a cool degree that I’d be proud of." — Sean Lennon ([10:56])

3. Career Choices and Lack of “Normal” Jobs

• Never a “Jobber” in the Traditional Sense ([12:31])
  • Zito asks if Sean ever had ‘regular’ jobs; Sean explains that he’s always been attached to music, never working in other fields.
    • Quote:
      "I don’t even get paid for show business, man. So yeah, I wouldn’t even call me being a musician a job...I just do it for the love of the game, man." — Sean Lennon ([12:44])
• Living in the Moment—Family Influence ([11:43])
  • Sean talks about his unconventional upbringing, the lack of future planning, and his mother's encouragement to live spontaneously.

4. Creative Collaborations and Current Projects

• Recent Work: "War Is Over" Animated Film ([13:24])
  • Sean co-wrote and produced an animated short inspired by “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” with Pixar alum Dave Mullins, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short. The film has a narrative of its own and aims to raise awareness and funds for the War Child charity.
    • Quote:
      "It won an Academy Award for best animated short and now it’s available for the public to see. I’m really proud of it. It would really mean a lot to me if people could actually go check it out...If you want to donate to War Child, it's a really good charity." — Sean Lennon ([13:28])
  • The short film is available on YouTube via the John Lennon Channel.
• Upcoming Music: The Delirium ([17:39])
  • Sean reveals he’s working with Les Claypool (Primus) on a new Delirium double album, describing it as a rock opera set for release next year, with touring planned.
    • Quote:
      "I've got a band called the Delirium with Les Claypool from Primus. We've got a double album coming out next year...It's a concept record. It has a story to it and I think it's going to be really fun." — Sean Lennon ([17:39])

5. Mother–Son Relationship & The Real Yoko Ono

• Behind the Scenes with Yoko Ono ([15:20])
  • Zito asks for a more personal portrait of Yoko Ono; Sean depicts her as gentle, ladylike, deeply brilliant and misunderstood—contrasting her avant-garde reputation.
    • Quote:
      "She’s very quiet and sweet and elegant and...very ladylike. People think of her as the woman who screams on stage or...standing naked with my dad, but she’s actually very reserved and sweet and quiet...And she writes a lot of really beautiful pop songs." — Sean Lennon ([15:20])
  • He encourages listeners to watch performances and films showcasing her versatility, such as "1 to 1 John and Yoko" and her live song “Age 39”.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tragedy and Growth:
  "With tragedy comes wisdom, and there’s something bittersweet about that, but that’s the way it goes, you know." — Sean Lennon ([05:36])

• On Leaving College:
  "I regret leaving college...waiting another couple of years to graduate seemed like forever to me." — Sean Lennon ([10:56])

• On ‘Having a Plan’ as a Young Adult:
  "I didn’t have a plan, you know, I don’t know how 17-year-olds have life plans...I was living in the moment as it were." — Sean Lennon ([11:43])

• On His Relationship with Work:
  "I don’t even get paid for show business, man...I just do it for the love of the game." — Sean Lennon ([12:44])

• On Yoko Ono:
  "She’s very brilliant...very misunderstood for many years and I think her time has come. People are finally recognizing her for her own accomplishments and for the artist who she really is." — Sean Lennon ([15:20])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jeff Zito shares his connection to John Lennon’s death: ([04:22])
• Sean’s memory of his father’s death and its impact: ([05:36], [07:03])
• Sean discusses leaving college and regrets: ([09:16] – [10:56])
• Sean’s take on career choices and unconventional upbringing: ([11:43] – [12:44])
• Recent work: "War Is Over" film & charity partnership: ([13:24] – [14:40]; revisited at [18:13])
• Personal insights on Yoko Ono: ([15:20])
• Upcoming music: Delirium’s rock opera and tour: ([17:39])

Final Notes

Sean Lennon’s story offers a rare glimpse into the reality of being born into legend, the challenges of processing public and private tragedy, and the pursuit of creative fulfillment “for the love of the game.” While he never held traditional jobs, his journey is marked by introspection, a deep bond with his mother, and ongoing artistic evolution. His latest projects—an award-winning animated film and ambitious music—underscore his continued drive to create meaningful art beyond the shadow of his famous parents.

Listeners are encouraged to watch the "War Is Over" animated short on YouTube and consider donating to War Child at warchildusa.org.