Podcast
Choice Words with Samantha Bee
Hosted by Lemonada Media · EN
We make a lot of choices, every single day. Some explode, some implode, most we barely remember. Each week on Choice Words, Samantha Bee sits down with people she admires to examine the biggest choices they’ve made in their lives and the ripple effects those decisions have had. What’s a story a journalist took a chance on that changed history? A vote that a politician never should have cast? A song lyric a musician came up with in the shower that made them instantly famous?
Sam’s made a lot of choices, too. She may have to interview herself about starting this podcast.
42episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Carrots or Grapes? (with Emily Oster)
Jan 800:55:05Tap to summarizeEconomist and author Emily Oster joins Sam to ring in the New Year and talk about why so many people try to reset in January and if they believe in New Year’s resolutions. They unpack why some important people eat the same thing every day in order not to exert energy on unimportant decisions and why Emily has the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day (but gets to alternate between carrots and grapes). They talk about structured decision making, contentious co-sleeping with kids, and why parenting advice can be so controversial. They agree Canadians make decisions in a slightly different way, why the scientific community doesn’t do a good job explaining uncertainty, why people just want to be told what to do, and why everyone is asking Emily about Botox these days. Plus, the RFK Jr. of it all and why people are convinced that every moment is an opportunity to mess up. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Magazine Makeup Artist or Cosmetics CEO? (with Bobbi Brown)
Oct 3000:44:41Tap to summarizeBobbi Brown, Founder of Jones Road Beauty, joins Sam fresh off the plane from Paris to discuss her new book, Still Bobbi, and to explore her career trajectory from behind-the-scenes makeup artist to two-time cosmetic company CEO. Bobbi talks about how some of her most important choices were choosing men—both her husband, who she knew within weeks was “the one” and Leonard Lauder, who she decided to sell her eponymous makeup brand to when it wasn’t even for sale. They talk about the importance of knowing who you are and when to stop trying out other personas, why at their age it’s necessary to prioritize being able to lift your own suitcase, and the common sense of “no-makeup makeup.” Bobbi tells Sam she is a life-long “non-agonizer” and how her big regret in life not getting a photo with Tammy Faye Baker when she had the chance, and how in her 60s she’s become an accidental Tik Tok influencer. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →HHS or DOJ? (with Alex Wagner)
Oct 2300:42:29Tap to summarizeJournalist Alex Wagner, host of Runaway Country: a new podcast from Crooked Media, joins Sam to talk about how she can’t decide which department—HHS or DOJ—is the current worst offender. They talk about how journalism school isn’t preparing journalists for the way the news system currently works, and why the Pentagon press corp handed in its badges. They both reflect on the hundreds of travel pieces they’ve done and why it’s still important to talk to people at the heart of issues rather than the politicians and how it’s different talking to Trump supporters now than in 2018. They consider how and why politics has replaced community, Alex’s mom’s immigrant perspective, why this administration counts on us to lose interest, and why we just need 16 years with no bozos in the White House—is that too much to ask? Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Choices We Made: Sourdo or Sourdoughn’t? (with Nancy Silverton)
Oct 1800:48:17Tap to summarizeChef and restaurateur Nancy Silverton joins Sam to talk about being one of the first American chefs to bring sourdough to the masses. They talk about Nancy opening a new diner with longtime friend Phil Rosenthal and how to decide what gets to be on the menu (not yogurt, yes cottage cheese). They talk about how to run more than one restaurant at a time, and protecting her immigrant kitchen workers at her Los Angeles restaurants from ICE. They discuss earliest memories of dining at home, the cookie that changed her life (peanut butter), why menus these days are obsessed with buzzwords like “yuzu” and “chili crisp” and how she is completely addicted to popcorn. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Introducing: Don’t Listen To Us with Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody
Oct 1600:46:27Tap to summarizeWe’re so excited to share a new show from Lemonada Media, Don’t Listen To Us, an advice show for advice-skeptics and wisdom-lovers, hosted by Mandy Patinkin, Kathryn Grody, and their son Gideon. Legendary actor Mandy (The Princess Bride, Homeland, Criminal Minds) is the consummate entertainer who shoots from the hip, stage actress Kathryn is the thoughtful connector who sees all the nuance, and Gideon is the brave soul keeping them on track (or at least trying). Together, Mandy and Kathryn have 40+ years of marriage, 140+ years of life experience, and a series of viral social media posts where Gideon interviews them and watches both chaos and wisdom ensue. They don’t always agree on what advice to give—in fact, they rarely do. But they draw from their highs and lows as artists, parents, lovers, and humans, to give their unique take on real dilemmas submitted by you -- the listeners. Hang out with this family and you’ll walk away with insights you didn’t expect, stories you’ll want to repeat, and comfort knowing that you’re not alone in figuring out how to survive this fakakta world. You’re about to hear the first episode from Don’t Listen To us. After you listen, head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/DontListenToUsfd to hear the full episode and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Wealthy or Wise? (with Michael Lewis)
Oct 901:05:48Tap to summarizeAuthor Michael Lewis joins Sam to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Big Short and talk about if we’ve learned any lessons since its publication—like why we so often conflate wealth and wisdom. They discuss why they don’t think anyone would actually prefer to go back 30 or 60 years if they had the choice, why cutting interest rates mean house prices will go up, and why Michael wouldn’t bet against Bitcoin but Sam refuses to take most financial risks. They talk about the tragedy of the CPFB being gutted, why Americans treat the government like the enemy, and if there’s a Canadian “deep state.” Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Cash or Card? (with Stephanie Ruhle)
Oct 200:45:47Tap to summarizeHost of The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle and former Wall Streeter Stephanie Ruhle, joins Sam to talk about why it’s important to teach your kids use cash if you care about financial literacy. They talk about trying to lower the political temperature and why sometimes going viral is the worst thing for us. Stephanie explains why she doesn’t let herself get tired or sloppy and needs to “keep it tight” in her reporting so no one can attack her and the importance of fact checking, and why the best part of Donald Trump’s day is when he’s talking to the press. They bond over a shared love for Takis but agree it’s best to not know what’s in them, and why everyone should work in customer service at some point. Catch Stephanie at the upcoming MSNBCLIVE ‘25: This Is Who We Are event on Saturday, October 11. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Caretaker or Comedian? (with Cristela Alonzo)
Sep 2500:56:56Tap to summarizeComedian Cristela Alonzo joins Sam to talk about her new Netflix special Upper Classy, and how before her career took off she made the life-changing decision to leave LA to become her mom’s full-time end of life caretaker. She explains that she started standup as a way of dealing with the grief of losing her mom, and how she didn’t even know it could be a real job before then. Cristela talks about how when you grow up below the poverty line you learn that part of privilege is having the power to get people’s attention and how you might as well make the decision you’re faced with because tomorrow is coming either way. They gush over a shared love of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and “very special episodes” and learning to ride bikes later in life, and why it’s never too late to learn to experience joy. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Weightlifter or Runner? (with Casey Johnston)
Sep 1800:56:21Tap to summarizeCasey Johnston, the author of Sam’s favorite new book A Physical Education, joins Sam to talk lifting and leaving diet culture. Casey explains why initially she—and many others—felt lifting wasn’t for women who wanted to be seen as attractive, and why people are afraid to question the status quo of health industries. Casey explains the importance of resting your muscles, the dangers of the manosphere, and why Don Jr. did the worst deadlift she’s ever seen. Sam explains why she always lies on airplanes when they ask if she can open a 35 pound door and they agree that the perfect gym would be a library with weights. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Bystander or Upstander? (with Governor JB Pritzker)
Sep 1100:40:12Tap to summarizeGovernor JB Pritzker of Illinois joins Sam to talk about what to do when the president declares war on one of your cities—totally normal stuff! The Governor explains why people need to finally decide if they’re going to be bystanders or upstanders and why he thinks people usually try to be upstanders. They talk about how President Trump talks a big game but also the federal government conveys nothing to the actual states they’re talking about, and why Illinois is always ready to go to court against Trump and will always try to call Trump’s bluffs. They discuss how if the government actually cared about crime they’d try to collaborate with Governor Pritzker to take illegal guns off the streets and how Trump is actually the one defunding the police. Governor Pritzker reminds Sam that Dr. Phil—yes, that Dr. Phil—joined an ICE raid in Chicago, and why he’s disappointed in some Democratic elected officials. They get into inviting the Texas delegation to Illinois, if Illinois will redistrict, and why compromise right now gets you nothing. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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