Dear Chelsea – "Not a Loser with Amanda Seyfried"

Podcast: Dear Chelsea
Host: Chelsea Handler (with co-host Katherine)
Guest: Amanda Seyfried
Release Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging and heartfelt episode, comedian Chelsea Handler and co-host Katherine welcome Academy Award-nominated actress Amanda Seyfried for a candid conversation about her career, personal life, creativity, and challenges. The episode navigates topics ranging from Amanda’s celebrated roles and journeys with anxiety and singing, to the joys and chaos of farm life, and even provides heartfelt advice to listeners on love, risk-taking, and family boundaries. The signature "Dear Chelsea" tone prevails—funny, disarmingly honest, warm, and a touch irreverent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amanda Seyfried's Oscar and Golden Globe Nominations

• Recognition for "The Testament of Ann Lee" and "Housemaid"
  • Chelsea gushes over Amanda’s talent and congratulates her on her recent nominations for “The Testament of Ann Lee” and upcoming release “Housemaid”.
  • Amanda corrects misconceptions about her previous nominations, confirming her Dropout win (08:40).

Notable Quote:

“This is one of the most talented people in this industry. She can do fucking anything.” — Chelsea Handler (10:57)

2. Performing & Process: Singing, Anxiety, and Self-Acceptance

• Amanda’s Evolving Relationship with Her Voice
  • Discusses her journey from “Les Mis” to "Ann Lee," letting go of perfectionism in her singing and valuing authenticity over technique.
  • Shares her disappointment over not getting “Wicked,” but reframes it as fate (12:22).

Notable Quotes:

“I finally stopped listening to myself in the way that kind of made it not fun to sing.” — Amanda Seyfried (13:53)
“It’s a human voice, not a trained voice.” — Amanda Seyfried (14:42)

• Anxiety as a Performer
  • Amanda and Chelsea reflect on anxiety—public speaking, acceptance speeches, and the unpredictability it brings (09:49-10:27).

Notable Quote:

“If you had to get up on that stage, who knows which way the wind would have blown… You’re a little bit like… You don’t know what’s gonna happen.” — Chelsea Handler (09:51)

3. "The Testament of Ann Lee": Religion, Trauma, and Female Agency

• Portraying Ann Lee
  • Amanda describes the film’s themes: religion, the Quaker movement, sexuality, female leadership, and communal trauma.
  • Chelsea comments humorously on the logic behind Ann’s choices ("becomes Christ to get out of sex") and the resonance of female autonomy (14:48).
  • Both discuss the historical context of trauma and how religious communities grapple with sexuality and pain.

Notable Quotes:

“She becomes, like, the female Christ, and then uses that as an excuse to stop having sex with her husband. Which I think is really a tale as old as time.” — Chelsea Handler (14:53)
“The direct line between sex and pain was too clear for her.” — Amanda Seyfried (15:49)

• Working with a Female Director
  • Amanda contrasts the empowerment and understanding of shooting intimate scenes with a woman vs. a male director—especially in traumatic or sexual contexts (18:15-20:07).

Notable Quote:

“When there’s a woman who’s in charge of how it’s being shot and what’s being seen... it just feels heavier, it feels more empowered, and it feels more truthful.” — Amanda Seyfried (19:22)

4. Craft & Creativity: Method, Preparation, and Compassion

• Diving into Different Roles
  • Amanda shares thoughts on how she prepares for vastly different projects ("Ann Lee" vs. "Housemaid"), including accent work, authenticity, and learning choreography.
  • She emphasizes empathy and “falling in love” with her characters, no matter how complicated (20:42-21:45).

Notable Quote:

“I just had to fall in love with her... It comes from compassion and all that stuff. You know, human to human stuff.” — Amanda Seyfried (21:25)

5. Farm Life, Family, and Balance

• Daily Life in the Catskills
  • Amanda opens up about her life on a farm with her husband, children, mother, and aging pets. She loves the grounding aspect of nature and the responsibilities outside her career (24:38-29:42).
  • Joking about kitchen disasters, learning to poach eggs, and animal-related chaos.

Notable Quotes:

“It’s... basic meaning nature is bigger than you here... It’s not judging you... It’s just there. And when all the noise is gone... it’s probably really healthy.” — Amanda Seyfried (29:42)

6. Taking Risks: Listener Advice Segment

Angela’s Dilemma: Love vs. Business (36:45–42:29)

• A 34-year-old listener faces a crossroads: pursue romance with her long-distance love in Ecuador, or double down on her new floral business in Buffalo.
• Chelsea and Amanda encourage Angela to chase the adventure, while also offering practical advice—trialing someone to manage the business and viewing the move as an “experience,” not just “for a man.”

Notable Quotes:

“When you say yes to life, life says yes to you.” — Chelsea Handler (40:34)
“It's bigger than a guy. It’s about being in love and about the experience. The experience of love. It doesn't matter who the person is.” — Amanda Seyfried (40:25)

Lindsay’s Dilemma: Setting Wedding Boundaries (46:10–51:49)

• Lindsay seeks advice on not inviting her father's difficult partner (“the Bee”) to her wedding, worrying about family fallout.
• Upon updating, Lindsay shares her father was surprisingly receptive.
• The hosts praise Lindsay’s boundary-setting and affirm that her self-respect will lead to a happier wedding.

Notable Quotes:

“The bride... is the most important person on any wedding day. You created a boundary. You're self-respecting, you're self-preserving.” — Chelsea Handler (48:21)

7. Love Story: Amanda & Her Husband

• Amanda recounts, with endearing honesty and humor, the messy and complicated steps to meeting and committing to her husband: meeting during a stage play, both in other relationships at first, feelings of self-doubt and "feeling like a loser," enduring a tough breakup, and finally coming together (57:51–63:39). They discuss how being "held down" (supported) is crucial when you're vulnerable.

Notable Quotes:

“I also didn’t know... I just assumed he thought I was a loser, because that’s kind of how I, you know, viewed myself when it came to men. I worked on it. I no longer feel that way, thank God.” — Amanda Seyfried (58:08)
“But you know what also about damaged women? We can fucking fix ourselves, and then we can be whole again, and we don’t need another.” — Amanda Seyfried (63:19)

Memorable & Funny Moments

• Chelsea’s culinary drama: Dropping sweet potatoes in the oven at the moment of triumph (27:22).
• The Edgerton Bet: A running bet on how to pronounce Joel Edgerton’s name, playful banter and "sing-song" penalty (05:41–06:33).
• Amanda’s honest self-deprecation: Her self-awareness and humor about being “not a loser” but feeling like one in the past, plus candid stories of farm mishaps and parenting.

Important Timestamps

• [07:57] Introduction of Amanda Seyfried—live from the Catskills
• [10:52] Discussion of award nominations and Amanda’s talent
• [13:13] Amanda on singing for film, letting go of perfection
• [15:15] Sexuality, trauma, and religious themes in "Ann Lee"
• [18:15] Working with a female director – differences and impact
• [20:42] Amanda’s approach to wildly different roles
• [24:38] Amanda’s daily life on the farm and with family
• [36:45] Angela’s call – advice on romance vs. business
• [46:10] Lindsay’s call – handling a toxic step-parent at her wedding
• [57:51] Amanda’s love story and honest reflections on relationships

Closing Thoughts

This episode weaves comedy, vulnerability, and insight—offering listeners honest perspectives on creativity, boundaries, risk, and self-worth. Chelsea and Amanda’s rapport is effortless and supportive. Between Hollywood stories and heartfelt advice, the message is clear: embrace adventure, trust yourself, and don’t be afraid to be a little weird (or to chase a "snack" of a dog around a snowy farm).

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Expect a lively, insightful, and emotionally rich conversation—whether you’re interested in showbiz, self-realization, or simply a reminder that it’s okay to laugh, cry, and take risks. Amanda Seyfried is open and witty; Chelsea Handler is unfiltered as ever. And the advice? Unapologetically empowering.