Podcast Summary

Don't Listen To Us with Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody

Episode: Thanksgiving Politics, Plastic Surgery & The Song that Defines Us
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Lemonada Media
Featuring: Mandy Patinkin, Kathryn Grody, Gideon Grody Patinkin

Episode Overview

This episode of “Don’t Listen To Us” dives into the complexities of navigating family gatherings—specifically Thanksgiving—when politics, generational divides, and personal change are on the menu. Mandy, Kathryn, and their son Gideon field listener questions on the strain of partisan politics at the holiday table, aging gracefully, and the songs that define their relationship. Throughout, the family’s signature blend of humor, candor, and warmth guides listeners through deeply relatable dilemmas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Radio Card Tricks & Thanksgiving Rituals

• [00:11–02:45] Gideon kicks off with a “radio card trick” skit—an intentionally shambolic icebreaker, setting the podcast’s light and playful tone.
• Thanksgiving Traditions:
  • Kathryn enjoys Thanksgiving mostly for her daughter-in-law’s enthusiasm and Mandy’s stuffing.
  • Passover and Rosh Hashanah are Kathryn's preferred holidays.
  • Mandy expresses readiness to pass on the turkey-cooking torch, joking about aging out of kitchen duty.
  • Discussion on why turkey is rarely eaten outside of Thanksgiving—difficulty in preparation and the notorious sleepy effect (tryptophan).
  • Kathryn continues her tradition of questioning eating animals, to which Gideon affectionately notes her perennial debates.
  • Quote – Mandy [03:35]:

    “My mom’s stuffing was great. The turkey’s not that hard to keep moist… just follow the timing, follow the poundage, and put it breast side down.”

2. Call-in: Handling Politics at the Holiday Table

Listener Nancy’s Dilemma

• [05:09–27:32] Nancy (from NYC) asks how to cope when deeply divided politics (her family’s Trump support) threaten family bonds at Thanksgiving. She feels isolated and unsure how to maintain connection without accepting beliefs she finds hurtful.
• Kathryn admits her own social bubble contains few Trump supporters, but she’s tried cross-ideological conversations, often without success.
  • Quote – Kathryn [06:52]:

    “I’ve tried to have a conversation with the one friend I have that’s down the mad rabbit holes... we try, but it’s almost impossible.”

• Mandy affirms his activist stance but clarifies he’s less focused on changing minds and more on understanding why people think as they do.
  • Quote – Mandy [09:49]:

    “The main thing that America was to me was the one that came out there and showed the world how to treat other human beings and take care of them. That’s what I thought my country was about. And we’ve lost that. And I am going to work till the end of my life to replace that... I wish that there would be polar opposite opinions at our Thanksgiving table because that would really be interesting to me.”

• Deep listening, curiosity, and engagement (not conversion) are Mandy’s recipe for civil discourse.
• The difference in Kathryn’s approach: she engages to change minds, while Mandy seeks understanding.
  • Quote – Mandy [11:13]:

    “I try to practice deep listening. I’m genuinely curious as how we come from similar backgrounds and you feel X and I feel Y. How is that possible? I’m curious about it and I don’t need your vote.”

• Nancy reveals her extended family dynamics—her alienation as an “outsider” urban liberal, the presence of proselytizing, and generational divides. She expresses the pain of seeing loved ones embrace hostile or exclusionary politics.
• Kathryn suggests starting on common ground: discussing specific issues (like Medicaid, ICE, or farming) where even MAGA supporters may have overlapping concerns.
  • Quote – Kathryn [18:00]:

    “I’m wondering if there’s one subject with a Gen Z cousin of yours... if you start with a specific issue that you might find common ground in.”

• Mandy draws a hard line at violence, racism, or sexism making someone unwelcome at his table.
  • Quote – Mandy [20:04]:

    “If you’re gonna be violent, sexist or racist in my face, you will be asked to leave.”

• The hosts stress the complexity of political identities—reminding listeners not to oversimplify or “kitchen sink” opposing views, but to remain aware of the possibility (and limits) of finding shared values.
  • Quote – Mandy [22:08]:

    “If we walk away from the table, we lose. So I have a dilemma.”

• Kathryn recommends support groups like “Better Angels” (now Braver Angels), which help facilitate conversations across the political spectrum.
• Mandy’s final advice: set boundaries if things get too heated—choose presence and connection, or step away to preserve peace. Cherish shared memories, find joy in the moment, and reconnect once tempers cool.

3. The Song That Defines Us

• [27:42–32:17] Listener Vicki asks what song represents Mandy and Kathryn’s love.
  • Kathryn names "It Takes Two" from Into the Woods (Stephen Sondheim) as “their” song, recounting how she learned it for Mandy’s 60th birthday.
  • The family reflects on Kathryn’s non-musical background and the effort it took to learn (Gideon helped her practice).
    • Quote – Kathryn [28:01]:

      “It Takes Two from Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim… I did learn it perfectly.”

  • Mandy muses that “Over the Rainbow” is perhaps a better fit, noting its broad hopefulness and ties to his family’s immigrant story.
    • Quote – Mandy [30:35]:

      “I think Over the Rainbow is universally one of the great wishes for human beings ever, anywhere.”

  • They reflect on the song’s deep resonance for immigrants and those yearning for freedom, including the story of a friend discovering it while fleeing Afghanistan.

4. Aging Gracefully: Gray Hair and Plastic Surgery

• [32:19–36:40] The conversation turns to gratitude for things that once caused discomfort.
  • Mandy says he used to hate liver but now delights in it (especially when thin-pounded and sautéed at a favorite NYC restaurant).
  • Kathryn discusses initially hating her gray hair, then coming to prefer it over coloring. Mandy passionately celebrates natural aging and pleads with listeners—especially women—not to resort to plastic surgery.
    • Quote – Mandy [36:03]:

      “Please, to all the women of the world, leave your faces alone. Please don’t operate on them and change them... This is the map of my life. Enjoy and share the map of your life. Don’t freeze it so your face doesn’t move so we can’t see your expressions. Get older. It’s a great thing that you do. You’re beautiful. You get more beautiful...”

  • Kathryn credits Gideon for his feminist advocacy and emotional intelligence.
    • Quote – Kathryn [36:26]:

      “I am proud of raising a son who can express that feeling.”

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deep Listening:
  • Mandy [09:49]:

    “I try to practice deep listening. I’m genuinely curious as how we come from similar backgrounds and you feel X and I feel Y.”

• On Drawing Boundaries:
  • Mandy [20:04]:

    “If you’re gonna be violent, sexist or racist in my face, you will be asked to leave.”

• On Accepting Complexity:
  • Mandy [22:08]:

    “If we walk away from the table, we lose. So I have a dilemma.”

• On Aging & Beauty:
  • Mandy [36:03]:

    “Please, to all the women of the world, leave your faces alone... This is the map of my life. Enjoy and share the map of your life.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:11–02:45: Radio card trick & Thanksgiving meal traditions
• 05:09–27:32: Call-in advice on family political divisions at Thanksgiving
• 27:42–32:17: The song that defines Mandy and Kathryn
• 32:19–36:40: Gratitude for aging, gray hair, and letting go of plastic surgery pressures

Takeaways

• Political differences are fraught but benefit from deep listening, patience, and finding small commonalities.
• Family traditions provide grounding—even as roles and responsibilities shift with age.
• Cherishing shared history and simple joys can overcome even painful disagreements.
• Aging naturally is beautiful, and resisting societal pressure to “fix” one’s appearance promotes self-acceptance and deeper connections.

Final Notes:
This episode balances wit and wisdom, offering practical frameworks for negotiating tricky family dynamics and gentle encouragement to embrace both personal and societal change—with heart, humility, and a little bit of song.

End of Summary