Good Hang with Amy Poehler — Episode Summary

Guest: Sarah McLachlan

Host: Amy Poehler
Released: Feb 17, 2026
Producer: The Ringer

Episode Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Amy Poehler welcomes iconic singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. The two dive deep into Sarah’s Canadian roots, her rise in music, the genesis and impact of Lilith Fair, her experience as a female artist, motherhood, and the power of community. With guest questions from Sheryl Crow and nostalgic highlights from Lilith Fair's legacy, the episode is packed with personal anecdotes, laughter, and candid wisdom. The tone is relaxed, open, and celebratory—a true "good hang" between old friends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sheryl Crow Kicks Things Off (02:35 – 07:56)

• Sheryl Crow joins for a warm, funny opening segment, sharing her affection for Amy and telling stories about being on the road, moving to Nashville, and her personal resilience.
• Memorable moment: Cheryl credits Sarah for creating Lilith Fair, recalling how hard it was for women to be booked on bills:

  “Every time... I can remember calling my agent and saying, can I get some women on a bill?... people won't buy tickets to see two women on a bill.” (05:13, Sheryl Crow)

• Both reflect on how Lilith Fair exemplified female community and creative joy, with Cheryl describing it as a “gentle fuck you to the norms.” (05:59)
• Questions for Sarah:
  • What would she do if not for music?
  • Did she always know she’d “make it” as a musician?

2. Growing Up in Canada and Early Music (10:04 – 16:25)

• Sarah describes Canadians as “polite by nature,” crediting her Irish parents for constant humility.
• Early epiphany: Grade 7 talent show, singing “The Gambler”—despite being bullied and technical mishaps, she felt validated by her own talent.

  “They refused to acknowledge that it was me singing, but I knew I felt good about it.” (12:18, Sarah)

• Musical influences: Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell.
• Classical training: 12 years classical guitar, 6 years piano, 4 years voice.
• Record deal at 19 after a chance club gig in Vancouver.

3. Breakthrough, Naivete, and First Successes (16:25 – 17:54)

• Sarah recalls her first time hearing herself on the radio—VOX came on while riding in a taxi.

  “We just started screaming... that’s me on the radio!” (17:10, Sarah)

4. The Life of Songs, Impact, and “Angel” (18:40 – 22:33)

• Discussing how songs take on lives of their own, often surprising the artist with their impact.
• Sarah remarks on the power of “Angel”:

  “Angel felt like I was just a vessel, and it just came through me in, like, two days and it was done.” (20:31, Sarah)

• Association with animal rescue and raising millions for the SPCA, to the point “Angel” was too synonymous with charity to be played at other events.

5. Lilith Fair: Origin and Legacy (25:13 – 34:32)

• The isolation of being a woman on the road led Sarah to seek out female collaborators, starting by inviting Paula Cole to tour.
• Lilith Fair was born from seeing the lack of women on musical bills and wanting to build community:

  “It was a celebration of much of the great music that was being made by women in the late 90s.” (26:50, Sarah)

• Recounting industry resistance:
  “You can’t put more than two women on a stage.” (27:44, Sarah)
• Sarah and Amy discuss the utopian, collaborative, and family-centered backstage environment—“a fair” in every sense.
• Lilith Fair’s lasting legacy: $7 million+ raised for charities, health insurance for crew, community support, dynamic diversity (after adjustments begun in its second year).
• Notable challenge: overcoming industry and media skepticism, as well as the “white chick folk fest” critique.

6. Lilith Fair Lineup and Iconic Artists (36:15 – 40:40)

• Reminiscing about diverse stars who joined: Paula Cole, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott (her first major tour!), Indigo Girls, Pat Benatar, Emmylou Harris, Sinead O’Connor (“...being in the presence of a goddess”), Tracy Chapman.
• Powerful quote on Sinead O’Connor:

  “She was a little shit as well. Like, she was super playful, like a jokester, prankster. We had so much fun together.” (38:24, Sarah)

7. Women’s Community, Generational Change, and Media Critique (40:40 – 45:39)

• The challenges faced by older generations of female artists: “They grew up at a time when we were being offered a tiny sliver of the pie and were in competition with each other.”
• Discussion of internalized misogyny and learning to break free, referencing music journalist Ann Powers and media skepticism toward Lilith Fair.
• Sarah explains the press conferences held in every Lilith Fair city—painful yet crucial for giving visibility to local charities and correcting media narratives.

  “[Press conferences] were typically annoying and demeaning… why do you hate men? Why aren’t you doing this? You’re too much of this, you’re not enough of that. Don’t be too pretty. Don’t be too loud. Oh, you’re too quiet. Like you can’t win.” (44:12, Sarah)

8. Motherhood and Daughters (47:52 – 54:53)

• Sheryl Crow’s questions:
  • If Sarah hadn’t done music: “Either a hairdresser or a jewelry designer.” (48:06, Sarah)
  • Did she know she’d make it? “No... I didn’t even know what that meant.” (49:00, Sarah)
• Joy in having her daughters sing on her new record, “One in a Long Line”—a song confronting the erosion of women’s rights and expressing hope and love.
• Honest conversation on parenting struggles, generational cycles, and therapy:

  “...the way I was communicating to her was just making her feel shitty about herself instead of building her up, which was completely the opposite of what I thought I was doing.” (53:09, Sarah)

• Open discussion on the pressures and unrealistic expectations on mothers, and the importance of women supporting each other by sharing struggles honestly.

9. Menopause, Sleep, and Self-Care (55:55 – 59:38)

• Candid talk about the lack of information and conversation on menopause, medical dismissiveness, and how social media has helped make experiences more visible.
• Sleep routine: Sarah attributes her improved sleep to estrogen/progesterone therapy and “red light therapy”—lying under a red light panel before bed to relax her body (“Red light therapy has been my friend.” 57:10, Sarah).
• On skate-skiing, being outside, and healthy routines.

10. Rapid Fire Q&A (59:39 – 61:23)

• Who’s on Sarah’s Spotify Wrapped? “Phoebe Bridgers... or Boygenius.”
• Best Canadian city? “Vancouver.” (60:20)
• Best thing about being Canadian: “Healthcare.” (60:33)
• Surfing or paddleboarding: “Surfing.” (60:36)
• On her SNL experiences (1997 with Rudy Giuliani), memories of Anna Gasteyer’s “Basted in Blood” sketch.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Lilith Fair’s defiance:
  “It was a little bit of a... gentle fuck you to the norms.” — Sheryl Crow (05:59)
• On Sinead O’Connor:
  “...it’s like being in the presence of a goddess. When she opens up her mouth and starts to sing, it’s just... it’s otherworldly.” — Sarah McLachlan (38:24)
• On motherhood:
  “...the way I was communicating to her was just making her feel shitty about herself instead of building her up, which was completely the opposite of what I thought I was doing.” — Sarah McLachlan (53:09)
• On making music as activism:
  “Now is not the time to be silent or complacent... I have to say something about this. I’m so frustrated and angry and scared. And I have two daughters and they’re going into the world...” — Sarah McLachlan (51:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:35] Sheryl Crow’s intro and Lilith Fair origin stories
• [10:04] Sarah’s Canadian childhood and musical upbringing
• [16:25] Early career, first radio play
• [20:31] The creation and impact of “Angel”
• [25:13] Inviting Paula Cole; Lilith Fair’s genesis
• [26:50] What was Lilith Fair and why it mattered
• [34:32] Lilith Fair’s diversity, evolution, and artist recruitment
• [38:24] Sinead O’Connor, Tracy Chapman, iconic moments
• [44:12] Lilith Fair in the media and handling press challenges
• [47:52] Sheryl Crow’s questions: alternate careers, “making it”
• [51:47] Writing songs with her daughters; activism in art
• [53:09] Parenting, mother-daughter relationships, therapy
• [57:10] Menopause, sleep, red light therapy
• [59:39] Rapid-fire questions and SNL memories

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is warm, forthright, and filled with mutual admiration, reflective humor, and honest takes on being a trailblazer, both as a woman in music and as a mother. The friendship between Amy and Sarah, joined by Sheryl Crow’s affectionate insights, gives listeners a seat at an inspiring, deeply human conversation that celebrates resilience, creativity, and the magic of women supporting women.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in music, feminism, creative community, and the enduring power of women’s voices.