I’ve Had It – Keeping Up with the Cult
Episode Date: October 23, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Special Guest: Abby Phillip (CNN anchor)
Episode Overview
In this incisive and hilarious episode of “I’ve Had It,” Jennifer and Pumps are joined by CNN’s Abby Phillip for a candid conversation that veers from the chaos of political punditry to the realities of motherhood, the increasing visibility (and denial) of racism in America, and the value of genuine, unscripted dialogue in both parenting and public life. The trio keep their signature candid, irreverent tone throughout, blending pointed social commentary with relatable grievances and sharp wit.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Authenticity in Political Discourse
- Relaxed vs. Scripted Dialogue: The group discusses how Abby’s show on CNN stands out by mixing podcasters (who are “more relaxed” and “untethered to their scripts”) with traditional pundits and politicians.
- “Sometimes the podcasting world—because podcasters speak a little bit more relaxed... That’s why I like because you’re having podcasters come on with pundits and with politicians...I’m like, why are you defending this man? He’s such a titty baby. Whines all the time. And that’s kind of really the way people talk. So I think it’s fun.” — Jennifer [02:11]
- The Earnestness of Team Politics: Discussion on why many right-leaning guests are rigidly loyal to messaging, often speaking “for an audience of one”—alluding to Donald Trump’s outsized influence.
- Abby notes, “There is a lot of social pressure to just be on the team, be a solid member of the team, and never stray from the party line. And I think that’s very intoxicating…” [05:14]
2. Candid Moments & Managing On-Air Chaos
- Abby recounts behind-the-scenes moments on her CNN show—trying to moderate shouting guests and even going off-air to scold them.
- “There was one time where there was a big fight that happened at the table...I had to just go to break while they were screaming at each other. And in the break, I was like, guys, what the fuck? What is going on? What are we doing here?” — Abby [06:55]
- She values real emotion in debate but draws the line at pointless squabbles:
- “Let’s actually disagree about real things, not about misunderstandings.” [07:30]
3. Motherhood, Guilt & the Overwhelm of Modern Parenting
- Abby’s Daily Struggles: She shares being “tired” from her four-year-old waking her up at 5am, regardless of bedtime, launching a nuanced discussion about the mental overload of parenting.
- “She will go to bed at 9 and get up at 5, and then she’s just like, bright as a daisy…” [09:50]
- Modern Motherhood Pressures: The intergenerational shift from “What to Expect the First Year” to the deluge of “mommy blogs and influencers.”
- “It is impossible. I mean, in a way, some of it is helpful because there are definitely some things that I’m like, what am I supposed to do when she does this?...Do not screw up your kid is really the thing that is the dominant thought...” — Abby [10:41]
- Honest Reflections: The isolating reality of motherhood; guilt over not loving every moment or not being “a 12 out of 10 on all these issues.”
- “There’s not a word in the English language that can describe how much you love [your child]. But...there’s a loneliness to it that’s hard to articulate.” — Jennifer [13:35]
- Advice: Find what actually works for you as a parent, and let go of the rest.
4. Racism, DEI, and Dismantling the Meritocracy Myth
- The Backslide in Race Relations: Jennifer asks Abby to discuss the uptick in racism and the unique pressure directed at Black women, both publicly and as parents of daughters.
- “There’s a permission structure that’s been created to demean people because of the color of their skin. And using DEI as an excuse to do that…” — Abby [20:42]
- Abby debunks the idea that affirmative action invalidates Black achievement, instead spotlighting the entrenched privilege of the wealthy/connected.
- “When I went to Harvard...60% of people I was around were people who grew up rich...Is that a meritocracy? Hello. It’s very much not.” [21:46]
- Raising strong Black daughters: “She has to be prepared and ready and smart. But then she also has to really understand and know intuitively in her bones that she is those things.” [24:10]
- Real-world racism: Abby receives daily vitriol online—“People literally call me the N word every single day. They call me a monkey every single day…” [26:19]
5. Segregation and the Persistence of Division
- Segregation, both structural and informal, even in liberal cities like Manhattan and D.C.
- “I live in Manhattan. It’s very segregated here.” — Abby [30:32]
- The importance of teaching children how to process and value difference, not pretend it doesn’t exist.
6. Cancel Culture, Dialogue, and Drawing Boundaries
- Abby challenges the idea that silence or burying racist views is helpful, advocating instead for airing them out so people can see what’s really at stake.
- “Would we be better off if we just knew if people just actually were upfront about their views...I don’t know that it helps us to pretend like it’s not happening.” [41:14]
- Leadership vs. Cancel Culture: Drawing lines on what’s acceptable in public discourse comes down to leadership, not “cancellation.” [42:00]
7. Populism, Coalitions, and Jesse Jackson’s Legacy
- Abby spotlights her new book on Jesse Jackson, tracing how his Rainbow Coalition reached both Black and white communities, especially rural/farming areas—drawing parallels to today’s populist movements.
- “Populism is not a new thing...The way that it has manifested in our politics has gone the spectrum all the way from Jesse Jackson to Donald Trump.” [47:00]
- Jesse Jackson’s approach: meet even overt racists with dialogue and a path forward—“Black people have always had to help white people abandon their reprehensible views and walk into the future together.” [52:45]
8. Lightning Round: “Had It or Hit It”
- Generational warfare: “Had it. Like, we were cool once, too.” — Abby [57:26]
- TikTok dances: Had it (unless extremely good, then it’s okay). [57:55]
- Harvard University: Hit it, with a detailed (and passionate) defense of their need-based aid and facilitation of social mobility. [58:35, 58:42]
- USA: “Hit it...I am still here for this country...It is the self-correcting ability that we have that is what makes us different.” — Abby [59:37]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Swift, Southern Sass
- “Why are you defending this man? He’s such a titty baby. Whines all the time.” — Jennifer [02:11]
- Abby plans to “write it up on a wall somewhere in the office.” [02:08]
-
Motherhood Truths
- “It just did not work for me...I had to figure out the sleep thing...I cannot sleep with this child in my bed...She’s kicking me in my solar plexus.” — Abby [11:34-13:12]
- “Find what works for you...If you don’t like doing puzzles with your child, don’t do them. That’s okay.” — Jennifer [14:13]
-
Racism Exposed
- “People literally call me the N word every single day. They call me a monkey every single day...I experience that racism on a daily basis, and it does not faze me. But it’s not going to go away by the time my daughter is in her 20s.” — Abby [26:19]
- “It is mainly a part of white evangelical culture, which is different from Black evangelical culture, which is about social justice...” — Jennifer [34:27]
-
On Division and Dialog
- “Let’s actually disagree about real things, not about misunderstandings…. Let’s not fight over dumb stuff, okay?” — Abby [08:00]
- “It’s the self-correcting ability that we have that is what makes us different.” — Abby [60:37]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:20 – What makes Abby’s show unique: relaxed podcasters vs. script-following pundits
- 05:00 – Social pressure and incentives for party-line loyalty
- 06:55 – Handling on-air shouting matches
- 09:16 – “What have you had it with?” — Abby’s answer: sleep-depriving daughter
- 10:41 – The pitfalls and pressures of modern motherhood
- 13:35 – Jennifer on the loneliness of early motherhood
- 20:42 – The anti-DEI backlash and “meritocracy” mythology
- 26:19 – Online racism and preparing Black daughters for the world
- 30:32 – Segregation in American cities
- 41:14 – Cancel culture, racism, and public boundaries
- 47:00 – Populism: Jesse Jackson, Bernie Sanders, and Trump
- 52:45 – Jesse Jackson’s approach to unity and moving forward
- 57:12 – Lightning round: generational warfare, TikTok, Harvard, USA
- 60:37 – Abby’s optimism for America and belief in self-correction
Final Thoughts & Tone
True to form, “I’ve Had It” delivers an episode full of laughter, blunt honesty, and sharp cultural insight. Abby Phillip’s wit, candor, and thoughtful approach offer both affirmation and challenge—inviting listeners to move past divisive talking points into genuine engagement, whether in politics, parenting, or the pursuit of a more just society. The episode ends with the hosts and Abby upbeat about America’s prospects, urging everyone to “do the work” of self-correction.
If you missed the episode, this summary will keep you in the loop on every sharp-tongued retort, unfiltered take, and moment of vulnerable insight from three women who are truly keeping it real.