Kennedy Saves the World – “Kennedy’s Best Conversations of 2025”

FOX News Podcasts | Hosted by Kennedy | December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special “Best Conversations of 2025” episode, Kennedy revisits her favorite interviews from the past year, bringing together conversations with comedian Jeff Dye, NASCAR driver Natalie Decker, and MTV legend Tom Freston. The episode taps into personal stories, career reflections, and candid moments—threaded with Kennedy’s trademark humor and probing curiosity. The theme throughout is a celebration of freedom—personal, creative, and professional, as told through unscripted and memorable exchanges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Comic Jeff Dye: Comedy, Origins & Observations

Timestamps [00:30] – [08:46]

• Childhood & Roots:

  • Jeff Dye discusses growing up in Kent, Washington, describing the Seattle area’s tech-driven economy and changing cultural vibe.
  • Both Kennedy and Jeff lament how cities like Seattle and Portland have changed, recalling their happier, more free-spirited pasts.
    • “Seattle used to be phenomenal. It used to be pro arts. It used to be happy. The hippies were happy…” (Jeff Dye, [03:43])
    • “It is a hole now and I don’t care who knows it.” (Kennedy, [02:36])

• Stereotypes & Survival:

  • They riff on city stereotypes, highlighting how places like Detroit have transformed, countering old reputations.
  • Kennedy notes the resilience and humor of people from cities with tough reputations:
    • “They have a high tolerance for pain…they’re great survivors, probably with a good sense of humor…” (Kennedy, [03:03])

• Comedy Process & Relatability:

  • Jeff explains crafting material from mild annoyances rather than actual rage; much of his “grumpiness” is tongue-in-cheek.
    • “My rage or annoyance or irritability or grumpiness is almost not real. It’s kind of contrived because I’m a very happy guy.” (Jeff Dye, [05:58])
  • To make pointed jokes, he often frames bits as if they happened to him personally, softening the audience’s defensiveness—especially around sensitive topics.
    • “If I’m annoyed with something about women...I’ll say it happened to me...Then that gives them the out of being like, ‘Oh, he’s not talking about me.’” (Jeff Dye, [06:49])
  • Both discuss how stand-up blurs fiction and reality for comic effect, and the phenomena of comedians fabricating stories for laughs.
    • “There’s a lot of Jussie Smolletts in the standup comedy world...” (Jeff Dye, [07:02])

• Tribalism & Belonging:

  • Jeff posits that most people join groups—not for ideology—but to find community and acceptance.
    • “For in my brain, we’re all just like little children…We want friends, we want a group…it’s very simple.” (Jeff Dye, [07:59])
    • Uses KKK as an example of people seeking belonging, not necessarily deep-seated enmity.

2. Natalie Decker: Racing, Growing Up, and Female Grit

Timestamps [09:01] – [13:49]

• Early Racing Days:

  • Natalie started racing stock cars at 12, learning stick shift the night before her first race.
    • “The night before my race, my dad is teaching me in this jeep in the campground parking lot…stalled it…it’s embarrassing.” (Natalie Decker, [09:31])

• Racing Challenges & Mindset:

  • As a petite child, her team had to modify pedals with bricks.
    • “They literally would build bricks onto the pedals so I could reach them.” (Natalie Decker, [09:20])
  • First win: She achieved victory later in her first season racing full-size stock cars, after strong go-karting success.
    • “I won later that season at the first track that I ever raced.” (Natalie Decker, [10:08])
  • Known for her “silent but deadly” racing style—slow and steady at first, surging to speed late in races.
    • “At the beginning, you know, I’m like slow and steady...and then at the end I was always really fast.” (Natalie Decker, [10:29])
  • On the psychology of racing: Drivers cycle through patience, aggression and anger in one race.
    • “Every driver is different…sometimes you cycle through all of those emotions through one race.” ([11:09])

• Favorite NASCAR Drivers & Inside Stories:

  • Her favorites: former driver Kurt Busch (retired), now Denny Hamlin, whom she’s met several times.
    • “He’s amazing.” (Natalie, [11:21])
  • Kennedy shares the story of meeting Hamlin and her growing NASCAR fandom via her “sexy teenage boyfriend.”
  • Natalie treasures practical advice from veteran racers (e.g., Jeff Gordon suggested tape techniques for bruised hands).
    • “Like, tape your hand this way, and like, you won’t get it bruised…something so simple that’s gonna change my race so tremendously.” (Natalie, [12:26])

• Diversity & Versatility in Racing:

  • Discussion of why F1 stars rarely try NASCAR, contrasting with cross-disciplinary racers like Kyle Larson.
    • “Anyone in the NASCAR industry that’s driving, they’ll race anything if they’re given the opportunity to do it.” (Natalie, [13:40])

3. Tom Freston: Behind the Scenes at MTV—Legends, Saunas & Scandal

Timestamps [14:18] – [22:39]

• Chasing David Bowie for MTV:

  • Tom recounts the “mission impossible” to get Bowie to record “I want my MTV” while he was in Switzerland.
    • “We went to Staad, Switzerland, train and a plane...David came out...He was in the Let’s Dance phase, looked really sleek and gritty...” (Tom Freston, [14:48])
  • After filming, Freston gets invited to a sauna with Bowie—and unexpectedly, Paul McCartney is in the steam room.
    • “I’m in a sauna now with David Bowie and Paul McCartney just wearing a towel…” (Tom Freston, [15:54])
    • They discussed MTV, asked thoughtful questions, and showed genuine interest.

• The Birth of “I Want My MTV”:

  • Freston explains MTV’s marketing struggles and the campaign’s origin.
    • The campaign drew from George Lois’ “I want my Mapo” cereal ads, targeting children to influence parents.
    • “We’d go out and get rock stars…to say ‘I want my MTV’...Call your cable company and say ‘I want my MTV.’ They’d all call, and the cable operators would collapse.” (Tom Freston, [18:27])
  • MTV’s early days: Many staffers couldn’t even get the channel, but visiting Tulsa showed MTV’s cult-like following.
    • “No one who worked there had ever seen it.” (Tom Freston, [17:32])
    • “We go to this bar, and everyone’s sitting around like they’re watching the Super Bowl…MTV’s on, people are transfixed…” (Tom Freston, [17:45])

• Legacy & The Future:

  • Kennedy asks about the future of “the remnants of MTV.”
    • Freston: Massive archives and a legendary brand could be reimagined for digital—but fresh thinking is needed.
    • “Get someone like John Mayer or Rick Rubin and put them in a room with 25 year olds for a couple weeks and they’ll come up with some great ideas.” (Tom, [19:38])

• Personal MTV History—Scandals & Outrage:

  • Kennedy revisits the wild 1994 VMA night where Roseanne made a scandalous joke about her and Rush Limbaugh, and afterward, Kennedy embarrassed Rudy Giuliani onstage by licking a microphone.
    • “So I start licking the microphone like a crazy person. Rudy Giuliani has no idea what’s going on.” (Kennedy, [21:19])
    • Tom describes thinking, “He’s the new mayor, he’s gonna give us a good talking to. I admired your, your carelessness and spirit of the moment.” (Tom Freston, [21:19])
  • She jokes about nearly being fired, but Tom reflects on the (lack of) consequences: “You survived, you know.” ([22:21])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Changing Cities:

  • “It is a hole now and I don’t care who knows it.” — Kennedy ([02:36])

• On Creative Honesty in Comedy:

  • “I do lie a lot in my act, but…it's mostly because...if I’m annoyed…I'll make up some scenario…” — Jeff Dye ([06:49])

• On Fitting In:

  • “We’re all just like little children…We want friends, we want a group. It’s very simple.” — Jeff Dye ([07:59])

• On Racing Grit:

  • “Necessity and fear just work together and you’re like, I have no choice.” — Natalie Decker ([09:42])

• On Iconic MTV Moments:

  • “I’m in a sauna now with David Bowie and Paul McCartney...It was a steam. No, it was a sauna, excuse me…” — Tom Freston ([15:54])
  • “We’d go out and get rock stars, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and so forth to say ‘I want my MTV’…and the cable operators would collapse.” — Tom Freston ([18:27])

• On the 1994 MTV VMAs:

  • “I start licking the microphone like a crazy person. Rudy Giuliani has no idea what’s going on…Was it Andy who lobbied you to keep me...Sumner and Doug said, ‘Oh, you know what? It was kind of funny. Let’s go light on the young lady.’” — Kennedy & Tom Freston ([21:19] – [22:26])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:30] – Kennedy intros show highlights and guests
• [01:36] – [08:46] – Interview with Jeff Dye: Home, comedy, writing, and performing
• [09:01] – [13:49] – Interview with Natalie Decker: Childhood racing, style, NASCAR tales
• [14:18] – [22:39] – Interview with Tom Freston: MTV legends, the Bowie/McCartney sauna story, MTV’s birth, the infamous 1994 VMA Kennedy incident

Tone and Style

As always, Kennedy’s tone is irreverent, quick-witted, and self-deprecating, mixing sharp cultural observations with personal anecdotes. The interviews flow naturally and reveal both the humor and sincerity of the guests. There’s a nostalgic camaraderie and a celebration of iconoclastic, free-thinking personalities.

Conclusion

This “Best Conversations” episode acts as a vibrant time capsule—fueled by Kennedy’s edgy, playful style, and the authenticity of her guests. The conversations span pop culture, comedy, sports, and history, always circling back to the importance and joy of personal freedom and finding your tribe—even if it means licking a mic in front of the mayor.