Las Culturistas: "We're Gonna Dance" (w/ Lady Gaga) [RE-RELEASE]

Podcast: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Guest: Lady Gaga
Release Date: December 24, 2025
Network: Big Money Players Network / iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In an epic episode, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang welcome global icon Lady Gaga for a heartfelt, insightful, and frequently hilarious conversation marking the re-release of their legendary "We're Gonna Dance" episode. The trio dives deep into the creative process and themes behind Gaga’s new album Mayhem, her philosophies on art, fame, and entertainment, her cherished bond with the queer community, and the healing power of performance. From granular studio details to broad cultural impact, Gaga shares candid reflections on music, mental health, and what it means to belong. Rich with memorable stories and moments, the episode is a celebration of pop, identity, and community.

Episode Structure

[02:08] — Show introduction and heartfelt opening moments
[03:32] — Lady Gaga joins the pod: mutual love fest, initial reactions to Mayhem
[05:06] — Rain-soaked concert memories and production stories
[07:14] — SNL50: nerves, tributes to Tony Bennett, and the thrill of live performance
[12:37] — Song choices on SNL and “Shallow” as an emotional touchstone
[15:06] — The Chromatica Ball and touring after personal struggles
[16:31] — From student of fame to student of entertainment
[19:07] — Inside the making of Mayhem: vocal techniques and studio tales
[22:27] — Embracing genre chaos, artistry, and the vulnerability of pop
[25:49] — The role of humor and chaos in Gaga’s process; the meaning of Mayhem
[35:30] — Collaborators, track highlights, album sequencing insights
[42:27] — The album’s hopeful message and mental health reflections
[53:04] — The culture that shaped Gaga: queer community and NYC art scenes
[57:48] — Standing up for the LGBTQ+ community, handling rumors, and the impact of acceptance
[63:41] — Dance as defiance, Coachella plans, and creative sustainability
[74:51] — Musical theater dreams and acting insights
[79:38] — "I Don't Think So, Honey" segment: elephants, Hot Ones, and Gaga’s adorable refusal to rant

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Arrival of Lady Gaga & the Emotional Weight of Mayhem

(03:32–05:06)

Matt and Bowen gush about listening to Mayhem in a “bunker,” describing it as “ecstatic” and possibly her “best work.”
Gaga jokingly insists, “No, it’s the joy of mine... I’m just really excited to be here.”

Unforgettable Live Moments: Concert Stories & The SNL Experience

(05:06–12:37)

Bowen recalls attending Gaga’s Citi Field rain show: “I love a rain show. Diana Ross. I was. I remember you said at the show, it’s free production.” (05:13)
Gaga describes pushing through production limitations: “They were like, ‘We have to stop production because it’s raining.’ And I said, roll the camera. Let’s go.” (06:38)
Discussing the SNL50 experience:

“I almost said, like, and thank you to Lauren and SNL because, like, thanks for giving me a shot on the show years ago because, like, SNL also helps break artists, and it’s a huge deal.” — Lady Gaga (09:45)

Honoring the Craft: The Work and Risks Behind Mayhem

(15:06–22:27)

Gaga opens up about touring after illness, supported by her partner Michael, and how the Chromatica Ball proved healing.
Artistry evolves: Gaga reveals, “I was a student of fame, but I ultimately decided that the reason I want to do this is to make people happy with art.” (16:31)
Studio perfectionism: “I would sometimes do, like, 50 takes...because when I’m writing music, I’m sometimes imagining someone else is singing it.” — Lady Gaga (19:07)

Chaos, Humor, and the Permission to be Many Things

(22:27–25:49)

Gaga reflects on being labeled chaotic:

“Feeling like people think you’re chaotic is... there was a joy in that for a while, but there was also, like, a pain in that, too...I want my fans to know, that’s other people’s problem. That’s not your problem. You can be the whole.” (24:14)
Discusses the “nonlinear” and “manic” joy of making music, finding both comedy and seriousness in her process.

Album Highlights & Collaboration Secrets

(35:30–42:27)

On "Killa" and working with GesaFELSTEIN: “We always go like, ‘Oh man, I love this song.’...It’s an industrial funk song. The only live instrument on it is the guitar.” — Lady Gaga (35:51)
Sequencing Mayhem: “The album kind of starts out with the devil on your shoulder...and by the end of the album, you’ve gone through joy, partying, anger...”
- Notable outro discussion: “We thought about releasing the outros before the album, but...when you hear them as an actual outro, it’s an outro.” (37:49)

Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Hope

(42:27–47:47)

Lady Gaga intentionally closes the record with a message of hope:

"I hope that people who do struggle hear this record and then know that there’s peace at the end of it and that it can get better, because it truly got better for me.” (43:27)
She acknowledges reticence around being seen only through the mental health lens, stressing, “I’m not an authority on anything really. I just am a person and I love making people happy and I hope that people will put on Mayhem, start to finish and just have a good time...” (46:38)

The Culture That Made Gaga: Queer Community and NYC

(53:04–56:36)

On her roots: “I don’t think I would be Lady Gaga without the queer community.” — Lady Gaga (53:49)
Reflects on LGBTQ+ friends in high school and NYC art scene:

“Born This Way was a mixture of the inspiration of the queer community, my love of the queer community, as well as like this techno, rock, electro rock, underground New York metal scene...that blender is truly what makes me me.” (55:35)

Handling Fame, Rumors, and Advocacy

(57:48–61:56)

Courageous stance on rumors:

“...if it were true, who fucking cares?” — Bowen Yang referencing Gaga’s approach (57:34) “It is everything I hate to just go after the most vulnerable people.” — Lady Gaga on anti-trans rhetoric (58:54)
On learning from and giving back to community:

“The best way to learn is to just be a part of the world.” — Lady Gaga (60:01)

Celebration, Dance, and Forward Motion

(63:41–70:00)

Discussing dance as resistance and joy:

“There’s really only one option in that video...She announces the category, but you kind of know. No, we’re gonna dance.” — Lady Gaga on “Abracadabra” (63:05)
Coachella anticipation: “For this, I am just putting everything that I have into it, and I’m really excited, and I do. But I don’t want to give anything away because I truly want it to be, like, Bailey, a big surprise.” (64:10)
On sustainability in performance: Reusing costumes, vintage wedding dresses, thoughtful production choices.

On Drag and Artistic Inspiration

(68:17–69:44)

Gaga honors drag: “I have, like, just the ultimate respect for drag as an art form. I also think drag very often does it so much better than we do it on red carpets.” (68:17)
On whether Gaga's work is "drag": “I probably wouldn’t use that word just because I do feel like it’s a very specific art form that I don’t do...but there is, to me, also a drag element in what I’m doing.” (68:44)

Musical Ambitions and Acting

(74:51–78:28)

Would Gaga do Broadway? “I think I would love to write a musical...crafting all the music, working with amazing writers on developing the story and the script...maybe I’d be in it too.” (75:09)
On acting: “You have to go to a place where you’re really, truly connecting to what you’re saying. And it’s not just about the words; it’s about the human behind it.” (77:59)
Open to comedy? “I would love to do a more lighthearted film. I would. But, you know, I love the dark stuff too. That is mayhem.” (78:16)

The “I Don’t Think So, Honey” Segment: Hilarity Ensues

(79:38–87:35)

Matt’s rant: “Elephants are unbelievable...They have processes they go through for their grief. They honor their dead.” (79:38–80:40)
Bowen’s rant: “I don’t think so, honey, Hot Ones. You made Lady Gaga cry. And you’re going to give this woman da bomb?” (82:06).
Gaga’s “rant” (adorably refuses): “I don’t think so, honey, that you guys are putting me on the spot to do this...I hate ranting. I hate confronting people. I’m super uncomfortable. I right now am shaking...” (85:37)
Matt and Bowen assure her she “crushed it.” (87:14)

Closing: Gratitude and Affection

(88:37–89:00)

Gaga: “Thank you so much for having me. I loved this so much. I love you both so much. Thanks for being so kind to me. And it was such a nice hang, too.” (88:37)
“I hope that we can do it again without microphones.” — Lady Gaga (88:46)

Notable Quotes

On evolving as an artist:
“I kind of grew up and I changed. I was a student of fame, but I ultimately decided that the reason I want to do this is to make people happy with art.” — Lady Gaga (16:31)
On the meaning of “Mayhem”:
“If you’re stepping really far back, it doesn’t make sense. But when you put it all together, it’s me.” — Lady Gaga (22:53)
On chaos and dismissal:
“It’s kind of like you’re a mess. And like, you’re a mess because I can’t figure out how to organize you right. And I don’t know how to think about you. And I think what I want my fans to know is, that’s other people’s problem. That’s not your problem.” — Lady Gaga (24:26)
On pop and self-doubt:
“Sometimes when things are really super pop, I get like...I get a weird reaction...I felt this way about Just Dance. Thank God I didn’t listen to myself then.” — Lady Gaga (40:47)
On acceptance and community:
“When I was accepted by the queer community, that was the gift to me...The best way to learn is to just be a part of the world.” — Lady Gaga (59:31)
On performance minimalism:
“You can do a lot with, like, a black box theater and a spotlight. And, like, it’s how it’s lit. It’s your pose. It’s the way that you say the first line. More adornment and more money doesn’t necessarily mean better.” — Lady Gaga (65:38)
On mental health and hope:
“Having personal mayhem and struggling mentally, that is a very particular kind of chaos. That I hope that people who do struggle hear this record and then know that there’s peace at the end of it and that it can get better, because it truly got better for me.” — Lady Gaga (43:27)

Moments to Revisit (Timestamps)

Bowen recounts the rain-soaked Gaga concert: 05:13–06:18
Gaga’s studio perfectionism confession: 19:07–20:31
Gaga on chaos and self-acceptance: 24:14–25:06
Gaga discusses her deep bond to the queer community: 53:49–55:34
Handling the infamous rumors: 57:00–58:54
Gaga describes sustainability in stage production: 64:38–65:20
Gaga’s “I Don’t Think So, Honey” refusal (adorable): 85:37–86:32

Tone and Energy

Warm, deeply affectionate, and candid
High-energy and playful but also thoughtful and incisive
Gaga’s blend of humor, sincerity, and gratitude shines, as do Matt and Bowen’s unguarded admiration and joy

Takeaway

This episode is essential listening for anyone who loves Lady Gaga, pop culture, queer art, creativity, and the messy, glorious work of being a person in community. Gaga’s honesty about her process, anxieties, and evolution as an artist, paired with her fierce advocacy and celebratory spirit, radiate throughout. It’s not only a showcase for pop’s queen, but a love letter to the communities, stories, and relationships that make us whole.

Listen especially if you want:

The inside scoop on Mayhem’s making
Gaga’s views on chaos, art, and queer belonging
Laughs, inspiration, and heartfelt connection

[End of Summary]

Las Culturistas: "We're Gonna Dance" (w/ Lady Gaga) [RE-RELEASE]

Podcast: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Guest: Lady Gaga
Release Date: December 24, 2025
Network: Big Money Players Network / iHeartPodcasts

Overview

Episode Structure

[02:08] — Show introduction and heartfelt opening moments
[03:32] — Lady Gaga joins the pod: mutual love fest, initial reactions to Mayhem
[05:06] — Rain-soaked concert memories and production stories
[07:14] — SNL50: nerves, tributes to Tony Bennett, and the thrill of live performance
[12:37] — Song choices on SNL and “Shallow” as an emotional touchstone
[15:06] — The Chromatica Ball and touring after personal struggles
[16:31] — From student of fame to student of entertainment
[19:07] — Inside the making of Mayhem: vocal techniques and studio tales
[22:27] — Embracing genre chaos, artistry, and the vulnerability of pop
[25:49] — The role of humor and chaos in Gaga’s process; the meaning of Mayhem
[35:30] — Collaborators, track highlights, album sequencing insights
[42:27] — The album’s hopeful message and mental health reflections
[53:04] — The culture that shaped Gaga: queer community and NYC art scenes
[57:48] — Standing up for the LGBTQ+ community, handling rumors, and the impact of acceptance
[63:41] — Dance as defiance, Coachella plans, and creative sustainability
[74:51] — Musical theater dreams and acting insights
[79:38] — "I Don't Think So, Honey" segment: elephants, Hot Ones, and Gaga’s adorable refusal to rant

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Arrival of Lady Gaga & the Emotional Weight of Mayhem

(03:32–05:06)

Matt and Bowen gush about listening to Mayhem in a “bunker,” describing it as “ecstatic” and possibly her “best work.”
Gaga jokingly insists, “No, it’s the joy of mine... I’m just really excited to be here.”

Unforgettable Live Moments: Concert Stories & The SNL Experience

(05:06–12:37)

Bowen recalls attending Gaga’s Citi Field rain show: “I love a rain show. Diana Ross. I was. I remember you said at the show, it’s free production.” (05:13)
Gaga describes pushing through production limitations: “They were like, ‘We have to stop production because it’s raining.’ And I said, roll the camera. Let’s go.” (06:38)
Discussing the SNL50 experience:

“I almost said, like, and thank you to Lauren and SNL because, like, thanks for giving me a shot on the show years ago because, like, SNL also helps break artists, and it’s a huge deal.” — Lady Gaga (09:45)

Honoring the Craft: The Work and Risks Behind Mayhem

(15:06–22:27)

Gaga opens up about touring after illness, supported by her partner Michael, and how the Chromatica Ball proved healing.
Artistry evolves: Gaga reveals, “I was a student of fame, but I ultimately decided that the reason I want to do this is to make people happy with art.” (16:31)
Studio perfectionism: “I would sometimes do, like, 50 takes...because when I’m writing music, I’m sometimes imagining someone else is singing it.” — Lady Gaga (19:07)

Chaos, Humor, and the Permission to be Many Things

(22:27–25:49)

Gaga reflects on being labeled chaotic:

“Feeling like people think you’re chaotic is... there was a joy in that for a while, but there was also, like, a pain in that, too...I want my fans to know, that’s other people’s problem. That’s not your problem. You can be the whole.” (24:14)
Discusses the “nonlinear” and “manic” joy of making music, finding both comedy and seriousness in her process.

Album Highlights & Collaboration Secrets

(35:30–42:27)

On "Killa" and working with GesaFELSTEIN: “We always go like, ‘Oh man, I love this song.’...It’s an industrial funk song. The only live instrument on it is the guitar.” — Lady Gaga (35:51)
Sequencing Mayhem: “The album kind of starts out with the devil on your shoulder...and by the end of the album, you’ve gone through joy, partying, anger...”
- Notable outro discussion: “We thought about releasing the outros before the album, but...when you hear them as an actual outro, it’s an outro.” (37:49)

Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Hope

(42:27–47:47)

Lady Gaga intentionally closes the record with a message of hope:

"I hope that people who do struggle hear this record and then know that there’s peace at the end of it and that it can get better, because it truly got better for me.” (43:27)
She acknowledges reticence around being seen only through the mental health lens, stressing, “I’m not an authority on anything really. I just am a person and I love making people happy and I hope that people will put on Mayhem, start to finish and just have a good time...” (46:38)

The Culture That Made Gaga: Queer Community and NYC

(53:04–56:36)

On her roots: “I don’t think I would be Lady Gaga without the queer community.” — Lady Gaga (53:49)
Reflects on LGBTQ+ friends in high school and NYC art scene:

“Born This Way was a mixture of the inspiration of the queer community, my love of the queer community, as well as like this techno, rock, electro rock, underground New York metal scene...that blender is truly what makes me me.” (55:35)

Handling Fame, Rumors, and Advocacy

(57:48–61:56)

Courageous stance on rumors:

“...if it were true, who fucking cares?” — Bowen Yang referencing Gaga’s approach (57:34) “It is everything I hate to just go after the most vulnerable people.” — Lady Gaga on anti-trans rhetoric (58:54)
On learning from and giving back to community:

“The best way to learn is to just be a part of the world.” — Lady Gaga (60:01)

Celebration, Dance, and Forward Motion

(63:41–70:00)

Discussing dance as resistance and joy:

“There’s really only one option in that video...She announces the category, but you kind of know. No, we’re gonna dance.” — Lady Gaga on “Abracadabra” (63:05)
Coachella anticipation: “For this, I am just putting everything that I have into it, and I’m really excited, and I do. But I don’t want to give anything away because I truly want it to be, like, Bailey, a big surprise.” (64:10)
On sustainability in performance: Reusing costumes, vintage wedding dresses, thoughtful production choices.

On Drag and Artistic Inspiration

(68:17–69:44)

Gaga honors drag: “I have, like, just the ultimate respect for drag as an art form. I also think drag very often does it so much better than we do it on red carpets.” (68:17)
On whether Gaga's work is "drag": “I probably wouldn’t use that word just because I do feel like it’s a very specific art form that I don’t do...but there is, to me, also a drag element in what I’m doing.” (68:44)

Musical Ambitions and Acting

(74:51–78:28)

Would Gaga do Broadway? “I think I would love to write a musical...crafting all the music, working with amazing writers on developing the story and the script...maybe I’d be in it too.” (75:09)
On acting: “You have to go to a place where you’re really, truly connecting to what you’re saying. And it’s not just about the words; it’s about the human behind it.” (77:59)
Open to comedy? “I would love to do a more lighthearted film. I would. But, you know, I love the dark stuff too. That is mayhem.” (78:16)

The “I Don’t Think So, Honey” Segment: Hilarity Ensues

(79:38–87:35)

Matt’s rant: “Elephants are unbelievable...They have processes they go through for their grief. They honor their dead.” (79:38–80:40)
Bowen’s rant: “I don’t think so, honey, Hot Ones. You made Lady Gaga cry. And you’re going to give this woman da bomb?” (82:06).
Gaga’s “rant” (adorably refuses): “I don’t think so, honey, that you guys are putting me on the spot to do this...I hate ranting. I hate confronting people. I’m super uncomfortable. I right now am shaking...” (85:37)
Matt and Bowen assure her she “crushed it.” (87:14)

Closing: Gratitude and Affection

(88:37–89:00)

Gaga: “Thank you so much for having me. I loved this so much. I love you both so much. Thanks for being so kind to me. And it was such a nice hang, too.” (88:37)
“I hope that we can do it again without microphones.” — Lady Gaga (88:46)

Notable Quotes

On evolving as an artist:
“I kind of grew up and I changed. I was a student of fame, but I ultimately decided that the reason I want to do this is to make people happy with art.” — Lady Gaga (16:31)
On the meaning of “Mayhem”:
“If you’re stepping really far back, it doesn’t make sense. But when you put it all together, it’s me.” — Lady Gaga (22:53)
On chaos and dismissal:
“It’s kind of like you’re a mess. And like, you’re a mess because I can’t figure out how to organize you right. And I don’t know how to think about you. And I think what I want my fans to know is, that’s other people’s problem. That’s not your problem.” — Lady Gaga (24:26)
On pop and self-doubt:
“Sometimes when things are really super pop, I get like...I get a weird reaction...I felt this way about Just Dance. Thank God I didn’t listen to myself then.” — Lady Gaga (40:47)
On acceptance and community:
“When I was accepted by the queer community, that was the gift to me...The best way to learn is to just be a part of the world.” — Lady Gaga (59:31)
On performance minimalism:
“You can do a lot with, like, a black box theater and a spotlight. And, like, it’s how it’s lit. It’s your pose. It’s the way that you say the first line. More adornment and more money doesn’t necessarily mean better.” — Lady Gaga (65:38)
On mental health and hope:
“Having personal mayhem and struggling mentally, that is a very particular kind of chaos. That I hope that people who do struggle hear this record and then know that there’s peace at the end of it and that it can get better, because it truly got better for me.” — Lady Gaga (43:27)

Moments to Revisit (Timestamps)

Bowen recounts the rain-soaked Gaga concert: 05:13–06:18
Gaga’s studio perfectionism confession: 19:07–20:31
Gaga on chaos and self-acceptance: 24:14–25:06
Gaga discusses her deep bond to the queer community: 53:49–55:34
Handling the infamous rumors: 57:00–58:54
Gaga describes sustainability in stage production: 64:38–65:20
Gaga’s “I Don’t Think So, Honey” refusal (adorable): 85:37–86:32

Tone and Energy

Warm, deeply affectionate, and candid
High-energy and playful but also thoughtful and incisive
Gaga’s blend of humor, sincerity, and gratitude shines, as do Matt and Bowen’s unguarded admiration and joy

Takeaway

Listen especially if you want:

The inside scoop on Mayhem’s making
Gaga’s views on chaos, art, and queer belonging
Laughs, inspiration, and heartfelt connection

[End of Summary]

"We're Gonna Dance" (w/ Lady Gaga) (RE-RELEASE)

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Las Culturistas: "We're Gonna Dance" (w/ Lady Gaga) [RE-RELEASE]

Overview

Episode Structure

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Arrival of Lady Gaga & the Emotional Weight of Mayhem

Unforgettable Live Moments: Concert Stories & The SNL Experience

Honoring the Craft: The Work and Risks Behind Mayhem

Chaos, Humor, and the Permission to be Many Things

Album Highlights & Collaboration Secrets

Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Hope

The Culture That Made Gaga: Queer Community and NYC

Handling Fame, Rumors, and Advocacy

Celebration, Dance, and Forward Motion

On Drag and Artistic Inspiration

Musical Ambitions and Acting

The “I Don’t Think So, Honey” Segment: Hilarity Ensues

Closing: Gratitude and Affection

Notable Quotes

Moments to Revisit (Timestamps)

Tone and Energy

Takeaway

Summary

Las Culturistas: "We're Gonna Dance" (w/ Lady Gaga) [RE-RELEASE]

Overview

Episode Structure

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Arrival of Lady Gaga & the Emotional Weight of Mayhem

Unforgettable Live Moments: Concert Stories & The SNL Experience

Honoring the Craft: The Work and Risks Behind Mayhem

Chaos, Humor, and the Permission to be Many Things

Album Highlights & Collaboration Secrets

Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Hope

The Culture That Made Gaga: Queer Community and NYC

Handling Fame, Rumors, and Advocacy

Celebration, Dance, and Forward Motion

On Drag and Artistic Inspiration

Musical Ambitions and Acting

The “I Don’t Think So, Honey” Segment: Hilarity Ensues

Closing: Gratitude and Affection

Notable Quotes

Moments to Revisit (Timestamps)

Tone and Energy

Takeaway