TDS Time Machine | Jon Interviews Trailblazing Women

Summary

The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Episode Summary

Episode Title: TDS Time Machine | Jon Interviews Trailblazing Women
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Hosts: Jon Stewart, Malala Yousafzai, Michelle Obama, Cecile Richards
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Paramount Podcasts

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition, host Jon Stewart engages in insightful and inspiring conversations with three remarkable women: Nobel Peace Prize nominee Malala Yousafzai, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood. Each guest shares their unique perspectives on education, health, and societal issues, offering listeners a blend of personal anecdotes, advocacy, and thoughtful discourse.

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Interview with Malala Yousafzai

Timestamp: [00:08] – [14:54]

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize nominee and advocate for girls' education, takes center stage in an emotional and empowering dialogue with Jon Stewart. She recounts her journey from the Swat Valley in Pakistan, where the Taliban's oppressive regime sought to shut down schools and suppress women's rights.

Key Discussions:

• Importance of Education: Malala emphasizes that education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for women's empowerment. Reflecting on her experiences, she states, "Education is the power for women. And that's why the terrorists are afraid of education. They do not want women to get education because then women would become more powerful." ([01:17])

• Confronting Terrorism: She details the Taliban's brutal tactics, including bombing over 400 schools and committing numerous atrocities. Despite the fear, Malala found courage through her father's support and the collective voice of the girls in Swat. She notes, "We spoke up for our rights and we were speaking for peace in Swat." ([03:08])

• Facing Threats: Malala shares the harrowing moment when she realized the Taliban had targeted her, explaining her internal struggle and determination to respond with peace rather than violence. She articulates her resolve: "You must fight others, but through peace and through dialogue and through education." ([03:59])

• Vision for Peace Through Education: Highlighting education as the cornerstone for combating terrorism and fostering global peace, Malala asserts, "I think education is the best way people would be thinking." She elaborates on how education teaches communication, equality, justice, and respect—essential elements for a harmonious society. ([12:30])

Notable Quotes:

• "The girls of Swat, they spoke up for their rights." ([03:08])
• "Education is the power for women." ([01:17])
• "We wanted to live a normal life because Swat is like a paradise on earth." ([09:38])

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Interview with First Lady Michelle Obama

Timestamp: [14:55] – [24:27]

Former First Lady Michelle Obama discusses her initiatives to promote healthy eating among children through her book American Grown. She delves into the challenges of childhood obesity and the societal shifts that have led to unhealthy eating habits.

Key Discussions:

• Childhood Obesity Crisis: Michelle highlights the alarming statistics, stating, "One in three of our Kids will be overweight or obese." She connects this issue to modern lifestyle changes, including increased screen time and decreased physical activity. ([16:32])

• Initiative of School Gardens: To combat unhealthy eating, Michelle Obama launched school garden programs that engage children in growing their own food. She explains, "The garden is a way to begin the conversation... kids tend to be more likely to be excited about it." ([18:15])

• Impact on Children: Michelle shares the positive outcomes of her programs, where children not only learn about nutrition but also develop a connection with their food sources. She mentions, "We've served everything from flatbread, veggie pizza that many kids have said is better than takeout." ([19:01])

• Reflection on Political Life: Transitioning to her observations of President Biden's character, Michelle praises his consistency and dedication to equity and fairness. She remarks, "When you're making those judgment calls, all you have is your character, your value, your vision for this country." ([21:23])

Notable Quotes:

• "If kids are involved in the growth process of food, they tend to be more likely to be excited about it." ([18:15])
• "One of the things that I've seen over the last three and a half years, I've seen what it takes to be president." ([20:36])
• "We changed their habits by engaging them in pulling a tomato off the vine." ([19:20])

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Interview with Cecile Richards

Timestamp: [24:28] – [29:55]

Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, addresses the contentious debates surrounding women's health issues, particularly contraception. She dispels myths and underscores the vital role Planned Parenthood plays in providing essential health services.

Key Discussions:

• Misconceptions About Planned Parenthood: Cecile counters the "abortion factory" narrative by highlighting that over 90% of Planned Parenthood's services are preventive care. She states, "We're the largest family planning provider in America and we do more to prevent unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion than any organization in this country." ([28:25])

• Political Battles Over Birth Control: She discusses the politicization of birth control in recent elections, noting, "For women, obviously, birth control is not a religious topic. It's a health topic." ([25:40])

• Public Support and Impact: Cecile emphasizes widespread public support for Planned Parenthood, citing that "one in five women in America... have been to Planned Parenthood." She argues that if faced with a ballot measure, Planned Parenthood would likely win substantial support locally. ([29:23])

• Future Challenges and Advocacy: Addressing fears of regression in women's health rights, Cecile remains optimistic due to the strong support base and the organization's pivotal role in women's healthcare. She advocates for continued support to maintain and expand essential services. ([27:37])

Notable Quotes:

• "More than 90% of our services are preventive care." ([28:25])
• "We provide not only more than 2 million folks with birth control each year, but we do more than 750,000 pap smears every year." ([28:44])
• "If it really came down to who do you think is on your side as a woman, as a family, I think folks would vote for Planned Parenthood." ([29:40])

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Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition masterfully weaves together stories of resilience, advocacy, and proactive solutions from three influential women. Malala Yousafzai's unwavering commitment to education, Michelle Obama's innovative approach to combating childhood obesity, and Cecile Richards' defense of women's healthcare rights collectively offer listeners a profound understanding of ongoing societal challenges and the paths toward meaningful change.

Listeners are encouraged to engage further by supporting Malala's foundation (malalafoundation.org) and exploring the impactful work of Michelle Obama and Planned Parenthood.

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Remember: To support these important causes and learn more about the guests, visit ParamountShop.com using discount code "TDS20" for 20% off The Daily Show products. Watch The Daily Show weeknights on Comedy Central at 11/10c or stream it on Paramount+.

Transcript

[Comedy Central Announcer]

You're listening to Comedy Central.

[Jon Stewart]

Welcome back. My guest tonight, she's an advocate for girls, access to education worldwide, is the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Her new book is called I Am Malala, the Girl who Stood up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. Please welcome to the program. Malala Yousafzai. Nice to see you. Thank you for being here.

[Malala Yousafzai]

Thank you so much. It's an honor for me.

[Jon Stewart]

It is an honor for us. I know me.

[Malala Yousafzai]

This is.

[Jon Stewart]

By the way, we talked a little bit before the show. Nothing feels better than making you laugh. I will say that I enjoyed that very much. I am Malala. It's honestly humbling to meet you. You are 16. Where did your love for education come from?

[Malala Yousafzai]

We are human beings, and this is the part of our human nature that we don't learn the importance of anything until it's snatched from our hands. And when in Pakistan, when we were stopped from going to school at that time, I realized that education is very important and education is the power for women. And that's why the terrorists are afraid of education. They do not want women to get education because then women would become more powerful.

[Jon Stewart]

Exactly. Exactly right. When did the. When did the Taliban come to Swat Valley? Because before then, you describe it as a paradise of sorts.

[Malala Yousafzai]

Taliban came in 2004, but at that time they were quite good. They did not show the terrorism and they did not blast any school at that time. But they started the real terrorism in 2007. They have blasted more than 400 schools in Swat. They have slaughtered people. And in the month of January 2009, they used to slaughter even two, three people every night, and they have flogged women. We have seen the barbaric situation of the 21st century. And we have seen, like, the cruelty and we have seen harsh days in our life and those we regarded as the darkest days of our life. So it was really hard for us at that time.

[Jon Stewart]

You describe in the book still, no matter what, they took the signs off of schools. They went underground, but they continued in the face of you spoke out publicly against the Taliban. What gave you the courage to continue this?

[Malala Yousafzai]

You know, my father was a great encouragement for me because he. He spoke out for women's rights. He spoke out for girls education. And at that time, I said that, why shall I wait for someone else? Why shall I be looking to the government, to the army, that they would help us? Why don't I raise my voice? Why don't we speak up for our rights? The girls of Swat, they spoke up for their rights. I started writing diary. I spoke on every media channel that I could, and I raised my voice on every platform that I could. And I said, I need to tell the world what is happening in Swat. And I need to tell the world that Swat is suffering from terrorism and we need to fight against terrorism.

[Jon Stewart]

When did you realize the Taliban had made you a target?

[Malala Yousafzai]

When in 2012, I was with my father and someone came and she told us that, have you seen on Google, if you search your name and the Taliban have threatened you? And I just could not believe it. I said, no, it's not true. And even after the threat, when we saw it, I was not worried about myself that much. I was worried about my father. Because we thought that the Taliban are not that much cruel that they would kill a child. Because I was 14 at that time. But then later on, I used to. I started thinking about that, and I used to think that the Talib would come and he would just kill me. But then I said, if he comes, what would you do, Malala? Then I would reply myself that Malala, just take a shoe and hit him. But then I said. Then I said, if you hit a Talib with your shoe, then there would be no difference between you and that Talib. You must not treat others that much with cruelty and that much harshly. You must fight others, but through peace and through dialogue and through education. Then I said, I'll tell him how important education is and that I even want education for your children as well. And I would tell him, that's what I want to tell you now. Do what you want.

[Jon Stewart]

Let me ask you. You know, I know your father is backstage and he's very proud of you, but would he be mad if I adopted you? Because you sure are swell. We are back. We're talking to Malala. The book I Am Malala is on shelves right now. Your love of school reminds me so much of my children. Okay, maybe not. The people of Swat Valley, when the Talib first came, they thought, they're bringing order, they're bringing services. They established a court that was faster than Pakistani courts.

[Malala Yousafzai]

Yeah.

[Jon Stewart]

And the people responded. When did that begin to turn?

[Malala Yousafzai]

When the Taliban came, they were trying to convince people, and they were just misusing the name of Islam. And they were telling people, we would just set up another court for you and we would provide you justice on time. Because usually in courts in Pakistan, people dies and their case is not yet resolved in the courts. So that's what is happening in the courts of Pakistan. So People just said, like, if the Taliban are doing it, why don't we support them? But then they were that much cruel that they started slaughtering people. And they even blasted a generator of electricity. And it was the month of Ramadan, in which we keep fast, in which we don't eat on the day, in which we don't drink for the whole day. They blasted the electricity generators, which was providing electricity to the whole city of Mingora. And we could not have water because electricity is related to water supply as well. And people were sitting in the dark. People could not buy electricity generators. People were just sitting in the light of candles, and people were just dying of thirst at that time. But my father is a great father because he bought generator for the school to create electricity and to. And to provide water to the street and to that community. But still, many people were suffering from that hard situation. And other than that, our freedom was taken from us, the women's freedom. We could not go to market. We were not allowed to go to school. We were just kept imprisoned. We were just limited to the four walls of our house. Women's rights were denied at that time. And that's why I spoke, because I believe in equality, and I believe that there is no difference between a man and a woman. I even believe that a woman is more powerful than men.

[Jon Stewart]

Wait, whoa, wait.

[Malala Yousafzai]

What?

[Jon Stewart]

What? Wait. You know, Malala, this was going so well. You were doing so beautifully. And then suddenly, this is the part that they began to say, you cannot dance, you cannot. The women cannot do these things. You say that many people believe this is a wrong interpretation of Islam, of the Quran. Do you? Why have the Taliban and these more extreme groups been able to be successful? Is it the fear that they bring to these towns? Do they? Is that why the people have had a hard time throwing it off?

[Malala Yousafzai]

The first thing is that they were really cruel. They had Klashenkovs. They had guns in their hand. And if I have a gun in my hand and I tell you something, do this, you have to do that, because it's for your life. So there was fear all around. That's why people could not say anything. Then the second thing was that they were misusing the name of Islam. They were telling people that we are doing this for Islam, we are doing this for Allah, we are doing this for Prophet, peace be upon him. So as well as they were using religion for their own personal benefit. So that's also the reason. But then later on, people try to realize this, and the girls are very brave, and girls in our School like we were at that time. We were just 11 or 12 years old, but we spoke of our rights to every media channel, to every newspaper that we could. And we did not know at that time that our small interview would have an impact or not. But it had, because we were raising up our voice and we were speaking up for our rights and we were speaking for peace in Swat. We wanted to live a normal life because Swat is like a paradise on earth. I believe in two paradises. One I'll get after death, but the other one that is on earth for me, that is Swat. Because Swat is really beautiful. And you would be astonished when you see the lush green hills and when you see the tall mountains and the rivers that we have, the crystal clear water and you can find trout. So it's really beautiful. You would love Swat.

[Jon Stewart]

Malala I'm from New Jersey, so I know a little something about paradise, the beaches. It does. It sounds magnificent. And it is heartbreaking because you see what these children want and what these people want is to just live in peace without having this imposed on them. And I think we don't know what to do to help. You know, there are passages in the book about the United States, and we come out great. But there, there is, you know, there are attacks in Swat and in those areas with drones. And they talk about a man, a CIA agent who shot two men in Lahore, Raymond Davis. Davis. And this is. Is, I think we have a common want and desire, but perhaps are not accomplishing it in the manner that shows the people how we feel. But in some ways, we don't know what else to do. What is your thought on that?

[Malala Yousafzai]

I think that the people of America, the United States States, they truly support peace, and they say that we must not fight against war through war. They believe that dialogue is the best way and we must try to find a solution for it. And in my opinion, the solution that would work to fight all these wars and all these problems that people are facing is only education. Because you can stop war for a second, but you don't know it would start again or not. We have seen first World War, we have seen second World war, and I think third world war is coming, but I believe that we must stop it now. I don't want to see a third world war in this world again. And the best way to fight against this war is education, because as we can see that children are suffering from terrorism. They are suffering from child labor and child trafficking. They're also suffering from the culture, norms and traditions. These are there is not only one issue that we are facing through. There are many others as well. So I think education is the best way people would be thinking. Just going to school, learning about chemistry and physics and maths. And that said, going to school is not only learning about different subjects. It teaches you communication. It teaches you how to live a life. It teaches you about history. It teaches you about how science is working. And other than that, you learn about equality because students are provided the same benches. They sit equally. It shows us equality. It teaches students how to live with others together, how to accept each other's language, how to accept each other's traditions and each other's religion. It also teaches us justice. It also teaches us respect. It teaches us how to live together. So that's why I support the idea of sending children to school, because it is the best way to fight terrorism. And I want people to support us in this cause. And through Malala foundation, we want to work for education of girls in the developing countries, especially in Syria. Now they are suffering. They are homeless. Now we want to help children in Afghanistan because they have been suffering from terrorism for decades. We want to help the children of India as well because they are victims of child labor. So I think issues and problems are enormous, but solution is one, and that is simple. That is education.

[Jon Stewart]

I am humbled, humbled to speak with you. I will say this. I don't know where you come from, but I am very glad you're here. Thank you for being here today. Please get the book donate to the Malala fund by visiting www.malalafon.org Malala Yousafzai my guest tonight, she is the first lady of the United States. She has written a book called American Story, the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America. Please welcome back to the program First Lady Michelle Obama. How are you?

[Comedy Central Announcer]

Good.

[Jon Stewart]

Nice to see you.

[Michelle Obama]

It's good to be here. Good to be back.

[Jon Stewart]

It's nice to see you again. The book is called American Grown. Look at this. You as first lady, everybody has an issue and you decided, I'm going to take on this idea of getting children to eat well. Wouldn't you have been more successful with, let's say, Colonization of Mars? Because as a parent of two children, unless this garden sprouts, cheeseburgers, new. What gave you the idea to do this?

[Michelle Obama]

You know, it was really my experience as a mother trying to get my kids to eat well. I mean, you know what most people don't know? We're seeing an epidemic of childhood obesity. One in three of our Kids will be overweight or obese. And we are spending billions of dollars in health care costs for preventable illnesses. And in my life, I saw how that was happening. You know, too busy, parents don't have time to cook, eating out too much, you know, activity is being eliminated from our schools in many ways. The average kid is spending 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen. The average kid, that's on average. And wow.

[Jon Stewart]

Can I just. Very quickly, kids, if you're at home right now, Daddy says you can beat that. Daddy knows you're not average kids. I want to see 10 hours from you today. My kids can do, they can make it.

[Cecile Richards]

No.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, did I get that wrong?

[Michelle Obama]

No, no.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, I have it backwards.

[Michelle Obama]

Go the other way around.

[Jon Stewart]

Oh, all. Well, we used to, you know, in the old days, they opened the back door, you went out and you ran. But it is a different world. It's harder to get kids.

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah, yeah. You know, and with modern life, things are changing. Many kids are living in communities where their parents don't feel safe having them run outside. Right. You know, fast food is the exception or the rule rather than the exception. I mean, just culturally, a lot of.

[Jon Stewart]

Times it's cheaper though. You know, it is absolutely right. You know, you're trying to feed four people, you got a dollar, man, it's got a lot of good food on, you know, it's very difficult. Is this for you more of a symbolic idea that they start to understand?

[Michelle Obama]

Well, the garden is a way to begin the conversation. Because what I also learned in changing my kids habits is that if kids are involved in the growth process of food and they get a better understanding of where their food comes from and they're engaged, they tend to be more likely to be excited about it. And the garden has been a really important catalyst for that discussion. I mean, we've had hundreds of kids working with us in the garden to help plant and harvest. And usually with a harvest, we end with a vegetable feast. And we've got kids who.

[Jon Stewart]

I'm sorry, just very quickly.

[Michelle Obama]

Vegetable feast.

[Jon Stewart]

The phrase vegetable feast, it's a feast.

[Michelle Obama]

And we've had.

[Jon Stewart]

Is there a cheese faucet for this vegetable feast?

[Michelle Obama]

We've served everything from flatbread, veggie pizza that many kids have said is better than takeout. You know, because the truth is, is that vegetables that are grown fresh taste much better. I mean, I know when I was growing up, you got those store bought tomatoes in that plastic tin and they tasted like water or the ones in.

[Jon Stewart]

The bag that you Boiled, but they were filled with that crazy yellow sauce that they said is like a butterish substance.

[Michelle Obama]

You know, we grew up. You cooked broccoli until you could cut it with a fork. You know, it's not supposed to be that way, but when you get kids engaged in pulling a tomato off the vine, it's really good.

[Jon Stewart]

So we start. Engage your children.

[Michelle Obama]

Engage your children in the process. Talk to them.

[Jon Stewart]

Talk to them. Do not leave them outside. You, as first lady, you have an approval rating of like 85, 90%. Like it's through the roof. You expend your rate, but it is. Your approval rating is like your ice cream. Your husband's approval rating, it's like astronaut ice cream. It's vegetables. My point is, forget about politics, forget about any of that. In just marital relationship, in just arguing, how do you not use that and wield it? If I had an 80% approval rating and my wife was at 50%, I'd be like, really? We're going to a French restaurant? The people say, does that ever.

[Michelle Obama]

No, no, I don't wield it over him. Because the truth is, is that one of the things that I've seen over the last three and a half years, I've seen what it takes to be president. I kind of watch this thing pretty closely. And, you know, the president is getting all the hard decisions where there's no easy answer. That's the kind of stuff that comes across his desk. And really, when it comes down to it, when you're making those judgment calls, all you have is your character, your value, your vision for this country. And I see him being so consistent in, you know, disregarding the chatter and the noise and really moving forward towards a country where there's more equity, more fairness, where our kids will grow up in schools that educate them, where they'll have opportunities. I mean, have you seen him change.

[Jon Stewart]

In his decision making as it goes along, as it's gotten, as the gravity of it has resisted? Did it start out more dartboard ish and then move, you know, what's right? Exactly.

[Michelle Obama]

Never, never, never. I mean, in fact, you know, the harder decisions, you know, I think he's been so consistent. I mean, he's come in, he told America what he was going to do, pass health care, make sure that more people have access to health care and that our kids can start their lives with insurance as opposed to graduating from college like so many, without insurance. He's ended the war in Iraq, brought our troops home, making sure they get the benefits and the respect that they've earned.

[Jon Stewart]

Are you telling. Because I.

[Michelle Obama]

What?

[Jon Stewart]

I didn't know that I was not. Well, I have not been following this. Let me ask you this, though. Are there people in the White House that you go, like, I could do that guy's job, though?

[Michelle Obama]

No one, really. Everybody's, like, glad I don't have to do his job. And I'm right there.

[Jon Stewart]

What about, like, a. I'm just going to Biden called Joe. You ever think, like, well, okay, I love Joe. I love Joe. Joe. Is it hard, though, to raise a kid around Biden? Because I would assume that there's a lot of, like, Joe language, or like, he's like the uncle that comes over and like, oh, you brought them guns. Like, you know, that kind of thing. Like, is he. Is that tough? No, no, he's all right.

[Michelle Obama]

No, he's a great vice president, and he's a great friend.

[Jon Stewart]

No, that's nice.

[Michelle Obama]

My kids hang around him.

[Jon Stewart]

And you're.

[Michelle Obama]

And I'm good with it.

[Jon Stewart]

Has he always been the same? You know, we're reading all these stories now about your husband, as in high school and in college. And, you know, when you met him.

[Michelle Obama]

When was he doing.

[Jon Stewart]

What was he. Cause this you did literally, like, what is that, the script of a Cheech and Chong movie? What the hell's going on? But then when you met him, did you put the kibosh, or had he already, like, sewn those? And.

[Michelle Obama]

Yeah, by the time he was in college, you know, like so many young people, he, you know, realized that, you know, he could do more with his life. You know, he had a mother that was always saying, you're so gifted. You're so talented. Slap him in the back of the head. Get yourself together. And I think when he lost his father, that was one of those click in moments, and he really buckled down. I think he transferred schools, went to Columbia. And then that's when he got really serious about really thinking about how would he use his life to the fullest.

[Jon Stewart]

And it's interesting. That was before me other presidents, you know, this president, George W. Bush, sort of went through his times where he was a little bit out there. I really related to that. It's the turnaround. That's the part where I was like, I'm trying to.

[Michelle Obama]

I'm not taking any bait.

[Jon Stewart]

Don't worry. It's organic. You did very well. You did very well. I see what this man season you. You're very good. American Grown is on the bookshelves now. You're just saying, eat a little healthier. Get out there. It's not a.

[Michelle Obama]

And plant a garden.

[Jon Stewart]

And plant a garden.

[Michelle Obama]

You know, it's a good way to start.

[Jon Stewart]

That would be very nice. First Lady Michelle Obama, thank you so much for coming. My guest tonight, she is the president of Planned Parenthood and president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Please welcome to the program Cecile Richards. How are you?

[Cecile Richards]

Fantastic.

[Jon Stewart]

You know, I've been watching the news recently. Yeah. There is a tremendous discussion going on in this country right now on women's health issues, contraception mainly amongst, I guess you'd call them penis Americans. So we thought, why not bring in someone without a penis to discuss how it affects the people that actually are being talked about?

[Cecile Richards]

That's big of you. And it's great.

[Jon Stewart]

Let me say this. You're welcome. No. Has that been odd to watch? That?

[Cecile Richards]

It's incredible.

[Jon Stewart]

It's odd.

[Cecile Richards]

It's absolutely incredible to see now. Well, first, that birth control itself is a topic of political debate in this presidential election.

[Jon Stewart]

You mean religious liberty?

[Cecile Richards]

Well, I mean, actually, as you said. Yeah. I mean, for women, obviously, birth control is not a. It's not a religious topic. It's a health topic. And 99% of women in America use it. And at Planned Parenthood, we provide birth control to millions of women every single year. So, yeah, I think they're kind of mystified by what the controversy is all about.

[Jon Stewart]

Are you. Does this put, you know, what is this? Do you fear that you are going back into a place where we have to have the contraception conversation all over again? That that was a battle that was fought?

[Cecile Richards]

Well, you would think so again, since everyone uses it now. And actually the exciting thing is, for the first time, we think women actually will get. Finally get birth control covered by their insurance plans, which is a great health. It's a great advance for women's health. It's a great economic issue for women. But again, I think we're seeing in this presidential primary this sort of like race to the bottom, where every presidential candidate on the Republican side is trying to say I would be absolutely the worst for women, including being opposed to birth control coverage. I think the last time we actually, that birth control is probably a controversial topic was during Prohibition. So.

[Jon Stewart]

No, the 60s and 70s, it was a. An issue. I mean, that's when. Wasn't that when Griswold was decided? Isn't that the whole.

[Cecile Richards]

That was actually when. Yes, actually, for the first time, married couples could use birth control legally.

[Jon Stewart]

And now, I guess what they're saying is the interesting thing to me is how it's been changed to be an issue about women wanting someone to pay for them to have sex or money coming out of other people's pockets so that women can have sex. It strikes me as a very interesting direction to take the conversation.

[Cecile Richards]

Yeah, it's actually really hard to. I don't even know if I can respond to that.

[Jon Stewart]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can. I did on the show earlier.

[Cecile Richards]

No, and thanks for covering this issue. No, for women. Look at Planned Parenthood. We see one in five women in America at some point in their lifetime. And this last year, I think I've heard from every single one of them because they are absolutely astounded that we are now re debating issues that I think have been settled for a long time.

[Jon Stewart]

The caricature of Planned Parenthood and the one that I think critics, is this idea of an abortion factory, where the idea is that's how you make your money and you're going to set up a drive through and there's no thoughtfulness, there's no morality to it. It is, you know, that is the type of. Of evil place that it is. What's the reality of the place? What's the mandate?

[Cecile Richards]

The reality is we're the largest family planning provider in America and we do more to prevent unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion than any organization in this country.

[Jon Stewart]

What would be something that you think maybe your critics would be very surprised to know about?

[Cecile Richards]

More than 90% of our services are preventive care. We provide not Only more than 2 million folks with birth control each year, but we do more than 750,000 pap smears every year. Breast exams for women on different people.

[Jon Stewart]

I mean, that.

[Cecile Richards]

I mean, whatever.

[Jon Stewart]

Obviously that wouldn't be right to do to one person.

[Cecile Richards]

No, that's right. No, actually, I mean, the great thing about Planned Parenthood, we're all across the country and what's. For many women, we are their only medical provider. We are their doctor. The one doctor visit they get a year is at Planned Parenthood. And that's why, again, I think there's this been this sort of groundswell of concern when politicians are saying we're going to end not only Planned Parenthood, but all family planning in America.

[Jon Stewart]

What do you think if Planned Parenthood was one of those things that was put to a vote in America? I get the sense that it would be. I think we'd win a pretty popular place in local communities. It seems like people understand it better than they do on the national stage.

[Cecile Richards]

Absolutely right, John. In fact, as I said one in five women have been to Planned Parenthood. So they actually and I just not that I'm competitive, but I did just see some national polling. 69% of the American people not only support Planned Parenthood, but believe that we should get public funding to provide the services that we do. Congress Is Congress approval rating hovering around 10%? I think so. I think if it really came down to who do you think is on your side as a woman, as a family, I think folks would vote for Planned Parenthood.

[Jon Stewart]

Who would you be running against again?

[Comedy Central Announcer]

Explore more shows from the Daily Show Podcast Universe by searching the Daily Show Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount plus.

[Michelle Obama]

Paramount podcasts.

[Malala Yousafzai]

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[Michelle Obama]

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[Malala Yousafzai]

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[Cecile Richards]

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[Malala Yousafzai]

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[Cecile Richards]

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