The Goop Podcast: Nikki Glaser on Sex, Shame, & Stand-Up

Released on March 25, 2025

In this illuminating episode of The Goop Podcast, host Gwyneth Paltrow engages in a candid and heartfelt conversation with comedian Nikki Glaser. Together, they explore the intertwining themes of comedy, body image, vulnerability, therapy, and personal relationships. This summary captures the essence of their dialogue, highlighting key discussions, insightful reflections, and poignant moments.

1. Introduction to Nikki Glaser

Gwyneth Paltrow (B) opens the conversation by introducing Nikki Glaser, celebrating her as a "brilliant and irreverent comedian" known for her viral moments like the "Roast of Tom Brady" and her honest stand-up routines.

[00:59] B: "Nikki is a very brilliant and irreverent comedian. You might know her from hosting the Golden Globes just recently. Her Roast of Tom Brady, which went viral, and her stand up, which is pretty honest and pretty searing."

2. Rising to Prominence: Hosting the Golden Globes

Nikki Glaser discusses the unexpected trajectory that led her to host the Golden Globes, emphasizing the role her successful roast played in elevating her career.

[03:15] B: "So did the Tom Brady roast. Is that what precipitated the Golden Globes thing?"

[03:22] A: "Yes, that. I don't even think I was on the radar for, like, hosting an award show maybe, like, in five years or something. But it wasn't even something I even dreamed of."

Glaser reflects on the abrupt shift from not being considered for hosting roles to becoming one, attributing it to the "acute performance" she delivered during the roast.

3. The Pursuit of Perfection: Preparation and OCD Tendencies

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Glaser's meticulous preparation for her performances, which she attributes to her OCD tendencies. This drive ensures she leaves no room for regret or underperformance.

[04:10] A: "Yes. Like, I've never even connected it. Like, it is OCD. It's like, you know. And so when I'm preparing for a set, if I leave any potential on the floor, I failed myself."

Glaser elaborates on how this perfectionism stems from a desire to prevent self-torment over missed opportunities or poorly phrased jokes.

[04:59] A: "That's the most painful thing I've ever felt in my life is getting done with something and going, like, why did I say that?"

4. Struggles with Self-Compassion and Self-Image

Nikki delves into her battles with self-criticism, especially during hormonal changes, highlighting her journey towards self-compassion.

[06:50] B: "I've noticed that in these hormonal changes that I'm dealing with now. Like I've had anxiety and I've never had it before."

[09:01] B: "Yes. Fine, go after him. Like, why don't I let myself off the hook like I do everyone else."

Glaser shares a poignant moment of self-kissing to ground herself and combat harsh self-judgment.

[05:00] A: "I just went like. And I like kissed myself on the arm gently. I don't even know why."

5. Honesty in Comedy: Breaking Taboos and Shifting Cultural Narratives

Glaser highlights her commitment to honesty in her stand-up, addressing topics that are often shrouded in shame, such as sexual abuse and body image. She emphasizes the importance of open dialogue to destigmatize these issues.

[14:43] B: "What can I dispel? Or. Yeah, how can I teach in this moment?"

[15:43] A: "So many more than anyone thinks about. And luckily, it didn't happen to me."

She discusses the backlash she faces for tackling such sensitive subjects but remains steadfast in her mission to bring these conversations to the forefront.

[17:07] B: "I think this is brilliant."

[17:08] A: "I'm fired up about it, to be honest with you."

6. Navigating Personal Relationships and Non-Monogamy

The conversation shifts to Glaser's views on non-monogamy and her fears surrounding intimacy. She explores how her competitive nature influences her desire to prove herself within relationships.

[32:18] B: "Can I ask you one question around your non monogamy thing?"

[32:37] A: "No. No. I mean, I wouldn't mind if my boyfriend were to fool around with other people."

Glaser candidly discusses her fetish, termed "Hot husbands," and how it relates to her self-esteem and fear of not being enough for her partner.

[33:26] B: "But is that sex? Like, is that a sexual fetish?"

[33:28] A: "Yeah, I think it's a fetish. It's called Hot husbands."

She introspects on her motivations, tying them back to underlying issues of self-worth and the paradox of seeking validation through competition.

[39:34] B: "Right."

[40:03] A: "I think I also had a lot of fears around sex and intimacy."

7. Embracing Wellness and Self-Care Rituals

Glaser shares her wellness routines, emphasizing the balance between physical health and mental well-being. She discusses practices like Pilates, meditation, journaling, and maintaining a supportive friend group.

[53:29] B: "You mentioned Pilates, like, what do you. Do you have any self care or wellness rituals?"

[53:34] A: "Yeah, yeah, I do agree. Like, so do I."

Glaser underscores the importance of therapy, both individual and couples, and the role of honest communication in maintaining mental health.

[57:26] B: "So important."

[57:27] A: "Like, my boyfriend was so reluctant to do it, and we've been together off and on for 13 years. Just started doing it in the past couple years. And he's obsessed with it."

8. Ethical Considerations in Wellness Practices

In a lighter segment, Glaser and Paltrow engage in a "wellness lightning round," debating various wellness trends and their ethical implications. Glaser expresses her vegan principles and concerns about animal welfare in treatments like bee venom facials and leech detox therapy.

[58:01] B: "A bee venom facial."

[58:04] A: "No. Because I'm vegan."

[58:11] B: "Like, so this is."

[58:12] A: "They're suffering enough."

9. Balancing Beauty and Self-Acceptance

Glaser delves into the paradox of desiring physical beauty while striving for self-acceptance. She discusses societal pressures surrounding aging and beauty standards, reflecting on her own experiences with anorexia and body image issues.

[44:14] B: "And I think more importantly, you were sent this really strong signal of approval, like, external approval, immediately, because you were."

[44:29] A: "I feel brainwashed to feel like I'm not good enough if I'm not thin."

Glaser touches upon her past struggles with anorexia, highlighting how external validation influenced her self-worth.

[42:46] B: "So in terms of restricting."

[42:49] A: "Yeah. Oh, just like, yeah, I was anorexic and hospitalized my senior year of high school."

10. Integrating Life Lessons into Comedy

Drawing from her personal experiences, Glaser discusses how therapy and authentic communication have influenced her comedic material, allowing her to weave vulnerability and honesty into her routines.

[50:03] B: "So just going back really quickly..."

[50:27] A: "That's a fun juxtaposition to me though. Like, that comedy to me is like the unexpected."

She credits influences like Sarah Silverman for inspiring her unique blend of humor and vulnerability.

[51:21] B: "And it's very new. I mean, it is new."

[51:23] A: "Yeah, it's very new. Some people say you can't do it."

11. Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity and Growth

As the conversation wraps up, Paltrow praises Glaser's honesty and resilience, underscoring the impactful nature of their discussion.

[60:22] B: "Thank you so much for coming on the Goop podcast."

[60:25] A: "You're better than I could have even anticipated. I'm a huge fan."

Glaser emphasizes the importance of continuous self-improvement and the role of supportive relationships in personal growth.

[57:48] B: "Amazing. Yeah, that's like, a pretty good roster there."

[57:51] A: "It's pretty good. Yeah. I'm happy."

Notable Quotes

• Preparation and Perfection:
  "[04:10] A: ... when I'm preparing for a set, if I leave any potential on the floor, I failed myself."

• Self-Compassion:
  "[05:00] A: ... I like kissed myself on the arm gently. I don't even know why."

• Honesty in Comedy:
  "[17:07] B: I think this is brilliant."
  "[17:08] A: I'm fired up about it, to be honest with you."

• Managing Intimacy Fears:
  "[39:16] B: So interesting."
  "[39:17] A: It's weird if I can't have someone when we've been off and on forever."

• Wellness Practices:
  "[53:29] A: ... I'd have to look into the ethics behind it, but, yeah, I'd be down if it."

Key Takeaways

1. Honesty as a Tool: Glaser leverages honesty in her comedy to address and destigmatize sensitive topics, fostering a culture of openness.

2. Struggles with Self-Image: Despite her public persona, Glaser continues to navigate personal battles with self-acceptance and body image.

3. Importance of Therapy: Both individual and couples therapy play a crucial role in Glaser's personal growth and relationship maintenance.

4. Balancing Beauty and Vulnerability: Glaser reflects on the societal pressures surrounding beauty and aging, striving to balance self-acceptance with personal desires for improvement.

5. Community and Support: Maintaining a strong support network of friends is vital for Glaser's mental well-being, providing a safe space for honest communication.

This episode offers a profound glimpse into Nikki Glaser's life, showcasing her resilience, honesty, and commitment to personal growth. Through her dialogue with Gwyneth Paltrow, listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities of balancing public persona with private struggles, the power of vulnerability in art, and the enduring journey towards self-acceptance.