This Life of Mine with James Corden

Guest: Kerry Washington

Released: March 10, 2026 | Host: James Corden | Podcast by Lemonada Media

Episode Overview

In this candid, richly layered conversation, Emmy-winning actress Kerry Washington sits down with James Corden to reflect on the pivotal people, places, possessions, music, and memories that have shaped her journey. The episode delves into her groundbreaking role as Olivia Pope on Scandal, her childhood navigating between cultures in New York, her family revelations and memoir, the weight of ambition and perfectionism, her experiences with therapy and personal healing, and the treasures—both literal and spiritual—that she holds most dear.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. **The Impact of Olivia Pope and Scandal

[04:12–08:32]**

• Historic Representation:
  Washington and Corden discuss the significance of Olivia Pope as the first Black female lead in a network drama in nearly 40 years.
  • "As soon as I realized that we were gonna have a second season, I realized that we were making history and that something was gonna really change culturally because of the show." — Kerry ([04:40])
• Cultural Shift in TV:
  Kerry notes how the show's success allowed other women of color to lead prime-time shows (Viola Davis, Priyanka Chopra, Taraji P. Henson).
• Complex Female Characters:
  Olivia Pope as a skilled, flawed, and powerful lead, not just a side character.
• The Athleticism of Acting on TV:
  Kerry compares leading a network drama to "training for the Olympics" due to the sheer volume and intensity of work.
  • "Being the lead on a network drama is probably the most athletic form of acting." ([07:38])
• Letting Go of Olivia:
  There’s a sense of both relief and loss when saying goodbye to such a defining character.

2. **Childhood, Family, and Formative Places

[08:44–16:08]**

• The Water as Sanctuary:
  For Kerry, swimming is both literal comfort and a metaphor for self-connection.
  • "I really feel more comfortable in water than I even feel on land. I am more myself... I can hear my own thoughts better." ([08:50])
• Straddling Two Worlds:
  Raised in the Bronx, but attending the elite Spence School in Manhattan—a daily crossing of cultures and classes.
  • "It was like cultural whiplash. These worlds could not have been more different." ([13:38])
• Early Passion for Performing:
  Her mother recognized Kerry's expressive spirit and enrolled her in theater and dance to channel her emotions and energy.
  • "In the theater, I could just be messy and fun." ([15:06])

3. **Family Secrets and Identity

[09:50–11:33; 41:32–46:47]**

• Memoir Revelation:
  Writing Thicker Than Water began when Kerry learned in adulthood that her father was not her biological parent but a sperm donor—news her parents intended never to reveal.
  • "They were intending to take this to their graves 100%." ([09:50])
• Processing the News:
  The secret explained years of emotional distance and sparked her journey to self-discovery.
  • "I always knew there was something... some emotional moat between my parents and I. But looking back through this new information, I feel so much more clarity." ([11:39])
• Protecting Her Privacy:
  Washington reflects on having had a very public breakup previously, fueling her extra-guarded approach to later relationships and her eventual marriage.
• Search for Biological Donor:
  She discusses her nuanced approach to searching for her "donor," desiring information and connection to her roots rather than a new parental relationship.
  • "I'm really looking for information. I'm looking for my past, like, what the tree is where I come from. If it comes with relationship, then that might be okay, too." ([43:46])

4. **Art, Responsibility, and Growth

[16:08–23:40; 29:45–30:49]**

• Youth Theater & Social Activism:
  Acting was not only escape and expression, but a practical way to contribute during family financial struggles and social change (AIDS theater company, performing at Mount Sinai).
  • Teaching AIDS awareness, including skits like “putting a condom on a banana.”
• Academic Ambition:
  At George Washington University, she balanced acting with studies in anthropology, sociology, and psychology.
  • "I've always been interested in this connection between art and culture and identity and how people become who they are." ([29:49])
• Musical Inspiration:
  Her chosen film is Into the Woods, which she saw as a child with her father; it represents their bond and her love for fairy tales—and, notably, seeing Phylicia Rashad on stage as the witch was transformative.
  • "This little black girl from the Bronx got to go see Into the Woods with this incredible black woman… I was blown away and inspired." ([23:40])

5. **Mental Health, Therapy, & Perfectionism

[31:16–35:28]**

• Therapist Phil Stutz:
  Chosen as her “person,” Stutz’s radical, practical tools for therapy have been life-changing for Kerry.
  • "The therapy is really based on tools for visualization and shifts in perspective... It's about, let's figure out how to give you the tools to move forward." ([31:16])
• Origins in College:
  Her struggle with eating disorders and perfectionism led her to seek therapy as a student.
• Admitting the Need for Help:
  Moving from trying to be “perfect” and in control to learning to accept support and be vulnerable.
  • "Maybe it's a sign of health that I accept outside help. But that was a lot of the journey for me." ([34:18])

6. **Music and Joy

[35:31–37:49]**

• Song Selection: “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers:
  The song’s unshakeable positivity and universal warmth resonate deeply.
  • "You cannot listen to and not feel more joyful… peace and love and light in music." ([35:40])
• Connecting Across Cultures:
  James shares how he introduced Kerry to UK rapper Dave, including discovering that her character Olivia Pope is referenced in Dave's lyrics—a delightful surprise for Kerry.

7. **Possessions and Treasured Things

[38:32–40:28]**

• Collection of Shells:
  Not a materialistic person, Kerry’s most valued object is a glass vase of shells from her honeymoon in Zanzibar—a symbol of love, solitude, and sacred beginnings.
  • "Whenever I look at that collection of shells, it reminds me of the space that we gave ourselves to start our life together as a couple in this really sacred way." ([39:06])
• Secret Wedding Rituals:
  She recalls pinning her engagement ring to her undergarments to keep her engagement secret from the public.

8. **Memory and Self-Assertion

[46:50–48:44]**

• Precious Childhood Memory:
  She recounts being chosen for an audience participation event at SeaWorld—insisting on her choice of oyster, which miraculously yielded two pearls.
  • "That girl that's willing to, like, seek her truth, get what she really wants, be unapologetic about who she is, and then receive the prize of that—that's who I want to be." ([48:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the pressure of Scandal’s importance:
  "Day one. I thought if we don't get this right, then it might be another 40 years till they allow a Black woman to be the lead of a network drama." — Kerry ([05:06])
• On being her true self in water:
  "I can hear my own thoughts better in the water because the sounds of the world get turned down." — Kerry ([08:50])
• On perfectionism and therapy:
  "I'm not just fine, I'm perfect." — Kerry ([34:18])
• On vulnerability and family secrets:
  "There are things that are sacred to me that belong to me, which is different from having secrets that are born of shame." — Kerry ([42:06])
• On her SeaWorld memory:
  "My hand shot up in the air, and they chose me... and inside, which happens very rarely, there's two pearls, and I had them made into earrings." — Kerry ([46:57])
• On the quest for her biological roots:
  "I don't need a dad. I have an extraordinary dad. It's a complicated relationship, but it's a beautiful one. I don't need anybody to replace him... But I do want to know who I am, where I come from." — Kerry ([44:50])

Important Timestamps

• Olivia Pope’s impact and historic relevance: [04:12–08:32]
• Revelation about her biological parentage: [09:50–11:33]
• Navigating two worlds—Bronx to Spence: [13:38–15:02]
• First acting experiences and supportive mother: [15:06]
• Theater and AIDS prevention activism: [27:13–29:27]
• Choosing Into the Woods as life-defining film: [23:40]
• Therapy and overcoming eating disorder: [31:16–35:28]
• Music: Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day”: [35:31–36:41]
• Memorable SeaWorld story about self-assertion: [46:51–48:44]

Episode Structure

• Opening: Introduction and Scandal discussion
• Thematic Selections: Place (water), Wild Card (film: Into the Woods), Person (Phil Stutz), Music (“Lovely Day”), Possession (honeymoon shells), Memory (SeaWorld pearls)
• Reflections: On family, privacy, therapy, perfectionism, and self-love

Final Thoughts

This intimate interview offers a nuanced portrait of Kerry Washington—her resilience, authenticity, and evolution. Throughout, James Corden provides both warmth and depth, encouraging revelations that highlight vulnerability as a source of strength. The episode is a moving testament to how our backgrounds, struggles, art, and relationships combine to shape who we are and who we are becoming.