Choice Words with Samantha Bee

Controlled Burns or Fires of the Future? (with Jacob Soboroff)

Reporter and author Jacob Soboroff joins Sam to talk about his new book Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America's New Age of Disaster and the debate between the native communities’ historic practice of controlled burns and the alternative of worsening fires year after year. Jacob talks about how covering the fires was actually the last thing he wanted to do but sometimes you just have to go with the assignment. He talks about seeing his childhood home burn down and not processing the trauma until he started writing the book, how local media was as heroic as the first responders, and how he responded when Katie Miller called him to check on Stephen Miller’s parent’s house. They talk about what justice looks like for people who lost everything, and if he thinks many people will just leave LA, and if he feels safe reporting as the country begins to arrest journalists. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TV or Radio? (with Christa Miller)

Actor Christa Miller joins Sam to talk about the new season of Shrinking and her other role where she serves as music supervisor. Christa talks about how she loves giving new artists their big break on TV and how TV really is the new radio. They talk about the never-ending seasons of 90s sitcoms, choosing spending time with her kids over certain jobs and why it’s always risky to turn something down. She talks about her real life therapist being the inspiration for Shrinking and how she used to have a hard time making decisions until he helped her learn that the act of making the decision is the important part, not the outcome. Sam and Christa agree you really are only ever as happy as your unhappiest child, and they do some shared mom-gushing over Christa’s daughter, musician Charlotte Lawrence. Christa amazes Sam by talking about being Susan Saint James’ niece, growing up in NYC the daughter of a super model, and how in high school she would DJ at clubs after the real DJ was done for the night. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secular Saint or Church Guitarist? (with George Saunders)

Author George Saunders joins Sam to talk about his new book Vigil and why people are so obsessed with turning him into a secular saint (and his childhood role of church guitarist). George explains that even though he’s not on social media he still finds ways to doom scroll, how the current government could have learned empathy if they bothered to read a few books, and how he found inspiration for Vigil without sounding too preachy. They talk about the importance of “vomit drafts” and the process of revisions, how his writing approach is about minimizing his anxiety, the choice to turn on or off some of the voices in your head, early rejection from The New Yorker, and choosing not to get killed just to be a great writer. They explain how they both put their choices up against the deathbed test, and how being compassionate doesn’t always mean being nice. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bea or Twila? (with Emilia Clarke)

Actress Emilia Clarke joins Sam to talk about her new show PONIES and how for the first time ever she was given the choice of which main character to be, Bea or Twila. They compare stories of traveling with hot plates, and the need to have “an evening” of making dinner and watching a cooking show even if they get home late. They talk about reading cookbooks like novels, the correct amount of newspapers to get every weekend (four), sliding into Alison Roman’s DMs, the never-ending loyalty of Game Of Thrones fans and their unique fan fiction. Emilia talks about the decision to finally reveal her experience undergoing brain surgery in the New Yorker and trying to figure out how to thank the NHS for saving her life. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1929 or 2026? (with Andrew Ross Sorkin)

Financial journalist and author of the new book 1929, Andrew Ross Sorkin, joins Sam to talk about the parallels between 1929 and now and, and how while history does repeat itself, there are some comparisons that don’t work. Sam explains Soul Cycle vs. Peloton, they rehash the Gamestop frenzy, why the lottery is a “tax on the stupid,” and get rich quick schemes. They unpack what Venezuela means for the American economy, and Sam begs Andrew to make a period piece out of his new book even though it would break the bank. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.