Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Summer S’pouses Episode 5: The Spouses Alone

Episode Date: August 27, 2026

The Spouses (Liza, Tak, and Amanda) sit down by themselves to discuss the unexpected ways in which the podcast has altered their lives.   Wanna get a chance to talk to Conan? Submit here: teamcoco.com/apply Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/conan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summer Spouses with Conan O'Brien, Sonam of Sessian, and Matt Gourley, and Liza Powell O'Brien, Tack Boroian, and Amanda Lund. Hello and welcome to a very special episode of Conan O'Brien needs a friend. My name is Liza Powell O'Brien, and I'm here with Amanda Lund and Tack Boroan, the spouses of Matt Gourley and Sonam O'Sestessian, respectively. Welcome to Summer spouses. Doesn't that make you think that there's going to then be a fall spouse and like they're going to have to get remarried to new people every season so that there's something to put on the air? Oh, my gosh, summer spouses. Right. I mean, I could take a break, you know. I could use a break. Heard, by the way. That is a very good idea. Okay, how has this been so far for everybody?

It's been great. It's the first time for me. You've done this before. On a podcast? I have not done, like, what I haven't done is sort of the being yourself and and talking about your life. Like a chit-chat show is what I call them. Do you? And you do that, right? I'm not like this. I mean, I have like one chit-chat show with my friend Maria, but it's behind a paywall and I'm pretty convinced like no one is listening.

So it feels very safe. This is scary because people are like, we've got eyes and ears. By the way, I think we're fewer every second. It's going to be out there forever. Right. Also that. Yeah. Yeah, but it felt like fun to be in the hot seat a little bit. Did your spouse act a little bit differently in this room with you in it? That's a good question. I was getting like supportive nods. From him? From Matt. Yeah. From Matt. Okay. Did he look, was there fear in his eyes?

Um, he told me right before we came in, he was like, it's okay. Like you can. Whatever you? He said, you can speak freely. Okay. And so I kind of got the green line. a little bit. Does that mean that you're not usually embarrassed? No, I've signed a non-disclosure. I said it was okay. What about you?

As soon as it was always Sona. Yeah, she was kind of giving me that, don't you fucking embarrass me. But was she also, was she also just watching, it felt like she was also maybe a little quieter, like she was really interested in hearing what you had to say.

Yeah, yeah. She was letting me talk for a change. Is that on you? Yeah, right. Exactly. That's not the norm. Yeah, no, it is. We're cool.

She was about the same. She's always herself. That's like her thing, right? Yes. No matter what circumstance. It's a gift. Yeah. Really.

It's not typical, I don't think. And how about your kids? Does one of them take after each of you? Are they, like, from somewhere else entirely? I think so. I think Mikey is more sona. Uh-huh. Because he's, like, very adventurous.

and just hard-headed and stubborn. Uh-huh. And Charlie, and he's very extrovert. And Charlie is more like, you know, he's more me. Uh-huh. I think he loves to draw and he likes to do his own thing and, like, look at his monster books. Yeah.

And just sort of do his own thing, you know? Yeah. Yeah, we just got these great thank you notes from them for their birthday presents, which was adorable, and I'm going to frame them because I don't have little kids right now to do that with. And one of them drew a picture and the other one wrote Michael. Thank you, Michael. And so it was like, this couldn't be a better representation of how different my kids are from each other.

That's it. Is one of them more social than the other? Depends on the day. Sometimes Mikey gets a little shy for some reason. It's kind of weird. And Charlie steps up and tells the jokes, you know, which is like so, like unexpected because he's more of an introvert, you know? Yeah. But he can tell that like the usual host isn't there, so he's filling in.

Yeah, yeah. But I would say they're, you know, they're equally social kids. And, you know, they always approach other kids and talk to them, introduce themselves. It's really cute. That's very cute. Yeah. Eliza, you're such a natural at this. Well, I'm just nosy.

That's a great quality. Oh, thank you. Yeah. Have you just been like watching Conan all these years like I could do it better? No. No, no, I had a nightmare once. I don't know what brought this on that I was supposed to go out in front of people and entertain them. And I had a, I never had a panic attack.

My life, I had a panic attack in my dream because I thought I had to go do that thing that he does. And there's no way I could do it. So, no, I never watch or listen to him doing what he does and think, like, let me add it. No. No. Are you guys a little bit closer in terms of? of your skill set, maybe? You're both performers?

Maybe a little bit, but yeah, I don't know. Yeah, probably a little bit because we cross over a bit. Like, Matt will be on my shows and I'll be on his stuff sometimes. So, yeah, we do some crossover stuff. What's your favorite kind of performance? Like, is it theater? Is it TV acting? Oh, yeah.

I probably theater. You know, I really actually love podcasting. It's just, I just really, really like it. There's just so much creative freedom in it. And like you probably, I don't know, maybe felt that when you did your show too. Yeah. Yeah. Well, yes. There were, I mean, I felt it was, it was, it was no, it was great. It was great. I couldn't believe I got to do it. It was also I signed myself up for so much work that I started to be very grumpy. It was a lot of research for you.

It was a lot of research and writing. And I was doing it sort of in lockstep with my younger kids' last two years of high school. And then he graduated and I was like, we're done with school. And I sort of felt like, I don't want to write any more papers. And it was kind of funny. But so it felt like a really, it felt like a limiting format that I had set up, but I liked that. Yeah. I appreciate boundaries and stuff like that because I'm, you know, terrified of improvisation. So here we are.

Yeah. So it's a very different type of podcasting. Do you have any other projects coming up, podcasting or other ones? I don't have any other podcasting projects coming up. No, I have. I have a theater piece in a festival in Aspen. Nice. Oh, that's so wonderful.

I feel like theater is where it's at right now. Is that what's happening? Like, should we all be doing? You can't AI that, you know what I mean? Right. Well, it's like how live shows are the sort of backbone of the music industry right now, I think. And, yeah, these people are into experiences that you cannot. that not every single person in the world can just get.

Yeah. Podcasts are dead. Right. Exactly. That's what we've decided. Sorry, guys. Yeah. No, we're done with that.

Yeah. No, I think in other parts of the world, too, like in London and Europe, I think there's a lot of theater happening in, like, sort of grassroots seaways. And I think the U.S. is having a bit of a difficult moment with the funding issues. but I don't think it will ever not quite completely go away because it's so human. But yeah, but maybe this is the new campfire

RIP, summer smores. I mean, I don't know if it's totally gone forever. Okay, let's see. We have other prompts here. How has the podcast impacted your lives? Sorry, I read that wrong. Has the podcast impacted your lives and if so, how? Well, we get, like, Sona gets recognized

all the time now. Really? She's like a full-blown celebrity at this point. Wow. Yeah. Because that happened after you got married.

Yeah. Was that weird? To go through that transition with her? I mean, she, people kind of knew she was when we were dating, but like now,

when I went to YouTube with the podcast and everything, because people knew her from the remotes from the show before, but now it's the podcast. This is huge. And everybody just like,

I know your voice. Oh my God. And then like, people freak out now. Do they ask for pictures? Sona actually says, can we take a picture? Oh my gosh. That's great.

I love that. That's so generous. With her camera? Yeah, her camera. We have a collection at home. Record it all. All my fans, a wall of them. But it was so weird.

We were in Hawaii like a week ago and we went to, where do we go? We went to the Diamond Head hike. Oh, yeah, yeah. And there was like the booth where you park and these two girls are working there. and Sona's like, watch this, they're going to know. And we drive up. And our cousin, our cousin from Australia, Steve, he's there. And so we drive up and they're like, hi, like, hi, can we park it?

I was like, no, you have to buy parking. You have to go, you have to pre-arrange parking or you have to go drive down the tunnel and park there. And then our cousin Steve's like, Mike, do you know who she is? and she's like, it's sooner. And then they got all giggly a little of a sudden. Yeah, like, they got like super stoked. I was like, oh my God.

I'm never going to live this down. So then, and I was like, so now that this happened, can we park there? They're like, no, you still got to go down the tunnel. Celebrity has its limits. Yeah, that was it. Yeah, I feel like you can kind of identify a podcast listener in the wild.

You know, you can be like, that person's going to approach. Yeah. Yeah. There's a look. Yeah, I have none of that because people were coming up to him before I knew him. And so I can't, you know, I can't tell who knows him for what. People still come up to him and say, I love your show. And I'm thinking which one.

What? There is a show, unless this is a show. Maybe it's a show. And I bet like the travel show has brought in new audience, probably, because that's a whole different. Yeah. Worldwide. Mm-hmm. Worldwide. Okay.

Yeah. Well, you didn't answer that question. Oh, yeah. I think for me, it's been interesting because. like both Matt and I are both like we work like gigs you know and then especially podcasting it's like you'll do a podcast like on a regular yeah and then having something that is such so regular it's like the nine to five job at this point you know which I never would have thought podcasting would have been for us but it's like okay yeah this is like we're yeah this is the career you know which is I don't

think either of us could have foreseen that right that it was going to be like podcasting was like the stable thing because right now like everything's so in flux with the other parts of the industry, you know? So that's been really cool. And then also post YouTube, Matt gets recognized all the time. But there's like certain places where you can kind of, you think there's a higher chance of it happening. Like any, any theme park, like he'll usually get recognized a couple of times. How often are you in a theme park? I want to ask. You know, and when I met Matt, like he had worked at theme parks, but he was. was like, I'm not a theme park person. But then having a kid, he's like a total Disney dad now. It was like the minute we took Glenn for the first time to Disneyland and like he saw her light up when she saw Mickey Mouse. Like he cried. Okay. He couldn't. He was like, this is so magical. And now they're like, he's taking her to the to Universal like a lot. He'll play hooky days where he's his beard. Yeah. He's going for him. Like actually because she, he takes her. to go see the Waterworld stunt spectacular.

Okay. And to the point where they're like regulars now. And so I don't know if you're familiar with Waterworld the movie. Yes. Okay. Yeah, you're big fan. Huge. Yeah, huge.

Kevin Koster. Okay, yes. Thank you. Okay, so there's the villain in it. It has some funny name. I don't remember what it is. But anyway, he's, oh, look, they're all getting their phones. I feel so powerful.

I never have this in my other podcast. Anyway, so. The deacon. The deacon. The deacon. Okay, so they're like Glenn's a big fan of the Deacon. And after the stunt show, they wait and talk to the Deacon and, like, take pictures with him. But apparently he's retiring.

Uh-oh. So they got to go catch his last show. Is he going to be replaced by someone else? I guess, like, I don't know. And she'll have to be in on those auditions, I think. Yeah. Yeah, Glenn could play the Deacon. That's great.

Who here actually listens to this podcast? I used to listen regularly and then I got a little uncomfortable with talking about our lives and stuff. I just kind of was like... It's like not looking at the comments anymore. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So now I just watch like chunks of it on my feed. Have you and Sona had like boundary conversations about what you are comfortable with her sharing? No.

We probably should. We have a guy I don't want to be I don't want to be like don't talk about this don't talk about this it's like it comes with the territory

you know also do you feel okay because for on our end I am always impressed with sort of Conan's innate sense

of boundary I think he's got I would not be good at that I'm a blabber and he yeah we can tell well of everyone's information

too so don't tell me anything no but he has a very, I think a very good intercompass about how not to hurt anyone, basically. Oh, yeah, yeah. And not share things that, you know, shouldn't really be shared even if they would get a big laugh. So I have never even had that thought. Oh, how interesting. Yeah. Yeah. The same with Matt. I feel like I kind of just trust him. There was only one time. This is a while ago, but it was actually like four years ago when Glenn was a baby. And I don't know what they were gathered. on about in here, but there was something about like Matt had the monitor. Maybe I had gotten an alert from like our, we have like a Wi-Fi connected monitor in the nursery. And I'm sitting there in like the dark nursing Glenn and she's like asleep on me. And all of a sudden I just hear hello and it's Conan's voice coming through the baby monitor. And I was like, like so scared.

Like I didn't know what was happening. And I was like, hello. Like, hello, I'm the baby sleeping. And then I just hear like this laughter, like chuckling over there. And I was just like, what is happening in the mouth? Like, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Like I guess I don't know what bit they were doing where he was like here.

And I can even like talk through the monitor. And he didn't know that I was in there with a sleeping baby. And I think that was the only time when I was like, I don't like that. Yeah, right. I just like that at all. Thank you. That scared me. No, thank you.

But otherwise, I listen to some episodes of the show, but I hear a lot of it being edited because Matt's always working on it. So, you know, I'm like around in the backhouse in his office where he works and I always hear lots of, you know, I hear the raw audio. And I get to hear what's taken out. Do you ever disagree with an edit? No, but sometimes I will say not like I'm taking. any credit, but there's times when I'm advised. Like, oh, yeah, maybe that could go or stay, just a couple times where I get to, like, a little hear some of the notes, too, that are coming in.

And he's receptive to that? Oh, I mean, yeah, like he'll do whatever I say. Yeah. I'm just kidding. No, but it is cool to hear him editing it, you know, and just to see what he takes out. It's never, like, really big things because they're such pros, especially. especially when it's just the three of them. You know, a lot of that is just what they record is what you hear.

Yeah. Yeah. I want to ask if there's ever been anything from a guest that's been edited out that you can think of. These guys know, I'm sure. That's every podcast, right? I mean, it happens, but it's actually less than you would think. Like, we give everybody the same disclaimer when they walk in, you know, this is a safe space. We'll take out anything you want.

Just let us know either in the moment or afterwards if you're driving home or the next day, if you feel uncomfortable about something, will 100% take it out. And it's really rare that that happens. It happens. It's just very, it doesn't happen often. And does anyone ever call in after they hear their episode and say, I want you to fix that?

I've never heard of that. I've never heard of that happening. I've never heard of that happening. Every one, I think the biggest, I mean, every once in a while, like maybe once or twice a year,

like sometimes the order might change a little bit. Like, it might be like, oh, like, this was great. We should put this more up front. But for the most part, it's kind of like the TV show. I mean, it was kind of like shot on tape. And then so, yeah, that was kind of. You guys might be the first.

Right, exactly. To redo all of it. So people always ask me, especially, is he like this at home? Like this being however he is out in the world. And he is who he is, no matter what is happening, like all the time. In the mirror, no one around. He's always doing his stuff. It's all of that.

There is no, it's, there is no compartmentalization of his character or his, you know, nonsense. So he, he is what you see is what you get no matter where or who you are. Is that, how does that compare to you guys? Especially with like this show. Pretty much, yeah. And just to say about Conan, like, it was just so refreshing when I first met him to see that. He's like that in real life. And he's just this great awesome guy.

And sometimes you meet people and they're like, it's not like that on TV, you know? Right. Right. Like who, TAC? Like who? I'll tell you later. But yeah, he's, I love Conan. And he said some very nice things about me.

And I just want to reciprocates. Yeah, he's the most generous. He said him even when you're not listening. He says him even when you're not listening. Oh, okay. That's the real test. But as far as Sona, yeah, she's basically the same person everywhere. Is there ever any time in your lives together where she is someone a little?

Like, Connie used to say when my grandmother called, he could always tell she was on the phone because I would suddenly sprout a bonnet. Like, and hello, and how are you? You know, that kind of, like I just, you know, I zealiged right back to her, whatever she was giving. So is there anything that gets Sona to do that or no? I maybe when she's making some kind of like professional call on behalf of like making reservations. Ah, this is someone calling from Corona Brons office.

A professional voice. Yeah, the professional voice. Yeah. But she's always like. I'd love to hear that. She's extra nice to other people like, you know, like the staff and, you know, people at restaurants and hotels. Yeah.

Yeah. That's pretty much the only difference. She gets even nicer. Yeah. That's good. Yeah. That's a good way to go. There's such, like, a magic charisma that they all have together.

And, like, well, Conan obviously is a total pro. And then Sona and Matt are just like, they're such good laugh. Yeah. Like, it makes you feel so safe in a podcast to have that, like, they're just looking at you beaming, wanting you to succeed and supporting you with their laughter. But they also, they, like, stand up for themselves, you know, like, he's a big presence in any room. And but they, they hold their own, which I'm always really happy to hear. It's, it's so, it is just truly magical. I feel like Matt is basically the same.

But I don't know if like Sona and Conan are like true extroverts because they come across super extroverted. And it seems like they are that I wouldn't, I mean, I would have assumed that, you know, that he is, but I don't really, you know, think of things that way so much. But then during, during the lockdown part of COVID, I was. benefiting from some of the changes. Like, it didn't have to drive to a bus stop at 6.30 in the morning. I didn't have to make a bunch of meals before everyone left for the day.

And so, and we were all just together and, you know, that sort of hunkered down thing. And so the kids and I were all kind of at the beginning sort of happy about it. And I looked over at Conan and he was like a house plant that no one had watered in four months. He was visibly starting to wilt. Yeah. And I thought, oh, this is what people mean when they say extroverts get. energy from other people. He does. And I don't. I think it takes energy from me to be social. And so it's a real, like, he's very extreme that way. So what about Matt? Matt doesn't seem that extreme. He's,

I mean, like on the podcast, you'd be like, oh, he's an extrovert. But I think he and I are both similar. We like, we love to socialize and be around people, but we're introverts. So we got to come home and just like power down. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And like just kind of chill out for a little bit. I call that extroverted introverts. Yeah, yeah. Oh, okay, maybe that's what I guess. Yeah, that's what I am too. Oh, it is.

Okay, yeah, yeah. Like, after this, I'm just going to go pass out in my car. Yeah, well, just see you park car? I know. Yeah, in my car. Yeah, we drove separately, that's why. Well, we drove separately, that's why. I see.

But, yeah, I'm going to need a nap. Uh-huh. And maybe a meal. Yeah, you need a little cookie or something. Maybe a drink. Yeah, I don't know. It's like you gave blood. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I know. I'm exhausted. Yeah, exactly. Oh, my God. get out of these chairs. How do they do it? Okay, this has been great. Yeah.

Let's hope we're all still married to these people by the next time. Yeah, I thought we did good. We could have gone a lot harder. Maybe if they invite us back for false spouses. Part two. We had a really good time doing this. I hope people had fun listening to it. And tune in next week when you will get to hear all six people around the table at the same time.

Oh, boy. Conan O'Brien needs a friend. With Conan O'Brien, Sonam of Sessian and Matt Goorley. Produced by me, Matt Goreley. Executive produced by Adam Sacks, Jeff Ross, and Nick Leow. Theme song by The White Stripes. Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino.

Take it away, Jimmy. Our supervising producer is Aaron Blair, and our associate talent producer is Jennifer Samples. Engineering and mixing by Eduardo Perez and Brendan Burns. Additional production support by Mars Melnick. Talent booking by Paula Davis, Gina Batista, and Britt Kahn. You can rate and review this show on Apple Podcasts, and you might find your review read on a future episode. Got a question for Conan?

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