Dear Chelsea - A Lately Reunion with Guy Branum

Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Writer and comedian Guy Branum joins Chelsea to chat about pop culture,  polyamory, and their Chelsea Lately days.  Then: A girlfriend is ready for the next step but her parents don’t approve.  A comic loses her following after a dig at *45*.  An ex-boyfriend is curious to know if his man cheated… even though they were open.   * Follow Guy Branum on IG & Tiktok!  Find Lindy West’s book Adult Braces here Follow Leah Knauer here  * Need some advice from Chelsea? Email us at [e-mail] * Executive Producer Catherine Law Edited & Engineered by Brad Dickert * * * The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the Podcast author, or individuals participating in the Podcast, and do not represent the opinions of iHeartMedia or its employees.  This Podcast should not be used as medical advice, mental health advice, mental health counseling or therapy, or as imparting any health care recommendations at all.  Individuals are advised to seek independent medical, counseling advice and/or therapy from a competent health care professional with respect to any medical condition, mental health issues, health inquiry or matter, including matters discussed on this Podcast. Guests and listeners should not rely on matters discussed in the Podcast and shall not act or shall refrain from acting based on information contained in the Podcast without first seeking independent medical advice.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. I'm Lori Siegel, and on my new podcast, Mostly Human, I'll take you to some wild corners of the tech world. I'm about to go on a date with an AI companion at a real world cafe right here in New York City. There's no playbook for what to do when an AI model hallucinates a story about you. Mostly Human is your playbook for how tech can work for you. Anyone can now be an entrepreneur. can build an app, and it's very empowering.

Listen to mostly human on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. I became a millionaire overnight and lost everything that actually mattered. Hold on, Sophia. Did you just say they lost everything after becoming a millionaire? That's right. And it gets worse. It's narrating too much drama week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon.

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10, 10 shots fired in City Hall building. How could this have happened in City Hall? Somebody tell me that. A shocking public murder. This is one of the most dramatic events that really ever happened in New York City politics. I scream, get down, get down. down, those are shots. A tragedy that's now forgotten and a mystery that may or may not have been political,

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Okay, guys, I am officially on my high and mighty tour. March 20th is Denver, Colorado. March 27th, Portland, Maine. March 28th, Providence, Rhode Island. March 29th, Springfield, Massachusetts. April 10th is Chicago. I'll be at the Chicago Theater. April 11th, Indianapolis, Indiana. April 12th, Louisville, Kentucky. April 16th is Albuquerque, New Mexico. April 17th is Mesa, Arizona. April 23rd is Kansas City, Missouri. April 24th is St. Louis, Missouri. April 25th is Minneapolis, Minnesota. April 30th, Nashville, Tennessee. May 1st is Charlotte, North Carolina. May 2nd is Durham, North Carolina. May 6th, I'm doing Netflix as a joke festival. I will be in Los Angeles. May 15th, Saratoga, California. May 16th, Monterey, California. May 17th, Modesto, California. And then June 4th, Portchester, New York. June 5th is Boston Mass. And June 12th is Portland, Oregon. And then Seattle is June 13th. I'm doing a second show at the Paramount Theater in Denver on Saturday, December 5th.

So suck on that, everybody. Go to Chelseahandler.com for tickets. Hi. Hi, Catherine. Good morning, Chelsea. Good morning. Are you skiing right now? I'm in Aspen.

Yes, we're skiing. Yes, the conditions are, well, it's beautiful here. So it doesn't even matter. There's no snow anywhere in this world, I don't think, anymore. But, yes, I was hosting a gala, a gala. Oh. For children's oncology, like COSF in Aspen where they were honoring Goldie Hawn, my mother, my illegitimate mother. And so I was the host.

And so I brought some friends and we skied yesterday. And we're going to ski today. Then I have shows this weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts and Portland, Doming. and Rhode Island. Oh my gosh. Sorry, does Goldie know about your private Benjamin fiasco? Oh, yeah, she knows about it, and I did it. My whole monologue was about my private Benjamin fiasco,

where I pretended to be Goldie, where I pretended I was playing Goldie Hawn's daughter in the sequel to Private Benjamin, but there was never a sequel to Private Benjamin. But I needed people in third grade to respect me. Do you know what I mean? Absolutely, absolutely. I spent the weekend going to San Diego to see my sister and nephew because he's looking at schools there.

And I decided, instead of driving, the two hours, to take the train for four hours. And how did that go? It was actually wonderful because it's the surfliner. It goes along the coast. I got to watch the sunset. I, like, added a little whimsy to my life. I was very excited. Oh, nice.

Whimsy. I like whimsy for a train. You know, I'm a Jew. So trains and I have an allergic reaction to trains. It's intergenerational trauma. Yes. That's totally fair. Anyway, we have a very funny guest today.

He's one of my old friends, and you'll know him from Chelsea lately, among other things. He's on Platonic. He's been on hacks. He's a very, very funny, writer, comedian. I wanted to just have a nice time with an old friend. Please welcome Guy Branum. Brad looks disheveled today. He looks like something happens.

We're trying a new hairstyle. Oh, I see. I see. Blow out face. Tell him you like it. I told him that to Cowboy, too. I was like, Cowboy had this hair where I had like bangs. And I was like, pushing his hair back.

I'm like, you're gorgeous. Why do you have your hair in your face? You're like 12. Also, I didn't realize he was 37. I love that for you. Cowboy? Cowboy, yeah. Didn't you have told you that?

Possibly, but I forgot it. I need a 37-year-old. I can't go older now. I'm 51. You need some life. You need some life. I know. You need somebody also to keep you up to speed on things.

Also, and I said this to you before, but I honestly feel like if I were a woman, I would not want to date anyone who was raised in the gender reality that we were raised in. You know, I would want somebody with like a mom who was a little more politicized. Exactly. That's exactly how I feel. Exactly. Because we were just talking about this. Yeah, getting the iPhone update. Yeah, getting the iPhone update.

There are men that are over 50 that have not gotten the iPhone update where they don't understand gender. They don't understand racism. They haven't actually taken any steps to, like, disableness. abused all of the knowledge that they have been falsely fed. Yes. And they don't get it. So like younger is better because anyone under, I was trying to say, we were talking to Gaten Madarazzo from Stranger Things.

So he's 23. Yeah. So he's with it. Yes. But like I was trying to include Cowboy because he's under 40. But it's really under 30. Yes. That people get it.

Unless you're a person of color or gay or a part of the LGBT community, you know? Like all of any of those things. really. And we all need our updates. There really are, like, as I get older, realizing it's like, oh, I do have to just think about should I be seeing this differently. And there are some things where the children I am like, you're being idiots about this, but I will respect it. And there are other things where they're right. And it's like, okay, it's time to get with the program. Yeah, like, you know, the R word, okay? I'm not going to say it here. I don't think it's the most offensive word, but it doesn't matter what if I think it's the most offensive word. It's

offensive to people. The hilarious thing is, is that like, at shitty open in mics now, the little boy comics are doing like a six minute walk to get a hilarious excuse to say the R word, the way that they used to with F slurs or like, you know, the N word back in the day. And it is just sort of like, it feels like progress that their bad boy activity is something like that, you know? Right. And they think they're being so original.

Yes. But with R word like Yamanika, do you know Yamanika? Yes, of course. So she opens for me a lot on the road, right? And she's crazy. You know this, right? She's, something's wrong with her. Yeah, hilarious and crazy.

And I can physically take her down. I just want to say that I do it every night. I fucking tackle her for somebody. The other night we were in Cleveland and we were walking out of the car. She was staying at an Airbnb or a brothel. Who knows? And she literally, the wind was so intense in Cleveland that she literally couldn't balance her. She could not stabilize her body.

This woman is 100 pounds more than I weigh, okay? I had to get out of the car because I saw the look of fear in her eyes. I was like, oh my God, she doesn't think she can do it. She's blowing away. Make the walk. It was like 50 yards. I get out of the car. I grab her.

I stabilize her. I'm her ballast. And we get her to the door. And she's like, oh my God, that wind is so scary. And then she's like, how the fuck are you so strong? And I'm like, I don't know. Do you feel your abs? Because like, that's a center of gravity.

Right, right. I mean, it makes no sense. We were trying to figure out actually what happens when the wind blows that hard and doesn't knock you over versus when it does. I mean, is this an argument for chair Pilates? Should more of us be doing chair Pilates? Possibly. Possibly.

Or, because like even when I ski and the wind is crazy, people aren't getting knocked over. Yeah. So what, like, mile per hour wind do you need to actually be knocked over as a person who weighs 130 pounds? I mean, it is very exciting when you have a wind that really does make you feel like, uh-oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Getting tossed around by a wave, I love. But, yeah. I mean, I think it's all about. core, but like you're a big fan of like the core strength sports. Yeah, I'm a big fan of being strong. Like, I love being strong. Because otherwise, what am I going to do? Just, you know what I mean?

I can't have people like her thinking they can fucking beat me up or pick you up or whatever. You've been going out on the road with Yamanika. You've been having Megan Galey time. You've been having a lovely community of ladies around you. Who else have you been going out on the road with? Rachel Feinstein has been opening for me a little bit. Amina Amani. Do you know, Mina?

I'm not familiar. She's really funny. She's out of New York. I'm about to announce a new batch of date, so I'm going to give her some too because I can't put all my, Yamanika and I, she slept with me twice this weekend. She's double booked her hotels. She's so fucking disorganized. So I was like, you can sleep in my room.

And after this weekend, I literally couldn't, I was like, I feel like I haven't slept in 36 hours. So I can't put all my eggs in one basket with Yamanika. Do you know what I mean? You do also love having someone to chit chat with in the hotel. I do. I mean, I'm a girl. You know what I mean? I love it. I love it. So, okay, Guy Branham, we used to work together on Chelsea Lately and Chelsea Lately Days. We worked for, I don't know, how many years together. Three years. Okay. Feels like more. But, okay. So then we saw each other a few weeks ago. We went out to dinner a couple weeks ago. I was on my way to do some set, I think, at the improv, yeah. So it was really nice to catch up. And I was like, oh, I thought it would be great to have you on the podcast so we could shoot some shit. Like old times and fucking gossip. And I'm a big fan of yours, so I was very excited about it. That's very sweet.

That's very sweet. Like, I have such warm feelings. It really was like a family in all of the best and worst ways at Chelsea lately. But the best parts were like getting to gossip and really like getting to tear apart, you know, when Jamie Lean Spears got pregnant, when we all watch. How's that going, by the way, Jamie Greene Spears is pregnancy? Well, she apparently was like a little bit complicit in the keeping Britney Spears, like, under the conservative. conservatorship kind of thing, I think. But that and then when we watched the lifetime handjob prostitute TV movie together,

like really one of the highlights of my life. Remind my, wait, remind me the lifetime handjob movie. Yes, it was like one of the girls from party of five, not Lacey Chabere, the other one. Nev Campbell? No, maybe it was Lacey Chabar. Yeah, I think it was. The point is, it was like a prostitute who worked only with hand jobs. I remember Sibbill Shepard played the mom.

And it was coming on and we would have to watch these things. It's also really funny. Like the first time I watched Rupal's Drag Race was for Chelsea lately because, like, there's a new show. We have to, when we watch reality shows and stuff. And like, it's been on for like 18 years now. Have you ever been on Rupal's Drag Race? No. Oh, well, you should be.

It's time for you to guess, Judge. I'm not allowed to talk about that subject right now. Okay. I see. But I am going to be in the Drag Race movie that's coming out. Oh, nice. Yeah, later this spring. Ooh, cool.

And you've been on a bunch of TV shows since Chelsea lately. Yes. I've been on Platonic. I've been on Hacks. Platonic is a great show. Underrated. I love fucking Roseburn. She's so awesome. Well, it was such an exciting night for Rose last night. I mean, she's like, she has a real, rich, interesting career, but that doesn't always end up in like awardsy things. She does funny things as well, but that she got such respect for, if I had legs, I'd kick you, and I was really hoping for her.

But Jesse Buckley was going to win. I know. She was incredible. What about Michael B. Jordan? And, first of all, I'm so fucking happy Michael B. Jordan won. And I'm so happy that Timothy Shalome did not. Now, listen, and I know that this is a sensitive topic because we're saying I had to look up when the voting ended for the Oscars. I looked that up to find out it started on February 26th and it ended on March 10th.

So his comments, Timothy Shalame's comments about the ballet and opera had an impact for sure. Because I thought, oh, maybe they voted on this month ago. Michael B. Jordan deserves this definitely hands down. Period. Period. Period. He or Leo, I think, were the two best performances. and I would say Michael B. Jordan because he deserves it. And he played two roles. Yes, he played two people. That movie was so huge and such a blockbuster

and got not a modicum of the respect it deserved from the industry because the industry is so fucking racist. But by saying that Timothy Shalamey blew it, it's kind of taking away from Michael B. Jordan's deserving of the award. But I think it's also interesting the way that we were all like, it's Timmy's year, he gets nominated all the time, this will be the one that he wins for. and then we were all like, is it?

And I really feel, as much as the comments, I think people just being like a little bit annoyed with Marty Supreme. Yeah, because he was acting like Marty Supreme in his interviews. But is that Marty Supreme or is that Timothy Shalamee is the question. It's just too much. Like watching someone, and I think I got, I did, I said something after the Critics Choice Awards. I was like, it's just really hard to watch somebody pump themselves up like this so much

and pump their own movie. I understand your campaign to win an Oscar. We all understand how it works. You have to campaign, you have to do interviews. But to go out there when you're competing against Leo DiCaprio, who fucking deserves an Oscar for every single thing he does, when you're competing against Michael B. Jordan, who people who are older than you and have been at this a long time,

like there should be a level of deference or humility. Yeah. Like I remember the one interview where he, which is the interview I had commented on, and my PR team was like, oh, you kind of went after Timothy Shalame for no reason. I'm like, yeah, I know, but he's annoying. was like I've been delivering A plus performances for the last seven to eight years of my life. Or the last seven to eight years I've been giving you a plus performances. It doesn't get any better than this.

This is it. This is like A level. And you're like, okay, that's annoying. Yes. I mean, the thing is, like, he's still young. Like, you know, Delroy Lindo has been out there doing the work for, like, decades. And it was a little entitled. And there's also the way that, like, his brand pivot, I don't.

don't think helped. I mean, dating the Jenner girl and all of that does make you wonder, and like, he's supposed to be our little artie boy. He's supposed to be our call me by your name boy, and then saying the thing about the opera and ballet was just like, what are you doing,

Little Manhattan boy? Don't you think that part of his rebranding is going to be without Kylie Jenner? A hundred percent. Yeah. She's going to, I don't think that's going to be long. They've been together for so long at this point. Yeah, but now he has to rebrand. He has to. He's probably devastated that he didn't win. You know what I mean? And he knows he blew it.

But I also am very sensitive to the fact that that is that, you know, Michael B. Jordan, I do think he deserves an Oscar. He was fucking great in that movie. And I, and I also think Hollywood has to be more conscientious and responsible to people of color. Like, it's ridiculous. The other thing that was cool about that. They are racist. That award, yes, is that, thus far, all of the guys who have won for, like, black men who have won for best actor, won after a long career. Like people winning in their 40s and like having somebody who, like, look,

he's been around since all my children and, you know, Friday Night Lights. But like Michael B. Jordan being somebody who's best stuff is still ahead of him and having an Academy Award is exciting. Okay, did you see that Nicole Kidman came out publicly with Simon Baker that they're together. They've announced her in a relationship.

Yeah, two Aussies. Good for her, but also, like, this is a good move for Simon Baker because I don't think he's in the Devil We're Prada too. And it's a great way of saying, how dare you not put me in the Devil Worse Prada too. Was he in the first one? He was.

He played the, like, nefarious. I'm pretty sure, yeah. He's hot. Yes, he played the nefarious guy who she was, Anne Hathaway was tempted by, but then didn't go away. Oh, oh, okay. But, like, good for Nicole Kidman.

I mean, ever since... I think they must have replaced Simon Baker with Kara Swisher, because Kara Swisher keeps talking about being in a scene of the Devil Wars Prada. I'm pretty sure. I mean, she is rakeishly handsome. Yeah, she is. She is. I love Kara.

I love Kara. I listen to that podcast every week. Do you listen to Pivot with Scott and Kara, Tuckaac Galloway? I only listen to it sometimes. I only listen to it sometimes. I like to get my world updates from that. But that's... So anyway, Nicole Kidman obviously broke up with Keith Thurban or whatever happened in that relationship.

Supposedly, he asked for the divorce. That was what I read. Well, it seems like he relapsed, didn't it? I mean, I don't know, obviously. So I can't say that he relapsed, but it seemed like he did. It seemed pretty drastic and, like, unexpected. I like Simon Baker for her. I think having an actor who is not as famous as you as somebody to, like, accompany you to things who, you know, looks very nice is a good answer.

I think, you know, being half of a country couple was always a hat she was going to wear, not like a life she was going to lead. Oh, interesting. I like that. Did you practice that on your way over? I think... I think... This is a little bit of a sidebar, but why are country musicians, so many of them Australian? That's a really good question.

Is that the Outback? It is really interesting. But also, last night at the Oscars thinking about, like, how many... The great thing about award shows is it lets Australians and Irish people use their real accents the only time. But it's like the sheer number of our A-list actors who are Australian. And it's like, I get that because they're tall and strong because all of the sunshine and, you know, rugby. But I did, like... And I guess a lot...

You are tall and strong. Rich criminal genetics. Yes. But the country thing is so weird culturally. It is. The other places that like country music really means something and connects, it's kind of strange. But it's like they're not being country stars over there. They're being country stars here.

Is there country music in Australia? Because I kind of don't think so. I mean, that's what we have to get to the bottom of. My concern is like you're not getting a direct Sydney to Nashville. You know? That's a lot of having to connect. Yes. Right.

Right. Well, I would like to know what happened with that relationship. It's too bad I'm not going on my friend's 50th birthday because Nicole would be there. Celebrate your pride with the station that's as bold, vibrant, and diverse as you are. IHart Pride, Canada, from dance anthems to pop icons and hits from 2SLGBQ Plus Canadian artists. It's the soundtrack that keeps life loud and proud. Just ask your smart speaker to play IHart Pride Canada. Stream us on your phone or listen now at iHartRadio.ca.

Come together, celebrate love. Pride, feel it all year long. I'm Lori Siegel, a longtime tech journalist. and consider my new podcast, Mostly Human, your bridge to the future. Anyone can now be an entrepreneur. Anyone can build an app. And it's very empowering. Each week, I'll speak to the people building that future.

And we're going to break down what all of this innovation actually means for you. What I come to realize is that when people think that they're dating these AI companion, they're actually dating the companies that create this. We're experiencing one of the greatest tech accelerations in human history. And let's be honest, that's. That can be messy. There's no playbook for what to do when an AI model hallucinates a story about you. But it's my belief that we should all benefit from this moment.

Mostly Human will show you how. My goal is to give you the playbook, so you can benefit. The reason I say agency is because if we can give power back to people, then I think that's probably the best thing we can do for your mental health. Listen to Mostly Human on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. You know Roll Doll, the writer who thought up Willie Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy?

Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been. Our new podcast series, The Secret World of Roll Doll, is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. His job was literally to seduce the wives of powerful Americans. What? And he was really good at it. You probably won't believe it either.

Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. I was a spy. Did you know Dahl got cozy with the Roosevelt's? Played poker with Harry Truman and had a long affair with a congresswoman. And then he took his talents to Hollywood where he worked alongside Walt Disney

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Roll Dahl on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age. What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year? He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wagageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman,

and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on No Grip, a Formula One Culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple, podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Where are you at with Blake Lively and the Justin Baldoni scandal?

I want to know your stance. Okay, it's fascinating when you have a situation where everyone's terrible. Like there is something, the thing that makes me mad about it, though, is it ends with us is like one of the few real successes in film in the last couple of years. Yeah, which has been ruined now. We need this town to not collapse and they fucking destroyed it. But it really does. Every time I got a little bit of information about it, I went to a dinner party.

Do you know John Marco Serisi? What? John Marco Sarisi. John Marco Sarisi. Yeah, he's a very funny comic. You would enjoy it. Okay, I don't think I know it. I was at like a Shabbat where the only thing that was being broken down was

this story. And I got so much information. But like every time I learned something where I'm like, maybe he's right. It's like, no, they are both terrible. And it really sounds like she and Ryan have been calculating and playing this very, very hard. I agree with you. Something's wrong with the two of them. them.

And they are like, it doesn't, like, especially, it's like, it's like when a damn breaks and you're like, finally you just don't have to look away. There's nothing that can be done. And you're like, we have too much information. But also, I think there's something that's very interesting in L.A. of like, when somebody fights so hard for control of a project that they end up wrecking the project. And then this is the rare situation where the project was successful.

but they have ruined that success by making it impossible to profit from it from anyway. And what do you think is the Taylor Swift of it all with regard to the status of their friendship? Oh, I mean, like, I don't know. Like, I think that she is maybe our greatest politician. And I think that, like, she does a lot of presenting her, her friendships and relationships to us. But also, I think she goes away from controversy. Yeah. Well, she doesn't have to have to.

She doesn't have time for that shit either, you know? I mean, when you spend so much time working as hard as, like, you know, like she does on her image and, like, her, like, what she's presenting, it's kind of like what you're saying. And, like, she's so thoughtful planning things like three and five years out. She's like, I didn't have time for this lawsuit. Like, this is not in my calendar. And I'm not going to participate in it. But yet, I feel like she's still been a really good friend to Blake, like those text messages that were made public, very nice, good friend texts. Yeah.

But the thing, like, the thing is with some of these people who are, like, are industries. Like, Taylor Swift is an industry. Like, who are the women who were in the Mean Girl mom group? There was, like, was it? Oh, that was Hillary Duff. Yes. And Mandy Moore. Yes.

And it is just, like, Mandy Moore, one of Hollywood's great survivors. But, like, that she still makes the time to be incidentally cruel to people around her, I think reflects a balanced life, you know? And I just don't imagine that Taylor has the time for like messy girl talk for, you know, ganging up on people the way that she used to. Did she used to? I don't know. Well, yeah, the whole you stole my dancers and the Katie Perry thing and all of that. I mean, the fucking track that she wrote about Charlie XX on the most recent album, I think is delicious.

By the way, I do too. That is actually a great song. I mean, the thing is, like, but it's also like it's pettiness that is going to, in the long term, make her a great deal of money. And like that, like, that woman is, like, focusing her pettiness towards her greater brand. I'm like, if only I could, you know? Like, when people have complaints about Taylor Swift, it's usually in the vein that she doesn't let other artists breathe or have the success that she does, how she re-releases things.

And I don't quite understand all of this because I don't really understand music. But how she, like, you know, has 16 or 17 different album covers. And then it's like, okay, this is available for an adult. a limited release, right? Or somebody will drop like a Billy Elish will drop its song and then she'll drop one right after so that Billy Eilish doesn't stay at number one. Those are things that I've heard. Is that out there in the zeit guys that that happens? Well, definitely the like publishing a ton of different covers. So like the girls who love her have to go buy nine different, you know, 25 different covers. So that definitely is a thing. A man has never been

criticized for trying to be king, you know? And it is like I think that so much. And it always kind of comes back to that. Yeah. Like our resentment is. somebody who's like doing it too well, who is too in control. And there's a way that like we demand this kind of like messiness and vulnerability from women. Like, oh, there's a great line. There was this British art critic who said men act, women appear. The notion that like men get to be agents, but women are always like objects. And I think as artists, we so frequently, it's like with Lena Dunham, we couldn't understand that she was an artist who was creating something and not just the mess that was Hannah Horvath.

And I think that that is something that we have a hard time understanding that, like, you are an artist, not just a human being sharing the messiness of your life. Fill me in on this Rebel Wilson story. So what you were saying about how a project can be ruined by all of this, like, behind the scenes stuff. So Rebel Wilson got basically in a pissing match with her producer of her new movie, which is called The Deb. It's like an Australian movie. It's a musical. It's supposed to be this, like, light frothy fun thing. But they've been in a legal battle over a credit that Rebel Wilson wanted on the movie.

And, you know, she supposedly didn't earn it. And so they've been in this legal battle for like two years. And now, like, she's using, okay, allegedly. Because it's a little Blake lively. It is very much. So the crisis PR firm that supposedly she is using and her team are doing the same sort of smear campaigns online. And these, like, websites saying that this producer, who is a woman, was sexually harassing someone on the shoot and like asking her to sleep with her.

That person has gone on the record and said that didn't happen. That is not real. But it's the same PR firm that Justin Baldoni used. So it's very Blake lively Justin Baldoni. But from the other angle. Yes. I mean, the ways that our industry is getting wrecked by some of these, I think particularly publicists being too good at their jobs.

But imagine opening up a crisis PR firm. So you can just deal with fucking acrimony and hate and create it and stir it up. And fighting all the time. It's like, oh my God, how many crisis PR firms are there? It does lead to the best possible moment in entertainment, which is when somebody's publicist fires them. Like there is just sort of like, there's no clearer sign that like, oh, they're just impossible to work with. But it's like, you're Rebel Wilson. Let your movie come out.

Right, right. You need something to be happening. But also, we just saw it. this whole fucking thing for the last two years with Blake lively and Justin Baldoni. So if you learn anything, don't, yes, exactly. Nobody wants this. Like, if this is true, you know, to actively go after somebody to like ruin their reputation. Even if that person is a fucking idiot.

You know what I mean? Even if that person sucks. What is the point of doing that? Right. And like we don't know it was rebel specifically pushing for this, but there was audio leaked of her team discussing these tactics. to use against this person. Oops. I mean, like, it's just rough, and you really have to question, like, where are you putting your energy?

You know, like, you're, like, rebel Wilson, do, like, do something creative. Like, don't waste your time just being in a fight. She got married at Disneyland. There's nothing creative happening there. Disneyland. Oh, God, I wish they would shut that place down. I know how many people love it, but honestly. I do love it, but I would not get married there.

I do love it. I do think anyone who purchases like that much of a packaged wedding without doing it hilariously is, you know, I question. Yeah, right. What else is in the news? Oh, well, you were just talking about Lindy West, your friend. Oh, yeah, tell us about your friend. She just published a book. What's it called?

It's called Adult Braces, and it's a really good book, and it's about her sort of like coming to like a midlife existential crisis. Do you remember the show Shrill on Hulu? It was based on her book and sort of like the weirdness of having her life process. through a TV show, something you would know nothing about. And then sort of like having like miscommunication, not miscommunication, but like bad communication with her husband, which she had agreed to be like open but wanted to not know about the stuff that he did that was open. And then he got a girlfriend and she had like uncertainty and a lot of like questioning of

herself about that. So she goes on a van trip down to the Florida Keys and back to sort of like get her head straight. And there's just been a lot of people. and I was there for her book launch, and a lot of people have been expressing a lot of opinions about her relationship without having read the book. And, you know, it's very frustrating for her.

And, like, what kind of opinions are they expressing that are hurtful to her? Like, they were saying that, like, that's not a good way of going into polyamory, and they were just sort of saying, like, oh, this is sad for you, you don't actually want this. And she's like, no, I love this. I love Roya, my girlfriend. Like, this is a better situation that is more wholesome and healthy for all of us. That's the point of the book, and people are like,

can't have that opinion. Ah, interesting. Yes. I wish there are a way for people to not care about the feedback they get when they put out a piece of creative work. It's really hard, though. And the thing is, you read the comments because you want the people who say that you're great, but then you see the stuff where people are critical.

It is really hard. I wish I could be one of those people. And also, I think all the people who say that they don't care are lying. No, but there's a level of caring about it. Like, I understand that you have to care. It's what you put out. Like, if I put a book out and it didn't do well or if it, you know, I would care. Yeah.

But I don't know that I would get, like, just like when you see 10 comments in a row telling you you're the greatest thing in the world. Yes. That gets old pretty quickly too. Yes. Like, it's nice, but you're not going to bathe in that. Like, that's not real. It's real. It's your impact, which is really important, like, you know, the kind of, I think I always use the term domino effect you have on people.

Yes. You know, to leave people like, you know, feeling good. and to actually have an impact on them is important. But just like you don't sit there and read these glowing reviews about yourself, like I'm not going to sit there and read bad things about myself on and on and on and like it's not necessary. Two things. The first one is just, I've never really gotten to say it to you, but the number of times that I've been in some situation and somebody reflected back to me

that seeing me and Ross on your show, like help them figuring out coming out of the closet or who they were always is so great. But my question for you is one of the things that's interesting about the book is Lindy talking about sort of like the specter of her first book shrill and the way that it made people like expect things out of her as a fat person and as a feminist. And I just wonder for you after like, what's the first book called? Horizontal life. My horizontal life. Was it hard for you? Was it weird for you sort of like the persona? But I guess it's it was a reflection of your standup persona, which is like, you know, you were used to handling that.

But was there anything with any of your books? Has there been anything weird about the way it made people see you? No. I mean, sometimes people would be disappointed. Like when I got very deep with like my book, what was it called? Life will be the death of me. I got really deep about my brother. And a lot of people, and when I did a tour, I didn't do a stand-up tour.

I did like a talking about the book tour. And I think I was just testing the water to see if I wanted to get back at a stand-up because I had taken such a long break. But people were like definitely like disappointed that that wasn't like the old Chelsea, like the funny, funny, like, ribalds and like all that stuff. Which, it's so funny that you say that, because we still get emails all the time that were like, that book did so much for me. That book changed my life.

Like, thank you so much for sharing that. So it's like, it is totally different strokes for different folks. Absolutely. And so, and as do I, and I love that. I love that feedback. But I also, like, even when I put that out and people, and I got some of that feedback, like, wait, this isn't the Chelsea we know and love. And I'm like, yeah, it's moving.

Like, I'm moving. Yeah, the thing is you have to evolve as an artist, and we've all seen people who got kind of trapped by just doing the thing that worked over and over and over again. And I think if you want to be somebody who is alive and has something to say, you have to evolve what you're doing. And you have to be representative and real about what you're going through as an artist. Not every artist has to do this. Like an actor doesn't necessarily have to share all of that. But as a comedian or as somebody who is playing myself, I'm myself. You know what I mean? It's in the sincere and disingenuous for me to act one way and be going through it in another way. Like, I'm not faking it. I am actually on a whatever, for lack of a better word. Yeah, I'm getting the upgrade A. And for lack of a better word, journey. Like, you've been pretty transparent with social media, pretty transparent with comedy always. And I think that makes it easier to just sort of like keep these things flowing along. And I think for some people who are pretty famous, understanding what level of transparency, you know, understanding.

I think also when you have kids and it's like, you know, because like that weird thing of like, this is my life, but also like I don't want people kidnapping them. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The kids, I don't have to deal with that problem. Another great decision by me. But there's a really good passage to the end of Lindy's book that is basically like a book isn't the truth. A book is sort of like your representation of where you are.

and also just sort of like the idea of what I'm saying right now may not be true of me always, but I'm not going to sacrifice the happiness that I have now in service of being righted three years from now. Yes, right. Also, and it's important to know that if I said something in that moment, I meant it. You know what I mean? Like somebody was like, oh, I thought you hate flowers. I'm like, well, I did when they were when I did. I did hate flowers at a certain point in my life.

I thought that was kind of just like, not pedantic, but just like, ooh, I don't need flowers. I love cut flowers. I love, aw, getting flowers. I did like roses. I don't want roses. I want flowers. You know what I mean? Thoughtful flowers. I'm interested in that.

How's your dating life, by the way? I mean, it's decentralized, as always. I was in New York and I saw a guy who I see in New York. And before that, I went to Quebec in February. Never a great choice. Must have been for some dick. Yes. So that kind of thing.

Do you like that? Yes. Like, I, the number of people out there, like, I'm a very specific person. I used to have a joke about this. I am the sexual equivalence of a left-handed oyster-shocking glove. I'm not for everyone, but those who need it will appreciate it. And so I did have a long-term relationship, 2016 to 2019. I've been doing a solo show where I talk about the complexities of it because I had never really been in a relationship before.

But, like, that was interesting. I think meeting somebody who was a right person for me made me much clearer about who isn't a right person for me, if that makes sense? Totally makes sense. And how was it being in a relationship for three years after not having had a relationship? It was weird and it was scary and I didn't really know how to deal with it. And I didn't always make the best of choices. Neither did he. But I learned a lot from it.

And I think just if he, like, he was smart in the right ways and kind of, the right ways in ways that like helped me grow up and it was good he's still a very good friend of oh that's good yes and do you think you want another relationship i don't know because it's like because i kind of like what you're talking about you know what i mean and that's my vibe is like bounce around lots of different people you know i'm not in that situation right now right but i like that well and i think for me as somebody who like started out in a very gay way just sort of like cooking up and stuff, understanding what emotions are appropriate and like really, like, letting myself treasure someone and enjoy someone is like, I think learning many different definitions

of the word love is really, really useful and good for me, but also like my job and my creative process and the things that I do go in so many directions that, like, there is something nice about just like having a nice time with someone and going off and doing my own thing. Right. Because I was just saying to Catherine, in our last episode, I was saying, like, when I work, I want to be alone. I don't want anyone in my house. When I come back and I'm in L.A. Or if wherever I am when I'm working, I need to be on my own thing. Yeah. Because I don't like the check in texts, I'm guessing.

Yeah. Check in. Check in. We don't have to talk on the phone every day. I mean, communicate. But you don't, I mean, sometimes on the phone, fine. If you're in the mood. But like, there's no, I don't like to be restrictive or be feel tethered. I need my space. Well, I mean, in reference to Lindy's book, a line of mine that I have been repeating a lot is, to me, sexual fidelity is the least interesting kind of fidelity. Like, there are so many other things that I want to know that I'm the first person that you tell about a very good restaurant that you went to. Like, I don't care who you're fucking. But, like, you know, those things that, like, really do matter that somebody share those things with you, like, it is other things that matter to me.

Right. Yeah, I like that. Are we going to take callers? Oh, we sure are. And actually, I have some questions that align very much with what we've been talking about. Okay, we're going to take a break and we're going to be right back with Guy Brennan. The newest tracks. Let's go.

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Yes, we will talk about the style and the success, but we are also talking about the pressure, the expectations, and the real work with the women's shaping culture right now. women in the industry, you're always underestimated. So you have to work extra hard and you have to push the narrative in a way that doesn't compromise who you are in your integrity. You know, I like to say I was kind of like a silent ninja. Each week, I have unfiltered conversations with female founders, creatives, and leaders to talk

about ambition, visibility, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in the public eye. Because being a Nick Girl isn't about the spotlight, it's about owning it. I think the negatives need to be discussed and they need to be told to people who maybe don't do this every day just so they know what's really going on. I feel like pulling the curtain back is important. Listen to It Girl with Bailey Taylor on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You know Roll Doll, the writer who thought up Willie Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG. But did you know he was also a spy? Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been.

Our new podcast series, The Secret World of Roll Doll, is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. His job was literally to seduce the wives of powerful Americans. What? And he was really good at it. You probably won't believe it either. Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you.

I was a spy. Did you know Dahl got cozy with the Roosevelt's? Played poker with Harry Truman and had a long affair with a congresswoman. And then he took his talents to Hollywood, where he worked alongside Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock, before writing a hit James Bond film. How did this secret agent wind up as the most successful children's author ever? and what darkness from his covert past seeped into the stories we read as kids.

The true story is stranger than anything he ever wrote. Listen to the secret world of Roll Dahl on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Why hasn't a woman formerly participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age? What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year? He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wag Ageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory.

I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman, and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on no grip, a Formula One culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Well, our one drink question that we'll start off with is, Dear Chelsea, my ex and I broke up a

year ago, but we've maintained a friendship. Shortly after the breakup, I found out he was hanging out with a certain guy, the one I was told not to worry about. I did some digging and found a tweet from that guy posted while we had been together that said something like, why do I always fall for guys 200 miles away? My ex is in NYC. That guy lives in D.C. We were in an open relationship, so physical stuff wasn't the issue. But I realized he was probably emotionally cheating on me while we were still together. Now, even as just friends, every interaction brings that betrayal back up. I've thought about having a conversation with him about it, but I'm worried it might be too much. Do you think talking about it would bring clarity or just reopen old wounds, Gabe?

I think you kind of need to talk to him about it. Like in most situations, like, you know, I don't think you should reopen old boons all the time. I don't think you need to get into everything. But it's like, if you want to be friends with this guy, you're, this is going to fester and you're going to get annoyed and it's going to turn into something bad or inappropriate. And I think, like, we're mature, sophisticated gay guys who were able to have an open relationship. And I think being able to have a lunch where it's like, well, tell me what was going on, just so I can. know, we'll let you decide how much you want to be friends with these guys and, like, hopefully open you up so that you can like and appreciate them on their own terms and maybe have a three-way

eventually. I love that. That's a nice spin. Yes. But the other, conversely, like, what are the chances this guy's going to be honest about what he was doing when they were in a relationship knowing that's just going to stir up shit? You know what I'm saying? Like, you're going to ask, my ex-boyfriend asked me if I was cheating on him and I was, like,

what's the advantage of being, you know what I mean? I'd be like, that's just going to hurt him. I'm going to keep that to myself. and you're probably going to get lied to anyway. I mean, not 100%. I don't know these people. Well, I mean, and that is the dangerous possibility is if this person lies to you,

then you like have to resent them, you know? Right, but also you may never know that they're lying. Like, you may not really know. Maybe they were just flirting or who knows. My take on all of this shit, as I've gotten older, has changed and evolved, which is it doesn't fucking matter. You're not with the person anymore.

Whatever happened while you were with them doesn't fucking matter. You know what I mean? You were dating? you were in an open relationship. All the things are there. Now you're going to be upset that he was an emotional cheater instead of a physical cheater. Like, the relationship's over.

Move on. And there's also something to be said for like, give it some space. Give it some space. And I think it's really hard after the end of a relationship to, like, you want to be focused on that. But like, give it some space and then go back and then you can be friends on whatever terms those are two years from now. Yes. That's also good idea to give it to me. Did he say he wants to remain friends with him?

Yeah, yeah. They're still good friends. But I think that we always want to, like, control the situation. The situation's over. You didn't control it. It's over. And, like, the idea of controlling the outcome of something is very, like, it's a false motivation.

You're never going to be able to control. Plus, it already fucking happened. Yeah. So I would say, get, you know. All right. You have two pieces of advice. Let us know what you go with. Let us know what you go with and how that goes.

All right. Well, our first caller today is Leah. She says, Dear Chelsea, I'm an actress and comedian in L.A., and I would love your advice on my current situation. After 15 years of building an online audience of 40K followers, my Instagram, at Leah Kanawer, was disabled after I made an anti-Trump joke that went viral and a mass of Trumpers reported it. I now have to start a new account at Leah Kanoir XO from zero.

I'm heartbroken and angry. So long freedom of speech, I guess. As an up-and-coming actress and comedian, my social media is obviously vital for promoting shows and booking gigs, as you know. I feel like everything I've built has crashed and burned at my feet and my career is over. What do I do? Have you ever experienced a major loss, professional or personal that ended up being a blessing? I'd really appreciate your insight and encouragement, Leah. Oh, I can't believe they could do that. Hi, Leah. Look, we have Guy Brannum here today. He's another

comedian. Hi, Guy. Hi, Chelsea. Hi, how are you? I'm okay. I'm happy to be here. I wish it was in different circumstances, but I'm really looking forward to your advice. Well, first of all, everything that, every disaster that happens or kind of like, I don't know how you want, of how you're framing this, but it's definitely, I don't understand how they are able to take accounts down like that. What do they, I don't understand how that works. Yeah, I don't either. It's pretty crazy. No, but apparently this happens to a lot of people for all kinds of different reasons and sometimes no reason at all. And I'm actually speculating. They never told me what guidelines. So they just cancel your account? Yeah, I just woke up one day and my account was gone. They didn't

specify what guideline I broke or what post it was. But I'm speculating because I had a very viral anti-Trump posts. So I'm like maybe that was it. And I think a lot of people reported it. And then it just was down. And I feel I'm like, yeah, I'm not at myself. I feel like I ruined everything. Chelsea, I'm actually on a show with you tomorrow. So I'm very excited to meet you in person. At the Ice House. Okay. Well, I'll see you at the Ice House. That's great. I am performing there. I forgot. I'm doing, yeah. Great. But everything that doesn't work out, there's always some blessing. You may not find out about it in the next week or two weeks or six months,

but you'll find out about it at some reason. You will have had some stalker that was going to try and come over to your house and stalk you or kill you or something terrible that you avoided or averted by not having your social media account. So let's just assume that's true, okay? Not the worst case scenario, true, but just some scenario within that. Let's assume that something like that is true and this was a blessing in disguise. Rebuilding something is not nearly as difficult as you think it is.

It feels like that in the moment. 40,000 followers, I know it's a lot of people, but you can rebuild that in a second. You don't need like a vibe. The thing that I'm more concerned about is like you're freed of speech and to be able to talk about this. Like, you know, you had something go viral where you were anti-Trump, you shouldn't stop talking about how much of an asshole Trump is.

So I'm more concerned about now them muzzling you. So where do you stand on that front? Yeah. It is, I do feel scared now to speak up, and that's why I wanted to ask you, because you're very vocal about politics, and I admire you both for that. But yeah, now I'm scared. Well, then that worked. Do you know what I mean? Like, it worked. That's what they wanted you did to be. They want you to be scared. You are scared, and you're probably going to edit your behavior in the future. So first and foremost, I would say not to do that. I think there's probably

certain people that they target, right? That they know that they can get away with it because You have smaller followings or, I mean, even though 40,000 people is a lot of people. But I really don't think it's like it's not as big of a mountain to climb as you think it is. You know, you can like increase your social media presence in weeks. You know what I mean? Like it's going to happen. You just have to start again and actually maybe shift it. Not necessarily away from being anti-Trump.

Wait until you've amassed more followers than 40,000 before you start talking out against him maybe because they're less likely to erase that. but I think you should look at it as an opportunity. Like now you have an opportunity to create something brand new. Instead of looking at it as a loss, when we look at everything that we don't get as a loss, it kind of alters your state of mind and the framework within which you look at focus on something.

And I think really successful people have an ability to like, oh, not that you're welcoming this, because it's not something that you would welcome, but it's almost like, oh, what a fun challenge. I get to rebuild my 40,000 people. and you guess what, you're going to double that. You're going to be way more successful. But just figure out how you want to change that in the right way.

You know what I mean? Make some slight alteration, not towards being political, but make an alteration about like how you see your future as a performer, right? Like if you're talented, then there's not much that's going to get in your way. And I also think that like talking about your story, like I got banned from Instagram for saying something about Trump. Like talking about that on TikTok, I think would go viral also. Tell your story.

Yeah. You can, I mean, that could be your opening video. Like, okay, I was banned from, so I'm rebuilding my social media. And then talk about other things. So it's not totally centered around Trump, you know. But that story is worthwhile because I'm sure there's millions of other people that are experiencing the same stuff. Yeah. You know, and like maybe there's something you good you can do together to make sure that they're not allowed to do that to people.

You can't just take someone's countdown. I don't understand how that happens. So, but I really just don't want you to focus on the loss and focus on like the, the actual creative process of starting anew. You know, it's not the end of the world. I promise you, it's not the end of the world. You can act like you've never been on social media before and be like, how do I work this thing?

You could have a whole angle about it. Guy, what do you think? I think comedians can lose too much energy when you have bumps in bad things happen. I think that comedians have so much opportunity with social media to control and be able to like communicate with people directly, but also we forget how much it is being filtered through these corporations that really have infinite power to decide. You know, it's weird when you realize all of the speech restrictions that we accept on TikTok, you know, that like we just sort of take them.

And so you have to take those two things hand in hand. But I think what Chelsea is saying is right, it will be a whole lot easier to get another 40,000 back. And I think one of the important things is like, as comedians, the most important thing that we have is inside of you. skills that you have built, what you have learned on this path to 40,000, they can't take that away from you. Thank you so much. I really, it's very helpful to hear all of that from both of you. So thank you. Yeah. So just keep on trucking, okay? Because you know, you're going to have to like survive much more than this in the world of entertainment and in the world of rejection or what you perceive to be failures. But I really think the true sign of like a real powerful person is never to look at failure as failure. It's like, great. I'm glad I got that out of the way. Now I'm one step closer to my next success. Thank you.

All right, Leah, will you keep us posted on what happens? And I'll see you at the Ice House. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow. Okay. Awesome. Thanks, Leah. Bye.

Bye. Bye. So our next question comes from Stephen. Stephen says, Chelsea, I love you. Love the pod. You're the best. Would love some advice. I'm a 48-year-old gay dude who's never been in a relationship.

I grew up in New England and being out in the 90s wasn't a thing yet. It was too unsafe to date the boys and I had no interest in dating the girls. In college, it just never seemed to happen. I'm the happy fat friend that everyone wants to be friends with, but not date. I look at someone like Ross Matthews, who was dating Salvador for years when he was heavier. He's now in a loving marriage with Wellington. I see fat guys out there all the time who have boyfriends. How am I so unlucky that it doesn't happen to me?

Everyone always says it will happen when you least expect it. Well, I've been waiting for over 25 years now, and it hasn't happened yet. Because you're expecting it. I see people on my 600-pound life, and they're all in relationships, and I get so mad because they're fat and they found some. So if Wade is not an issue for them to find someone, what's so wrong with me that I can't? I firmly believe that I won't find a man to date until I'm thin, but that doesn't seem to be true for others. As I'm knocking on the door of 50, I just wanted to happen at least once in my life.

I want to know what it's like to be loved by another person, not just my family and amazing friends. Never having experienced romance before just drives me into a depth of pain that is real and can last for days, feeling like damaged goods that no one wants. There are chubby chasers out there who find me attractive, but being found attractive for the one thing that you hate about yourself is a total mind fuck. How do I break the fucking cycle and put myself out there more, Stephen? How do you feel about chubby chasers?

I feel like, is that a bad thing? I mean, like, it can feel weird to be a fetish. It can feel strange when, like, that's the thing that somebody's primarily engaging with. You know, also, it can be hot if it's the right person. But it is that thing of, does this person like me or are, and also sometimes there is, like, a power dynamic. to it that is like creepy and not the most fun of being like, I'm a regular gay guy and you're a sad fat guy, but I will still be nice to you.

And it's like, nobody needs that. I understand far too well where Stephen is and where he's coming from. And I think part of it is just remembering how far we've come in our lifetimes that like when guys like him and I were in high school, there was no expectation that any of these things would be possible. And you weren't treating them as a reality. And I think, you know, and the guys that we're dating have a different understanding of what relationships are and what they're looking for. And so I think accepting that is really important.

But also putting yourself in the spaces where there are more people who will like you. Going to Bear Week at Provincetown, if you live in New England, you know, it's like, go there. And there are a way, I think that immersion is a good thing. Some of these things that may feel uncomfortable or weird, like, a choice. chubby chaser or like bear activities can feel weird but then once you're there like you just get in the water

and you realize it's fine. Yeah and you can and then you're among more of your people and also there's like all these you know this is true for single people and whatever your sexual preference is or identity is but like you can go online and look for gay activities in your city and look for

people who are also looking for gay activities in your city without it being you know but I think there's also a way that the way we talk to fat people about fatness for such a long time is there will be a future time when you get to lead your life and be happy. And like, releasing that and just sort of saying, like, what needs to happen needs to happen with this me right here. And like, I also think just doing things to be embodied. Like in Lindy's book, she talks about getting a tattoo and accepting that like this, like I have ownership over my body. And I think like letting yourself own and

enjoy your own body is a great way to like start accepting. it, but also, and I should be lecturing two women about this. But like, there's also a way that, like, we live in a society that has so many opinions about your body, that being able to divorce yourself from what society tells you is kind of impossible. Yeah. I do like what you say about, you know, Lindy, I think it's also helpful, Stephen, to start observing media from, like, fat activists and storytellers and creatives, you know, listen to the maintenance phase podcast. And, like, put yourself in spaces where, like, your body is being talked about in a positive way, and it can really help undo some of the trauma there.

But I do agree with you. I do think it's like, I mean, I can relate to that so much when I was a kid and like, you know, dealing with my weight or whatever. I was never fat, but I thought I was, you know, body dysmorphia. And I was always like, when I'm thin, when I'm thin, when I'm thin, that's when things will start to really kick off. You know what I mean? So I can relate to the idea that like one day in the future you're going to, but it is,

I think it is really like, when you don't accept. yourself, it's hard to get another person to accept you. You have to start with self-love. And as corny as that may sound, it seems to be the truth for so many people. And also, accept and acknowledge the fact that, like, other people do have messed up heads about these things. And it's not about your failure. It's about a world that isn't great.

And I think going into it with, like, understanding that that's part of the lay of the land is good. We can't fix it all in our own heads, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, Stephen. Put yourself out there and check in with us, okay? And look up for some gay activities in the area that you live. Like, what are gay guys doing besides hunting each other on Grindr, like, actually like stuff that you can do outside, stuff that you can like, you know, events that you can go to, ballroom dancing. I don't know, whatever you're interested in, like hiking or... Look, 10 years ago, the gay dodge ball really was the meat market of West Hollywood. Now it's all about pickleball. It's all about pickleball.

I saw this Instagram post the other night going, how much longer are we going to let white people dominate pickleball before we fucking get in there and fucking show them how it's done? I love that. Oh, somebody during the Winter Olympics, I forget who, was like, once black people enter speed skating, it's over for you, fucker. Okay, well, our last caller today is Amber.

She says, hi, friends. So I'm in my early 30s and I'm ready to take the next step in my relationship with my beautiful girlfriend. I'm finally at a point in my life where I think it would be good to take the next steps and propose within the next year or two. I'm afraid because her family, specifically her parents, are not supportive, and she's a super family-oriented person. She's someone that would ask me if I got her parents' approval before asking her, I feel.

So I'm at a crossroads here. I'm not traditional by any means, and she definitely is traditional. Any advice for how to move forward that way? With love, Amber. Hi, Amber. Our special guest is Guy Brandum today. Hello. Hi.

Well, so you have a relationship and a woman that you love and that you want to propose to. That's exciting. And have you discussed getting married with her? Yes, and she's very excited about it. Okay. So, do you think that she's expecting you to go to her parents and ask for permission? I think that would be her ideal. How long have you guys been together?

Almost three years. Okay. I don't know. I think in all realms asking the parents, like, permission or approval feels so dated. I agree. I feel like that is just not the way the world should be working. Like, if they're not supportive of the relationship, at best you can get like a tepid, okay.

And that's just like almost puts a stain on the like the whole process of proposing. Now, Amber, what is your relationship like with her parents? Have you met them? I've met them. They're cordial to me. they let me in their house but it's not they definitely don't accept us

like it's not warm and inviting and like they should be with their daughter's partner no I think they're in denial as well so that happens with parents one of the things I'm obsessed with is that we are the first generation of queer people who get to have real legal marriages and that we get to build our own traditions along the way and so much of the time we can feel

feel like bound or constrained by the old school ways. And so I would say if you don't feel comfortable going and asking her parents' permission, go to her best friend, go to her sister, go to someone else who is like a person who respects her and your relationship. So when she does say, did you ask my parents' permission, you can be like, I didn't know how that will go. So that's why I talk to Brian, you know? I like that.

I think that's great. I think I could go the sister route. That would be good. Yeah, that's a great idea, guy. That's really, really good. You're right. You get to, I, that's kind of, I'm glad you said that. This is the first generation of people who get to get married as gay people.

And you should set some new traditions because that is antiquated, asking a parent for permission. It's like, I wouldn't give a shit what my parents said anyway. Like, I have been to a gay wedding where, like, parents sat there annoyed the entire time or just, weirded out by it. But I still think it's important. I think one of the things that a wedding is about is showing your parents that you're a real adult who gets to make real decisions on your own. So, you know, I think invite them and let them be whatever kind of pills they want to be. But also maybe don't put them in the position of being able to gatekeep this relationship. Yeah. I wonder what you also think, the two of you, about after you've proposed and it's a yes and everyone's excited,

writing them a letter, telling them how much you love their daughter, you're going to take care of her, you're so excited for this new step in your life. How do you feel about that? And engaging them in that way, but it's sort of like you're giving it to them and they can absorb it. I just kind of feel like you if parents are like that. Do you know what I mean? Like, it's just not helpful. You're supposed to love your child no matter what. How can you judge them based on who they're attracted to? But I also think that there's the way that like when you have somebody, like for so many queer people, being able to hold these things in the same space is really, really hard. And when you have somebody who is really close to their family but has never been sort of like aggressive about saying like you need to create this space for me, it can be really hard.

And you don't want that to be something that impairs your marriage where your partner has to feel like she has to give something up to be in this relationship. And so I do think like sending a letter and keeping a door open isn't a terrible. idea, but, you know, there is also a deep part of me that understand and respects Chelsea's. If you don't like this, go fuck yourself perspective. I mean, it is nice to send a letter and say, like, it was in that letter to be like, hey, listen, letting them know what's happening. Yeah, it's not asking. And also, and just saying, I didn't come to you in a traditional way because this isn't

a traditional relationship. And it's been, you know, clear that you guys, you know, I think you should maybe, not like call them out, but like, I didn't feel comfortable coming to you. You know, like I hope that can change in the future. I hope we can create a relationship or foster a some sort of relationship. Like, if you wanted to say that, I can understand wanting to say that. I don't think it's fucking necessary. But I can understand if you want to really respect her relationship with her family.

But I think asking the sister is a real great, like, I think that's just a great suggestion. Yeah, I like that suggestion. I don't think either of our parents would attend. And so I think the letter, if anything, would be just, I don't know. I don't know what that would look like. But I think it, I want to respect that she is so close to her family. But at the same time, I'm not looking for their approval, if that makes sense. Yeah, for sure.

Well, I think you cover all your bases with asking her sister. Yeah. Well, that's true. All right, Amber. Will you send us pictures of the engagement when it happens? I will. Congratulations. Yeah.

It's really exciting. Thank you. And thank you so much again. Yeah, absolutely. Celebrate your pride with the station that's as bold, vibrant and diverse as you are. I heart pride Canada. From dance anthems to pop icons and hits from 2SLGBTQ Plus Canadian artists. It's the soundtrack that keeps life loud and proud.

Just ask your smart speaker to play IHart Pride Canada. Stream us on your phone or listen now at iHeartRadio.ca. Come together, celebrate love. Pride. Feel it all year long. Let's go. With IHeart Pride Canada. You know Roaldol, the writer who thought up Willie Wonka, Matilda, and the BFG.

But did you know he was also a spy? Was this before he wrote his stories? It must have been. Our new podcast series, The Secret World of Roll Doll, is a wild journey through the hidden chapters of his extraordinary, controversial life. His job was literally to seduce. the wives of powerful Americans. What?

And he was really good at it. You probably won't believe it either. Okay, I don't think that's true. I'm telling you. The guy was a spy. Did you know Dahl got cozy with the Roosevelt's? Played poker with Harry Truman and had a long affair with a congresswoman. And then he took his talents to Hollywood,

where he worked alongside Walt Disney and Alfred Hitchcock, before writing a hit James Bond film. How did this secret agent wind up as the most successful children's author ever? And what darkness from his covert past seeped into the stories we read as kids. The true story is stranger than anything he ever wrote. Listen to the secret world of Roll Dahl on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age? What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year? He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wag Ageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman, and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on no grip,

a Formula One culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Bailey Taylor, and this is It Girl. You may know me from my It Girl series I've done on the streets of New York over the years.

Well, I've got good news. I am bringing those interviews and many more to this podcast. Yes, we will talk about the style and the success, but we are also talking about the pressure, the expectations, and the real work with the women's shaping culture right now. As a woman in the industry, you're always under. estimated. So you have to work extra hard and you have to push the narrative in a way that doesn't compromise who you are in your integrity. You know, I like to say I was kind of like a silent ninja. Each week, I have unfiltered conversations with female founders, creatives, and leaders

to talk about ambition, visibility, and what it really takes to build something meaningful in the public eye. Because being a it girl isn't about the spotlight, it's about owning it. I think the negatives need to be discussed and they need to be told to people who maybe don't do this every day, just so they know. what's really going on. I feel like pulling the curtain back is important. Listen to It Girl with Bailey Taylor on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I just want to remind you of the call that we got like a couple weeks ago when they were like, we have a guy at work that clears his throat incessantly. I am that man now. I mean, I've always

been that man. All I do is go like this. And I haven't even smoked weed. I did. I smoked one July. I was like, did you smoke a joke? Well, with Yamanika on Saturday. But what's today? Tuesday? I was doing a bunch of colleges And so I was listening obsessively To podcasts of college classes And there was this man Like an amazing Greek historian And it was the best class

And each literally could not go more That like he was like clearing his throat Every third syllable And it was so annoying It's so hard I know I know I know we literally got to call into like Someone in our cubicle

And like my cubicle next me just sits there and goes, eh, eh, she's like, we're so fucking annoyed. I'm like, you need to confront him.

He has acid reflux. Yeah. Anyway, Guy, it was a pleasure having you here. It's good to be here. It was so lovely to get to meet you,

Catherine. And it's always a delight to get to see you, trust you. I know, me likewise, guy. Likewise, guys.

Cheers. Cheers, cheers, everybody. Goodbye. Okay, guys, I am officially on my

high and mighty tour. March 20th is Denver, Colorado. March 27th, Portland, Maine, March 28th, Providence, Rhode Island, March 29th, Springfield, Massachusetts. April 10th is Chicago. I'll be at the Chicago Theater.

April 11th, Indianapolis, Indiana. April 12th, Louisville, Kentucky. April 16th is Albuquerque, New Mexico. April 17th is Mesa, Arizona. April 23rd is Kansas City, Missouri. April 24th is St. Louis, Missouri. April 25th is Minneapolis, Minnesota. April 30th, Nashville, Tennessee. May 1st is Charlotte, North Carolina. May 2nd is Durham, North Carolina. May 6th, I'm doing Netflix as a joke festival. I will be in Los Angeles. May 15th, Saratoga, California. May 16th, Monterey, California. May 17th, Modesto, California. And then June 4th, Portchester, New York. June 5th is Boston Mass. And June 12th is Portland, Oregon. And then Seattle is June 13th.

I'm doing a second show at the Paramount Theater in Denver on Saturday, December 5th. So suck on that, everybody. Go to Chelseahandler.com for tickets. If you want advice from Chelsea, write in to Dear Chelsea Podcast at gmail.com. Dear Chelsea is a production of iHeartMedia. Follow Chelsea on all socials at Chelsea Handler and find Catherine on TikTok at Flashcadabra. Dear Chelsea is edited and engineered by Brandon Dickert, executive producer Catherine Law. full video episodes and minisodes now on Netflix and get tickets to see Chelsea live at

Chelsea handler.com. 10 shots fired in City Hall building. How could this have happened in City Hall? Somebody tell me that. A shocking public murder. This is one of the most dramatic events that really ever happened in New York City politics. I scream, get down, get down. Those are shots.

A tragedy that's now forgotten and a mystery. That may or may not have been political. That may have been about. sex. Listen to Rorschach, murder at City Hall on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I became a millionaire overnight and lost everything that actually mattered. Hold on, Sophia. Did you just say they lost everything after becoming a millionaire? That's right. And it gets worse. It's narrating too much drama week on the OK Storytime podcast, so we'll find out soon. This person writes,

I just inherited a fortune after losing my mom, and now my girlfriend's entire family is coming out of nowhere with her hands out. and my girlfriend is already giving my money away. So the girl he wants to marry is already sending money out the door. Find out how it ends. Listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Lori Siegel, and on my new podcast, mostly human, I'll take you to some wild corners of the tech world.

I'm about to go on a date with an AI companion at a real world cafe right here in New York City. There's no playbook for what to do when. an AI model hallucinates a story about you. Mostly Human is your playbook for how tech can work for you. Anyone can now be an entrepreneur. Anyone can build an app. And it's very empowering. Listen to Mostly Human on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. In 2023, Bachelor star Clayton Eckerd was accused of fathering twins. But the pregnancy appeared to be a hoax. You doctored this particular test twice, Ms. Owens, correct? I doctored the test ones. It took an army of internet detectives to uncover a disturbing pattern. Two more men who'd been through the same thing. Greg Gillespie and Michael Marantini.

My mind was blown. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. Laura, Scottsdale Police. As the season continues, Laura Owens finally faces consequences. Listen to Love Trapped podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human