Dear Chelsea - Flying Southwest with Connie Britton

Episode Date: May 8, 2025

Connie Britton joins Chelsea to talk about Connie’s experience as a single mom, their longtime friendship, Connie’s new Hallmark show The Motherhood, and an open-seating flight with the two of them and Jane Fonda.  Then: A single mom wants to help her best friend have a baby, with or without a man.  A teacher needs help choosing between her passion and making a living.  And a working mom faces guilt about her nanny - but is she taking it too far? * 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.

You're listening to an iHeart podcast. Hi, it's Emily Tisch-Sussman, host of the podcast, She Pivots. In honor of Mother's Day, we have some very special guests. I'm Elaine Welteroth. And I'm Keelan Murray. Both women pivoted out of their careers after having their kids, proving that motherhood is just another chapter in our journey, not the end. Come on over to hear their full stories.

You can listen to She Pivots on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, Katherine. Hi, Chelsea. I'm in my last day of Whistler Canada for the season. This is it. I skied yesterday. We did some spring skiing with all the kids

and all the adults. We had such an epic day. It was so much fun. I skied into a tree, which I always do, but it was spring slushy skiing. So even as I was heading towards the tree, I thought this is gonna be easy. I'm gonna bounce right off.

And then Anne Schonecker, who you may know from my book, was able to rescue me as usual. She got my skis off and out of the tree. One was in like three feet of snow and behind the tree. So I have good pictures. And then we went to Apres to a new place. And then I got a massage. It was just like one of those perfect days.

I was with like six of my girlfriends. And then tonight I'm doing my book, I'm doing a book event in Whistler at the theater here. Armchair Books is our local bookstore. So I wanted to support them and have a book event for I'll have what she's having. So I'm gonna do that tonight. And then I'm off.

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow. Fabulous, fabulous. And then you go to Europe. You'll be going to Europe. I'm gonna go to Europe, you guys. If you haven't gotten your tickets, I start out in Reykjavik. I think it's May 11th I'm in Reykjavik and then I'm in Belfast. I'm coming to 13 countries. So

check ChelseaHandler.com. I'm coming to a city near you. I'm very, very excited for my European tour. And we've got one of your buddies in studio today. Oh yeah. This is one of my close friends who is a huge pain in my ass. Actually I'm a huge pain in her ass and I take a lot of pride in that. She is the creator and host of The Motherhood on Hallmark whose first two episodes are out now. She also stars in overcompensating on Amazon Prime. All episodes are available May 15th and you would recognize her from a lot of different shows like Friday Night Lights,

like Dirty John, like, I don't know, she's in everything. So please welcome Connie Britton. Hi, Connie, we got you muted right now. Okay. Do you want me to unmute? Yeah, no, we want you to stay on mute, Connie. We want you to stay on mute for the interview. How's it going?

I have a little story to tell about Connie as we begin this episode of the podcast. Are we starting? Is this it? Oh, yeah, no, that bitch is on. Yeah, that's on. So we're promoting... You know Connie Britton from a million television series. We'll go over that in your intro while you're not here so that you don't have to listen to that.

And also you can say whatever you want. I know, I know. Because I know what you're gonna say. I know how you feel about my television series. Do you... I find it very funny whenever I watch Connie in anything, because it's... I know her very well. And I go out of my way for Connie all the time. I constantly am showing up at things whenever she asks me to.

I can't say the same for Connie with regard to me or my birthday. I'm so full of it. But I'm always doing things for her. But we did have a pretty funny... Do you want to talk about Albuquerque? I think that's a pretty funny story to share. That is a pretty funny story to share. OK. I love that story.

I want to tell you what happened. So Jane Fonda wanted us to campaign in Albuquerque before the election. The candidate that we campaigned for did not win the election. I want to be on record saying that she is not the president. Yeah. But of course.

We did that. Yay. But of course, when Jane Fonda asks you to do anything, you do it, especially with my history with Jane Fonda. Connie has her own history with Jane Fonda. Different from yours. Well, actually, no, because remember that time we went to go visit her when she had her hip?

So she had some surgery done and we went to go visit her at her house and you revealed to her that your father said that she was a... Yes. Remember? What did you say to her? Oh, that's right. And I thought it was such a great story, and she looks at me like, huh? She's like, my father hated you. I said, basically, we were not allowed to say your name

in our house growing up, because my father worked in nuclear power. And so, it was like, like literally one name, one name that we could not say, we could not watch any movies that Jane Fonda was a part of. It was not to be spoken because I guess of the China syndrome or something. So like she was perceived as you know, this like anti-nuclear person in my household. And now, of course, I idolize her. She is the greatest icon.

I can't believe that I get to call her my friend, like, whatever. So I thought, great story. Like, also, she's just had hip surgery. She's lying horizontal in bed. She just got out of hip surgery. And she's just like, yeah, my fans hated you. Anyway, that was one highlight.

But cut to this last year, it was 2024. So last year, we went to Albuquerque. And Jane was like, okay, we both said we're in. We're like, fun trip. Jane told us she was taking a Southwest flight. And Connie and I, I was like, does that mean we have to take a Southwest flight? Can we meet you there? I was like, so can we just, can we, is there, okay, so forget about the private plane. There

isn't one. That's okay. No problem. It's a political event. So of course I'm not expecting that. But, um, I don't know. I thought maybe something else would happen other than Southwest, perhaps another airline. And then I say, OK, we're flying out of Burbank, I think. I'm trying to find the picture, yes, Burbank. Do you have the picture to put up? I don't know how high tech you are, probably not married. We're not that high tech.

But I do have the picture. I'll use it when I post this episode. Anyway, we took a picture of us. So we go to Burbank, and Jane has an assistant with her. Connie and I are braving the Burbank Airport, braving Southwest Airlines. And I'm like, how is this going to work? And every single person, I'm annoyed that I'm going to have to deal with, you know, like this. I'm like, we're just going to Southwest and Burbank, and this is going to be a huge

mess. And we're like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this.

And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we're going to have to deal with this. And I'm like, we I'm gonna have to deal with, you know, like this. I'm like, we're just going to Southwest and Burbank and this is gonna be like a shit show. And every person that you can imagine, of course, is recognizing Jane Fonda.

Nobody gives a shit that I'm there, which was a beautiful reprieve. But... But everyone would come up to her and say, can I get a picture with you? can I get a picture with you? Can I get a picture with you? And then so I was there managing Jane Fonda. I'm like, well, you can't keep saying yes to every single person.

We'll be here all day. But she had no, there was, it's like, Jane Fonda, imagine her walking through the terminal of Southwest and Burbank. I mean, obviously anyone who sees her is like, what the fuck is she doing there? Then we take the Southwest. By the way, she is also like, could care less.

She doesn't give a shit about anything, really. She's just like, I'm now gonna sit down on the side seats of the wall next to the Starbucks at Burbank Airport. That's where we're gonna sit till our flight takes off. And then someone was like, cause she was sitting down, so people were crouching to get pictures with her.

And then some guy asked her, he goes, would you mind standing up? And she was about to get up and I was like, don't get up, Jane. Like just let him take, why are you listening to him? And she's like, you're right, why am I listening to him? Right, she's 80 years old. Yeah, she's 80.

Is she 80? Is she 80? Is she 82? 80, she's a little older than 80, right? Okay, yeah, I think she's 82. She's unbelievable. The internet says she's 87. That's right. She's 87.

Oh, fuck. I knew she was like way older, but then I didn't want to say it. It's so hard to believe that she's 87. Yeah, it is really hard to believe. She's vibrant. She's so vibrant. She makes 100 phone calls a day for her climate pack, which I just made a donation to this very morning, FYI, if you want to donate for climate change, which you should.

Her pack works harder than anything I've ever seen. Also, I'm speaking on a Zoom for that. Oh, laterI, if you want to donate for climate change, which you should. Her pack works harder than anything I've ever seen. Also, I'm speaking on a Zoom for that. Oh, later today, actually. OK, see, she keeps asking you to do things. I think she stopped asking me to do things after this trip. After the Albuquerque trip. So then we get to Albuquerque, we find out we're staying at the hotel, the Hilton Yard.

What was it called? Airport Hilton. Airport Hilton. The airport Hilton. Airport Hilton. The airport Hilton. Once again, Connie and I were texting on the side going, is this really gonna happen? Are we staying? And I'm like, God, I don't think we can move hotels

if Jane is staying at the airport Hilton. Like we have to. And I was only coming for Albuquerque. Connie went on to another city the next day. I stayed. By the way, you kind of just brushed off the rest of the Southwest trip. Like, you, me, and Jane Fonda, like, at least we completed

the row of our Southwest flight. I, of course, had the middle seat. But yeah, like the three of us in the row of our Southwest flight to Albuquerque. And then we get to Albuquerque. We go for lunch first. I order a frozen margarita, obviously. And Jane's like, oh, I've never thought to have a frozen margarita in the daytime.

So Connie orders one, Jane orders one. I think I order my second one. And Jane's like, I can't have two frozen margaritas. And I was like, well, I can. And then right before we're about to campaign, right? So then we go to one campaign event, which was great for all the people who were working the campaign. And then we had some downtime. At that point, I think I pulled an edible out of my purse

and was grabbing that. And Jane goes, is that an edible, Chelsea? And I'm like, yeah, we're campaigning. I have to remain alert. So then we went to the second event, which was great. You know, Jane, it's just so nice to see how people respond to her. It's very inspiring.

But also how amazing she is at speaking about this subject. Like, she is the most educated on it. Like, she just knows how to talk about it. Like if you want facts, you talk to Jane. It's like kind of incredible to listen to her too. Yeah, and she makes a hundred phone calls a day to raise money for that climate pack and is always protesting.

She was doing fire drill Fridays for years while Biden was in the White House and she's constantly going to places where they're gonna drill and protesting. I mean, she's indefatigable. So she, so then she, yeah, for you too. She, although Connie went to Dartmouth. So I just in case you forgot, speaks Mandarin by the way. Okay. And was roommates with Kirsten Shiller brand. I don't think everyone knows that. So I'd like to get that out there. But then at the end of the night, so Connie sends

me a link while we're on our way to Albuquerque, probably sitting in the southwest seats. She sends me a link to a hotel that she found that's like 30 minutes outside of where we're supposed to stay at the airport hotel. And she's like, what about this? Well, first I was like, could we switch and stay at this nice hotel? Well, exactly. And I was like, I just don't think we can do that because we can't ditch Jane. Like, we have to stay at the airport hotel too. Right. And no, of course we can't ditch Jane.

No, of course. And we didn't. And so then after, we were done early, like 9, and Connie's like, well, let's just at least go get a drink at this hotel that she found that was, like, 30 minutes out of the way. So we're driving. And at this point, we've picked up a couple of other people,

some of Jane's climate pack people, they're in the car with us. And then there was a couple of people meeting us there. And so we get to this really cool place, this like hotel outside or I think in Albuquerque, but outside off the beaten track. And Jane's like, it's really far. I'm really tired. How long is this going to take? We were in the car longer than we expected. It was about a 30 minute drive and Jane is kind of getting a little antsy like, oh god, is this worth it?

It's already not on the schedule at all. The Hilton Airport was the next and final stop. And and Connie and I were like, Jane, you can go to bed. Like Connie and I will just go. It's no big deal. And she's like, I'll come with you. I'll come with you. So we get there. It's like a 30 minute drive, we get there, we're kind of like worried, like we don't wanna annoy her, I don't wanna annoy her, I don't wanna keep her out later than she wants to be out, I don't wanna be responsible for her drinking

or anything that's related to me. I get in trouble for everyone's bad behavior, you know? It's true. So then we have drinks, it ends up being a lovely night. We order some snacks, I think. We had a couple of drinks. There was like six or seven of us by this time. And as we're walking out the door, Jane says,

oh, I'm actually so glad we came here. Thank you, Chelsea, for picking this place out. And I go, you're welcome. The whole time, like I'm getting blamed as she's getting more and more tired, more and more stressed, like, why are we going to this place? And then she, and then I get credited with the win. And I love the way that- And then by the way, you take off the next morning and I go on to the next location.

Yeah, where did you guys go from there? Well, wait, that was Albuquerque. So then we went to San... San Tropez? No, is it like, wait, San Jose? Is that right? San Antonio? San... No. New Mexico, San...

In New Mexico. I don't know. Like the big town in Mexico. The place, El Pas... No. Oh, okay. Let's stop. Can you cut this part? Okay, okay. place, El Pas, no. Okay, let's stop. Please can you cut this part? Okay, okay. She's from Dartmouth everyone.

She went to Dartmouth. I can't remember anything. Just so you know, and she speaks Mandarin, but she doesn't know where San Antonio is. Thank you. Santa Fe, you know what? You should have been able to think of that too. Santa Fe, thank you, Catherine.

No problem. Okay, so back to Connie. When I see Connie on television, I send her a screen grab. When I saw her playing Dirty John, the woman that got duped by this lunatic loser, he wasn't even that much of a lunatic. That's how kind of slow on the uptake this woman was. He was too a lunatic.

Yeah, I mean, I guess so. I mean, compared to the guys you date, but yes, was too a lunatic. Yeah, I mean, I guess so. I mean, compared to the guys you date, but yes. He was a lunatic. I take screen grabs of Connie's faces, and I just send them to her, saying, like, how can anyone take your acting seriously? You know, and I forget what was the last. You're in everything, so it's impossible

to avoid Connie Britton, you guys. If you're watching, you've seen her in everything. In fact, I started watching that new series on Netflix, and you were in it, and I was so excited, and then you die in it, but then you come back and flashbacks. Yeah, I forget what that... No, that was a series. No. The Life List?

The Life List is a movie. Oh, I thought it was a series. Okay. So then I did watch it. I thought I only watched the first episode. That was the whole, that was the whole, it's cause it's a movie. Technically you did watch the first episode. Okay, but now Connie has a new series.

It's called The Motherhood. And she's been talking about this for about two years because she is, she's adopted a son about, how many years ago did you adopt your son? 14. 14 years ago, okay, so pretty recent. So she adopted her son, she adopted her son 14 years ago as a single parent.

And she is very passionate, and has always been very passionate, I can attest to this, to the plight of single mothers and to the plight of what it takes for a mother to raise a child, not only in this world, just as a job. It is a job, a full-time job. One that I have chosen not to participate in. So talk to us about your series, Connie,

because I watched- By the way, you've been hearing me talk about this for longer than two years, because I've been working on this for so long, because the whole idea came to me while I was in Nashville. Because basically, I adopted Yobi and then immediately moved to Nashville to do the show Nashville. And I was like a brand new mother.

I had no support system. I didn't know anybody in Nashville. I started working 18-hour days. It was so crazy. And I had this new baby. I'm like, what do I do with it? Like, I don't know. I don't know how. And it was quite traumatizing. And so anyway, I figured it out. I started, I created like an amazing support system there. Like was the people. How did you figure it out though? It took a long time. And by the way, I don't mean to say that like,

oh yeah, so I figured it out, because everybody figured... No, but the main thing that saved my life, basically, was that I slowly started to create a community. And that started actually with, I think you've met these guys with me, like Nathan Falwell, who's the drummer in the Kings of Leon, and his wife Jessie Balin, were the only people in Nashville that I knew. And they had, I'd met them because they had come to the set of Friday Night Lights.

Nathan had brought Jessie as like a surprise to visit the set of Friday Night Lights. And we had had like some crazy night with them. And so I remembered, I'm like, wait, I think those guys live in Nashville. So I called them up. And so because thanks to them, like I started, like I had like a little bit like of, it was like somebody to hold onto. And then they kind of introduced me to their community. And then crazy, I think you know this story, but after one year on the show, the house

next door to theirs went on the market and I bought it. So I was able to live next door to them, which also, and then they had kids, and so Yobie and their kids, like, were kind of growing up together, and anyway. But what I realized is it's all about community. And also in Nashville, I had another friend who was working on the show in costumes.

She was a single mom of four kids. And she was working these crazy 18-hour days without a break. And she didn't have, at least I could afford a nanny, which I needed. I would not have been able to do it without that. But I recognize so many single moms don't have the resources that I have. And you still have to do it. And so they're out working three jobs at a time or all these long hours.

And one day she calls me and she's like, I forgot to give Jed lunch money. And I happen to be off that day. So I swing by the local middle school and drop out like Raina James, who's the character that I'm playing in Nashville, like just drops off like five dollars in the front office for like her kid Jed Nashville, like, just drops off, like, five dollars in the front office

for, like, her kid Jed. And, like, at that moment, I was like, I wish I'd love to start an organization or something where single moms could just get... You could volunteer to, like, go grocery shopping or just hang out with the kids for two hours, just to, like, give single moms a break, you know what I mean?

Anyway, so that's kind of where it all started, the whole idea of it. And it kind of emerged into, I got together with these guys at Scout who created Queer Eye, and they love the idea, because nobody's also really done anything like this, sort of talking about single moms,

which I think is another issue, because there are so many single moms in the world not just the United States but in the world anybody that you talk to if they're not a single mom or weren't raised by a single mom they have somebody in their life who they know and they're close to that's a single parent and so it's like as a culture we don't really, we kind of just pushed single parents away, like that's not a thing. And there's no support for, you know, certainly, I mean at this point, but like there's no governmental, like any kind of, anything in place in terms of giving support to single parents. And I

just was like, I want to change the narrative about that and like create respect for these people who are doing this heroic thing, which is being single parents and doing it by themselves and also help to create a community for single parents so that they can not feel alone in it. Because I also, what I found like shooting the show is it's, one of the big things is it's so hard,

especially for women, to ask for help. And so they think that they're supposed to do it all by themselves. And it's so isolating and challenging and kind of impossible. Like, you can't do it by yourself. And so, the whole point of the show is, like, create community and... Well, first you gather a bunch of single mothers who are also, you know, who are going through it, right?

I mean, take us through it. Oh, well, so on the show itself, like, we, yes, we... Basically, there are six episodes. Each episode, we have a single mom who, you know, of course, every person has their own set of circumstances. And we have three women who are our experts. And I call them the neighbor ladies named after the women that when I was growing up, I grew up in Virginia on a cul-de-sac.

And every day at five o'clock, the neighbor ladies from around the cul-de-sac would come over to my mom, to our house. they'd all have like their glass of wine or their cocktail and like have like whatever cheese and crackers and just like talk about their days and like that was their support system and so I grew up watching that and that made me realize like oh like my mother is even my mother wasn't even a single mom but I'm like you can't do this by like, they rely on each other to get through the day, raising their kids. And so anyway, so I,

we called the three mom experts on the show, the neighbor ladies. One of them is sort of a style, but it's, it's kind of a self love style person. And then one is a parenting coach and then one is a DIY home renovation person. They're all amazing, all three of them. And so each week we have a new single mom and then our three neighbor ladies will kind of go in and create magic for them and help them help to guide them so that they can have sustainable things that can help them as help to guide them so that they can have sustainable things that

can help them as they continue to raise their child and do their jobs and do all the things that they're doing in the world. And then ultimately we're creating a community with all of these moms. That's the goal. And that's a very beautiful thing. What's your friend's name again? The woman who, Yobie's best friend, they don't go to the same school. Oh, Tammy. Tammy, yeah. I would like to know who her community is,

who her neighborhood ladies are. Well, you know, that's a really interesting point because, first of all, I'm hoping, because next, we're already starting to talk about season two of the show. It's on Hallmark, everybody. You can watch The Motherhood on Hallmark, and the first two episodes are out now.

But we shot the first season in Kansas City, which was awesome, by the way. Have you ever been to Kansas City? Of course I've been to Kansas City. I'm a comedian. I go to all the cities that you never want to ever see the inside of. Not that Kansas City is one of them.

I really liked Kansas City. Kansas City is cool. That whole area, that Midwest, Kansas City is very cool. Yes, I agree. I really liked it a Midwest, Kansas City's very cool, yes. I agree. Yeah, I really liked it a lot. And we had a beautiful time there. But next season, because I live in LA,

you'll be starting high school next year. So I'm like, it would be so much better if we shot, I'd be able to be in the show more if we shot, shoot in LA. So we're looking at that. And if we do, then Tammy will be one of the moms next year. Oh, yay! Our friend Tammy. I know. I'm like, cause Tammy will be one of the moms next year. Oh, yay! Our friend Tammy.

I know. I'm like, because she's definitely one of the people that also kind of inspired this, you know? Totally. Right? And so, I know, it'd be so amazing. I know, and I'm always inviting Tammy to come to one of my Vegas shows, and she's like, girl, you don't understand what I would do to make that happen.

She's like, I want to come to Vegas. She's like, do you understand I can never leave my child for one night unless I have a foolproof plan for him to spend the night? It's a da-da-da-da-da-da. And I was just like, oh god. And with her mother, who like her mother is sick. The last time I flew somewhere to meet Connie was for her. I went early to South by Southwest for her birthday.

We went. We had a nice dinner. I don't know what was in the water on the plane ride I got. I took there, but something was in it. It was this guy had this brand deal, this brand, it's called Love Water. And they said it was just water,

but I'm convinced there was something else in there. And when I got to that dinner, I was ready to go. And guess what? She was hot. I was hot. She was coming in hot. Coming in hot. I came in hot. And that night ended at around hot. I was hot. She was coming in hot. Coming in hot. I came in hot.

And that night ended at around 2.30 in the morning. And the next morning, I had panels at South by Southwest, not one, not two, five separate panels that started at 9.30 a.m. and I got in at 3.30 a.m. So I looked like somebody punched me in the face. I didn't recover from that night for two days. Because of the water weird, the weird water stuff? No, because of everything that happened after the water. We drank and then we went back to her friend's house

and then people were smoking cigarettes. It just got, it was just one of those. It was, first of all, I don't regret it for a second cause it was a really fucking fun night and I'm glad that I was there. But of course not. That's Austin, that's Austin for you. But it took me a couple days to really get my head back on straight. After the first day of five panels, because there were so many fun things going on at South by Southwest, my assistant was there and he's like, okay,

so do you want to go to this dinner with this person and this person? I go, dinner? Are you fucking kidding me? I have to go to bed at 5 p.m. today because of last night. As if it was somehow his fault. Your assistant is so sweet. I know, I know. Wait, remind me his name again. McKinley. No. No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. That's a private joke. That is a private joke and we know that it's not McKinley.

Okay, anyway. Okay, we're gonna take a break and and we're going to be right back with Connie Britton, the world's best actress. If you'd like advice from Chelsea, write into us at dearchelseepodcast.gmail.com. We'd love to hear your questions for any juicy story you'd like advice on, but this week we're specifically looking for questions about family issues. If you have an issue with a family member or you need advice about a specific relationship issue, please write in at dearchelseapodcast.gmail.com. Have you ever wished for a change

but weren't sure how to make it? Maybe you felt stuck in a job or a place or a relationship? Join me, Emily Tish-Sussman over on She Pivots, where I explore the inspiring pivots of women, dig deeper into the personal reasons behind them and leave you with the inspiration you need to make your next pivot. In honor of Mother's Day, we have some very special guests.

I'm Elaine Welteroth. And I'm Caitlin Murray. Both women pivoted out of their careers after having their kids, proving that motherhood is just another chapter in our journey, not the end. It's kind of like, will you have more babies? Yes.

Will I always be me? Yeah. And will I continue growing? Yes. Because I was really in the trenches and I knew my worth and my value as a mom. Come on over to hear their full stories. You can listen to She Pivots on the iHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We're back with Connie Britton. Hey, Connie, I have an acting question for you. Do you ever have a, have you ever had, because you've been in everything, I mean, just to name a few, as you named, you were in Friday Night Lights, you were in Nashville, you were been in everything. I mean, just to name a few, as you named, you were in Friday Night Lights, you were in Nashville, you were in White Lotus.

Your favorite Dirty John. Dirty John, yes. That's just to name a few. Her resume is endless. Do you ever have a crisis of confidence when you're acting or have you had one about your performance? Of course, I always have a crisis of confidence. Like isn't that part of being an artist?

I guess so. I just feel like you always feel, I mean, I've never seen that side of you. Even though I joke about you being bad at acting, I know you're not. And I know you're very talented. And I wonder if someone who says established and as experienced, like the hours of experience that you have accrued, does that erode? That is legit. That 10,000 hours thing, one of the things that I've noticed in my 50s that's amazing

is that 10, to be able to do a scene and create a character. It's like I have much more immediate connection to that. Whereas when I was younger, I think I would, you know, I kind of have to really like, it was more cerebral and I'd have to really, like, dig down and that kind of thing. And now I think that, you know, it's that after 10,000 hours, it becomes a little bit more immediate. And so that, but that doesn't necessarily take away from every time I start a character.

It's funny, I actually literally this just this last week finished shooting, we're doing a sequel to the Brothers McMullen, called The Family McMullen. The Brothers McMullen was my big break movie that happened in 1995. And that movie is like, like it takes place on Long Island, and it's like pretty thick, like Long Island accent. And you know, I did the part 30 years ago.

So it's always a thing like, oh, what is, I don't, I guess I know what this character is, I don't know. But every time I first step foot on set and the camera starts to roll, I'm kind of like, what am I gonna sound like as this character? I don't know, it's super nerve wracking.

Like I, it's always feels like- Yeah, accents are probably intimidating, I can imagine. Yeah, but it's also just even a leap of faith. Even if it's not with an accent, it's just kind of like, I don't really know. I'm just figuring it out as I go kind of thing. You have to jump off a cliff a little bit every time. How was it meeting Robert De Niro on set?

I mean, I'm sure you've met him before, but was that intimidating? You mean your... My former lover? Your passion and your him before, but was that intimidating? You mean your, your, your passion and your, your lover passion, Robert De Niro? Your, your... My baby daddy. Your baby daddy. It was amazing.

Are you kidding? It was like the best. I mean, he's just, he's so nice. He's a really nice guy. He's got such an incredible work ethic. Also a guy in his 80s. And he just works his ass off. And so and he's just kind of a normal guy. And he would just talk to me like, how are you learning all these lines? You know, these lines are you know what I mean? And it was interesting for me because it was a little bit like, it was his first time doing television, which you know,

I've been doing for a long time. Oh, and so it was almost like he was kind of looking to me, like, oh yeah, how do you do this kind of thing? I'm like, who me? What? Ha ha ha ha ha. So demerer. But yeah, he, I, it was very exciting meeting De Niro. Okay, so we're gonna move to callers, Connie.

Try and give some advice. We need, okay, put on your stage. Callers? Callers, live callers. Yeah, we have live people, it's called Dear Chelsea. It's like Dear Abby, but with me. Oh, yeah. Come on.

Guys. So, our first question comes from Laura. She says, Dear Chelsea, I'd love some advice on this. One of my best friends since high school is 39 and so ready to meet someone and start a family. She's beautiful, a doctor, she even designed and built her own house. All she needs is to meet a decent man and she's ready to meet someone and start a family. She's beautiful, a doctor, she even designed and built her own house. All she needs is to meet a decent man and she's ready to go.

She wants a family so bad she's also frozen her eggs so she has a backup plan, but she really doesn't want to resort to it. She feels the clock is ticking. I don't understand why she can't find someone. She's such a catch, she's kind, she's active, she skis a lot in Canada too. She's been on the apps for literally years, and men are either intimidated by her or they're, quote, just not ready to think about a family. I constantly put it out to people I know, too. Oh, hey, if you know any single guys, and it's just not working.

To throw a bit of a wrench in her search, she met a guy online a year ago who lives across the country who she keeps holding out hope for. He's the same cultural background as her, which I feel she sees as an added fairy-tale-esque bonus, but he keeps disappointing her, not making an effort in communication or plans to see her unless it conveniently just happens. Example, randomly being in the same city in Europe one day and meeting up. She's been very straight up with him about what she wants and it's frustrating that he keeps stringing her along but not committing.

I tell her I was just a sign of the times and it's not her. I stringing her along, but not committing. I tell her I was just a sign of the times and it's not her. I also tell her what an inspiration she is, especially if she does decide to be a mother alone, and I'm wondering how I can support her. I need Chelsea's wisdom, Laura. First of all, hi Laura. This is our special guest, Connie Britton today.

You're Laura. Yeah. Like Laura from the letter. Well, she's Laura from the letter, but she's talking about her friend in the letter. Is it your friend, Laura? Just my friend. No, it really is. When I talked to Laura, she had babies and toes.

I have two. This isn't a detective show. Honestly, I'm sorry about her. I'm sorry. Listen, Laura. Anyway. Let's just be real. I think you should encourage your friend to go ahead and not be holding out for any fucking man

to have her babies. If she is passionate about becoming a mother and she has her eggs frozen, and she has her shit together and her life together, fucking go for it. She could be waiting another 10 years before she finds the right guy. Connie didn't meet her right guy until you were what, 50, Connie?

How long have you guys been together? Yeah, no, 52. 52. 52. 52. I can actually speak to this too, Laura, even though I thought maybe you were the friend. Laura. I... Because, frankly, this was, I adopted my son as a single mom,

cause I kept thinking, oh, I'm gonna meet the guy, I'm gonna meet the guy, I'm gonna meet the guy. And I knew I wanted to adopt, just as your friend knows that she wants to have babies and she froze her eggs. And so I finally was like, what am I waiting for? And I did it. And I'm just so glad that I did.

I will say- How old were you Connie, when you did it. And I'm just so glad that I did. I will say- How old were you Connie when you did it? You did it 14 years ago. 44. Okay. Yeah. Great. That's encouraging.

Yeah. So, but I will say, you know, and she can watch my show that's coming out on Monday, The Motherhood, because it's all about single moms. So it's helpful because the thing is, you kind of need to know what you're in for when you are going to be a single mom. So it's helpful because the thing is you kind of need to know what you're in for when you are going to be a single mom. But honestly, it's so amazing if she chooses to do that. It's so amazing to be able to do that and not feel like because otherwise it screws up your

thinking if you're sort of at the mercy of the idea of like, I wanna meet a guy so I can have a baby. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, totally. And I've actually just become a single mom too. So I'm really trying to show- Did you kill your husband? But yeah, I have two kids.

That's a personal question, Chelsea. I have two kids, so I'm trying to really show her that, you know, it's awesome alone. So yeah, thank you so much. Do you guys live near each other, you and your friend? Yeah, we live, we're going to the sauna tonight. So we live like 10 minutes from each other. That's great. You're each other's community.

You're each other's community. Yeah, because that's what we're talking about. Connie's new show is all about this. It's on a hallmark and it's called Motherhood. And it's all about this. It's about actually forming a community with your friends who also are single parents so that you guys can help each other parent together,

you know, and be there for when the other person isn't and having your kids spend time together. Like this is exactly what we're talking about. So please don't ever put anything on hold in the hopes that you're gonna meet the right guy. You never know when that person is coming. Awesome, I love it, thank you.

Okay, great, thanks for calling. Thank you so much. Bye, Laura. Bye. Thanks, Laura. What a perfect question. Wow, that was really quick. We might even make it to four questions, we'll see.

So our next caller is Stephanie. She says, Dear Chelsea, I'm a high school teacher at a school in an underprivileged area in Connecticut. Yes, they exist here. We're situated around the richest towns in the state. I worked in my school for my entire career, 11 years. I just finished my last ever degree, which will allow me to be a school administrator. My dilemma right now is between loving my job and wanting to be financially stable.

My job is literally my calling. I love my students. I love my coworkers. And most days, I truly just love going to work and doing this job despite everything. However, we're paid like garbage. After school hours, I nanny for a family and tutor the other days of the week for more income. Plus, I nanny part-time in the summer when I'm off work.

With my new degree, I could move into an administrative position in one of the richer towns next year and make way more money, but I'm afraid that I won't find as much joy in the business end of running a school as I do in my current role. I need your advice. Do what I love or work for a paycheck

to afford a comfortable life. Stephanie. Hi, Stephanie. Hi. Hi, Stephanie. Hi, this is Connie Britton, our special guest today. I know. I'm blown away. She was a teacher too in one of her lives. In one of my lives. Yeah. In one of my acting lives. I mean that's that's I feel conflicted. I read this thing the other day from Bill Gates

there's a big tech conference a big climate conference at a big tech conference last week in San Francisco. And Bill Gates came out and said that in 10 years, all nursing jobs and all teaching jobs will be done by AI. And if he said that, then I think that's probably going to be true. So I would normally say stick with your passion. But I feel like you're already on your you've gotten you had to get a degree, right? An extra degree to become an administrator. You've worked for this. It's going to be more financially secure for you. I feel like that's your move. I kind of agree with that, but can I just ask one thing?

Which is, as you're thinking about it, could you make a list of the specific things, and you kind of did in your letter, but like the specific things and you kind of did in your in your letter, but like the specific things that you love about this specific job. Because then what you could do is as you look to something that's more lucrative for you and like a creates a better lifestyle for you, you can try to see if you can fill in those things in some way, even if it's not this exact same circumstance,

so that you're not completely sacrificing what you love, you know? Right, yeah, that makes sense. But also don't downplay all the positive impacts you can have as an administrator. Like there are many things you can do to also bring yourself joy. It's not gonna be the same

as being inside a classroom every day, but you can influence the teachers, you can provide comfort and safety for them. There are a lot of ways that you're going to find yourself experiencing fulfillment and joy in your new job that you're not even yet aware of. So don't think that that's not going to have any of those aspects moving forward. Yeah. Right.

Yeah, I agree with you there. I just get worried because I see how people who move into that role kind of ease away from what I love to do in my job day to day. And that's what scares me. It's like, am I, will I be allowed to break the mold and do that? Or do I kind of have to fall into this public school system of, you know, you're in charge, you have to be a little bit less fun. Well, that's the thing. You can be a leader in that circumstance. You can be the one to break through that and like, and that's why it's like making a list is a helpful idea,

because then it's like, OK, I want to include these things as part of this job, which everybody says, oh, that's not part of this job. It's like, you're going to do it differently. You know, that's not part of this job. It's like, you're gonna do it differently. That's an opportunity. Yeah, I think you should go into it with a whole bunch of energy about how you're gonna make this role special for you and how it's gonna work for you.

I'm sure there will be some limitations that maybe you don't foresee or maybe you do foresee, but there's always ways that you can actually impact and have change in your environment, you know, and especially in a leadership role. So like, look at it like that, like, oh, now I'm gonna get to influence and give like my passion for teaching.

You're gonna be able to infuse that into other teachers that are working, you know, underneath you. And you're gonna be able to like kind of set the tone and set the vibe. And I mean, nothing needs that more now than education. Yeah. Yeah. You have obviously a little bit of a deadline on this because you have to sort of make a decision for this next year pretty soon.

But like, if you really feel like, you know, I want to take one more year as a teacher, like, I think that's OK, too. And like, I think the extra stuff that you have to do to make ends meet is kind of a recipe for burnout. So, you know, if it's not the right time now, do some soul searching, see if it is. If it's not, then maybe it's next year or the following year. But you're going to gain so much more time and bandwidth that, like Connie said, you could do some volunteering with a group that, like, fulfills what your job is currently fulfilling. Yeah. I've been thinking a lot about it. I also was thinking about it a lot this weekend,

because I was so excited. Maybe proposing, like, a more of a lot about it. I also was thinking about it a lot this weekend, so I was so excited. Maybe proposing like a more of a hybrid administrative role. Like if my district, that's something maybe they would be into if I could still teach a few classes a day and then do the leadership components that through meetings and everything like that. So I was like, it couldn't hurt I suppose to just throw that out there.

Absolutely. When the time comes. That's a great way to keep your feet on the ground and in touch with everything that's happening also, like in your administration. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Okay, great.

Well, this was a very high upbeat phone call. I'm glad that you called and I'm glad we could help and good luck with everything. You're doing the Lord's work. Thank you so much. I know, seriously. That's the most, what you're doing is the most valuable thing we could ever ask. Thank you so much. I know. Seriously, that's the most, what you're doing is the most valuable thing we could ever ask.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thanks for your service. It was so great to talk to you all. You know what I hope? I hope that with this AI, like everyone's so scared of AI, and I was reading this article about how everybody was so scared of computers. In 1993, when Al Gore invented the internet, everyone was so scared that the computers

were going to take everybody's jobs. Everyone was freaking out. We don't remember this because half of us weren't even born then, but I was. And this article that I read reminded me of that. And that's how people feel about AI. And AI is going to be used for bad stuff, but it's going to be used for good stuff too.

Think about what we're dealing with with our education department being assaulted in the way that it has been with this administration. Wouldn't it just be the ice cream on the cake for all of us, or the Brownie, for AI to come in and educate the fucking shit out of all of these kids in America for free without school? Can you imagine how smart everyone's gonna be

if everything that they are doing just completely backfired? Anyone? Yeah. No, anyone? Hello? I don't think we're there yet. Well, we're not there yet, but what if that's a silver lining? What if that happens?

I like that point of view. I think if that happened, that would be amazing. I mean, you have to be motivated to learn, but the people who are motivated to learn that want AI tutors and they want these, you know, they're gonna be able to learn faster than anybody. I mean, all the information's there. So as much as you have a thirst for it,

you're gonna get it. Mm-hmm. I feel like best-case scenario, teachers are able to use it as a tool. Because as our caller just showed, being a teacher is so much more than just, like, providing information. It's like, you are caring for these children, use it as a tool because as our caller just showed, being a teacher is so much more than just like providing information. It's like you are caring for these children,

you're listening to them when they're having an issue, you're watching out for them, seeing if there's an issue at home sort of thing that like AI is never gonna do. But if you can take some of the burden off of teachers, that's I think where the sweet spot would be. I agree, like I think if we can be smart about it and not just have it be like,

OK, now it's AI and fire all the teachers. You know what I mean? But instead, understand the value of who the teachers are and that the AI can actually be an assist to them so that maybe we're not burning out our teachers all the time. I mean, we already pay our teachers total crap. So I don't know if it's going to help that situation. But I don't know. I agree. I think there's something where it could

be, it could be, it could always, it could work to our advantage. Yeah. Well let's take a quick break and we'll come right back with a quickie. Please tag me for the special because I get so many tags about my books but I'm not getting as many about my special and my special is the newest thing out so I want to make sure all my ardent fans are watching it and tagging me and I'll repost you and yes, it's called The Feeling. Have you ever wished for a change but weren't sure how to make it? Maybe you felt stuck in a job or a place or a relationship?

Join me, Emily Tish Sussman, over on She Pots, where I explore the inspiring pivots of women dig deeper into the personal reasons behind them and leave you with the inspiration you need to make your next pivot. In honor of Mother's Day, we have some very special guests. I'm Elaine Welteroth. And I'm Caitlin Murray. Both women pivoted out of their careers after having their kids, proving that motherhood is just another chapter in our journey, not the end. It's like, it's kind of like, will you have more babies? Yes. Will I always be me? Yeah. And will I continue growing? Yes. Because I was really in the trenches and I knew my worth and my value as a mom. Come on over to hear their full stories. You can listen to She Pivots on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Okay, we're back with the star of the motherhood, Connie Britton, the executive producer and star of the motherhood, which is a new series on Hallmark. You can watch the first two episodes now, and this is for anyone, any parent who is at home, who is a single parent or is friends with someone who is a single parent to gain a better understanding

of how important it is to build a community. Okay, do we have one last caller? Well, this one's just an email, but we do have one last question. So Liz writes, her subject line is, am I abusing my babysitter? Dear Chelsea. Great question.

Yeah. I'm a 37-year-old working mom of two kids, ages six and two. I'm fortunate to work four days a week, and I worked really hard to get to this place in my life. I have an incredible babysitter whom my girls adore, whose hours are 7.30 to 5.30 Monday through Friday. And just as a reminder, she only works at her job four days a week. Since I had my first daughter, I felt conflicted about child care.

A friend once said, I didn't have kids so someone else could raise them, and I felt that way too. I've always had the goal of minimizing the amount of time my kids spend with the babysitter, and I pick them up right at 5.30, which is great on my work days. But I've also been using her on my Fridays off so I can have some strongly desired alone time. This felt like a win for me in terms of prioritizing myself and my sanity. Today, I checked in with her to make sure it's okay

for me to continue sending them to her on Fridays. She's a small daycare center and they're the only kids there on Fridays. She shrugged and said, sure, but seemed hesitant. She works hard, so I get it, but it triggered that old part of me that felt like I have to spend every free moment with my kids.

As I'm typing this, I also realized that it triggered the part of me that needs to be completely self-sufficient and never ask for or accept help. God forbid I'd be a burden to anyone else. Don't worry, I'm in therapy. I've come so far, but the situation is so hard for me. Honestly, I don't feel like I need advice.

What I need is for someone who doesn't know and love me to tell me it's not just okay, but good and necessary to take time for myself. I know the real work is to find that voice within myself, but I'm fucking busy, so I need some help with this one. Sincerely, Liz." Connie? I mean, this is the whole... This is my show, Liz.

Again, please watch the motherhood. It's all about how hard it is for us to ask for help and to feel like it's okay. Like all six of the moms in all of our episodes, each one of them spoke about how they feel like they can't justify taking time for themselves. They can't justify buying things for themselves because it always comes down to time with their kid or the kid needs

something and that's always going to take the first priority. And that is how you literally destroy your own soul. And a mom with a destroyed soul is not helpful to their child. And so it's like, I think what it begs you to do is first of all, really ask yourself, like, what do I need here? It's okay for me to need help. And I have reasons why I need that. And then just have a real conversation with your babysitter. Because what you don't want is that icky, like, yeah, sure, but like,

there's some kind of like tension growing or you know resentment or whatever. It's like be real about it and be like this, you know, this is important time. Don't apologize. This is important time for me. I need this time. But if it's a problem for you, let's talk about what works for both of us. But it's okay to stand up for and know that you need your own time because it's gonna make you a better mother. Period. End of conversation. Except for whenever you have to taste say Chelsea. I'm just gonna agree with everything you said because it's pretty obvious that women need

to take care of each other and themselves. So I'm gonna let that sit without adding on. Okay. And that is the only time I will do that in our lives, Connie. I want you to know that, okay? I'm like literally, I'm gonna take a little picture, a little screenshot. Okay. Well, Connie, Brittn, we finally did it. You're on the podcast. We did it. We're promoting a great project.

The show is called The Motherhood. And you can follow Connie on Instagram if you want to, but not a lot happening there, so. Come on! We can't all have the most perfect Instagram that you have so much help making. Okay, I love you, Connie. I love you, honey.

Have fun at your premiere. I'm sorry, I can't be there, but I'll see you next time. Okay, honey, I love you. Bye. Bye, bye guys. Bye. Bye. And that concludes another episode of Dear Chelsea.

We'll see you next week. Do do do do do do. Drum roll, Catherine, please. And abroad, broad is my European tour. So I'm coming to obviously find a husband abroad. I need to get the hell out of this fucking country and it's not as easy as you think. So I'm coming to Reykjavik, I'm coming to Dublin, I'm coming to the UK, I'm coming to Brussels, Paris, Belfast in May and June. I'm coming to Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Manchester, London,

Glasgow, New Zurich, Vienna. I've never ever been to Vienna. Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon. I'm coming. Abroad is abroad. That sounds like fun. I'm going to go see you abroad. I know.

I want to go see me abroad. And there I'll be. There I'll be. Excellent. Okay, my remaining dates for Vegas. There are remaining dates for this year. Summertime is coming. And I will be in Vegas at the Cosmo,

doing my residency on July 5th. It will be the next date that I'm there. July 5th, August 30th, and then November 1st and 29th. November 1st and November 29th. I will be in Las Vegas at the Cosmo performing Inside Myself at the Chelsea. It's called Chelsea at the Chelsea for a reason. Okay? Thank you. Do you want advice from Chelsea? Write into dearchelseapodcast.com. Find full video episodes

of Dear Chelsea on YouTube by searching at Dear Chelsea Pod. Dear Chelsea is edited and engineered by Brad Dickert, executive producer, Catherine Law. And be sure to check out our merch at ChelseaHandler.com. Hi, it's Emily Tisch-Sussmanman, host of the podcast She Pivots. In honor of Mother's Day, we have some very special guests. I'm Elaine Welteroth. And I'm Caitlin Murray. Both women pivoted out of their careers after having their kids, proving that motherhood

is just another chapter in our journey, not the end. Come on over to hear their full stories. You can listen to She Pivots on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. You're listening to an iHeart podcast.