Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang - “Thought Starters” (w/ Michelle Obama + Craig Robinson)

Episode Date: June 18, 2025

Matt and Bowen are joined by the former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson who is the Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Listen to their podcast IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson where ever podcasts are found.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an iHeart Podcast. More of you dating with intention, because you know what you want. And you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will, too. Be more you this year, and find them on Bumble. It's your girl Tia Madison from the Outspoken Podcast Network from I Heart Podcast. We're doing pride in a big way. Come celebrate with Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bo and Yang.

Her haircut on an M&M. That's how you make an M&M a girl. You give it Lisa Rinna's hair. Keep the party going with High Key. I am High Key going to lose my mind over Calvary Carter, the way she about to yank my bank account. Party words with George M. Johnson. I'm gonna start speaking publicly about this

to try and become a lightning rod. And a special shout out from comedian Lisa Lampinelli and her podcast, Shrink This. Happy Pride for all who celebrate and who doesn't. Listen to all the outspoken shows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, honey. Camp Shane, one of America's longest running

weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. But there were some dark truths behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children. Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie. Enter Camp Shame, an eight-part series examining the rise and fall of Camp Shane and the culture that fueled its decades-long success. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad-free on iHeart True Crime Plus. So don't wait.

Head to Apple Podcasts and subscribe today. I came out because I literally had a contract ripped up in front of me. On a recent episode of Good Game with Sarah Spayne, I spotlighted an inspiring out athlete, pro golfer Mel Reed. It's a part of me. I'm certainly not ashamed of it. And I think that there should be more representation in. To hear this and more on identity, inclusivity, and the power of being seen,

listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. Look, man. Where? Oh, I see. Wow.

Bowen, look over there. Wow, is that culture? Yes. Oh my goodness. Wow. Las Culturistas. Ding dong, Las Culturistas calling. So today was Bowen's first ever ta-tay experience.

And that is the big headline of the day. Huge headline, famed bakery shakshuka restaurant. I have to have more things than that. I had a delicious chicken salad sandwich with raisins. Get into it. I don't wanna have this argument with anybody. Raisins belong in chicken salad. And you know what else I,

so I basically described it to you correctly. It was like a Michelin predimange. A Michelin predimange. And then we learned through someone that we were speaking to today that it is owned by Panera Bread. Yes. So it all goes back to Big Panera.

It all goes back to Big Bread. Big Bread. And that's actually really culture number six. It all goes back to Big Bread. Also in Lost Coach News. So the reason why we're in DC today is actually kind of a funny story. Several months ago, we sort of were reached out to with an opportunity that made us say, there's no way this is real. There's no way. There's just no way. It is real. And we find ourselves sitting with a pair of guests that to say that we are excited would be the understatement

of the century to have them on Lost Culture Reads This. We were so fortunate enough to be on their podcast. Had an amazing time. IMO, Higher Ground, get into that. That's the chicken salad of podcasts. Truly. Okay. There's raisins.

I mean, what would be on raisins? And you know, I said to our guests earlier, I did a breakfast hack. I was like, you know what you do? And so I didn't tell you this, Craig, but here's here's what you got to do. It's not just strawberries and raisin bran. It's also you cut up strawberries. I'm a culinary icon on this podcast. By the way, the snack of the summer is frozen grapes.

Frozen grapes. Oh, OK. So you got to cut up strawberries, cut and then get some bananas in there and raisins. Put it in your honey nut Cheerios. Raisins and honey nut Cheerios. You're gonna love the way you look, I guarantee you. It's still not that deep. For more context, listen to our episode of IMO.

Matt, it sounds yummy. Yes! So these voices that you're hearing, they're legendary, they're legendary. They are the Euclid Avenue Robinson. The iconic Chicago legend. We're here with a college basketball icon as a player, a coach and a broadcaster and a bestselling author that is likely best known as the former

first lady of the United States of America. And this is just really special. And they're podcasters now. So moving on up in the world, I'd say. Yes. Everyone, please. We are out of our minds to welcome Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. Oh, you guys. Gosh. I'm fired up and ready to go. Yes. Put me in, coach. OK. I'm fired up and ready to go.

Yes. Put me in, coach. OK. I'm ready to play. And you are the one to listen to when that gets said. So you're sort of been dragging me all day from my breakfast and know how I like that. You bring it up like it's some rocket science,

and it's chopped up fruit in cereal. Excuse my miss cheese bread. Well, at least you have to cut the cheese and melt it. You're right. That is steps. That's steps. Now, Matt, you do not have to acquiesce to her just because she needs to be the former First Lady.

Please. You did do that pretty well. Please. I do have that advantage. No way. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. I know.

Well, earlier I was like, thank you so much, Mrs. Obama. And you said Michelle. And I was like, OK. I did say that. I know. Well, it's great to thank you so much Mrs. Obama, and you said Michelle, and I was like, okay. I did say that, yes. I know, well, it's great to be on a first name basis, y'all. We cannot have a real conversation if you're saying Mrs. Obama. That's too many syllables. Correct.

Are you pretty quick to like put down that shield for people you're like, don't even worry about it? You know, I was trying to do that when I was First Lady. Sure. Because I just think, you know, it just sort of, like I am not that position, I am Michelle. And when you're trying to connect with people, especially young people, you know,

they need to keep the Mrs. because they're learning. But I'm always trying to break down that wall to say, we're just all here, you know? And the first thing to do is like, let's drop that title that's a little heavy. That kind of changes the dynamic. So I'm Michelle. Because that's-

You know what we call her? What? Your highness. I knew it. I knew it, the honorific. You need this person in your life. You have to be in the family. And he must bow.

I feel like you do need this person in your life that is like busting your chops a little bit. Have you guys always been those people to each other? Oh, yeah We come from a family of chop Yeah, it's it's it's it's we earned it we earned it our dad his brothers our Grandfather on my mom's side. Yeah, I, it was just chop busting all the time. And they started teasing at a young age. So you, and I always thought, oh, this is mean.

Until you realize, oh, in the real world, this happens all the time. So you're building a nice armor to fight the fights when you get out in the streets. Yeah. Craig, you've talked about how growing up it was Michelle was known as Craig Robinson's younger sister. And then it flipped at some point. It did. When you were known as Michelle's older brother.

I love that. That is much easier. Describe it in the ways that that is easier. It's easier because first of all, I was whether my mom and dad said, don't do it. Don't worry about your sister. Don't protect your sister. I did. Yeah. So everybody had to know that's my little sister.

So if you're going to run up on her, you got to come through me. Yeah. Be nice. Yep. Act right. And, and anywhere I went, I brought her with until we got to an age where we couldn't do stuff, but it's always been that way.

And it's much easier when I don't have to worry about that. Now she's the big star and I can just enjoy the benefits. Yeah. Yeah. The perks. Yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah, we both have sisters and I feel like it almost makes me emotional

to think of people having an opinion or like, be like, the idea that someone is accessed by the world in this way, that has to be something to manage about each other. I'm sure about, you know, your family members. Like when you become up for public debate and unable to participate in those discussions, I would imagine that that's something

that you obviously learned to cope with. Or do you ever really learn to cope with it? You know, you do. You have to develop a thick skin. And I think some people are better at it than others. I think my husband has a very calm demeanor and I think he was built for the job. I am a little more feisty, less so for myself,

but more for him. I get my back reared up when somebody goes after him and they don't appreciate his intellect and his sacrifice. Don't go after my kids. So I don't feel it for myself, but it is. It is uncomfortable. Anytime my kids call me with some bad interaction they had with somebody on the street because of their last name or them worrying about somebody, people thinking that they don't deserve the credit for the hard work that they do You know my mommy mo gets on sure but I I I've had to practice Being okay with it for the sake of them

Yes, because I think that kids respond the way their parents respond and all throughout the White House My thing was this is normal. You'll be fine, it's okay. Yes, there are men with guns on your school because your dad's here for parent-teacher conference, but keep going, it's not about you. Just trying to make sure that through all of this, they felt normal. So I couldn't respond too much.

I couldn't voice too much concern because then they would start panicking. It's like when a toddler falls and- They look up to see if they're okay. And if you're like, oh my God, you break down. But if you're like, you're fine, get up. But as a brother, I feel it when they get talked about. And it's really interesting because as a coach,

you get talked about all the time. Right. Like when your team plays poorly. He needed to do this, this play was wack. That doesn't bother me at all. Really? Because I know what I was doing was my best and this game plan went this way, something went that way, anything. But with them, it's when people don't appreciate what they're doing.

I wouldn't say things publicly, but people ask me all the time, how do you handle it? And I tell them, I know deep in my heart that they're doing the best for the most people. And that usually gets people to sort of calm down and take that strategy with them when they go on, when they go about their work, because otherwise it would just drive you crazy.

Sure. I used to be in the comments defending him. I'll throw hands for my sister. I would never want him. That is a state worse than death for you to be fighting in the comments. To even get in there, it's like, Matt, come out. Yeah, I know, I know.

Don't go in there. I also just, when you were talking about going to the parent teacher conference, I thought about being an elementary school teacher and knowing that the Obamas were coming in. What is that? Oh, it was a thing because the kids went to school down the street from where we're recording right now Yeah, our house is well, we were in the White House. That was our house then So it was a trip all the way up Mass Ave, right? And when when you're in the presidential motorcade, it's a thing Yeah, you know if the president is moving,

it's 12 motorcycle cars blocking off traffic, the street gets shut down. It's a 20 car motorcade, which I say that includes an ambulance, a caboose, and a clown at the end. I mean, it just keeps going and going and going, and it never ends. And all of that pulls up into the parking lot of a school.

And Ms. Apple is there. And Ms. Apple is getting held down. It's like, mom, that's Mrs. Charney that they're blocking. And it's like, no, I know, but this is how it goes. And so Melia is excelling in math. That's right. That is right. That's an A.

But here's the thing. Dad was going to parent teacher conference. It was like, you went before you were president. You went to every one of them. We are parents. We have to ignore this. This is how you get about the city. And this can't be the excuse for you not to participate

as a father because you deserve that. He enjoyed that. He enjoyed those moments of normalcy. Even if it came with a 20 car motorcade and helicopters and a cat team on the roofs, which is counter assault weapons, machine guns out. I mean, total lockdown. So yeah, that was,

and thank you, Sidwell well for putting up with us Great work, I always feel like you know big moments in my life I thought I can often associate with a song or a film or something and obviously you guys being in the public eye I wanted to ask if there is a moment that the world knows and they identify in a certain way just from watching you guys, but you associate that moment with a specific song or something like, what was the song of like the inauguration day?

Or like, is there a moment that you can think of that you can point to no one was, no one knows I was listening to this or had watched that, you're nodding. I'm nodding. Do you have something? Yeah, the first inauguration, we were all together in Chicago.

And the story about when we found out that Barack was the president of the United States is a completely great story, but I'll save it for you next time. We are all on the stage. I mean, it's our whole family, but our family's small, but we're all on the stage. Barack's family's on the stage. I mean, it's our whole family, but our family's small. But we're all on the stage. Barack's family's on the stage.

Was this in Grant Park? This was in Grant Park in Chicago. I remember that night. Yep. And what was the song? Of course. Wasn't it We Are Family? I don't remember.

That's what I remember. That's your fault. I think I was completely... You might have been. I was like, did they have a song? We should find out if I'm right. We should find out if I'm right. I think I was completely, I was like, did they have a song? We should find out if I'm right.

Because I remember We Are Family and I don't know if it was in my head or if they were actually playing it. Wow. Because I'm gonna tell you something. We're from Chicago, I've been in Grant Park. In November. In all my life.

When that inauguration was over, you could hear almost hear a pin drop and people are walking away. They're just in this euphoric, quiet, calm state. They were so happy. And it was the, I mean, black people, white people, people from the North side, people from the South side, people from the West side, all together,

just walking back to wherever they were going, quietly, orderly, no police sirens. You could see flashes of light, but it was surreal, man, for a kid who grew up in Chicago. Yeah, I mean, it just- It was so peacefully silent that on the way to Grant Park in the presidential motorcade, the kids were in the back because, you know, you're trying to tell them what's going on

because they were little. They were, you know, seven and 10 or six and nine at the time. So most of the time in the whole, they're playing. We set it up so that their cousins are there, they're playing games. Election nights were all about, we get chicken fingers and we get to stay up, right?

But you didn't realize they wouldn't understand what had happened. were all about, we get chicken fingers and we get to stay up. Right? Yeah. But you didn't realize they wouldn't understand what had happened. So you'd win a primary, big celebration, and Malia would, we'd come back, Malia would say, is dad president? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you're like, oh no, no, no, no, this is just South Carolina. We got to do this like 12 more times.

And she'd go, okay, go back and play. That night she said at the end of it, is dad president now? And we said, yeah, this is it. So we're in the car on the way to Grant Park and it's this deep silence. And we're all quiet in the car, the kids are in the back and Malia says, dad, I don't think anybody's coming to your party.

Because no one was on the street. And it never, this was like sure drive that it was always busy. She was like, oh my God. This is so embarrassing. I mean, after all this build up and chicken fingers. It's like you might be and we were like, oh, sweetie, no. This is what happens now that your dad is president. Wow.

No one will ever be on this street when he's on the street again. Wow. But it's like, with little kids, you're like, how do you put these moments into context for them? They're just in the back seat going, what's next for us? Sure. It's like watching someone realize their life is different.

That's right. This is so weird. I'm remembering, we got a new dog one time and then we opened our pool It's like watching someone realize their life is different. That's right. This is so weird. I'm remembering, like we got a new dog one time and then we opened our pool and I was in the pool and the dog came outside and saw me in the pool and froze. And it was like a new thing for the dog. And I was like, oh, I'm watching the dog have a formative core memory.

I don't know why I made that poll, but like that is what I'm thinking. It is so the same. It's the same. Just watching Malia be like, oh, we don't walk on streets with other people anymore. That's right, anymore. Yeah.

Anymore. Yeah. What are you doing in that giant bathroom? There's only a third of you showing. Ever. And I know that's not right. And someone should be panicking here. Should I dive in and get the kids?

There's water. Yeah. What's all this? Get in there. I don't want to be in there. Camp Shane, one of America's longest running weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a

society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution. But behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children was a dark underworld of sinister secrets. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie. In this eight episode series, we're unpacking and investigating stories of mistreatment and re-examining the culture of fatphobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on iHeart True Crime Plus.

So don't wait, head to Apple podcasts and subscribe today. It's your girl Tia Madison from the Outspoken Podcast Network from iHeart Podcast, honey. And you know what time of year it is, y'all. We're doing Pride in a big, big way. Come celebrate with Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bo and Yang. Her haircut on an M&M is so iconic.

That's how you make an M&M a girl. You give at least a rendition. Keep the party going with Hi-Key. I am Hi-Key going to lose my mind over all things Caldway Carter. Girl, the way she about to yank my bank account. Party Words with George M. Johnson. My book was read at a Senate Judiciary.

Yes, wow, we've both been read on the Congress floor. And a special shout out from comedian Lisa Lampanelli and her podcast, Shrink This. Hi! Happy Pride for all who celebrate and who doesn't. Let's live loud and proud, y'all. Have a happy Pride and listen to all the outspoken shows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts in. Have you ever thought about going voiceover? I'm Hope Woodard, a comedian, creator, and seeker of male validation. To most people, I'm the girl behind VoiceOver, the movement that exploded in 2024. VoiceOver is about understanding yourself outside of sex and relationships. It's more than personal. It's political, it's societal, and at times, it's far from what I originally intended it to be.

These days I'm interested in expanding what it means to be voiceover, to make it customizable for anyone who feels the need to explore their relationship to relationships. I'm talking to a lot of people who will help us think about how we love each other. It's a very, very normal experience to have times where a relationship is prioritizing other parts of that relationship that are being naked together. How we love our family. I've spent a lifetime trying to get my mother to love me, but the price is too high. And how we love ourselves.

Singleness is not a waiting room. You are actually at the party right now. Let me hear it. Yes. Listen to VoiceOver on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I came out because I literally had a contract ripped up in front of me. On a recent episode of Good Game with Sarah Spain, I spotlighted an inspiring out athlete, pro golfer Mel Reed.

I think everyone's story is different. I've been very lucky that I've got a very supportive family who literally don't care. It's a part of me. I'm certainly not ashamed of it. And I think that there should be more representation in. To hear this and more on identity, inclusivity, and the power of being seen,

listen to Good Game with Sarah Spayne, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network. I mean, you're talking about like going to parent-teacher conferences here and like, I got to ask, like, now that you are talking about both of you guys are talking on the podcast about how, you know, the decision making is for yourselves now. Like, you know, the I mean, I know, Craig, you're still raising kids, but like

Michelle, as someone who is like, you know, you've called yourself an empty nester and like that is that is a thing that like I have no idea. I haven't even asked my parents about this because I'm just nervous about what that was like for them. But now that you are making decisions for yourself, does that change the rationale, the framework of your decision making? Like you being in DC again,

without having to worry about parent-teacher conference, does that affect your sense of place? I was asking you before where you spend most of your time throughout the year, and it's kind of in multiple places. Does that feel, how does that feel right now? It feels great. Good.

Yeah, I bet. It does feel great, but it's a little off-putting, right? Because I realized for 50 plus years, I was making decisions for other people. And that's kind of a buffer, you know? I can always say, well, I'm doing this because my husband needs it. I'm doing this because my kids need it.

So the consequences of those decisions, I could sort of subconsciously throw off on them. You know, I am now accountable for the outcomes of all of my choices. They're all mine now, right? There's no one to blame if it doesn't go right, if there's backlash, if I don't attend a thing. Well, I did it because I had to.

This was my choice, I stand in it. And that's new at 61 years old. But it is freeing. And it could only happen now that I know my girls are good. They are full adults. They're not completely independent, but they move through the world as independent, responsible people.

They do not call us for everything. They figure stuff out and then talk to us afterwards to get our advice or reaction to what they already decided. I mean, there's just, as a parent, that's comforting. You know, yes, I miss them, but I can see them whenever, but that's what we raise them to be, independent people who can think on their own and live in the world and survive with or without us.

And that just gives me comfort. I sleep better at night. And I still sleep worse even as adults when they're under my roof. I mean, when they're here, I'm like, well, what time do you get in? And it's like, well, this is early, mom. It's like, yeah, but I know.

I feel like you're under my roof and I know I need to know where you're going. I'm free of that. Right? Yes, so it's it's good. It's a it's it's really it's liberating We need to connect you with Kyle Richards. Okay, she needs to hear from you. She's having a hard time as a new empty nester I don't know if you're watching Beverly Hills See, this is the part you said you were gonna check out but you we have to take the opportunity To ask Michelle Obama about some housewives opinions. See, this is the part, you said you were gonna check out, but we have to take the opportunity to ask Michelle Obama about some Housewives' Opinions. Yeah, go ahead.

Go ahead. You've revealed you watch it all. I do, yeah. I watch it all. I watch it all. It's like my golf, I'd say that to Barack. It's like TV you can tune in and out of, and you can watch it or not watch it and still catch up and go, oh yeah, they're arguing about that.

I was like, remember that. I find it soothing sometimes to watch them work through issues or not. Exactly. Do you have a favorite current housewife? A favorite housewife, that's so hard. Or someone that you watch and you're like, I'm rooting for that one,

even if it doesn't make sense all the time. Oh, that's, oh, I didn't think about this. There's a lot to choose from. So there are a lot to choose from. Who am I rooting for right now? All of your listeners probably watch it, so they know what you're talking about. Oh yeah.

But we're happy to fill you in. This is the current season. They're in season right now. It's airing now. And it's live? No, it's not. Oh, it's two months ago, but they cut it together. Got it.

That's exactly right. They taped them over a season, like last season, and it's airing now, so Atlanta is on. That's the thing about this stuff, which I would tell all the housewives. It's like, learn, just like all of us know. You're at the middle of it, and then it can all be gone. So what's the plan for when it's all gone?

This moment that feels so good, we all, at some point in our lives, are formers. I, yes, 100%. Yeah, I truly appreciate what I see a housewife hustling the products because A, I think it's funny, and B, I'm like, get your money. Get it now.

Yeah. And I hope you're saving it. Yes. On the subject of formers though, I feel like what you two are very good at sort of embodying in your life stories is the swerve, the career change. I think this kind of ties back to the decision-making

for yourself now that you're accountable to yourself now. It's like, does this echo anything about living in that zone between marriage or parenthood and right when you're out of college where you're like, okay, what do I do with myself now? That is something that I think, I hope everyone goes through, I kind of trust someone a little bit more

to know about themselves if they have had a moment of questioning like everything they've been taught to sort of move through life with. You know, I have always felt that our parents prepared us to do anything. They always encouraged us to do anything. They always encouraged us to do anything you feel like you want to do.

And the hard part for me was figuring out what that was. And early on, professional sports wasn't the way it is now. Very few people aspired to be a professional athlete. You just didn't think you could do it because you saw very few role models that were, other than the people who were way up there like Ernie Banks and Gale Sayers, those were the people we saw growing up. So I-

Bone is like, oh. Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. Okay, great. Well, I was telling you, we were gonna nod so hard. We were like. You guys don't have to do that. Michelle Flockton. You can do that for her,

but you don't have to do it for me. Listen, I told you, my dad's a coach 40 years. That's why I figured you would get the Gale Sayers part. I actually know that name. Yeah, so I was just playing basketball, and I didn't know that I was gonna get a chance to be a professional basketball player, but it wasn't what I was shooting for.

So we were always taught, just try things until you figure out what it is you like to do. And that's what I did. And I felt very comfortable doing it because I had the support of my family. And I never felt like I had to be a doctor, I had to be a lawyer, I had to be a basketball player. And then that way I was able to try finance

and try consulting and then try coaching and realize that I loved coaching and teaching. And I think the only thing that I thought I really wanted to do was be a teacher. I thought I was going to teach seventh grade and coach high school basketball. That was my, I should say I started out wanting to be a race car driver. And then you kept growing. I was publicly shamed by my second grade teacher who I absolutely loved.

And she was like, with all those brains, what do you wanna be a race car driver for? So that was the end of that, and then I got too tall to get in the car. Right, right, right. But I thought I'd be a teacher because I had so many good role models. My parents, I had coaches, I had good teachers coming up.

So I was thinking, that would be something that would be worthwhile doing. Well, you've really opened up a door here to the central question of our podcast. And so I feel like we'll just ask you, we'll start with you, Craig, which is what was the culture that made you say culture was for you?

This is that sort of formative, influential moment in your life where something you were exposed to, whether it was pop culturally or culturally in general, that made Craig become Craig? So I'm gonna give you the answer, because I know this answer, I'm prepared for this, but I wanna tell you, I always make note of questions

I haven't been asked. Because when you get interviewed all the time, and you listen to podcasts, you hear all these great questions, it's always so exciting when somebody asks a question you haven't heard before. And I only know your question because of your show, but I've never been asked.

So I'm really excited about this. And I know there were two opportunities here. So when I was in high school, I worked at Soldier Field, which is the arena where the Chicago Bears play. They used to have great concerts there and we couldn't afford tickets to concerts. at Soldier Field, which is the arena where the Chicago Bears play. They used to have great concerts there and we couldn't afford tickets to concerts so we never went to a live concert.

So my first live concert I worked at. During the series of concerts, Parliament Funkadelic. Wow, let's go. Landing the mothership on the stage. Production value. Make my funk the P-Funk. and the music on top of the production. But the best part guys, seeing them dudes come in off the bus.

Yeah. I was like, they cool as shit. Rock star lifestyle. They cool as. It didn't demystify anything, it actually mystified. I was like, I should have stayed playing the piano. Oh, wow. Cause you were feeling like a groupie.

I was like, holy cow, I could be up there wearing the stack shoes and the diamond, the star glasses, playing the bass, playing the keyboard. Ah, it was so, and so that was when I was like, okay, there's something to be, there's culture out here, there's something to be being cool. And then the next jump ahead

to one of my freshman year in college was the first year that rap was going widespread. Yeah. Rapper's Delight, of course. You know that song? Of course. Hip hop, hip hop, hip hop, hip hop, you don't stop the rockin' and the beggin' and the beggin' You know what's up, though. Hip hop, hip to the hip, hip hop, you don't stop around to the big, big, big.

You know what's up, look, I miss my mother. She used to do it when I was in elementary school and I was like, my mom has bars. I didn't have that phrase for it at the time, but I thought it. It's like, why'd you come up with that, mom? I don't know if my mom had bars. Rappers Delight, what year was that?

So that was 19, I graduated high school in school 79 so it was 1980 was the year 79 80 was the year I was my freshman year Yeah, you're the same age my mom. She graduated in 1980. Yeah Okay, Matt, we feel My mom's Yeah, my mom. That's my mom's culture. My mom is a superstar. Ageless. Ageless beauty. But yeah, no, there is a lot of music. And isn't it funny, like, when you're young and a kid,

like, it's so uncool to be doing music or playing in the band or do orchestra. And then now, who is cooler than musicians, rock stars, pop stars? That's right. That's right. Yeah, so we're trying to keep our 15 and 13-year-olds, they're still playing their music. Yep. And if they can just hang on, just hang on and keep doing it.

Maybe they'll be stepping off the mothership. Yes! They don't even need to step off the mothership, but if they ever wanted to, they won't be so far behind where they could only be the guy playing the like, castanets or something. The symbols. The triangle.

Yeah, the triangle. Hey, there's a place for that in a band. There is, yeah. Okay, Bowen, yes. In some kind of set up. Bowen, yes, you're right. I just, gosh, if I could take a time machine back to like a stadium funk concert.

Oh man. Like, I guess like what's the closest thing we have to that? I don't know. Stadium, I guess. You know what, we have Beyonce. Beyonce's doing funk. What are we talking about?

We have, I mean, yeah, Beyonce will give you every genre. But I mean, in terms of real, like what you're talking about. Oh, like a band. Like a band. I guess you know who is huge and it's not my culture at all, but whose people really live for is Grateful Dead. Grateful Dead and let me tell you, it's also Bruce Springsteen, dear friend of mine. I was at his concert in Barcelona,

and he's got E Street Band. It is music, it's a band, right? Yes. It's like, it's the drummer, it's the horn section, it's all of it, and they were playing jazz, and they flipped into Noraline's, you know, they did it all in addition to rock. But this is, you know, let's make a PSA for music

and education in public schools. I'm very passionate about that. Right, because this is, you know, all talent doesn't come from the rich, right? Talent is born and if there's no place for kids to access a trumpet or a set of drums, they don't get to cultivate that talent, right? That's why I love Broadway.

Broadway to me is like where the real, I don't wanna insult anybody, but it's like, it's where the real talent lies. I mean, you go to these shows, and it's like everybody's a fricking star. It's like, you should have a concert. The guy who's playing the backup to the, you should have a, you know, a gold album.

That's the understudy? That's the understudy, you know? It's just, that's why I love Broadway, because it's the place where real talent can can can come in the fact that they do a day in and day out with the same level of energy. They're flying without a net. No, truly. Every night. And it's just phenomenal to watch. I don't know. Did I digress a bit?

No, no, no. I was going to say before we ask you your response to the culture question, I have two questions for you. One, are you going to get a chance to or have you already seen Cowboy Carter tour? Oh, yes. I mean, it is the sojourn of me and my daughters and I and Beyonce's McGurl, first of all. I mean, we are that's McGurl at her back. So the girls and I have gone to every concert that she's had. So we did Cowboy Carter, and we were in New York. We did the New York concert. Were you at the Rainy Show?

The Rainy Show. I was at the Rainy Show too. Were you in the rain? Yes, I was in the rain. I was not. Yeah, well, that's one of the perks. Were you in the rain? I was, Michelle.

And she would think she would be sympathetic, but no, she was just letting you know. No. But it rained. I was, Michelle. I was blind. And she would think she would be sympathetic, but no, she was just letting you know. No. But it rained. I was dry. She can flex now. But it rained the entire concert. I mean, it poured for the entire concert

and none of them missed a beat. You're talking about- They didn't miss a beat. A dancer, there may have been a slippage once. Maybe. Maybe, but they made it look like it was, the stage was just a puddle. And she was stomping, she just performed wet and beautiful.

Unbelievable. I mean, she looks better than ever, sounds better than ever. This probably was my favorite moment of the whole thing was when Blue Ivy stomps out Galvanize with the towel, wiped down the stage through it it, and then shredded. I was like... Yeah, and that's of her own making.

Beyonce was like, I looked down and one performance in the rain and there's Blue cleaning the stage. And she's like, girl, what are you doing? She's like, I'm doing my solo. And somebody's getting this ready for me. And she is someone. And you wanna know what?

She also knows that everyone's watching TikTok every night, looking at every single movement. That's right. Probably the most scrutinized performer in the world right now is Blue Ivy. Everyone is watching every second of it to see like, is she as good as Beyonce? Like, is this unfair? Well, she's baby good. She's, she's in middle school. Yeah. Alright. Well, she's baby good. She's in middle school.

Yeah. All right, okay people. I mean, she is like a workhorse and that's what she's learning. That's what her parents are demanding of her. It's like, okay, if you say you wanna do this, then you gotta do it and you've gotta perfect your craft. So yes, I was there and loving it dry.

Yes. We're gonna have another chance. We're gonna go out in Paris next week. I was thinking about trying to go and get a dry show in so I could go down on stage, but I just don't know if I can manage it. Well, you let us know and we'll find a dry spot. We'll see you in Paris.

We'll see you guys there. But, and the last thing before we asked you the culture question was, I need to know specifically Oh Mary. Oh, yes What is Michelle Obama's? Experience at Oh Mary because we imagine that everyone's kind of turning to you to see how you're responding A lot of times I sneak in afterwards So I don't think that people knew I was there I come in at dark and slipping on the side and just yeah

And I didn't know fully what Omeri was. Right? So I went with a friend and it was a recommendation. They said it's a play and I didn't do the research, which I usually do. So I wasn't sure what was going on, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then scene one, and I am cracking up,

but feeling like, oh my God, if people see me laughing, it's gonna be on page six and somebody, but it was, I loved it, so happy for the Tony win. I mean, just out of your mind, it's like, this is what you think, who thought of this? What's going on inside that head? That evil genius.

That thought of the retelling of history in this very interesting but powerful way. Just, I loved it, loved it. Yeah, and also when you get to know Cole and you really realize that so much of their actual personal experience is in that show, even if you don't know the things that they've struggled with and what they wanted

and the kind of resistance they've been met with is all in there and that, I think, makes it, you know. In the bones of Mary Todd Lincoln. In the bones of Mary Todd. Yeah. So I'm happy to know that you had an amazing time. Had a great time. to know that you had an amazing time. Had a great time.

Camp Shane, one of America's longest running weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution. But behind Camp Shane's facade of happy transformed children was a dark underworld of sinister secrets Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye

Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie. In this eight episode series, we're unpacking and investigating stories of mistreatment and re-examining the culture of fat phobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on iHeart True Crime Plus. So don't wait. Head to Apple Podcasts and subscribe today. over your shoulder sometimes. So do you? I'm not a, I'm not a. Oh, you're not a brujo. Keep the party going with Tell Me Something Messy with Brandon Kyle Goodman.

Lobotomies these days are not that painful. We got BFF, Black Fat Femmes. I love fries in all shapes and sizes. Baby waffle. And Afterlives, Marsha P. Johnson. You're gonna be gagging. Just get your heart ready for heart failure. Let's live loud and proud, y'all.

Have a happy Pride and listen to all the outspoken shows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts in. Have you ever thought about going voiceover? I'm Hope Woodard, a comedian, creator, and seeker of male validation. To most people, I'm the girl behind VoiceOver, the movement that exploded in 2024. VoiceOver is about understanding yourself outside of sex and relationships. It's more than personal.

It's political, it's societal, and at times, it's far from what I originally intended it to be. These days, I'm interested in expanding what it means to be voiceover, to make it customizable for anyone who feels the need to explore their relationship to relationships. I'm talking to a lot of people who will help us think about how we love each other. It's a very, very normal experience to have times where a relationship is prioritizing other parts of that relationship that are being naked together.

How we love our family. I've spent a lifetime trying to get my mother to love me, but the price is too high. And how we love ourselves. Singleness is not a waiting room. You are actually at the party right now. Let me hear it. Yes. Listen to VoiceOver on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty, and I'm the host of the On Purpose podcast. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome back to On Purpose, Cynthia Erivo.

A Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award winning actor and singer, you know, from the color purple, Harriet and wicked Oscar nominated Incredible actor singer author and producer Cynthia Arevo, what's the difference between achieving and overachieving? You've done something really amazing, but how can I be more than amazing? How can I push more? How can I do more? You always felt like you didn't fit in I had to come to terms with the fact that I don't think I'm ever going to fit in and why would I Want to you don't want to let people had to come to terms with the fact that I don't think I'm ever going to fit in. And why would I want to?

We don't want to let people down. We won't be able to be happy. We don't want to break someone's heart. But the reality is that is how the way things go. I feel like a villain for doing it, for hurting someone. And this may be a hard thing to say, but sometimes hurting someone actually aids the growth of another person. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Gotta know, Michelle Obama, the culture that made you say culture was for you. You know, now that we're talking, it is music. It's still music. And it's interesting that so much of that cultural moment for us was music. And for me, it was a musical show, Soul Train. It was the competitor to American Bandstand. The music dance show that was on in the late 60s and 70s,

Don Cornelius, the Soul Train. Right? Yeah, the Soul Train. The dancing down there, I guess like the original. And the Soul Train line, yes, which is now done at every wedding reception party. All the fun ones. For those of you who don't know, that came from Soul Train.

But to see every week, you know, all these cool young black kids doing all the latest dances, wearing all the latest 70s fashion, the bell bottoms, the big afros, and the top it off with some huge musical guests, the latest in R&B, performing in your living room on television Saturday mornings, because that's when it came on. And we'd all get up and you try to do the dances and you create your own soul train line. I mean, that's for me, I love to dance. I love music.

I love Broadway. If I had any ounce of talent, I think that's what God saved the world. Because if I had, if I could sing a note, if I could dance a dance, I'd be up every minute. Just like, oh, would you like me to sing for you? I would be singing for everyone. It's like these talented people who are embarrassed

and they don't sing, it's like, no, I can't. It's like, if that was me, I'd keep singing and dancing. She's down-planning, she's really talented. I'm sure. I bet you are. She's really talented. I don't think, I think I'm regular. I think she could have been really talented. She's just a perfectionist,

so she would have never thought it was right. You know, I'm regular. I think she could have been really talented. She's just a perfectionist, so she would have never thought it was right. You know, I hear that. Like sometimes it's you chalk yourself out of things because it's not going to be perfect. But then all of a sudden, the world has been, you know, robbed of its Michelle Obama performance. Exactly. That's correct.

But back to Soul Train. Back to Soul Train. You know, Questlove used to do this 9th Brooklyn Bull where he would do like a Soul Train night and they would play clips. And it was like me, like fully as an adult, sort of digesting this for the first time. I was like, I was new about Soul Train,

but then just actually watching the footage and the clips, it is just this mesmerizing thing where everyone, we talk about like being like, that person deserves their own show and concert. Every single frame you're like, that's the most beautiful group of people, dressed so beautifully. The women were gorgeous.

They, you know, their movements were unique. They introduced new dances. And you know, culture was created. In that room. In that room. It was the first video music show that we experienced. There were no music videos back then. The visuals.

The visual, you mean. Well, you could see the artists performing even though they were lip syncing, right? Because they lip synced to a track. But unless they were on like the Flip Wilson show or the Carol Burnett. The Ed Cellavision show, a variety show. You wouldn't see people performing live music on television. like the Flip Wilson show or the Ed Cellivision show, a variety show. A variety show.

You wouldn't see people performing live music on television. Soul Train was it for us. Yeah. Were your parents also tuning in or was this? Oh yeah, it was family viewing. If my dad was home, it was, you know, we had one TV. So, you know, we lived in the age where you watched what was on TV and we got control of the TV during the Soul Train hour

Yeah, you know and everyone and we all got up tried the dances out you go outside after Soul Train and talk about what you saw with your friends and try to recreate the moves and You know, it was the cut the fashion was, you know off the chain It was where a lot of fashion culture began and ended. You see the inspiration in current fashion today, even the colors, the color blocking. It just, you know, amazing. And it made me sort of want to be older and cooler.

It wanted, you know, I was curious about who these people were and how you set these tones and where you found the courage to be that creative. And then the other moment for me was when I bought and was given, because I bought it and was given my first album. I was given it by my maternal grandfather who we called Southside, who was a record aficionado.

He had a huge album collection, didn't have a lot of money, but he had two turntables, a reel to reel. I mean, he literally had his house wired for sound, speakers in every room, but he was a jazz aficionado. Had a huge jazz collection that I think we're now donating to the OPC. Oh, good, okay.

Yeah, so the OPC will be able to preserve it. I hope that's in the works. Yeah, a two bedroom house with 25 speakers. In the bathroom, in everybody's bedroom. We grew up with music playing 24-7. There wasn't a time that my grand... When he woke up, the music went on. And you had to learn how to take care of the album, right?

If you used it, you had to clean it, you had to hold it at the edges. You couldn't stack them. You couldn't, you didn't play, put the needle in the middle of the album. You had to start it at the beginning because you could scratch the record. I mean, there was a culture to that.

He gave me for, it was one of my birthdays, he gave me Stevie Wonder's talking book. Talking book. The four songs in the key of life. I knew you were gonna say Stevie Wonder for some reason. Yeah, well I think I talk about Stevie Wonder. He was also, he was the key to my culture. Because he was the first musician

and we did this beautiful podcast on Stevie through Higher Ground, The Wonder of Stevie and I recommend it because it is a fascinating look at why Stevie Wonder is a musical genius. It covers his five albums. No one has produced that quality and amount of record and of music production in such a short period of time. Questlove was the producer with that, co-produced it with us. So I learned even more about Stevie, but Talking Book, that album, that led with You Are the Sunshine of My Life,

it was one of his first independent or first or second independent albums that when he was in charge of his career, wrote and produced everything. So it was his sound, it wasn't Motown, nobody was controlling him. And it was his sound. It wasn't Motown. Nobody was controlling him. And it was a cultural experience for me as a 10 year old because it was also one of the first albums

that came with the lyrics on the jacket. Yes. Right? And I would spend hours, just hours immersed in his music, in the lyrics. There was opera in it, there was jazz, there was sex, there was love, there was political statements being made,

a song entitled Big Brother. You know, your name is Big Brother, you say you're watching me on the telly, seeing me go nowhere. I mean, lyrics that, like, I was reading and going, he is telling us something here. And it was the first album where it wasn't just about the music, but it was about the message.

So, you know, that album was one of those cultural experiences that took me to the next layer. Like, it wasn't just fashion, it wasn't just the moves. It was like, it was't just fashion, it wasn't just the moves, it was like... Art. It was art, yeah. I mean, at what point, from getting the album... to, like, understanding what all of the messaging might have meant, and all this context about it being an independent production, and that it was, you know, not influenced by MoTown necessarily,

like, when does that knowledge come through you? Oh, I didn't know that when I was 10. You know, I've learned that over the course of a lifetime of following Stevie. Which deepens your love for the album. Yeah exactly right. Which is why this podcast will take you to different places with him. But even without all that information at 10 years old, that album moved me to a place that I didn't know you could go with music and art. So it was, and still resonates. I mean, I still have that album on my playlist.

It's part of my, the soundtrack. It's my soundtrack. It's like, it's my, you know, Stevie is the music that gets me going right before I'm about to give a speech. You know, when I'm on the way in a car to do something hard, you know, there is some kind of song that Stevie has made that will get me to that place. It's impossible to pick a favorite.

I'm literally sitting here being like, is it If You Really Love Me? Is it Lately? Is it All's Fair? Is it Superstitious? You know what I mean? Like there's, it's, he is the best. Yeah, the best. Before we do, there's, it's, he is the best. Yeah, the breath.

Before we do, I don't think so, honey. I wanted to ask if you remembered something. So this actually came to me, like, it was like one of those memories the other day. Years ago, it was 2016, you were on Jimmy Fallon's show. Yeah. And people were doing the thing where they were speaking to the portrait of you,

and then you came out. Oh, yeah, yeah. So there was a guy named Henry who went last, and he was, he was, he was speaking to the portrait of you and then you came out. Oh yeah, yeah. So there was a guy named Henry who went last and he was speaking to you and you came out and you had this moment together. That was my boyfriend at the time. Oh my gosh. She's a sweetie.

Oh wow. That was such a tough time obviously. I would imagine for everybody involved. And I remember just like, he is and remains, and he's a dear friend of ours still to this day. And he was the sweetest, is the sweetest person ever. And I just remember watching you guys have that moment. Like, I just, it was just such an emotional memory

for me to have the other day. And just, it was, it was, do you remember that happening? I absolutely remember that. I mean, look, one of the greatest gifts that I had being First Lady was being able to interact with people who felt impacted by anything that we had done. Right. Because we're living in like an Ivy Tower with security guards and you know, the rare personal interaction where you could be with someone outside of a photo line

and just experience them in that way meant as much to me as it did to him. And so yeah, I remember it all. What a small world. It was such a lift. And it remains a lift as a memory for me and I know for him. So I just wanted to shout out Henry and say, Oh, wow. I remember.

I remember. But I like now I'm craving to see that clip again. Oh, yeah. I used to love going on the talk shows and doing those stunts and bits with with Jimmy and others. They you know, it was like they would just play. Right. It's like she's game for anything. And I was like, yeah, I'm pretty much game for anything.

But we would have some of the best interactions messing with the public. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I'm looking back and I'm thinking nowadays they would never get away with that, because it's like if you go in there and say, oh, you're going to talk to this portrait of Michelle Obama, I think everyone will be like, well, she behind that. They were. It's like at the time I was like, Henry, what do you mean you were shocked? And he really was. I was like, maybe this was at the time where we weren't doing as many viral tricks. We were not. It was the beginning of it.

Well, I just had to bring that up. Thank you for that. Yeah. Well, give him my love. Thank you for that. And I will, I will. Camp Shane, one of America's longest-running weight loss camps for kids, promised extraordinary results. Campers who began the summer in heavy bodies were often unrecognizable when they left. In a society obsessed with being thin, it seemed like a miracle solution.

But behind Camp Shane's facade of happy, transformed children was a dark underworld of sinister secrets. Kids were being pushed to their physical and emotional limits as the family that owned Shane turned a blind eye. Nothing about that camp was right. It was really actually like a horror movie. In this eight episode series, we're unpacking and investigating stories of mistreatment and re-examining the culture of fat phobia that enabled a flawed system to continue for so long. You can listen to all episodes of Camp Shame one week early and totally ad free on iHeart True Crime Plus. So don't wait, head to Apple podcasts and subscribe today. So do you throw salt over your shoulder sometimes? I'm not a brujo. Oh, you're not a brujo? Keep the party going with Tell Me Something Messy

with Brandon Kyle Goodman. Lobotomies these days are not that painful. We got BFF, Black Fat Femmes. I love fries in all shapes and sizes. Baby, waffle. And Afterlives, Marsha P. Johnson. You're going to be gagging. Just get your heart ready for heart failure.

Let's live loud and proud, y'all. Have a happy Pride and listen to all the outspoken shows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, honey. Have you ever thought about going voiceover? I'm Hope Woodard, a comedian, creator, and seeker of male validation. To most people, I'm the girl behind VoiceOver, the movement that exploded in 2024. VoiceOver is about understanding yourself outside of sex and relationships. It's more than personal.

It's political, it's societal, and at times, it's far from what I originally intended it to be. These days I'm interested in expanding what it means to be voiceover, to make it customizable for anyone who feels the need to explore their relationship to relationships. I'm talking to a lot of people who will help us think about how we love each other. It's a very, very normal experience to have times where a relationship is prioritizing other parts of that relationship that are being naked together. How we love our family. I've spent a lifetime trying to get my mother to love me, but the price is too high.

And how we love ourselves. Singleness is not a waiting room. You are actually at the party right now. Let me hear it. Yes. Listen to VoiceOver on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty and I'm the host of the On Purpose podcast. Today I'm thrilled to welcome back to On Purpose, Cynthia Erivo.

They grab me Emmy and Tony award winning actor and singer you know from the color purple, Harriet, and Wicked. Oscar-nominated, incredible actor, singer, author, and producer Cynthia Erivo. What's the difference between achieving and overachieving? You've done something really amazing, but how can I be more than amazing? How can I push more? How can I do more? You always felt like you didn't fit in. I had to come to terms with the fact that I don't think I'm ever going to fit in and

why would I want to? We don't want to let people down. We won't be able to be happy. We don't want to break someone's heart. But the reality is, that is how the way things go. I feel like a villain for doing it, for hurting someone. And this may be a hard thing to say, but sometimes hurting someone actually aids the growth of another person.

Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, so it's time for I Don't Think So Honey Bo. Yes, this is our segment where we take one minute to really... The segment. ...rail against something in culture. Yes, we love segments. What a staple of the pod. We both have something.

So we'll go first and then we'll go Craig and Michelle. Yeah, let's do it. You guys are so good. You know, we'll see if we're good. I've decided to take a risk today with mine. I'm taking mine too. Mine might alienate some folks. I'm keeping an eye on everybody out there.

See, mine's gonna alienate no one, but people are gonna be like, no one has to be concerned. But yeah, let's go for it. Let's go for it. This is Matt Rogers, I don't think so honey, it's time starts now.

I don't think so honey, lack of didgeridoo in popular music. The didgeridoo is the instrument of Australia and I don't understand why we're not utilizing it. Lady Gaga, I'm looking at you. If there's gonna be a pop star that brings the didgeridoo of Australia and I don't understand why we're not utilizing it. Lady Gaga, I'm looking at you. If there's gonna be a pop star that brings the didgeridoo into complete pop culture dominance,

it's gonna be you, Gaga. It's the one thing missing from mayhem, which is perfect otherwise. Bowen Yang, I don't think so, honey, you're about to believe his didgeridoo impression. Do it. Waeow, waeow, waeow, waeow. Come on, that sound is amazing.

Don't you want that over a beat? Don't you want that to throw ass to at the club? I do. I feel like let's move. I feel like let's get the didgeridoo out here. Let's get someone who can play the didgeridoo because you know they're not making money because you're not booking them enough.

15 seconds. We need to take it out of Australia and bring it international. The didgeridoo is global. I want the didgeridoo, Lady Gaga, I'm calling you out. Sabrina Carpenter, I'm calling you out. Beyonce, we're all going to your Parisian concert together. Bring out the didgeridoo, Beyonce knows Carter.

That's one minute. Oh my God. Oh my goodness. I don't think we are worthy. We are not worthy. I had more juice than I thought for it. You are a pitcher. You are a pitcher full of juice.

I have yours if you haven't thought of it. Oh, is it? Okay, let's have them deliberate. Sometimes you do know more the other person's thing. Cause sometimes I'm coming in here and I'm like, what pisses me off? And then you find out. I can assign you one pretty easily.

Oh man. We should try that sometimes. We should do that one time. Like right as we're about to hit play, you tell me what mine is and I go, oh, I like that idea. Thank you for inspiring a paradigm shift for us. Although he can't do it. It's like, this is the thing.

Who can do a minute on anything other than you two? Let me tell you something. We went down to Epic Universe in Orlando. This is an opening of the new theme park at Universal. And they had us do one in the 97 degree heat, 70% humidity. I think we almost died. We almost died.

I think we almost lost our life. 45 seconds, I don't think so honey. By the constellation carousel. Don't you have human resources on your show? Someone should intervene. I know what, this actually is a huge issue. I don't think so honey, it's a liability. It's like, where are the union rules?

That's exactly right. Get the medic out. We need a podcasting union. We do, we do. Well. Why not? Don't start her. Okay, so I'm ready to alienate.

I'm ready. Okay. And Bowen has, he, when he really ripped these up, they ended in a tie. Okay. We'll see. This is Bowen Yang's I Don't Think So Honey. His time starts now. I Don't Think So Honey. His time starts now.

I Don't Think So Honey, why is pet food looking delicious in commercials? Period. Period. I'm watching the Tony's and there's a fancy feast gems commercial where they put that shit on a plate. It really did. The cat's not eating it out of a plate and then they garnish it with rosemary.

Yes they did. Why are you making it presentable for human consumption? Cause I'm sitting at home going, well my mouth is watering, I'm gonna eat this. And then I read an article in the Atlantic about how the gourmet dog food market is exploding. 30 seconds. Jose Andres, a Michelin chef is making dog food for dogs.

It's like, it's really getting out of control. Your dog doesn't know the difference between kibble and the fresh medallions of salmon that are being advertised on these packages now. 15 seconds. Your dog deserves the best, absolutely. Every pet deserves gourmet food. Every body deserves gourmet food.

But don't make human beings wanna eat it! Because I don't think so, honey. Me thinking, well, maybe I will try some whiskers or some pedigrees. And that's one minute. Oh my God. I saw some cat for the other day that looked like it should win a James Beard award.

Yes, it is. I was like, this is not, okay, and also they know what they're doing because it's on at late at night when the housewives are out. When people at home are a little- Oh, I am sweating, I am so sweating. That's too good, but have you seen the commercial

where the guy kicks the girl out of his house? What's the commercial? For the fresh dog food that you keep in the refrigerator. She's like, well, it's just dog food. You keep your dog food in the refrigerator? I mean, and then he kicks her out of the date and he's left eating dinner with the dog. And he and the dog are having the dinner.

It's like, I didn't like her anyway. You haven't seen that. Yeah, that was part of your. Oh, it's intentional. We went together, was it during the Tony's? It was during Tony's. Okay, so it's during the Tony's and he pointed it out and I was like, oh my God, I am hungrier

as a result of watching the cat food commercial. It's like they garnish it with rosemary. Rosemary. It's like, what are we doing? Yeah. I don't, but you know what it is? It's because, what are we doing? Yeah. I don't, I, I, because, but you know what it is?

It's because we're the ones buying it. Yeah, we buy what they- So it's gotta look good. It's gotta look good. Look, my cats have that. My dog eats her poop. There she goes. I'm sure they're, they really do that.

I watched it happen when I was a kid. I was like, now that's wrong. You know, but Barack still won't let her sit on the sofa. She eats her poop and it's like, she doesn't do it anymore. Cats know something that dogs don't and that's Ruliculture number 90. Cats know something that dogs don't. It's just true.

They know how to work people in a way that dogs don't. They do. And also they're persistent, nevertheless. Nevertheless. They're demanding. They're not persistent, they're insistent. Yeah, you're right. They're cat people.

We're cat people. We've had two cats, we just lost our last cat. I mean, their cats lived forever. We had one live to 21. Yeah, Missy, icon. Yeah, we're cat folks. May they rest in peace. You know what's funny is like,

I think I am a dog as a person, but I would get a cat. I think he's a cat folks. Yeah. May they rest in peace. You know what's funny is like, I think I am a dog as a person, but I would get a cat. I think he is a cat as a person and he wants a dog so badly. Like that's just, isn't that funny how that is? No. Thoughts, another thought starter, who knew? You too.

Okay, who wants to go first? Oh my gosh. Should I go first? Okay, you do it. So are you gonna do the one that Michelle suggested? No, and we'll tell you what that is after because I can't do a whole minute on it. Okay, okay, okay. Can you do a whole minute on anything?

Okay, here we go. I'm right down. I can try to do a minute on this. You want some water? You want some water? Yeah, yeah, let me not the straw. Even though it's not okay. He doesn't like the metal straw.

Oh, you don't like the straw? No, because guess what? It's almost like I don't think so, honey. I think that's what you're gonna like. Yeah, I think so. This is Craig Robertson's I don't think so honey. Yeah, I don't like the straw. This is Craig Robinson's I Don't Think So Honey. His time starts now. I don't think so honey, and I'm talking about balloons.

Balloons are for birthday parties and baby showers. They are not to ride in. Get them. Let me tell you why. First and foremost, you can die three different ways in a balloon. Tell us. You can go straight up so far that you lose oxygen

and die. The second thing is that you could go straight down to your point and fall out. But the third thing is you can burn up in a balloon. Fire. Why? People do not talk about how you can burn up in a balloon. Why? People do not talk about how you can burn up. And who are these people who are getting in balloon chariots?

No. And riding around. And Glenda in the movie? Because you cannot. Terrible. You cannot control where you're gonna land. They got these trucks to follow you along. You could land in the ocean if you're not right.

I can't take it. I don't think so, honey. And that's what Madnessy could land in the ocean. If you're not right. I can't take it. I don't think so, honey. And that's what Matt has been. That was excellent. I think I'm gonna have a heart attack. See, as you guys was thinking, you said, I don't think so many balloons. And I'm like, well, there's so much to say

about how loud they pop. Right, but he goes. The stress of blowing them up. But you said, he goes, hot air balloon. Hot air balloon travel and how ridiculous it is because you're right and you should say it and you did. These people are getting up at the ass crack of dawn

to meet up in a big field to get in a wicker basket. You wanna see the sky. You wanna see the mountain? Look at a picture of it. And guys, wait, let's just say you avoid those three ways of dying and you come down the land and the thing turns over and you get suffocated. And you get suffocated.

And now, by the way, now you're back on land and that's lethal. By the way, what do they tell your parents? Oh, sorry, he died and it was like an idiot. Because he went up in a hot air balloon and didn't need to be doing all that. So my mom is gonna pick up the phone and say, oh, he died being extra?

Great. Well, yeah. Serves you right. Yes, serves you right. Under a big Snoopy head? Like, give me a break. Give me a break. And I get so nervous when I see them

holding the big balloon parade. You know what I'm saying? Because they have to hold it at the bottom and this is, and I know it hasn't gone perfectly well every time. No, certainly not. They'll lose control of those things. Absolutely.

Now we're getting serious. No, thought starters. Right now it's just like, That's title of that, thought starters. Now we're getting serious. You were concerned, Matt. No. It's just like, this is not good.

This gives me anguish. I didn't know I felt this struggling. I feel it. This is why I don't think so-and-so is a powerful tool for conversation. This is great. It's great. It's cathartic.

But you know what you wanted me to do it on? What? Ventriloquists. I think this world is missing out on ventriloquists. You think there should be more? There should be more. I don't disagree. Just like the didgeridoo.

Just like the didgeridoo. I don't disagree with you. Okay, you know what? This, cause it is extremely difficult talent. It is a, and those who can do it are really good. Yeah. Have you ever tried? Of course I tried.

Well. How'd it go? Poorly. Well, not good enough for my parents to get me a ventriloquist dummy. I had to use one of her dolls. Okay. So do you have it? You can't do it now. No, I can't talk like that.

Ah! Ah! Oh no. It is crazy hard. It, I can't talk like that. Ah! Ah! Oh, no. It is crazy hard. It's hard. Because my lips are too far apart, but there are guys who can do it. They're like this.

It's eerie. Yeah, it's crazy. But it's wonderful. It is a wonderful talent. Is this on your list? I just love ventriloquists. They need to bring them back. He brought it up in one of our IMO sessions.

And I can't remember what context. I said, in my opinion, Oh yeah, in our- Where the world is missing ventriloquists. And I was like, what? No, I said ventriloquists- That is such a call. They're underrepresented in comedy.

Absolutely. You're not wrong. Is there a famous ventriloquist now? Who's the closest thing? I don't know. They were on America's Got Talent and they would have to be. That's where they show up.

I think you have to watch America's Got Talent. Did you just watch the other night? I haven't seen it this season. Shout out to my friend, Benjamin Hightower. Oh yes, man, you were great. What did he do? So he's a veteran and he went on America's Got Talent and he sang Chapel Row and Pink Pony Club

while playing the piano. Oh my, I'm gonna tell you to that. Oh, this is gonna make his life that you're gonna go watch it. But like, I'm telling you, like- Did he get through? He got through with flying colors and it's going viral online.

Okay, I'm gonna watch that. He's great. We're proud of you guys. So proud of them. Oh my gosh. Anyways, yeah. Can we just skip mine? You guys were so good.

No! This is the name of it. Okay, okay, all right. She's gonna slay it. Of course. All right. This is Michelle Obama's, I Don't Think So Honey. Her time starts now. I don't think so, honey.

Segways. Oh! All right, first of all, they still have them here in Washington, D.C. as part of the monuments tour They go so slow. It's just annoying that they go so slow. You just want to just get off and walk You know, we are dealing with an obesity crisis in the world We need people walking and if you're on a motorized thing that doesn't move any faster than you walk that I say, please

Please take the helmet off because you don't need it on a segue and just walk a little bit. Walk fast, walk slow. Oh my God. 20 seconds. And they're in the bike lane. Are they a bike? Because it's almost like you're walking in the bike lane.

You shouldn't. You should just be on the sidewalk. You don't need to be in the bike lane. You shouldn't, you should just be on the sidewalk. You don't need to be in the bike lane. With the Segway, you're not moving fast enough. And I just say, please, Americans, get off the Segways, get rid of them, put your walking shoes on, and let's move. Yes! That's one minute.

Oh my God. And there's a lot of drama about like, who belongs in what? Because it's like, the bike lane has become a place where I see a lot of walkers and this is a recipe for it. D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R. You spell it.

You did. You did. You did. Disaster. Exactly. I don't know why I spelled it but I was moved to spell. That's N-Y-U. That's N-Y-U.

Work it out. Yeah. That's what it is. I became a worse speller here. I went to college. I do hesitate to bring up, what is the carbon footprint on those too? I know, right?

I think about that with segways. It's like- Scooter releasing something. Something for nothing. For nothing. It's like it's not getting you anywhere faster. So it's like, and I do, I could go on about scooters too. Yeah, the electric ones?

The electric ones that, you know, some of my staff ride without helmets. Lime around. I don't know. Yep, yep. They're lit up in there now. Oh, yeah. They got something to say.

Yeah, well, I'm just glad that I don't drive anymore with the scooter madness, because who are you looking out for? The pedestrian, the biker, the scooter, who's like, they're on the sidewalk They're off the sidewalk. Are there are you with us or not? They're in the street They're in the street in front of cars. It's dangerous Do you think if you got behind the wheel of a car now you could still slay I drive

Oh you do drive. Well, I drive in certain places and I can still drive. Okay, cool. I have not been in the car with her driving. Which, like, what, it doesn't count because you haven't seen it? So you can't vouch for it. I cannot vouch, usually I can vouch for her,

but I cannot vouch for the quality of the driving. All my agents, they follow behind me, they know I can drive, I have not had an accident, I remember how to do it, it's like riding a bike. Okay, here you go. I love it. Okay. You know how to do it. It's like riding a bike. Okay. There you go. I love it. Okay.

You know what it is kind of like, I've taken like 10 month breaks cause I will go to like New York for a while and then come back to LA and I get it. And I'm like, okay, do I know this? And you know it. Once you know it, you know it. I don't know how to stick and I'm like,

do I know how to do that? That is the thing that I kind of need to. My first car was a stick. I miss it. I kind of liked the stick. I do. need to. My first car was a stick. I missed it. I kind of liked the stick. I do. It makes you feel like you're really driving. Yeah.

You're cranking something. I'm engaged. I'm doing this. I'm not distracted. This car isn't moving without me. See, everybody wishes they were a race car driver. Oh! And it all goes back to race car driving.

He's a Formula One fanatic. I am. You are. I'm a fan. How are you feeling right now in this moment? It seems like it's really, there's a groundswell. I cannot wait to see the movie. Me too. Yeah, the soundtrack is banging by the way.

Yes, take the crayons up. We are gonna go to the theater with all the sound around, and surround sound and take the boys and get the popcorn. I'm really excited. Maybe that's how we get them to Broadway, that if Formula One goes on Broadway, maybe you'll go see a show. When's the last Broadway show you saw?

We were talking about this at lunch. I think it was Romeo and Juliet, but it wasn't on Broadway. It wasn't. It was the most recent. So have you ever been to a Broadway show? I have, but I can't remember what I went to see. That's crazy.

You were not. No, I saw Hamilton. He's not my brother. I went to see. That's crazy. You are not. No, I saw Hamilton. He's not my brother. I'm sorry. Hamilton not on Broadway. Oh, I agree. But you saw him on tour or something.

But he didn't remember it. Like it didn't come to mind. I think, I think. He doesn't know. He doesn't know. The Lion King. I think we saw The Lion King. It's just so funny.

That's okay, that's okay. I feel like if you did see The Lion King, you'd remember. He doesn't know. It's like,. I feel like if you did see The Lion King, you'd remember. He doesn't know. It's like, how do you not know if you saw Broadway? Because I don't go enough. It's because you do F1 and sports.

And you know what? I saw Les Mis on the movie. And I enjoyed it. There you go. I enjoyed it. Publicly, so did we. It's like, there you go. I enjoyed it.

We publicly really enjoyed that. I enjoyed it. Yes. Yes. And the music was just fine. I'm going to shame you in the broadway. I'm going to take you to some Broadway show. You'd love O'Mary. I would.

You would. I would. No, you've got to go. But you guys have to understand. So I have 32-year-old and still have a 13-year-old. Yeah. And in between, I'm coaching teams where I have 15 other people's kids in my purview.

So, and it didn't. Boo, not an excuse, boo. I wanted him to play well for me, so I didn't take him to a Broadway show. I took him to a baseball game, or I took him to bowling. More sports, more sports. There's more crossover here. Like, they go to New York all the time.

You owe it to take those boys to Broadway. Oh, you were just there. No, no, no. I was not there. Kelly and the boys, yeah, I guess I was there. You didn't show up. He doesn't remember. I'm trying to think, like what,

you should see Hell's Kitchen because it's vouched for by all here. It's so good. And another thing is like, The boys would love it. So our kids, we take our kids to see stuff in our area, but we just haven't made a sojourn to Broadway or seen a Broadway show.

You'll know a lot of the songs too, obviously, cause it's Alicia. So it's like, that's another way in too, I think. Cause it's like kind of controversial, the whole like jukebox musical thing. I love it. But it is a way to bring people to Broadway. Yeah, yeah.

But I was thinking about what you guys were saying when you were talking about empty nesters and what you're gonna do now. And once I finally get there in five years, not like I'm counting, but we'll do stuff like that. Yeah. We'll do stuff like that. It'll be there. It'll be there. It's exciting to get to,

like my parents are traveling internationally for the first time ever now in this phase of their life. They're going to Greece in September and I'm just so excited for them. And it's just something that wouldn't have happened before because whatever, like financial concerns or time or whatever. So it's a real like gift to get that. Any new experience opportunity. I think IMO is gonna get you into a whole new world of culture and you know.

I'm looking forward to it. Okay. I mean, you guys are loving doing the podcast. Yeah. Oh man, it's so much fun. You're so good at it. You're very good at it. You know, we were so close growing up

and then work and all the White House, it just took us apart. And now we get to be back together, kinda like we were before. Cause when we are together, it's as if we are in the same bedroom, throwing the pillow over the top and she's catching it and throwing it back to me.

You can feel that. I can feel it. You can feel that. Oh yeah, oh, you can feel it. No, yeah, absolutely. And I mean, like we, I will say, you know, before we wrap, I just wanna say that we had such an incredible time on your podcast.

Thank you for having me. I mean, just to even like be able to talk with you guys and get to know you is so special. And the fact that you'd welcome us onto your platform is, you know, it's moving emotional. It's so fun and all the things. And so we just had the best time today. Well, you guys are special. You really are smart as all get out funny, talented, the advice you give, the, you know, the joy, the fun you're bringing into people's lives. You know, we need it right now. And we couldn't be more proud of you both. and it has been an honor to spend this time with you, but it will not be the last time.

We're podcasters now. We are a part of the podcast family. We're in the podcast community. And we need to check in. You guys are the experts. So we feel honored. It's so silly that that is true. Well, we still have not fully talked

about the Real Housewives. No. We could do a whole... We may need to... I told Meech that... We should do a whole, so we may need to, we should do a whole tutorial for him. What's a good primer? Like a-

Start with New York, season seven, when Bethany comes back. Oh my God. And those are some things we're going for seven. That's so clear. That's such a clear directive. It's cause it's how I started it. Whenever people ask me how to get into Survivor,

which we're also big survive now I have a syllabus. Okay, and this is important and helpful. It's a tool. It's academic really. Yeah, so alright I was gonna start with the Rhode Island housewives, but I'm gonna like city salt Lake City I like city. So oh, yes, we're giving you a lot of conflicting information. We're saying a lot of things That's okay. We can sum it up. We'll give them a memo. Exactly. I follow directions well. Yeah, you're good. You guys are amazing.

Well, thanks guys. It is our joy and you can listen to IMO wherever you get your podcasts. Wherever you get your podcasts. And we end every episode with a song. On my own, pretending he's beside me. This is Les Mis. I know.

And to listen to the rest of Les Mis, you can stream the soundtrack, I guess. I know. Bye! Lost Culture East is the production by Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and iHeartRadio podcasts. Created and hosted by Matt Rogers and Bo Winyang. And our music is by Henry Kaburski. It's your girl, Tia Madison from the Outspoken Podcast Network from I Heart Podcast. We're doing pride in a big way. Come celebrate with Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bo and Yang. Her haircut on an M&M.

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On a recent episode of Good Game with Sarah Spain, I spotlighted an inspiring out athlete, pro golfer Mel Reed. It's a part of me. I'm certainly not ashamed of it. And I think that there should be more representation in. To hear this and more on identity, inclusivity, and the power of being seen, listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain, and iHeart Women's Sports Production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports. I'm Andrea Gunning, host of the podcast Betrayal. Police Lieutenant Joel Kern used his badge to fool everyone.

Most of all, his wife, Caroline. He texted, I've ruined our lives. You're going to want to divorce me. How far would he go to cover up what he'd done? The fact that you lied is absolutely horrific. And quite frankly, I question how many other women are out there that may bring forward allegations in the future. Listen to Betrayal on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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